The UK's bestFrame Swimming Pools2022 Review

The Intex 28272 Metal Frame Rectangular Pool is easy to set up and ready for water in just 40 – 60 minutes – perfect for last minute heat waves! It also comes with an instructional DVD included, so no ambiguous drawings!.

Measuring 300 x 200 x 75 cm, this pool is deep enough to allow both children and adults to swim. It’s great for younger kids who want to learn to swim from end to end, and adults could use a bungee for tethered swimming in order to build strength and cardio fitness.

It holds 3843 L of water and is still suitable for some younger kids (with supervision) thanks to its 75 cm depth. The frame is made from treated steel and is sturdy, especially once water is added, and the pool itself is made from triple layered PVC. There are two outlets on the side which allow a pump to be fitted, as well as a drainage plug as well.

Although there’s no filter pump included, this still remains one of the best frame swimming pools on the market. It’s a great size for the price as well, offering excellent value for money. Plus, there are even spare parts available online if anything ever needs replacing.

Perfect for relaxing and socialising, this Intex Round Metal Frame Pool has a large circumference, offering plenty of space for family and friends to relax around the edge on a hot day.

This pool has a diameter of 366 cm and a depth of 76 cm. Despite its larger size, it can be assembled in just 30 minutes, with no tools required. Weighing just over 21 kg, it’s relatively easy to move around. The frame simply locks into place and there are high-strength pins supplied that snap into position.

With a capacity of 6,503 L, this pool does take a while to fill. In fact, it can take up to 8 hours. However, the large size means it’s perfect for entertaining the whole family on sunny days. The super tough laminated sidewalls are reinforced to keep the legs firmly in place, allowing you to lounge comfortably against the side.

Thanks to its 76 cm depth, it should be suitable for most family members. Children will be able to swim around the edge, and it’s deep enough to allow adults enough space for tethered swimming.

The only problem with a round pool is that it can take up the same space in the garden as a rectangular pool, without making use of the corners. However, they offer a good layout for socialising.

If you’re specifically after a round pool, this is one of the best frame swimming pools to allow for a combination of swimming and socialising. It’s sufficiently deep to allow for actual swimming, but it’s not as deep as some of the other round pools featured here.

If you’ve got space to work with in the garden, a rectangular pool is a great option. The Bestway 56404 Steel Pro Frame Swimming Pool measures 277 cm across and has a depth of 66 cm. It’s perfect for adults to sit and relax in, whilst younger children can learn to swim from end to end. 

Due to its relatively shallow depth, most adults won’t find this pool deep enough to swim in. If you’re hoping to use the pool for tethered swimming, you might be able to manage breaststroke, but it’ll be too shallow for any crawl.

In terms of installation, this pool is easy to set up in less than an hour; however, the instructions could be clearer as the text is relatively brief and small. Once set up, it will take around four to five hours to fill with water – which is a lot quicker than some larger pools. If you get it out around midday on a hot summer’s day, you’ll still be able to get some use out of the pool even on the same day.  

It’s fairly sturdy thanks to the heavy-duty three layer TriTech material. The steel frame is coated with anti-corrosion paint for durability and the built-in drain valve can be attached to a garden hose (using the adapter provided) to allow water to drain easily. 

Like several pools on this page, there’s no pump or cover included, so just be aware that you might need buy these accessories separately.

Nevertheless, it’s one of the best frame swimming pools if you want something reasonably large that won’t take too long to fill up. The water will come up to thigh/hip height on most adults, and children will be able to swim.

If you’ve got more space to work with in the garden, the Bestway 56416 Steel Pro Frame Swimming Pool is one of my top choices. Measuring 366 cm in diameter, there’s ample space for multiple adults. The 76 cm depth allows you to sit and relax or swim.

This swimming pool comes with a filter pump included which can be used to keep the water clean. This is pretty unusual, given that most pools require you to buy a pump separately, so it’s a useful addition. Also, the pool is still very reasonably priced despite this, so it’s one of the best frame swimming pools in terms of value for money.

Having a filter pump is extremely useful because it will stop you having to constantly clean, empty and refill the pool – something that can take up to 8 hours with this pool due its 6,473 L capacity.

