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Best Solar Cover Reel for Inground Pool

What are the Top Solar Cover Reels for Inground Swimming Pools?

Just to ensure we start off the discussion on the same page, let us look at what a solar cover reel entails.

Setting the background, a solar pool cover is some plastic material made from UV-stabilized polymers like polyethylene that you can use to cover your pool when it is not being used to save on heating costs.

It will also go a long way in ensuring that the pool’s water levels do not go down due to evaporation. There are different types of covers. The first type is manual covers. They requires that you personally roll and unroll them over your pool.

Next, we have semi-automatic pool covers that require reels driven by electricity-dependent motors to do the rolling and unrolling. However, someone has to help with the process.

Also, we have automatic pool covers that are designed with mounted reels to automatically roll and unroll. You just have to prompt it by pressing a button.

Having alluded to how a solar cover reel works, we take cognizance of the fact that there are hundreds of options available. Thus, purchasing one may prove to be difficult. We have, therefore, identified some of the best models for in-ground pools in the market.

1. VINGLI

For a highly versatile type of solar cover reel, VINGLI would be a nice product. The reel has been designed such that it can work with any shape of in-ground swimming pools, whether circular, rectangular, or otherwise.

The only prerequisite is that the swimming pool must fall within the prescribed width which is from 14 to 18 feet. For anything more than that, this might not be your best option.

Moving on, it is great to note that VINGLI’s rod is made from a strong and quality aluminum material to support the heaviest of pool covers. In addition, it features 3 sections that can be locked to increase the stability of the reel.

The legs have been crafted out of durable stainless steel material to add to the strength and stability of the reel. Finally, it features large solid wheels with awesome rubber traction for a firm grip when moving about.

This is the ideal solar cover reel you would want to invest your money in.

Pros

  • Can be used in any season
  • Made from durable materials
  • It’s easy to handle

Cons

  • Complicated use instructions
  • A bit pricey


2. Aqua Splash

The Aqua Splash reel cover comes in the second place, with options of being used either as a permanently attached reel or a moveable one. While both may be great, the latter might be more advantageous.

The reel is meant for pool covers that measure between 8 and 12 millimeters. Also, it is best for swimming pools with a width of about 16 feet, so check on this before buying one.

You will be pleased to know that Aqua Splash is also made from quality metallic materials that are able to stand the test of time. 

Since the reels stay outside for a long duration and are bound to come into contact with elements such as water and wind, it will be safe to find one whose material is rust-resistant. 

Aqua offers that assurance.

Besides that, the rod used in the design of this product features a rib-locking system in the middle to see to it that the reel does not droop due to too much weight. This is an added advantage as it contributes to the strength and stability of the reel.

Pros

  • Rust-resistant
  • Sturdy construction
  • Rib-locking system for the rod

Cons

  • The aluminum eventually wears out
  • A tad difficult to set up


3. Nova Microdermabrasion

Next on the list is the Nova Microdermabrasion reel that is meant for in-ground pools. First things first, the reel is meant for swimming pools that have a width of about 24 feet. 

However, the package comes with a telescope that allows you to adjust the width such that it is not less than 17.5 feet or more than the stipulated 24 feet.

Also, this reel system has been designed with unique 7 sections on the rod to minimize on drooling that might result from heavy pool covers. The rod in itself is made from a robust aluminum construction for improved support.

To top on that, Nova Microdermabrasion is designed with two large wheels to increase the amount of stability they offer. The reel will not roll over when you are trying to move it about. 

Although it has been designed for swimming pools that have a rectangular shape, they can still be used with other shapes. So don’t worry if your pool is kidney-shaped or circular.

Pros

  • Durable material
  • Easy to assemble
  • Can be used with all pool shapes

Cons

  • Poor customer service
  • Limited product warranty


4. Pool Solar Cover

Pool solar cover reel is easy to put together and, therefore, makes a great option for people with all kinds of experience. Also, it is easy to use. You will not have problems trying to roll it over the pool or unrolling it.

Neither will you need assistance from a second person.

As for the dimensions, this reel measures 20 feet by 40 feet. It is perfect for pool covers that are 40 feet long and works best with swimming pools that have a diameter of about 20 feet. 

Besides, the parts of the reel are made from strong and durable stainless steel. The material is resistant to rust and corrosion, and is therefore a good pick for those harsh climatic conditions.

Pool solar cover reel has large wheels that make its mobility and portability much easier. And, it also has a crank that is fitted in one end of the reel to make the operation easy. 

