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Top 10 Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools in 2020 (Step2, Intex, and More)

Top 10 Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools in 2020 (Step2, Intex, and More)

It’s summer, and you don’t want to lift a finger. You especially don’t want to blow up a kiddie pool. So, you look for something that needs zero set-up. Or, maybe your motivation isn’t sloth. Maybe you’ve got an overly excited kid who’s popped so many pools you’ve given up keeping count.

In any case, you’ve decided to get a pool that’s non-inflatable. But the choices don’t just end there. You’ve got different sizes and shapes, collapsible and rigid ones–the list goes on and on (kind of). We personally loved Jasonwell's Collapsible Pool since it's foldable, sturdy, and has a drain! Let’s talk about how to find a non-inflatable kiddie or wading pool you and your kids will be proud to splash around in.

Last updated: 10-04-2020
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Table of Contents

Compare the Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools

Image	1 Jasonwell	2 Step2	3 Intex	4 Intex	5 Early Years	6 Rubbermaid	7 Monobeach	8 Intex	9 Starplay	10 Taylor Toy
Name	Collapsible Pool	Play & Shade Pool	Mini Frame Pool	12-Foot by 30-Inch Metal Frame Pool Set	Pop-Up Frog Travel Pool	Commercial Structural Foam Stock Tank	Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade Pool	Snorkel Buddies Snapset Pool	Junior Lagoon Pool/Sandpit	Snapset Swimming Pool for Kids
Features	Our Best Pick! Light, Foldable, and Comes in a Bunch of Diameters	Sturdy, Non-Slip, and Has an Umbrella and Toys for Hours of Play	Durable Vinyl Lining Easily Put Away for Storage	Sturdy and Fits Five Whole Adults and Even More Children	Portable, Easy to Set Up, and Offers Shade	Incredibly Sturdy and Has a Valve Option to Stabilize Water Levels	A Little Pool That Protects Your Baby from the Sun and Mosquitoes	Five Feet in Diameter and Can Be Rolled up for Storage	Small but Extremely Durable	A Cute Pool You Can Take on Family Outings
Price	$42.99	$74.99	$38.01	$469.89	$29.99	$116.29	$21.99	$18.03	$80.00	$24.99
Size	48 x 48 x 11.8 inches (L size)	37.5 x 37.5 x 50 inches	48 x 48 x 12 inches	144 x 144 x 30 inches	17 x 13.5 x 3 inches	51.7 x 31 x 12 inches	47.5 x 31.5 x 27.5 inches	60 x 10 inches	30 x 7.5 x 30 inches	96 x 18 inches
Material	High-density EN71, ASTM standard fiber board	Hard molded plastic	Steel frame with foam padded horizontal beams	Metal frame	Waterproof vinyl with UV50 protection	Molded polyethylene	-	-	-	-
Collapsible	Yes	No	Yes	-	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Drain	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Optional	No	No	No	No
Link	View Amazon	View Amazon View Step2	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon View Walmart	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon

Top 10 Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools

Summer’s not going to wait around forever. Let’s dive right into our picks for the top ten best non-inflatable kiddie pools available online.

※These rankings were decided based on user reviews and popular rank lists from Amazon gathered on June 23rd.

amazon.com

JasonwellCollapsible Pool

$42.99

View product on Amazon

Our Best Pick! Light, Foldable, and Comes in a Bunch of Diameters

Features:

5 sizes (smallest diameter is baby-sized at 32 inches; largest is 63 inches, which can fit a grade-schooler)
foldable and storable
sides stay upright even when pool is empty
side drainage

Recommended for:

great choices of sizes to fit any kid size—it's also easy to drain and pack away for regular pool use

The skeleton’s made up of fiberboard, which is light and perfect for carrying–but, put too much pressure on it, and you could break something, or tip the pool over.

The sides stay upright even when the pool’s empty, but we wouldn’t recommend leaning back on them. There’s also a drain on the side, so you don’t need to pull a Hulk and flip the thing over.

Size	48 x 48 x 11.8 inches (L size)
Material	High-density EN71, ASTM standard fiber board
Collapsible	Yes
Drain	Yes

amazon.com

Step2Play & Shade Pool

$74.99

Sturdy, Non-Slip, and Has an Umbrella and Toys for Hours of Play

Features:

two seats built-in and molded into the side
diameter is a little over 3 feet
rigid build, so you can lean on the sides
comes with umbrella, little funnels, and a water wheel

Recommended for:

parents and kids who need a bit more than just a pool—and lasts long enough for your kids to outgrow it

This pool comes with an umbrella, little funnels, and a water wheel. They’re mesmerizing to play with–kids have fiddled around the pool for hours. The floor also has sea animals inscribed into it, which makes it hard to slip.

