WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover vs WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for
Both made our Best Pool Covers You Can Walk On shortlist, at #1 and #2. 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 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step if you want uL classification plus ASTM F1346 certification together confirm both material and load-testing compliance. Choose the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh if you'd rather have self-draining mesh means the walking surface never has standing rainwater sitting on it, unlike a solid cover. Overall we rank the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Pool Covers You Can Walk On list.
Winner overall: WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step vs WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 10 in Best Pool Covers You Can Walk On | #2 of 10 in Best Pool Covers You Can Walk On |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | WaterWarden | WaterWarden |
| Key features | ASTM F1346-certified solid vinyl construction; UL-classified for safety cover use; Built-in right step cutout for pool access | ASTM F1346-certified polypropylene mesh; 4x6 ft step cutout sized for standard ladders; Full perimeter brass anchor system |
| Biggest strength | UL classification plus ASTM F1346 certification together confirm both material and load-testing compliance | Self-draining mesh means the walking surface never has standing rainwater sitting on it, unlike a solid cover |
| Main trade-off | Solid vinyl blocks all sunlight, requiring a cover pump whenever rainwater accumulates on top | Mesh still lets fine debris and pollen through, unlike a solid cover's full barrier |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?

#1 pick
Choose the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step if…
- UL classification plus ASTM F1346 certification together confirm both material and load-testing compliance
- 20-year warranty is the longest backing of any cover in this roundup, reflecting confidence in the vinyl and hardware
- Right step cutout allows pool access without pulling the entire cover off and back on
Prefer the alternative? See the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh section.

#2 pick
Choose the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh if…
- Self-draining mesh means the walking surface never has standing rainwater sitting on it, unlike a solid cover
- 4x6 step cutout matches the footprint of a standard inground pool ladder or step system
- Lighter mesh material is easier for one person to remove and refit than a solid vinyl cover of the same size
Prefer the alternative? See the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step section.
Pros and cons of each
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step
Pros
- UL classification plus ASTM F1346 certification together confirm both material and load-testing compliance
- 20-year warranty is the longest backing of any cover in this roundup, reflecting confidence in the vinyl and hardware
- Right step cutout allows pool access without pulling the entire cover off and back on
- Highest rating (4.6) among the walk-on covers here, with a substantial 198-review base
Cons
- Solid vinyl blocks all sunlight, requiring a cover pump whenever rainwater accumulates on top
- Custom-fit sizing and step placement means longer lead time and less flexibility than a stock mesh size
- Heavier vinyl panel is harder for one person to remove and store than a mesh cover of the same dimensions
WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh
Pros
- Self-draining mesh means the walking surface never has standing rainwater sitting on it, unlike a solid cover
- 4x6 step cutout matches the footprint of a standard inground pool ladder or step system
- Lighter mesh material is easier for one person to remove and refit than a solid vinyl cover of the same size
- Strong 4.5-star rating with a solid 121-review base for a step-cutout-specific configuration
Cons
- Mesh still lets fine debris and pollen through, unlike a solid cover's full barrier
- Step cutout position is fixed at manufacture, so it only fits pools with a matching step layout
- Smaller review base than the larger rectangular WaterWarden and GLI covers in this roundup
WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step vs WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh: common questions
Which is better, the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step or the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh?
Choose the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step if you want uL classification plus ASTM F1346 certification together confirm both material and load-testing compliance. Choose the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh if you'd rather have self-draining mesh means the walking surface never has standing rainwater sitting on it, unlike a solid cover. Overall we rank the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Pool Covers You Can Walk On list.
What is the difference between the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step and the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh?
The WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step stands out because uL classification plus ASTM F1346 certification together confirm both material and load-testing compliance, while the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh stands out because self-draining mesh means the walking surface never has standing rainwater sitting on it, unlike a solid cover. The trade-offs differ too: the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step's main caveat is that solid vinyl blocks all sunlight, requiring a cover pump whenever rainwater accumulates on top, and the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh's is that mesh still lets fine debris and pollen through, unlike a solid cover's full barrier.
Is the WaterWarden Premium Pool Safety Cover for 18x36 Ft In-Ground Pool with Right Step worth it over the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the WaterWarden Pool Safety Cover for 16x32 Ft Inground Pool with 4x6 Step, Blue Mesh instead if solid vinyl blocks all sunlight, requiring a cover pump whenever rainwater accumulates on top is a deal-breaker for you.