We reveal the 9 Best garden swimming pools for 2023

16 March 2023 , 10:11

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WHEN a summer heatwave hits, there's really nothing better than one of the best garden swimming pools.

Garden pools are an easy and affordable way to cool off when the temperatures start to soar.

From inflatable padding pools to large sturdy steel-framed constructions, there's a wide choice of swimming pools available for your garden.

If you have small children, a large paddling pool or a family-friendly, mid-range pool should get the job done.

However, a more expensive, higher-quality pool is more of an investment. There are larger pools available that you can properly swim in, with filter pumps to keep the water clean and healthy too.

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Get set for summer 2023 with our round-up of the best garden swimming pools with a range of styles and budgets.

Best garden swimming pools at a glance:

Best for easy set-up: Bestway Fast Set pool
Best inflatable garden pool: Chad Valley Family Swim Centre paddling pool
Best value garden swimming pool: Intex 28272 Metal Frame Rectangular Pool
Best family garden swimming pool: Bestway Power Steel Swim Vista II
Best premium garden swimming pool: Bestway Hydrium pool 12ft
Best steel frame garden pool: Outsunny steel frame swimming pool
Best large garden pool: Bestway SP RectangePool00
Best round garden pool: Bestway Steel Pro Max swimming pool
Best paddling pool: Jhunswen large paddling pool

1. Best family garden swimming pool: Bestway Power Steel Swim Vista II

Bestway Power Steel Swim Vista Pool Set II, Garden Swimming Pool with Windows, £639.73 from Amazon - buy here

This premium pool is great for those who are looking for a durable family pool that you can bring out summer after summer.

It's a little on the pricey side, but great value for the size of the pool ( 16 ft) and all the extras included in the set.

Designed to last, the pool is made from TriTech material and has a three-layer reinforced structure and rust-resistant frame.

It comes with a built-in flow control drain valve and a Flowclear filter pump to keep the water clean. The set also includes a safety ladder and pool cover - and the side windows are a nice, fun feature for kids.

Type: steel frame and PVC, Capacity: 10,949L, Dimensions: 488 x 305 x 107 cm, Filter included: Yes

2. Best for easy set-up: Bestway Fast Set 10ft pool

Credit: via Amazon

Bestway Fast Set 10ft pool, £38.69 from Amazon - buy here

If you’re looking for a decent-sized pool that’s easy to put up and put away, this one from Bestway is a great choice. To set it up, you simply inflate the top ring and the pool pops up.

It has extra strong PVC and polyester three-ply side walls so it's durable and should withstand the kids splashing around in it all summer.

It's available in three different sizes (6ft, 10ft and 13ft) and - while you won’t be able to do any laps in it - it is big enough for the whole family to enjoy. Plus, it's a budget-friendly option - and the cheapest pool on our list.

Type: inflatable, Capacity:‎ 3638L, Dimensions: 305 x 76cm, Filter included: No

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3. Best inflatable garden pool: Chad Valley Family Swim Centre paddling pool

Credit: via Argos

Chad Valley Family Swim Centre paddling pool, £50 from Argos - buy here

For those with smaller gardens or young children, this Chad Valley paddling pool is a great choice.

It’s big enough for a family to splash around in but doesn’t use quite as much water so it's super quick to fill. Plus, it has wide walls for durability and to help prevent water escaping over the sides.

It's really easy to inflate - just make sure you have a pump handy - as there isn't one included. The quick deflation valve is also a nice feature so it's quick and easy to put away when you're done.

Type: inflatable, Capacity: 950L, Dimensions: 262 x 175 x 51cm, Filter included: No

4. Best value swimming pool: Intex 28272 Metal Frame Rectangular Pool

Intex 28272 Metal Frame Rectangular Pool without Filter Pump, £99 at Amazon - buy here

This Intex metal frame pool is a great-sized family pool for a great price.

With a depth of 75cm, it's deep enough for kids to swim in and there's plenty of space for adults to cool off too.

It's made from puncture-resistant triple-layered materials - with a rust-resistant metal frame - and it's really easy to set up.

The only downside is it doesn't include a filter pump - but it's great value overall.

Type: metal frame Capacity: 3834L, Dimensions: 300 x 200 x 75cm Filter included: No

5. Best premium garden swimming pool: Bestway Hydrium pool 12ft

Bestway Hydrium 12ft x 48in Pool Set Above Ground Swimming Pool, £1049.95 at B&Q - buy here

If you're looking for a top-quality garden pool and don't mind the premium price tag, this Bestway Hydrium pool has some pretty clever features to ensure it'll last.

One of Bestway's most durable options, this semi-permanent pool is super sturdy with reinforced steel sidewalls - and has an integrated surface skimmer and sand filter pump to ensure the water stays crystal clear.

It's spacious enough for adults and has extra wide steel top rails as well as flow control connectors for rapid connection. Plus, there's a ladder for easy access and a cover included too.

