If you’re planning on adding a small pond to your yard, then you’ll likely need a pond liner. Without the perfect combination of soil and environment, a pool of water will leak out into the soil, wasting water and not successfully becoming a pond. A pond liner will waterproof the base of your pond, allowing it to become watertight. While a pond liner is impractical for a large pond, small backyard ponds typically need a pond liner to succeed.
Pond liners come in multiple types of materials and sizes, allowing you to choose the one that will best suit the pond you’re creating. Using these reviews can help you choose a high-quality pond liner that will keep your pond watertight for years to come.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |  | Pond Boss PVC Pond Liner | Check Price | |
Best Value  |  | Tetra PVC Pond Liner | Check Price | |
Premium Choice  |  | Spaces Places PVC Pond Liner | Check Price | |
 | TotalPond Pond Liner | Check Price | ||
 | LifeGuard Pond Liner and Underlayment Combo | Check Price |
The 10 Best Pond Liners
1. Pond Boss PVC Pond Liner – Best Overall
| Size | 7’ x 10’, 10’ x 13’, 13’ x 20’ |
| Material | PVC |
| Price | $$ |
The best overall pond liner is the Pond Boss PVC Pond Liner. This liner is available in three sizes for your pond, with the largest size being appropriate for ponds up to 200 gallons, so it’s not suitable for larger backyard ponds. It’s made from sturdy PVC that is resistant to UV damage. It’s also puncture-resistant, so rocks, sticks, and pond rakes are less likely to puncture it.
It’s made with a mesh weave that creates texture, allowing for maximum beneficial bacteria growth within your pond, keeping it healthy. This liner is lightweight as well, so installation is easy and only requires one person.
- Three sizes available
- Made from PVC
- Resistant to punctures and UV damage
- Mesh weave increases surface area for beneficial bacteria
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Only suitable for ponds up to 200 gallons
2. Tetra PVC Pond Liner – Best Value
| Size | 7’ x 10’, 9’ x 17’, 14’ x 21’ |
| Material | PVC |
| Price | $$ |
The Tetra PVC Pond liner is the best pond liner for the money. This liner is available in three sizes for ponds up to 1,500 gallons. It’s made from puncture and tear-resistant PVC that is made to last. The smallest pond liner size is ideal for creating waterfalls, so it’s a good option to combine with a larger liner size.
This liner can be used with a pond de-icer, but it’s important that the deicer is floating and not sitting directly against the pond liner since this can damage the liner over time.
- Best value
- Three sizes available for ponds up to 1,500 gallons
- Made from PVC
- Tear and puncture resistant
- Multiple sizes can be combined to create water features
- Should not come into contact with a de-icer
3. Spaces Places PVC Pond Liner – Premium Choice
| Size | 8’ x 10’, 10’ x 12’, 17’ x 12’ |
| Material | PVC |
| Price | $$ |
The Spaces Places PVC Pond Liner is the top premium pond liner pick for your pond. It’s available in three sizes, but the largest size is only suitable for ponds up to 266 gallons. It’s made from 20-mil PVC that is resistant to UV damage. The 20-mil thickness provides optimal durability, so you can feel good knowing your pond liner is sturdy and watertight, guaranteeing your fish and aquatic plants will be safe. It only weighs around 10 pounds, so this lightweight liner can be easily installed by one person.
- Three sizes available
- Made from 20-mil PVC
- Resistant to UV damage
- Optimal thickness and durability
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Only suitable for ponds up to 266 gallons
4. TotalPond Pond Liner
| Size | 7’ x 10’, 10’ x 13’, 13’ x 20’ |
| Material | PVC, polyester |
| Price | $ |
The TotalPond Pond Liner is a budget-friendly pond liner that is available in three sizes for ponds up to 1,200 gallons. It’s made from 14.5 mil PVC that is resistant to UV damage and punctures. It is reinforced with a polyester weave between the PVC layers that provide extra strength and stability.
The textured surface of this liner supports beneficial bacteria growth for pond health. It’s lightweight and easy for one person to install, and this liner can be combined with others to create larger liners. This pond liner may end up with a crease that can be difficult to get out after being folded for shipping.
