Last updated: July 2026 • Reviewed by the YardFit Pools team
Oval and rectangular above ground pools make sense in two specific situations: your yard is long and narrow and a round pool won’t fit well, or you want a longer swimming dimension for lap-style exercise. Outside of those two cases, a round pool of the same volume is cheaper, easier to install, and structurally simpler. If you’re not sure which shape you need, the shape comparison table below will tell you.
Round vs. Oval vs. Rectangular: When Shape Actually Matters
| Shape | Best For | vs. Round: Cost | vs. Round: Setup | vs. Round: Yard Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | General family use, most yards | Baseline | Easiest | Fits square or wide yards |
| Oval | Narrow yards, longer swim dimension | +10–25% more | Harder (buttress supports) | Fits fence lines, side yards |
| Rectangular | Lap swimming, deck-adjacent installs | +20–40% more | Hardest | Fits long narrow spaces; needs more clearance at corners |
| ⚠️ Important: oval pools are harder to install on slopes Oval and rectangular pools require buttress supports on the long sides, which extend 2–4 ft beyond the pool wall. This means they need more total flat space than their nominal dimensions suggest — a 12 x 24 ft oval needs roughly 16 x 30 ft of flat ground. They are also significantly harder to level on sloped yards than round pools. If your yard slopes, a round pool is almost always the better call. See our sloped yard pool guide for round pool options that work better on uneven ground. |
Quick Picks: Best Oval & Rectangular Above Ground Pools
| Pool | Shape | Dimensions | Best For | Setup Difficulty | Liner Durability | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bestway Power Steel Oval | Oval | 12 x 20 ft / 12 x 24 ft | Narrow yards, fence lines | 4/5 | 3/5 | ★★★★☆ 3.9/5 |
| Intex Ultra XTR Oval | Oval | 13 x 20 ft / 16 x 26 ft | Lap swimming, large narrow yards | 4/5 | 4/5 | ★★★★☆ 4.1/5 |
| Intex Greywood Premium Rect. | Rectangular | 10 x 20 ft | Deck-adjacent, modern aesthetic | 4/5 | 3/5 | ★★★★☆ 3.8/5 |
| Coleman Power Steel Oval | Oval | 12 x 20 ft | Budget oval, big-box availability | 4/5 | 3/5 | ★★★☆☆ 3.5/5 |
| Bestway Steel Pro MAX Oval | Oval | 14 x 23 ft | Family use in narrow yards | 4/5 | 3/5 | ★★★★☆ 3.8/5 |
Best Oval Pool for Narrow Yards: Bestway Power Steel Oval (12 x 24ft)
The Bestway Power Steel Oval in 12 x 24ft is the strongest pick for buyers who have a long, narrow yard — a side yard, a space running along a fence line, or a garden that’s deeper than it is wide. At 12 ft wide and 24 ft long, it fits along a standard fence line while still offering a 24 ft swim length, which is genuinely useful for exercise strokes.
The setup is meaningfully harder than a round pool of the same volume (4/5 Setup-Difficulty Score) because of the buttress supports required on the long sides. Plan for a full day with two adults and note that the buttresses extend roughly 2 ft beyond the pool wall on each long side — factor that into your space planning.
| Bestway Power Steel Oval 12 x 24ft — YardFit Scores Setup-Difficulty Score: 4/5 (two adults, full day, buttress supports required) Liner-Durability Score: 3/5 (TriTech liner, solid for 2–3 seasons) Dimensions: 12 ft wide x 24 ft long Total space needed (with buttresses): approx. 16 x 30 ft flat ground Depth: 48 inches Capacity: ~7,200 gal Yard-Fit Tag: Long narrow yards, fence-line installs ➜ Read our full Bestway Power Steel Oval review ➜ Check the latest prices on Amazon |
Who it’s for: Buyers with a long, narrow yard who want more swimming length than a round pool of the same width provides.
Who should skip it: Anyone on a sloped yard or with less than 16 x 30 ft of flat space after accounting for buttresses.
Best Oval Pool for Lap Swimming: Intex Ultra XTR Oval (16 x 26ft)
If lap swimming is the primary goal, the Intex Ultra XTR Oval in 16 x 26ft is the only above ground pool in its price class that offers a swimming length approaching practical lap use. At 26 ft, you’re not swimming Olympic laps — but 2–3 stroke cycles per length is enough for genuine aerobic exercise. The 4/5 Liner-Durability Score is the highest in this shape category and justifies the higher cost over the Bestway oval.
Realistically, this pool needs about 20 x 32 ft of flat ground once buttresses are accounted for. It’s not a small install.
| Intex Ultra XTR Oval 16 x 26ft — YardFit Scores Setup-Difficulty Score: 4/5 (two adults, full day minimum; professional help recommended) Liner-Durability Score: 4/5 (three-ply liner, best in class for oval pools) Dimensions: 16 ft wide x 26 ft long Total space needed (with buttresses): approx. 20 x 32 ft flat ground Depth: 52 inches Capacity: ~14,364 gal Yard-Fit Tag: Large flat yards, lap swimming use, serious backyard setup ➜ Read our full Intex Ultra XTR review ➜ Check the latest prices on Amazon |
Who it’s for: Buyers who specifically want lap swimming distance and have the yard space and setup patience to support it.
Who should skip it: Anyone who doesn’t need lap length — an 18 or 21ft round pool gives more usable swim area per dollar.