The drain valve allows you to drain the pool easily to put the pool away in the winter months.

Made from strong tri-tech material, this pool should last season after season. The metal frame is corrosion resistant and it fits tightly together with a seal and lock system. This prevents water from getting in the joints which helps stop rust from forming. Once filled with water, this pool feels incredibly sturdy. It needs to be positioned on a completely level surface, like all frame pools, which may rule it out for some gardens due to its size.

In case of any accidental punctures, there’s a repair patch included to put a stop to leaks.

With a stylish grey design, this pool has a modern aesthetic that sets it apart from the classic ‘blue plastic pool’. It’s a bit more understated, and might therefore be a winning choice for anyone who prefers subtle, muted colours in the garden.

Measuring 259 x 170 x 61 cm, the Bestway 56403 Steel Pro Frame Pool is one of the shallower pools on my list. This makes it perfect for younger kids learning to swim, or adults wanting to sit and relax! The capacity is 2300 L, which means it fills faster than others on the market too.

Even though it’s relatively shallow, you can still float around atop a rubber ring (which is a fantastic way to enjoy a cold drink in the summer months!) so it’s by no means just for children. If you’ve been looking for a pool that doesn’t take up too much space, that isn’t just a paddling pool either, this is one of the best frame swimming pools to consider.

This pool is relatively easy to assemble, with no tools required. Once filled with water, it feels very stable. As with all frame pools, it should be filled on a totally flat surface to prevent pressure on the sides. Before being filled, this pool weighs a very manageable 14 kg, so it’s easy to move around the garden. This also makes it easy to put back into storage in the winter months.

The smaller capacity means draining this pool doesn’t take quite as long as larger pools either. There’s an emptying valve on the side, as well as a valve where a pump can be attached (although no filter pump comes included). The emptying valve isn’t quite at the bottom of the pool, so you may need to tip the pool (or remove the legs at one end) to fully drain it.

It does also come with a hosepipe adapter which can be attached to the valve to help with drainage.

Made from durable materials, this pool has heavy-duty PVC three-ply sidewalls. The PVC also covers the frame’s T-connectors and lock pins to prevent rust and injury.

Overall, this is one of the best frame swimming pools if you’re after a shallower option. With sides that measure 259 x 170 cm, it doesn’t take up too much space, yet it’s still a pool that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

The Bestway 56405 Steel Pro Frame Pool 400 x 211 x 81cm is one of the deepest rectangular pools featured here. Given its size and depth, it’s one of the biggest pools overall and needs to be installed in a large garden.

For larger families and bigger gardens, this 400 x 211 x 81 cm pool is one of the best frame swimming pools to consider. It has a capacity of 5,700 L.

The 81 cm depth will allow adults and older children to swim comfortably, but it will be too deep for younger kids. Adults who want to build fitness will find this pool deep enough for tethered swimming.

Constructed with a strong steel frame, this pool is very easy to put together but you’ll need two people simply due to its size. This pool is a lot heavier than smaller models; it weighs 30 kg. Also, unfortunately, there’s no cover included which is something that will need to be purchased separately if you want to keep the water free from debris and leaves overnight.

If you have enough space for a large pool, this is one of the best frame swimming pools to buy. It’ll provide older kids and adults with loads of space in the water, and is a great depth for swimming.

If you’re after a small, family friendly pool, the Intex 28271 Small Family Frame Pool is one of my top recommendations.

Measuring 260 x 160 x 65 cm, this rectangular pool is perfect for both kids and adults. Younger children can learn to swim from end to end, whilst the 65 cm depth is shallow enough to allow adults to sit and relax with a cold drink! It’s not quite deep enough for adults to do front crawl, but if you’re looking to burn some calories you can use a swim bungee to practise breaststroke.

This pool is very easy to set up in around 30 minutes thanks to the clear instructions. The poles are well labelled clearly making it simple to work out what goes where.

Although it may not look like much straight out of the box, once filled, this pool is surprisingly sturdy. The PVC fabric is thick and good quality, and it’s comfortable underfoot as well. Like most frame swimming pools, it should be set up on a completely flat surface to prevent wear on the sides.

