Intex 56452 Ocean Play Snapset Pool

I've had many pools in the past, all the inflatable top ring ones. I bought this one to try as it was a hot day, really cheap, and Prime offers next day Sunday delivery. I was so surprised when it arrived how great it was. The sides are really sturdy, and once you've unfolded it and started filling it up, it's a perfect pool! It's not too big or to small, keeps it's shape nicely and really does the job. And for the price, you can't really go wrong! Not only all that but once you're done with it, it folds up again quite small, so a nice space saver - and no pesky deflating needed to be done! Needless to say we shall be using this for years to come.

This type of pool is excellent - no inflation required! No punctures! But there is a downside - it can be very tricky to fill with water because without water inside it the sides just collapse inwards. Once there is 2 or 3 inches of water in it the sides are held in place by the force of the water. You just need to hold the sides up for long enough to get the water in. Here's how you can do that... Either get your family to all hold up the sides while you pump water into the pool - oh yes my 3 year old "loved" that - by the way this paddling pool is ENORMOUS and takes a long time to fill. Or... Fill up some buckets, bowls and jugs with water, place them inside the edges of the pool and that will hold up the sides! When you want to empty the pool you just fold down one side and let the water flow out. DO NOT try to lift the pool when there is any amount of water in it. That's how I broke my previous pool!

I purchased this pool last year to give my water loving dog a place to play and cool down in the hot weather. I chose this particular pool because it has rigid sides which don't need to be inflated as do most traditional paddling pools - inflatable sides and dog claws don't tend to have a good outcome.After reading some of the other reviews I was aware that it isn't very stable until filled - that is a slight understatement! As soon as you put water in it, the water comes straight back out - especially if you aren't on a perfectly level surface. It is next to impossible to fill this from the outset on your own, you need someone else to hold the edges with you until there is enough water inside to finally hold the edges more rigid. I initially tried many objects to try to hold the edges in place, including some spare bricks but nothing would keep them upright enough to contain the water. You have to reach a critical mass of water before the sides suddenly start to hold themselves up on their own and you can continue to fill it up without help.Once it is full the pool is sturdy and the sides hold up well but if you lean on them with any amount of pressure then they do bend and water will come out of the pool.The pool holds a huge amount of water - far more than many of the inflatable paddling pools.My dog spent last summer jumping in and out of this and racing round in circles when inside. It held up well and neither the base nor the sides punctured from her claws.It looks bright and fun in the garden; the colours and pattern around the outer edge of the pool are vibrant although they have faded a little from being left out in the sun for a whole season.At the end of the season it folds away fairly easily but the rigid edges mean that it takes up a bit more storage space than an inflatable pool would need.

It's taken a fair bit of abuse from a few little ones and kept ticking for 4yrs and still going! We do hide it away in a shed when not using so it hasn't become brittle in the elements I suppose but it's been out every summer several times and had a slide in it very often and lasted no problems. Great pool for the money. I would buy another one if this current one came to an end.

6ft in diameter this is not just a great pool for small children (18 month old granddaughter) but also big enough for Nanna to sit in and play too!! As we had such a lovely hot summer this year it was a real bonus to be able to get in it with her and she had a whale of a time splashing me (even when I was fully dressed and sitting beside the pool!!)Being so wide it does take a long time to fill, and I recommend filling it some time before use to allow it to warm up a bit.The picture shows it full - I only had about 4' depth in it and it was beginning to bow at the bottom so I don't know how it would cope full up.

This pool was a lot bigger than I expected it to be.Cons: It takes a huge amount of water to fill so not for those on water meters. It took a long time to fill. I used cones to hold the sides up while filling as the side just dont stay up while you are filling it even when half full so if you are trying to do it on your own forget it. Not really for putting on a hard surface like flagging unless on a softer mat. The sides bend over if you catch them getting in the pool releasing loads of water.Pro: CheapI bought this for my 2 Border Terriers. I must say once it was filled they loved it but unfortunately every time they jumped in they hit the sides which then bent over letting a load of water out. It also punctured after one day.If I was having another one I would go for the 5ft. I'd place it on a mat of some sort. For the dogs I'd put carpet in the bottom to protect it, bearing in mind my dogs do not have over long claws. Personally I do not think this size or type is suitable for dogs.I imagine if you have lively kids it wont last too long.If the sides were more stable this would be a good pool for the price but for the time it lasted in our garden it was expensive.

Arrived with a split in it & time I noticed it was out of warranty terms to return as I bought it months before I opened it to use it

The media could not be loaded. This is the best 12quid I've ever spent on my staffie girl Roxy, she loves the water when we're on walks and during the heat in the summer this is the best way for her to get her exercise doing her favourite thing without the need for walks on hot footpaths during midday sun.So sturdy and thick material she has been playing in it for 3 days now and not a mark on it. 6 stars all day long 👌👌👌