Should I still spend money on an above-ground pool skimmer? This is a question that every pool owner has asked at least once.
Today we’ll take a look at what these devices are designed for and whether they are important pool components in maintaining the cleanliness and quality of your pool water. We’ll also find out if you, as an above-ground pool owner, need an above-ground pool skimmer basket or pool skimmer net and answer the question of how to replace an above-ground skimmer with replacing a regular pool skimmer to understand the possible differences and requirements.
Knowing about the quality criteria for buying a skimmer and the 3 best above-ground pool skimmers will help you keep your pool water clean and promote an enjoyable swimming experience for the whole family.
Comparison Table: 3 Best Above-ground Pool Skimmers
Now we will quickly run through the golden market of skimmers for the above-ground pool, and analyze the main technological criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing a skimmer.
 | Weight: 3.5 pounds Capacity: requires a filter pump with a flow rate of 800 gph | Winner category: The best fit for inflatable pools - The easiest to mount to frame pool sidewalls with an adjustable bracket - Has the strainer basket for easy cleaning - Made from durable polypropylene plastic which is not affected by pool chemicals Jump to a detailed review |
 | Weight: 2.5 pounds Capacity: requires a filter pump with at least 1 horsepower | Winner category: The quickest cleaning of water surface - Requires the least maintenance by the owner - Automatically moves around the entire pool perimeter - Works with most vacuum cleaners with a suction side Jump to a detailed review |
 | Weight: 13.11 pounds | Winner category: The best for daily non-stop cleaning - The most eco-friendly solar-powered appliance - Completely auto-controlled operation - The basket's top-handle design makes it easy to empty without removing the skimmer from the pool Jump to a detailed review |
Why Above-Ground Pool Skimmers Are Important
We’re almost tired of repeating how many elements are important for your pool, but above-ground pool skimmers are a useful find if you like to keep your pool water clean and of high quality.
The main function of the skimmer is to collect contaminants from the water surface, such as leaves, insects, plastic, and other small particles that fall into the pool.
If you own an above-ground pool, purchasing a skimmer is a smart choice. Skimmers will help keep your pool water clean and inviting to swim in. They ensure that the filtration system works more efficiently, which in turn reduces the cost of water treatment chemicals.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Above-Ground Pool Skimmers: How To Choose?
One of the most difficult tasks is to choose the best product that won’t hurt your wallet or your nerves. Before purchasing an above-ground pool skimmer, there are some important factors to ensure you make the best choice:
🎯 Pool compatibility
Firstly, make sure that the skimmer you choose is compatible with your type of above-ground pool. Different pools can have different sizes and wall designs, so it’s important to find a skimmer that you can install seamlessly on your pool. To do this, pay attention to the specified dimensions of the skimmer from the seller and guide on how to install the above-ground skimmer.
💪🏻 Power and capacity
Evaluate the power of the skimmer to determine how much water it can process in a certain amount of time. The higher the capacity, the more efficient the skimmer will be at removing contaminants from the water’s surface. You can also use the instructions for each skimmer or a comparison table with information about the capacity.
🪝 Type of skimmer
Consider the different types of skimmers, such as floating skimmers, handheld pool skimmers with a net, or automatic skimmers. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the user’s needs and priorities, but our team truly dislikes handheld skimmers because they are objectively less efficient as you have to do everything by yourself: bending down to the pool, catching garbage, collecting it throughout the territory.
💯 Quality of materials
It is important to pay attention to the quality of the materials used to make the skimmer, especially its body, and mechanisms. Choose reliable and durable materials, such as chemical-resistant polypropylene plastic, that will ensure a long service life for the skimmer. And if you don’t want to dig into details, we already did a lot of research to test different materials of each skimmer for our best list.
By gathering information about these factors and considering your needs, you will be able to make an informed and deliberate choice of an above-ground skimmer for your pool. These criteria also helped our team when choosing the best skimmers for this article.
Detailed Reviews
Here we are, taking a closer look at the best skimmers for an above-ground pool. Our team compared the performance of all of them, customer reviews, and the benefits that skimmers will bring to your pool. Let’s dive into the details.
