Welcome to your ultimate guide in the quest for the perfect above ground pool! If you’re on the hunt for the ideal pool to transform your backyard oasis, you’ve come to the right place. Our curated selection brings you the absolute best above ground pools for every need and preference.

Dive into a world of superior quality, outstanding features, and hassle-free installation as we unveil the top contenders in the above ground pool market. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly options, space-saving designs, or cutting-edge technology, our expert recommendations are tailored just for you.

Please keep us in mind for your very own hassle-free installation! Here is our service area and contact information. Ask a pro… (978) 710-8667 for advice.

Make a splash without the stress of endless choices. Let’s explore the key factors, compare the finest options, and help you find the best above ground pool that perfectly aligns with your vision. Your dream of a refreshing and stylish outdoor escape is about to become a reality – let the journey begin!

What’s In This Article?

• Recommendations for every budget;
• Explanation of entry-level pools vs. the best above ground pools;
• Discussion of the size and shape as it relates to value and building costs;
• List and reviews of the top-rated above ground pool brands and manufacturers;
• List of the top 10 best above ground pools;
• Finally, the cost associated with installation of above ground pools.
• PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JUMP TO THE SECTION THAT INTERESTS YOU MOST!

I believe my 30 years of experience enables me to provide the best above ground pool reviews, and I have been a dealer for all of the different manufacturers. Plus, I have worked on, and repaired above ground pools that were built before I got into the industry, so I know better than most what to look for, and what pools stand the test of time.

Quality Above Ground Pool Traits – Video

For more videos and above ground pool equipment reviews please visit my YouTube Channel.

Lets Talk Budget

If your pool and backyard oasis budget is south of $3000.00 and you are not going to install it yourself, there is only one pool to buy, and that’s an Intex. Intex Pools offer great value for the money.

Intex Pools are the best above ground pools under $1500.00 as they are the only pools under $1500.00, but there are safety and maintenance concerns you should know about. Read more here!

Lets work our way up to the three thousand to six thousand dollar range. These are permanent above ground pools with a metal rolled wall. This is where it gets tricky.

The largest cost for a manufacturer of above ground pools is the pool wall and the liner, and this is where you have to be careful. 80-90% of the above ground pool market consists of garbage imported Asahi Pools made of thin recycled steel. They did okay down south where things don’t rust, but they don’t last 3 years here in the Northeast.

For the 3k-6k above ground pool range I highly recommend either Aquasport Pools LLC also know as Buster Crabbe, or Doughboy Pools. If you go with Doughboy, go with their more expensive above ground pool options to get a better wall. With Aquasport Pools, they only sell the best wall even with their least expensive above ground pools.

In the 6-12k above ground pool price range, the wall is usually constructed of panels. These pools are much stronger and many offer the ability to go semi-inground or completely inground. Here I can only recommend the Aquasport 52 model, or the Fox Ultimate. I am leaving out the Radiate, Optimum, and intrepid/oasis on purpose and for good reasons!

Above Ground Pool Walls

The majority of above ground pools are a single sheet of steel or aluminum. These above ground pool walls are rolled out and then the two ends are mechanically connected together with screws. Thus giving this wall type the name “rolled wall pool”.

All above ground pool manufacturers except Aquasport Pools vary the quality and thickness of the wall materials to offer lower price points.

The best above ground pool walls are constructed of thicker materials. The elite above ground pool walls are formed by joining together small panels. This is why they are often called slat wall or panel pools.

The above ground pool wall is the most important part of your pool. My top ten above ground pool list below is based primarily on wall strength.

In the real-estate market it is location location location… With above ground swimming pools it’s wall, wall wall.

The Package

All above ground pool stores buy pools from distributors or direct from the manufacturer. Then they add accessories to make up their above ground pool packages.

Packaged Accessories Include

• The Pool Liner;
• The Skimmer;
• Pump (for circulation);
• Pool Filter (for cleaning);
• Lastly A Ladder or Steps and maybe some cleaning tools.

With above ground pool accessories like the ones listed above, they have the option to package good, better, or best from each category.

In a race to have the most competitive price (lowest price), many above ground pool packages have a weak link or two.

Seldom if ever will you get the best pool liner with your package. FYI… The thickest above ground pool liner you can buy is 20 mil.

