Product Review: Intex Swim Center Family Pool (Product #56483E)

One sure way to cool off when it's scorching hot outside is to cool off at the pool. Problem is, the pool may not be convenient, the entrance fee is expensive for the whole family, or the pool is too crowded. There is a way to bring the pool experience home and not pay a fortune to cool off.

The Intex Swim Center Family Pool is an inexpensive inflatable pool option that will give many days of cooling off from the scorching summer sun. Better yet, it is a four-person inflatable pool that can be set up in the backyard in a matter of minutes.

Purchase

The Intex Swim Center Family Pool was purchased at Big Lots for $24.00. It is also available at Amazon.com, Target, Walmart, and other big box stores for $19-30. The conveniently sized box contains a pool that is 103 inches x 69 inches x 22 inches when inflated. Included are: instructions, one patch, two air plugs, and two screw-on air plug covers.

Setup

The Intex Swim Center Family Pool was taken out of the box and setup on a level concrete patio. Those with kids might want to set up on a softer level surface. It took about five minutes to inflate the pool using an electric pump. I wouldn't recommend any other method for this size pool. The pool was then filled up with water to the fill level mark on the inside of the pool. It took about twenty minutes to fill it up. In all, I found the pool very easy and quick to set up. It was a hot summer day so I really appreciated this.

Size

The Intex Swim Center Family Pool is rectangular-shaped and holds 198 gallons of water when filled to the inside water level mark. It's large enough for several adults and kids to get into and soak in the pool. When sitting on the bottom of the pool the water depth reaches to the upper chest of an adult.

Construction

The Intex Swim Center Family Pool seems to be very well made despite initial misgivings. The seams were heat-sealed and used a quality seam construction. The pool has two air chambers - an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Neither air chamber leaks air and the pool hasn't leaked water after a week of use.

The Intex Swim Center Family Pool is a bright lime green and white colored inflatable pool. While not my idea of a visually appealing pool color, it was acceptable as it lacked any gaudy cartoon characters that kiddie pools sometimes have on them.

This particular model of pool does not have a drain plug. I did not find that to be a negative in any respect. I used a bucket to transport the water to the garden and the lawn. I could have easily used a submersible pump to drain the pool or used a garden hose to quickly make a siphon hose to drain the pool. Better than a tempermental drain plug.

Pool Pros: Easy to setup and to drain. It's well constructed and durable. A bargain at $24. This pool can easily accommodate adults looking to cool off without the kiddie pool look. The sides of the pool are comfortable to lounge against and kids are probably okay sitting on them.

Pool Cons: It's easy to get dirt and bugs in the pool. I'd have a foot wash station handy for kid's feet and keep a cover on it when it's not being used. Since it is an inflatable plastic pool, don't drag it or set it up on a rough surface. Kids could still slip and fall in this pool so you may want to set it up on grass on another soft surface.

I give the Intex Swim Center Family Pool a Rating of 4 out of 5 - for cooling off, fun, relaxing on a hot summer day.

Manufacturers Recommendations
Best for children 6+ years.
Not for children under 3 years. Do not leave children unsupervised around a pool.
Do not jump or dive into the pool.
Pool fencing laws apply to the pool.

Manufacturer:
Intex Recreation Corporation
P.O. Box 1440
Long Beach CA 90801
800-234-6839