How Much Does a Retractable Pool Cover Cost?

On this page (8 sections)

1. What drives the cost of a retractable pool cover?
2. How much does a manual retractable cover cost?
3. How much does a motorized retractable cover cost?
4. How does pool size change the price?
5. What installation and site costs should you expect?
6. Is a retractable cover cheaper than other cover types over time?
7. How do you keep retractable cover costs down?
8. What's a realistic budget for a retractable pool cover?

How much does a retractable pool cover cost? A retractable pool cover usually runs about 1,000 dollars to 6,000 dollars installed, and the reel or track mechanism is the largest part of that figure.

The fabric itself is a small share of the total, so the system you choose for rolling it up drives the price more than the cover material does.

That range covers a simple manual reel on an above-ground pool at the low end and a motorized track system on a large inground pool at the top. Most homeowners land somewhere in the middle, on a manual or low-end motorized setup for a standard pool.

What drives the cost of a retractable pool cover?

The system type, pool size and installation work drive the cost, not the cover fabric alone. A manual reel is the cheapest way to get a retractable cover, and a motorized track system is the most expensive.

A manual above-ground reel is a set of aluminum tubes on a frame with a hand crank. The cover attaches to straps and rolls up as you turn the crank.

That simple design is why the low end of the range is reachable for many pool owners.

An inground retractable cover runs on tracks set into the deck. The cover slides along the tracks, and a motor or crank pulls it across the pool.

Cutting and fitting the tracks is the part that adds real labor to the bill.

The cover material also matters. A thin solar blanket costs little, while a heavier safety-rated fabric adds to the total.

Our guide to mesh vs solid pool cover explains how fabric choice changes both cost and performance.

How much does a manual retractable cover cost?

A manual retractable setup typically sits at the low end of the range, because you supply the turning force and there's no motor or wiring. For an above-ground pool, a reel plus a solar cover is the usual package.

The VINGLI 18 ft Solar Cover Reel is a good example of what that money buys. It has aluminum reel tubes and stainless steel legs, so the frame resists rust, and large solid wheels let you move it like a wheelbarrow.

The hand crank rolls the cover up smoothly, and a mechanical lock holds the roller in place.

It fits pools from 9 to 14 ft wide in any shape, as long as you cut the cover to match. You'd pair it with a solar blanket, which is inexpensive compared with a safety cover.

Together, the reel and blanket make up the manual end of the retractable cover market.

Who should choose a manual reel?

Pick a manual reel if your pool is small to medium and you don't mind turning a crank. It suits above-ground pools and odd-shaped inground pools where a full track system would be overkill.

Skip it if the cover is very heavy or you cover the pool daily and want no effort at all. A motorized system is the better fit then.

The reel is also the cheaper path if you already own a solar cover you like.

How much does a motorized retractable cover cost?

A motorized retractable cover sits at the top of the range, and the motor, wiring and track work are what push it there. You pay for convenience and for the mechanism that moves a heavy cover.

On an inground pool, the tracks are set into the deck, so the deck may need cutting and rebuilding around them. That installation labor is a large share of the total and varies a lot by yard.

Ask for a written quote that separates the cover, the mechanism and the install.

Motorized systems suit large pools and anyone who finds a heavy cover hard to handle. They also suit households that want the pool covered every night without a daily chore.

The trade-off is the upfront cost and the need for power at the pool.

If the cover doubles as a safety barrier, the price moves up again. A load-bearing cover built to hold weight costs more than a simple solar roller.

See how much does a pool safety cover cost for that separate figure, and compare the two jobs in our guide to safety cover vs winter cover.

How does pool size change the price?

Bigger pools cost more at every level, because the cover fabric, the reel or track length and the install time all grow with the pool. A 16 ft round above-ground pool is at the affordable end; a 20 by 40 ft inground pool is not.

The VINGLI 21 ft Pool Cover Reel shows how size moves you up a step. It's the wider version of the 18 ft model, built for pools from 14 to 18 ft wide.

The three-section aluminum tubes are grooved so the straps don't slip off, and the telescopic tube locks to stop shaking while you crank.

That extra width costs more than the smaller reel, but it's still a manual system. When you price a retractable cover, measure the pool width first.

The right width is the starting point for every quote, and our walkthrough on how to measure for a pool cover covers any pool shape.

