WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover vs Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft
Both made our Best 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 WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool if you want highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium 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 WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Pool Covers list.
Winner overall: WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool 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 Pool Covers | #3 of 10 in Best Pool Covers |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | WaterWarden | Blue Wave |
| Key features | ASTM F1346-certified solid vinyl construction; UL-classified for safety cover use; Full perimeter brass anchor system | 12-mil UV-stabilized polyethylene bubbles; 5-year seam warranty; 16x32 ft rectangle fit |
| Biggest strength | Highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium 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 | Solid vinyl requires a cover pump for standing rainwater removal, unlike self-draining mesh | 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
Choose the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool if…
- Highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium pools
- Same UL classification, ASTM F1346 certification, and 20-year warranty as the larger Premium WaterWarden cover
- 12x20 sizing keeps hardware and anchor count lower than a full-size rectangular pool cover
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 WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool section.
Pros and cons of each
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool
Pros
- Highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium pools
- Same UL classification, ASTM F1346 certification, and 20-year warranty as the larger Premium WaterWarden cover
- 12x20 sizing keeps hardware and anchor count lower than a full-size rectangular pool cover
- Solid vinyl fully blocks light and debris, reducing algae growth over an off-season closure
Cons
- Solid vinyl requires a cover pump for standing rainwater removal, unlike self-draining mesh
- Only sized for small to medium pools, not usable on a full-size rectangular inground pool
- Heavier vinyl material is more cumbersome for one person to remove and store than mesh alternatives
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
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool vs Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue: common questions
Which is better, the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool or the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue?
Choose the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool if you want highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium 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 WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Pool Covers list.
What is the difference between the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool and the Blue Wave NS420 16x32 Ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue?
The WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool stands out because highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium 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 WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool's main caveat is that solid vinyl requires a cover pump for standing rainwater removal, unlike self-draining mesh, 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 WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool 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 solid vinyl requires a cover pump for standing rainwater removal, unlike self-draining mesh is a deal-breaker for you.