Review & Rating Factor – #1. The Pool Wall!

The Basis For My Pool Reviews & Ratings – What Makes An Above-Ground Pool Great? The Pool Wall.

Nine times out of ten, when an above ground swimming pool needs replacing, it is because the wall rotted/rusted out!

Aluminum Versus Steel Above Ground Pool Wall Comparison

Many very knowledgeable customers I speak to on the phone point out that steel is stronger than aluminum. They are right! However, what they don’t realize is that an aluminum above ground pool wall is thicker than steel pool walls.

In some cases, as with premium aluminum above ground pools, the wall is almost twice as thick, making the aluminum just as strong if not stronger than thinner steel models.

Add to this argument that steel rusts and rots out faster than aluminum oxidizes and you see why aluminum above ground pool walls are superior. In my 30 plus years, I’ve seen aluminum far outpace steel pools in longevity.

Above Ground Pool Framing – Top Rails and Verticals

The frame of the pool is nowhere near as important as the wall. Manufacturers have taken to making huge resin top rails and vertical posts, when they would be way better off putting the extra money into thicker pool walls made of superior American steel or, even better, aluminum.

Once an above ground pool gets built correctly, you could remove all the top-rails and vertical uprights, and it would stand just fine!

They build pools with over-sized top rails to make them “look” stronger, and so the Chinese can’t compete. China suppliers need to ship via containers across the ocean. Bulky resin upright and top rails don’t pack easy and cost way to much to ship.

15′ X 30′ Oval Pool Versus The 24′ Round Pool

The 24′ round and the oval 15’×30′ are the two most popular sizes, so a comparison here will offer you some great insight.

If you want the best value pool, you should know, you will always get more pool for your money if you buy a round pool. A 24′ round is larger than a 15′ x 30′ oval by 55 square feet. A 24′-round swimming pool holds one thousand five hundred gallons more water than a 15′ x 30′.

A 15′ x 30′ is harder to install, and as such installation cost about $800.00 more, the 15′ x 30′ pool package usually cost $800.00 – $1200.00 more (buttress vs. non-buttress), so that is $1600.00 – $2000.00 more for a smaller, pool. When you compare the differences, you begin to understand why the 24′ round is the most popular and the best above ground pool choice.

The 24′ round is also easier to maintain. Round above ground pools naturally have better circulation. Better water flow provides less dead spots for algae to form and allows the skimmer to catch more debris, which means a cleaner floor too.

Negatives Of Oval Swimming Pools

Oval above ground pools require buried straps or buttresses to support the straight side walls. Often you find these side walls leaning out as the straps or buttress supports begin to settle. Usually, as the side supports sink just a little, the connecting-strap that runs from one side to the other across the bottom of the pool starts to raise up, causing the somewhat sharp metal strap to contact your pool liner.

Best Above Ground Pool Reviews by Brand

Top-10 List

1. Buster Crabbe – Aquasport 52 (Aluminum) Slat Wall or
2. #1 Also – Fox Ultimate (Steel Wall)
3. #1 Also – Buster Crabbe – Admiral’s Walk (Aluminum) Slat Wall with Deck
4. #1 Also – Wilkes / Gibraltar (now aluminum) Slat Wall with Deck
5. #2 Kayak (Aluminum) Panels with Deck
6. Wilbar International – Intrepid / Oasis by Wilbar (Aluminum) Slat Wall
7. Aquasport Pools LLC – (Aluminum) Rolled Wall Three Models : Lamark | Atlas | Dauntless
8. Doughboy – Saratoga or Tuscany (Steel) Rolled Wall or Aquasport Pools LLC
9. #9 & 10 The Radiant or Optimum (BUT not in colder climates)

The top 4 options all have different benefits and features,, but they are all going to last a lifetime. The differences are negligible and depend on what you’re really looking for, so they are all number 1. These are the elite! Some come with deck and fence, some can be semi inground or fully inground. I encourage serious shoppers to call me for a recommendation. (978) 710-8667

There are literately several hundred above ground pool models you could choose. Each of these manufacturers make 12 to 20 above ground models alone, combining for hundreds of pools. These are my top ten favorite above ground pools based on strength and durability.

My opinion, and that of every installer I have ever talked with agrees with my recommendations. The main thing that separates these above ground pools from all other above ground pools is their walls.

