Let’s say you want to warm up your pool without messing around with a giant solar cover. Enter: solar rings for your pool — smaller, flexible discs that float on the surface and soak up the sun’s rays like little heat-absorbing lily pads.
These things aren’t just quirky-looking pool toys. They help heat your water, reduce evaporation, and minimize chemical loss — all while being super easy to store when you’re done.
Yep, they do. Solar rings capture the sun’s energy during the day and help trap it in overnight. Are they as powerful as a full solar cover? Not quite. But they’re a great, more manageable alternative — especially if you hate folding big sheets of plastic.
The key? Coverage. The more rings you’ve got floating, the better your heat retention will be.
Great question — and the answer depends on your pool’s size, shape, and the brand of solar rings you’re using. Here’s a good rule of thumb: aim to cover 70–80% of your pool’s surface area for decent results.
But let’s get specific. Here’s how many we recommend for two of our most popular options:
Noair Heat Squares are 20-inch floating solar heating pads that work with all types of pools (and even spas). They don’t require anchors, inflating, or any of the usual fuss — just drop ’em in and let the sun do the work.
Helps heat and maintain pool temps
Cuts down on evaporation
“No Lift Lip” keeps it from blowing away
Easy to store (just fold and stash!)
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Pool Size (feet)
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Minimum Required
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12 x 24 Oval
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8
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14 x 28 Oval
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10
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15 x 30 Oval
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12
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16 x 32 Oval
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14
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18 x 36 Oval
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16
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20 x 40 Oval
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20
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15 Round
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4
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18 Round
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6
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24 Round
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12
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These guys are a bit different — made of two layers of UV-resistant vinyl. The top layer directs sunlight into the blue bottom layer, where it’s absorbed and turned into heat. Around 50% of the sunlight gets converted, and the rest continues into your pool water. It’s like a tanning bed for your pool.
If you’re using Solar Sun Rings™, just know that they don’t always cover 100% of your surface. So if you want to hold onto heat overnight, pair them with a solar blanket.
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Solar Sun Ring Chart (Estimate for 70%-80% Coverage)
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Rectangular Pools
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Number of Rings
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Round Pools
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Number of Rings
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Oval Pools
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Number of Rings
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12' x 20'
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8
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12'
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4
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12' x 20'
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6
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12' x 24'
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8
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15'
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5
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12' x 24'
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6
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12' x 20'
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8
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12'
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4
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12' x 20'
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6
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12' x 24'
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8
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15'
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5
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12' x 24'
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6
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12' x 20'
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8
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12'
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4
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12' x 20'
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6
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12' x 24'
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8
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15'
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5
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12' x 24'
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6
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12' x 20'
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8
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12'
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4
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12' x 20'
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6
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12' x 24'
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8
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15'
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5
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12' x 24'
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6
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12' x 20'
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8
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12'
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4
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12' x 20'
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6
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16' x 24'
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12
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18'
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7
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15' x 30'
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12
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16' x 32'
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16
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21'
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12
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16' x 32'
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12
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16' x 36'
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20
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24'
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14
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18' x 28'
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12
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18' x 36'
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20
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27'
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20
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18' x 33'
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14
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18' x 38'
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20
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28'
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22
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18' x 36'
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16
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18' x 40'
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22
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30'
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26
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18' x 403'
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18
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20' x 40'
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30
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33'
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30
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20' x 40'
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20
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20' x 45'
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34
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21' x 41'
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20
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20' x 50'
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38
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25' x 45'
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44
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30' x 50'
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58
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30' x 60'
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70
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Q: How many solar rings do I need for my pool?
A: It depends on your pool’s size and the brand of rings. We’ve got full charts above, but aim to cover at least 70–80% of your surface.
Q: Do solar rings work to heat a pool?
A: Yes! They help retain and boost heat during the day, especially if you get good coverage.
Q: Can I use solar rings instead of a solar cover?
A: You can. They’re more convenient and easier to handle, but won’t hold quite as much heat overnight as a full solar blanket.
Q: Will solar rings stay in place?
A: Most do, especially models with anti-wind features like Noair’s "No Lift Lip." Still, a pool with high wind exposure might need extras like a blanket or anchors.
Q: Are solar rings safe for all pools?
A: Yes! Most are compatible with above ground and inground pools — even spas.
Q: Do solar rings need inflation?
A: Not all. Some, like the Noair Heat Squares, don’t require any inflation at all.
Want to give solar rings a try?
Shop Noair® Heat Squares or Browse Solar Sun Rings™ on PoolSupplies.com and find the perfect fit for your pool.
Stay warm out there. ☀️💦
