Intex 28211EH 12ft (3.66m) x 30in (76cm) Metal Frame Above Ground Swimming Pool Set
Complete Outdoor Pool Kit with Cartridge Filter Pump – Durable, Easy to Set Up, Built to Last
- Fast Assembly: Ready for water in just 30 minutes with innovative T-Joint metal frame – no tools required
- Spacious & Sturdy: 12ft (3.66m) diameter and 30in (76cm) depth offer a 1,718-gallon (6,504L) water capacity, ideal for family fun
- Durable Material: Made with 3-ply Super-Tough™ PVC, puncture-resistant and long-lasting
- Efficient Filtration: Includes a 530 GPH (2,006 L/h) cartridge filter pump with HydroAeration® Technology for clear and clean water
- Improved Hygiene: Dual suction outlet fittings enhance water circulation and hygiene
- Rust-Resistant Frame: Powder-coated steel structure resists corrosion for extended outdoor use
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Intex |
| Model | 28211EH |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 144″ x 144″ x 30″ (366cm x 366cm x 76cm) |
| Shape | Round |
| Water Capacity | 1,718 Gallons (6,504 Liters) |
| Filter Pump | 530 GPH (2,006 L/h) Cartridge Pump with HydroAeration® |
| Material | 3-Ply PVC, Powder-Coated Steel Frame |
| Color | Blue |
The pool is deep enough for a refreshing dip and spacious enough for floaties and pool games. The filter system included works well.
The materials seem built to last, and we’re confident it’ll hold up for many summers to come. Highly recommend for families or anyone looking to beat the heat without the cost of an in-ground pool.
25 minute assembly
Pool with pump, net, vacuum, cover, and tablets and I’m under $300. I will have to eventually buy more tablets and I’m considering getting the 1000 gph pump with skimmer but this thing is so low maintenance I’d be doing more out of intrigue. Plus the skimmer hangs on the edge and takes pool space away. We’ll see. Fun easy little project, kids love it, 4 adults fit easy, low maintenance.
This pool is absolutely perfect for my littles! They have had so much fun since setting it up. The set up was easy, and it took me roughly 1 1/2 hours by myself. The fill took about 4/5 hours. I highly recommend this pool if you’re not looking anything fancy.
Don’t let the bad reviews deter you . I’m convinced the people that say they have holes is prolly human error when assembling. I fully inspected my liner taking it out of the box and found not a single indication of a defect . I will say however assembly for these pools is tricky . The liner is so tight I was terrified it was going to rip . There is a technique and you really benefit to read the directions !!!
Thus far this pool is a 5 star for me . Seller was great shipping also. Come 3 days early !!
It was easy to set up, my 10 year old and I did it ourselves
It's not a deep pool but it's great for those hot days to cool off in
Definitely glad that I bought it !!!
Water levels are just right for a 5 year old, and also allow an adult to sit on the bottom and still remain out of the water…
20-25 minutes to set up… super easy. The only thing I would recommend is that you read the parts for the hoses.. easy to do, but put things in the right place.
Assembly took MAYBE 30 minutes with my wife helping. The structure itself seems solid for the price. After a week of solid use by not only our kids but the neighbors kids it shows no signs of problems.
I was a little skeptical the pump would work being others suggested it wasn’t strong enough or failed to produce “bubbles.” Once I hooked up everything the pump would run but not push out any water. Right before I clicked buy on the higher output pump others suggested I decided to take one more look. Unscrewing the middle plug on the top of the pump out just enough to let out any air in the lines did the trick. This seems to the correct the issue of circulating the water more than others suggested it didn’t. While I may upgrade the pump down the road, for now it’s sufficient.
Overall anyone looking for a summer pool should definitely consider this one. Easy to put together and maintain. We have been talked about getting a bigger one for next year to accommodate 5-6 people (adults and kids).
Set up was a breeze for the pool and pump, however......