As an add-on, the product is delivered with 8 straps and several clips to make attachment of pool covers smooth and effortless.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Made from durable materials
  • Has a sturdy construction

Cons

  • Sags a little
  • Instructions are complex


5. HydroTools 

For high performance, you might want to give this HydroTools Swimline a shot. It features 2 large wheels that make the movement of the reel system facile, as they increase the base stability.

HydroTools features a sturdy construction as it is made from quality materials to be able to withstand the heaviest pool covers. It is can be used for days on end without breaking down.

That means that you also won’t spend so much money on maintenance after buying the product.

Furthermore, the reel has 2 cranks and 2 foot pads on both ends to improve the ease of use. It can be used regardless of the shape your swimming pool assumes. Whether it is rectangular, bean shaped, or circular, HydroTools will still do the trick.

Upon purchase, the product is delivered as a complete package together with straps that you might need to hold the pool covers in place. 

On the downsides, however, the reel might seem to be a bit droopy. Everything else will work just perfectly fine.

Pros

  • Can be used for all shapes of swimming pools
  • Installation process is easy
  • Made from quality and durable materials

Cons

  • Might be a bit saggy
  • Package is not delivered with poles


6.Rocky’s 3A

Rocky’s is crafted from high-quality aluminum that has a touch of enamel to make it solid and hard. As such, it is able to withstand the toughest tasks that it might be put to, without much wear and tear.

To further increase the strength of the reel and subsequently prevent sagging, the product features an anodized tube that is 3 inches long. The tube has 12 sides to improve the lateral effectiveness.

You will also love the fact that it is 9.5 inches off the ground so your pool cover will not collect unnecessary dirt or throw the same to your swimming pool’s water. 

As for mobility, Rocky’s 3A has been mounted on some castors that are 2 inches in dimension so as to easily move when you are done with it. You wouldn’t have to expend so much energy to make this happen.

Finally, you must see to it that your swimming pool does not have a width that exceeds 20 feet before buying this model. It wouldn’t serve the purpose in that case.

Pros

  • Is highly portable
  • Made from strong aluminum
  • It is durable

Cons

  • The installation process is complex
  • It is expensive


7. Easyzon 

Pulling a solar pool cover on and off might be an extreme sport if you lack the right kind of cover reel for the job. With Easyzon, that will be a walk in the park- nothing complex to deal with.

Always, the first thing you have to check is the width of the pool that a cover reel can work with. In our case, that is between 5 feet and 20 feet. 

So, you might opt to measure your pool’s dimensions. Repeat the process if you are still unsure. 

Thanks to its strong construction, this reel will be worth the value of your money since you will not have to spend extra bucks on maintenance or repairs. 

This is also owing to the fact that the materials used are resistant to rust and corrosive elements, meaning the wear and tear experienced will be minimum.

Easyzon can also work with whichever shape your swimming pool features, making it highly versatile.

Pros

  • Features a strong construction
  • Can be used with all types of pools
  • Doesn’t require any maintenance

Cons

  • Installation may be a tad difficult
  • Instructions are difficult to understand


8. NSdirect

NSdirect is suitable for swimming pools that have a width ranging between 5 feet and 20 feet. Take your pool’s measurements before resorting to buying this type of solar cover reel.

The reel is also convenient to deal with as you do not need assistance from another person to roll the pool cover over your swimming pool or alternatively, to unroll it.

The product is also lightweight, so moving it will not be much of a problem. Besides, it features 2 large wheels with treaded rubber for enhanced portability. There is a hand crank on one side of the reel to help with the movement.

As far as the quality is concerned, it has been crafted out of quality stainless steel material for longevity and high performance. The structure will not drool when dealing with heavy-weight solar pool covers.

In the same vein, the product will not require any maintenance so you will not incur extra costs besides the purchase price.

The material used is resistant to corrosion and rust. This is a plus.

Pros

  • Highly portable
  • Easy to set up
  • Made from durable material

Cons

  • Using the straps may be a bit difficult
  • Instructions are a bit ambiguous


9. Sun2Solar

To begin with, Sun2Solar solar cover reel services swimming pools that have a width varying between 16 feet and 24 feet. 

It also has a strong build to see to it that it serves the purpose for which you are purchasing it. Talking of the construction, the frame has been made out of durable stainless steel for long-term efficiency.

Steel is usually resistant to rust. That means you don’t have to do regular replacements because the reel you recently purchased was exposed to some environmental factors that corroded the surface.

Mobility is much easier seeing as it has 2 large wheels with rubber treading for stability. To add on that, there is a handle or crank on one end of the reel to make handling convenient.