- Budget-friendly option
- Three sizes available for ponds up to 1,200 gallons
- Made from 14.5-mil PVC
- Resistant to UV damage and lightweight
- Polyester weave supports durability and textured surface supports beneficial bacteria
- Creases after shipping may be difficult to get smoothed out
5. LifeGuard Pond Liner and Underlayment Combo
| Size | 15’ x 15’, 15’ x 20’, 15’ x 25’, 15’ x 30’, 15’ x 35’, 15’ x 40’, 15’ x 45’, 15’ x 50’, 15’ x 60’, 15’ x 70’, 15’ x 80’, 15’ x 90’, 15’ x 100’ |
| Material | EPDM rubber |
| Price | $$$–$$$$$ |
The LifeGuard Pond Liner and Underlayment Combo is available in thirteen sizes, although all sizes are 15 feet wide. Multiple pieces can be overlapped and connected to form wider liners if needed. This liner comes in rolls and includes rolls of underlayment, which helps protect the liner from rocks and sticks that may be underneath the pond before installation.
It’s made from 60 mil EPDM rubber, which is extremely durable and can withstand heavy-duty jobs, like supporting boulders and large ponds. It can be used for multiple applications, including ponds, aquaponics, retention basins, water features, and retention basins. It is Certified Fish & Wildlife Safe by Guardian Systems, Inc., so you can feel good knowing this pond liner will keep your fish and local wildlife safe from leaching chemicals. Due to its size and thickness, this liner may require two people to use.
- 13 sizes available
- Can be combined to create larger liners
- Includes rolls of pond liner and rolls of underlayment fabric
- 60-mil EPDM rubber is sturdy enough for heavy-duty jobs
- Multiple potential applications
- Certified safe for fish and wildlife
- All sizes are the same width
- May be difficult to manage due to size and weight
6. Firestone EPDM Pond Liner
| Size | 15’ x 15’ |
| Material | EPDM rubber |
| Price | $$$ |
The Firestone EPDM Pond Liner is only available in one size of 15 feet by 15 feet. This liner is made from 45 mil EPDM rubber that is made to last. It has a 75-year life expectancy, and this liner comes with a 20-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. It’s environmentally friendly and has a certification from The Forest Stewardship Council and is deemed Climate Pledge Friendly by Amazon, so it is safe for plants, fish, and wildlife.
This liner is coated with talc powder to prevent it from sticking to itself when folded during shipping, so it’ll be easy to unfold but does need to be rinsed prior to use. The material is pliable and easy to form to the shape of your pond. This liner is very heavy, so it will require multiple people to install it.
- Made from 45 mil EPDM rubber
- 75-year life expectancy and 20-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
- Environmentally friendly option
- Coated with talc to make it easy to unfold and prevent sticking
- Pliable and easy to form
- Very heavy and may be difficult to manage
- Only one size available
7. Hygger Pond Liner
| Size | 7’ x 10’, 10’ x 13’ |
| Material | PVC |
| Price | $ |
The Hygger Pond Liner is a budget-friendly PVC liner that is available in two sizes, with the larger size suitable for ponds up to 500 gallons. It’s made from 14.5 mil PVC that is made to resist UV damage and provide durability while retaining flexibility. This liner is easy to bend, fold, and cut, so you’ll be able to customize it to suit your pond perfectly.
It has recently been remade to make it more flexible, durable, and resistant to punctures and tears. It’s relatively heavy, so this liner is easiest to install with two people.
- Budget-friendly option
- Made from 14.5-mil PVC
- Flexible but durable material that is easy to fit into your pond space
- Recently remade to be more durable
- Resistant to punctures, tears, and UV damage
- Only two sizes available
- Heavy and may be difficult to manage
8. PolyGuard PVC Pond Liner
| Size | 20’ x 20’, 20’ x 25’, 20’ x 30’, 20’ x 35’, 20’ x 40’, 20’ x 45’, 20’ x 50’, 20’ x 60’, 20’ x 70’, 20’ x 80’, 20’ x 90’, 20’ x 100’ |
| Material | PVC |
| Price | $$ –$$$$ |
The PolyGuard PVC Pond Liner is available in twelve sizes, and it’s made from 20-mil PVC. This liner is pliable, flexible, and durable, and it retains its flexibility even in hot and cold weather. It’s also lightweight and easy to install. This liner does contain plasticizers that may deteriorate in direct sunlight over time, so the manufacturer recommends using ground cover, rocks, or gravel to protect this liner from sun damage.
It does come with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty for defects in manufacturing, materials, and workmanship. This liner is ideal for small ponds with an underlayment but may not be sturdy enough for large ponds or rocky ground.
