It is not easy finding a solar cover that is designed to fit your kidney-shaped swimming pool. Most of them come in more traditional shapes, like an oval or rectangle. However, solar covers are available, and today we’re going to show you the best models for heating your pool.
Top Picks
The Best Overall Option
Blue Wave NS430 18 x 36
The Upgrade Option
Sun2Solar 1200 Series 25 x 50
The Value Option
Sun2Solar 800 Series 18 x 32
The Alternative Option
Pool Basics Heat Trapper
How to Choose the Right Solar Pool Cover
The typical measurements of kidney shaped pools are 16 x 32, 18 x 36, and 20 x 40 (all in feet). Many pool owners buy a large cover and simply trim it to the correct size. Fortunately, solar pool covers are a breeze to cut. With a little work, you can soon be enjoying all of the benefits that come with them.
What Is the Best Thickness for a Solar Pool Cover?
Depending on your wants and needs, you may find a thicker material to be more beneficial. If you want to get the most protection against chemical loss and evaporation, a 16 mil solar cover is your best option. Those valuing comfort over chemicals will find a 12 or 14 mil cover to be most effective.
Benefits of Solar Pool Covers
Solar pool covers reduce how often you need to buy chemicals. Certain models do this better than others. Where one thickness might decrease evaporation, another might heat up your swimming pool better. If neither is more important than the other, consider getting a medium thickness.
Things to Consider
You also want to look at the color of the solar cover. A blue one will work to reduce evaporation and chemical degradation better than a clear cover. Conversely, a clear cover will allow more sunlight to pass through into your swimming pool, thereby warming it up faster than a blue cover.
When fitting any cover to the size of your kidney-shaped pool, it is important to factor in any excess material around the perimeter. Some pool owners choose to trim it bigger than their pool so that weights can be set on top of the cover to prevent it from being blown off.
Can You Run a Pool Pump with a Solar Cover On?
Absolutely. There is nothing about solar pool covers that cause them to interfere with your pool pump’s operation and vice versa. With this in mind, you may need to cut the solar cover around your pump, depending on its location.
How Much Pool Cover Do I Need?
This ties back to how you choose to install the solar cover. Do you want it to be flush with your swimming pool perimeter, or would you prefer it to be weighed down? Both methods should yield the same results, so you must get the proper measurements of your kidney-shaped pool. This will ensure that the cover in question can adequately heat and protect your swimming pool.
Do Solar Pool Covers Really Work?
Solar pool covers are shown to increase your pool’s temperature by up to 15 degrees. But you must follow proper procedures to ensure that it is installed correctly. If you trim it too small, for example, gaps between the cover and pool will allow heat to escape. This will result in subpar performance, thereby reducing the quality of heating and evaporation prevention.
Solar Pool Cover for Kidney Shaped Pool Reviews
1. Best Overall Option: Blue Wave NS430 18 x 36
Blue Wave’s NS430 18 x 36 is designed to fit standard kidney shaped pool sizes. If your swimming pool is smaller or larger, Blue Wave has other sizes available that will fit your needs. It’s important to get measurements to make sure you have plenty of material to work with.
The NS430 is a blue solar cover with 12 mil thickness. These two features work together to deliver faster heating and less evaporation. If you’re trying to cut down on the amount of chemicals you are regularly buying for your swimming pool, the NS430 is an excellent investment.
You can look forward to raising your swimming pool temperature by up to 15 degrees, effectively extending the swimming season. This rectangle solar cover can easily be trimmed to fit your pool’s exact shape. We found the 12 mil material to be very easy to work with.
Pros
- Blue material – The NS430’s blue color helps you cut back on your chemical bill by greatly reducing evaporation. Heat stays locked into your swimming pool a lot better, too. This allows you to enjoy warmer water longer.
- Balanced – You will appreciate the balance between heating and retention that this cover provides. It also serves to protect your chemicals from UV rays, reducing degradation and prolonging their effectiveness.
- 12 mil – This thickness is a breeze to cut, and it stays in place rather well, too. This makes it easier to trim the solar cover so that it fits exactly how you want it.
Cons
- Thinner material – While the 12 mil thickness is ideal for faster heating times, it’s not as effective in trapping heat for long periods of time. Although we found it to be a good balance, a 16 mil cover will allow your swimming pool to stay warmer a lot longer.
2. Upgrade Option: Sun2Solar 1200 Series 25 x 50
This rectangle solar cover is ideal for a larger kidney-shaped swimming pool. The 25 x 50-foot measurement provides plenty of coverage, allowing you to trim it to the exact size of your pool easily.
The 1200 Series Solar Cover is one of your best solar options, as it delivers exceptional heating without a lot of waiting. The 12 mil thickness allows sunlight to pass through better than 16 mil solar pool covers.
Sure, the 12 mil thickness also means less protection against UV rays, but it provides a fine balance nonetheless. You will be able to enjoy a warmer swimming pool a lot faster, and it’s easy to trim to the shape you need. The 1200 Series 25 x 50 is pretty pricey compared to other entries. But you’re also getting some of the best performance around.
