This pool arrived on our doorstep in one large box, which contained everything we needed to get started. The box contained a pump, the laminated sidewalls, a DVD with video instructions, a couple of odds and ends to help hold the frame together, and the pieces to build the hard plastic and metal frame. “Ready for water in just 30 minutes” the Intex website intex purespa claims and although this seems like a bit of a reach for two novices , once we got a good look at the box’s simple contents the idea didn’t seem that far-fetched. Requiring zero tools, we followed the instructions to snap the pieces together, twist in the two filter pieces, push in the drain plug, and in under 20-minutes we had ourselves an 11-foot pool.
We did drain it, clean it and refill it this year which is the only time we did this after initial setup 8 yrs ago. Oh and did I mention that I bought it used from someone on Craigslist who lived in Philly and used it 1 summer. We will cover it this year since water is somewhat fresh.
A pool ring inflated on a hot summer day may also cause the ring to appear deflated in the evening because the air inside the ring is at a lower pressure than the ambient air when the temperature drops. Some customers complain that the Easy Set pools develop a slimy film on the underside of the inflated ring and that the overall diameter of the pool is less than stated on the packaging . A day trip to the water park with a couple of kids in tow can easily top $100, so we love that you can buy the Intex 12ft x 30in Metal Frame Pool Set and get a summer’s worth of entertainment for around the same price. This durable above-ground pool is a solid investment, especially if you’re looking for ways to coax the kids into being active under the summer sun. I agree, Jen- we actually looked at a solar heater , but the cheapest system cost more than the pool…
Keeping it covered when not in use will help to prevent some of this. Overall, this above ground pool is pretty easy to maintain thanks to the 110- to 120-volt Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter pump system, which, according to the Intex website, has a flow rate of 530 gallons per hour. The filtration system was simple to use , and it proved to be effective at keeping the water clean. After deciding that a 12-foot by 30-inch round Intex Prism pool style was the perfect fit for my family, I couldn’t wait to set it up.
However, my husband did not share in my joy as he was fully convinced that assembling it would be a weekend-long project that would end with me in tears and him in frustration. According to everything I have read the will collapse no matter you do. Everything I read says the ground has to PERFECTLY level or it will collapse. So in other words If you buy one it is going to collapse sooner or later anyways.
The Summer Waves pool is certainly nicer looking, thanks to the woven details on the exterior, but it is slightly more expensive. Overall, the Intex won us over with its quality construction and reasonable price. The filtration system was simple to use, and it proved to be effective at keeping the water clean. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Angelica Leicht is a product reviewer for The Spruce who specializes in reviewing home, decor, and family products.
I live in Jersey where it gets mighty cold and we receive our fair amount of snow and I have had my 16′ Intex pool up for 8 years possibly 9 years and have never taken it down. In fact, we didn’t even cover it for the past 2 winters. No rips, holes, collapses but liner is starting to wear along the top where liner wraps around the rim bars.
Leicht boasts over a decade of journalism experience, and beyond her work at The Spruce, also serves as an editor at DGO Mag, a Durango, Colorado-based magazine. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more. For as cheap as my Intex pool was and how easy it was to set up, I was absolutely certain that it was not going to last.
But, after a quick trip to the store and another new pool, we were ready to try again and hope we had better luck. This may be the first time in two years that most kids will be able to explore the wonders of the great outdoors. Marie Field-Faith makes sure her young ones are protected from the harmful rays of the sun with Orange and Peach Sunblock for Babies and Kids.