A QUICK FAVOR??? – If you are enjoying all the information here, PLEASE take a second to scroll to the bottom and click the Like button. Thank you!

Reviews Of The Best Above Ground Pool Companies

I will now review each of the above ground pool manufacturers whose pools are in my top ten list. Also, I will discuss some popular pool brands and offer my opinions and insights.

I hope you will forgive that I have ranked many of the pools I sell as the best. It may seem like I have a conflict of interest, but I only want to sell the highest quality to my customers so why would I carry anything less than the best? I have less expensive pools too if the best of the best is outside your budget.

I am hoping you know enough now to decide for yourself what type of above ground pool you want for your back yard.

I am grateful to my long standing relationship with the Ames Family that owns Aquasport Pools LLC. So, the first pool company I will review is my own manufacturer Aquasport Pools LLC / aka…Buster Crabbe Pools.

Aquasport Pools LLC /Buster Crabbe Swimming Pool Reviews

Buster Crabbe Pools, aka Aquasport Pools LLC out of New Brunswick NJ is the oldest above ground pool company still owned and operated by the original founding family.

I cannot speak highly enough about the second and third generation of this company. They are of the highest character. All I can say is that this is a pool company that has never lost its identity. It is run by the owners. If you call, one of three people will answer the phone: Andrew or Steve (the founder’s sons), or Greg, Andrew’s son.

If you’re not a distributor of above ground pools, I would urge you not to call them as they are usually swamped and do not sell to the public. I personally love that they have never sold out, and are personally invested in their brand.

While most other swimming pool companies have different quality pool walls, Buster Crabbe sells only one. The steel wall on their least expensive above ground pool is just as good as the wall of their most expensive above ground pool. They decided a long time ago not to sell garbage. Another important distinction is that their aluminum walls are thicker than any other manufacturer of above ground pools.

The Aquasport 52 is in the elite class, and offers the options of a completely above ground, semi-inground, and completely inground pool. Aquasport 52 Brochure.

I have personally worked on, repaired, assembled, and disassembled thousands of above ground pools over my career. There has never been a better swimming pool kit. The closest in quality were the old Johnny Weissmuller and Ester Williams Pools.

Pros

• Integrity & Pride in Craftsmanship;
• All Buster Crabbe rolled wall pools are of the same great quality steel; no entry level pool walls.
• All models have an upgrade option to an aluminum wall which is the thickest in the industry;
• Buys Steel from US Steel Mills;
• Have pool liners made to fit the exact dimensions of their pools, like a glove, no wrinkles!
• 100% of pool liners are premium grade;
• The Aquasport 52 Slat wall Pool can get installed on-ground semi-inground or completely inground.
• The company character and financial health

Cons

• No in-wall step option;
• Lack of dealers as you go west of Pennsylvania

Fox Ultimate Pools

This company is now under the umbrella of Cardinal Pools, known for their great inground steel pool kits. This pool like the Aquasport 52, can be installed completely inground, or semi-inground. This is the first 52 inch steel pool wall made for the above ground market that is as thick as inground pools walls. This steel should not be compare to rolled wall pools.

Pros

• The wall comes in 2 foot, 4 foot, or 8 foot super thick ridged steel panels.
• Has a walk in step like traditional inground pools available for above ground installations.
• One of very few manufacturers that wont void your warranty for a salt system

Cons

• Cost more than the Aquasport 52 but on par with other pools
• Cost more to ship
• Requires a cement collar like Radiant and Optimum

Best Doughboy Pools Reviews

This company is very well known and may be older than Buster Crabbe Pools. The truth is that Hoffinger enterprises now owns Doughboy Pools. Few people know who Hoffinger is, so that is why I am calling this a Doughboy pool review and not leading with Hoffinger.

I used to be a dealer of Doughboy Pools, so I know a few things. I often suggest to people who cannot find an installer for the pools I offer, to look for a Doughboy Dealer near them.

Pros

• Doughboy Pools higher end resin pools have very robust framing;
• They have beautiful decorative wall prints;
• There is optional in-pool wall step that is like an inground pool;
• They buy steel from US steel mills – higher end models;
• They have a lot of dealers, especially in the South West United States;
• The Palm, Saratoga, and Tuscany have the best rolled steel walls. They buy their walls for these models from the same place as Buster Crabbe.

