Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set Review: The Ultimate Backyard Upgrade or Overhyped Oasis?

I remember the sweltering heat of last July. The air was thick, the sun relentless, and the kids were bouncing off the walls with a potent combination of boredom and heat-induced crankiness. The local community pool was a chaotic zoo, packed shoulder-to-shoulder, and the thought of loading up the car for a trip to the beach felt more like a chore than a vacation. We craved a simple, immediate escape—a personal oasis just steps from our back door. This annual struggle is what sends countless families on the hunt for a backyard pool, but the options can be overwhelming. You want the permanence and quality of an in-ground pool without the astronomical cost and landscape-altering construction. This is precisely the void the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set aims to fill, promising a premium, durable, and family-friendly swimming experience without the premium price tag. But does it deliver?

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 creating a hub of family activity, exercise, and relaxation during the warmer months. It transforms a simple backyard into a personal resort, offering an instant and accessible way to cool off, entertain guests, and give children a reason to spend hours playing outdoors. The primary benefit is achieving a large, sturdy swimming area for a fraction of the cost and hassle of a permanent in-ground installation. They offer a tangible sense of summer freedom and can become the centerpiece of family memories for years to come.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the classic summer dilemma: they have a reasonably sized, level backyard and a desire for a substantial pool but are constrained by budget or the limitations of a rental property. They are typically DIY-inclined families who don’t mind spending a weekend on a rewarding project. Conversely, this might not be suitable for those with very small, sloped, or uneven yards where the extensive ground preparation would be impossible. It’s also not for the person seeking a zero-maintenance, walk-out-and-swim experience from day one, as all above-ground pools require regular upkeep. For those with tiny spaces, a smaller inflatable or splash pool might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: It’s not just about the pool’s 18ft x 9ft water area. You must account for the external support legs, which add at least 1.5 feet to each side. This means you need a cleared, perfectly level area of about 21ft x 12ft. Measure your yard meticulously and ensure there are no overhead power lines or underground utility pipes in the chosen spot.
• Capacity/Performance: The performance of a pool is intrinsically linked to its filtration system. The Intex Ultra XTR comes with a sand filter, a significant upgrade over the standard cartridge filters found in cheaper sets. Sand filters provide finer filtration, require less frequent maintenance (backwashing every few weeks vs. cleaning cartridges weekly), and the sand itself only needs replacing every 3-5 years, making it more cost-effective in the long run.
• Materials & Durability: Look for a frame made of rust-resistant galvanized steel, as this is the pool’s skeleton. The liner should be a multi-layered, puncture-resistant material; the 3-Ply PVC on the Intex Ultra XTR is a hallmark of its durability. The quality of the T-joints and locking mechanisms is also crucial for overall stability, and this model’s precision locking system is a standout feature.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: While assembly may be a one-time project, ongoing maintenance is a daily and weekly reality. You will need to test and balance the water chemistry, run the pump, skim debris, and occasionally vacuum the pool floor. A powerful pump like the included Krystal Clear model makes this easier, but it’s a commitment you must be prepared for.

While the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set 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:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Summer of Fun

The arrival of the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set is an event in itself. The boxes are heavy, signaling that the contents are substantial, not flimsy plastic. Unpacking everything felt organized and surprisingly intuitive. Each steel beam was clearly labeled, and the liner, thick and heavy, immediately felt more robust than those on budget-tier pools we’ve handled in the past. What truly stood out was the frame’s locking system. Intex claims assembly requires no tools, and for the frame itself, that’s largely true. The components slide together with a satisfying “click,” creating a rigid structure that inspires confidence. This precision-engineered system feels like a significant step up from the pin-based systems of older models, which could be finicky and prone to misalignment. The star of the show, even in its box, was the Krystal Clear Sand Filter pump. It’s a hefty unit that looks and feels like a piece of serious pool equipment, a far cry from the toy-like cartridge pumps bundled with lesser sets. From the first moment, this kit feels less like a temporary summer toy and more like a semi-permanent backyard fixture.

Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Use of the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set

A pool’s value isn’t just in its specs, but in how it performs day-in and day-out throughout the swimming season. We put the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set through its paces, focusing on the core elements that define the user experience: the structural integrity, the filtration power, the setup process, and its overall usability as a family centerpiece. This is where the promises on the box are tested against the reality of backyard life.

