Above Ground Pool Skimmer Review: U.S. Pool Supply
A hands-on look at the U.S. Pool Supply above ground pool skimmer, its clamp bracket, 5 adapters, and skimmer socks. Here's what actually comes in the box.
Reviewed by
Scott Ayres
Welcome to the Product Demo lab where I (Scott) demo products so you can make an educated buying decision. I keep it real, honest and laid back.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Verdict
The clamp bracket is the reason I picked this one, and it’s the part that won me over. It’s smaller than the skimmer I’ve used before, but that’s fine by me because it doesn’t eat up as much room in the pool. Five adapters mean you shouldn’t be left guessing whether it fits your setup.
Buy if you:
- Have an above ground pool with a metal frame or tubular rail
- Run a filter pump rated 800 gph or higher
- Want a skimmer that clamps tight instead of dangling loose
- Are tired of leaves sinking before your pump grabs them
Skip if you:
- Want a no-guessing install, you’ll spend time matching the right adapter to your pool
- Have a pump under 800 gph, it won’t pull enough water
- Prefer a larger basket, this one’s on the smaller side
| Material | Durable polypropylene plastic |
|---|---|
| Mounting | 2 adjustable-height brackets (clamp + tension) |
| Adapters included | 5 hose adapters |
| Min pump flow | 800 gph (3,028 L/hr) |
| Fits | Inflatable collar, tubular, most metal frame pools |
| Also includes | Connector hose, basket handle, skimmer socks, instructions |
I grabbed this one for its above-ground clamp bracket
Hey, Scott here with Product Demo Lab. The bracket on this above ground pool skimmer is different from anything I’ve used before, and that’s exactly what pulled me in. You can grab the U.S. Pool Supply Pool Skimmer on Amazon here if you want to follow along. Most skimmers just hang off the rail. This one has a slide-in top bracket that gives you a real clamp mechanism, and when I tightened it around the rail I tightened it around the rail and knew immediately it was different.
Two spots in the install will trip you up if you wing it: the tension bracket that mounts backwards if you don’t check, and the adapter selection that requires a trip to your pool before you can even start. Here’s how both actually go.
What Comes In The Box
The box is denser than it looks. You get the skimmer body, a connector hose, the clamp bracket, a tension bracket, and five hose adapters, plus the floater, skimmer socks, basket handle, and instructions. The adapter count is the whole sales pitch: one of those five is going to match your pool’s fitting, and you won’t know which until you go look.
The skimmer itself is smaller than what I’ve run before. I’m a okay with that, because it doesn’t take up as much room in the pool. You also get a floater, skimmer socks (that was a nice touch), a handle for the basket, and the instructions. Those instructions matter more than usual here because they help you figure out which parts your specific pool needs.
How The Clamp And Tension Brackets Go On
The top bracket is where the magic is. You take the top piece off, slide the other piece in, and it turns into a clamp mechanism that goes over your rail. I backed it all the way up like the instructions show, then tightened it down and it grabbed the pool rail fully tight. That’s great. It doesn’t wobble around the way a hang-on skimmer does.
The second bracket is a tension piece that drops down inside the pool. And here’s where I want to save you a step: the correct way is to have that inner part on the inside of the pool, not flipped the other direction like I originally set it. I caught it mid-install, but if you don’t check it, you’ll mount the whole thing backwards.
The Adapter Guessing Game Is The Real Catch
The hose connections are the part you’ll actually have to think about. There are several different adapters, and you have to look at your own pool to figure out which one you’re going to use. I couldn’t tell you which one mine needed just from the box, I had to walk over to the pool to see which connector I needed.
They’ve done a really good job of covering whatever kind of pool you have, inflatable collar, tubular, metal frame. That’s the upside. The downside is it’s not plug-and-play. You choose the adapter that makes sense for your pool, screw the matching piece over it, and go. And heads up on the hose ends: they’re the same on both ends, so it doesn’t matter which end you use, but there’s no clamp on that connection. It just holds with tension. Fine, but know that going in.
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U.S. Pool Supply Pool Skimmer
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The Basket Handle Saves You During Cleanup
The handle for the basket is important, and I’m speaking from experience. I’ve broke one off on a previous skimmer before, and once that happens it makes it so hard to get the basket out to clean. This one pops in through the holes on the basket and gives you something solid to grab. Don’t skip installing it just because you’re in a hurry to get the thing in the water.