I noticed that the pump that comes with it is not strong enough even for that pool. So you are gonna need an upgrade on a pool pump plus some other stuff. I will post the links also.
POOL COVER https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XNFZPQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
For the pool cover you will need these clips to hold it down
POOL CLIPS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085L6KKLF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
This pool ball will help hold the cover off the water
POOL BALL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MD1Y7C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
For cleaning the pool you will need the following.
POOL SKIMMER https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H9DV3WH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
POOL VACUUM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0741DPFW9?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
You will need these adapters to convert from the old pump to the new one.
HOSE ADAPTERS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RSICZU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
This is the bigger pump you need
POOL PUMP https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QIYM6E?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
This pump defiantly has more push and works a lot better with that skimmer.
Happy swimming
2) Use sand to help provide a soft floor buffer that will help protect your pool liner from rocks. Sand also provides comfort to your pool users.
Optional: You may want to lay down Styrofoam or a Tarp on top of the sand.
3) For best results, lay out the pool liner over the 12' dia area. Be sure to line up the strainer holes and inlet jet hole near to where the pump will sit.
4) Use talc to help slide metal cross bars thru liner at top. (Do not add vertical support posts until all PVC cross bar couplings are inserted)
5) Use a leaf blower to remove any rocks or sand from liner.
6) Now it's time to add vertical posts.
If your soil is soft, you may want to place a 12"x12" paver beneath each post. Be sure pavers are level with the ground to avoid liner puncture. Slide posts between strap 'n pool.
7) Slowly fill the pool with water and remove liner wrinkles.
Note: If you wait too long to straighten liner, the weight of the water will make it difficult to move the liner.
Now it's time to connect the pump filter.
(Note: I recommended you prep your pump base ahead of time by using a cinder block as a base. Next, attache a piece of wood using liquid nails. Now, secure the pump to the wood with screws.)
8) Now locate the two strainer caps. Each cap has threads which when turned clockwise, will secure onto counter piece as identified in the instructions. Each cap is then fully secured using 2 screws, (provided).
9) Connect the 3 small hoses to the 3-way connector, ( It looks like a T). Secure ea hose with a clamp. Insert strainer assembly thru the inside of the pool liner and secure it to the hose using a clamp. After both strainer assemblies are installed, insert the 3rd hose to the top port of the pump and secure it with a clamp.
10) Now, connect the 4th and longest hose to the bottom port of the pump and clamp. Then, insert the Jet into it's designated hole located on the inside of liner. It slides in fairly easily. Now slip the other half of the Jet thru the outer liner hole. Be sure the wing is on top. The two pieces are now together as one . Secure the hose with a clamp.
Now, let the water rise above the two strainers and inlet jet. Be sure to inspect your vertical poles as the water rises.
Safety warning:
Read all safety instructions before plugging in pump. To prime the pump, loosen the small nut located on top of the pump to allow air/water to escape. Retighten nut. Turn on pump and your done. Enjoy your Pool😉
We do not have room for a conventional pool in our yard and did not want to spend $35,000 on a permanent small pool. This solution has worked out. We can take it down in the winter and box it up.
We had a smaller Intex and graduated to this size and it’s the perfect depth 30” and width 12’. We love our Intex pool.
Our order was only for the pool and pump. So, we also purchased other items like pool cover, ladder, pool chemicals, etc..
I've seen reviews about pools that come with leaks or faulty pumps. Our pool has no leaks or holes after a month of extremely hot weather and a LOT of use. And we set it up on flat dirt (with some small pea-gravel we couldn't quite remove). We put down three layers of tarp underneath the pool. This setup works well, but you can feel the hard ground (and pea-gravel) with your feet and knees so when I clean out and refill the pool I am going to place some artificial grass turf below the tarps to make it a little softer. A full grown man swimming in a 30" deep pool may get bruised knees without something a little softer underneath. But, if you're not horsing around, that's not going to be an issue. It's great for just floating in floaties!
