Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool Review: The Ultimate Backyard Upgrade on a Budget?

There’s a universal moment every summer when the air gets thick, the sun beats down relentlessly, and the simple thought of cool water becomes an all-consuming obsession. For years, our family’s solution was a cycle of cheap inflatable pools—a flimsy, frustrating dance of patching pinhole leaks, dealing with sagging walls, and ultimately watching our summer dream deflate in the backyard. We wanted the joy of a pool without the staggering cost and permanent commitment of an in-ground installation. The challenge was finding something sturdy enough for a season of enthusiastic splashing, large enough for both kids and adults to enjoy, and simple enough to set up without a professional crew. This annual struggle for a reliable backyard oasis is what led us to investigate a more permanent, yet still temporary, solution: the framed above-ground pool.

What to Consider Before Buying a Framed Swimming Pool

A framed swimming pool is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming your backyard into a seasonal hub of relaxation and family fun. Unlike their inflatable cousins, framed pools offer superior structural integrity, greater depth, and a much longer lifespan. They bridge the gap between temporary kiddie pools and expensive, permanent installations. The primary benefit is achieving a genuine swimming experience—a place to float, play, and truly escape the summer heat—with a setup that can be disassembled and stored in the off-season. They represent a significant upgrade in durability and overall usability, making them a worthwhile investment for years of summer enjoyment.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a family with young children, a couple looking for a personal spot to cool off, or anyone with a reasonably level backyard space who wants a pool without the commitment of excavation. They are perfect for those who have graduated from the inflatable pool phase and are seeking something more robust and reliable. However, a framed pool might not be suitable for those with severely sloped yards, very limited space, or those living in communities with strict HOA rules against above-ground structures. For those with toddlers or who only need a small splash area, a simpler option like the Intex 4 Foot Kiddie Pool might be a more practical choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The first step is always to measure your yard. You need not only the footprint of the pool itself but also at least three feet of clearance on all sides for safe access and setup. Most importantly, the ground must be perfectly level. As we and many other users have discovered, even a slight incline can put uneven pressure on the frame and liner, potentially causing bowing or structural failure.
• Capacity/Performance: Consider the water depth and gallon capacity. A 26-inch depth, like that of the Bestway Steel Pro, is perfect for young children to play safely while still allowing adults to sit and cool off. The 872-gallon capacity determines how long it will take to fill and how much water treatment will be required. Also, check if a pump and filter are included, as this is a critical component for keeping the water clean and is often a separate purchase.
• Materials & Durability: The longevity of your pool depends entirely on its construction. Look for a powder-coated or corrosion-resistant steel frame, which prevents rust from weakening the structure. The liner material is equally important; multi-ply, puncture-resistant PVC or materials like Bestway’s DuraPlus offer enhanced strength against accidental pokes and prods from toys, pets, or debris.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A “tool-free” assembly is a major selling point, but check user feedback on the clarity of instructions. Once assembled, maintenance is key. This involves regular water testing, adding chemicals like chlorine or bromine, and running a filter pump. A pool without a good filtration system will quickly become a cloudy, uninviting swamp, so factor in the cost and effort of ongoing upkeep.

While the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Sturdy Step-Up

The arrival of the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool was met with excitement. The box, while hefty at around 15 kilograms, was manageable for one person. Unpacking revealed a collection of alloy steel poles, sturdy plastic connectors, and the centerpiece: the vibrant blue DuraPlus liner. Our immediate impression was one of quality. The steel poles felt substantial and were smoothly finished to resist corrosion. The liner itself was thick and felt remarkably tough, a far cry from the thin vinyl of inflatable pools. There was a confidence-inspiring sturdiness to the components right out of the box. Assembling it felt like putting together a large, simple piece of furniture. While, as some users note, the instructions are purely pictorial, laying out all the pieces and matching them to the diagram made the process intuitive. This initial hands-on experience confirmed that this was a serious upgrade, a product designed for durability rather than disposability. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of the complete package.

Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Use of the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool

After setup and a full season of use, we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of where the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool excels and where its limitations lie. It’s not just about filling it with water; it’s about how it integrates into your summer life, how it holds up to energetic kids, and what it truly takes to maintain. This is our in-depth analysis of its core features.