You wouldn’t have to find another person to help with the rolling or unrolling.

Sun2Solar’s tubes are made out of aluminum and have a diameter of 3 inches. The solar cover reel is also multi-functional as it can be used with all types or shapes of swimming pools.

Pros

  • Has a quality stainless steel frame
  • Has large wheels for high mobility
  • It is easy to install

Cons

  • The straps can be somehow confusing
  • The instructions are complex


A Buyer’s Guide; How do You Select the Best Solar Cover Reel?

Having considered the various models of solar reel covers that are available in the market, you are now in a better position to make a call. You won’t have to go through thousands of reviews available online, considering one product after another.

That will not only take much of your time, but it will also be boring and tedious.

However, the best available models is not all you need to know so as to make an informed decision. You might find that our top pick doesn’t work with you since your swimming pool has a width of say, 25 feet.

So which option do you consider next? Well, that is some confusing stuff right there. To clear the air, we take you through some of the essentials that make up a great solar cover reel in this section.

It is recommended that you go through this part thoroughly before making the next step.

In a summary form, here are some of the factors that you have to consider before getting a cover reel: the length, the width, stability, the materials used in the construction, and portability or mobility.

The length

It is important to note that most of the solar cover reels out there have been designed in such a way that they can support pool covers of a given length. In most cases, that length happens to be 40 feet at the maximum.

As such, you ought to be certain of the dimensions of your pool cover and compare them to those prescribed for the reel system.

Failure to do this might result in damage being caused to your cover or perhaps, dust being swept into your pool’s water. This is because the cover will most likely sweep the floor if it is too long. 

Width

It is also of vital importance to take cognizance of the fact that solar cover reels usually work with a given width of pools and covers. What this means is that you have to measure your pool’s width and have it in mind when proceeding to the market.

In case you are not sure, just repeat the process. Your pool’s width carries more weight than any other feature.

In most cases, the reels are designed to work with pools and pool covers that have a width of about 20 feet. However, there are others that support up to 24 feet. You have to exercise value judgment here.

Finally, you should note that other reels are slightly adjustable to accommodate widths less than or more than the stipulated figure. Also, we have others that can’t be adjusted. The former seems to be a great option.

Stability 

If your solar cover reel is not the permanent type, you are going to move it from time to time. That could be when you are done with your swimming and you want to cover the pool. Or, it could be when you want to roll the cover so that you can get into the pool.

Depending on how stable the reel is, this might be swift or it may turn out to be a nightmare. You are therefore advised to go for reels with wide wheels that have rubber treading to improve their balance and stability.

Mobility 

Mobility has to do with the type of solar reel cover you are going to purchase. We have the movable ones that can be removed and stored depending on whether you want to use the pool or not.

We also have those permanently fixed to the ground, such that there is nothing much you can do with them.

On a balance of probabilities, a movable solar reel cover seems to be the best shot you have. You could change its position. You can also get it into the house during that cold winter season when you don’t want to swim.

Plus, you can get it into the house when it is raining or during the night. In effect, it will not be permanently exposed to environmental factors that might cause rusting or corrosion, hence greater longevity.

The material 

It is in your best interest to check the type of material that has been used in the construction of the cover reel. Normally, you would expect that the product will be of a strong and robust construction.

If it is fragile, it might not be in a position to withstand heavy pool covers, meaning it might break down or even become saggy.

That said, ensure that the parts of the reel are made from quality stainless steel or aluminum. These are strong enough to serve the purpose.

Besides, they should be galvanized so that they don’t become rusty or they do not get corroded when exposed to environmental factors. 

Conclusion

Doubtless, rolling and unrolling your solar pool cover manually will be a tedious task considering that you might not even manage to do it by yourself. Help from a second person might be a necessary evil.

On the other hand, getting yourself a solar cover reel will mean investing a few bucks. You will have the option of choosing between a semi-automatic reel and an automatic one, which is permanently mounted to the cover.

While the latter seems like the best option, it is the most expensive. So what is the best brand of cover reel you can go for?

VINGLI.

VINGLI pool cover reel is our best recommendation. The product can be used to roll over the pool cover regardless of your swimming pool’s shape. 

As for the dimensions, it is suitable for swimming pools that have a width ranging between 4 and 18 feet. Take your swimming pool’s measurements to see whether they fall within that bracket.

If not, you might want to get another reel system besides this one.

VINGLI also has large wheels with treading patterns to make the reel mobile and portable. Plus, the legs have been made from stainless steel for durability and longevity. 

Buy the VINGLI cover reel today and make your work easier.

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