Frame and Liner Durability: The Backbone of Your Summer

The foundation of any great above-ground pool is its frame, and this is where the “Ultra XTR” designation truly earns its keep. The frame is constructed from high-quality galvanized steel, which offers excellent protection against rust and corrosion—a critical feature for an item that spends its life outdoors and filled with treated water. During assembly, we were immediately impressed by the heft and finish of each beam. The powder coating is thick and even, providing another layer of defense against the elements.

The real innovation, however, is the precision-engineered locking system. Instead of struggling with pins and clips, the beams simply slide and snap into the high-strength T-joints. This not only makes the frame assembly remarkably fast but also creates an incredibly rigid structure. Once assembled and filled, the pool is rock solid. We leaned on the top rails and pushed against the sides with significant force, and there was virtually no wobble or flex. This stability is reassuring, especially with active kids who will inevitably be splashing and playing boisterously. The T-joints themselves are infused with a UV inhibitor, a small but crucial detail that prevents them from becoming brittle and cracking after years of sun exposure. The liner material complements this robust frame perfectly. The 3-Ply “SUPER-TOUGH” PVC feels substantial to the touch, and you can sense its resistance to punctures. While we (thankfully) didn’t test it against sharp objects, it easily withstood the bumps and scrapes of regular family use, providing peace of mind that a stray pool toy won’t lead to a disastrous leak. After weeks of use, this pool’s structural integrity was undeniable.

The Krystal Clear Sand Filter: Power and Clarity

If the frame is the pool’s skeleton, the filter is its heart. The inclusion of the #26643EG Krystal Clear Sand Filter pump is arguably the single greatest selling point of the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set. For anyone who has ever battled cloudy water with an undersized cartridge filter, this system is a revelation. Sand filters work by passing water through a bed of specially graded sand, which can trap much finer particles than a typical paper cartridge. The result is water that isn’t just clean, but sparklingly clear.

The pump itself is powerful, circulating the pool’s entire volume of water efficiently. Its operation is managed by a simple 6-function control valve, which allows you to easily switch between filtering, backwashing, rinsing, recirculating, draining, and closing the system. Backwashing—the process of reversing the water flow to clean the trapped debris out of the sand—is a game-changer. It takes about five minutes every couple of weeks, compared to the tedious daily or weekly ritual of removing, hosing down, and eventually replacing a paper cartridge. The kit even includes the initial 50lb bag of OptiFlow filter sand, so you have everything you need to get started. In our testing, the pump ran quietly and effectively, keeping the water pristine even after heavy use and a few summer storms. The sheer power of this filtration system reduces the time spent on maintenance and maximizes the time spent enjoying the pool.

The Assembly Experience: A Test of Patience and Precision

Let’s be perfectly clear: while the pool frame itself snaps together without tools, the overall installation is a significant project that requires planning and hard work. The single most critical step, and the one that takes the most time, is ground preparation. Your chosen site must be perfectly, unequivocally level. We can’t stress this enough. A variance of even an inch from one side to the other will put immense, uneven pressure on the frame and liner, risking catastrophic failure. We spent the better part of a day digging, tamping, and using a long level to ensure our foundation was flawless. This is the sweat equity that pays dividends in safety and longevity.

Once the ground was prepared, the rest of the process was surprisingly smooth. We laid out the ground cloth, assembled the frame (which took two of us less than an hour, thanks to the snap-lock system), and carefully spread the liner. Attaching the liner to the frame is the final step before adding water, and it’s best done on a warm, sunny day, which makes the vinyl more pliable and easier to work with. Filling the pool takes hours, and it’s important to smooth out any wrinkles on the floor as the first few inches of water go in. From unboxing to the first splash, the entire process took us about a day and a half, with the majority of that time dedicated to ground prep. While not a “quick” setup, the logical design and clear instructions make it a very manageable DIY project for two people.

Size and Usability: An Oasis for the Whole Family

The 18ft by 9ft rectangular shape is a fantastic use of space. Unlike a round pool of a similar diameter, the rectangular design provides long, straightaways perfect for swimming short laps, playing volleyball, or simply floating on a large raft without constantly bumping into the sides. The 52-inch height is another key feature. When filled to the recommended line (about 46-48 inches), the water is deep enough for adults to comfortably submerge and relax, yet still manageable for older children and teens to stand and play. It strikes an ideal balance, feeling like a “real” pool rather than a glorified wading pool.