Intex Wall Mount Surface Skimmer — The Best Fit for Inflatable Pools
Winner in the category: The best fit for inflatable pools
Pros
- The easiest way to mount on the frame of the side walls of the pool
- Has a mesh basket for easy cleaning of trapped contaminants
- Made of durable plastic resistant to pool chemicals
- Comes with two adjustable mounting brackets for inflatable and metal pool frames
Cons
- Can be unstably fixed in the pool and start to float
The Intex Wall Mount Skimmer has many advantages, and the main one is the ease of installation on the frame of the side walls of the pool. This makes the installation process simple and hassle-free, ensuring that it is ready for use without any extra effort.
The skimmer comes with two adjustable mounting brackets that are suitable for both inflatable and metal frames. This versatility ensures that it can be used with different types of pools, taking into account the needs of different pool owners.
The skimmer is equipped with a mesh basket that helps to easily clean blocked dirt and debris from the pool water. It is made of durable and chemical-resistant polypropylene plastic, which allows it to withstand exposure to pool chemicals for a long time. This ensures its functionality and good condition even after prolonged use, which is noted by many consumers.
However, there are some limitations of the Intex Skimmer to consider. Due to its fixed position on the pool wall, it may not be able to handle debris from the entire pool surface effectively. In such cases, a skimmer that moves freely over the pool surface, such as the SkimmerMotion Clarifier Pool Skimmer, will be a better option as it will be able to cover a larger area and collect debris from different parts of the pool.
SkimmerMotion Clarifier Pool Skimmer — The Quickest Cleaning Of Water Surface
Winner category: The quickest cleaning of water surface
Pros
- Requires the least maintenance from you
- Covers the entire territory of the pool with automatic movement
- Compatible with most vacuum cleaners with a suction side
- Comes with the necessary adapters to connect
Cons
- Not recommended for big leaves (bigger than 1″/2.54 cm)
- The bottom suction-side cleaner is not included with a skimmer
The SkimmerMotion Clarifier is an innovative and highly efficient pool skimmer that requires minimal maintenance on your part. Thanks to its automatic movement, this skimmer patrols the entire pool area independently, collecting dirt and debris without your participation.
Another advantage is its compatibility with most vacuum cleaners with suction-side. Thus, you can connect the skimmer to many vacuum systems that work on the principle of suction and enjoy double cleaning of the pool.
Also, the skimmer comes with all the necessary connection adapters to simplify installation and ensure compatibility with your equipment.
However, there are some drawbacks to the SkimmerMotion Clarifier that should be considered. It may not be recommended for cleaning large leafy contaminants (larger than 1″/2.54 cm) as its design is more intended for smaller contaminants such as dust, small leaves, etc. For larger pool areas, The Instapark Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer is more suitable, and will save you from wondering whether the skimmer covers the entire area of the pool water or no.
It is also important to note that the bottom vacuum with suction-side is not included with the SkimmerMotion. This may require an additional purchase if you do not already have a suitable vacuum cleaner.
Instapark Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner — The Best For Daily Non-stop Cleaning
Winner category: The best for daily non-stop cleaning
Pros
- The most environmentally friendly solar-powered skimmer
- Fully automatic control
- Has a handle basket design, which makes it easy to empty and lift the basket without removing the skimmer from the pool
- Has ultrasonic radar sensors, which control the robot’s ability to navigate itself
Cons
- Can get stuck on a shallow step, if the water level of the pool drops too much
The Instapark Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer is the most environmentally friendly and economical solar-powered skimmer that offers many advantages. One of the main is its fully automatic control. Thanks to solar energy, this skimmer works autonomously without the need for additional energy sources or batteries.
The design of the skimmer with basket is convenient because it has a handle that allows you to easily empty and lift the basket without removing the skimmer from the pool. This makes the cleaning process simple and quick, providing ease of use.
The skimmer also has ultrasonic radar sensors that allow it to navigate itself. These sensors provide precise control of the robot, helping it avoid obstacles and collisions with pool walls.
However, there are some disadvantages of the Instapark Skimmer that should be taken into account. The skimmer may get stuck on a shallow step if the water level in the pool drops too much. It is also worth noting that a skimmer may not be appropriate for small pools with a limited area. In this case, a cheaper skimmer, such as the Intex Wall Mount Surface Skimmer, may be a better option, as it will be more effective in small areas.
