Last updated: July 2026 • Reviewed by the YardFit Pools team
The Intex Ultra XTR wins this comparison. Its three-ply liner earns a 4/5 Liner-Durability Score vs. the Bestway Power Steel’s 3/5, and that gap is real over a multi-season ownership period. The Power Steel is not a bad pool — it’s a solid mid-range buy at a slightly lower price — but if you’re comparing these two specifically, the Ultra XTR justifies its $100–150 price premium for most buyers.
The exception: if the Power Steel is significantly discounted or you specifically need big-box retail availability, it’s a reasonable alternative. Here’s the full breakdown.
| Quick verdict Intex Ultra XTR: better liner durability (4/5 vs 3/5), more size options, stronger long-term value. Bestway Power Steel: slightly lower price, better warranty on budget models, wider in-store availability. Our pick: Intex Ultra XTR for buyers who plan to keep the pool 3+ seasons. Bestway Power Steel for buyers where price or in-store availability is the deciding factor. |
Full Spec Comparison
| Spec | Intex Ultra XTR Frame | Bestway Power Steel |
|---|---|---|
| YardFit Setup-Difficulty Score | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| YardFit Liner-Durability Score | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Liner construction | Three-ply puncture-resistant vinyl, welded seams | TriTech three-layer polyester mesh core |
| Frame material | Powder-coated steel, heavy-gauge | Powder-coated steel |
| Available shapes | Round and oval | Round and oval |
| Round size range | 18ft, 20ft, 22ft, 24ft, 26ft, 28ft, 30ft, 32ft | 10ft, 12ft, 14ft, 15ft, 16ft, 18ft |
| Depth options | 48″ and 52″ | 48″ |
| Included pump (18ft) | 1,500 GPH cartridge filter pump | 1,000–1,500 GPH cartridge filter pump |
| Ladder included? | Yes — A-frame ladder | Yes — A-frame ladder |
| Ground cloth included? | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year (Ultra XTR series) | 1 year |
| Saltwater compatible? | No — standard steel frame | No — standard steel frame |
| Typical price (18ft round) | $550–750 | $350–550 |
| Best available at | Amazon, Costco (seasonal), Intex direct | Walmart, Amazon, Target, Costco |
Liner Quality: The Deciding Factor
The single most important difference between these two pools is liner construction. The Intex Ultra XTR uses a three-ply liner — two layers of PVC laminate sandwiching a reinforcing polyester mesh core — with fully welded seams throughout. This earns it a 4/5 Liner-Durability Score on our scale.
The Bestway Power Steel uses the TriTech liner: also a three-layer construction with a polyester mesh core, but with slightly thinner outer laminate layers and seam construction that scores marginally lower on our failure-point analysis. It earns a 3/5 Liner-Durability Score.
In practice, the difference shows up in years two and three. Buyers who keep the Power Steel for two seasons typically report the liner holding up well. Buyers who push to season three or four are more likely to see seam stress at the drain fitting and bottom seam compared to the Ultra XTR at the same age.
| Liner comparison: what the scores mean in real use Intex Ultra XTR (4/5): Expect 3–5 seasons of regular family use before liner replacement is needed. Bestway Power Steel (3/5): Expect 2–3 seasons of regular use. Adequate, but a shorter window before seam stress appears. Both pools: patch kits should be kept on hand regardless. No above ground pool liner is puncture-proof. Neither pool: suitable for saltwater systems. Both use standard steel frames that corrode in salt water. |
Setup Experience: Effectively Equal
Both pools earn a 3/5 Setup-Difficulty Score at comparable sizes. The frame connector systems differ slightly — Intex uses a snap-lock system on some components, Bestway uses bolt connections throughout — but the total setup time and effort at 18ft is similar: plan a full day with two adults regardless of which pool you buy.
At smaller sizes (the Power Steel goes down to 10ft; the Ultra XTR starts at 18ft), the Power Steel’s smaller sizes are faster to set up simply because there’s less pool to assemble. If you’re comparing the 15ft Power Steel to an entry-level Intex pool, see our Intex Prism Frame vs. Bestway Power Steel comparison in the Intex vs. Bestway guide.
Size Range: Intex Has More Options
The Bestway Power Steel tops out at 18ft round. The Intex Ultra XTR starts at 18ft and goes up to 32ft. If you want a pool larger than 18ft, the Ultra XTR is the only option of these two.
The Power Steel’s range (10–18ft) covers the mid-market well and is a direct competitor at the 15–18ft overlap. Below 18ft, the Ultra XTR isn’t a relevant comparison — look at the Intex Prism Frame or Bestway Power Steel at those sizes instead.
Pump Quality: Both Undersized at 18ft
Neither pool’s included pump is adequate for the full water volume at 18ft. The Ultra XTR includes a 1,500 GPH pump for a pool holding ~7,646 gallons. To turn that volume over in 8 hours, you need at minimum 956 GPH — the included pump technically clears that threshold, but only barely, with no headroom for filter resistance or flow loss over time.
