This semi inground pool buyers guide compares the two best models, and the only pools we think are worth a look. The Fox Ultimate, and the Aquasport 52. You can look at all the reviews online, nobody ever complained that one of these pools failed or was weak. I go to the Pool and Spa Shows every year, if something better comes along, I will sell it!
If you’re the DIY type and want to know exactly how to bury one of these pools yourself — including real costs, what you can handle vs. what to hire out, and step-by-step process — read our complete DIY Inground Above Ground Pool Guide.
Compared to Traditional Inground Pools:
- Cost-Effective and Quicker Installation: A significant advantage is their lower cost and faster installation time.
- Reduced Excavation Concerns: You can install semi-inground pools at a shallower depth, minimizing concerns about hitting rock formations or the water table during excavation.
- Reduced Debris: Leaving the pool a foot or two above ground can help prevent leaves and other debris from blowing into the water.
- Better Design: The old inground pool paradigm is a rectangle pool with a shallow end and a slope to a deep end. But here’s what most people realize too late. The shallow end has only 3 feet of water, and the deep end is over your head. So, your standing in water up to your thighs, or you have to tread water. Don’t get me started on the dangers of the slope! Kids that cant swim can find themselves in water over their head real fast! Semi-inground pools are flat bottom with 4 feet-ish of water. Which pool do you want to play volleyball in???
Compared to Above-Ground Pools:
- Adaptability for Sloping Yards: Semi-inground pools eliminate the need for retaining walls in sloping yards, as they can be installed to accommodate the natural grade.
- Improved Aesthetics and Durability: They offer a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and boast a longer lifespan due to the use of higher-quality materials, which also contributes to better resale value.
- Privacy & Safety: As a pool expert with over 30 years of experience this is what I hear the most: “I don’t want to be on stage for my neighbors”. Above-ground pools are four feet four inches tall, which, can make you feel a bit exposed if you build a deck. If you don’t build a deck you have to clime up a four foot plastic ladder to get in and out of the pool.
Semi-Inground Pool Package Cost
This is going to be subject to change soon as these are 2025 prices and it is November. I have yet to recieve 2026 prices. However, you can expect prices to stay within 10%. Click this link for a full Semi-Inground pool cost picture with installation, and what nobody tells you about.
Here are a few of the popular sizes available from both manufacturers. You can see the pool cost and the liner spread cost at the bottom of the table. The Fox Ultimate comes with an inground skimmer on any size, the Aquasport 52 would cost an extra $279.00.
Not included in the comparison chart below are the costs of; Pump, Filter, Stairs, and Shipping. There are to many types, sizes and options to compare them all now, I have other pages with more details about accessories.
| Size | Aquasport 52 | Fox Ultimate |
| 21 Round | $6,860.00 | $9,689.00 |
| 24 Round | $8,061.00 | $10,668.00 |
| 28 Round | Not Available | $12,273.00 |
| 15×30 | $9,920.00 | $13,531.00 |
| 17×32 | $10,429.00 | $14,307.00 |
| Liner Cost | $600-$800 (Included in above prices) Upgrade to 20/20 mil for $800 or to 27/27 mil for $1500 | $1600-$2400 (20/20 mil Included in above prices) Upgrade to 27/27 for $700 |
| Features | Aquasport 52 | Fox Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Salt System | Voids Warranty | Doesn’t Void Warranty |
| 8-foot In-wall step like inground | Not an option | Yes $3400 “optional” (see next line) |
| Drop-in step – like above ground | Yes – Recommend King Step by Merlin Industries (cost $725) | Yes – Recommend King Step by Merlin Industries (cost $725) |
| Wall type | 4 inch extruded aluminum panels | 14 Gauge Powder Coated Steel panels in 2′, 4′, 6′, and 8 foot lengths |
| Coping | Aluminum Top plate like above ground pool – Coping can be added | 3-Options Available Trex wood top plate, or 4 inch coping for pouring cement, or just bead receiver for doing stone pavers |
| Heater | Can be added | Can be added |
| Round Sizes | 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 | 15, 18, 21, 24, 28 |
| Oval Sizes | 10×15, 10×18, 10×22, 12×18, 12×20, 12×24, 15×24, 15×30, 17×32 | 15×24, 15×30, 17×32 |
| Rectangle Sizes | Not Available | 12×24, 14×30, 16×32, 18×36, 20×40 |
| Grecian Sizes | Not Available | 12×24, 14×30, 16×32, 18×36, 20×40 |
Semi-Inground Pool Installation Cost
Aquasport 52
Rough numbers for those just looking for rough numbers. Excavation, Installation, Plumbing and set up, for the Aquasport 52, but not including; water, permits, electrical service, patio, fencing, backfill, trucking away excavated material, or landscaping, you’re looking at a range of $5,300.00 – $10,900.00 depending on size. The highest price would be for the oval 17×32 with a vermiculite hard bottom.
Fox Ultimate
To excavate, install, plumb, and set up the Fox Ultimate, your looking at $8800.00 – $20,000.00. of course the 20k would be for the 20×40 with a vermiculite hard bottom. Add another $1500.00 for labor if you want the 8 foot In-wall step installed as well. That’s Just $35,500.00 for a massive 20×40 foot rectangle swimming pool.
Frequently asked Questions
Can I install a semi-inground pool in a slope or uneven yard?
Yes, that’s is a great benefit, You can save the cost of a retaining wall and fill to level the area, and invest it into a stronger pool. Plus, you can make the top part of the pool near the house like an inground pool without the inground pool cost.
What kind of backfill do you use for a semi-inground pool?
Most people wrap the wall in a thick plastic and backfill with 3/8 or 3/4 crushed stone. You can use whatever you want, but if you plan to build a patio with cement or paver stones you cant use what you excavated as it will settle. I use 3/8 pointy crushed stone for backfill on inground pools, fiberglass pools, all pools.
Can a semi-inground pool be transformed into an inground pool.
Yes, as long as you have an inground type skimmer and return. When a pool liner gets replaced on an above ground pool, you have to remove the skimmer and return wall plumbing. With inground pools you don’t have to, you just remove the faceplates. that’s why you can bury inground skimmers.
Can you bury a cheap rolled wall pool?
Of course you can (I wouldn’t), Doughboy pools has been doing it for years, here the catch, you have to backfill with a cement slurry once the pool is filled with water, so the wall doesn’t cave in down the road, plus it adds thousands of dollars to the project. Do you really want to do 5-20k patio and landscaping around a pool wall that cheap? Nowadays it’s tough if not impossible to even get a permit for that type of install.
Why don’t you sell or Mention the Radiant or Optimum pools?
You need to read my Radiant reviews and see the pictures and videos I took, This is not opinion, it’s first hand experience. Plus I would never insulate the walls of a house with no roof.
Why does the Fox Ultimate cost so much more to install?
It takes a lot more labor, but also because the Fox Ultimate requires a cement collar be poured around the entire bottom of the pool wall. A cement collar is required for all inground and semi-inground pools EXCEPT the Aquasport 52, and that cement cost about 2k.
Do you have any pictures or images of these pools?
Yes! We have included gallery’s at the bottom of the brochure pages: Aquasport 52 | Fox Ultimate. All of these images are from our builds or that of our DIY customers.
How much does it cost to bury a semi-inground pool yourself?
For a DIY installation with hired excavation, you’re looking at $15,000–$25,000 total depending on size, patio work, and equipment choices. I broke down every line item in our DIY Inground Above Ground Pool cost guide.