User Guide: How to Install Or Replace Above-Ground Pool Skimmers
Your swimming pool water is getting dirtier and dirtier, and you’re starting to realize why your above-ground pool needs a skimmer, so it’s time to keep it clean and healthy. Now we’ll take a look at how to install and maintain it properly.
✅ First step. Preparing for installation or replacement
Before installing or replacing the skimmer, turn off the pool pump and ensure access to the area where the skimmer will be placed. For wall-mounted skimmers, make sure that the selected position on the pool wall provides optimal coverage of the water surface. Consider the prevailing wind direction, place it opposite to return jets and pool steps/ladders, avoid corners or obstacles.
✅ Second step. Installing the skimmer
For wall-mounted skimmers, measure and cut a hole in the pool wall using the appropriate tools. Then fix the skimmer to the wall following the manufacturer’s instructions. For hook-and-loop skimmers, simply attach it to the side of the pool.
✅ Third step. Connect to the pumping system
Connect the skimmer to the pool pumping system using flexible pipes or hoses. Make sure all connections are tight to avoid water leakage.
✅ Fourth step. Testing and adjustment
Start the pool pump and make sure the skimmer is working properly, collecting contaminants from the water surface. If necessary, adjust it for optimal performance.
✅ Replacing the old above-ground pool skimmer
To replace the in-ground pool skimmer, you need to turn off the pump by removing the old skimmer from the pool wall, disconnect the pumping system and install the new skimmer in place of the old one, properly aligning it and securing it to the pool wall with fasteners.
By installing or replacing the skimmer for your above-ground pool, you will ensure effective cleaning of the water surface and enjoy clean and high-quality swimming throughout the summer. To maintain the skimmer, do not forget to throw away the collected garbage from the basket, and periodically rinse the parts of the skimmer from plaque.
Summary
We have covered everything you need to know about above-ground pool skimmers today. From the best above-ground pool skimmers on the market to the installation process and how they work, we’ve provided a complete guide.
Additionally, we discussed how to replace an above-ground pool skimmer and the importance of the skimmer basket and pool skimmer in maintaining clean and clear pool water. Whether you’re a pool owner looking to upgrade your skimmer or seeking guidance on installation and maintenance, we’ve got you covered with all the essential information about above-ground pool skimmers.
Intex Wall Mount Surface Skimmer
The best fit for inflatable pools
SkimmerMotion Clarifier Pool Skimmer
The quickest cleaning of water surface
Instapark Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer
The best for daily non-stop cleaning
FAQ
🧐 How does a pool skimmer work?
The pool skimmer works like a pumping system, creating a stream of water that collects contaminants from the surface to a special basket.
👀 Is a skimmer really necessary for an above-ground pool?
Yes, an above-ground pool skimmer is an essential piece of equipment. It will help you remove dirt and leaves from the water surface and ensure the effective operation of the filtration system. Without a skimmer, contaminants can settle to the bottom of the pool.
👨🏻🔧 How to install an above-ground pool skimmer?
First, to install a conventional skimmer, select the optimal location on the pool wall. Then cut a hole in the pool cover where you plan to install the skimmer. Screw in the necessary pins to secure the structure. After that, connect the skimmer to the pool’s pumping system to ensure the effective removal of contaminants from the water surface. To install a special skimmer for an above-ground pool, attach it to the wall using the hook provided.
👎🏻 What is the disadvantage of an above-ground pool skimmer?
The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool skimmer is the need for destructive intervention in the pool structure. When installing such a skimmer, it is necessary to make a hole in the wall, which can lead to leaks. Thus, before deciding to install such a skimmer with a hole cut, it may be necessary to choose another option that simply falls into the water and hooks onto a hook.
🔄 How to replace the above-ground pool skimmer?
You can replace the above-ground pool skimmer by turning off the pump, removing the old skimmer from the pool wall, disconnecting the pump system and installing the new skimmer in place of the old one, properly aligning it, and fixing it to the pool wall with the fasteners.