Intex Ultra XTR 26355EH 18 ft x 9 ft

In this Intex Ultra XTR 26355EH 18 ft x 9 ft review, the short answer is yes for narrow yards: this pool holds 4,545 gallons in an 18 ft x 9 ft x 52 in rectangle and ranks third of nine in our 2026 above ground pool guide. It carries 3,961 Amazon ratings at 4.3 stars and sells for $1,019.96. The set arrives with a 1,500 GPH Krystal Clear sand filter pump, a ladder, a ground cloth and a cover, plus a 2 year manufacturer warranty. It fits best in long, slim side yards and for families of three to five. The full set weighs 274 pounds, so plan delivery day and a level spot ahead of time.

Specs explain the day-to-day experience, and they favor low maintenance. The 3-ply liner combines high strength polyester mesh with an extra thick PVC layer, so tears are rare season after season. Meanwhile, the galvanized steel frame gets an inner and outer powder coating, and the high strength T-joints include a UV inhibitor, which means rust and sun damage have a hard time taking hold. Assembly runs through the Easy Lock System: metal pieces snap together with no locking pins and no tools. In practice, the 1,500 GPH Krystal Clear sand filter pump handles filtration, and the sand lasts up to five years with regular backwashing, so you skip cartridge replacements. Water sits just below four feet deep behind the 52 inch walls.

Value depends on your yard shape, not on gallons per dollar. At $1,019.96, this rectangle holds 4,545 gallons, roughly 57% of the water in the larger 24 ft x 12 ft Bestway Power Steel set that costs about $90 less. Even so, that bigger pool needs open space, and a narrow side yard simply cannot host it. On top of that, the included pump, ladder, cover and ground cloth mean fewer add-on purchases, and the sand filter trims years of cartridge costs. By contrast, round pools win on raw capacity for the money. Buy the Intex Ultra XTR 26355EH if your yard is long and slim and you want the most proven rectangle in this guide.