Buying an Intex pool in 2026 costs between 80 and 800 EUR depending on the frame type and size. The three product lines are Easy Set (inflatable ring, 80 to 250 EUR), Prism Frame (plastic legs, 150 to 400 EUR) and Metal Frame (powder-coated steel, 200 to 800 EUR). For a family of four the 366 x 76 cm Prism Frame is the best-selling model across European markets.
Which Intex pool fits your situation?
Choosing between the three Intex frame types comes down to three things: how many people swim at once, whether the pool stays up the entire season, and how much you care about a clean garden look. For occasional use by 1 to 3 swimmers an Easy Set up to 305 cm is almost always the right call. For 4 or more swimmers, or for season-long use, Prism Frame or Metal Frame wins on every front.
The differences between Bestway and Intex are covered in our separate Intex vs Bestway pool comparison , but within the Intex range itself the choice comes down to budget and expected lifespan.
The three Intex build types explained
Easy Set: fastest setup, shortest lifespan
Easy Set is the iconic Intex pool with an inflatable top ring. You spread the pool flat on grass, inflate the ring, and start filling. As the water rises it pulls the ring taut. Setup takes 30 to 45 minutes. Sizes range from 244 cm to 457 cm in diameter.
Upside: lowest sticker price and quickest assembly. Downside: the PVC wall is prone to small punctures and lasts on average 3 to 4 seasons. In freezing winters you must dismantle and store the Easy Set indoors.
Intex 28120NP Easy Set Round Pool 305 x 76 cm
IntexInflatable ring pool with no frame needed. Inflate the top ring, fill with water, and the pool sets itself up. The easiest entry-level pool available.
- Set up in 10 minutes, no tools
- Lowest entry price
- Compact storage
- Suitable for kids and families
- No steel frame: less rigid
- Filter pump not included
- Air ring can deflate
Prism Frame: plastic legs, mid-range
Prism Frame uses angled plastic legs that hold the pool wall taut. It looks tidier than an inflatable ring and blends better with a kept garden. Setup takes 60 to 90 minutes. Available from 305 cm to 549 cm in diameter.
Upside: better looks and a more stable wall than Easy Set. Downside: plastic legs can crack after 4 or 5 seasons due to UV ageing. Replacement legs cost 15 to 30 EUR each.
Intex 26710NP Prism Frame Round Pool 366 x 76 cm
IntexRound above-ground pool with Prism Frame for a sleeker look. 366 cm diameter with 6,503 liters capacity. Cartridge filter pump included.
- Sleek, modern Prism Frame design
- Popular 366 cm size
- Easy assembly
- Filter pump included
- Shallower than Metal Frame variant
- Plastic frame less rigid than steel
Metal Frame: steel poles, premium and durable
Metal Frame uses vertical powder-coated steel uprights and horizontal cross-bars. This is the strongest Intex system and handles big water volumes well. Setup takes 90 to 120 minutes. Mostly available in rectangular variants like 450 x 220 cm or 549 x 274 cm.
Upside: lasts 6 to 8 years with proper maintenance, maximum stability, best pick for permanent setup. Downside: higher purchase price and heavier to assemble. For long-term use Metal Frame is the most economical choice: cost per year of use runs about 30 percent below Easy Set.
Intex 28274NP Metal Frame Rectangular Pool 450 x 220 x 84 cm
IntexRectangular above-ground pool with steel frame. Offers more swim length than a round model and fits well in narrow gardens. Filter pump included.
- Rectangular: more swim space per m²
- Sturdy steel frame
- Fits narrow gardens
- Filter pump included
- Larger footprint than round models
- Cartridge filter as standard
Which Intex pool size fits your garden?
