Which is the best paddling pool? With heatwaves bringing record temperatures, suddenly it has become an urgent question. A paddling pool is the best way to keep the children cool as they play in the garden. They come in every shape and size, from dinky inflatable pools for toddlers to splash around in to larger pop-up swimming pools big enough for adults. (Although, if you're thinking along those lines, an inflatable hot tub filled with cold water might be even better.) What type of inflatable pool is best?

All inflatable pools are going to require a little bit of maintenance. For starters, you’ll need an air pump to inflate it at the beginning of summer and to keep it in tip-top shape.Pop-up pools: Lightweight and easy to whip out at a moment’s notice, pop-up options are simple to assemble and store. They’re not entirely sturdy, though, and you may see water slosh over the sides when leaning against the walls. When the summer heat is really getting to you, the best option is to jump into a refreshing pool. Intex’s Swim Centre Lounge Pool is an excellent blow up pool that can be enjoyed by the kids as well as the adults. There’s a bit more to the setup process than blowing air through a valve, but once you’ve got the steel frame in place, it’s pretty easy to assemble. There’s a filter and cover included in the price, so you can make it a semi-permanent fixture in the garden for the summer season. Make the neighbours jealous with this plus-sized pool from Argos. It’s pricier than your average paddling pool, but also deep enough to properly splash around in and great for little ones looking to build confidence in the water (under supervision, of course). Inflatable swimming pool The super large inflatable swimming pool can accommodate up to 4 people. This is a family-sized inflatable swimming pool, you can sit there, it’s spacious enough. Give them this summer, a safe and hygienic private space, enjoy the dream of a private family swimming pool, enjoy the cool summer.

Location: You want to set up on level ground. Your inflatable pool should sit on a flat surface to ensure that the entire footprint is supported evenly.

While using fresh water each day is certainly the healthiest option, it isn’t exactly environmentally friendly. To conserve water, your best bet is adding a water treatment to your paddling pool once filled. This one, from Clearwater, is chlorine-free and fights all types of algae and fungi so you could feasibly reuse the same water for up to two weeks. Furniture, large play equipment, heavy items etc or items marked with **may incur an additional delivery charge to Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Offshore Islands and some parts of Scotland. Only to be used in water where the child is within its depth and under constant adult supervision. Only set up on the level ground. Adhere to the maximum water fill depth. Only fill the pool to the maximum fill height as marked on the inside of the pool. No jumping! No diving! READ NEXT: The best sun loungers to buy The best paddling pools to buy in 2023 1. Chad Valley Family Swim Centre Pool: Best family-sized paddling pool