Have you fulfilled your dream of having your above-ground pool in your garden? And now you are looking forward to the bathing fun in summer, but only one thing is missing: the pool liner.
So, what’s the best above-ground pool liner to choose? Well, depending on the pool model and your requirements, there are a few purchase criteria to consider so you can get the best above-ground pool liner.
You can find out what these are further down in the article. We will also introduce you to our favorites and hope that you are perfectly prepared for the summer with them.
Top 3 Recommendations
Overall Best – Smartline Boulder Swirl 10ft by 15ft Oval Overlap Style Liner
Runner-Up – Smartline Swirl Bottom 24-Foot Round Liner With Overlap Style
Best Quality – Smartline Tuscan 24-Foot Round Pool Liner With UniBead Style
Above Ground Pool Liners: Our Top 10 Picks
Most above-ground pools are made of vinyl as you’d find out. We’ve helped you handpick the best above-ground pool liners in our above-ground pool liners reviews, and we hope you’d find the best value for money with one of them.
1. Smartline Boulder Swirl 10ft by 15ft Oval Overlap Style Liner – Overall Best
The Smartline Boulder Swirl 10ft by 15ft oval pool liner is part of the Smartline overlap liners for the above-ground pool.
The swimming pool liners have an adjustable wall height of 48 to 52 inches. It’s made of 25-gauge vinyl material and is designed for above-ground swimming pools with steel sidewalls.
The liner has a universal gasket kit for the swimming pool’s skimmer and return. It is suitable for oval-shaped pools with sizes of 10 feet by 15 feet. One of the things we like about the above-ground liner is that Swimline offers up to 25 years of warranty with the product.
However, the rather high weight of the vinyl is also seen as a disadvantage by some people, as it is quite difficult to manage and attach on your own.
Pros
- Liner fits perfectly
- Made of heavy-grade vinyl
- Comes with gaskets
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Intex or pop-up pools
- Doesn’t come with a patch kit
2. Smartline Swirl Bottom 24-Foot Round Liner With Overlap Style – Runner-up
Like the first product, which was reviewed, the Smartline Swirl Liner can fit a wall height of 48 to 52 inches. However, this is a 20-gauge pool liner made of vinyl designed for above-ground pools with steel sides.
The product has high quality and strong material for a well-protected and heavily insulated pool in all seasons. The liner ensures your round pools are well protected.
The high-quality, blue pool liner made of vinyl not only appears in a visually extremely attractive color but is also thick and looks high quality.
Pros
- High-quality pool liner processed to a high standard
- Usable all year round
- Ideal for round pools
- Can be used up to a height of 52 inches
Cons
- Reports of wrinkles
3. Smartline Tuscan 24-Foot Round Pool Liner With UniBead Style – Best Quality
The Smartline Tuscan Liner is a 24 feet swimming pool liner for round pools and also with wall height up to 52 inches.
Like the previous version from Swimline, the unibead pool liner is made from 20 gauge vinyl and is made for above-ground pools with steel sides.
Although it’s also made of vinyl material, the beaded liner also has a topcoat made of acrylic, which makes the liner resistant to UV rays. The liner will not fade, thanks to the Lamiclear technology.
However, what makes the product different is the liner’s uni-bead style, which makes the pool it’s installed in more beautiful and ensures more durability. Also, the Tuscan liner comes with a 20-year warranty.
Pros
- Beautiful uni-bead style
- Durable and strong overlap liners
- Can be installed in a snap
Cons
- Not for Intex above ground pools
4. SmartLine Stone Harbor 12ft by 24ft Oval Liner With UniBead Style
The Smartline Stone Harbor pool liner has pleasing pool liner patterns that include various shares of blue. This makes it appealing to people who prefer traditional southwestern decor.
The 25 gauge liner is highly textured with uni-bead elements that will be scattered over the light blue pebble pool walls.
It is designed for pools that are up to 12 by 24 feet of oval shape and will also fit a pool with a wall height of up to 52 inches.
The liner uses Lamiclear and J hook to ensure the liner does not fail prematurely. To avoid wrinkles, the liner can be folded by hand rather than machine-wrapped.
Pros
- Includes a universal gasket kit
- Very thick 25-gauge vinyl material
- Beautiful pattern
- Unibead connection
- 25 years of manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Looks a bit overpriced
5. Smartline Tidal Surge 12ft by 18ft Oval Pool Liner With UniBead Style
Smartline looks like the undisputable brand in the liner business. It has a range of above-ground swimming pool liners whose quality cannot be rivaled.
This time, the Tidal Surge from Smartline may look like a replica of the previous ones we’ve seen. However, there are notable differences.
The liner is a bit longer and higher in size and can fit taller pools up to 54 inches of wall height.