Just make sure you rinse out the pool and stand it up to dry so nothing starts growing in the cracks. The only thing is, there’s no drain; you basically have to bail it out with a bowl.

Size	37.5 x 37.5 x 50 inches
Material	Hard molded plastic
Collapsible	No
Drain	No

amazon.com

IntexMini Frame Pool

$38.01

View product on Amazon

Durable Vinyl Lining Easily Put Away for Storage

Features:

non-slip
drain plug included
square shape, 4 by 4 feet
sturdy enough to handle pet claws

Recommended for:

pet-owners and people who simply want a pool that's super easy to set up so your kids can have fun as soon as possible

The pool is easy enough to put together and take apart, but there are downsides to its construction. The legs are held in place by the weight of the pool–so if you pick the pool up to move it, they’ll fall out.

They’re also metal, which conducts heat like nobody’s business and doesn’t tend to mix well with water. So if you leave a full pool out for too long, the piping rusts and burns.

Size	48 x 48 x 12 inches
Material	Steel frame with foam padded horizontal beams
Collapsible	Yes
Drain	Yes

amazon.com

Intex12-Foot by 30-Inch Metal Frame Pool Set

$469.89

View product on Amazon

Sturdy and Fits Five Whole Adults and Even More Children

Features:

sturdy enough to last for years
extra large size, enough to fit a whole family
metal frame and filter pump
includes an instructional DVD

Recommended for:

the convenience of having basically a whole swimming pool in your own backyard

The only thing is because it’s so big, it’ll be hard clearing out space for it. The ground’s got to be more or less level, or the water will slosh out.

Consider sticking a heavy-duty tarp underneath, too; otherwise, you’ll feel rocks and gravel under your feet. The included pump works, but it’s not powerful and it doesn't have a timer, flow switch, or pressure gauge. Most people just swapped theirs out for a better one.

Size	144 x 144 x 30 inches
Material	Metal frame
Collapsible	-
Drain	Yes

amazon.com

Early YearsPop-Up Frog Travel Pool

$29.99

View product on Amazon

Portable, Easy to Set Up, and Offers Shade

Features:

fits children under 2 years old
hooded to provide shade
pop-up design
no assembly required

Recommended for:

perfect for your little ones to cool down and have fun

You’re only going to fit one little baby (under two years old) in this pool. You wouldn’t want to put anyone bigger in because the sides are really soft (but they stand up on their own!), and if you lean on them, they give and the water sloshes out.

If you’ve got an active baby, they’ll crawl right out of the pool! But the hood is sturdy enough to protect your kid from the sun, and strong winds on the beach won’t rip it off and carry it away. You can even use it indoors!

Size	17 x 13.5 x 3 inches
Material	Waterproof vinyl with UV50 protection
Collapsible	Yes
Drain	No

amazon.com

RubbermaidCommercial Structural Foam Stock Tank

$116.29

Incredibly Sturdy and Has a Valve Option to Stabilize Water Levels

Features:

fits grade-school kids
textured surface
very sturdy—you can lean on the sides and it'll hold up
valve option for an extra $26

Recommended for:

a DIY option that is extra sturdy and reliable for your children to play in

It measures about 31 inches across and 51 inches long, so you could fit grade-school aged kids (or yourself) in here. And the surface is textured, so no one will slip while playing.

The only thing is, it doesn’t come with a drain, and since it can hold up to 50 gallons of water, consider drilling a hole yourself. You aren’t going to bail this one out with buckets. There's also a drain plug option for sale!

Size	51.7 x 31 x 12 inches
Material	Molded polyethylene
Collapsible	No
Drain	Optional

amazon.com

Monobeach Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade Pool

$21.99

View product on Amazon

A Little Pool That Protects Your Baby from the Sun and Mosquitoes

Features:

provides shade for your littlest one (UPF 50+)
folds up easily
carry bag and tents included
designed for children 3 years and under

Recommended for:

allowing your baby to enjoy your beach trip with extra protection (and giving you some more time to yourself!)

So, the thing is, you can’t use the pool at home unless you've got a nice sandpit or sandbox. You actually have to dig a hole in the sand and put the pool in the hole before you can fill it with water.

Even the tent needs to be secured with stakes! You could drill them into your lawn, at least, and protect your kid from the sun and summertime mosquitoes. Just roll down the little mesh screen and you’ve got yourself an impenetrable fortress.

