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Best Pool Slides – Buyer’s Guide

Amanda Coleman

By Amanda Coleman | Last Updated: May 1, 2020

With Summer just around the corner and school about to let out, people young and old are gearing up to spend plenty of time outdoors. Of course, Summer also means that it is liable to get pretty warm which is why many people choose to spend their Summer days outdoors by some body of water. If you do not want to go to a lake, river, or ocean, then there is always the option of going to a pool or building one at your own home.

Best Pool Slides of 2019

Table of Contents

  • Best Pool Slides of 2019
  • 1. S.R. Smith Typhoon – Tallest Pool Slide
    • Excellent Manufacturing Process
    • A Substantial Slide
  • 2. S.R. Smith Cyclone – Best Pool Slide for Kids
    • Best for Kids
    • Provides a Great Value
  • 3. Intex Kool Splash – Best Inflatable Pool Slide
    • Is an Inflatable Pool Slide
    • A Mixed Bag
  • 4. Inter-Fab Wild Ride – Editor’s Choice Best Pool Slide
    • Great All-Around Size
    • Top Quality Materials
  • 5. Inter-Fab Zoomerang – Best Price Budget Pool Slide
    • Provides an Excellent Value
    • Is Well Constructed
  • Best Pool Slides – Buyer’s Guide
    • Most Common Materials
    • Maximum Weight Capacity
    • Water System for Pool Slides
    • Conclusion

While having a personal pool is nice enough on its own, there are a number of different products out there which can make it even more enjoyable. Diving boards and inflatable toys are common instances of this, but there are few products used in conjunction with a pool that are more fun than a pool slide. There are actually a fair number of differences between the different pool slides available on the market. That is why we have put together a list of the 5 best pool slides, highlighting what each one does best.

ProductHeightFlumeWeight CapacityMaterial 
S.R. Smith Typhoon
(Editor’s Choice)
7’4”9’10”275 poundsPolyethylene Check Price
S.R. Smith Cyclone4’10”6’10”175 poundsPolyethylene Check Price
Intex Kool Splash
4’10”10’11”175 pounds20 ga Vinyl Check Price
Inter-Fab Wild Ride6’5”11”250 poundsAcrylic and Steel Check Price
Inter-Fab Zoomerang3’9’5”200 poundsAcrylic and Fiberglass Check Price

1. S.R. Smith Typhoon – Tallest Pool Slide

S.R. Smith Typhoon reviewOut of all the companies that we reviewed, S.R. Smith is by far one of the most respected brands that we saw with a storied history that stretches back farther than any other we saw.

On top of that, S.R. Smith is also a brand that specializes exclusively in pool accessories, though they do not specialize specifically in pool slides. While the brand may have started with a focus on diving boards, they have expanded to provide virtually any pool accessory you can think of regardless the setting.

Excellent Manufacturing Process

From a distance, the S.R. Smith Typhoon does seem like an overly unusual pool slide, though it is clearly one of the higher-end models. That said, by far one of the best qualities of the S.R. Smith Typhoon is the fact that it uses a rotomolded manufacturing process. This means that the polyethylene material is made into a single piece instead of multiple layers that are far less durable. On top of that, the rotomolded process also allows for the S.R. Smith Typhoon to be more even and without variation in texture like an errant rough patch. This process also improves the S.R. Smith Typhoon ‘s sanitation and cleanup which is especially important for pool slides.

A Substantial Slide

By far one of the nicest things about the S.R. Smith Typhoon is that it can be used for a wide variety of sliders and can even support many adults. One of the biggest reasons for this is the S.R. Smith Typhoon’s maximum weight capacity which is the best on our list at 275 pounds likely due to the rotomolded manufacturing process. On top of that, the S.R. Smith Typhoon is also the tallest pool slide that we reviewed which will provide adults a more comfortable perch, as well as help, generate faster sliding speeds. Finally, the S.R. Smith Typhoon features a fairly long flume at 9’10”, though it is not even second best in this respect.

