Best Safety Cover for Inground Pools

best safety cover for inground pools

The first safety pool safety cover patent was awarded in 1960 to Fred Meyer Jr., who founded a company called Meyco products. In 1978, a co-inventor of the safety cover, Bill Donaton, left Meyco and formed Loop-Loc. Then came Anchor, Cantar (now GLI), Merlin, Hinspergers (HPI), and Rayner in the 80’s and 90’s. Lots of folks make safety pool covers — so which one is best?

With so many companies offering so many cover material choices, it can be hard to decide which cover is the best. In this post, we will discuss the top four safety covers we recommend for your pool.

HPI AquaMaster

aquamaster solid safety covers

AquaMaster solid pool safety covers by HPI are made from reinforced vinyl fabric coated to withstand weather and sun, and protect from pool chemicals. AquaMaster covers are sewn together with double seams, on the top and bottom of the cover, and feature a center drain panel. These 20’x40′ covers are $959 and come with a 10-year warranty.

GLI Hyper-Lite

hyperlite

HyPerLite solid safety covers by GLI use 4th generation technology for a lighter and stronger cover. PVC-coated polyester fabric is strong enough to withstand punctures from tree branches, and even strong enough to support deer without breakage. 20’x40′ rectangle covers come in at $1510 and a 15-year warranty.

Meyco MeycoLite

meycolite safety covers

The MeycoLite pool safety covers are the original mesh safety cover that started it all. The woven polyester fabric is much improved over the original, but the design and fabrication are still a classic. Weighing in at only 4 lbs per 100 sq ft, these covers are lightweight and durable. 20’x40′ rectangles are $850 with a 10-year warranty.

GLI ProMesh

pro mesh

The Pro Mesh cover blocks 99% of sunlight, preventing algae growth for pools in sunny locations. Pro Mesh is also 50% stronger in tensile strength. The fibers are thicker and more resistant to weather, abrasion or tree branch damage. 20’x40′ rectangle covers are $1330 and come with a 15-year warranty.

Looking at our list of 4 of the best safety pool covers, with example pricing for a 20×40 pool (price your size and shape safety covers here), you only have two decisions to make:

  • Solid or Mesh Safety Cover?
  • Lightweight or Heavy Duty?

Installing a safety cover on your inground pool takes just a few hours, and then it’s easy-on, easy-off — no more struggling with slimy solid covers and water bags. Take it from us, a safety pool cover is definitely worth the extra initial expense!

16 thoughts on “Best Safety Cover for Inground Pools

  1. Ken Morgen

    I’m replacing my pool cover and trying to decide between MeycoLite (4.4 oz/sq.yd) and Meyco Rugged Mesh (6 oz/sq/yd.). What are the other differences between the two? Denier? Warranty?

    • Hi Ken, they both have a 12-yr warranty. The Rugged mesh is going to be thicker, and heavier, (greater denier) and block more sunlight, for less spring algae growth. It should also last longer, or take longer for the UV rays to damage the cover, and should last longer overall, before replacement is needed.

  2. Tammy Carty

    What’s the difference between GLI safety cover and the hinsperger safety covers

    • Hmm, not sure if I can answer that! HPI and GLI are both well made covers, by well run companies. HPI in NY and GLI in OH. They have both been making covers for at least 20 years, maybe 30. I think they are very equal, and either would be a good choice. Flip a coin?

  3. Davy,
    I’ve had local pool companies quote a Meyco cover and it has come in much higher than the one advertised here. It’s 18′ x 36′ w/ 4′ x 8′ CES pool.
    Cover size is 20′ x 38′ x 4′ x 8” with 28 anchors and strap hardware including stainless steel springs.
    Would you be able to quote this out? I’m happy to email out the warranty card ID number from Meyco, and also willing to quote out other manufactures of pool covers with a longer warranty.

  4. Hello, I’m new to the world of pools. We just got a pull installed last week and now I need to buy a safety cover as I have small kids. I’m on the fence between the katchakid safety net with the leaf cover and loop-loc safety cover. I just want the better product but since I don’t know anything about pools it’s making it challenging. Any advise?

    • Alex, depending where you live you may want both. If you will close or winterize the pool, you can use a safety cover during winter months, and the safety net during season. If your pool is open year around, then just the safety net, or a safety fence would be the best choice.

  5. Michael Dragotta

    Hi. If I we the serial number off of my old Loop-Loc cover can I get a Meyco or Loop-Loc rugged made? It’s a custom cover bc of stair placement and am I better off buying it myself rather than through a pool company? Thanks! Mike

    • Hi Michael, you will save a lot of money buying it yourself. We no longer work with Loop-Loc, so the serial number won’t do us any good. If you were to measure the pool, using A-B measurements (aka triangulation), and also measure to each anchor in the deck, we can have Meyco, GLI or HPI quote a replacement cover for you.

  6. Ron Kerchner

    What is your opinion of SPP Mesh by GLI?

    • Hi Ron, GLI makes a fine safety cover, and have been making them for over 30 years. In olden days… there was just one grade of mesh cover, now there are several. The cheaper mesh covers will last 8-10 years, and then there are medium grade and ‘commercial grade’, which can be expected to last 10-12 years and 12-15 years, or longer, before they become brittle and start to become threadbare in spots, due mainly to UV sun rays. The SPP brand looks to be the economy mesh fabric, which would be fine for 8-10 yrs.

  7. Stever Alexander

    Hello
    Just bought a house with a pool just in time to clean it and close it for winter.They have a ripped Jayco and in fear for my animals and any wild guys falling through I need a strong strong in ground cover. A pool company is pushing garrett super mesh cover and I can’t find any info at all about Garrett safety covers. Can anyone please tell me about Garrett along with their prices. Thanking you in advance. Steven

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Steven, Garrett is a good company, mainly known for pool liners, but they have been producing mesh safety covers for 20 (?) years. The super mesh would be a denser weave, using heavier threads, and it should have at least a 12 year warranty. Not sure about their prices, but from a pool company the price will be much higher than what you can find online. If your pool is a standard shape (rectangle, oval, grecian), a replacement Meyco cover can be purchased fairly cheaply, but if it’s a custom shape and curvy, the cost is more. Meyco keeps measurements on file for all covers they make, if you have the original invoice number, or you know the year it was made and what company ordered it, or what name it was ordered under, they can pull it up, and quote a price, thru a dealer (like us!) Let me know if you have other questions.

  8. Steve Malnick

    Do all of the safety cover manufacturers (mesh) use the same pattern for the spring buckle placement? We have a Loop Loc that needs replaced on an 16 x 42 true L. Not sure if we have to stay with Loop Loc to reuse anchor placement.

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Steve, yes I think all safety cover strap buckles are a standard shape and size, for the stainless steel variety. Same is true with springs and anchors, and tools. Most parts can be swapped between manufacturers, yes.

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