Assembly and Installation: From Box to Backyard Oasis

Bestway advertises a tool-free setup, and on this, they deliver flawlessly. The entire frame is assembled by sliding steel tubes into one another and locking them in place with included plastic T-connectors and pins. There are no screws, no bolts, and no need to dig through a toolbox. We found that a two-person team makes the process smoother, especially when feeding the top rails through the sleeves of the liner, a sentiment echoed by several users who noted it was “easy to put together with two people.” A 60-year-old user even reported putting it up by herself, which speaks to the design’s simplicity. However, the most critical step happens before you even open the box: site preparation. The ground must be perfectly level. We spent extra time ensuring our patch of lawn was flat, using sand to fill minor depressions, and laid down interlocking foam tiles as a protective barrier, a fantastic tip we picked up from other owners. This prevents sharp stones from damaging the liner and provides a softer floor. The instructions are indeed a series of diagrams, which can be a point of frustration. One user noted it took them “5 hours to install because the instructions,” but our experience was closer to an hour once we laid everything out logically. The key is to match the labeled parts on the diagram to the physical pieces before you begin. Once assembled, filling the pool is the longest part of the process, taking several hours depending on your water pressure. It’s during this phase that the FrameLink system’s strength becomes apparent, as the structure barely flexes under the immense weight of over 800 gallons of water.

Durability and Construction: The Steel Pro’s Backbone

The long-term value of the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool is rooted in its two core technologies: the DuraPlus liner and the FrameLink System. Let’s break down why these are more than just marketing terms. The DuraPlus liner is a three-layer composite material, consisting of a polyester mesh core sandwiched between two layers of high-gauge PVC. In hand, it feels thick, tough, and significantly more puncture-resistant than a standard single-ply liner. Throughout a summer of use with pool toys, jumping, and splashing, our liner showed no signs of stress, rips, or holes. This aligns with feedback from long-time owners, one of whom mentioned their previous Bestway pool lasted four summers before needing an upgrade. The FrameLink System is Bestway’s clever solution to a common failure point in metal frame pools: rust. The custom-molded T-connectors ensure that no metal parts of the frame directly touch each other. This prevents the scraping and friction that can wear away the corrosion-resistant coating, which is typically where rust begins. It’s a feature that really sets it apart in this price category and points to a design focused on multi-season longevity. We observed no rust or degradation at any connection point after months of exposure to chemically treated water and sun. One user did report sides buckling, which is a serious concern; however, this issue is almost always traced back to unlevel ground, which puts immense, uneven pressure on the frame’s horizontal beams, causing them to pull apart. With proper site prep, we found the frame to be incredibly sturdy.

In-Use Experience: Size, Capacity, and Fun Factor

With dimensions of roughly 10 feet by 6.5 feet, this pool hits a sweet spot. It’s large enough to feel like a real pool but compact enough to fit in smaller backyards without completely dominating the landscape. The advertised 26-inch height results in a water depth of about 24 inches (2 feet), which we found to be perfect. For our six-year-old, it was deep enough to practice floating and swimming, as another user celebrated, “My grandson has learned to float, flip and dunk this summer!” For adults, it’s an ideal depth for sitting on the bottom or lounging in a float to escape the heat. It comfortably fits two adults and two small children with room to play. One of the surprisingly thoughtful design elements we appreciated were the flat tops on the plastic corner connectors. As one reviewer noted, they are perfect for setting down a drink, sunscreen, or a pair of goggles. It’s a small touch that enhances the relaxing “lounge” experience. The 872-gallon capacity is manageable, making it relatively quick to heat up on a sunny day and not prohibitively expensive to fill. This isn’t a pool for swimming laps, but as a “backyard relaxation hub,” it absolutely excels. It became the centerpiece of our summer afternoons, a reliable and delightful escape that you can check the latest price and availability on for your own backyard.

The Pump Situation: What You Need to Know

This is arguably the most important consideration before purchasing the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool. This set does not include a filter pump. The pool liner comes with two capped ports, allowing you to easily connect a filtration system, but the pump itself is a required additional purchase. While this might seem like a drawback, we view it as a smart cost-saving measure that empowers the buyer. The pumps included with many entry-level pool sets are often notoriously underpowered. By excluding it, Bestway keeps the initial price point incredibly low and allows you to invest in a pump that properly suits your needs. The overwhelming consensus from the user community, which we strongly endorse, is to buy a more powerful third-party pump. Many users recommended an Intex Krystal Clear cartridge pump, often in the 500 to 1000 GPH (gallons per hour) range. We paired ours with a 530 GPH model, and it was sufficient to keep the water crystal clear with regular maintenance. It’s a vital investment; without a pump, the water will quickly become stagnant and unsafe for swimming. Be aware that you may need hose adapters to connect a different brand’s pump to the Bestway pool ports, but these are widely available and inexpensive. This upfront planning for a pump is essential for a successful and low-maintenance pool season.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback for the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool is overwhelmingly positive, painting a picture of a product that delivers excellent value. Many, like us, see it as a “really nice upgrade from the inflatable pool,” praising its sturdiness and quality construction. One owner summed it up perfectly: “Absolutely worth the money just perfect for relaxing, product very sturdy, also is exactly what is advertised.” The ease of assembly is a recurring theme, with several people mentioning they were able to set it up alone in just a couple of hours. A 60-year-old woman proudly stated, “I put this pool up myself,” highlighting its user-friendly design.

