The 7 Best Pool Slides
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in February of 2019. While swimming pools are incredible fun for kids of all ages, adding a slide into the mix can up the entertainment factor considerably. These options are perfect for installing in your backyard, as they're durable, sturdy and, best of all, thrilling. Of course, they can give children all sorts of new ways to injure themselves, so keep a watchful eye out and put a quick stop to any horseplay. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Slidewhizzer Freestanding
2. Wow Sports 2 Lane
3. Snow Shop Kool Jumper
Editor's Notes
September 24, 2020:
Despite removing the Inter-Fab Wild Ride and Platsports Wavy due to availability issues, we managed to expand considerably on our rankings during this round of updates. Some of our new additions this time around include the Banzai Adventure Park — an inflatable option with a built-in splash area, suitable for young kids who’ve just outgrown their baby pools; the Wow Sports 2 Lane — which includes several provisions to make it just as fun out on the lake as it is next to your in-ground pool (or your above-ground pool that’s surrounded by a deck); and the Slidewhizzer Freestanding — which is 10 feet long, and can be just as much fun in a basement playroom or next to a backyard swing set, when pool season’s out.
A few things to think about for this category:
Capacity: Before you go out issuing all the invitations to your pool party, it’s important to note that many of these slides are intended strictly for small children, and few can support large adults. One exception is the S.R. Smith HeliX2, which can support up to 250 pounds. Other models – like the S.R. Smith Cyclone and Snow Shop Kool Jumper, which can both support around 175 pounds – may be suitable for some adults, but restraint is seriously suggested for users who weigh more. Before you finalize your purchase decision, make sure that you confirm the slide in question’s weight capacity, and ensure that it exceeds the body weight of your likely-largest slider.
Durability: Lengthy guarantees are hard to come by in this category – the three-year warranty on the S.R. Smith HeliX2 and S.R. Smith Cyclone seems to be about as good as it gets – so you’ll want to do your best to select an option that’s going to last on merits of quality. If longevity is what you’re looking for, we suggest going with a rigid model like the Slidewhizzer Freestanding or S.R. Smith Cyclone. But, if you are going to go with an inflatable model, consider one made with durable materials. The Snow Shop Kool Jumper, for example, is made with 20-gauge vinyl that’s considerably thicker, and therefore likely to last much longer, than the 14-gauge stuff that was used on the Poolmaster Aqua Launch 86233.
Poolless Applications: While all the slides on this page should, by definition, make a fitting addition to many pools, there are some options that are also suitable for other applications. The rigid Slidewhizzer Freestanding is a colorful option that might make a welcome addition to poolless play structures, and the Wow Sports 2 Lane has grommets for tying off, so users with vacation cabins can take it right out on the lake. In a sense, the Banzai Adventure Park presents a practical, poolless option for toddlers, as it’s integrated splash area makes it just as fun at locations where pools are not.
March 14, 2019:
While it may look simple, the Inter-Fab Wild Ride garnered the top spot because this is one area where simplicity is preferred. It's long enough for children to build up some serious momentum before hitting the water, yet installing it doesn't require an advanced engineering degree. Of course, if you don't want to do any installation work at all, you can always use the Intex Inflatable Play Center, but just know that it's not going to last for years like the other models on the list (and probably won't do much for your home's resale value, either).
4. S.R. Smith HeliX2
5. S.R. Smith Cyclone
6. Poolmaster Aqua Launch 86233
7. Banzai Adventure Park
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.