The Best Solar Cover Reels For Inground Pools (Reviews & Buying Guide)

Before we dive into the best solar cover reels for inground pools on the market today, lets acknowledge that simply owning an inground swimming pool comes with plenty of benefits, from relaxation to regular exercise, but it can also require a lot of work.

Keeping your swimming pool clean and suitable for swimming takes time, but it can take a lot less if you have the right equipment. 

All it takes is one windy day for your pool to become filled with all manner of detritus. Without a pool cover, your only option would be to remove every stray leaf and piece of flotsam with a hook or net.

Solar swimming pool covers solve this issue and provide other benefits such as saving you money on pool heaters. Of course, to enjoy the benefits of a solar pool cover, you need to be able to remove it. You can do this manually but that leaves you trying to fold a large, soaking wet plastic sheet with your bare hands.

If you want to expedite this process, it is worth buying a proper pool cover reel. The following solar cover reels are great choices if you want to easily roll up your pool cover and get ready to swim in a matter of minutes.

Now, lets dive into our inground solar pool cover reel reviews!

1. HydroTools In-Ground Pool Solar Blanket Roller Reel System 

No products found.

If you have a smaller pool, then it may be unnecessary for you to buy a massive, bulky reel.

Hydrotool has designed this reel to be an affordable fixture for your pool to easily roll up your cover with minimal effort. 

This reel doesn’t have wheels so you will have to screw it permanently into the decking at one end of the pool.

While you may be reluctant to take a drill to your decking, this comes with the benefit that your reel will never tip over and fall into the water.

The wheel is nice and large for ease of use, and the set comes with all the straps you will need to connect your cover to the reel. 

At 16.5 feet long, this reel can accommodate most small pool covers without having too much leftover space.

Since it needs to be screwed into the ground, the initial installation can be a little tricky, similar to the initial solar pool cover installation but once you’re done you will have a much easier time handling your solar pool cover.

Pros:

• Affordable – Great for any pool owner concerned about spending too much. 
• Straps and Clips included – Just attach the clip to your cover and start rolling. 
• Large wheel – easy to operate without having to bend or kneel down.

Cons:

• Not suitable for larger covers – Only works with pool covers that are 16ft wide and under. 
• Has to be screwed in place –  This is a permanent fixture that cannot be moved around.

No products found.

2. Sun2Solar 20-Foot Stainless Steel

No products found.

This pool cover reel by Sun2Solar is available in three different sizes to accommodate covers of any width.

Even if your solar cover is trimmed to fit exotic shapes like kidney bean pools, the telescopic pole on this reel makes it easy to adjust the length as you need, so it is equal to the widest section of your cover. 

Made of durable, stainless steel, this reel can comfortably carry up to 25ft wide solar covers. You will also receive all the necessary straps for attaching your pool cover to the central pole.

There are 18 inches of clearance between the ¾” thick reel and the floor, meaning even extra long covers can be rolled up without sagging or touching the ground. 

The crank incorporates an EasyGear bearing system, that will reduce the amount of effort needed to roll up the cover.

You can move this reel to any side of your pool that you want thanks to the wheels at one end.

Pros:

• Adjustable length – The reel is telescopic, allowing you to adjust it for any size of pool cover.
• Made from durable stainless steel – This reel is designed to be long-lasting and rust-resistant. 
• Wheels at one end – Easily move your pool cover wherever you need it without risking the whole reel rolling into the pool.

Cons:

• Velcro adhesive for attaching straps – Straps are not securely attached to the reel and may detach over time.

No products found.

3. Rocky’s 3A In-Ground Pool Solar Reel

No products found.

Many pool cover reels have wheels at one end so they can be moved around, but this comes with the issue that your reel may tip over and fall into the pool.

Rocky’s 3A In-ground pool reel has two sets of wheels making it even easier to roll along your deck, as well as special bolts for locking it in place when you need the extra stability. 

To make use of the locking bolts on this reel, you will need to drill holes for them to slide into at one end of your deck.

If you don’t mind a little bit of DIY, then this die-cast aluminum reel is made to survive any weather without rusting. 

The 20ft long center tube has 12 sides to improve grip and prevent your cover from sagging. There are also locking wheels to stop the cover from unraveling if you let go of the crank.

Straps are provided, but installing them will require you to drill holes in the aluminum tube so they can be screwed in place.

Pros:

• Two sets of wheels – Makes moving this reel and the attached cover very easy. 
• Twelve-sided rolling tube – Improves grip on the cover to prevent sagging. 
• Die-cast Aluminum reel – This lightweight reel is highly durable and made to withstand all weather conditions. 
• Locking wheels – Ensure the reel only turns in the direction you want it to.

Cons:

• You need to drill holes in your deck – Making use of the locking pins will require drilling holes in the deck around your pool
• DIY experience necessary – As well as drilling holes in the decking of your pool, you will need to drill holes for the straps into the aluminum tube itself

No products found.

4. Nova Microdermabrasion Swimming Pool Cover Reel Set

No products found.

Taller pool reels not only provide more clearance between the central tube and the ground, but they can also be easier to use, especially for anyone who struggles with bending over due to a bad back or other similar injury.

