A pool cover is worth the hassle.

Yes, a pool cover is the most effective way to cut evaporation. Nothing else comes close.

Think about it: the sun heats the water, wind blows across the surface, and water disappears into thin air. A cover blocks both. A standard solar cover (the bubble-wrap kind) can reduce evaporation by 90% or more, plus it keeps the water warmer at night, which means less gas or electricity for heating.

Liquid pool covers (a chemical film that floats on top) work, but not nearly as well. They’re better than nothing, but a physical cover is night and day different. Windbreaks (fencing, shrubs) help a little—maybe 10–20%—but they’re not a substitute.

I know draping a cover over a big pool is a chore, but topping off the water every few days is also a chore. And in extreme heat, you can lose an inch of water a week without a cover. That adds up fast on your water bill.

Future you will thank present you for buying the cover.