We found the size to be perfect for our family of four, with plenty of room to spare for friends. It can comfortably accommodate 6-8 people without feeling crowded. The depth adds a level of versatility that shallower pools lack, making it just as enjoyable for a relaxing adult float as it is for an energetic kids’ splash party. It truly transformed our backyard into the go-to destination for the summer, providing a perfect venue for everything from morning exercise to evening cool-downs. The overall usability and enjoyment factor are extremely high, making the initial setup effort feel completely worthwhile.

What Other Users Are Saying

While we conducted our own hands-on testing, we also analyzed feedback from other owners to get a broader perspective. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with a few consistent themes. Many users rave about the sturdiness of the frame, often comparing it favorably to less expensive models they’ve owned in the past. The high quality of the liner and the pool’s impressive depth are frequently mentioned as key benefits that make it feel like a premium product.

The sand filter is a universally praised feature, with countless owners noting how it keeps the water sparkling clean with minimal effort, a stark contrast to their past struggles with cartridge filters. A common point of frustration, however, is the ground preparation. Several users echo our experience, emphasizing that this is not a quick process and requires significant effort to get perfectly level. A few also mention that while the included ladder is functional, they opted to upgrade to a more substantial A-frame ladder for better stability, especially for heavier adults or less-steady individuals.

How the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set Compares to Alternatives

The Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set occupies a sweet spot in the market, but it’s not the only option. Depending on your space, budget, and needs, one of its competitors might be a better fit.

1. Bestway Power Steel Oval Pool Set

The Bestway Power Steel is a strong competitor, offering a similar high-quality frame construction. Its main differences lie in its dimensions (14′ x 8’2″) and depth (39.5″). It’s a bit smaller and significantly shallower, making it a better choice for those with slightly less yard space or who primarily have younger children. It typically comes with a standard cartridge filter pump, which is less powerful and requires more maintenance than the Intex’s sand filter. This is an excellent option for someone who wants a durable framed pool but doesn’t need the depth or superior filtration of the Ultra XTR and wants to save a bit of money.

2. Intex Rectangular Metal Frame Pool 7’x5’x23.6″

This smaller Intex model is in a completely different class. At just over 7 feet long and less than 2 feet deep, it’s more of a “splash pool” than a swimming pool. It’s designed for toddlers and very young children to cool off in under close supervision. It lacks a pump entirely, relying on you to drain and refill it regularly. This is not an alternative for someone considering the Ultra XTR for family swimming, but it’s the perfect solution for someone with a tiny patio or yard who just needs a safe and simple way for their little ones to beat the heat.

3. Intex 15ft x 48in Metal Frame Pool Set

This is one of Intex’s most popular models and serves as a great middle-ground option. The 15-foot round shape requires a different footprint than the rectangular Ultra XTR, which might work better for some yard layouts. At 48 inches deep, it’s slightly shallower. The biggest downgrade is the filtration system; this set includes a 1000 GPH cartridge filter pump. While adequate, it simply can’t match the performance and low-maintenance convenience of the Ultra XTR’s sand filter. This pool is a fantastic choice for families on a tighter budget who still want a large, quality pool and don’t mind the extra work of maintaining a cartridge filter.

Our Final Verdict on the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set

After extensive assembly, use, and analysis, we can confidently say that the Intex Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool Set is a phenomenal product that delivers exceptional value. It successfully bridges the gap between flimsy seasonal pools and expensive permanent installations. Its strength lies in its premium components: the rock-solid galvanized steel frame, the durable 3-ply liner, and most importantly, the powerful and efficient Krystal Clear Sand Filter pump. This is a pool built to last multiple seasons and provide a clean, safe, and enjoyable swimming experience for the entire family.

The only significant caveat is the non-negotiable requirement for meticulous ground preparation. This is not a pop-up-and-fill pool. It’s a serious piece of equipment that demands a proper foundation. For the family willing to invest a weekend of sweat equity to create that perfect, level base, the reward is a summer-long oasis of fun and relaxation that rivals pools costing thousands more. If you have the space and are ready for a top-tier above-ground experience, this is the pool set to get. You can check the current price and get yours here.