Put the pool on the most level spot you can find. Even the slightest bit of slope can be an issue, especially when the kids start splashing around.
The pump that ships with the pool is adequate for the pool; however, you should buy additional filters. If you have good water pressure, it's no problem to rinse most of the accumulated debris out of the filter several times before replacing it with a new one. We've been using the same filter for about 2 weeks. It has been cleaned every 2-3 days and I have replacement filters ordered. You'll know it's time to service the filter when the volume of water coming back into the pool is low. The schedule for servicing the filter will depend on how clean your water source is, how much debris has gotten into the pool in use, or how many leaves etc. drop into the pool. I strongly suggest using a cover on the pool when not in use. Even using city water we had to clean our filter by the second day of use because of the low return-water pressure.
A note on the filter. This is a portable system. When you install or change the filter, air will get into the pump. The pump will not pump air. Turn the pump on and lift the hoses higher than the pump to allow the air to escape the pump chamber through the hose so the pump fills with water again. You may even need to reposition the pump to allow the air to escape through the hose.
One caution on chlorine. A normal 3-inch chlorine tablet is designed to treat 10,000 gallons of water. This 10' x 30" pool holds a maximum of 1,500 gallons when filled to the brim. I estimate I have about 1,200 gallons in our pool at roughly 24” depth. It’s easy to over chlorinate the water, which will cause discomfort for swimmers and shorten equipment life.
Additional equipment you may need includes filters, water testing/treatment kit, ladder and skimmer. If the pool is installed on a hard surface, you'll probably want a mat to go under to pool. I used artificial grass carpet from a local store.
I bought this pool last summer. It was my first above-ground pool so I was inexperienced and I was impatient and put it up quickly. We put sand to level the low spots and installed the pool, which was super easy, and put the legs on cement pavers. Mistake! The sand shifted due to the weight of the water and caused some of the pavers to move a bit under the edge of the pool, causing a small pinhole, and the pool ended up a couple of inches unlevel anyway. I also saw all of the comments/reviews about upgrading the pump but didn't do that. The pump worked ok so I didn't bother, and again I was impatient and eager to get swimming. We patched the small pinhole and kept swimming until I took the pool down for winter. It takes about 30-45 minutes for my husband and I to put up and take down and we didn't want to mess with chemicals all winter or deal with winterizing (and I knew I needed a better ground leveling anyway).
THIS YEAR I started early and paid someone to dig down (as little as necessary) to create a flat level circle where we wanted the pool. We put down a liner and installed the pool. We then used the cement pavers to put the legs on but dug them down so they were level with the ground. THIS IS WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE LAST YEAR AND I ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME AND DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS. I also noticed the pump that came with the pool isn't doing as well this year. It's weak and barely pulls things into the skimmer (purchased separately and also highly recommended). I purchased the upgraded pump. WOW - What a difference!!! I should have purchased it last year. It looks exactly the same as the pump that comes with the pool but is slightly larger but SO MUCH STRONGER! I can actually SEE the water moving around the entire pool and debris actually being 'sucked' into the skimmer.
Recommended additional purchases:
***Upgraded Pump: Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump for Above Ground Pools, 1000 GPH Pump Flow Rate, 110-120V with GFCI (uses same tubes, connections as pump that comes with pool)
***Skimmer: Intex Deluxe Wall-Mounted Swimming Pool Surface Automatic Skimmer | 28000E
***Vaccum: POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & Fountains
***Extras needed: Skimmer socks, Chlorine Floater, 3" Chlorine Tablets, Pool Net, 7 in 1 pool water test strips.
Notes for new pool owners: If you take a sample of your water to your local pool store, they will test it and tell you exactly what and how much of which chemicals you need to add. They will need to know that it's an above-ground pool and the size of it. You will learn to use the water testing strips to check every few days (once a week maybe) and when you see something off, you know it's time to take another sample to the pool place. And you also will start to learn what and how much you need to add on your own to maintain levels.
