A dip in some water can do wonders to cool the body down and even refresh the mind, especially when heat waves can make the brain and brawn feel sluggish and slow, as if they too are melting.
Yet many of us don’t live near a public pool or have access to one, and it’s not so relaxing as an adult to journey to a kid-filled pool, anyway. Noise and splashing aside, there’s omnipresent potential for pee.
Investing in a bonafide home pool isn’t a great answer, either: They notoriously require tremendous financial investment and seemingly endless upkeep.
That brings me to one of my favorite Amazon discoveries lately: An inflatable pool that comfortably fits two to four adults, which reviewers are calling “the buy of the summer” and “our own miniature oasis.”
Just whip this wonder out on a sweltering day, grab a close friend or spouse and sit yourself down to cool off and relax in the comfort of your own backyard. Bring your favorite beverage, too — sparkling water, beer, wine or iced coffee — because this find even has two built-in cupholders. “The cup holders did it for me,” jokes a reviewer named Allie.
You can recline in your own space, with access to your own bathroom and your own cupboard of snacks. Hey, you can even let your grandkids hang out too, if they behave (or your dog, as multiple reviewers report doing).
Half of this inflatable gizmo has a built-in bench and backrest, for easy, supported sitting; reviewers attest that the bench is actually “so comfortable.” The bench is likely to fit two adults; others can rest in the section sans-bench. (If you’re petite, you may be able to fit even more people — one reviewer who gave their height as 5 feet, 2 inches reported fitting six adults inside.)
Plus, as reviewers note, there’s really no beating this price. “Who needs to drop 80k when you can quickly set this up?” writes a reviewer named Julie. Another named Vicki raves that the pool is a “great escape at a great price.”
“I will always love this pool in particular because out of all the ones we have it’s tough, fun and easy to pull out or put away,” says a reviewer named Mary. “Do yourself a favor [and] get one, they are great priced, pump up in min[utes] and have the best summer!”
The brand promises that it’s as durable as inflated pools get, made of 13-gauge vinyl, and holds up to 156 gallons of water in its 90-inch long, 86-inch wide and 31-inch high body (which reviewers say is larger than you’d think). The pool sports a drain plug and two sophisticated air chambers to help make inflation and deflation easy; the brand claims that setup should take no longer than 10 minutes. It also comes with a repair patch in case any mishaps occur.
Reviewers recommend purchasing an inflator with multiple nozzle tips for more ease setting the pool up; you can grab one from Amazon here.
The pool’s water stays fresh, reviewers say, as long as you empty and refill it every few days, which is how it’s designed to be used. If you’d rather not change the water, folks recommend grabbing a pool skimmer and some chlorine tablets for help with cleanliness.
Options are always a good thing, so we’ve collected some more reviewer-favorite inflatable pools from Amazon for your perusal. Check them out below.
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The pool promises to be puncture-resistant and comes with a repair patch.
Promising review: "Oh, boy, where do I even begin with this inflatable pool? It's like they took a slice of paradise, added a pinch of nostalgia, and sprinkled it with a generous dose of 'I don't want to adult today.'
tl;dr - 'It's my personal oasis in the sea of responsibility.'
First off, the inflation process. It was so easy, even my cat tried to lend a paw. It puffed up quicker than my excuses for skipping the gym – which, coincidentally, is what I'll be doing while floating blissfully in my new aquatic kingdom.
Once fully inflated, the pool looks more majestic than a unicorn riding a rainbow. I half expected a chorus of angels to start singing as I gently lowered myself in. Spoiler alert: they didn't, but I hummed 'Under the Sea' to compensate.
Now, let's talk size. It's like they designed this pool with adults in mind! I can stretch out without feeling like a sardine in a can. There's enough space for me, my beer, and a rubber ducky named Sir Quacks-a-Lot.
Durability? Let me tell you, this pool has survived my attempts at doing cannonballs that would make a belly flop look graceful. No punctures, no leaks – it's like the Houdini of inflatable pools. It even withstood the wrath of my neighbor's jealous glare when he saw me living my best life while he mowed his lawn.
This isn't just a inflatable pool; it's a lifestyle. It's where deadlines drown, and worries wade in the shallow end. If you're looking for a way to escape the monotony of adulthood without maxing out your credit card on a tropical vacation, this inflatable pool is your ticket to aquatic nirvana. #FloatOnForever #AdultingCanWait" — moot
Promising review: "I am totally satisfied with this pool. I was not expecting it to last this long. We started using this pool in July 2022 and still using it in September [2022]. I purposely waited to write this review until we put the pool to the test. We have eight grand-kids and live where temperatures reach 100 to 115 degrees throughout the summer months. This pool exceeded my expectations for the price. It is very easy to blow up and the plugs go back in place easily without letting air back out. We have had no air leaks whatsoever since we started using it, and that is with the grand-kids leaning over and sitting on the sides of the pool. If it sat for any period of time without use, we did add air, but not because of any leaks. We had three adults and at least four kids in it at one time on occasions and it felt very comfortable and not cramped. Draining it is easy. It comes with a small tube attached on one of the two drain plugs. We placed a 3 ft 1/2" PVC pipe under the pool near the drain plug to allow the water to drain faster, but it is not necessary, it drains well otherwise. Great product." — Trish
It's available in two other sizes and colors, and in a version including a pump.
Promising review: "I buy one of these every year because the price is so low. I set it onto my back deck and it sits for adults very comfortably. My one friend is 6'6 and sits fully legs stretched and never touches. Water level is too his chest and it's perfect for chilling out with friends. I also set a thick comfortor under it and it's so comfortably. After July. I give it to neighborhood kids after I'm done as mid summer I no longer use it and am on the lake boating. Highly recommended however caution for caution as it is deep for little ones. Must stay and watch them." — Linda B
It comes in seven other sizes.
Promising review: "BEST MONEY EVER SPENT! We read tons of reviews and prepared ourselves knowing that we needed to pick a spot where the pool would be level. It was easy to assemble but my husband found out soon enough when attempting to fill the pool with water that it still was not level. About 4 bags of sand spread beneath the pool tarp did the job. Took about 7 hours to fill with water. Pump works fine, water is crystal clear, and we are in the pool daily. We bought it for me as a quick solution to do pool therapy for recovery from an injury, BUT my husband has found enjoyment in the pool too. We love it as part of our routine - and we look forward to it daily. We are both tall - but find the pool deep, wide, and allows us to exercise and swim across the pool and even in circles. We even hosted a family party and our adult children enjoyed the pool too. We did wind up buying (2) solid sets of pool stairs with handles - one outside the pool and one inside. Piece of cake - perfection! We hope to keep the pool up for a good 9 months out of the year. So far - it's been two months and we are loving it! So WORTH IT!" — Books That Matter
Its largest size measures 97 inches long, 97 inches wide and 16 inches high. It's also available in four smaller versions.
Note: Clip the coupon for an added 15% off at checkout.
Promising review: "This pool is amazing! It's super sturdy and easy to empty and clean out. Fun for the whole family! Kids and dogs ????" — Barnee Woolf