What’s the most fun way to cool off this summer? You could go swimming in an inflatable pool. Sure, they’re small and not as deep as a regular pool, but inflatable pools make for an excellent activity for your family during a hot day.
Learn about the benefits and limitations of inflatable pools so you can figure out if it’s right for you.
Benefits of Inflatable Pool
Affordability
Affordability is the most obvious benefit of an inflatable swimming pool. Because the inflatable pools are not as deep as a real pool, they are significantly more affordable than conventional pools.
However, these pools are still more expensive than any other portable swimming pool that can be used for smaller groups or individual swimming sessions. As long as you choose the right size for yourself, this is an excellent option for families with limited budgets.
Ease of Setting Up
When deflated, an inflatable pool is super lightweight and compact that will fit in the trunk of your car with ease. They are straightforward to set up as well!
All you have to do is follow the explicit instructions of the manual, inflate it with a pump, and level it out. In no time, you’ll have a perfectly good-sized pool for your family!
You Don’t Need Water and Pool Chemicals
Inflatable pools do not need a lot of water to set up and operate. You won’t have to spend a ton of money on gallons of water and pool chemicals.
The pool will be clean, refreshing, and safe for your kids without using too many chemicals. This is a big cost-saver as well!
Ease of Storage
Every time you’re done with your inflatable pool for the day, just deflate it and pop it in its bag. These bags will not take up too much space in your garage or backyard. You can even store them inside your house if you have enough space!
Safety
These pools are also safe. The durable vinyl allows you to relax, knowing that sharp objects or rough surfaces won’t hurt your kids. If the pool has inflatable fencing around it, you don’t have to worry about toddlers or pets running into it either.
Not all inflatable pools have these safety features, so make sure your selection includes these characteristics to ensure maximum safety for kids and pets.
Limitations of Inflatable Swimming Pools
Water Usage
The biggest disadvantage of an inflatable pool is the amount of water required for setup and operation.
Not So Deep
One of the greatest disadvantages of an inflatable pool is its limited depth compared to a regular swimming pool. Most inflatable pools are only 2-3 feet deep. You will have to watch your kids closely, or they might just fall over the edge.
If you want to get the most out of your inflatable pool, get one that’s 5-6 feet deep. To ensure safety, put in a shallow and deep end to keep the little ones away from the deeper side.
Not as Sturdy as a Regular Pool
Although the primary purpose of an inflatable swimming pool is to provide a large area for you and your kids to swim, it’s still not as sturdy and durable as a traditional swimming pool.
This means it might not last for years and years like a conventional swimming pool, but an inflatable pool can still serve its purpose if you learn how to care for it properly. If you go over the recommended care instructions, this won’t be such a big issue.
Not Ideal for Bathing Alone or Swimming Laps
Although it’s excellent that inflatable swimming pools provide plenty of space, this is probably one of its disadvantages as well. It’s much harder to do everything in an inflatable pool because space is limited.
It would be better if you have a friend over who can help out. Some inflatables require a second adult to help out, so your kids don’t get in the way. Also, there’s no room for swimming laps or doing an entire workout in your pool. You might have to switch back and forth from the inflatable pool to the main pool so that you can get your daily exercise done.
“Filtration and disinfection are required for larger inflatable or plastic pools. To keep germs from spreading and to ensure everyone’s health, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for filtering and cleaning these sorts of pools.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Not Ideal if You’re Sharing With Other People
Inflatables are best for families that want a fun place for their kids to swim without breaking the bank or spending too much time on maintenance and cleaning.
It’s not ideal for sharing with other people because their presence will take up space and keep your kids from swimming. If you want to have some company at pool time, you might have to buy an inflatable big enough for several people. And this probably means that the pool will be empty most of the time unless you have a large family.
Bottom Line
If you want a fun place for your entire family to swim without spending too much money, an inflatable swimming pool is a way to go. It’s cheap, easy to set up and take down, and perfect for a quick dip or a small pool party. It’s not ideal for everyone, though.
If you want more space, you might want to get a traditional pool instead. For example, if you have older kids swimming laps or adults doing recreational swimming, an inflatable will be too small for your group.
Also, if you want something that lasts longer than a couple of years, that’s when inflatables fail in comparison with regular pools. Finally, here are some more pool articles you will definitely find helpful. Take a look by clicking here!