Hope this helps other newbies like me!
SET UP - pretty easy, just make sure you follow the instructions, if you assemble the frame in one direction it makes getting the last pole in (to complete the circle of the frame) MUCH easier.
USE - we like this pool because adults can sit in it and be mostly underwater with their heads above water. It's also easy to see what's going on in the pool and get in and out. If you have active or older kids, you might want to get a wider and deeper pool. It's hard to "swim" in; it's more of an oversized lounge pool.
PUMP/FILTER - Get a better one, the one that comes with the pool is undersized and underpowered. For $150 you can save yourself a lot of grief trying to keep the pool clean. I'd also recommend a pool cover, which makes keeping the pool clean easier as well. EDIT - we also purchased a vacuum for the floow ($35) to get the dirt off the bottom, also WELL WORTH IT.
(Box arrived damaged - flap was open on top)
(One pole was dented but didn’t pose any problems with set up - included in video)
It took my some time to set this pool up as I did it by myself. I raked all of the rocks out of my way, but still had a few stuck underneath that I can feel as I swim around. Thankfully, this pool is durable enough for the rocks not to puncture a hole. I purchased a tarp to put underneath for protection, but I do wish this came with its own protection underneath. My pool is slightly lopsided because my backyard itself is not totally leveled, but it's flat enough. I am aware that this could cause issues down the road from too much pressure on one side, but I think it's totally fine as the pool is temporary for me until I move again.
PURCHASE A COVER! And when you do, go to Lowes and purchase metal clamps in the tool world department to keep the cover on. Cleaning this pool out is not the easiest, and the filter doesn't do much for cleaning purposes in my opinion. That also means it might be best to buy a pool "vacuum" that is powered by hose, not by a pump. That way you can end up topping off your pool with extra water that you'll lose with regular use.
Overall, I have been bragging about this pool to everyone I know in AZ that has a house without a pool.
I bought one of those 'vacuums' that attaches to your hose, and all the debris that settles on the bottom gets sucked into a little mesh bag. It doesn't help with the dirt, so I bought one of those microfiber car towels & made it into a draw string bag and tied it over the mesh bag. All the dirt that blows out the mesh bag gets caught in the towel. Some brilliant person on YouTube came up with that!!!
At the end of the season, I attempted to take it down, but got stuck on getting out a couple of the pegs, I got frustrated and just left it in a pile. Then the fall semester started and I forgot about it, that thing stayed out in the Colorado weather all winter.
A few weeks ago I decided, what the hell, I'm gonna put it up and take a look at it, and if it's too messed up, I'll just buy a new one. It was crazy dirty so I had to give it a good scrubbing; there are still some stains on it, but they seem to have faded a bit. I also had a nickle sized hole in the side from an animal chewing on it, but I used one of those vinyl pool patch kits and it was good to go. No other holes! This year, I'm just going to winterize it and leave it up.
It's been up for a couple weeks now and looking good, and today was finally warm enough for us to jump in!
It took me around 45 minutes to unpack, organize, setup and assemble the pool and the pump, after that filled it up with water, which it took about two hours but my kids didn't wait and half way when it was about 50%, they just jumped in.
I highly recommend, I will right an update after a couple of days in case something changes.
05/01/2018 - Still great, no leaks, I am so glad I decided to buy this metal frame instead of the inflatable ring, my neighbor have one of those and the top ring started loosing air and it was a disaster, my metal frame pool stays standing even if I decide to have it low level for the kids.
We live in central Florida (Tampa Bay area) and is still kind of cold, the water is around 60, so I am looking for a way to warm it up to extend the season.
We stretched out the liner and let the sun heat it up so that we could stretch out the wrinkles more easily. Then we inserted the top poles, and medal connectors around the liner until we reached our starting point. Make sure you even center them. If you get to the end and you just can get the last elbow in, work together to go around to ensure each piece is centered. One person hold the liner while the other wiggles and slightly twists the pole to make sure it is centered.
