Portable rectangular pool: complete size guide

The Helyora Marea range goes from 200×200 cm to 600×300 cm across six sizes, and the right size depends on three things: the actual space you have available, how many people will use it at once, and whether you just want to cool off or actually swim. Here are the measurements, the water each one needs and who it's designed for — no guessing, just the real numbers for each model.

Comparison table: the 6 sizes in the Marea range

Model	Dimensions	Depth	Water approx.	Ideal for	Price
Marea XS	200×200 cm	80 cm	3 m³	Terraces and Children	1.199 €
Marea S	300×200 cm	90 cm	5 m³	Family Introductory Class, 2–3 people	1.499 €
Marea M	400×200 cm	120 cm	9 m³	Swimming and exercising, 3–4 people	1.899 €
Marea L	400×300 cm	150 cm	18 m³	Alternative to a built-in pool, 4–6 people	1.999 €
Marea XL	500×300 cm	150 cm	22 m³	Large families, 6–8 people	2.499 €
Marea XXL	600×300 cm	150 cm	27 m³	Professional use and rentals, 8–10 people	2.999 €

All six models share the same high-density Drop Stitch construction: what changes between them is the swimming space, not the factory quality. You can see the full catalogue at Helyora rectangular pools.

How much space do I actually need in the garden or on the terrace?

It's not just the pool's footprint: you need to add clear space around it for walking, sun loungers and access to the ladder. As a rough guide, add 50 to 100 cm of margin on each side to the dimensions in the table. For a Marea M (400×200 cm), that means reserving a plot of at least 5×3 metres so it feels comfortable, not cramped. If space is limited — a small terrace or an urban patio — the Marea XS or Marea S make better use of square ground than a round pool of equivalent diameter, because you don't lose swimming surface in the corners.

How many people fit in each size without feeling cramped?

The figures in the table are for comfortable use, not the technical maximum. The Marea XS and S are designed for children or couples; the Marea M is the first size where you can genuinely swim a few strokes; and from the Marea L upward we're talking about a built-in-pool-style use, with room for several people to float, play or swim lengths without bumping into each other. If you often get family or friends together, it's better to size up than to end up short: it's easier to enjoy a big pool half-full than to feel cramped in a small one that's full.

How much water does each size use and how long does it take to fill?

Water volume rises fast between sizes: from 3 m³ for the XS to 27 m³ for the XXL is a nine-fold jump. With a standard garden hose, expect several hours for the smaller sizes and a lot more for the larger ones — many customers fill the Marea L or above overnight, or arrange a water tanker if they're in a hurry. It's worth checking local rules on water use for filling pools if you live in an area with seasonal restrictions.

Is the filled weight a problem? It depends on the surface

Water weighs approximately 1 kg per litre, so a Marea M filled with 9 m³ weighs around 9 tonnes, and a Marea XXL with 27 m³ can exceed 27 tonnes spread across its base. On grass, compacted soil, concrete or any ground-level surface there's no structural problem at all. Things change if you're planning to install it on a raised terrace, rooftop or garage roof: there you do need to check the load capacity with an engineer before choosing a size, especially from the Marea M upward. We cover this in more detail, including CTE reference values, in portable pools for terraces.

Why does the price rise so much between sizes?

It's not just more PVC: a larger size needs more internal Drop Stitch filaments to keep the wall vertical under greater water pressure, more reinforced D-Stitch™ seams and a stronger base to spread the weight. That's why the price jump between the XS (€1,199) and the XXL (€2,999) isn't linear with the surface area: the larger sizes cost proportionally more because they require more engineering, not just more material. That said, compared with a built-in pool of equivalent size, any size in the Marea range is still well below it on upfront cost — and with no construction work, no permit and no months of waiting.

Rectangular or square? Which suits your space better

If the available ground is long and narrow — a side strip of the garden, a strip next to a fence — a rectangular model like the Marea S, M, L or XL makes better use of that shape than a square or round pool. If the space is a small square, as with many terraces, the Marea XS makes use of every centimetre without dead corners. The rectangular geometry with straight corners, made possible by the Drop Stitch construction, gives more usable swimming surface than a round pool of the same perimeter — one of the reasons it comes out ahead of a traditional inflatable pool with more limited shapes.

In short: how to choose your size

Start with the actual space available, not the budget: measure the gap and subtract the 50-100 cm margin per side. Then look at how many people will use it regularly and whether you just want to cool off (XS or S are enough) or really want to swim (from the M upward). Finally, if you're going to install it on a raised surface, confirm the load capacity before committing to a large size. Assembly is the same across all six: under 20 minutes, no tools. You can see measurements, photos and availability for each model at our rectangular pools collection.