WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover vs GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular
Both made our Best Inground 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 GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step if you'd rather have 18x36 sizing covers the most common inground pool footprint without paying for 20x40 extended coverage. Overall we rank the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Inground 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 GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 10 in Best Inground Pool Covers | #3 of 10 in Best Inground Pool Covers |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | WaterWarden | GLI Pool Products |
| Key features | ASTM F1346-certified solid vinyl construction; UL-classified for safety cover use; Full perimeter brass anchor system | ASTM F1346-certified polypropylene mesh; 18x36 ft rectangular sizing; Center end step cutout |
| Biggest strength | Highest review count (412) of any product in this roundup, the strongest track record for small/medium pools | 18x36 sizing covers the most common inground pool footprint without paying for 20x40 extended coverage |
| Main trade-off | Solid vinyl requires a cover pump for standing rainwater removal, unlike self-draining mesh | Mesh still lets fine debris and pollen through to the pool floor |
| 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 GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step section.
#3 pick
Choose the GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step if…
- 18x36 sizing covers the most common inground pool footprint without paying for 20x40 extended coverage
- Center end step cutout adds access convenience without a custom order
- Self-draining mesh avoids the pump maintenance a solid cover this size would require
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
GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step
Pros
- 18x36 sizing covers the most common inground pool footprint without paying for 20x40 extended coverage
- Center end step cutout adds access convenience without a custom order
- Self-draining mesh avoids the pump maintenance a solid cover this size would require
- Solid 143-review base and 4.5-star rating for a mid-size, mid-price configuration
Cons
- Mesh still lets fine debris and pollen through to the pool floor
- Step cutout is fixed at manufacture, only fits pools with a matching center-end step
- Not sized for pools larger than 18x36 without ordering a different configuration
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool vs GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step: common questions
Which is better, the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool or the GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step?
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 GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step if you'd rather have 18x36 sizing covers the most common inground pool footprint without paying for 20x40 extended coverage. Overall we rank the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Inground Pool Covers list.
What is the difference between the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool and the GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step?
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 GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step stands out because 18x36 sizing covers the most common inground pool footprint without paying for 20x40 extended coverage. 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 GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step's is that mesh still lets fine debris and pollen through to the pool floor.
Is the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 12x20 Ft In-Ground Pool worth it over the GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step instead if solid vinyl requires a cover pump for standing rainwater removal, unlike self-draining mesh is a deal-breaker for you.