The best swimming pools

A steel-reinforced vinyl pool is probably the best intersection between affordability and quality for most people looking for an above-ground pool, and we like the Intex 16' x 48" Round Ultra Frame Pool best. We also find that pools around 48 inches in height should be deep enough to keep you cool, though we don't recommend setting up a diving board beside them.

Although it's not the easy-to-set-up inflatable pool that's prone to tearing, nor is it the all-metal year-round option that you can winterize and cover, this pool is functional and reliable. Plus, you won't have to worry about it bursting and flooding your backyard while you're away for a week or two on summer vacation.

The pool even has a built-in aerating filtration pump to help keep water clean and clear. Stagnancy is among the primary enemies of all pools, and without a filter, all sorts of lovely bacteria are prone to collect and proliferate. Some reviewers complained that the pool does not include a skimmer, but you can pick one up on Amazon for a low price.

Intex makes other, larger sizes, but if you're going to be storing the pool for the winter, it takes up too much space and requires too much work to disassemble for most people.

If you're after a rectangular pool, which is much better suited for swimming laps, then the 24-foot model is the best deal — just make sure you have the room to store it!

Reviews are largely mixed around the web, but the more critical ones seem to be those who'd be better off with a framed pool. Still, frameless pools can be tricky to maintain and set up, and probably aren't for everyone.

Pros: Durable, reasonably-priced, built-in filtration pump, easy to set up, 48-inches deep

Cons: Skimmer not included, flimsy ladder, has to be taken down for winter, ring may deflate quickly, might want to switch pump for a sand-filtered one

Step2's Play and Shade Pool has about everything you'd need to keep a pair of toddlers busy while you soak up sun and drift into a novel on the chaise lounge. Very little assembly is required, and a single adult can pop this puppy together in a few minutes flat. Filling it won't take much longer.

Ribbed floors keep slipping and sliding at a minimum, and a set of spinning funnel cups and a water wheel have a good chance of distracting young children for hours (at least, it did me).

Our favorite thing about this little pool has to be the umbrella, and the incorporation of toys into the stand is brilliant.

The only other kid's pool we love is the Yaheetech Pet Swimming Pool, which, admittedly, is designed for bathing dogs and cats, but most certainly doubles for small children, too. We like it particularly because it's foldable and portable, and not made of plastic that will eventually degrade and crack under the sun.

Compared with the Play and Shade, you will have to get a little more creative with an entertainment source for your beloved child, but we have faith in you and your parenting ingenuity!

And, if you don't have a creative bone in your body or you just want to spoil the heck out of your little rugrat, the Little Tyke's Slam and Curve — complete with not one but two slides and a basketball hoop — might be the coolest innovation in inflatable pools yet, save for maybe the Pirate Bay Blast Zone Bouncy Castle, which comes with an even heftier price tag.

Pros: Entertaining, shading, and easy to assemble

Cons: Made of cheap plastic that will not likely last long, especially if kept in direct sun

The Intex Metal Frame is the more budget-friendly option from Intex that's slightly less robust than our top pick. It's probably not suited for winterizing in most places, but it's fairly easy to take down at the end of the season.

At any rate, if you're careful enough with this pool, it should last several summers, which is about all you'll get out of any pool made from plastic or vinyl. Be gentle, don't demand too much of it, and, as with any pool, keep it clean. If you follow those basic rules, you'll most likely be a happy customer.

The only main issue that seems to be mentioned a lot in buyer reviews is that the pump is too small, so you may want to consider upgrading the 550 gallon-per-hour pump that comes in the box.

Just keep in mind that this pool is considerably more fragile and vulnerable than our top pick, and be especially careful climbing in and out of it. Also be sure to store it somewhere protected for the winter, and insider if possible.

Pros: Affordable, reasonably sturdy, pump included

Cons: Thin frames and feet, filtration pump may be too small

The 18' x 48" Easy Set pool kit by Intex is probably the easiest pool to set up out of all of our picks. There's no hassle with arranging metal frames and the edge is soft and inflatable so getting out is a little easier.

It takes only about 15 minutes to set this pool up, as opposed to several hours. You can even make this kit into a saltwater pool if you prefer, though you'll need a special saltwater pump for that.

The liner is the same three-ply, chemically-stable liner found in our other picks from Intex, and should stand up to everything from sun, salt, and even gasoline. A ladder, a ground cloth, a cover, and a 1,500-gallon-per-hour pump are included. Although the pump may be somewhat underpowered for the size of the pool, you can always upgrade it.

Pros: Easy to set up, comes with everything you need

Cons: Not as strong as some others, the included pump isn't great

Heritage has been making pools for three decades, so it would seem that the company knows what it's doing. The Heritage Georgian Above-Ground Pool Set will take you a while to put together and you have to be extra sure to level the ground beneath where you plan to set it up, but you'll never have to take it down once you get it set up.

If you're planning on staying somewhere for more than a few years and don't want to have to deal with flimsy liners and temperamental frames, you won't do much better than the Heritige Georgian Pool Set without digging up your yard. Still, it will likely take several days to set up, so be ready for a project or consider hiring someone to help.

Pros: Permanent structure, powerful filtration pump, built-in skimmer, good customer service, sturdy all-metal lining, 30-year warranty

Cons: Many owners find instruction to be lacking, takes several days to install

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