Pool Parts & Accessories Price Comparison
Compare 202 pool parts & accessories from Bestway, Intex and Gre — covers, filters, ladders and more, from 8 £ to 57 £.
Pool Parts & Accessories price comparison UK
Pool accessories are where most pool owners get caught out. You spend a decent sum on an above-ground pool, then discover the cover doesn't fit, the filter cartridge is the wrong type, or the ladder wobbles under any real weight. We've gone through all 202 products in this category so you don't have to learn those lessons the hard way.
Bestway dominates the catalogue here — and for good reason. With 87 products averaging around 13 £, they cover almost every accessory need for their own pool range, from pool covers to filtration balls and floor protectors. Intex, by contrast, carries fewer lines but at a noticeably higher average price point, reflecting their focus on more robust, longer-lasting components. If you own an Intex pool, budget accordingly — their parts aren't interchangeable with Bestway, and mixing brands is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see.
Gre and Astral Pool sit at the premium end, with average prices well above 17 £. These brands target semi-permanent installations and are worth considering if your pool stays up year-round. For seasonal setups that get packed away each autumn, Bestway and Arebos offer solid value without overengineering. The EXIT pool dome — one of the most-compared items in this category — is a genuine outlier: a structured canopy solution that extends your swimming season well into cooler months, priced accordingly.
On the filtration side, cartridge type compatibility is non-negotiable. A Type I cartridge will not perform correctly in a system designed for Type VI, regardless of how similar they look. Always cross-reference your pump model before ordering. For pool vacuums and cleaning equipment, the same principle applies — check hose diameter and connector type against your existing setup.
One thing our price data makes clear: there's a sharp jump between the budget tier (under 13 £) and the mid-range. The entry-level products — basic covers, single filter cartridges — are genuinely good value and widely available from Currys, Amazon and Argos. Once you move past 17 £, you're paying for UV-stabilised materials, reinforced frames, or brand-specific engineering. Whether that premium is worth it depends entirely on how long you plan to keep your pool running. For hot tub and spa accessories, the calculus is different — those systems run year-round and warrant the extra investment in quality components.
How to Choose the Right Pool Parts & Accessories
The single biggest mistake pool owners make is buying accessories without checking compatibility first. Brand, pool size, and connector type all matter — and returns on pool parts are a hassle. Here's what actually counts when you're comparing options.
Brand & model compatibility
Pool parts are almost never universal. Bestway components are engineered for Bestway pools; Intex parts for Intex systems. Mixing brands — even when dimensions look close — routinely results in leaks, poor filtration, or outright failure. Before anything else, identify your pool's brand and model number. It's usually printed on the pump housing or the original packaging. If you've lost that, measure your pool diameter precisely: a 3.66m cover will not sit correctly on a 3.99m pool, and the difference matters more than it sounds.
Filter cartridge type (for filtration accessories)
Bestway and Intex both use a lettered classification system (Type I, II, III, VI and so on), and these are not interchangeable. The wrong cartridge type either won't seat properly or will allow unfiltered water to bypass the media entirely. Check your pump's label for the cartridge type before ordering — it takes 30 seconds and saves a return trip. On micron rating: standard cartridges (10–20 microns) handle everyday debris fine. If you're dealing with fine silt or algae blooms, a finer-rated cartridge makes a noticeable difference to water clarity.
UV stabilisation and material quality
A pool cover or floor protector that isn't UV-stabilised will start cracking and fading within a single British summer — and our summers aren't even that intense. Look for products explicitly labelled UV-stabilised or UV-protected. PVC and reinforced polyethylene hold up significantly better than standard vinyl over multiple seasons. If you're buying a cover you expect to reuse for three or four years, the material spec is worth scrutinising. Budget covers from 8 £ to 13 £ are often fine for one or two seasons; anything you want to last longer warrants the mid-range spend.
Load rating for ladders and structural parts
Pool ladders carry a load rating for a reason. Most budget ladders are rated to 100–120kg — adequate for most adults, but worth checking if you're on the heavier side or if children will be using it unsupervised. The Bestway ladders in this catalogue sit at two distinct price points, and the more expensive one reflects a heavier-gauge frame and higher load capacity. Don't assume all ladders are equivalent just because they look similar in product photos.
Seasonal storage and winterisation
If your pool comes down every October, you need accessories that fold, roll, or compress for storage without cracking. Rigid components — certain canopy frames, for instance — need dry, frost-free storage or the materials will degrade. Thermal covers with bubble-wrap backing are particularly vulnerable to compression damage if stored incorrectly. Most Bestway and Intex covers are designed to roll rather than fold; creasing them sharply shortens their lifespan considerably. For year-round pools, prioritise products rated for temperature ranges down to at least -10°C.
Replacement part availability
This is the criterion most people ignore until it's too late. Niche or discontinued pool brands often leave owners stranded when a gasket or filter housing fails — the pool becomes unusable because a £4 part is no longer stocked anywhere. Bestway and Intex both maintain broad parts availability through Amazon, Argos and specialist pool retailers. Gre and Astral Pool parts are available but typically require specialist suppliers and longer lead times. If long-term ownership matters to you, stick to brands with a proven UK parts supply chain.