What installation and site costs should you expect?

Installation adds a meaningful share to a retractable cover bill, and the amount depends on the system and your yard. A manual reel needs no building work at all, just assembly and a spot on the deck.

A track system for an inground pool is different. The tracks have to be set level in the deck, and the housing for the rolled cover needs space at one end of the pool.

Cutting concrete or rebuilding pavers adds cost and time.

Power is another line item. A motorized cover needs a safe electrical supply near the pool, and that may mean a new circuit and an electrician's visit.

Factor that in before you compare motorized quotes.

Anchors, straps and any deck hardware are small extras. On sloped ground, the reel may need sandbags or a level pad to stay put.

The VINGLI reels include clips and long straps to attach the cover, so the small parts are in the box.

Is a retractable cover cheaper than other cover types over time?

A retractable cover costs more upfront than a flat winter cover, but it earns some of that back through daily use. The cover slows evaporation and holds warmth, so you spend less on water and heating.

That saving only happens if you actually use it. A cover that stays rolled up all week saves nothing.

A retractable system makes daily covering easy, which is the point of paying for the mechanism.

If your main goal is closing the pool for the season rather than daily use, a flat cover is the better buy. The UIRWAY 500D 18 ft Round Winter Cover is a flat seasonal cover for above-ground pools.

It has gel-coated anti-slip straps and dual drawstrings, and UIRWAY says it reduces evaporation by 90 percent and blocks UV rays.

It suits snap-set and inflatable-ring pools with a smooth rim. It isn't built to seal around a skimmer or fit under a deck.

For a pool you close each fall rather than cover each night, this is the low-cost option. Compare the two jobs in safety cover vs winter cover before you decide.

How do you keep retractable cover costs down?

Start with the smallest system that fits your pool, and choose manual over motorized unless the effort is a real problem. The mechanism is where the money goes, so a simple reel saves the most.

Measure the pool width before shopping so you don't pay for a wider reel than you need. A reel that's too wide is wasted money, and one that's too narrow won't fit at all.

Our how to measure for a pool cover guide covers rectangular, round and odd-shaped pools.

Install a manual reel yourself to skip the labor charge. Assembly is straightforward, and the frame sits on the deck without building work.

For a track system, get two or three quotes and compare what each one includes.

Finally, buy the cover to match the reel. A solar blanket is inexpensive and pairs well with a manual reel.

A heavy safety fabric belongs on a track system built to carry it. Mixing a light reel with a heavy cover wears out the mechanism early.

What's a realistic budget for a retractable pool cover?

For anyone asking how much a retractable pool cover costs, plan on the low end for a manual above-ground reel and the high end for a motorized inground system. Most buyers fall in between, and the exact figure depends on pool size and install.

The VINGLI 18 ft reel is the pick for most above-ground pools up to 14 ft wide. Step up to the 21 ft model for a pool up to 18 ft wide.

If you only need seasonal closing rather than daily coverage, the UIRWAY flat cover covers that job at a much lower cost.

Before you buy, measure the pool and decide whether you'll cover it daily or just for the season. That one decision sets your budget more than any single product.

Then compare a manual reel against a track quote and put the savings toward a cover that fits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a retractable pool cover cost compared to a standard winter cover?

A retractable cover costs far more, because you pay for the reel or track system as well as the fabric. A standard winter cover is a single sheet with straps.

Budget several times the price of a flat cover for even a manual reel setup.

Is a motorized retractable pool cover worth the extra cost?

It's worth it if lifting and rolling a heavy cover is hard for you or the pool is large. A motor takes most of the effort out of daily covering.

For a small above-ground pool, a manual reel does the same job for much less.

What changes the price of a retractable pool cover most?

The size of the pool and whether the system is manual or motorized change the price most. Custom track work, a deck that needs cutting, and a heavier safety-rated fabric all add to the total.

Can I add a reel to my existing pool cover?

Yes, if the cover is a solar or bubble type that rolls up. A manual reel like the VINGLI models fits many above-ground and inground pools.

You cut the cover to size and attach it to the straps.

Do retractable covers save money on pool heating?

A cover slows evaporation and holds warmth in the water, so it can cut heating and water costs over time. The maker of the UIRWAY cover says it reduces evaporation by 90 percent.

Savings vary with climate and how often you cover the pool.