Water is much colder than you might expect. The temperature can vary depending on the season, the location, and the depth, but even in the middle of summer, the temperature of your pool water is likely to be around 68 F.
In order to enjoy your pool for swimming, you need to heat the water to at least 80 F, but most people prefer the water to be in the mid-to high 80s.
The type of pool you have and how you heat it will affect how much it costs to heat your pool water.
We researched dozens of the most popular pool heaters currently available, evaluating them based on effectiveness, longevity, and ease of installation and use. Our top pick, the Hayward ProSeries SP1515 15,000-BTU Pool Heater, is easy to install and ready to use right out of the box.
Here are the best pool heaters to keep your pool warm, comfortable, and ready for summer.
Best Swimming Pool Heat Pumps: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Swimming Pool Heat Pumps Reviews
- All-Season Pool Comfort: Featuring innovative dual-mode temperature control, this heat pump precisely heats water between 59–104°F or cools it within 59–83°F. By maintaining consistent thermal regulation, it extends swimming seasons by up to 6 months while delivering year-round comfort for pool enjoyment.
- Professional Thermal Performance: Featuring a 18,000 BTU high-output heating module, this 4-season system is designed for 5,000-gallon pools. The precision thermostat maintains ±2°F temperature accuracy by continuously monitoring ambient conditions, ensuring consistent comfort throughout the year.
- Energy Efficiency Redefined: With a high 5.5 COP, this ultra-efficient heat pump employs a powerful engine to ensure consistent energy savings. In comparison with conventional electric heating, it slashes energy consumption by 70% and provides 40% more savings than natural gas alternatives.
- Quiet Operation & Defrost: With ultra-quiet technology, the operating sound is maintained at 38 dB, which is quieter than a whisper. You can enjoy the comfort brought by the heat pump heating without being affected by any noise.Intelligent auto-defrost system that automatically removes ice buildup without manual intervention.
- Easy to Assemble: This heat pump comes with both 1.25" hose adapters and 1.5" conversion kits for easy installation, completed in under 10 minutes. The panel supports multi-mode smart control, complemented by a 3-year comprehensive warranty and lifetime technical support.
- Extend Your Swim Season: The pool heat pump features a dual-mode heating and cooling system that maintains optimal water temperatures year-round. Precision control ensures heating from 47–104℉ and cooling from 47–83℉, allowing you to enjoy extended swimming sessions through autumn’s crisp chill and spring’s cool mornings.
- Rapid Heating & APP Control: Engineered for speed and efficiency, it delivers 35,000 BTU warmth in hours, perfect for large pools, up to 9,000-gallon systems, or chilly climates. Take full control via the app & control panel. Adjust temperatures remotely, track energy use, and program heating schedules to fit your lifestyle.
- Inverter Energy Saving: Intelligent heat pump system featuring full DC variable frequency technology delivers 15.8 COP for maximum heating output. Adaptive frequency conversion algorithm dynamically adjusts power in real-time, achieving 70% energy savings over traditional electric heating and 40% higher efficiency than gas systems.
- Ultra-Quiet & Auto-Defrost: Variable frequency technology reduces operational noise to just 48 dB, paired with an intelligent defrosting system featuring automatically initiated cycles every 40 minutes that complete the process in just 5 minutes, ensuring uninterrupted winter operation with continuous heating performance.
- Easy to Assemble: Our heat pump features 3 versatile connection options designed to integrate with all pools, (1.25" & 1.5" hose adapter, 1.5" adapter conversion kit, 1.5" PVC pipe converter), ensuring hassle-free installation and optimal performance. Enjoy peace of mind with our 3-year warranty. Dive into comfort and reliability.
- All-Season Pool Comfort: Featuring innovative dual-mode temperature control, this heat pump precisely heats water between 59–104°F or within 59–83°F. By maintaining consistent thermal regulation, it extends swimming seasons by up to 6 months while delivering year-round comfort for pool enjoyment.
- Professional Thermal Performance: Featuring a 16,000 BTU high-output heating module, this 4-season system is designed for 5,000-gallon pools. The precision thermostat maintains ±2°F temperature accuracy by continuously monitoring ambient conditions, ensuring consistent comfort throughout the year.
- Energy Efficiency Redefined: With a high 5.5 COP, this ultra-efficient heat pump employs a powerful engine to ensure consistent energy savings. In comparison with conventional electric heating, it slashes energy consumption by 70% and provides 40% more savings than natural gas alternatives.
- Quiet Operation & Defrost: With ultra-quiet technology, the operating sound is maintained at 38–48 dB, which is quieter than a whisper. You can enjoy the comfort brought by the heat pump heating without being affected by any noise.Intelligent auto-defrost system that automatically removes ice buildup without manual intervention.
