Bestway Steel Pro MAX 14' x 42" Round Above Ground Swimming Pool Set Outdoor Metal Frame Family Pool with Filter Pump, Ladder, and Cover, Gray

Alright, let's dive into this pool review! Review: 15' x 48" Round Above-Ground Pool – Summer Fun Made Easy (Mostly!) As the dog days of summer approach here in Boaz, AL, there's nothing quite like having a refreshing pool right in your backyard. We recently set up a 15' x 48" round above-ground pool, and after several weeks of splashes and sunny days, I'm ready to share my thoughts. Ease of Setup: A Breeze! One of the standout features of this pool was how easy it was to put up. Even for someone who isn't particularly handy, the instructions were clear, and the components fit together seamlessly. We had the frame assembled and the liner filled in a surprisingly short amount of time. If you've been put off by the idea of a backyard pool due to complex installation, rest assured, this model makes it a relatively painless process. Maintenance & Cleaning: Surprisingly Simple Once it's up and running, cleaning this pool has also been remarkably easy. The included filter pump does a decent job of circulating the water, and combined with regular chemical balancing, we've managed to keep the water sparkling clear. The round shape means there are no tricky corners for debris to accumulate, making vacuuming and brushing a straightforward task. For its size, it's a manageable commitment in terms of upkeep. Kid-Approved Fun! The ultimate test for any family pool is, of course, the kids' reaction – and they absolutely love it! The 15-foot diameter provides ample space for splashing, floating, and even a bit of underwater exploration. The 48-inch depth is perfect for younger swimmers to stand comfortably while still being deep enough for older kids (and adults!) to cool off and enjoy. It's been the focal point of endless summer fun, and honestly, seeing their joy makes every bit of effort worthwhile. The One Quibble: The Skimmer Situation If there's one area where this otherwise fantastic pool could be improved, it's the filtration intake system. Instead of a dedicated surface skimmer, this pool relies on underwater suction intakes. While these do pull water into the filter, they aren't nearly as efficient at capturing floating debris – leaves, bugs, pollen, you name it – from the water's surface before it sinks. This means more frequent manual netting to keep the top layer pristine. My Wish: A proper, integrated surface skimmer would make a world of difference for overall cleanliness and reduce the manual effort significantly. It's a minor design choice that impacts the user experience more than one might think, especially in areas with lots of trees or airborne debris. Final Thoughts: Despite my wish for a better skimming system, the 15' x 48" round pool has been a fantastic addition to our backyard. Its ease of setup, straightforward cleaning, and immense popularity with the kids make it a winner. It offers a great balance of size and manageability for a family looking for refreshing summer fun without the commitment or expense of an in-ground pool. If you're willing to do a bit more manual skimming, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better value for endless hours of aquatic enjoyment. Highly recommended for families seeking easy, immediate summer fun!

I couldn’t be happier with this pool! It arrived quickly and was surprisingly easy to set up — I had it filled and ready to go in just a few hours. The material feels strong and durable, and it’s held up great even with daily use from kids and adults. It’s the perfect size for our backyard and makes those hot days so much more bearable. The pump works well and keeps the water nice and clean. Definitely one of the best purchases I’ve made this summer. Highly recommend for families looking for a fun, affordable way to cool off!

This was nice pool, had to send back due to a small problem. Great for the buck, just enough room for kiddos to play in. Pump was good came with everything as should.

This pool was a great price when we got it. However, the pump included needs to be upsized because it really isn't rated for this size. It was a great size for our small family. Even the adults enjoyed it and it was easy to maintain. The instructions were clear. The only major issue I have is that we only had it one season and the hoses that connect to the pump are already cracked. We planned on giving it away to get a more permanent pool next season anyways but it would be nice if the hoses were sturdier.

First of all, the pool frame and liner itself was very easy to set up. I did it alone, a forties female. The hardest part there wax prepping the base since I have tree roots, rocks, and (after using an industrial strength magnet) an alarming number of corroded old hand forged roofing nails from the 40’s. I had no idea those were there- I was running the magnet because I had dropped a box of small screws and was so worried I’d missed one and it had ended up where the pool was going in. Anyway, wow y’all might want to do that if it’s anywhere near your house. Instructions regarding the fittings and the pump were worthless. There wasn’t even an effort to show you how the pump should be connected. My intakes aren’t working at all so my skimmer is useless and crud is just floating in my pool with no actual filtering happening. Just pretend this doesn’t have a pump and go ahead and order a good sand filter with filter media balls (the name brand not the knockoffs which are just polyester). For my 12’ round I got a 3000gph one so I can run a fountain for the return and the one which came with the pool definitely is not strong enough to run a fountain (I tried it). It was a breeze putting the pool up after the underlayment was done but then I spent 4 hours looking at videos of pool and pump installs, none of which solved my problems. But if it weren’t for being able to catch a screenshot from one I’d have zero idea how the pump connections should go because Bestway doesn’t even care to tell you. Pool is fine. It’s actually huge for the two of us but I guess that’s more room for floats. I’m pleased with being able to have a pool for two hundred bucks, but the zero effort Bestway puts into showing what to do after the frame and liner are up is ridiculous. Good luck trying to figure it out.