Cons

They only sell rolled steel wall pools, and while their best above ground pool walls are used for the Tuscany and Saratoga models, their less expensive pool models have lesser pool walls.

• Big disappointment that they do not have a slat wall model or even an aluminum option.
• For the price of their premium above ground pools, you could buy a slat wall/panel pool from Wilbar or Buster Crabbe.

Best Wilbar Pool Company Reviews

This company has been buying up a lot of pool brands but has itself only been around since 1986. They carry many different brands now: Sharkline, Optimum, Intrepid and Atlantic to name a few.

This company just bought all the above ground pool manufacturing equipment from the now, as of 2019, defunct Swim n’ Play pool company. They did this to prevent another player from getting into the above ground pool manufacturing business. The equipment is just sitting in their parking lot rotting away as I write this.

Largest Supplier Of Above Ground Swimming Pools

Wilbar is now the largest supplier of cheap steel wall pools in the country. They provide pools to SCP Distributors, Baystate Pools Distributors, Namco, Leslie’s and many many big box stores, as well as to little mom and pop pool shops. If not for articles like this and educated shoppers like you, they would crush the rest of the above ground pool industry with their cheap pools.

There are many different above ground models under the Sharkline and Atlantic Brands. These are mostly entry-level cheap above ground pools with steel walls made for the unsuspecting masses.

I have no use for the Atlantic or Sharkline models. But, I think their Intrepid /Oasis slat wall pool is good quality. I also like the Optimum above ground pool; they are just a bit over-priced when you compare them to the Aquasport 52 which I consider to be far superior.

Pros

• Widely available all over the country;
• Aluminum panel pools available;
• The Optimum can be installed on ground semi-inground or completely as an inground;
• Has an in-wall step system like an inground;
• The Intrepid is an aluminum slat wall pool;
• Intrepid can be buried up to 3 feet in the ground.

Cons

• Wilbar sells mostly cheap steel wall pools;
• Most models packaged with thin pool liners (easily damaged);
• Their premium models cost more than other better pool models;
• Customer Support is below average and that is saying something because all pool companies customer support is weak at best due to high demand and limited supply during the summer, us included.

Best Namco Above Ground Pool Reviews

Namco filed chapter 11 a few years back. They primarily screwed over Wilbar, which was their largest supplier of swimming pools to the tune of millions of dollars.

Flash forward to 2019 – Namco sold out to a Canadian company last year and I do not know anything about the outfit that bought them.

In my eyes, the old brand was a dealer of trashcans for pools that they lined with garbage bags for pool liners. They sold the lowest quality Waterway filters, and pool pumps to unsuspecting, ignorant consumers.

Best Leslie’s Pools Reviews

While we are talking about pool companies that are selling out we should note that a Chinese company bought out Leslie’s Pools in 2018.

I believe the good name of Leslie’s Pools will be used to sell Chinese above ground pool garbage until the Leslie’s Pool name is no longer good.

I have always found them to be overpriced sellers of Wilbar pools and did not see them lasting in the age of internet disruption. Good for you Leslie’s for selling out while the getting was good and buyer beware now.

Best Wilkes / Gibraltar Above Ground Pool Reviews

If you own a Gibraltar above ground pool, you probably already know it is a Wilkes pool that has been re-branded. Wilkes gave Gibraltar the whole New England territory. Rumor is, the Gibraltar family bailed out Wilkes when they were going out of business back in the 70’s.

Anyway, what that means for people in Massachusetts is that the Gibraltar family has a monopoly on the pool, as the Wilkes company protects the Gibraltar brand, by not selling parts or pools to anyone in New England :(.

Gibraltar Improved Quality & Design

Their pool is high-end and lasts a long time, especially now that they have gotten away from their wood decks, or steel wall panels. The new aluminum decks are a real improvement on the pool. Also, the slat walls make it a billion times stronger than other above ground pools.

Pros

• Long lasting strong swimming pool;
• New Aluminum Deck.
• Finally aluminum slat wall like the Admiral’s Walk (2023)

Cons

• Lack of customer support, If you ever have to call for parts or repairs down in Hopkinton MA it is apparent they know they have a monopoly.
• Lastly cost, For the same or less money you could have bought an Admiral’s Walk – The best above ground pool money can buy.