Pros
- Faster heating – Pool owners looking to heat their pool quickly and efficiently will definitely want to give the 1200 Series Solar Cover some serious consideration. It can pay for itself in no time, and requires less upkeep than an electric heater.
- Plenty of coverage – The 25 x 50 design of this cover makes it easy to heat even large kidney shaped swimming pools. The 12 mil thickness makes it easy to work with, allowing you to cut it perfectly to match the size and shape of your pool.
- Blue color – You can get up to 95% less evaporation thanks to the blue color of this cover. Less evaporation means less chemicals wasted. This solar solution provides a cost-effective way of cutting back on your swimming pool’s chemical needs.
Cons
- Pricey – There’s a lot to like about the 1200 Series Solar Cover. It makes it easy to cover large pools that can sometimes be difficult to accommodate. That being said, the 1200 Series 25 x 50 is rather expensive. Thankfully, its benefits make up for the costly investment.
3. Value Option: Sun2Solar 800 Series 18 x 32
If you’re trying to reduce your pool’s costly upkeep, consider giving Sun2Solar’s 800 Series Solar Cover a look. It allows you to cover kidney-shaped pools of various sizes without breaking the bank.
There is, however, a trade-off to the lower cost of this solar cover. It’s a lot thinner than other models we reviewed, measuring at just 8 mils. While this means your water will warm up a lot faster than the others, it also won’t trap in the heat for very long.
Some will value its quick heating abilities over its chemical degradation prevention. But for those looking to cut back on chemical costs, a thicker cover will be needed.
Pros
- Blue color – Although it is a thinner cover, the blue color helps to reduce chemical loss in your pool. Solar UV rays still penetrate more so than a thicker cover, but the blue color offsets this to some degree.
- Affordable – As the least expensive cover we reviewed, you’re getting a good bargain. There are different sizes available, with each one staying around the same price. It’s a great way to cover your large pool without spending a fortune.
- Fastest heating – If your goal is to heat your swimming pool as quickly as possible, the 800 Series Solar Cover is your best solar solution. The 8 mil thickness allows sunlight to pass through better than a 12, 14, or 16 mil cover.
Cons
- Thinner material – While the thinner material is easy to work with and trim to size, it’s also not the greatest at preventing chemical loss. Those looking to cut back on their chemical budget will want to look at thicker solar pool covers.
4. Alternative Option: Solar Sun Rings Solar Sun Square
Pool Basics’ Heat Trapper is an affordable solution for those who don’t want to invest in a solar cover for their pool. Solar energy is harnessed the same as a solar cover. Heat Trapper works by pouring it onto the surface of your swimming pool. Once it is applied, the formula helps keep heat trapped in.
Whereas solar pool covers have to be cut to size, Heat Trapper is simply added as needed. It is by far the easiest solution to heating your water that we reviewed, although it isn’t nearly as effective as solar pool covers.
But if you’re looking for an affordable, short-term option for heating your pool, Heat Trapper is your best solar pool solution. While pool covers can be a bit costly, liquid solar covers are much more manageable.
Pros
- Easy to use – Simply pour the formula in your water and it takes care of the rest. It forms a barrier between the water and sunlight, acting like a pool cover while blocking harmful UV rays from degrading your chemicals.
- Affordable – One of the best aspects of Heat Trapper is that it costs a fraction of what a solar pool cover would run you. It’s the best way to get immediate results in heating up your swimming pool without breaking the bank.
- Less evaporation – Heat Trapper works to reduce evaporation, thereby preventing chemical loss in your pool. Solar UV rays are also blocked, although you’ll get much better results from an actual solar pool cover.
Cons
- Limited use – The biggest drawback to using Heat Trapper is that it doesn’t last anywhere near as long as a solar pool cover. While it might be your best solar pool heating option on the cheap, it can’t compete with the protection that a pool cover provides.
Our Recommendation for Solar Pool Cover for Kidney Shaped Pool
Solar pool covers provide a variety of benefits, making them an excellent investment for pool owners. So, what is the best solar pool cover for heating a kidney-shaped pool? Our pick goes to Blue Wave’s NS430. This 12 mil pool cover heats up quickly, reduces evaporation, and its cost is reasonable.
However, if you have a pool larger than 24 x 40 feet, you’ll want to look into Sun2Solar’s 1200 Series Solar Pool Cover. It’s a bit pricey, but it provides the coverage and protection your pool needs. It warms up quickly and does a fine job of keeping heat trapped in. If you’re not concerned with chemical loss, Sun2Solar’s 800 Series Solar Pool Cover is a solid investment, as well. Its 8 mil thickness delivers the fastest heating times, although it doesn’t offer the protection you find with thicker solar covers. Those on a budget who don’t want to invest in a solar cover will appreciate Pool Basic’s Heat Trapper. It’s an affordable solution that delivers instant results, albeit not very lasting ones.
