Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Good, better, best: Inflatable pools your kids will have a blast in

Looking for a fun way to cool off during the summer months? If you’re not exactly ready to drop the cash on an above-ground or in-ground pool, treat the family to an inflatable pool. We’ve rounded up the top three best inflatable pools that you can order online and have delivered straight to your door, no trip to the big-box store required. And, because they’re all inflatable, setup is as simple as running an electric pump until your pool is inflated and then filling it with water. You’ll be ready to swim in a few hours. 

Whether you need an inflatable pool for smaller kids, one for the entire family, or one that’ll last through multiple summers of use, here are our top picks for the best inflatable pools for kids and their families. 

Two siblings in a pool
Photobac / Shutterstock

Good: Sable Inflatable 92 x 56 x 20 Pool

This rectangular, Sable inflatable pool measures 92 inches by 56 inches and is 20 inches deep, so it’s suitable for most children with adult supervision. It can fit two adults and three kids at one time, making it a great choice for most families. You can’t argue with the price, either. At under $70, it’s an affordable way to keep the kids entertained all summer long. 

Recommended Videos

One nice feature? The heavy-duty PVC material will stand up to wear and tear, but beyond this, the upper PVC ring is made from a white material that’s designed to stay cool under the sun, so you can lounge against the pool’s side without worrying about painful burns.

What we love:

  • Inflates in under five minutes
  • Suitable for kids 3 and up
  • BPA-free 

Better: Homech Family Inflatable Swimming Pool 

This slightly more expensive but still under-$100 option gives you a little bit more for your money, earning it our “better” rating. The rectangular, inflatable Homech pool is 118 inches by 72 inches, so it’s a good deal longer and wider, and 2 inches deeper than the option from Sable. Suitable for even bigger families, it’s estimated to hold two adults and up to five children comfortably. 

The overall design is similar to that of the Sable pool in that it has that white PVC upper ring to protect your arms from burns, and it inflates in under five minutes, so you’re ready to swim in a snap.

What we love:

  • Comes with repair patches for easy repair 
  • Made with three separate air chambers, so if you poke a hole in one, you’re not out of business
  • Suitable for kids 3 and up

Best: Summer Waves 10ft x 30in Quick Set Inflatable Above Ground Pool

But if it’s the best of the best that you want, you can’t go wrong with this inflatable circular pool from Summer Waves. Eight feet in diameter and nearly 3 feet deep, it’s significantly deeper than the other pools on this list, making it a good pick for families who want a pool that’s more enjoyable for the older kids and adults, but also safe for younger kids (with adult supervision, of course). 

Even though it’s inflatable, this pool still boasts features similar to what you might find with a traditional above-ground pool, such as a pool filter pump and chlorinator — meaning cleaner pool water with less time spent cleaning the pool. 

Even with all these features, the Summer Waves inflatable pool is only just above $100. 

What we love:

  • Inflates in 10 minutes 
  • Made from a triple-layer durable PVC and polyester mesh material 
  • Easy to keep clean

Beat the heat with an inflatable pool  

Get out of the AC this year and into the pool. There’s no reason to pay for a pricey pool installation or pay for the kids to visit the local waterpark — not when you can purchase an inflatable pool that does the job just as well, for a fraction of the cost. A quick, easy, and affordable way to make summer a little more fun, all of the inflatable pools on our list are well-reviewed and ready to go with just 10 minutes of setup or less. So, what are you waiting for? The pool is calling. 

Holly Riddle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist, who also dabbles in copywriting, ghostwriting and fiction…
Should your kids have an Apple Watch?
These are the pros and cons of an Apple Watch for your kid
A person checking their Apple watch.

Kids love gadgets, especially ones that keep them online at all times and parents love knowing their kids can be reachable at all times, which makes the Apple Watch appealing for everyone.  Smartwatches are the height of convenience, allowing users to leave their phones in their bags and do everything right there on their wrists. But since there isn't a kids' Apple Watch version available, children are getting the real deal, along with the real price tag.

With all the convenience, though, some people have major privacy concerns about wearable devices, especially when it comes to their children. When used correctly with appropriate parental controls, smartwatches, especially the Apple Watch, could be a boon to both kids and parents alike. But should your kid sport a device designed for adults? Let's see if children should wear an Apple Watch or if it's one more device they shouldn't be left alone with.
What Apple Watches do for kids

Read more
7 quiet road trip games for kids to keep them busy in the car
Add these games to your list for your next trip
Family on a road trip

Can't wait to hit the road again? You're not alone. Family road trips are an amazing way to spend quality time and have a super-fun vacation any time of the year. The only problem is that the kiddos usually don't enjoy the time in the car quite as much as parents do, and when that happens, parents aren't happy, either.

Thankfully, the key is to keep the kids occupied. Of course, there are electronic diversions like iPads and streaming movies or listening to podcasts, but part of the fun of a road trip is car games. Remember those road trip games when you were a kid? Road trip games for kids are a perfect pick to help pass the time as the miles roll by and get them more invested in looking out the window to get a glimpse of the areas you're passing through. Sure, a rousing game of punch buggy is exciting, but the contact part will lead to tears and arguments.

Read more
The best educational shows for kids, according to their age group
Check out these educational shows to get something more meanful out of screen time
Boy sitting on a floor using a tablet.

All parents struggle with limiting screen time for their children. It's not the best part of parenting and is one of the harder hurdles of "parentdom" to scale. If you want to put those screens to better use, here are the best educational shows for kids, broken down by their age.
For toddlers ages 2 to 3

For children 2 to 3 years old, it will be all about bright characters singing catchy songs, with the songs full of educational material.
Bubble Guppies
Your preschooler will love going to school with the Bubble Guppies. Really — the show takes you to a classroom of young fish where math, science, and literacy are discussed through various songs.
Ask the Storybots
The adorable bots in Ask the Storybots take kids on an adventure to answer those burning questions only a toddler has. Children will learn letters through rhymes and songs and then be transported from place to place to find out how the human world works.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
You can't go wrong with a classic that raised you as a child. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood teaches children about kindness and how to make the world brighter by being a better person. Kids love visiting the Land of Make Believe and hearing the soothing voice of Mister Rogers talk about early childhood themes.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That
If you have a little one already interested in science, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That focuses on those learning concepts. The nonstop songs make it fun for a child to see where the Thinga-ma-jigger will take them next.
For children ages 4 to 5

Read more