- Easy to Assemble: This heat pump comes with both 1.25" hose adapters and 1.5" conversion kits for easy installation, completed in under 10 minutes. The panel supports multi-mode smart control, complemented by a 3-year comprehensive warranty and lifetime technical support.
- SpringBreath 1.0 Heating System with Quantifiable Results---Built to efficiently handle large pools up to 5,000 gallons. H5, centered on a corrosion-proof pure titanium heat exchanger, delivers an industry-leading the Max COP up to 4.1. This isn't just heating; it's high-efficiency engineering for rapid, reliable temperature rise.
- Drastically Cuts Energy Costs---Intelligent Chip and Dynamic Algorithm provide intelligent inverter control, constantly optimizing performance for unwavering reliability. The result is dramatically lower operating costs compared to gas or conventional electric heaters, maximizing your long-term investment.
- Ultimate Ease of Use & Installation---Simplicity from start to finish. Enjoy a worry-free, straightforward installation process, followed by effortless daily control via the intuitive mobile App or the sleek, modern touch panel at home. Total convenience is at your fingertips.
- Sub-50 dB Quiet Operation---Protect the tranquility of your property. With a noise level below 50 dB, its operation is quieter than the hum of a standard refrigerator. You'll get powerful heating without the disruptive noise, ensuring your backyard remains a peaceful retreat.
- Engineered Safety: Water & Electricity Fully Separated---Invest with absolute confidence. The core of our design is a fully isolated system that guarantees complete separation of water and electrical components. It's the failsafe, industrial-grade protection you require for total peace of mind.
- Powerful Performance: With a high-pressure compressor, electric heat pump pool heater max output of 30,000 BTU, a COP of 5.8, it achieves rapid and stable heating. Ideal for above ground or inground pools up to 8,000 gallons, 14/16/18/21/23 foot pool
- Year-Round Comfort: 120v pool heater with both heating (46°F-104°F) and cooling (46°F-82°F) modes, ensuring perfect water temperatures for every season with our family
- Smart WiFi Control: Above ground pool heater easily adjust temperature, schedule, and functions via WiFi using the app for seamless control of our pool
- Energy Efficient and Quiet: Our pool heat pump is an energy-efficient heating system that works by extracting heat from the ambient air and transferring it to our pool water, with minimal electricity, more cost-effective than gas or traditional electric heaters. Operating at 52 dB, it ensures a peaceful swimming experience at home
- Durable and Easy Setup: Inground pool heater built with a titanium heat exchanger for freshwater or saltwater pools, it features 1.5 inch connectors and a 126 inch power cord for easy setup and use,also designed with water-electric separation for protecting our family
- Extended Swim Seasons: Heat or cool your pool to maintain comfort from spring to fall; enjoy programmable timer functions; cooling temp range of 46-82°F and heating temp range of 59-104°F; set your desired water temp in ambient temp from 41-109.4°F
- Cost-Effective Performance: Delivers 18,000 BTU output with a 5.5 COP rating; air source technology utilizes ambient heat for outstanding efficiency, which saves up to 40% on energy costs compared to natural gas heaters
- Built to Perform: Advanced titanium heat exchanger improves heat transfer efficiency while resisting corrosion to be compatible with saltwater pools; includes a four-way valve for seamless switching between heating and cooling modes
- Universal Pool Compatibility: Compact and portable design works great with inflatable pools, frame pools, small spas, and in-ground pools; fits round pools up to 16 ft or rectangular pools 12x20 ft; suitable for pools up to 6,000 gal
- Quick Setup: Includes hose clamps, hose connectors, drain outlet adapter, and a detailed user instruction; just connect the hoses, plug it in, and start using with a simple panel, no professional help required; water hoses and pool filters not included
- Large Heating Capacity : 18000 BTU high-efficiency heating system designed specifically for 5500 gallons above-ground pools. Using our regional temperature guide to match your zone
- Energy-Saving Professional: Utilizes advanced air-source pool heater technology and advanced titanium tube heat exchangers that heats 50% faster than standard electric heaters while reducing energy costs by 40%
- Extend Your Swim Season: Designed for above ground pools, the micoe pool heater operates in 32°F to 109°F and heats water to 104°F under optimal conditions, extending your pool season through early spring and late fall
- Quiet Operation : Maintains peaceful family swim time with near-silent 50dB(A) noise level，it ensures zero disturbance for you and your children even at night
- Smart App & Panel Control: Easily adjust temperature and heating schedules via the onboard control panel or mobile app.
