Above ground pools are free-standing pools that sit on a level patch of lawn or paving instead of in a hole: inflatable “easy set” rings, steel frame pools and bigger resin or steel-wall models. At the time of writing (October 2026), SA retailers list small inflatable pools from around R699, frame pools with a filter pump from around R2,149 and large oval frame sets from about R16,999. They’re the cheapest way to get water in the garden, but they don’t last like a built pool.
We don’t sell above ground pools. Our team builds plunge and in-ground pools, so this guide is an honest comparison to help you decide. If you’re leaning towards something permanent, start with our new pool construction page.
Types of above ground pools
Straight answer: Kwik Pools doesn’t sell or install above ground pools. We build plunge and in-ground pools. Everything below is general advice from pool people, not a sales pitch for a kit.
There are three main styles in South African shops. Each suits a different budget and garden.
- Inflatable or easy set pools: an inflatable top ring that rises as the pool fills. Quick to set up and cheap, but the walls are soft and they’re shallow.
- Steel frame pools: a PVC liner hung on a steel or metal frame. Sturdier, taller and available as round, oval or rectangular sets. Most popular choice for families.
- Resin or steel-wall pools: rigid walls, deeper water and a longer life. They cost more, take longer to build and are less common here.
Some suppliers also sell fibreglass shells that can be set partly or fully above ground. Those are closer to a plunge pool than a frame pool and need proper groundwork, plumbing and electrics.
Frame pool and Intex pool sizes
A frame pool is sized by diameter (or length and width) and wall height. A 3.05m x 0.76m round frame pool holds roughly 4,500 to 4,700 litres. A 3.66m x 0.76m holds about 6,500 litres. Intex pool and Bestway sets are the brands you’ll see most often at chain stores and online, usually sold as a kit with liner, frame, ladder on bigger models and a small filter pump.
Above ground pool prices in South Africa
Prices change with every sale, so treat these as a snapshot from SA retailers at the time of writing (October 2026). Ask the shop what’s included, because the cheapest kits often come without a filter pump.
| Pool type | Example size | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Small inflatable easy set | 1.83m x 0.51m | R699 |
| Family inflatable easy set | 3.05m x 0.76m | R1,499 |
| Steel frame with filter pump | 3.05m x 0.76m, about 4,700 L | R2,149 |
| Larger frame set with filter pump | 4.57m x 1.22m | R8,999 |
| Large rectangular frame set | 5.49m x 2.74m x 1.32m | R16,999 |
| Oval steel-wall set with sand filter | 5.00m x 3.60m x 1.20m | R32,999 |
Then add the extras: a sand filter pump upgrade (an above ground sand filter unit lists from around R2,999 on sale), a ground cloth, a cover, a test kit and chlorine. For comparison, the costs of a built pool are in our guides to plunge pool cost and swimming pool prices in South Africa.
Choosing and levelling the spot
Water is heavy. Every litre weighs a kilogram, so a 6,500 litre frame pool puts six and a half tonnes on your lawn. If the ground isn’t level, the water pushes harder on the low side, the frame twists and the liner can split or the pool can tip.
- Pick a spot in the sun, away from trees, gutters and overhead cables, with a garden tap close by.
- Mark out a circle or rectangle a little bigger than the pool.
- Lift the grass and dig the high side down to match the low side. Don’t build up the low side with loose soil.
- Compact the ground and remove stones, roots and anything sharp.
- Check it with a long straight plank and a spirit level in several directions. Most installers aim for no more than about 25mm difference across the pool.
- Lay the ground cloth, set up the pool and fill a few centimetres first, then smooth out the creases before filling the rest.
A thin layer of fine sand under the ground cloth can smooth small bumps, but it isn’t a fix for a slope. Never put a frame pool on a deck, a roof slab or a raised patio without an engineer confirming it can take the weight.
Thinking about something permanent?
We build plunge pools and in-ground pools sized for small Cape Town gardens. Send us a photo of the space and the rough size you have in mind.