- Consumables and basics (From 8 £ to 13 £) : Filter cartridges, gaskets, small covers for compact pools. Mostly Bestway and Intex consumables. Perfectly adequate for seasonal use — don't overspend here unless you need a specific spec.
- The practical sweet spot (From 13 £ to 17 £) : Mid-size pool covers, floor protectors, basic ladders. Arebos and Bestway dominate. This is where most buyers will find what they need for a standard above-ground pool setup.
- Quality upgrades (From 17 £ to 37 £) : Reinforced covers, heavier-duty ladders, pool canopies. Intex and EXIT feature here. Worth the step up if your pool stays up all season or you want UV-stabilised, multi-year materials.
- Premium and specialist (Over 37 £) : Gre, Astral Pool, Zodiac, and the EXIT pool dome. Engineered for semi-permanent or year-round installations. Overkill for an inflatable summer pool — genuinely worthwhile for frame pools used season after season.
Top products
- Bestway Pool Cover(4.04m x 2.01m / 4.12m x 2.01m) (Bestway) : The most-compared cover in the catalogue and deservedly so — fits the most popular Bestway rectangular pool sizes and is priced well below the mid-range. Not UV-stabilised to the highest standard, so expect a 2–3 season lifespan rather than indefinite reuse.
- Bestway Filter Cartridge (I) (Bestway) : A genuine consumable essential — cheap, widely available, and does exactly what it should. Buy in multipacks if you can; you'll go through several per season. Only relevant if your pump specifies Type I, so check before ordering.
- EXIT pool dome 220x150cm (EXIT) : The standout premium product in this category. A structured dome that genuinely extends your swimming season — but at a price that only makes sense for a frame pool used regularly from April to October. Overkill for inflatable pools.
- Bestway Pool Ladder (Bestway) : The higher-priced of the two Bestway ladders in the top 15, and the one we'd recommend — the heavier gauge frame and improved load rating justify the difference. Check pool wall height compatibility before purchasing.
- Bestway Flowclear Pool Canopy 2.10 m - 3.40 m (Bestway) : A more affordable alternative to the EXIT dome for smaller pools. Adjustable sizing is a genuine advantage, though the fabric construction is less robust than EXIT's rigid structure. Good for occasional shade; less convincing as a season-extender.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bestway and Intex pool parts interchangeable?
No — Bestway and Intex parts are not interchangeable and should never be mixed. Each brand engineers its components to specific dimensions and connector standards. A Bestway filter cartridge will not seat correctly in an Intex pump, and vice versa. Always match parts to your pool's brand and model number, which is printed on the pump housing or original documentation.
How often should I replace my pool filter cartridge?
Most pool filter cartridges need replacing every 2–4 weeks during active use, though this varies with pool size, bather load, and water quality. Rinse the cartridge with a hose every few days to extend its life, but once the pleated media becomes discoloured, compressed, or torn, replacement is the only option. Trying to clean a degraded cartridge beyond its useful life simply recirculates fine particles back into the water.
What's the difference between a standard pool cover and a thermal cover?
A thermal cover has insulating material — typically bubble-wrap or foam backing — that retains heat and reduces evaporation by up to 80%, whereas a standard cover primarily keeps out debris. For UK conditions, a thermal cover can meaningfully extend your swimming season into May and September by keeping water temperature several degrees warmer overnight. Standard covers are cheaper and easier to handle, but if heating costs or water top-ups are a concern, the thermal option pays for itself quickly.
Can I use pool accessories with a salt-water system?
Not all pool accessories are salt-water compatible. Salt systems are more corrosive than standard chlorine setups, and materials like standard PVC or untreated metal components can degrade significantly faster. Look explicitly for products labelled "salt-water compatible" or "salt-water safe" — particularly for ladders, covers, and any metal fittings. Bestway and Intex both produce salt-compatible variants of their most popular accessories, but they're not always the default listing, so check the product specification carefully.
Is the EXIT pool dome worth the price compared to a basic cover?
The EXIT pool dome is a structured canopy, not just a cover — it creates an enclosed space over the pool that allows swimming in light rain and retains heat far more effectively than any flat cover. At its price point, it's only worth considering if you have a frame pool you use regularly from spring through autumn. For an inflatable pool that comes out for a few weeks in July, it's significant overkill. The value case is strongest for families who swim frequently and want to extend the season without heating costs spiralling.
What pool accessories do I actually need versus nice-to-haves?
The non-negotiables are: a correctly sized cover (to keep debris out and reduce evaporation), replacement filter cartridges (your pump is useless without them), and a ladder if your pool wall height exceeds roughly 60cm. Everything else — floor protectors, canopies, filtration balls — is genuinely useful but not essential from day one. A floor protector under a frame pool does extend the liner's life and is worth adding if you're setting up on rough ground. Polysphere filtration balls are a reasonable alternative to cartridges for high-use pools, but they're not a direct replacement for all pump types.
Which pool accessory brands should I avoid for long-term use?
We'd be cautious about unbranded or generic pool parts sold without a clear model compatibility reference. The risk isn't necessarily quality — it's parts availability. If a no-name cover or ladder component fails after 18 months, finding a replacement is often impossible, which can render your entire pool setup unusable. Stick to Bestway, Intex, or Gre for anything structural or filtration-related. TRIXIE products in this catalogue are pet-focused accessories — fine for their intended use, but not relevant to pool maintenance.