Which Skimmer Sock Setup Actually Works
Inside the basket is where I’d put the sock. I put the sock inside the basket, which keeps debris from getting sucked down the hose. My take is inside is better, because that way you can pull the sock right out and the debris doesn’t accidentally get sucked down through the hose and into your pump. It’s a two-second decision but it changes how easy cleanup is.
Who This Above Ground Skimmer Fits
If your pump is under 800 gph, stop here, this skimmer won’t pull enough water to skim the surface and will just sit there looking useful. For everyone else with a metal frame, tubular, or inflatable collar pool and a real filter pump, the two brackets and five adapters almost certainly cover your setup. Run the numbers on your pump first, though. It wants at least 800 gph of flow to pull surface water through the strainer basket the way it’s designed to.
If you’ve got a small seasonal pool and a low-flow pump, this isn’t the match. But for a standard backyard above ground setup with a decent filter pump, it drops right in.
My Advice Before You Install It
Read the instructions before you touch the water. I know, nobody likes hearing that, but this skimmer has two spots that trip you up: the tension bracket that has to face the right way, and picking the correct hose adapter for your pool. Both are easy once you know, both are annoying if you guess.
Mount the clamp bracket first and get it fully tight on the rail. Then set the tension piece with the inner part inside the pool. Install the handle, load the sock inside the basket, match your adapter, and you’re ready to go. You can check the current price on the U.S. Pool Supply skimmer listing here.
Pros
- Clamp bracket grabs the rail fully tight, way sturdier than a hang-on skimmer
- Five hose adapters cover inflatable collar, tubular, and most metal frame pools
- Smaller footprint takes up less room in the pool
- Comes with skimmer socks and a basket handle, extras you don’t always get
Cons
- Easy to mount the tension bracket backwards, I did it myself before catching it
- You have to figure out which adapter fits your pool, it’s not plug-and-play
- Hose connection holds by tension only, no clamp on that joint
- Basket runs smaller than some other skimmers
Frequently Asked Questions
What pump flow rate do I need for this skimmer to work?
At least 800 gph (3,028 L/hr). The skimmer pulls surface water through the strainer basket and down into your filter pump, and below that flow rate it won’t move enough water to skim properly. Check your pump’s rating before you buy.
Will it fit my type of above ground pool?
Most likely, yes. It’s built for inflatable collar, tubular, and most metal frame above ground pools, and the two adjustable-height brackets plus five hose adapters cover the common setups. You’ll still need to match one of the adapters to your specific pool’s hose fitting.
Does the skimmer need electricity or its own pump?
No, it runs off your existing filter pump. There’s no separate motor or plug. The hose connects to your pump’s intake, and the pump’s suction does all the skimming.
Should the skimmer sock go inside or outside the basket?
Inside, in my opinion. That way you can pull the sock straight out and the trapped debris doesn’t get accidentally sucked down the hose toward your pump. Some folks prefer outside, but inside keeps cleanup simpler.
Is the hose connection secure without a clamp?
It holds with tension, not a clamp. The hose ends are the same on both sides, so it doesn’t matter which end you attach where. Just push it on firmly and check it periodically, since there’s no locking ring on that joint.
How do I clean the strainer basket?
Pull the basket out by the handle, dump the debris, and rinse. The included handle is what makes this easy, so install it. If it breaks off, getting the basket out becomes a real pain, which I’ve learned the hard way on a previous skimmer.
Will pool chemicals damage the plastic?
No. The skimmer is made of polypropylene, which isn’t affected by standard pool chemicals. It’s meant to sit in chlorinated or salt water all season without degrading.
Can I leave it mounted all season?
Yes, it’s designed to stay clamped to your rail and run with your filter pump continuously. The chemical-resistant plastic handles ongoing exposure. You’d only remove it for winterizing or if you need to store the pool.
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Get it now
U.S. Pool Supply Pool Skimmer
Get the best price on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🛍️ Shop everything in this video
Every product mentioned, in one place — these are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
🛍️ Above Ground Pool Skimmer Attachment — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Pool Skimmer Hose — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Pool Skimmer Bracket — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Pool Skimmer Connectors — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Pool Skimmer Floater — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Pool Skimmer Socks — check price on Amazon →
🛍️ Pool Skimmer Basket Handle — check price on Amazon →
About the reviewer
Scott Ayres
Welcome to the Product Demo lab where I (Scott) demo products so you can make an educated buying decision. I keep it real, honest and laid back.