Size	47.5 x 31.5 x 27.5 inches
Material	-
Collapsible	Yes
Drain	No

amazon.com

IntexSnorkel Buddies Snapset Pool

$18.03

View product on Amazon

Five Feet in Diameter and Can Be Rolled up for Storage

Features:

soft bottomed
five feet diameter fits two medium toddlers
push on the sides to release water
can be rolled up and packed into a box

Recommended for:

an easy to set up, pack, and cutely designed pool for more docile children

The bottom’s like vinyl, so you can roll it up and stuff it in a box during winter. It’s not easy, though, so when you take it out of the box, pay attention to how it’s folded! If you lay it out on a bunch of rocks, though, the thin bottom might tear.

Even Intex knows their pool doesn’t stand up to roughhousing, though. They’ve included a repair patch, so get ready to plug up those holes.

Size	60 x 10 inches
Material	-
Collapsible	Yes
Drain	No

amazon.com

StarplayJunior Lagoon Pool/Sandpit

$80.00

View product on Amazon

Small but Extremely Durable

Features:

square shape
fits one child
non-slip
thick, durable plastic build

Recommended for:

bathing an infant in a shower or cooling down on the porch

This thing’s about 2 feet and a half (length and width), so you’re only going to fit one baby in here. Since it’s square, though, it can squeeze into narrow spaces.

The plastic is thick, heavy-duty stuff and doesn’t bend easily. The only thing is there’s no drain, so you’ll have to either tip the pool over or bail it out with cups. It has some seahorses, fish, and bubbles engraved on the bottom, so it’s non-slip and pretty darn cute.

Size	30 x 7.5 x 30 inches
Material	-
Collapsible	No
Drain	No

amazon.com

Taylor ToySnapset Swimming Pool for Kids

$24.99

View product on Amazon

A Cute Pool You Can Take on Family Outings

Features:

fits 1-2 toddlers
soft-bottomed
4-foot diameter
folded, it measure 12 by 5 by 5 inches
push down the sides to drain

Recommended for:

bringing on family outings when your kids need a bit of a cooldown or want to play in water

After you stuff it into its package, it measures just 12 by 5 by 5 inches, so you can bring it with you on family outings. However, you'll need to set it up on level ground; otherwise, the water comes sloshing out.

And when you want to let out water, just push down the sides. That also means you can’t lean on the sides–not if you don’t want to go tumbling out.

Size	96 x 18 inches
Material	-
Collapsible	Yes
Drain	No

How to Choose a Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pool – Buying Guide

Here, we'll be introducing the following three important points to check when you choose a reusable ice cube.

Points to Consider:

Consider Durability, Storage, and Convenience
You'll Need Three Feet to Bathe a Baby, Five to Entertain Grade Schoolers: Size
Check if Any Fun Extras are Included

1. Consider Durability, Storage, and Convenience

Some pools are completely rigid; some pools give way a little; some can be disassembled and rolled up. They’ve all got ups and downs, so let’s go through them.

Hard Plastic: The Most Durable of Them All

When we say "non-inflatable kiddie pool", this is probably what comes to mind. They’re sturdy, and you can lean against the walls and not worry about falling out of the pool. And there’s no assembly required.

That also means, though, that you can’t disassemble them and put them away in the winter. And there’s really no way to let out water, other than tipping the thing over. They do sometimes come with drains, so look out for that.

And one more problem—you can’t really find anything big online, because how are you supposed to ship a huge tub? If you’re an Amazon devotee, you aren’t going to get a hard plastic kiddie pool much bigger than three by three feet.

Soft Plastic Bottom: Just Push on the Sides to Let out Water

Some pools have got rigid sides but soft bottoms, so you can roll them up for storage. These also require no assembly, but they can be kind of a pain to fill up.

The walls don’t stand up unless there’s already water in the pool, so, as you fill, they collapse inwards and spill all over the place. The trick, by the way, is to make sure you’ve spread the bottom all the way out, no wrinkles.

To let out water, all you have to do is push down on the sides. (That means, though, that you can’t casually lean on them.) The bottoms–usually vinyl–do rip, so don’t set these pools up on a bunch of rocks.

Vinyl Lining : So Many Sizes and So Easy to Store

These are made up of a vinyl lining supported by a frame, usually plastic or metal. They come in a multitude of sizes, from itty bitty four-by-fours to something the entire family can splash in, and yet can be taken apart, rolled up, and stuck in your closet.

If you do opt for something huge, see if it comes with a cover so you don’t need to waste time filling it up again and again and save water. (Especially important for Angelinos.)

And you want to set these up on lawns because gravel and concrete will rip at the thin lining—or you can consider laying out tarps and yoga mats on your driveway.

Folding Tubs: The Most Portable and Convenient

Though these are mainly meant for dogs, there’s no reason why humans can’t enjoy folding tubs too–and they are enjoying them. The tubs are made of a series of cardboard panels, covered in vinyl. They’re light, portable, and easy to set up.