Best Radiant Reviews

Radiant pools are just coming back onto the market after a 20-30 year hiatus. The Radiant design used to be sold as Dover Pools back in the day, and they were sold only as an inground pool then.

Now they are being marketed as an above-ground pool you can bury. The Dover pools were awful, and sales competitors used to carry a section of their wall around with them to show how the super thin aluminum skins oxidized and turned to Swiss Cheese.

I looked Radiant Pools over at the 2014 Atlantic City Pool And Spa Show. The sales rep said the Dover pool got redesigned but my buddy Dave who spotted it right off as a Dover Pool says it looks just like the old one.

I did like the way they’re assembled and thought the idea was good. I can see where people could easily get duped because the wall panels look substantial.

Radiant Construction & Durability

Radiant Pools promotional message is that because of their insulated wall pools are less expensive to heat and keep warm. But most people know heat rises, and most heat is lost out the top, not through the pool walls. Silly marketing people. Like a 1 or 2 degrees difference make them worth all the money.

I met with a Radiant Dealer at the 2016 pool and spa show in Atlantic City, who had several pools with ice damage. He was pissed that they did not cover the cost of labor or the vinyl liner. They only gave him replacement panels, ouch. He sent me the pictures above.

The walls are like 2 1/2 inches thick. However, they sandwich Styrofoam between two thin pieces of aluminum. Since when has styrofoam been a structural component? They don’t even make good coolers.

I believe Radiant Pools would be okay in warmer climates like West Virginia or Kentucky and points further South. However, they are more expensive than the Aquasport 52, which I consider a better pool.

Best Value For Above Ground Pool

I sell a pool we call the Lamark Edge (Steel Wall) or the Lamark Lasa (aluminum wall) that I believe offers the best value.

For A Complete List Of Our Pool Package Click Here!

Conclusion & Summary

I hope we have helped you to discover the coolest above ground pool for your family? Please checkout our above ground pool packages. We’ve handpicked the absolute best ones to make your backyard awesome.

Get ready for top-notch quality, awesome features, and easy setup. We’ve rounded up the best pools for any type of spaces from small to large and no tech to high-tech lovers – there is something for everyone! And if you want to customize your own above ground pool package you can do that too utilizing our pool builder page.

There is no dodging the conclusion that the best above ground pools have panel or slat walls, and are superior to those made of rolled coil stock. I am not knocking rolled wall above ground pools. Doughboy’s high-end models and those of my manufacturer Buster Crabbe last over 30 years, much longer if they are aluminum.

The long and short of it is that the best above ground pool will have the best pool wall. Also, your package will have a great pool liner, energy efficient pool pump, a large filter, and other great accessories. I hope I have helped you. Please click the Like button below with the blue star next to it.

Above Ground Pool FAQ’s

How many years does an above ground pool last?

The best above ground pools will last 30-50 years. Mid-range pools will last 10-20 years, and cheap above ground pools will last 1-5 years (cheap steel or Intex).

What is the most popular size above ground pool?

24′ round is by far the most popular size and a good mid-range package will cost $2500.00 – $3500.00 with your better mid-range pools prices more towards the latter.
See also 24′ round vs 15’×30′ oval comparison on this page.

What is the best inexpensive above ground pool?

Buster Crabbe makes the best inexpensive permanent above ground pool. Even their least expensive pool is paired with the strongest pool wall on the market.
If you are looking for a pool and installation under $1000.00 you would want an Intex Ultra frame. These are great temporary pools that need to be taken down every year and last 1-5 years. They also tend to have small inefficient filters and weak ladders.

How much does it cost to have someone install an above ground pool?

18′ round cost $1200
21′ round cost $1400.00
24′ round cost $1700.00
12’×24′ cost $1900.00
15’×24′ cost $1900.00
15’×30′ cost $2300.00
18’×33′ cost 2700.00
Excavation & Materials, Electrical service, and Water will all cost extra: These extra services range from $1500.00 – $2500.00 combined.

What is the best brand for above ground swimming pools?

Buster Crabbe / Aquasports Pools LLC offers the best products, dealers and warranty. While customer service in the pool industry is pretty bad due to high demand during the summer, they stand above all the rest.