Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool review: an affordable pool for keeping kids cool this summer
Looking for a great paddling pool to keep you and the kids cool through the summer months? Mum-of-two Rebecca put the Bestway Fast Set 8ft Paddling Pool through its paces, here's what she thought of the budget-friendly pool.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Apr 17, 2024
Price: £29.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Rating: 4/5
What we like
Quick and easy set-up
Good depth for kids
Comes with a repair kit
Fun for a range of ages
Folds down pretty small for storage
Big enough for adults to cool off in too
What we don’t like
Needs completely level ground
Base could be sturdier
Flattening the base can be time-consuming
Needs chemicals to keep it clean
Our verdict
Summer is officially here and you know what that means: paddling pools at the ready. We don’t get that many good runs of sweltering weather in this country, so when we do, we want to leap into a body of water, fast.
This fast-set paddling pool from Bestway lives up to its name in that it takes about 10 minutes to set up, then you can let your garden hose do the rest. The set-up involves laying out the pool then inflating the ring around the top. Once it’s full of air, pop your hose in and wait for it to fill up. Because of its depth, you don’t want to be emptying and refilling the pool on a regular basis, so it takes a bit of effort to keep the water clean.
Once up, the pool provided hours of fun to our tester, Rebecca’s 11- and 7-year-olds, and she’s hopeful that it will last a few more summers yet. With less potential for punctures and a perfect size for growing kids, the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool is a cheap and cheerful solution for hot summer days in the garden.
Read next: Our pick of the best paddling pools, as recommended by Mumsnetters
Key specs
Type of paddling pool: Fast set | Capacity: 2,300l | Material: Heavy-gauge PVC | Dimensions: 8ft x 26in (244 x 65cm) | Weight: 5.38kg (unfilled)
How we tested
Our tester Rebecca put the 8ft x 26in pool through its paces, on a hot weekend in June in her medium-sized garden with her two children, aged 7 and 11. She set up, filled and let the kids splash about and enjoy the pool, taking note of how the pool’s size, quality and construction held up. She also considered how to keep the pool water clean for the rest of the summer.
What’s in the box?
Pool
Puncture repair kit
What accessories does it need?
Our tester, already an experienced paddling pool owner, bought a fitted sheet, chlorine floater and a skimmer net to scoop debris from the water. She also treated the kids to a couple of water pistols to maximise the fun, and used an electric pump to inflate the pool ring.
Read next: How to keep paddling pool water clean, top tips from Mumsnetters
How easy is the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool to set up?
The pool comes very tightly folded, so once it’s out of the box there are quite a few creases to flatten out. You’ll need a level bit of grass to set the pool up on, as the pool relies on the water inside it to keep its form.
“You really need a level surface and you have to make sure you’ve properly stretched it out before filling otherwise it goes lopsided. This takes a bit of time and effort.”
However, once you’ve found the perfect spot and stretched it out, an electric pump makes quick and light work of inflating the ring. Then, simply stick your hose in and wait for until it’s 80% full.
“It didn't take that long to set up but the filling up does take quite a while but it comes with a fitted pump and a cover and we have all of the cleaning stuff so once it's up it stays up and filled for quite a while.” (Mumsnetter ohtheholidays)
How does the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool compare to other paddling pools?
Compared to framed paddling pools like the Bestway Steel Pro Max, the Fast Set offers an easier set up and lower price. Framed pools have no inflatable parts so they’re less liable to punctures, and the larger ones are often designed to be used with a pump.
Fully inflatable paddling pools like the Swim Essentials Inflatable Paddling Pool are usually cheaper than a fast set, and they have the advantage of coming in shallower sizes suitable for younger children. However, with so much surface area just begging to get popped, they’re notorious for lasting just one summer.
We think the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool is a great option for older kids, as it’s got good depth, can take a bit of rough and tumble and looks more grown-up than an inflatable.
What is the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool like to use?
Our tester said the paddling pool gets used at least 3 times a week by her children during hot weather, and who doesn’t love to dip their feet in cool paddling pool water at the end of a long day?
The pool is just about big enough for adults to chill out in, whether sitting in the water or bobbing about on an inflatable.
“DD goes in regardless of temperature, for me I tend to wade or float around in a rubber ring in the warm bit, most of the time though if it's a really hot day the coolness is nice and once you are in and have got your shoulders wet it’s fine.” (Mumsnet user HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime)
Because the sides are held up by the water inside, the pool is liable to spill if the sides get folded down or tripped over. While this can make for a muddy lawn, the pool can easily be topped up if a lot of water goes overboard for whatever reason.
“Very easy to use, it's our second summer with it this year.” (Mumsnetter CacenCrunch)
How do you drain, clean and store the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool?
If the fitted sheet, skimmer net and chlorine floater succeed in keeping the pool relatively grime and debris-free, you’ll be able to keep the pool up and filled until the end of the warm weather. Rebecca reckons her family will get a few more years’ use out of the pool, so storing it well over the autumn and winter is a must.
“I think they’ll get a few years before it’s too small for them.”
The pool has two plugs on the side that will allow the majority of the water inside to drain. Once they’ve done their job, the pool should be light enough to tip the rest of the water out. Make sure you let any chlorine evaporate before draining paddling pool water onto your garden.
Before storing it away, wash with warm water and washing up liquid, then let is dry completely before folding it away. Mumsnetters recommend keeping paddling pools in a storage bag, plastic storage box or a clean bin with a lid to protect them from damage over the cooler months.
Read next: The best pool toys, as chosen by Mumsnetters
Is the Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool good value for money?
Describing the pool as “cheap and cheerful”, our tester thought it was brilliant value for money. At around £30 for an 8ft diameter, it’s at the cheaper end of the market for its size. Made from tough, 3-layer PVC and with minimal inflatable parts, it should stand the test of time. Rebecca thought it was worth investing in a groundsheet to go underneath the pool, to protect the base from any stones or gravel.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.
Poppy is also the best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won the Kate Betts Memorial Prize in 2019, her books have been translated into eight languages and her writing has featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer. When she's not working, Poppy enjoys Pilates, hunting for sea glass on the Sussex coast and playing with tarot cards.
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