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Method ledger

How YardVerdict scores above ground pools

Each product on the above ground pools scorecard gets one 0–100 score from the weighted formula below, computed only from published manufacturer specs and dated retailer records; we do not physically test products. The current table covers 28 products across 7 recorded spec fields, refreshed July 1, 2026.

Scale
0-100
Products
28
Fields
7
Updated
July 1, 2026

The weights

Above Ground Pools scoring dimensions, weights, definitions, and data sources
DimensionWeightDefinitionData source
Water Capacity24%Listed capacity runs from 1,018 to 17,895 across the scored catalog; higher numbers score better, and unlisted values score neutral.Capacity
Pool Depth18%This dimension reads listed depth from 2.5 ft to 4.3 ft; higher numbers score better, while a missing value scores neutral.Depth
Pump Flow16%The scored range for listed pump spans 330 to 2,650; higher numbers score better, with missing values held neutral.Pump
Filter Type14%Listed filter type is graded on the Cartridge-to-Sand scale — the higher rungs score best, and a missing value stays neutral.Filter Type
Frame Material10%This dimension maps listed frame material from Steel to Resin; top scale values score highest, and missing stays neutral.Frame Material
Liner Material10%The liner material scale runs from PVC vinyl to 3-ply puncture-resistant vinyl; entries nearer 3-ply puncture-resistant vinyl earn the most credit, while unlisted ones stay neutral.Liner Material
Diameter8%Across the catalog, listed diameter goes from 10 ft to 27 ft; higher numbers score better, while a missing entry stays neutral.Diameter
Total100%All dimensions above sum to the full score.Published score total
Above Ground Pools water capacity score breakdown for 5 ranked products by weighted scoring dimension. The top five above ground pools are separated by 16 points; water capacity is the tiebreaker. Score contribution by dimension Water Capacity (24%)Pool Depth (18%)Pump Flow (16%)Filter Type (14%)Frame Material (10%)Liner Material (10%)Diameter (8%) 0255075100 #1 Heritage Pool Round Above Ground Pool Kit (Silver): 97/100 #1 Heritage Pool Round Above… 24181614988 97/100 #2 Intex Ultra XTR Frame Round Pool Set: 92/100 #2 Intex Ultra XTR Frame Round… 1918161499 92/100 #3 Heritage Pool Round Above Ground Pool Kit (Silver): 86/100 #3 Heritage Pool Round Above… 1918121498 86/100 #4 Bestway Power Steel Rectangular Pool Set: 84/100 #4 Bestway Power Steel… 1818121499 84/100 #5 Intex Ultra XTR Frame Rectangular Pool Set: 81/100 #5 Intex Ultra XTR Frame… 1218161499 81/100 Above Ground Pools: weight x grade, 0-100 scale. YardVerdict
  1. #1 Heritage Pool Round Above Ground Pool Kit (Silver)97/100Water Capacity 24 pts, Pool Depth 18 pts, Pump Flow 16 pts
  2. #2 Intex Ultra XTR Frame Round Pool Set92/100Water Capacity 19 pts, Pool Depth 18 pts, Pump Flow 16 pts
  3. #3 Heritage Pool Round Above Ground Pool Kit (Silver)86/100Water Capacity 19 pts, Pool Depth 18 pts, Filter Type 14 pts
  4. #4 Bestway Power Steel Rectangular Pool Set84/100Water Capacity 18 pts, Pool Depth 18 pts, Filter Type 14 pts
  5. #5 Intex Ultra XTR Frame Rectangular Pool Set81/100Pool Depth 18 pts, Pump Flow 16 pts, Filter Type 14 pts
The top five above ground pools are separated by 16 points; water capacity is the tiebreaker.

What the score bands mean

Score bands80+ strong60–79 solidBelow 60 limited fit

  • 80+: strong marks on the heaviest dimensions with few weak lines in the listed specs.
  • 60–79: competitive on most scored inputs, with at least one clearly weaker dimension.
  • Below 60: trails this field on the inputs weighted most; the product cards list exactly where.

Source hierarchy

Published manufacturer specifications rank first, dated retailer records second; marketing claims without a checkable figure are excluded from scoring. Missing values never earn invented numbers; they are labeled “not listed - neutral 50” and take the neutral 50 grade the weight definitions describe.

  1. Intex Corpmanufacturer evidence for 11 catalog fields
  2. Walmartretailer evidence for 11 catalog fields
  3. Bestway USAmanufacturer evidence for 11 catalog fields
  4. Menardsretailer evidence for 11 catalog fields
  5. Costcoretailer evidence for 12 catalog fields
  6. Leslie's Pool Suppliesretailer evidence for 12 catalog fields
  7. Summer Waves USAmanufacturer evidence for 10 catalog fields
  8. Lowesretailer evidence for 3 catalog fields
  9. Scored product catalog28 compared products
Above Ground Pools freshness timeline showing source retrieval dates and the separate regeneration date. YardVerdict source ledger tracks above ground pools with 9 retrieval records, retrieved 2026-06-30 to 2026-07-01. For above ground pools, sources were retrieved 2026-06-30 to 2026-07-01; the page was regenerated 2026-07-10, a build date kept separate from the source retrieval dates. Source freshness ledger Dots are source retrieval dates; the amber marker is the separate regeneration date. Intex Corp: retrieved 2026-06-30 Walmart: retrieved 2026-06-30 Bestway USA: retrieved 2026-06-30 Menards: retrieved 2026-06-30 Costco: retrieved 2026-06-30 Leslie's Pool Supplies: retrieved 2026-06-30 Summer Waves USA: retrieved 2026-06-30 Lowes: retrieved 2026-06-30 Scored product catalog: retrieved 2026-07-01 Regenerated 2026-07-10 2026-06-302026-07-10 Above Ground Pools keeps retrieved and regenerated dates distinct.

Retrieved · Built

  1. Scored product catalog2026-07-01Source record
  2. Bestway USA2026-06-30Source record
  3. Costco2026-06-30Source record
  4. Intex Corp2026-06-30Source record
  5. Leslie's Pool Supplies2026-06-30Source record
YardVerdict source ledger tracks above ground pools with 9 retrieval records, retrieved 2026-06-30 to 2026-07-01.

Update history

  • Rankings rebuilt from the refreshed catalog: 28 above ground pools re-scored on 7 published spec fields, water capacity first.

Back to the above ground pools scorecard