- 12 sizes available
- Made from 20-mil PVC
- Retains flexibility in all weather
- Lightweight and easy to install
- 5-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Can deteriorate in direct sunlight
- Not sturdy enough for large or rocky ponds
9. Aquascape Pro Grade EPDM Pond Liner
| Size | 10’ x 8’, 10’ x 10’, 10’ x 12’, 10’ x 20’, 10’ x 30’, 12’ x 15’, 15’ x 15’, 15’ x 20’ |
| Material | EPDM rubber |
| Price | $$–$$$ |
The Aquascape Pro Grade EPDM Pond Liner is available in eight sizes for multiple pond sizes. This is one of the more budget-friendly pond liners for the size. It’s made from 45 mil EPDM rubber that is made to high-quality standards and created with durability. It includes a 20-year guarantee, and it’s resistant to UV damage and oxidation.
Some customers have reported finding the liners to be slightly smaller than advertised, so it’s important to measure your liner before installation. Due to the material, this liner is heavy and will likely require two people to manage and install it.
- Eight sizes available
- Budget-friendly option for the size
- Made from 45 mil EPDM
- 20-year guarantee
- Resistant to UV damage and oxidation
- May be slightly smaller than advertised
- May be difficult to manage due to size and weight
10. Half Off Ponds Pond Liner
| Size | 30’ x 50’, 45’ x 50’, 50’ x 50’, 50’ x 70’, 50’ x 80’, 50’ x 100’ |
| Material | LLDPE |
| Price | $$$–$$$$$ |
The Half Off Ponds Pond Liner is available in six sizes for medium to large ponds. It’s made from sturdy 20-mil LLDPE, and it comes with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and has a life expectancy of 40 years or more. It’s durable and has high tensile and impact strength, as well as being puncture resistant. It’s suitable for multiple projects, including ponds, retention ponds, water containment, and waterfalls.
This liner is made to fit best in sweeping corners and bottom transitions, and it is not a good option for tight corners or sharp angles within a pond. It is quite heavy and will likely require at least two people to manage and install.
- Six sizes available
- Made from 20-mil LLDPE
- 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and 40+ year life expectancy
- High tensile and impact strength and resistant to punctures
- Suitable for multiple types of projects
- Not suitable for tight corners and sharp angles
- May be difficult to manage due to size and weight
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Pond Liners
Types of Pond Liner Materials
- PVC: PVC liners are typically the least expensive and easiest to manage pond liners. They are lightweight and flexible, but they also require a sturdy underlayment due to a higher risk of punctures and tears than other materials. PVC liners are only made to last 10 years or so, so the expectation should be that they will need to be replaced around the decade mark.
- EPDM: EPDM is a sturdy synthetic rubber material that is used in a variety of applications aside from being a pond liner, including use as a roofing membrane, weatherstripping, and seals for vehicles. It’s made from ethylene and propylene, and EPDM is stable towards multiple stressors, including fireproof hydraulic fluids, temperature extremes, alkalis, ozone, steam, and electricity.
- LLDPE: LLDPE, or linear low-density polyethylene, is a polymer that requires complex manufacturing processes to produce. It can be used for lightweight applications, like plastic bags, plastic wrap, and stretch wrap, as well as sturdier applications, like pond liners, buckets, containers, flexible tubing, and toys. It is a recyclable material that can be remade into products like trash can liners, landscaping ties, compost bins, shipping envelopes, and floor tiles.
Installing a Pond Liner
Properly installing your pond liner will ensure the longevity of your pond and the protection of your hard work and your pond livestock and plants. Fitting a pond liner and getting it installed correctly can be a challenge, especially if you aren’t mathematically gifted or you lack good visuospatial skills. Here’s a video showing you how to properly measure and install your pond liner:
Final Thoughts
After reviewing multiple types and sizes of pond liners on the market, we found the best overall option to be the Pond Boss PVC Pond Liner, which has a mesh weave that increases surface area for the colonization of beneficial bacteria. The best value pond liner is the Tetra PVC Pond Liner, which has three sizes available for ponds up to 1,500 gallons. The premium product pond liner is the Spaces Places PVC Pond Liner, which is made with optimal durability and thickness.
You may also be interested in:
- How to Keep Pond Water Clean Without a Filter: 10 Simple Methods!
- 10 Best Pond Vacuum Cleaners: Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Aquascape, Amazon