One downside of this pool is the position of the drainage plug. It’s positioned approximately ⅓ of the way up the pool’s side, which means emptying the last section of water can be difficult. You have to tilt the pool, or turn it upside down, in order to get the water out completely.

Given the size of this pool, it’s one of the best frame swimming pools for families. The depth is suitable for a range of ages, and it’s long enough for adults to lie in comfortably with room to spare. It’s big enough for one adult and two children to be in the pool comfortably.

If you don’t have the space for a larger pool, or you want something appropriate for young children, the Intex Mini Frame Pool is a good option to consider. This shallow pool measures 122 x 122 x 30 cm which makes it the perfect size for smaller outdoor spaces.

The interior measurements of the pool are 115 x 115 cm. When young young kids are using it, you’ll be able to easily reach them from the outside edge, and it’s also shallow enough for them to stand and sit in.

Despite its smaller size, this pool is still robust and sturdy. It has a durable galvanised steel frame and secure, stable legs. The edges have been foam covered to provide additional protection against any bumps or knocks, which is great news for younger children.

In terms of assembly, the frame itself can be built in just a couple of minutes, all you need is a flat surface. As an added bonus, the 340 L capacity means it doesn’t take nearly as long to fill as larger swimming pools. Of course, it’s only really suitable for kids – so you’ll need to choose something else if you want a proper swimming pool over a paddling pool.

If you are an adult under 6 ft tall, you should be able to sit diagonally in it – but you certainly won’t be doing any swimming unfortunately. Overall, it’s the best frame swimming pool for kids, and is a good choice if you’re after a good value, sturdy paddling pool.

When you’re finished with this pool at the end of the summer, it can be taken down easily and stored. Weighing just over 3 kg, it’s easy to move in and out of storage.

The Intex 28202 Metal Frame Swimming Pool is great for relaxing. This spacious pool has a 304 cm diameter and a 76 cm depth. The octagonal shape ensures it’s perfect for socialising, and it has a 4485 L capacity.

This pool is made from two layers of high-quality PVC-coated nylon. Once filled with water, it’s very sturdy, although it does need to be set up on fully level ground. The material is puncture-resistant, designed to offer years of fun in the garden for young and old family members alike.

This pool is very easy to set up, and it comes with both an instructional booklet and DVD included. It’s one of the quickest large frames to put together and can be assembled in as little as 10 minutes. If you’re looking for the best frame swimming pool in terms of easy set up, this is a great option to consider.
A filter pump comes included, which automatically increases this pool’s value for money; however, it comes with an EU plug fitted. As a result, you will need an adapter to get the filter to work – something to be aware of!

Overall, as a medium-size pool, this is a great option for the average garden. Whilst 366 cm (12 ft) pools can take up a lot of space, this 304 cm (10 ft) pool is a little more manageable. It’s a great choice if you want something that can accommodate multiple people, but are concerned about the space required for a larger 366 cm (12 ft) pool.

Frame swimming pools aren’t generally known for their unique, colourful designs. Nine times out of ten, they tend to be blue. However, the BESTWAY 56985 Safari Frame Swimming Pool is a little different and features a bright, fun animal print that the kids are sure to love.

Its vibrant colours depict a tropical Safari theme which is a lot more playful than most plain frame swimming pools. The size is medium/large and it has a depth of 66 cm with a diameter of 304 cm (10 ft). Overall, it can hold around 4062 L of water.

Made using a triple layered DuraPlus material, this pool is sturdy and strong once filled with water. It comes with self-adhesive repair patches included in case any small tears or leaks develop in its lifetime. In terms of assembly, it goes together pretty quickly, taking around 20 minutes in total.

Weighing a manageable 14 kg (unfilled!), it can be moved to the right spot in the garden with relative ease.

The only real downsides of this pool is that a pump and cover will need to be purchased separately, if you want to use them.

It’s not a particularly deep pool, considering its diameter, so it’s quite a good choice if you’ve got younger children but still want a large pool area. Also, thanks to its colourful design, this is one of the best frame swimming pools for adding a bit of fun to the garden. With all this in mind, it comes out as a good, versatile choice for children of different ages.