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Bestway Family Paddling Pool review: a sure fire winner during a heatwave

Looking for a budget-friendly way to keep the kids cool as the temperature soars? We recommend this bargain buy from Bestway.

By Laura Cooke | Last updated Aug 19, 2025

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Our rating:
What we like
  • Great value

  • Very quick to inflate

  • Easy to fold down and store

  • Could also be used as a sandpit

What we don't like
  • Not rigid, so susceptible to punctures

  • No pump included

Key specs

Price on writing: £25 | Size: 9ft | Age suitability: 6 years + | Assembly: Pump | Drainage plug: Yes | Capacity: 778 litres| Max user weight: Not specified

“Very easy to use. It's our second summer with it this year.”

CacenCrunch

Bestway Family Paddling Pool


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Our verdict

Bestway is one of the most reliable names when it comes to inflatables and this family-sized paddling pool is robust, sturdy and shouldn’t let you down. It was remarkably quick to inflate with a handheld pump, although it did take a while to get the water up to the max fill line. Once up, it stays well inflated for ages and there is space for the whole family to chill in the sunshine.

There are no fancy gimmicks or features here, just a great pool that will serve you and your family well during the summer months.

Read next: The best pool toys for summer 2024

What’s in the box?

  • Pool

  • Puncture repair kit

How easy is the Bestway Family Paddling Pool to set up?

The Bestway Family Paddling Pool has two outer rings to inflate. Using a handheld air pump (specifically this one from Amazon) it took less than 10 minutes to blow the pool up, with two giant rubber stoppers keeping it all in.

Putting the water into the pool using a garden hose felt like it took a very long time, but in reality the water was up to the max fill line in around 30 minutes or so, meaning the pool was set up and ready to go in well under an hour.

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How does the Bestway Family Paddling Pool compare to other paddling pools?

Compared to framed paddling pools, the Bestway Family Paddling Pool offers an easier set up and lower price, however all inflatable pools come with a risk of punctures. Using the pool on grass or putting down some interlocking foam tiles like these to place the pool on top of will help to reduce the likelihood of punctures. Unlike many framed paddling pools, the Bestway Family Paddling Pool does not come with a pump to keep the water circulating, so it will need to be emptied and refilled frequently to keep the water from getting manky.

Read next: 10 best water tables for exciting outdoor play

What is the Bestway Family Paddling Pool like to use?

As mentioned above, the Bestway Family Paddling Pool is very easy to set up and the whole family can be in there cooling down within an hour of taking the pool out of the box. There is enough space for a family of four to lounge around comfortably, but the depth of the pool means it is not suitable for very young children. 

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How do you drain, clean and store the Bestway Family Paddling Pool?

Once you’ve turned as wrinkly as a prune and decide it’s time to get out, the water can be drained away by opening a rubber stopper on the bottom of the pool. I found it took a while for the water to fully drain, but if you happen to have a pump on hand this would speed up the process. After the water had drained away, I pulled the stoppers out to allow the sides of the pool to deflate. Once the sides had been flattened out and the last remaining drops of water had been wiped away with a towel, the pool folded down flat to fit back in the box.

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Is the Bestway Family Paddling Pool good value for money?

Yes, I feel that the Bestway Family Paddling Pool is very good value for money, retailing at just £25 at the time of writing (June 6th, 2024).

There are no fancy features on the Bestway Family Paddling Pool, for example built-in seats or fast set up. What you get is a quality swimming pool that is capable of keeping the whole family cool this summer. It’s an absolute bargain if you ask us.

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How we tested

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and lives in Sussex with her husband and two children, aged five and six. The family set the Bestway Paddling Pool up on the patio in the garden and scored it on how easy it was to assemble, store and use, as well as value for money.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.