Types of Pool Covers: Which One Is Right for You?

Everybody loves a clean pool that sparkles with turquoise waters—but it takes a lot of work to keep it that way. Pool covers are an important tool for homeowners who want to protect the cleanliness and temperature of their pools.

But which pool cover should you choose? There are several types of pool covers available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. This guide breaks down each of the main types.

Why Use a Safety Pool Cover?

A pool cover is a large piece of material that stretches over your pool. Covering your pool provides a number of important benefits, including keeping debris out of the pool and minimizing the amount of solar heat the pool absorbs while also preventing heat loss from evaporation. 

Pools carry the risk of slipping, falling, and possibly drowning. According to the

(CDC), there are nearly 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings each year in the United States, and children ages one to four have the highest drowning rates (mostly in swimming pools). A thing as simple as a pool safety cover can prevent a tragedy like that from happening.

So which pool cover should you choose for your pool? There are five main types: mesh, solid, automatic, solar, and water bag covers. 

Mesh pool covers stretch to fit any pool, while solid covers are rigid and tend to be custom-fit. Automatic covers unroll or retract at the touch of a button, making them the most expensive when it comes to pool cover costs. Solar pool covers offer budget-friendly solar protection, but not much safety. Water bag covers are secured with heavy bags of water around the pool perimeter.

Let's discuss each type in more detail and the benefits and drawbacks of each. When it’s time to call a local swimming pool installer, you’ll have a better idea of which cover you’d like to use. Your pro can also offer their expertise as you make a decision. 

1. Mesh Pool Covers

Mesh pool covers stretch, making them an excellent option for fitting whatever shape of pool you have. They use anchors and attachments to hold them in place. Because they are mesh, they have tiny spaces that allow water in (preventing standing water from collecting on the pool cover) while keeping the sunlight out. Mesh pool covers cost between $1,200 and $3,000.

Pros	Cons
Doesn't allow standing water to collect on the pool cover	Doesn't block all sunlight, so algae may grow
Lightweight fabric is easy to fold and store	Lets in dirty water from debris that falls on the cover
Stretches to fit many different pool shapes	Requires occasional pumping to prevent overflow
Easier to install

Best for: 

• Those who live in sunny climates (since the mesh lets in sunlight) 

• Those looking for a safety cover that will prevent accidents 

• Those wanting a long-lasting option that requires little maintenance 

2. Solid Pool Covers

Like mesh covers, solid pool covers can also be custom fit to your pool, but they are rigid in design so they often have to be built just for your pool if it’s not a common shape. They are heavier but still fairly easy to store by folding them up. Solid pool covers are great at keeping unwanted dirt and debris out, although standing water is occasionally an issue.

You can purchase a solid pool cover for $1,800 to $3,600.

Pros	Cons
Blocks sunlight completely so algae growth is less of a problem	Made from vinyl, so they’re heavier than mesh
Blocks debris and dirty water completely	Standing water can collect on top of it
Still relatively easy to store	Not as flexible as mesh

Best for: 

• Those with someone who can help them take the cover on and off due to the weight

• Those with room in their budget for the added costs 

• Those who want a cleaner pool with less maintenance at the beginning of the season (because of the reduced algae growth) 

3. Automatic Pool Covers

Automatic pool covers come with the benefits of solid pool covers, but they’re retractable and fold on themselves, so you don't need to lug them around or put them in storage. You just press a button and voila, it rolls up or unfolds. While mesh and solid pool covers do a great job, they are a lot of work to roll out and then fold up again. You don't have to worry about any of that with this type of cover. However, automatic pool covers cost significantly more, at $10,000 to $20,000.

Pros	Cons
Has all of the benefits of a solid pool cover	Has the same downsides as a solid pool cover
The easiest pool cover to use	Costs more than other pool covers
No need for storage

Best for: 

• Those who need a pool cover that doesn’t require heavy lifting or prefer the convenience 

• Those with the room in their budget for the higher cost 

• Those looking for a cover that keeps in heat and reduces evaporation 

4. Solar Pool Covers 

Solar pool covers let in solar light to warm your pool for comfortable use even in cooler weather. In addition to blocking debris and evaporation, they act as solar blankets to keep pools heated. They are also the most affordable type of pool cover at $30 to $150. Despite their benefits, solar covers are very lightweight and cannot hold the weight of small pets or children.

Pros	Cons
Conserve water by lowering water and chemical evaporation rates by 95% on average	Lightweight, loose fit provides no added safety for pets, children, or older adults
Let in solar light to effectively warm a pool up by 5–15 degrees Fahrenheit	Short life span of only 3 years
Allows you to swim comfortably on cooler days
More affordable than other types of pool covers

Best for: 

• Those who have other safety measures in place like a fence to childproof their pool

• Those looking for a cost-effective option 

• Those seeking a way to help conserve energy 

5. Water Bag Covers 

Water bag covers consist of a simple rectangular piece of solid or mesh material. They cover an entire pool area without cuts or alterations. Long tubes filled with water are placed around the cover’s edge to keep it in place, with excess material tucked under the bags.

Water bag covers only last one to three years and are simply a low-cost way to keep leaves and debris out of a pool while protecting it from the cold during the off-season. They cost $50 to $250.

Pros	Cons
Heavy-duty material	Only last 1–3 years
Keeps leaves and debris out of the pool	Not as safe or effective as more expensive covers
Protects a pool from cold winter temperatures
Budget-friendly

Best for: 

• Those looking for a cost-effective option to keep pool water clean 

• Those living in cold climates 

• Those with other safety methods in place 

D.P. Taylor contributed to this piece.