Sizing comes down to two things: how many people swim simultaneously, and the available footprint. Always allow 60 cm clearance around the pool for ladders, the filter pump and walking room.
| Size (cm) | Shape | Capacity (l) | Swimmers at once | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 244 x 76 | round | 2,419 | 1-2 | small balcony, terrace |
| 305 x 76 | round | 3,853 | 2-3 | small garden, young family |
| 366 x 76 | round | 6,503 | 3-4 | average suburban garden |
| 457 x 107 | round | 12,430 | 4-6 | large garden, bigger families |
| 450 x 220 x 84 | rectangle | 7,127 | 3-5 | narrow garden, lap swimming |
| 549 x 274 x 132 | rectangle | 17,203 | 5-8 | XL families, semi-permanent |
The 366 cm round is the proven sweet spot in Europe and offers the best price-to-volume ratio. Below 305 cm it gets tight for 3 swimmers; above 457 cm the heating and chemical costs scale up sharply.
What is in the Intex box and what do you buy separately?
Every Intex package ships with the pool wall, frame parts, filter pump with cartridge, fill hoses and a manual. Not included but essential: a proper ground cloth (50 to 80 EUR), solar cover (40 to 90 EUR), a ladder for pools above 91 cm tall (90 to 150 EUR), a pH and chlorine test kit (10 to 25 EUR), and a chemical starter pack (40 to 70 EUR).
Final tally before adding water: a 366 cm Prism Frame at 199 EUR ends up at 350 to 450 EUR with the necessary extras. On top of that, expect 80 to 130 EUR in electricity and 50 to 90 EUR in chemicals per season.
Don’t forget to think about filter pump sizing up front: the included cartridge pump works for pools up to 12 m3, but for larger models or heavy use a separate sand filter pump runs more efficiently and costs less to maintain.
Which filter pump is enough for your Intex?
Rule of thumb: the entire pool volume should pass through the filter twice a day. For a 366 cm Prism Frame holding 6,503 liters that means at least 542 liters per hour over 12 hours. The standard Intex Krystal Clear cartridge pump rated 1,250 l/h easily clears that, but cartridges cost 5 to 8 EUR and need replacing every 2 weeks.
For 366 cm and larger Intex pools, the Intex Krystal Clear SX2100 sand filter pump at 6 m3/h (6,000 l/h) is the best choice. Purchase price sits around 205 EUR, but you only need 12 kg of sand per year (8 to 12 EUR) plus a backwash cycle every 2 weeks. Across 3 seasons a sand filter saves 80 to 150 EUR versus continuously buying cartridges.
Intex Krystal Clear 26646GS SX2100 Sand Filter Pump 6 m3/h
IntexSand filter pump rated 6 m3/h (6,000 l/h) for Intex pools up to 19 m3. Uses standard filter sand (12 kg needed). 6-way backwash valve for normal, backwash, rinse, and winter modes. More powerful than the 4 m3/h variant and better suited for 457 cm and larger Intex models.
- 6,000 l/h throughput — sufficient for 457 cm and rectangular models
- 6-way valve for all operating modes
- Uses standard filter sand, not cartridges
- Intex Krystal Clear reliability
- Louder than a cartridge pump
- Backwash needed every 2 weeks
Got a small above-ground pool up to roughly 8 m3 (244 to 305 cm)? A compact Bestway cartridge filter pump is a cheaper alternative. It pumps 2,006 l/h and costs under 40 EUR. The 32 mm hose fits both Bestway and Intex above-ground pools.
Bestway Flowclear Cartridge Filter Pump 2,006 l/h
BestwayCompact cartridge filter pump rated 2,006 l/h for small above-ground pools up to 8 m3. Affordable entry-level option for Easy Set and 244-305 cm Prism Frame models. Fits Bestway and Intex pools with 32 mm hose connections.