Filters, pumps and chemicals
The filter pumps that come with budget kits are small cartridge units. They work, but the cartridges clog quickly in dusty or leafy gardens. Many owners upgrade to a small above ground sand filter pump. The same rules apply as for a built pool: match the pump to the litres and keep the sand at the level on the label. Our guides on pool pump size and how much sand a pool filter takes cover both.
Small pools go green faster than big ones because there’s less water to buffer the chlorine. Test pH and chlorine every couple of days in summer, keep a cover on when it’s not in use and shock it after heavy use. Our guide on how much shock to add to a pool works for small volumes too.
Safety and the law
An above ground pool is still a drowning risk for small children. The National Building Regulations require the owner of a property with a swimming pool to control access to it, and SANS 10400 describes a fence or wall at least 1.2m high with no gap that a 100mm ball can pass through, plus a self-closing, self-latching gate. Ask your municipality how this applies to a temporary pool, and see our pool safety nets and fencing page for options.
- Remove or lift the ladder when nobody is swimming.
- Don’t leave toys floating in the pool, since they tempt children to reach in.
- Keep chairs and pot plants away from the wall so nobody can climb in.
- Always have an adult watching when children are in the water.
- Use a residual current device (earth leakage) on the pump’s power supply and keep plugs off the ground. Any new outdoor plug point is a job for a qualified electrician.
Above ground pools: Cape Town wind, rain and sun
If you’re shopping for above ground pools, Cape Town weather is the first thing to plan around. It’s a tricky place for a soft-walled pool. The summer south-easter blows hard for days at a time. It can lift loose covers, fill the pool with leaves and sand and push a half-empty frame pool around. Keep the pool full, tie the cover down and put it in a sheltered spot if you can.
Winter cold fronts bring heavy rain that dilutes chemicals and can overflow a small pool. Many owners drain, dry and pack their frame pool away from May to September, which also saves the liner from winter mould. The City’s water restrictions during the drought years are also worth remembering: draining and refilling every season uses thousands of litres.
UV is hard on PVC liners here too, and coastal salt air corrodes cheap steel frames and pump motors. Retail warranties on budget frame pool sets are often only six months, so treat them as a few-summer purchase rather than a long-term asset.
Above ground pool vs inground: which is right for you?
An above ground pool makes sense if you’re renting, you’re not sure how much you’ll use it, or you have young children who just want to splash for a summer or two. If you want a pool that lasts for decades, adds to the value of the house and can be heated, an in-ground or plunge pool is the better buy. Our plunge pool installation service is designed for small gardens and townhouses where a full-size pool won’t fit.
| Factor | Above ground | In-ground or plunge |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Much higher |
| Set-up time | A day or a weekend | Weeks, with excavation |
| Lifespan | A few seasons for budget sets | Decades with upkeep |
| Looks and value | Temporary, adds no value | Part of the garden, can add value |
| Heating | Limited | Heat pump or solar heating |
Above ground pools: questions we get
How much do above ground pools cost in South Africa?
At the time of writing (October 2026), SA retailers list small inflatable pools from around R699 and steel frame pools with a filter pump from around R2,149. Large oval and rectangular sets run from about R16,999 up to around R32,999. Add a cover, test kit and chemicals.
Are above ground pools a good idea in Cape Town?
They can be for a summer or two, as long as the spot is level and sheltered from the south-easter. Keep the pool full and the cover tied down, and plan to pack it away in winter. Coastal salt air and strong UV shorten the life of frames and liners.
Do above ground pools need a fence?
The National Building Regulations require access control to swimming pools, and the standard describes a 1.2m fence with a self-closing gate. Check with your municipality how it applies to a temporary pool, and never leave children unsupervised near the water.
How long can you leave an above ground pool empty?
Don’t leave a frame pool standing empty, because wind can damage the frame and liner. If you’re draining it, clean and dry the liner fully, then fold and store it out of the sun until you set it up again.
Does Kwik Pools install above ground pools?
No. We don’t sell or install above ground pools. We build plunge pools and in-ground pools, and we can help you compare costs if you’re deciding between the two.
If you’ve decided you want a pool that stays, our pool building team will look at your space and suggest a size and shape that fits.
Plan a pool that lasts
Tell us your garden size and how you want to use the pool. We will come out, measure up and quote on a plunge or in-ground pool.