Pros
  • Is the tallest pool slide reviewed
  • Has a 9’10” flume
  • Is salt pool friendly
  • Uses rotomolded manufacturing
  • Has a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds
  • Has a fully enclosed ladder
  • Handrails are molded in
  • Can support a water system
  • Made of polyethylene
Cons
  • Is the most expensive pool slide reviewed

2. S.R. Smith Cyclone – Best Pool Slide for Kids

S.R. Smith Cyclone reviewFor as long as they have been around, S.R. Smith should know how to produce a great pool slide that carefully balances features that you want with a price that you can bear. This can be a bit difficult depending on the market, but for pool slides, S.R. Smith has this down to a near-science and is able to put forth our best all-around value pool slide. That said, it should be understood that this pool slide like many other more moderately priced pool slides is meant for younger users and is actually our best pool slide for kids.

Best for Kids

When you are looking for a pool slide for children, there are generally a few differences that you want to see which might otherwise be considered flaws in other contexts. For instance, any pool slide for kids should be much smaller than you would otherwise prefer for a pool slide meant to be used by adults. This is because the larger the slide is the more likely a child is to hurt themselves regardless the protective features provided. Thankfully, the S.R. Smith Cyclone is one of the few pool slides that we reviewed which is appropriately sized for young children. On top of that, this slide features a ladder and handrail system that are molded from the pool slide’s body to provide even more security.

Provides a Great Value

Whenever you look for a reasonably priced product, you expect there to be some downsides, but you just need to make sure they are not dealbreakers. That said, the S.R. Smith Cyclone is arguably one of the few budget products that we saw which does not have any true flaws beyond the potential difficulty in assembling it. However, beyond the difficulty with assembly, the only other potential issue could be size though that is only an issue if you try to use it outside of the manufacturer’s intention. That said, this pool slide will actually provide value for children of all ages as the polyethylene body sports a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds.

Pros
  • Is 4’1” tall
  • Has a 6’10” flume
  • Is salt pool friendly
  • Uses rotomolded manufacturing
  • Has a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds
  • Has a fully enclosed ladder
  • Handrails are molded in
  • Can support a water system
  • Made of polyethylene
Cons
  • Difficult to assemble
  • A smaller pool slide

3. Intex Kool Splash – Best Inflatable Pool Slide

Intex Kool Splash reviewIntex is an interesting company on our list for a couple of reasons, but by far the most noteworthy is the fact that Intex does not specialize in pool slides or even products associated with pools more broadly. Instead, this company focuses on inflatable products which can include pool slides but also includes a wide variety of other products like inflatable seating, toys, and even sporting gear. That said, this is actually a surprisingly experienced company, considering its market, and was founded over 75 years ago which means that the company at least understands inflatable products if not necessarily pool slides.

Is an Inflatable Pool Slide

By far one of the best qualities of the Intex Kool Splash is the fact that it is an inflatable pool slide the only one on our list. While this will inherently come with some drawbacks, being an inflatable pool slide allows the Intex Kool Splash to be set up or broken down as needed, so you do not have to worry about it occupying so much space when not in use. Another great thing about the Intex Kool Splash is that it comes with its own electric air pump that features a number of attachments which can be used for a wide variety of inflatable products not just pool slides and not even just Intex products.

A Mixed Bag

Intex Kool SplashAs alluded to prior, the Intex Kool Splash does come with some distinct drawbacks, and the worst flaw of this pool slide by far has to be its durability. First, the Intex Kool Splash is made of 20 gauge vinyl which, while a decent thickness of vinyl, is the least durable material on our list. In fact, virtually every complaint or bad review about the Intex Kool Splash focused on the fact that the seams of this pool slide have a tendency to come undone which essentially ruins the pool slide. On top of that, Intex is notoriously difficult to deal with when their products fail even if it is still within a warranty period making your chances for redress just as bad as the durability.

Pros
  • Is an inflatable pool slide
  • Includes Intex Quick Fill 120 Volt Pump
  • Has embedded stairs
  • Provides plastic handholds
  • Can supports a water system
  • Has a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds
  • Made of 20 ga vinyl
  • Is 4’10” tall
  • Has a 10’11” flume
Cons
  • The least durable pool slide reviewed
  • Poor customer service

4. Inter-Fab Wild Ride – Editor’s Choice Best Pool Slide

Inter-Fab Wild Ride reviewIt is actually a bit surprising, but the pool slide which is rated as our Editor’s Choice best pool slide also comes from the youngest company on our list. That said, it is worth keeping in mind that the youngest company we reviewed is still 25 years old, so it is not as if they do not have enough experience to know what it takes to make a great pool slide.