- Lowest purchase price
- Compact and quiet
- Works on both Intex and Bestway (32 mm hose)
- Quick install, no tools
- Cartridge consumable (€5-8 every 2 weeks)
- Too small for 366 cm+ pools
- Less economical than a sand filter over multiple seasons
The four accessories that matter most
Not all add-ons are equally worthwhile. Based on the bundles we see most often in practice, these four come out on top:
1. Solar cover — cuts evaporation by 70 to 95 percent and warms the water 2 to 5 degrees on sunny days. Pays back inside one season through less topping up and shorter heat-up time.
Intex Solar Cover Round Ø457 cm (15FT)
IntexSolar cover sized specifically for Intex above-ground pools with a 457 cm diameter. Retains heat, reduces evaporation, and fits the most popular Intex size exactly.
- Exact fit for Intex Ø457 (15FT)
- Affordable price
- Easy to stow
- Official Intex accessory
- Thin film around 120 to 150 microns
- Only fits Ø457 cm pools
- No anchor or fastening system
2. Salt electrolysis system — replaces 80 percent of chlorine use. Water feels softer, no chlorine smell. Costs break even at year 1; from year 2 onward you save about 60 EUR per year.
Intex Krystal Clear QS500 Saltwater System (up to 26,500 L)
IntexAbove-ground saltwater system for Intex-style pools up to 26,500 litres. Connects to the filter-pump hose and produces free chlorine continuously from dissolved pool salt (≈7,000 gal/hr flow).
- Plug-and-play on Intex filter pumps
- Continuous chlorine output from salt
- Softer water feel than chlorine tablets
- Affordable entry system
- No automatic chlorine regulation
- Electrolysis cell is a wear part (~2-3 seasons)
- Runs on 12 V adapter — not suited for large inground pools
3. Automatic pool robot — saves 30 minutes of manual vacuuming per week. For pools from 366 cm a battery-powered model is sufficient.
4. Winter cover for October to March — if you leave the pool filled, this stops leaves, frost pressure on the walls, and algae growth in stagnant water. Read our above ground pool maintenance guide for the full winterizing procedure.
What does an Intex pool cost across the year?
| Cost item | One-off | Per season |
|---|---|---|
| Pool itself (366 cm Prism Frame) | 180-280 EUR | - |
| Ground cloth + ladder + cover | 130-220 EUR | - |
| Filter pump upgrade (sand filter) | 180-280 EUR | - |
| Pump electricity (8 h/day x 90 days) | - | 80-130 EUR |
| Chemicals (chlorine, pH, algaecide) | - | 50-90 EUR |
| Sand or cartridges | - | 15-50 EUR |
| Water (10,000 l fill) | - | 15-25 EUR |
| Spare parts (averaged) | - | 0-40 EUR |
Year-1 total: 650 to 1,115 EUR. From year 2 onward: 160 to 335 EUR per season. Across 5 seasons you average 1,450 to 2,450 EUR all-in. If that feels steep, our broader pool buying guide for all types covers built-in and wood-clad options with a wider cost view.
When is the best time to buy an Intex pool?
Three windows reliably give the lowest price:
- Late August to mid-September — retailers clear out summer stock, with discounts up to 40 percent on larger sizes. The pool has no value left in that season but indoor storage until May is no problem.
- Black Friday weekend (late November) — bol.com and Amazon run 20 to 30 percent discounts on Metal Frame and larger Prism Frame models. Filter pumps and accessories drop sharply too.
- March, just before peak season — fresh stock, all sizes available, sometimes 10 to 15 percent early-bird offers. No extra storage needed and you have the entire season to enjoy it.
Avoid June and July: peak pricing window, and sold-out sizes won’t be restocked.
How to check an Intex on arrival
Unbox the pool before assembling anything. Hold the wall up to the light to spot pinholes, count frame parts against the packing list, and run the filter pump dry for 2 minutes (no burn smell or vibration). Visible defect: report within 14 days under the distance-selling return rules. Damage from your own assembly is not covered.
The Intex factory warranty is 2 years on the frame and pump but only 90 days on the PVC liner. Always keep the receipt and the model number sticker (on the box) for any claims.
