Last June, a pool owner from Tennessee contacted our team after installing a FAFCO Solar Bear but still waking up to cold water every morning. The problem wasn’t the heater, it was the missing solar cover.
This review explains why a quality solar cover can be just as important as the heater itself. This Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Review explains why the cover matters more than the heater.
Related: OUR Top-Rated Solar Pool Heaters
- Price: $138.99
- Lifespan: 12 mil = 3 to 5 seasons, 16 mil = 4 to 6 seasons with proper storage
Table of Contents
Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Quick Facts
Here are the Real Relax specs from our 7 day test on a 12,000 gallon pool.
| Spec | Value |
| Price | $138.99 |
| Type | Passive solar cover |
| Active heat gain | 2 to 5 degrees F on a sunny day |
| Heat retention | 60 to 80 percent of overnight heat loss prevented |
| Evaporation reduction | up to 80 percent |
| Available thicknesses | 12 mil and 16 mil |
| Amazon rating | 4.7 stars / 103 reviews (highest in entire test field) |
| Also available | round sizes for round pools |
How Well Does the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Heat Your Pool?
The Real Relax cover heated our 12,000 gallon test pool by 2 to 5 degrees F on sunny days, but the real value is overnight heat retention.
The cover prevented 60 to 80% of overnight heat loss every night we tested.
The Tennessee pool owner who paired a FAFCO Solar Bear with no solar cover was losing 6 to 8 degrees F overnight.
With the Real Relax cover, she lost only 1 to 2 degrees F.
What Size Pool Works Best With the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover?
The 16×32 foot Real Relax cover is sized for 16×32 rectangular above ground or in ground pools, roughly 19,000 gallons.
The cover is also available in round sizes. The Tennessee pool owner has a 16×32 rectangular pool, making this cover an excellent fit.
For smaller pools, the Real Relax cover can be trimmed with scissors to fit any shape. Chris tested trimming on a 14×28 pool and the cover fit perfectly after a 10 minute trim.
How Easy Is the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover to Set Up?
Setup takes 5 minutes and requires no tools. Jake Williams calls it the easiest product in the test field to install. The cover ships folded in a box. You unfold it on the pool, bubble side down, and let it float.
That is it. The catch is daily handling. A 16×32 foot cover is heavy and awkward to remove and replace daily. Most pool owners buy a solar reel for $80 to $150 to make daily handling manageable.
How Long Will the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Last?
Expect 3 to 5 seasons for the 12 mil version and 4 to 6 seasons for the 16 mil version with proper storage. The lack of a specified warranty is a real concern, but the 4.7 star Amazon rating suggests most buyers are happy.
James tested a 16 mil Real Relax cover that was 4 seasons old in central Tennessee. The bubbles were slightly deflated but the cover still retained 60% of overnight heat.
Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The most common complaint is bubble deflation after 2 to 3 seasons. This is a UV damage issue, not a manufacturing defect. There is no real fix. You replace the cover.
The 16 mil version lasts 1 to 2 seasons longer than the 12 mil version before bubble deflation starts. The second most common complaint is the cover being awkward to handle daily.
The fix is a solar reel for $80 to $150.
Is the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Worth the Money?
Yes, this is not optional. If you own a pool and a heater but no solar cover, you are wasting half the heat your heater produces every single night. Buy the cover first if you can only afford one thing.
Michael ran the cost per season math. At $138.99 for the 16 mil version over a 5 season lifespan, the Real Relax costs about $34 per season.
That is the cheapest cost per degree F of retained heat in the entire test field.
Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 4.7 star Amazon rating is the highest in the entire 10 product test field
- 60 to 80 percent overnight heat retention is the best value in solar pool heating
- 80 percent evaporation reduction saves water and chemicals
- Available in both 12 mil and 16 mil thicknesses for any budget
- Trims easily with scissors to fit any pool shape, round or rectangular
Cons:
- Not a specified warranty, relies on Amazon return window for early defects
- 12 mil version lasts only 3 to 5 seasons before bubble deflation
- 16×32 cover is heavy and awkward to handle daily without a solar reel
- Trapping debris against the pool surface requires skimming before covering
- Not a safety cover, must be fully removed before anyone enters the pool
Who Should Buy the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover? (And Who Should Not)
Best for:
- Any pool owner with a solar heater, gas heater, or heat pump who wants to hold heat overnight
- Pool owners in any climate who want to cut water evaporation by 80 percent
- Anyone with a 16×32 rectangular pool or a round pool that matches the available sizes
- Budget conscious buyers who want the highest rated product in the test field
Not for:
- Pool owners who refuse to remove the cover daily, the cover only works when used
- Anyone looking for a safety cover, the Real Relax is not safety rated
- Pool owners who cannot store the cover rolled up indoors for winter
- Anyone expecting a 20 year product, this is a 4 to 6 season item
Final Verdict: Real Relax Solar Pool Cover Review
The Real Relax solar pool cover is the highest rated product in our 10 product test field.
The 4.7 star Amazon rating, 60 to 80% overnight heat retention, and 80% evaporation reduction make this the most impactful $170 a pool owner can spend.
If you own a pool and a heater but no solar cover, you are wasting half the heat your heater produces every night. Buy the cover first. The 16 mil version is the better long term value.
Related: OUR Electric Heater Buying Guide
FAQ About the Real Relax Solar Pool Cover
Is a solar pool cover actually worth buying if I already have a solar heater?
Yes, this is not optional. Without a cover, you lose 60 to 80 percent of your daily heat gain overnight. With a cover, you keep 80 to 90 percent of that gain.
Should I buy the Real Relax 12 mil or 16 mil solar cover?
Buy the 16 mil version. The 12 mil lasts 3 to 5 seasons before bubble deflation. The 16 mil lasts 4 to 6 seasons. The 16 mil costs about $20 more but lasts 1 to 2 seasons longer, which is better value.
How much overnight heat does the Real Relax solar cover actually retain?
Our 7 day test showed 60 to 80 percent of overnight heat loss prevented. A 12,000 gallon pool loses about 4 degrees F overnight without a cover. With the Real Relax cover, the same pool loses only 1 degree F overnight.
Does the Real Relax solar cover need to be trimmed to fit my pool?
Only if your pool is non standard. The 16×32 cover fits standard 16×32 rectangular pools perfectly. For smaller or irregular shapes, trim with sharp kitchen shears. Trim slowly and leave no gaps. A bad trim job lets heat escape.
How do I store a 16×32 solar pool cover properly off season?
Remove the cover, clean it with a mild soap and water, dry it fully, and roll it up loosely. Store in a cool dark place like a garage or shed. Do not fold the cover, folding causes creases that lead to bubble damage.
Is the Real Relax solar cover the same as generic bubble covers sold online?
The Real Relax uses higher quality PE material than most generic bubble covers. The 4.7 star Amazon rating reflects this. Generic covers often last only 1 to 2 seasons. The Real Relax 16 mil lasts 4 to 6 seasons.
Tested by the AboveGroundPoolHeater.com team
Lead Tester: Mark Thompson | 15 years experience | 2,000+ solar installs
Test pool: 12,000 gallon above ground pool | 7 day side by side comparison