That said, the Inter-Fab Wild Ride is able to impress along a number of different metrics and though it is not the best in all categories, it is at least the best or second best in the most relevant ones.

Great All-Around Size

While the size of a pool slide may not always be the end-all, be-all of considerations, it should still present as one of the more important qualities when selecting a pool slide as it will often impact who the pool slide is designed to be used by. With the Inter-Fab Wild Ride, you can rest assured that this pool slide is actually one of the largest that the reviewed and actually features the best all-around size. For instance, though not the tallest, the Inter-Fab Wild Ride is the second tallest pool slide we reviewed at 6’5” but also provides the longest flume on our list at 11”. When you combine the size of the slide with the fact that is also has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds, this pool slide can even be used by adults.

Top Quality Materials

While the size of the Inter-Fab Wild Ride is great, the fact of the matter is that a pool slide large enough to be used by adults will also need to be much stabler than the other pool slides. In this instance, the stability of the pool slide will have a little to do with its manufacturing and installation process, but it will have far more to do with the materials used in the pool slide’s construction. For the Inter-Fab Wild Ride, this is a huge benefit as this the only pool slide that we reviewed which features an acrylic body and a steel frame. While the steel frame is incredibly durable, the acrylic body is the strongest type of plastic commonly used for pool slides.

Pros
  • Has the longest pool slide flume reviewed
  • Is 6’5” tall
  • Has a fully enclosed staircase
  • Provides solid handrails
  • Has high flow Zoom Flume
  • Slide made of acrylic
  • Hardware made of steel
  • Has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds
  • Can support a water system
Cons
  • Is a more expensive pool slide
  • Water hookup is extra

5. Inter-Fab Zoomerang – Best Price Budget Pool Slide

Inter-Fab Zoomerang reviewConsidering it already captured the top spot on our list as the best, it only makes sense that Inter-Fab, a company which specializes in manufacturing pool accessories would also make it a point to capture other niche markets within the pool slide category. To that end, while the Editor’s Choice best pool slide needs to be usable by most people, niche products do not. To that end, Inter-Fab has made it a point to cater to a group most likely to use their products in the first place: children. Thankfully, this also means that Inter-Fab must price this pool slide accordingly and as such also makes the best price budget pool slide that we reviewed too.

Provides an Excellent Value

Despite the fact that tInter-Fab Zoomeranghis the least expensive pool slide that we reviewed, it features most of the best features that you would expect to find on a pool slide much more expensive. For instance, the Inter-Fab Zoomerang comes with Inter-Fab’s Zoom Flume feature which allows you turn the Inter-Fab Zoomerang into a pool water slide to ensure that the sliders do not get stuck when going down the slide.
On top of that, this pool slide features a surprisingly lung flume of 9’5” considering that it is actually the shortest pool slide we reviewed at only 3’. Finally, this pool slide uses the same attention to design that other Inter-Fab pool slides do an come with a curved and banked body that is extra deep to provide even better contact when sliding.

Is Well Constructed

Beyond the actual manufacturing process, the Inter-Fab Zoomerang also features just an all-around well-constructed build. For instance, the Inter-Fab Zoomerang features a body that is made out of acrylic and a ladder with handrails made of steel. While the steel materials may be a bit prone to rusting, there is no getting around the fact that it is also the most durable materials that we saw used. On the other hand, the acrylic body features the strongest plastic used for pool slides and is reinforced by a steel frame which allows the Inter-Fab Zoomerang to support a maximum weight capacity of up to 200 pounds.

Pros
  • A less expensive pool slide
  • Is 3’ tall
  • The ladder has safety treads
  • Has high flow Zoom Flume
  • Has a maximum weight capacity of 200 pounds
  • Provides top handrails
  • Made of acrylic and fiberglass
  • Can support a water system
  • Has a 9’5” flume
Cons
  • The ladder is not enclosed
  • Metal ladder and handrails will rust

Best Pool Slides – Buyer’s Guide

Most Common Materials

Vinyl – This is by far the least durable material on our list and is generally not used for permanent pool slides due to the fact that it cannot without the stress of the environment for too terribly long.