Also designed to form a J-Hook, the swimming pool liner will drape over your steel pool wall. It’s ideal for pools with a flat bottom. And finally, the liner has the thickest possible material of 25 gauge.
Pros
- Protected against defects for 25 years
- 100% vinyl material
- Fits perfectly
- Easy to install
Cons
- A few reports of leakages
6. Swimline 16-Feet Standard Gauge Round Blue Overlap Liner
The Swimline Overlap Pool Liner is made entirely of vinyl, making it easy to maintain. It is 20 gauge and can withstand contact with sharp objects and rocks. For added durability, the above-ground pool liners have double-welded seams.
Like most Swimline overlap liners, which aren’t suitable for Intex and pop-up pools, the Swimline NL203-20 is not made for Intex above-ground pools as the frame is too wide.
The 16 feet pool liner will perfectly cover the inside walls of your pool if damaged or torn. The product is also backed by a 15-year warranty.
Pros
- Ideal for above ground swimming pools
- Designed from durable standard gauge vinyl
- Double welded seams
Cons
- Will not work with an Intex
7. Tiki Island Pool 8″ x 24″ Swimming Pool Repair Vinyl Liner
What’s special with the Tiki Island Pool Liner is that it can be used as a repair patch kit. The blue wave liner has a size of 8 by 24 inches.
Obviously, it’s small in size, but it can be used as a repair patch for your existing above-ground pool liner installation.
The pool liner is ideal both for an in-ground pool and an above-ground pool. It has a thickness of one-inch millimeters, and you can even apply the vinyl material under the pool water. Note, however, that the vinyl does not come with glue.
Pros
- Good patching material
- Can be applied underwater
- Easy to install
Cons
- No glue included
- Price could be lower
8. Smartline Waves of Poseidon 10ft by 15ft Oval Liner With Overlap Style
The Smartline above-ground pool liner features a stunning wavy pattern. The wavy pattern, which has shades of blue that vary from sapphire and frost, is gorgeous and always sparkles in the sunlight.
The liner can be used for oval pools that have a size of up to 10 by 15 feet. Also, it will be ideal for steel walls that are up to 52 inches high or at least 48 inches high.
The Smartline liner is made from vinyl but has no Lamiclear protection as you’d expect. However, for hassle-free installation, the 25-gauge overlap liner easily hangs over pool walls.
Pros
- Quite beautiful than a plain blue liner
- Easy to install a high-quality liner
- Ideal for steel walls
Cons
- No gasket included
- The seams are not strong enough and can cause leakages
9. Quality Pool Products Overlap Oval Pool Liner for Above Ground Pool
The Quality Pool liner features a stunning Glimmerglass mosaic. The pattern is gorgeous and sparkles in the sunlight. It can be used for oval pools and high steel walls.
Like the other Smartline models, this liner is made from vinyl material. The easy-to-use liner can be used all year round to optimally protect every pool’s inner area. It is a good choice when people are looking for a high-quality and versatile pool liner for their steel wall pool.
Thanks to the high-quality workmanship, the liner is suitable for easy attachment to the top edge of any steel wall pool. The use of the high-quality and UV-resistant print layer ensures high resistance and durability. The liners have been treated to resist UV rays chemically.
Pros
- Made from heavy-duty 25-gauge vinyl
- Tear-resistant and winterproof
- Chemically treated to resist UV rays
- For oval steel wall pools of all kinds
Cons
- Needs coping strips which are sold separately
10. Smartline Antilles Dolphin 15 Gauge 12-Foot Round Overlap Liner
The Smartline Antilles Dolphin Round Liner is the perfect way to give your pool a beautiful look.
The 12-foot pool liner can be used on round flat above ground and in-ground pools from 48 inches to 52 inches in height, except inflated PVC pools. This liner is durable and long-lasting with its 20 gauge thickness, virgin vinyl, and years of use.
Smartline has folded the liner by hand to reduce wrinkles and creases. Lamiclear technology is used to prevent chemical damage, discoloration, and abrasions. For durability, the manufacturer has vulcanized it. This is an overlap liner so you don’t need to use a bead receiver.
Pros
- Durable and easy to install
- The coral reef dolphin design is very beautiful
- Comes with a universal gasket
Cons
- The sides can be a little bit longer
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do above-ground pool liners last?
Above-ground liners have a longevity of 7 to 15 years, although there is no set time limit. Your local climate will play a role in the life of your vinyl liner. A pool liner used in the northeast may have a shorter life expectancy than one used in the southwest.
How to clean above ground pool liner?
Use standard household cleaning agents and soft sponges or brushes for cleaning. Anyone who is not afraid of the expense is well advised to purchase a pool vacuum or a pool robot.
The rollover at the edge of the pool and, above all, creases that occur when laying the pool liner are places where bacteria, algae, and fungi like to settle. These must, of course, be removed regularly. Basic cleaning is recommended here, carried out at the beginning and the end of the swimming season. In between, regular cleaning takes place as required.
