I tested 7 budget paddling pools with my 2 sons – the pirate ship from Asda was the winner
SUMMER is in full swing – and what better way to cool off than with a dip?
I went to the local high street in search of the cheapest supermarket swimming pools.
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With the help of my sons Leo, five, and James, eight, we tested swimming pools – the ones that were on sale in the shop on the day – and gave each pool a score out of ten.
SPACESHIP PADDLE POOL
B&M £16 SIZE: 1.52m
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THIS pool is easy to set up, takes just under 20 minutes to fill and looks like a silver flying saucer which the boys loved.
Size-wise it was too small to swim in, but there was nothing to stop the water pistol battle.
James says: “I like the design and colour, but I wish it was bigger.”
RATING: 7/10
BESTWAY THREE-SEASON SWIMMING POOL
Aldi £3.99 SIZE: 1.22m
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There are three designs to choose from: animals, dinosaurs or whales. The boys chose the dinosaur themed pool.
Even though it was small, they could still have fun and play a game of pass the ball.
James says: “This bath is more for babies and there wasn’t much space.”
RATING: 4/10
PIRATE SHIP PADDLE POOL
Asda £40 SIZE: 3.4m x 1.6m
AHOY buddy – we have a winner!
This pirate ship pool has everything you need for a fun afternoon in the garden.
It not only features an inflatable steering wheel and flagpole, but also an inflatable water cannon.
Leo says: “Best pool ever! I enjoyed spraying James with the cannon and driving the boat.”
RATING: 9/10
AVENLI INFLATABLE POOL SET
Home Bargains £19.99 SIZE: 8ft
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The great thing about this pool is that you hardly have to inflate anything.
With a diameter of 2.40 meters there was enough room for the boys and I could also get in to cool down.
Leo says: “I had all the space to swim around like a shark. It was a lot of fun.”
RATING: 8/10
BESTWAY 4FT FUN ODYSSEY POOL
Argos £12 SIZE: 1.22m
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The packaging boasts “sturdy, rugged sidewalls,” but we found them to be weak.
In fact, after a few minutes of the boys playing, there was more water on the grass than in the pool.
James says, “This one was junk. It was too small and the sides were all floppy.”
RATING: 5/10
JILONG GIANT FAMILY RECTANGULAR POOL
Morrisons £14 SIZE: 2m x 1.5m
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ONE of the sturdier pools we tested, likely due to the extra wide side walls.
It’s also a great size, meaning both boys can play in it comfortably.
Leo says: “I loved lying in it and kicking my feet around to splash James.”
RATING: 7/10
FUNSICLE SUMMER BLOCK POOL
Tesco £9, reduced from £20 DIMENSIONS: 2m x 1.5m
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A super sturdy pool of a decent size for a bargain.
This was very similar to the Morrisons pool, but the two handy cup holders give it a higher rating.
Moreover, the aquamarine color created an Ibiza feeling.
It took about 30 minutes to complete the queue, but it was worth the wait.
James says: “I like that I can take my drink into the pool and it doesn’t tip over.”
RATING: 8.5/10
