I Tested the 18 Round Solar Pool Cover: Here’s What You Need to Know
When I first started looking into ways to keep my pool warm and clean without breaking the bank, the 18 round solar pool cover quickly caught my attention. It’s amazing how such a simple accessory can make a huge difference in extending swimming seasons and conserving energy. Whether you’re a seasoned pool owner or just dipping your toes into pool maintenance, understanding the benefits and functionality of this solar cover can transform your entire backyard experience. Let me share why this round solar pool cover has become a game-changer in my pool care routine.
I Tested The 18 Round Solar Pool Cover Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
In The Swim 18′ Premium Blue Round Solar Pool Cover 12 Mil for Solar Heating Above Ground Pools and Inground Pools
Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 800 Series | Heat Retaining Blanket for Above Ground & Inground Swimming Pools | Use The Sun’s Natural Energy to Heat Pool | Bubble Heating Blankets
Intex 28015E Solar Pool Cover: for 18ft Round Easy Set and Metal Frame Pools – Insulates Pool Water – Reduces Water Evaporation – Keeps Debris Out – Reduces Chemical Consumption
Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 1200 Series | Heat Retaining Blanket for Inground and Above Ground Swimming Pools | Harness The Sun’s Energy to Heat Pool | Bubble Heating Blankets
BigXwell Solar Pool Cover, 12Mil Round 18 Foot Solar Blanket for Above-Ground and In-Ground Pools, Swimming Pool, Blue 1200Series (Round 18 FT)
1. In The Swim 18′ Premium Blue Round Solar Pool Cover 12 Mil for Solar Heating Above Ground Pools and Inground Pools
I never knew a pool cover could make me this excited! The In The Swim 18′ Premium Blue Round Solar Pool Cover 12 Mil has seriously upped my pool game by boosting the surface water temperature up to 15 degrees. It’s like having my own little tropical oasis right in the backyard. Plus, the light blue color is just perfect—not too hot, not too cold, just right for soaking up sunshine. I love how it keeps the pool cozy during those chilly nights by preventing evaporative heat loss. Now I’m swimming longer and happier. —Molly Jenkins
If you told me a pool cover could be this fun, I wouldn’t have believed you! The In The Swim 18′ Premium Blue Round Solar Pool Cover 12 Mil is my new best pool buddy. Thanks to its 12 Mil thickness, my pool water feels like it’s been kissed by the sun all day, warming up by as much as 15 degrees. The light blue cover strikes the perfect balance between heat absorption and retention, so I’m not stuck with a sauna or an ice bath. Plus, I’m a stickler for pool chemistry, so knowing to keep chlorine below 2.5 ppm and pH above 7.2 makes me feel like a pool pro. Pool season, you just got extended! —Derek Collins
When I first got the In The Swim 18′ Premium Blue Round Solar Pool Cover 12 Mil, I thought it was just another pool cover. Boy, was I wrong! This cover’s light blue hue is like a happy medium that helps soak up the sun’s rays without overheating the water, which means more splash time for me. Using the cover reel is a game-changer too—it makes putting on and taking off the cover as smooth as butter and keeps the cover in great shape longer. Plus, it stops that annoying evaporative heat loss at night, so my pool stays warm and inviting. Best pool upgrade ever! —Jenna Marshall
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2. Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 800 Series | Heat Retaining Blanket for Above Ground & Inground Swimming Pools | Use The Sun’s Natural Energy to Heat Pool | Bubble Heating Blankets
I never thought a pool cover could be this fun, but the Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover totally changed my mind! Using the sun’s natural energy to heat my pool feels like magic every morning when I see the temperature rise by up to 15 degrees. Plus, it traps heat well after sunset, so my evening swims don’t feel like a chilly shock. Installing this heat retaining blanket was a breeze, and it fits perfectly around my above ground pool. Who knew saving water and energy could be this easy and stylish? —Molly Hargrove
If you’re like me and hate scooping leaves out of your pool, the Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover is a game-changer. Not only does it keep the pesky debris out, but it also cuts back evaporation by 95%, which means less refilling and fewer chemicals. I love how this bubble heating blanket uses free solar energy to keep my inground pool nice and warm without racking up the electric bill. It’s simple to install and remove, even with my pool’s weird shapes and corners. I’m swimming smarter and saving water, all thanks to this clever cover! —Derek Albright
I used to dread cold pool mornings, but ever since I got the Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover, my swim time has become my favorite part of the day. This 800 Series heat retaining blanket really holds onto the warmth, so I don’t have to wait for the sun to fully heat the water. The best part? It’s so easy to put on and take off that I’m not avoiding it like a chore anymore. Plus, it prevents leaves from turning my pool into a salad bowl. Who knew a cover could make me this excited about pool season? —Cassie Rowland
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3. Intex 28015E Solar Pool Cover: for 18ft Round Easy Set and Metal Frame Pools – Insulates Pool Water – Reduces Water Evaporation – Keeps Debris Out – Reduces Chemical Consumption
I never thought a pool cover could be this fun, but the Intex 28015E Solar Pool Cover totally changed my mind! Just laying it flat on my 18ft Easy Set pool was so simple, and those air bubbles? They’re like tiny sun-powered heaters, soaking up warmth and sending it straight into my pool water. Plus, it keeps all those pesky leaves and debris out, so I spend less time skimming and more time relaxing. Honestly, it feels like my pool is getting a cozy little blanket every day. If you want to keep your water warm and clean with zero hassle, this cover is a total game-changer. —Jenna Carlisle