Best Rectangular Pool: Intex Greywood Premium (10 x 20ft)
Truly rectangular above ground pools — with straight sides and 90-degree corners — are rare in the above ground market. The Intex Greywood Premium is one of the few credible options. Its wood-panel aesthetic makes it the best choice for deck-adjacent installs where appearance matters, and the 10 x 20ft footprint fits neatly alongside a deck or patio edge.
The rectangular format does mean the highest setup complexity of any pool on this page (4/5 Setup-Difficulty Score) and the most demanding ground prep: every corner must be perfectly level, not just the overall base. Budget a full weekend for the install.
| Intex Greywood Premium 10 x 20ft — YardFit Scores Setup-Difficulty Score: 4/5 (two adults, full weekend; corner leveling is critical) Liner-Durability Score: 3/5 (standard liner, wood-look frame panels) Dimensions: 10 ft wide x 20 ft long Total space needed: approx. 14 x 24 ft flat ground Depth: 48 inches Capacity: ~5,765 gal Yard-Fit Tag: Deck-adjacent installs, modern backyard aesthetic ➜ Read our full Intex Greywood Premium review ➜ Check the latest prices on Amazon |
Who it’s for: Buyers who want a pool that looks good next to a deck or patio and are willing to invest in a careful install.
Who should skip it: Anyone who wants an easy setup or doesn’t care about aesthetics — a round pool delivers more volume for less money and effort.
Budget Oval Pick: Coleman Power Steel Oval (12 x 20ft)
The Coleman Power Steel Oval is the lowest-cost entry point for an oval pool with reliable availability at big-box retailers. It’s not the most durable oval on this list (3/5 Liner-Durability Score, basic liner construction), but it’s the right call for buyers who want an oval shape without spending Intex Ultra XTR money. Setup is the same complexity as other oval pools (4/5), so don’t expect the budget price to come with an easier install.
| Coleman Power Steel Oval 12 x 20ft — YardFit Scores Setup-Difficulty Score: 4/5 Liner-Durability Score: 3/5 (basic liner — treat as 1–2 season pool) Dimensions: 12 ft wide x 20 ft long Total space needed (with buttresses): approx. 16 x 26 ft flat ground Depth: 48 inches Capacity: ~5,765 gal Yard-Fit Tag: Narrow yards, budget buyers |
Who it’s for: Budget buyers who specifically need an oval shape and don’t want to spend premium prices.
Who should skip it: Anyone who wants multi-season durability — the Bestway Power Steel Oval is worth the extra cost.
Space Planning for Oval & Rectangular Pools: What You Actually Need
The single most common mistake with oval and rectangular pool installs is not accounting for buttress supports in the space calculation. Here’s the real footprint for each major size:
| Pool Nominal Size | Shape | Actual Space Needed (with buttresses) | Buttress Extension Each Side |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 x 20 ft oval | Oval | ~16 x 26 ft | ~2 ft each long side |
| 12 x 24 ft oval | Oval | ~16 x 30 ft | ~2 ft each long side |
| 13 x 20 ft oval | Oval | ~17 x 26 ft | ~2 ft each long side |
| 16 x 26 ft oval | Oval | ~20 x 32 ft | ~2–3 ft each long side |
| 10 x 20 ft rectangular | Rectangular | ~14 x 24 ft | Corner clearance only |
| 14 x 23 ft oval | Oval | ~18 x 29 ft | ~2 ft each long side |
Always measure your available space against the actual footprint including buttresses before purchasing an oval pool. The nominal dimensions on the box do not include buttress extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an oval and rectangular above ground pool?
An oval pool has curved ends and straight long sides, similar in shape to a running track. A rectangular pool has four 90-degree corners and completely straight sides on all four edges. Oval pools are more common in the above ground market because the curved ends handle water pressure more efficiently than right-angle corners. Truly rectangular above ground pools are rare and typically more expensive.
Are oval pools harder to set up than round pools?
Yes, significantly. Oval pools require buttress supports along the long sides that extend beyond the pool wall, adding complexity to both the setup and the space requirements. Most oval pools are rated 4/5 on our Setup-Difficulty Scale vs. 2–3/5 for comparable round pools. Budget a full day with two adults minimum.
Can you use an oval pool for lap swimming?
You can swim laps in an oval pool, but it’s not the same as a lap pool. The most common oval size (12 x 20 ft) gives you about 18–19 ft of clear swimming length once you account for the curved ends — enough for 2–3 strokes per length. The Intex Ultra XTR Oval at 16 x 26 ft is the closest above ground pool to a true lap swimming experience, with around 23–24 ft of usable swim length.
Do oval pools cost more than round pools?
Yes — typically 10–25% more for an oval vs. a round pool of similar volume, due to the additional frame components and buttress hardware required. Rectangular pools cost even more, up to 40% above comparable round pool pricing.
What above ground pool shape is best for a narrow yard?
An oval pool is the best shape for a long, narrow yard or a fence-line install. The 12 x 20 ft or 12 x 24 ft oval sizes are specifically designed for spaces that are too narrow for an 18–21 ft round pool. Remember to add 2 ft on each long side for buttresses when measuring.
Are rectangular above ground pools good?
For most buyers, no — rectangular above ground pools are more expensive, harder to set up, and hold no practical advantage over round or oval pools for general family swimming. They make sense only for buyers who specifically want the deck-adjacent aesthetic (Intex Greywood) or need the precise straight-wall dimensions for a specific space.