I have read several reviews and have no idea which planet a lot of the reviewers are living on. I bought my pool last summer, the first I have ever owned and maintained either above or in ground. As a complete rookie yearning for a cheap way of cooling off in a searing summer climate (central Georgia), I was skeptical about a $500 apparatus with a flimsy-looking pump. I assembled it quickly, filled it with a garden hose, put a $30 floating plastic module with chlorine capsules in it, and... VOILA! I have not put a drop of water in it since first filling, nor has the water been anything but crystal clear for the last 10 months. A cheap hand skimmer with an extendable paint handle is a must when the water gets too cold for immersion. But it suffices to remove pine straw, pollen, bugs and debris. Cleaning the pump filter by using the rubber plugs in the intake/outtake ports and spraying with a garden hose is an easy task. Hoses tend to spring leaks at their flexion points, but a coating of silicone quickly solves that issue. I have yet to install the cover for any reason. All in all a STEAL OF A DEAL for those in warm climates (I have used mine in 8 of the 12 months), but I'm not sure about how it would hold up (or be drained and disassembled) in areas of severe winters.

Love it!! Its big, 15 foot across and 4 feet deep. I dug the center of my yard down some and put the pool up over that, making the center of my pool even deeper than around the edge. Kids love it and its deep enough for adults to have to swim a little over the center, deeper part. This pool is strong and sturdy, handles kids jumping around and playing in the pool. When I purchased this item I didn't look closely and didn't realize that I was purchasing just the pool, no filter, ladder, anything, luckily this wasn't my first pool this was a replacement pool, so I already had all those other things, so if your looking for a complete set, this is not that, it is only the pool. Its a good price for the size that it is. Easy to put up and take down if needed. I left mine up last winter with water in it and cleaned it this summer and found that to be easier than taking it down at the end of the season and re-assembling at the beginning of the next season. Although assembly is pretty easy, but does really need more than one person to do, at least certain parts of the process anyway, some could be done by ones self.

Pools in general will provide a learning curve to any person diving into pool knowledge. With the proper setup the only thing you will ever have to possibly worry about is balanced chemicals. This is my first pool and I'm learning A LOT. I've had this pool for a close to a month. I've visited MANY forums on pool care and upkeep. Already I'm learning how much of a task it is. The pool handles well. The frame is sturdy. The value is good. BUT you get what you pay for. A 400 dollar pool is nice but it comes with a caveat. The pump/filter. This pump is not adequate enough. I've found that balancing my chemicals is much easier when I run the pump 2 times a day. That's maxing it out at the 10 hours on the timer twice a day. Getting a pool this cheap, the liner is fine, the frame is fine, but the pump; if you plan on keeping this pool for multiple seasons....you HAVE to upgrade the pump. In the Southwest, where we get a lot of dirt and dust it's proving to be a task. The filter gets gunked up REALLY FAST. It cannot handle the workload. The water in my pool was fine at the start and began to get cloudy. My chemical levels were good but the water was still cloudy. I resorted to constantly running the pump for 2 10 hour runs and my water cleared up. The chemicals need a pump adequate enough to mix them around and keep everything balanced. I would argue, that any above ground pool "complete" kit you get, you'll have to replace the pump anyway. The pump included simply isn't strong enough for this 15ft pool. You're going have to spend more money on a reliable pump. Honestly, you might not have to spend that much money for a good pump. But if you want to stretch out how many seasons your above ground pool lasts...get a better pump. Also, if you're laying your pool on top of concrete and your concrete isn't one complete slab and has separations in it like grout lines...fill those gaps with sand so the liner doesn't sink in. I made that mistake and now my liner is conforming to those lines in my concrete. Having a completely level surface is nice, especially when you're trying to vacuum the bottom of the pool. The pool in itself i GREAT! But, I cannot recommend it without also telling anyone they will eventually replace the pump. IMO, the sooner the better.