Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round vs Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft
Both made our Best Solar Pool Covers shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil if you want highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools. Choose the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue if you'd rather have 12-mil thickness is the sweet spot between an 8-mil cover that tears too easily and a 16-mil cover that costs much more. Overall we rank the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Solar Pool Covers list.
Winner overall: Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil
Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil vs Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 10 in Best Solar Pool Covers | #3 of 10 in Best Solar Pool Covers |
| Pick label | Top pick | |
| Brand | Blue Wave | Blue Wave |
| Key features | 8-mil polyethylene bubble construction; 18-ft round sizing for above-ground pools; Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun | 12-mil UV-stabilized polyethylene bubbles; 5-year seam warranty; 16x32 ft rectangle fit |
| Biggest strength | Highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools | 12-mil thickness is the sweet spot between an 8-mil cover that tears too easily and a 16-mil cover that costs much more |
| Main trade-off | 3 to 5 year lifespan is the shortest of the mil-thickness tiers, needs replacing sooner than a 12-mil cover | Still a wear item, expect noticeable bubble degradation by year 4-5 even with the 5-year warranty |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Top pick
Choose the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil if…
- Highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools
- Lowest price entry point into meaningful heat gain and evaporation control
- 8-mil thickness is light enough for one person to handle removal and refitting without a reel
Prefer the alternative? See the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue section.
#3 pick
Choose the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue if…
- 12-mil thickness is the sweet spot between an 8-mil cover that tears too easily and a 16-mil cover that costs much more
- 5-year seam warranty beats most budget solar covers, which often carry no seam coverage at all
- Nearly 3,200 ratings at 4.4 stars is a large enough sample to trust the durability claims
Prefer the alternative? See the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil section.
Pros and cons of each
Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil
Pros
- Highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools
- Lowest price entry point into meaningful heat gain and evaporation control
- 8-mil thickness is light enough for one person to handle removal and refitting without a reel
- Trimmable edges let it be sized down to match a pool slightly smaller than 18 feet
Cons
- 3 to 5 year lifespan is the shortest of the mil-thickness tiers, needs replacing sooner than a 12-mil cover
- Thinner material is more prone to puncture and UV degradation over a season of full sun exposure
- Round-only sizing, not usable on a rectangular or oval pool
Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue
Pros
- 12-mil thickness is the sweet spot between an 8-mil cover that tears too easily and a 16-mil cover that costs much more
- 5-year seam warranty beats most budget solar covers, which often carry no seam coverage at all
- Nearly 3,200 ratings at 4.4 stars is a large enough sample to trust the durability claims
- Fits standard 16x32 rectangular pools without custom cutting
Cons
- Still a wear item, expect noticeable bubble degradation by year 4-5 even with the 5-year warranty
- Needs a reel to handle without wrinkling or tearing at this size
- Adds zero structural weight rating, cannot substitute for a safety cover
- Heavier per square foot than an 8-mil cover, more work to remove and store
Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil vs Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue: common questions
Which is better, the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil or the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue?
Choose the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil if you want highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools. Choose the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue if you'd rather have 12-mil thickness is the sweet spot between an 8-mil cover that tears too easily and a 16-mil cover that costs much more. Overall we rank the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Solar Pool Covers list.
What is the difference between the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil and the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue?
The Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil stands out because highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools, while the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue stands out because 12-mil thickness is the sweet spot between an 8-mil cover that tears too easily and a 16-mil cover that costs much more. The trade-offs differ too: the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil's main caveat is that 3 to 5 year lifespan is the shortest of the mil-thickness tiers, needs replacing sooner than a 12-mil cover, and the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue's is that still a wear item, expect noticeable bubble degradation by year 4-5 even with the 5-year warranty.
Is the Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil worth it over the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue instead if 3 to 5 year lifespan is the shortest of the mil-thickness tiers, needs replacing sooner than a 12-mil cover is a deal-breaker for you.