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A first class pair of above ground pool steps are not just a “nice to have” they are an essential.

Entering and exiting your above ground pool safely has an even higher safety priority than pool hygiene. A slip, trip or fall from any height is dangerous, but given that some of the larger above ground pools can be over 50 inches high, a fall could be life changing.

Owning an above ground pool is brilliant, but getting in and out of it is sometimes, well, not quite so great !!

Of course an above ground swimming pool is for family, friends, and everybody to enjoy.  Everybody means all ages, weights and physical abilities.

Not everyone is comfortable scaling a ladder to enjoy the pleasure of the pool, in fact some folk simply can’t do it.

That’s where a sensible set of above ground pool steps are essential. Step or stair upgrades are really a “must have” safety upgrade.

ABOVE GROUND POOL STEPS FEATURED

We have categorised the best above ground pool “A frame” steps, and stairs separately.

ABOVE GROUND POOL STEP REVIEWS

Confer Above Ground Pool Steps

Confer Plastics Best above ground pool
  • BUILD: This above ground pool step ladder is manufactured using a blow moulding process to create a strong, durable and easy to maintain access point to your pool.
  • MAXIMUM WEIGHT:  Confer have given a substantial 300 lb maximum weight rating to this set of pool steps.
  • MAXIMUM HEIGHT:  Suitable for pools with up to 56 inch sides.
  • TREAD DIMENSIONS:  5 inches x 18 inches.
  • QUALITY: Made from thick, heavy duty, chemical resistant vinyl. The sturdy Confer pool steps provide a comfortingly stable and safe pool entry point.  ( These steps should be attached to the top pool frame for best and safest results) 
  • A FRAME: Incorporates a brilliant lockable security roller guard system that covers the access stairs to the pool rendering them unusable. 
  • SAFETY: Features include an integrated anti-entanglement curtain is incorporated into the poolside steps.
  • TOOLS: Required for assembly. Rubber hammer, drill and screwdriver.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • Easy assembly. Even “non handy” owners were able to accomplish the build in around 45 minutes.
  • The wide steps are great for larger folks to access the pool. A real “grown up ladder”, unlike the type often supplied by pool manufacturers.
  • Security roller a great family safety feature. It’s simple unobtrusive and effective.
  • Tread width is sufficient not to hurt soles of the feet when climbing in or out the pool.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Screw holes are not predrilled so the build process is not entirely tool free.
  • Some owners found they needed to secure the steps to the pool as even when they were partially filled with water they were still a little unsteady.

Blue Wave Neptune Above Ground Pool Steps

Blue Wave NE115 Best pool steps
  • BUILD: Made from a long lasting, durable, maintenance-free U.V.-protected resin.  Stainless steel fittings and hardware means years of trouble free access to your pool..
  • MAXIMUM WEIGHT:  Blue Wave have given a 300 lb maximum weight rating to these steps.
  • MAXIMUM HEIGHT:  Adjustable to fit above ground pool walls from 48 inch up to 56 inches..
  • TREAD DIMENSIONS:  Features 7 1/2 inches x 20 inch wide non-skid treads.
  • CHILD FRIENDLY: The double extended handrails helps even smaller children get in the pool with ease. All treads and the platform are non slip
  • DESIGN: Architecture and the manufacturing material means that these above ground pool steps can take the weight of a 300 lbs swimmer.
  • SECURITY: Access to the steps is provided by a built in self closing gate system.
  • STAIR TREADS: Made non-skid and their generous proportions adds to the feeling of security when entering or exiting the pool.
  • SIDE CURTAINS: Slotted to ensure no dead spots in the pool circulation, they also act as an effective anti entanglement barrier for swimmers and children.
  • WARRANTY: 5 Years.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • Super secure, the security door is self closing. Most users liked this feature, after all that’s one of the main reasons to buy the steps.
  • Wide steps and treads are great for easy access for all ages and sizes.
  • Adjustable platform height a very useful feature.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Curiously some owners were not happy with the self closing gate as it became somewhat of a hinderance to the pool access.
  • The steep angle of the steps while minimising amount of pool real estate used up by the steps was a negative point for some users.

Vinyl Works Slide-Lock Pool Steps

  • ADJUSTABLE: Can fit any above ground pool walls from 48 to 56 inches.
  • WEIGHT:  Rated up to 300 lb.
  • TREADS & PLATFORM:  Four steps in and out measuring 17.25in x 3.5in deep. Platform has an anti-skid surface, perimeter measures 18.5in wide x 11.5in deep
  • SAFETY: Removable outside staircase with molded steps
  • SECURITY: Anti swim through barrier.
  • ASSEMBLY: Easy snap lock system.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • An affordable upgrade when compared to the stock above ground pool steps supplied by most manufacturers.
  • Buyers were very happy with the price / quality ratio. A well made budget pair of above ground pool steps, built to a good standard.
  • Sliding safety feature to secure the exterior steps from child access works is simple and effective.
  • Easy build with excellent instructions provided with the kit.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Not super child friendly as the hand rails do not extend very far down the step sides.
  • The hand rails are a little flimsy and wobbly towards the top of the climb in or out.

Splash De-Lux Above Ground Pool Steps

Splash Pools Deluxe steps for above ground pool
  • POOL LINER HEIGHT: Fits above ground pool walls from 48 to 56 inches.
  • WEIGHT:  Rated only up to 220 lbs.
  • SECURITY:  Security could not be simpler with these above ground pool steps as the land side part of the A frame can be removed to render the pool unaccessible to small children.
  • BUDGET: Cheaper set of steps for above ground pool access but Vinyl Works, the manufacturer have still managed to produce a product with a quality and durable finish.
  • SLIDE-LOCK SYSTEM: Entry side ladder section can slide up and be locked to form the security barrier.
  • SAFETY LAW: Compliance with a swim-through barrier curtain on the pool side of the steps.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • Manufactured in the USA.
  • The steps have an anti swim through barrier to avoid entanglement between the steps and the pool liner wall.
  • Excellent forbid access safety feature with removable ladder.
  • Easy and quick build and simple to follow instructions .