Avoid scraping the liner when vacuuming. Otherwise, you may find small holes. You can also periodically check your pool for rust, which you can remove with an anti-corrosion spray.
How to put above-ground pool liner back in track?
If your above-ground pool liner has slipped, you can boil a kettle of water and pour it on the vinyl liner. Pull up the vinyl and have it placed back in track. Ensure the bead of the liner is in the track by using your thumb to secure it.
When to replace above ground pool liner?
Springtime or fall is the best time to have an aboveground pool liner replacement. Having your new pool liner installed during this time means you won’t have to lose swimming time of the summer season trying to replace the pool liner.
What are above-ground pool liners made of?
All liners have different materials. However, the best above-ground pool liners are made from virgin vinyl. This is vinyl that is not made from recycled plastic. That’s why virgin vinyl is the best above-ground pool liner material and lasts a long time.
Plastic vinyl and recycled vinyl liners are not as durable as virgin vinyl liners. Recycled vinyl and plastic pool liners are less flexible than their virgin vinyl counterparts. They aren’t as strong and durable and don’t provide a good fit.
Can above-ground pool liners be patched?
Yes, your above-ground pool liners can be patched by purchasing some patch liners and glue. They can be patched under and out of water.
Why is my above-ground pool liner wrinkling?
If there’s excessive water in the soil around your pool, the pool liners could get wrinkled. In some situations, the liner can look like a balloon from the bottom in places with a high water table line.
Features to Get a Best Above Ground Pool Liner
In the following, we present the most important purchase criteria that need to be considered when buying an above-ground pool liner.
Material
One of the most important aspects when buying a liner is the material. After all, the liner should be as durable as possible.
Most pool liners are made of plastic, which must be robust and elastic, and stretchable. It combines all the important properties that are important for a pool liner.
However, various pool liners are made of different plastic materials. In any case, the best above-ground pool liners are made of virgin vinyl materials, which are strong, durable, and provide a good fit.
The type of pool
The pool liner must be selected depending on the type of pool. This applies not only to the material from which the pool is made but also to the pool size and shape.
The most important thing is to make sure that the pool liner is large enough for the pool. It would be annoying if you had to exchange the liner because it is too small for your pool.
There are pool liners for round, oval, and rectangular pools, and they are up to a pool wall height of 54 inches.
Liner thickness
Pool liners are made of UV-stabilizing materials and therefore have a certain liner thickness. Liners often have a thickness of 20 to 25 gauge in general. Thicker liners are more recommended because the liner will be more robust and stable.
The liner should be strong so that children can also have fun in the pool and splash about without paying particular attention to the pool liner.
You can also consider here that the thinner the liner, the more short-lived the material is. So invest a little more money to be able to use the same pool liner for several summers.
Color effect
Depending on the color of the pool liner, the water shimmers in different colors. If the water is whitish to pale, a white to light gray liner can be inferred. If the water is bright blue, the pool liner is light blue to blue.
If the liner is dark blue or dark gray, the water appears dark blue. And if you prefer a Caribbean atmosphere and turquoise water, then you can opt for a sand-colored liner.
The color of the pool liner determines the color in which the water is perceived. The bluer the water shimmers, the stronger the blue of the liner. The paler the water appears, the lighter the liner is.
Beaded or unbeaded pool liners
Pool liners are equipped with different tucks (profiles located on the top edge of the liner). Here it is very important to take a close look at the type of piping, because not every piping is suitable for every steel pool wall.
There are beaded liners such as the unibead liners and unbeaded pool liners with overlap liners. Overlap pool liners are lapped over the steel wall and have a correspondingly longer piece of liner. After assembly, the excess is simply cut off.
However, if it is a fabric-reinforced pool liner, it must be welded into the pool on site. It is therefore recommended that the installation be carried out by a specialist. This ensures optimal crease-free laying.
Manufacturer warranty
You should always look at the specified manufacturer’s warranty, as these vary with different materials.
For standard liners with a thickness of 20 gauge, the pool liner should have a manufacturer’s warranty of 15 years. A 25-year manufacturer’s warranty is common for thicker liner models with thicknesses of up to 25 gauge.
Price
Often you can already know whether it is a high-quality pool liner or not. The cheap pool liners are often only very thin. Unfortunately, this also means shorter durability than is the case with liners that have a thickness of 25 gauge or more.
Conclusion
The pool liner is just as important as the pool material. It protects your pool and ensures that no water runs out, and the pool is therefore sealed.
To buy the best above-ground pool liner, the main things to consider are the size of the pool and, therefore, the amount of pool liner and its material, but also the thickness of the material and the water parameters.
The color is also a relevant purchase criterion: the lighter the color of the pool liner is, the lighter or paler the water appears.
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