This reel by Nova has a crank attached to a large steering wheel so the reel can be operated in whatever position you find most comfortable. 

The adjustable aluminum tube is highly durable and can be extended to fit covers that are up to 21ft long.

This kit comes with all the necessary straps and clips, which are attached to the reel by strong velcro that is wound all the way around the central pole to prevent them from coming loose.

The two wheels at one end have solid tires to make the reel easy to move, while the non-slip legs improve stability and protect your decking from damage.

Unlike some of the other designs we’ve looked at, this solar cover reel won’t require you to drill any holes for fixing the whole arrangement in place or attaching the straps.

Pros:

• Large wheel with crank – Makes rolling up your pool cover very easy either standing up, kneeling, or bending over. 
• Telescopic pole – This reel can be extended or shortened to accommodate different widths and lengths of pool cover
• Wheels at one end – For ease of transport while non-slip legs at the other end prevent the reel from tipping over. 
• Pool thermometer included – So you can measure the temperature of your water before you jump in.

Cons:

• May sag under heavier covers – There may be some sagging in the middle with heavy pools covers, especially when using all 7 of the provided poles for maximum length. 
• Can be blown over – Since it is made from lightweight materials, this cover reel may be blown over by very strong winds.

No products found.

5. VINGLI Pool Cover Reel Set

No products found.

This reel is a little shorter than some of the others, only able to accommodate covers that are up to 18ft wide.

That said, the VINGLI reel set comes with plenty of advantages to make up for its lack of length. 

The straps for this reel are fed into grooves in the central pole, meaning they can be slid along the length as required and are less likely to come off than velcro straps.

The thick wheels with bulky tires provide mobility and help to stop the reel from tipping over. 

Like everything else on this reel, the steering wheel is very solid, with a helpful crank to make rolling up your pool cover an absolute breeze.

With legs made of stainless steel and a central tube composed of aluminum, this solar cover reel is highly durable and unlikely to rust even in extreme weather.

Pros:

• Grooved reeling tube – Prevents straps from coming undone. 
• Thick tires on wheels – Improves stability and stops the reel from tipping over while rolling
• Heavy-duty Steering wheel with crank – To reduce the effort needed to roll and unroll your pool cover so you can save your energy for swimming. 
• Rust-free construction – Legs made from stainless steel and pole made from aluminum to ensure no rust in any weather.

Cons:

• Only suitable for pools that are 18ft wide – Not suitable for holding larger pool covers.

No products found.

Our Comprehensive Inground Pool Solar Cover Reel Buyer’s Guide

Ideally, you want to be able to jump in your swimming pool with minimal preparation beforehand. Solar pool cover reels accomplish this by removing all of the strenuous lifting and folding that is required to remove a pool cover by hand. Here are some helpful tips for buying a reel that will be suitable for your solar cover. 

How big is your solar pool cover? 

Pool covers are often spooled onto the reel lengthways so the narrower end is the one wrapped around the tube. Some designs include telescopic poles so the length can be adjusted as you need.

Be warned that these reels can also be weaker as they are unable to handle the weight of the cover while at full extension.

When shopping for a reel, make sure the length of the central pole is equal to, or greater than the width of your solar cover. 

Wheels VS static fixture

Most reels will come with a set of wheels at one end so you can pick up the whole arrangement and move it like a wheelbarrow.

These are great if you are not using your pool all year round and want to store your reel away when it isn’t being used.

If you are worried about the reel tipping over and falling into your pool consider a static reel that you can permanently screw in place.

This option will require you to drill holes in the deck, but it will save you from having to fish your reel and pool cover back out of the water. 

Are Velcro straps enough?

The straps that guide the cover onto the tube are as important as the reel itself. Velcro and adhesive are one method used to connect the straps to the pole, while clips are placed at the other end to grasp onto the cover.

It is better to choose a design where the velcro is securely attached to the pole, or avoid velcro all together and choose a reel where the straps are firmly attached to the reel by grooves or screws. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Enjoy our teams’ answers to some of the most common questions we get related to solar pool covers and cover reels for inground pools below.

What is a solar pool cover? 

Unlike regular pool covers, solar covers are designed to trap heat and prevent the water from getting colder. This is accomplished through special materials, or a bubbled texture on the cover to absorb more heat from the sun.

These covers are intended to not just keep your swimming pool free from debris, but to also ensure that the water is nice and warm every time you jump in, 

How do I get my cover back off the reel? 

One of the easiest ways to get your solar cover back off the reel is to tie a rope to the loose end.

Pulling this rope will un-roll the plastic so you can position it over the surface of the water, ensuring that all the edges are touching the walls of the pool.

If you are worried about the reel tipping over, you can ask a friend to hold it for you or place heavy objects like sandbags on the feet to weigh it down. 

Enjoy Your New Solar Cover Reel For Your Inground Swimming Pool!

We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to choose the best solar cover reel for your inground swimming pool. Having a quality pool cover reel can make opening up your pool and protecting it much more easier and less time-consuming, leading to more fun in the sun and pool enjoyment!