Once the lining rips, though, the pool is useless since water disintegrates cardboard. And, thanks to simple physics, the bits between the panels are prone to cracking. Also, make sure that yours comes with a drain–unless you want to bail all the water out.

2. You'll Need Three Feet to Bathe a Baby, Five to Entertain Grade Schoolers: Size

We set the minimum diameter at two and a half feet for one baby or toddler. You could squeeze a kid into a smaller one, but there’s really no wiggle room. Plus, some pools will spill water if you so much as brush against the sides, so give the kid some space to maneuver.

For grade-schoolers, get something at least four or five feet wide. If your kid’s got friends over, then a pool of this size will let them and a buddy fit in without too much pushing or shoving.

Once you hit seven or eight feet, then parents can start getting in, and the pools only keep getting bigger. When in doubt, look at the pictures. There’s usually one of the pools with humans actually in it, so use that as a guide for size.

3. Check if Any Fun Extras are Included

Most pools are round or square, but some are shaped like fruits and other fun shapes–which isn’t the most space-efficient, but they do look cool.

Some pools come with umbrella holders, hoods for some shade, or built-in toys since it’s no fun to just sit in a kiddie pool and stare at each other. If the pool’s big enough, a filter pump will come in handy, so you don’t need to waste time and money switching out the water all the time.

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Summary

Who knew that kiddie pools came in such a variety? Plastic, vinyl, collapsible, rigid, big, small–we’ve given you a range to choose from, so hopefully, something caught your eye.

America’s been experiencing heatwaves unlike anything we’ve seen before, so stay cool out there. And, remember that it doesn’t just have to be for the kids; a good wading pool can help anyone get through the dog days of summer.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more mybest recommendations!

Check Out This Kid-Friendly Water Toy Recommended by an Expert

Pediatrician and lactation consultant, Dr. S. Anma Husain, is very choosy when it comes to the toys she gives to her kids. These bath toys are mold-free and super safe for babies to teeth on. They could likely be used in the pool as well as the bath!

Specialist's
mybest

amazon.com

MunchkinCleanSqueeze Mold-Free Bath Squirts

4 pack

$8.99

View product on Amazon

Not All Bath Toys are Created Equal!

Your child's cute rubber ducky may be a breeding ground for mold! Water can get in, but not out effectively, and with children constantly putting their mouth to these toys, it's important to pick safe items.

That's why Munchkin's CleanSqueeze toys are some of my favorites and include ridges for a watertight seal when put together. These toys twist apart for easy cleaning and drying, but still allow the classic experience of the water squirting bath toy!

Their bright colors, bold patterns, and easy-squeeze shape are great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as well.

Dr. S. Amna Husain, MD, IBCLE's Top 10 Best Baby Skincare and Bath Care Products

Top 10 Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools in 2020 (Step2, Intex, and More)

This article's specialists

Compare the Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools

Top 10 Best Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pools

JasonwellCollapsible Pool

Our Best Pick! Light, Foldable, and Comes in a Bunch of Diameters

Step2Play & Shade Pool

Sturdy, Non-Slip, and Has an Umbrella and Toys for Hours of Play

IntexMini Frame Pool

Durable Vinyl Lining Easily Put Away for Storage

Intex12-Foot by 30-Inch Metal Frame Pool Set

Sturdy and Fits Five Whole Adults and Even More Children

Early YearsPop-Up Frog Travel Pool

Portable, Easy to Set Up, and Offers Shade

RubbermaidCommercial Structural Foam Stock Tank

Incredibly Sturdy and Has a Valve Option to Stabilize Water Levels

Monobeach Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade Pool

A Little Pool That Protects Your Baby from the Sun and Mosquitoes

IntexSnorkel Buddies Snapset Pool

Five Feet in Diameter and Can Be Rolled up for Storage

StarplayJunior Lagoon Pool/Sandpit

Small but Extremely Durable

Taylor ToySnapset Swimming Pool for Kids

A Cute Pool You Can Take on Family Outings

How to Choose a Non-Inflatable Kiddie Pool – Buying Guide

1. Consider Durability, Storage, and Convenience

Hard Plastic: The Most Durable of Them All

Soft Plastic Bottom: Just Push on the Sides to Let out Water

Vinyl Lining : So Many Sizes and So Easy to Store

Folding Tubs: The Most Portable and Convenient

2. You'll Need Three Feet to Bathe a Baby, Five to Entertain Grade Schoolers: Size

3. Check if Any Fun Extras are Included

Looking for More Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors?

Summary

Check Out This Kid-Friendly Water Toy Recommended by an Expert

MunchkinCleanSqueeze Mold-Free Bath Squirts

Not All Bath Toys are Created Equal!

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