Vinyl does present some nice advantages like being easily cleaned after use and inherently resistant to stains or other types of ingrained contamination. On top of that, vinyl is reasonably light and is incredibly flexible when used for pool slides making it easy to fold up and put away when not in use.

Polyethylene – Polyethylene is not exactly a weak material, but it is definitely one of the weaker ones used for the manufacturing of pool slides. You should worry too much about this material’s durability unless the slide is intended to be used by adults and this material composition extends to the pool slide’s ladder as well. As a material, polyethylene is one of the many plastics used and confers most of the general benefits of plastic while also being exceptionally resistant to chemicals.

Acrylic – This is generally seen as one of the best materials to use for a pool slide precisely because of how durable it is. While it is technically a thermoplastic like many of the other materials pool slides are made of, acrylic plastic is distinctly more durable than the other plastics though it is also often much heavier than many of the other types of plastic too. One thing to consider is that acrylic is also more prone to sun bleaching and other UV radiation damage than polyethylene is though acrylic is still better than vinyl in this regard.

Steel – Though it makes a great deal of sense when you simply stop to think about it, but steel is alternatively, asimultaneously one of the best and one of the materials to use for a pool slide as well as one of the worst materials to use. It is interesting to note that this marks a sharp departure from the material considerations when compared to many other products where you would commonly find the use of steel. The reasons for not using steel are still few, though they can quite easily be large enough reasons to avoid it.

Maximum Weight Capacity

This quality will definitely matter more or less depending on who intends to use the pool slide as virtually every pool slide that we reviewed ostensibly has a maximum weight capacity high enough to support the weight of many adults with some of the pool slides on our list providing a maximum weight capacity that is enough to support not just an adult but a fairly large adult at that. That said, it is important to note that the maximum weight capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight the pool slide can support when someone is actually sliding down it.

However, all of the pool slides we reviewed and a large number of the options on the market feature some form of ladder or staircase to facilitate the slider climbing to the top of the pool slide. While this is convenient and helps ensure that the sliders can make it to the top of the pool slide safely, this is also not a part of the slide that the maximum weight capacity is meant to cover.

As such, an adult may very well be able to slide down a given pool slide, but it is quite possible that they may be too heavy to use the stairs without eventually breaking them which would present a serious risk for the adult in question at the moment and for anyone using the pool slide thereafter.

Water System for Pool Slides

While this may seem like a bit of an extra feature, this is actually one of the more meaningful features. This is because most pool slides are made of some kind of plastic which does not generally have a fairly smooth texture and is noted for catching wet fabric and skin. As such, one of the easiest and most common solutions to this problem is to include some form of water system with their pool slide to act as a lubricant.

Not all water systems are made equally, and a great deal of the water system’s effectiveness will ultimately be determined by how much water the water system can push too little and it will not work as desired, often leaving dry spots to catch downward sliders.

Conclusion

As we can see, with so many different setting and potential sliders, there is a good chance that a single pool slide will simply not be able to satisfy all people equally. Instead, it is a better idea to figure out what qualities are the most important to you and identify a pool slide that provides the best version of those features while also minimizing its flaws or simply having flaws you can live with.

If you are looking for the best pool slide that we reviewed, then we recommend our Editor’s Choice pool slide: the Inter-Fab Wild Ride. While this is not the tallest one on our list, it is nearly so and has the longest flume. On top of that, the Inter-Fab Wild Ride is also made of acrylic and steel which are the most durable materials used on our list and has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.

Of course, you may not necessarily have a need for one of the biggest and most durable pool slides available especially if you only expect children to use the slide and can save a pretty penny bargain hunting while still finding a great product. To that end, we recommend the S.R. Smith Cyclone. While it is significantly smaller than many of the other pool slides on our list, is still well made and provides additional safety measures to protect the sliders.

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About the Author

Amanda ColemanAmanda Coleman is a mother of two great kids and founder of GiftedKiddie.com.

She has a first-hand experience in keeping babies clean, healthy and very happy. And she is glad to share that experience with our readers!

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