Tip if you don't want wrinkles in the bottom. Definitely use a 13ft x 13 fits tarp underneath. Also Set the liner out in the sun, but the final step is to push out the wrinkles as the pool begins to fill.
So after you have it set up and the water is starting to cover the bottom, have someone get in on the hands and knees to push out the wrinkles, work from center to the edge, repeat for each section.Our pool is not a perfectly level surface so I was able to easily keep up with pushing the wrinkles out. The water slowly covered from side of the pool and worked its way across. So I worked on those 5 sections first, it and is not productive to push the wrinkles out when no water is covering the surface because they just go back after the cold water hits the liner. You have to do it as soon as the water covers the section, from center to the wall.
The liner is in great condition and sturdy. I know some people indicated theirs had leaks so just wanted to clarify that it is a great quality liner!
I also recommend purchasing the Intex cover to protect your water from debris and bugs. I posted tips for maintaining the cover under the Intex cover Reviews because it does lay on the water which requires cleaning it off before removing it, otherwise it dumps all the debris in the pool water.
I will update my review towards the end of the summer but for now it's definitely 5 stars!
We owned an easy set 8x30 two years ago and it didn't last the summer. It kept deflating and eventually a raccoon (!) shred it so badly that we couldn't patch it up..
We are members of the community pool a few houses away from here but we wanted something at home to cool off. 30" is obviously not enough water to swim around but it's perfect for my little one to play in and for us to just cool off in it. Installation was "easy" and the pool itself feels a LOT more sturdy than I expected it to be.
It's only been two days but so far the filter is performing well and the pool seems a lot more durable than the easy set pool. Only thing I found confusing was the instructions to install the pump. The visual didn't look like my pool at all (the holes were vertical in the booklet, horizontal on my pool!) but I figured it out!
We paid 116$ for the pool and the cover. I purchased a skimmer and already owned chlorine. So far, it seems like a great purchase. If this lasts the summer, I will purchase the 15x48 next summer and pass this one on to my brother in law.
I didn't want to pay too much not knowing if it would even last through the summer!
I'll update if a fox or raccoon tear it down!
12 ft metal frame pool $100
15 ft tarp (purchased from Tarps Direct) $20
Upgraded pump/saltwater system Krystal Clear 1500 GPH Sand Filter Pump & Saltwater System ($238)
Intex type b adapters ($20 required to upgrade pump)
Intex skimmer ($20 and works!)
Sand 50lbs ($10)
Pool salt 40 lbs ($10)
About leveling - we didn't level, we found a fairly flat looking spot and just built it. One side is a 3 inches higher than the other, and it's ok! So don't freak out about leveling unless you live on a major slope.
About the saltwater filter/combo - it's worth it. We run it two hours every night and the pool levels stay perfect, with 0 maintenance, no need to purchase or replace chlorine tabs. It's the equivalent to having an electric car, just plug it in, no more gas.
About the size- a few people said 4 adults comfortably, this thing can fit 8 adults, easily, and even more if you're all friends. Also my 34 inch tall little girl can stand in it, since it's not actually filled to the brim, which is awesome!
We live in ny, so also purchased the solar cover to warm things up, so far no complaints.
All in all, were super happy about this purchase and highly recommend this product. Dropped about $400-$500 all in (including some unicorn floats).
PROs:
1) Sturdy - This pool took a bit of horseplay without any issues. Poles all seem well made and like they would serve us well for a few years. Even if it only got me 2 seasons, at this price point, I'm still not doing badly
2) Easy to assemble - It took my wife and I 5 minutes to get this thing installed once we had all the parts separated out of the box. It requires no tools and can be done totally by hand. Honestly, a single person could probably put it up in less than 10 minutes.
