I'm sure you will get many different opinions on this one, here is mine. I used to buy really good thick covers, but I would typically only get two years out of them. I keep mine on a reel when not in use, but don't cover it to keep sun off of it which may explain some degredation. The point is, last year I bought the cheapest one I could find - I think it was $89 for a 20 x 40 cover. It is still OK right now and I may make it through the year with it. So, I find the cheap one lasts almost as long as the expensive one. In this case I paid less for mine that the difference of the two you are looking at.