The Bestway Power Steel’s included pump at 18ft ranges from 1,000–1,500 GPH depending on the specific model year. At the lower end, it falls short of adequate turnover for the full volume.
For either pool at 18ft, budget $60–120 for a 2,000–2,500 GPH replacement pump. See our pump sizing guide for specific recommendations.
Price: Power Steel Is Cheaper, But the Gap Narrows on Sale
The Bestway Power Steel 18ft typically lists $100–200 less than the Intex Ultra XTR 18ft at standard retail pricing. During peak season sales (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, end-of-summer clearance), that gap can shrink to $50–80. If you’re shopping during a sale, check current prices before assuming the Power Steel is significantly cheaper — the Ultra XTR’s liner upgrade may be worth a smaller price difference than the standard gap.
| Price vs. liner value: the break-even math If the Ultra XTR costs $150 more than the Power Steel: Ultra XTR liner lasts ~4 seasons. Power Steel liner lasts ~2–3 seasons. A replacement liner for an 18ft pool costs $150–350. If the Power Steel needs a liner at year 3 and the Ultra XTR doesn’t until year 5, the Power Steel’s total cost of ownership is similar or higher over 5 years. Conclusion: the Ultra XTR’s price premium is recovered in reduced liner replacement frequency for most buyers. |
Warranty: Equal at the Top Tier
Both the Intex Ultra XTR and the Bestway Power Steel carry a 1-year manufacturer warranty. In practice, warranty claims for above ground pools are difficult: you need to document the failure, return a sample of the failed component, and wait several weeks for a determination. Most buyers find it faster and simpler to buy a replacement part or liner than to pursue a warranty claim. The 1-year warranty is a tie — it’s not a meaningful differentiator between these two pools.
Retail Availability: Power Steel Is Easier to Find In-Store
The Bestway Power Steel is stocked at Walmart, Target, and most regional outdoor retailers throughout pool season. The Intex Ultra XTR is primarily available online (Amazon, Intex direct) and at Costco seasonally. If you need to buy in person or want to inspect the box before purchasing, the Power Steel is the easier find. For online purchases, both are equally accessible.
Which Pool Should You Buy?
| Your situation | Buy this pool |
|---|---|
| Want the best liner for 3+ seasons of heavy use | Intex Ultra XTR |
| Buying at 18ft or larger | Intex Ultra XTR (Power Steel doesn’t go above 18ft) |
| Price is tight and Power Steel is $150+ cheaper right now | Bestway Power Steel — it’s a solid pool |
| Need to buy in a physical store today | Bestway Power Steel |
| Buying at 10–15ft | Neither — compare Intex Prism Frame vs. Bestway Power Steel at those sizes |
| Planning 5+ years of ownership | Intex Ultra XTR — the liner investment pays back |
| Want 52″ depth (vs. Power Steel’s 48″) | Intex Ultra XTR |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Intex Ultra XTR worth the extra money over the Bestway Power Steel?
For most buyers planning to keep the pool for three or more seasons: yes. The Ultra XTR’s three-ply liner is a real upgrade over the Power Steel’s TriTech construction, and the price premium ($100–200 at most sizes) is recovered in reduced liner replacement frequency over a 4–5 year ownership period. If you plan to own the pool for two seasons or less, the Power Steel is the better value.
Can I use the same pump for both pools?
Yes — both pools use standard 1.5-inch hose fittings compatible with most aftermarket above ground pool pumps. If you upgrade the pump on either pool, a 2,000–2,500 GPH pump with 1.5-inch connections will work with both the Ultra XTR and Power Steel at 18ft.
Which pool is easier to set up, Intex Ultra XTR or Bestway Power Steel?
Both score 3/5 on our Setup-Difficulty Scale at 18ft and require two adults and approximately 4–6 hours. The Intex frame connector system is marginally more intuitive in our experience, but the difference in setup time is not significant at this size. Plan a full day for either pool.
Does the Bestway Power Steel come in larger sizes than 18ft?
No — 18ft is the largest round size available in the Power Steel lineup as of 2026. For round pools above 18ft, the Intex Ultra XTR is the primary above ground pool option in this price tier.
Which pool has better resale value?
Above ground pools have limited resale value in general. If resale is a consideration, the Intex Ultra XTR’s stronger liner and higher original purchase price give it marginally better resale positioning — but both pools depreciate quickly and should be purchased for personal use, not investment value.
Can I convert either pool to saltwater?
Neither pool is designed for saltwater use — both use standard steel frames that corrode faster in salt water. If you want a saltwater system, look at the Wilbar Saltwater-Ready pool or the Doughboy Pioneer, both of which use resin or hybrid frames compatible with salt chlorination. See our saltwater vs. chlorine guide for a full comparison.