However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms. The most common complaint centers on the pictorial instructions. One user expressed their frustration, saying, “The instructions are terrible and don’t tell you how to do anything it’s all pictures. I had to look up videos on youtube which those didn’t help either!!” This suggests a learning curve for those who prefer written steps. The other significant negative point, raised by a user whose pool sides kept buckling, underscores our warning about site preparation. They noted the “top frame poles don’t actually fasten to each other” but simply slide into a coupling, which can pull apart under the immense pressure of 800+ gallons of water on unlevel ground. This feedback is critical, as it highlights that the pool’s success is directly tied to a proper, level installation.

How Does the Bestway Steel Pro Compare to the Alternatives?

The Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool occupies a fantastic middle ground, but depending on your budget, space, and needs, one of its competitors might be a better fit. Here’s how it stacks up against three other popular options.

1. Intex 4 Foot Kiddie Pool

The Intex Kiddie Pool is in a completely different category, and it’s important to understand who it’s for. This is not a family pool; it’s a toddler splash pad. With a depth of only 12 inches and a small 4-foot diameter, it’s designed specifically for the youngest children (ages 3 and up) to sit and splash safely. It’s incredibly inexpensive, sets up in minutes, and requires very little water. If you’re simply looking for a way to keep a toddler cool and entertained and don’t need the space or depth for older kids or adults, this is a far more practical and economical choice. It’s the perfect entry point before committing to a larger, more complex framed pool like the Bestway Steel Pro.

2. Intex 20ft x 48in Ultra XTR Deluxe Pool Set

This Intex Ultra XTR set represents a massive leap in size, quality, and price. With a 20-foot diameter and a 48-inch depth, this is for homeowners who want a semi-permanent summer fixture that can accommodate a large family or even a pool party. It comes as a complete package, including a powerful sand filter pump, a ladder, a ground cloth, and a debris cover—addressing the main accessory needs that Bestway leaves to the consumer. The investment is significantly higher, and the space requirement is immense. This is the choice for someone with a large, level yard and a budget to match, who wants a true, deep swimming experience that rivals that of an in-ground pool.

3. Intex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool

The Intex 18′ x 9′ x 52″ Ultra XTR is the most direct, high-end competitor to the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool. It takes the same rectangular concept and scales it up in every dimension. It’s nearly twice as long, significantly wider, and at 52 inches, more than twice as deep. This is a pool for swimming, not just splashing. Like its round XTR sibling, it comes as an all-inclusive set with a powerful pump, ladder, and covers. This is the logical next step for a family that has outgrown the Bestway Steel Pro or for someone who wants the rectangular shape for lap swimming but desires a much larger and deeper experience from day one. It’s a premium product for those with the space and budget who are committed to the above-ground pool lifestyle.

Final Verdict: Is the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool Worth It?

After extensive testing and a season filled with fun, our conclusion is clear: the Bestway Steel Pro Above Ground Pool is an outstanding value and one of the best entry points into the world of framed pools. It masterfully balances affordability with durability, offering a sturdy, reliable structure that will easily outlast any inflatable pool. Its size is perfect for young families and smaller yards, providing enough room for kids to play and adults to relax without overwhelming the space. The DuraPlus liner and rust-resistant FrameLink system are genuinely impressive features at this price point, signaling a product built to last multiple summers.

The primary consideration is the need to purchase a filter pump separately. While an added expense, we see this as an advantage, allowing you to choose a capable unit rather than being stuck with an underpowered, bundled pump. Provided you have a level patch of ground and are prepared to invest in a decent filter, this pool is a fantastic investment in summer fun. If you’re ready to upgrade from the annual inflatable pool struggle and create a lasting backyard oasis for your family, we wholeheartedly recommend it. You can find the best price and order yours today to get started on a summer of fun.