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Not as sturdy as some buyers had expected. Handrails in particular came in for criticism.
  • Some issues with parts missing from the box. Customer support could be better.

ABOVE GROUND POOL STAIR REVIEWS

The best above ground pool stairs can obviously be used by everybody, but many models are particularly suitable for larger folks as the weight rating goes up significantly when compared to the A-Frame style of pool access steps.

The architecture and overall stability of stair access to your above ground pool definitely gives users the confidence a familiar method of climbing and descending.

Even the sturdiest and most stable A-Frame ladder does not come close to the feeling of security that the stair systems offer. 

The comforting tread width and easy climb angle makes these stairs the “go to products” for seniors and larger, heavier folks.

Confer Plastics Above Ground Pool Stairs

Confer Plastics Blue white Best stairs for above ground pool
  • BUILD: Manufactured using a blow moulding process that makes this such a strong and super durable product. Easy, snap together installation makes building the pool stairs easy and fast. No special tools are required to assemble these access stairs.
  • MAXIMUM WEIGHT:  A 400 lb weight rating on these stairs tells you the quality of manufacture. Despite being super heavy duty Confer have managed to keep the styling elegant and understated.
  • MAXIMUM HEIGHT:  Suitable for use with above ground pools and pool decks up to 60 inches in height.
  • TREAD DIMENSIONS:  8 inches deep and 27 inches wide. The steps have a comfortable 10 inch rise
  • NOT SUITABLE: For inflatable or pop up pools
  • ASSEMBLY: Made easy with simple snap together system.
  • DECK MOUNTING: Brackets to secure the stairs to pool or deck are included.
  • DESIGN: Generous side openings on the stairs allow plentiful water circulation to inhibit algae growth whilst acting as an anti entrapment curtain.
  • HANDRAILS: Strong and rigid, they extend the full length of the the stairs to a comforting 38 inches above the top step.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • Build quality is considered to be excellent. These above ground pool stairs have a quality of build that you would expect from very high end products.
  • Although not endorsed by the manufacturer many owners without actual pool decking bought two sets of these stairs to allow safe access in and out of their pool.
  • The wide and deep stair treads were particularly liked by owners.
  • Easy and quick build and simple to follow instructions .

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Some owners reported  edges that were not smooth in certain areas possibly due to the moulding process.

Confer Wedding Cake Pool Stairs

Confer Curve Steps comp
  • BUILD: Moulded in super strong, chemical resistant, fade free resin. Owner can choose to have the step treads curving in or out during build process.
  • WEIGHT RATING: A 400 lb weight maximum rating on these stairs.
  • ADDITIONAL CURVE: Extra modular sections can bee added to transform the stairs in to a wedding cake entry system..
  • HEIGHT:  To top tread – In ground 36in – Above ground 47in
  • TREAD DIMENSIONS: W 27in x D 10in x 11 in.
  • WARRANTY: A comforting five years.
  • MODULAR SYSTEM:  A rounded step add on is available to these basic steps to extend underwater width of stairs.
  • BASE PADS:  They are adjustable which are useful. We definItely recommend an auxiliary protection mat below the pads to protect the pool liner in above ground pools.
  • DESIGN: Side anti entrapment curtains  still allow enough water circulation to prevent undesirable dead spots in the pool water. 

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • Owners noted the steps to be extremely solid and sturdy with no “give” when climbing them. Rock solid if fact even with heavyweights on them.
  • All resin parts clipped and tapped together fairly easily. No metals involved in the construction so no future rusting issues.
  • The ample stair treads are a particularly well noted feature.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Handrails were a little flimsy for some owners taste. Certainly not a recurring complaint though.
  • Handrails are a little low to the touch when entering the pool measuring just 30 inches high from the top step. Not such an issue on exit.

Blue Wave Pool Stairs

Blue Wave pool stairs
  • BUILD: Made from maintenance free polyethylene
  • WEIGHT RATING: A 350 lb maximum weight rating given by the manufacturer on these stairs.
  • HEIGHT DIMENSIONS:  H 81in x D 32in x W 32.5in
  • FIT: These stairs will fit above ground pools up to 54 inches deep.
  • POOL HYGIENE: Perforated step systems assists pool hygiene by eliminating dead circulation areas. 
  • TREAD DIMENSIONS: W 27in x D 10in
  • WARRANTY: Three years.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • In common with other types of pool steps these are simply built using a snap together system. Build time around an hour including a drinks break!
  • An excellent set of above ground pool steps for the money was the general feeling from most owners.
  • An excellent set of above ground pool steps for the money was the general feeling from most owners.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Build instructions could be better.
  • Using the sand method of ballast as recommended by manufacturer is unsatisfactory. Most owner choose alternative methods.

XtremepowerUS Stairs For Above Ground Pool

XtremepowerUS best stairs for above ground pool
  • ASSEMBLY: Assembled in minutes with easy snap-together design that requires minimal tools and hardware
  • POOL SIZES: Accommodates 48inch to 54inch deep pools.
  • HEIGHT DIMENSIONS:  H 74in x D 33in x W 32in
  • WEIGHT RATING:  Durable frame with large, wide steps. Able to hold up to 400 lbs.

on Amazon.com

What Owners Like

  • Brilliant quality. Fast build process.
  • Nice wide steps.
  • Sturdy handrails.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Occasional rough edges need light sanding.

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