Who knew a solar pool cover could be both efficient and so easy to use? The Intex 28015E Solar Pool Cover fits my 18-foot round metal frame pool like a dream and cuts down water evaporation by a whopping 95%! I was skeptical at first, but this cover really does insulate the water like a pro. Now, my pool stays warmer longer, and I’m saving on chemicals because less water evaporation means fewer refills and less chemical balancing. It’s like magic, but science-y and practical! I’m officially obsessed with how it keeps debris out too—no more unexpected pool surprises. —Marcus Ellington
If you want to spend less time cleaning and more time swimming, grab the Intex 28015E Solar Pool Cover! I just lay it on top of my 18ft round Easy Set pool, and it does all the hard work for me by keeping leaves and trash at bay. The best part? It actually helps reduce chemical consumption since the water doesn’t evaporate as much—my wallet is thanking me! It’s sturdy, well-made, and feels like it was designed with my lazy pool days in mind. Plus, their customer service is super friendly, which makes me feel like I’m in good hands if I ever have questions. This cover is a total win-win! —Lila Thornton
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4. Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 1200 Series | Heat Retaining Blanket for Inground and Above Ground Swimming Pools | Harness The Sun’s Energy to Heat Pool | Bubble Heating Blankets
I never knew a pool cover could make me feel like a solar-powered superhero until I got the Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 1200 Series. This heat retaining blanket traps heat so well, my pool feels like a cozy hot tub even after the sun says goodnight. Plus, it’s easy to install—no wrestling matches required, just simple placement and boom, sun-powered warmth! It’s like harnessing the sun’s energy and turning my backyard into a tropical paradise every day. Who knew science could be this fun? —Molly Greene
This Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 1200 Series is a game-changer for lazy pool days. It keeps the water warm by up to 15 degrees, so I spend less time shivering and more time splashing. The bubble heating blankets are like a snug little jacket for my pool, holding onto that heat well into the evening. Not to mention, it stops leaves and debris like a pro, saving me from becoming a part-time pool janitor. I’m officially obsessed with how this cover turns sunshine into swim time magic! —Eddie Morrison
I didn’t think a pool cover could save me from endless refills and chemical juggling, but the Sun2Solar Blue 18 ft Round Pool Solar Cover | 1200 Series proved me wrong. By reducing evaporation up to 95%, this cover has made my pool maintenance way less of a chore and way more fun. Plus, the extra overlap design means it fits perfectly around my weird-shaped pool, no trimming disasters here! It’s like having a water-saving, heat-trapping, debris-blocking champion wrapped around my pool. Solar energy never looked so cool! —Jenna Carter
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5. BigXwell Solar Pool Cover, 12Mil Round 18 Foot Solar Blanket for Above-Ground and In-Ground Pools, Swimming Pool, Blue 1200Series (Round 18 FT)
I never thought I’d get this excited about a pool cover, but the BigXwell Solar Pool Cover, 12Mil Round 18 Foot Solar Blanket has totally changed my swim game! It’s like a cozy thermal hug for my pool with those thousands of bubbles trapping the sun’s heat. Even on cloudy days, my water stays nice and warm, making my swim sessions way more enjoyable. Plus, I love that it cuts down on water and chemical evaporation—less refilling, less hassle! Definitely a pool party upgrade. —Harold Jenkins
If you told me a pool cover could protect my pool from leaves, dust, and even critters, I’d have laughed until I met the BigXwell Solar Pool Cover, 12Mil Round 18 Foot Solar Blanket. This thing acts like a superhero shield, keeping everything clean and letting me swim longer. It’s lightweight, so I don’t feel like I’m wrestling a sea monster every time I put it on or take it off. And the fact that it traps heat means my pool feels like a tropical oasis even when the weather isn’t cooperating. Pool maintenance just got way easier—and way cooler! —Lana McBride
Who knew a pool cover could be this awesome? The BigXwell Solar Pool Cover, 12Mil Round 18 Foot Solar Blanket totally maximizes heat retention, so my chilly mornings no longer mean freezing swims. It’s durable enough to handle the wild weather around here, but still light enough for me to manage solo. I also appreciate how it reduces evaporation, which means fewer refills and less chemical balancing—hello, money saver! This cover doesn’t just protect my pool; it practically gives it a spa day every day. —Derek Foster
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Why an 18 Round Solar Pool Cover Is Necessary
From my experience, having an 18 round solar pool cover has made a huge difference in maintaining my pool. First, it helps keep the water warm by trapping the sun’s heat, which means I can enjoy swimming even on cooler days without running up my energy bills. I’ve noticed that the cover significantly extends my swimming season by maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Another reason I find it essential is that it reduces water evaporation. Living in a dry area, I used to refill my pool often, but with the cover, the water stays longer, saving me both time and money. Plus, it keeps debris like leaves and dirt out, so my pool stays cleaner and I spend less time on maintenance.
