On above ground pools, a winter cover sits on top of the pool water and is secured to the walls with cable tied through grommets and tightened with a winch. Its purpose is to keep debris out of the water while the pool is closed, and it offers little to no safety benefits. But it’s the cheapest option. And I’ll tell you the best one to buy.

Lucky for us, the solution is simple. With a durable winter pool cover, you can enjoy your pool every day with the least amount of cleaning. In this article, I’ll list 4 of the best winter covers for above ground pools. But before that, let’s explore the benefits of a pool cover so that you decide if you really need one.