3) Liner is nice and thick. Seems like it should resist puncture so long as you keep sharper objects out of the pool
4) Came with 2 patches in case you do somehow puncture the liner
5) Filter mechanism is included with all the hoses to set it up.
CONs:
1) Filter took a few minutes to get it working right. You have to connect to pool, fill pool, release air (by opening the valve at the top of pump) until water comes out, close the valve, THEN start the pump. If you don't, you may sit there like us wondering why the water wasn't really moving in the pump. Once I did this, it worked great. So, it was more user error than it being "faulty".
Overall, it's a great deal of pool for a very little price. Great for getting some water fun in when it's hot outside.
Assembly is a little tedious, but not difficult at all. It took us a couple of hours at most. Filling it up took several hours so be prepared for an increase in your water bill. Totally worth it though, especially during the hot summer months.
The pool also comes with a filter, which works great. It does not come with a ladder, but getting in and out of it shouldn't be difficult for an average size person. I'm 5'3" so I'm on the shorter side and I'm able to get in and out fine. We bought separate chlorine tabs which we use in one of those floating canisters. Otherwise if you throw it in by itself it'll bleach the bottom of your pool.
Overall material appears sturdy and should last for a while; however, after using the pool for a couple of weeks we've found some grass that actually grew through the bottom of it. Would recommend using a tarp underneath it. To cover it we use the Intex Solar Cover specifically for the 12 x 30 pool and it fits perfectly and does a great job keeping debris out. It also gets the water a couple of degrees warmer.
Pros:
Assemble is sooo easy. Took me a half hour. As with any pool it should be on level ground. I didn't have a perfectly level spot in my yard so I set it up as level as possible and it's fine.(water is a little higher on one side, no biggy) I wasn't about to level the yard for a pool that I didn't know anything about. Next year I will!
Because of its size you can take it down and store it for the winter and not have to worry about winterizing
Perfect size for kids! They can send up and swim!
The frame is strong! We didn't get a ladder. The kids hop over the side. They can hand and sit on it. It's very strong!
Because of its size, it warms up pretty quick, about a day after filling to get to a good temp.
The liner is thick. Not sure what the mil size is but it feels heavy.
Cons:
The filter! I've seen bigger filters on fish tanks! It uses a cartridge that has to be cleaned often and it doesn't flow much.
No skimmer. The filter will clean the water(eventually) but will not remove debris from the top of the water.
Water quality can go downhill quick! This could be partially my fault for not monitoring the water as often as I should but after it rains, if it's in direct sunlight often or if you have a lot of people in it, the chlorine levels can drop and it can go green real fast.
My recommendations
Along with the pool you will need a skimming net, a vaccuum that works with a garden hose, water test kit, the solar cover, a chlorine floating dispenser, quick dissolving chlorine tabs, and I would highly recommend getting the sand master 71225 filter and the index skimmer. The filter is so powerful it creates a small whirlpool which causes any debris on the floor to collect in the middle of the poll which makes it easy to vacuum up. Plus it's rated for 9000 gallons and is super easy to clean. Just flip the valve to backwash and your done! You'll end up spending about another $200 with these upgrades but totally worth it! Keep the filter running,add a tab or two a day and you'll have crystal clear water all summer!
I'm still trying to figure out the proper way to balance pool chemicals. So far we just have a floaty thing with dissolving chlorine tablets inside. According to the pH strip style testing strips, everything has been pretty balanced, but I imagine we'll have to do the "pool shock" soon. Will need to read up on that. Also, the pool has gotten a lot of dirt on the bottom and no matter how long we run the filter it doesn't clean it. We just ordered a pool vacuum to see if it will do the trick. The filter that comes with this pool isn't strong enough to create suction for the vacuum, so we ordered a different style that you connect to your hose.
The pool feels very solid and my husband and I sat out in it with the kids and we all had a pretty nice time. The pool comes with a DVD that shows you how to set it up. It made the set up process a breeze. It took about an hour with 2 adults. And then maybe 5 hours to fill.