Type: metal frame Capacity: 16,296 L, Dimensions: 360 x 180 x 120cm Filter included: Yes

6. Best steel frame garden pool: Outsunny steel frame swimming pool

Credit: via The Range

Outsunny steel frame swimming pool, £169.99 from The Range - buy here

This steel-frame swimming pool is pretty budget-friendly for its size and quality.

You’ll need quite a bit of space in your garden for it but it's straightforward to construct and has a drain plug so it's quick and easy to empty when needed.

It has a strong steel frame and 1000D PVC sidewalls, which should be super resistant to sunlight damage and stay sturdy even if the pool is packed with boisterous kids.

Plus, it comes with a filter pump to help keep your water clean, although you may need to use some chemical treatments too.

Type: steel frame and PVC, Capacity: unspecified, Dimensions: 252 x 152 x 65cm, Filter included: Yes

7. Best large garden pool: Bestway SP RectangePool00 18ft

Credit: via Sports Direct

Bestway SP RectangePool00 18ft, £599.99 from Sports Direct - buy here

There are three different sizes available for this premium Bestway garden pool: 9.3ft, 13.3ft and 18ft.

It has extra strong sidewalls made from a three-layered PVC/polyester material and a chemical dispenser to keep the water clean and healthy.

There's also a seal and lock system for secure pipe connection and a built-in flow control drain valve so it's easier to drain the pool after use.

Type: steel frame and PVC, Capacity: 14,812L, Dimensions: 549 x 274 x 122cm, Filter included: Yes

8. Best round garden pool: Bestway Steel Pro Max swimming pool

Credit: via Decathlon

Bestway Steel Pro Max swimming pool, £132.99 from Decathlon - buy here

This is a great option for those looking for a good quality round pool for a purse-friendly price.

At 10ft, it’s not the biggest around - you won’t be able to do laps - but there’s plenty of room for the whole family to splash about.

This is also a pool that's designed to last with a durable, puncture-resistant lining and corrosion-resistant frame.

It's super easy to set up with no tools needed and comes with a filter pump - and flow control valve - for quick drainage.

Type: steel frame and PVC, Capacity: 4,678L, Dimensions: 305 x 75cm, Filter included: Yes

9. Best paddling pool: Jhunswen large paddling pool

Credit: via Amazon

Jhunswen large paddling pool, £67.21 from Amazon - buy here

If you have younger children, a paddling pool is a sensible choice but look for a good quality one that's well-made and won't get a puncture after the first use.

Made with durable but lightweight PVC, this Jhunswen pool should stand up well against heat and sunlight damage as well as the kids jumping in and out non-stop.

We love the handy seat in the corner, where you can sit down and cool off while your kids play in the water.

With a two-ring independent air chamber design, it's quick and easy to inflate and deflate - with two safety air plugs to help prevent air leaks.

It's also a great size for a paddling pool, at 2.5 x 1.5m, there's plenty of space for a good splash around in here.

Type: inflatable, Capacity: unspecified, Dimensions: 255 x 155 x 44cm, Filter included: No

Can I have a swimming pool in my garden?

The simple answer is yes.

For an in-ground, permanent pool, you don’t usually need planning permission - as long as you follow any relevant regulations around size and distance from other buildings.

They’re obviously quite expensive to build, and of course, there’s the cost of running and maintaining them.

Pop-up pools - whether that’s an inflatable pool or one with metal frames - will be much easiest to set up and cheaper to run.

There are lots of different sizes to choose from, including ones big enough to swim in, and you can take them down after the summer.

We’ve focused on these pop-up solutions for our guide to the best garden swimming pools.

How much are garden swimming pools?

For temporary 'above-the-ground' garden pools, this really depends on the size and the quality of the pool you go for.

A good quality, decent-sized Inflatable or pop-up paddling pool for kids can be around £50 but a bigger garden pool would be more like £100-200.

If you want a long-lasting pool, with a filter that you can actually swim in, you're looking at £500-£1,000 or more.

What is the best swimming pool for the money?

The Bestway Fast Set 10ft pool is definitely one of the most popular options as it’ll fit in most gardens, is easy to set up and is pretty budget-friendly too.

If you’re looking for a pool that’s potentially big enough to swim in, the Bestway SP RectangePool00 18ft makes a good alternative and it should last you for years.

Which pool is best for the home?

This all depends on your needs.

If you are serious about swimming year-round and have the space and cash to spend, it’s well worth investing in a permanent pool.

It has the added benefit of giving the value of your home a boost.

But it’s worth remembering that having a pool can turn some homebuyers off, and it can be expensive to run.

If you just want something to mess around in during the summer months, a pop-up version would suffice.

A paddling pool would be the cheapest and most compact option and you wouldn’t have to use as much water.

If there are more of you and you want to make the most out of a pool, getting a metal frame one might be better as you’ll have more room to splash around.

Are swimming pools for gardens safe?

Yes, as long as the pool is set up and used correctly and you ensure that children are supervised at all times.

Follow the set-up guidelines carefully and ensure you adhere to any safety precautions provided with your pool. It's also important to test the water and use the appropriate filtering and chemicals to keep it clean and suitable for swimming.