In-ground pools are the nicest pools available, if that is not in your cards, you might want to consider an above ground pool. There are a wide variety of different sizes and depths of above ground pools, but all of these are based on whether the pool is designed to be a permanent or temporary fixture.

Permanent Pools

As the name suggests, permanent above ground pools are designed to stay up all season. They are usually made out of steel, aluminum, or resin and require a vinyl liner. They are by far the most costly above ground pools and usually cost between $2,000 and $5,000 for a basic above ground pool.  High end above ground pools can cost $20,000 or more.  Because they are designed to stay up all season, they can be challenging to install; most people hire a professional.

Despite this, permanent pools offer the most features of any above ground pool. Coming in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, permanent pools can be larger and deeper than temporary pools. They also last a lot longer; most permanent pools last about 15 years, as compared to 5 or less for temporary pools. They also don’t need to be taken down every winter and reinstalled every summer, saving time and hassle. Amazon is a great place to start researching above ground pool sizes and prices.

Ring pools are the cheapest of all above ground pools and usually cost no more than $500. Their walls are made of a soft, flexible vinyl, making ring pools the most vulnerable to damage. They are installed by inflating a “top ring” with air and expand as water is added; this is a relatively simple process and almost never requires professional assistance. Ring pools are not very deep and are usually smaller than frame pools. During the winter, they must be folded up, which can damage their fragile walls.

If you are just looking for a small pool for the kids to cool off in, then maybe a kiddie pool is the place to start.