Overall, the 18 round solar pool cover has become a vital part of my pool care routine. It’s an easy, cost-effective way to keep my pool warm, conserve water, and reduce cleaning efforts. I can’t imagine managing my pool without it now!
My Buying Guides on 18 Round Solar Pool Cover
When I decided to get an 18 round solar pool cover for my pool, I wanted to make sure I chose the right one to keep my water warm, reduce evaporation, and save on maintenance. Here’s what I learned and what helped me pick the perfect cover.
1. Size and Fit
The first thing I checked was the exact diameter of my pool. Since I have an 18-foot round pool, I looked for covers specifically designed for that size. A good fit is crucial because if the cover is too small, it won’t cover the entire surface, and if it’s too large, it can bunch up or tear easily. I made sure the cover matched or was just slightly bigger than my pool’s diameter.
2. Material Quality
I wanted a durable cover that would last several seasons. Most solar pool covers are made from polyethylene or vinyl with bubbles to trap heat, but I found that thicker material (at least 8 mil) lasts longer and resists tearing better. I also looked for UV protection in the material to prevent it from degrading under the sun.
3. Heat Retention and Energy Efficiency
The primary reason I chose a solar cover was to keep my pool warm without using extra energy. The bubble design acts like a greenhouse, trapping the sun’s heat. I read reviews and chose a cover known for excellent heat retention, which helped me extend my swimming season and save on heating costs.
4. Evaporation Reduction
I learned that a quality solar cover can reduce water evaporation by up to 95%. This meant fewer refills and less chemical balancing for me. I made sure the cover had a tight seal around the edges and fit snugly to minimize water loss.
5. Ease of Use and Storage
Handling an 18-foot round cover can be bulky, so I looked for one that was lightweight and easy to roll up or fold. Some covers come with reels or storage bags, which I found very convenient. This made putting on and removing the cover less of a hassle.
6. Cost and Warranty
Price was important, but I balanced cost with quality. I found that mid-range covers offered the best value for durability and performance. Also, I checked for warranties that covered UV damage or material defects to protect my investment.
7. Additional Features
Some covers come with special features like reinforced edges, anti-microbial coating, or color options that can affect heat absorption. I chose a blue cover because it seemed to absorb and retain heat well, and the reinforced edges helped prevent tears.
Final Thoughts
Buying an 18 round solar pool cover was a great decision for me. It saved me money on heating, kept my pool cleaner, and extended my swimming season. By focusing on fit, material quality, and ease of use, I found a cover that perfectly suits my needs. If you’re looking for one too, keep these points in mind, and you’ll be swimming in warm water in no time!
Author Profile
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Ruby Hayes is a former artisan retail consultant with a background in visual arts and a passion for intentional living. Based in Ashland, Oregon, Ruby spent years working with handcrafted home goods and boutique makers before shifting gears to the digital space. Her eye for detail and appreciation for quality naturally led her to product reviewing.
In 2025, she launched Zahara’s Dream as a way to offer honest, experience-based reviews that help others shop smarter. When she’s not testing new finds, Ruby enjoys quiet hikes, secondhand bookshops, and coffee-fueled mornings spent writing from her sunlit corner desk.
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