- SpringBreath 1.0 Heating System with Quantifiable Results---Built to efficiently handle large pools up to 21,000 gallons. H18, centered on a corrosion-proof pure titanium heat exchanger, delivers an industry-leading the Max COP up to 16.0. This isn't just heating; it's high-efficiency engineering for rapid, reliable temperature rise.
- Drastically Cuts Energy Costs---Intelligent Chip and Dynamic Algorithm provide intelligent inverter control, constantly optimizing performance for unwavering reliability. The result is dramatically lower operating costs compared to gas or conventional electric heaters, maximizing your long-term investment.
- Ultimate Ease of Use & Installation---Simplicity from start to finish. Enjoy a worry-free, straightforward installation process, followed by effortless daily control via the intuitive mobile App or the sleek, modern touch panel at home. Total convenience is at your fingertips.
- Sub-50 dB Quiet Operation---Protect the tranquility of your property. With a noise level below 50 dB, its operation is quieter than the hum of a standard refrigerator. You'll get powerful heating without the disruptive noise, ensuring your backyard remains a peaceful retreat.
- Engineered Safety: Water & Electricity Fully Separated---Invest with absolute confidence. The core of our design is a fully isolated system that guarantees complete separation of water and electrical components. It's the failsafe, industrial-grade protection you require for total peace of mind.
- Extended Swim Season with Heating & Cooling: Enjoy your pool from spring to fall with dual-mode temperature control. This heat pump efficiently warms water to a cozy 59–104°F for chilly days or actively cools it down to a refreshing 46.4°F during summer heat waves. By maintaining your desired temperature, it effectively extends your swimming season by up to 6 months
- Whisper-Quiet Operation: Experience true backyard tranquility. Unlike standard units that operate at 38-48 dB, our advanced compressor and optimized airflow design keep noise levels as low as 29–45 dB—quieter than a library. You can run it day or night without disturbing family, neighbors, or your peaceful outdoor ambiance. The intelligent auto-defrost function also ensures reliable performance in cooler weather without manual intervention
- Exceptional Energy Savings with 5.5 COP: Maximize your comfort while minimizing costs. With a high-performance 5.5 Coefficient of Performance (COP) , the Docred heat pump delivers powerful 17,060 BTU of heating output using minimal electricity. It consumes 40% less energy than conventional electric heaters and offers significant savings compared to gas alternatives, making it the eco-friendly and budget-smart choice for your home.
- Rapid 10-Minute Setup & Certified Safety: Designed for the average homeowner, installation is a breeze. Simply connect the standard hoses, plug the unit into a standard 115V GFCI protected outlet, and you are ready to go. No expensive electrical work or professional installation is required. Your safety is our priority: the unit is cTUVus certified, ensuring it meets the highest North American safety standards
- Durable Performance for Above Ground Pools: Specifically engineered for pools up to 5,000 gallons, this compact unit packs a powerful punch. It efficiently transfers heat from ambient air for consistent performance. For faster heating, simply use a pool cover while it runs—it retains warmth and boosts efficiency. Backed by a robust build and a 3-year warranty, it’s the reliable all-in-one solution for heating and cooling your pool
- Impressive performance: Pool heater pump with a high-power compressor, titanium heat exchanger max output of 16000 BTU for above pool up to 5000 gallons, it achieves rapid and stable heating from 59-104°F and cooling from 46-82°F
- Multi-Season use and WiFi control: Electric pool heater has both heating and cooling mode, allowing us to extend swimming season by months and adjust settings via WiFi and set timed on/off anywhere by a mobile app
- Energy Efficient and Cost Effective : Our 120v pool heater achieving a COP of 4.3 is an energy-efficient heating system that works by extracting heat from the ambient air and transferring it to our fresh or salt water pool water, with minimal electricity, more cost-effective than gas or traditional electric heaters
- Quiet and Safe Operation: Equipped with additional soundproofing, above ground pool heater operates at a low 50dB noise level, allowing us to enjoy a peaceful swimming experience at home, also designed with water-electric separation for protecting our family
- Easy installation: Pool heater comes with two DN32-38 mm connectors and a 118 inch power cord, making installation a breeze. For any inquiries during use, refer to the manual or our store for assistance
Best Swimming Pool Heat Pumps Buying Guide
Before choosing the best swimming pool heat pump you should consider the following options:
1. Power Consumption: One of the most important aspects to consider when buying a swimming pool heat pump is power consumption.
The higher the power consumption, the higher your electricity bills will be. The ideal pool heat pump will have a low power consumption so that your bills don’t go up.
In general, the more efficient the heat pump, the higher the annual operating cost. This is because the energy is extracted from the surrounding environment, which has a low temperature, and therefore requires more energy input to heat the pool water.
You can find the power consumption of a heat pump in two ways. First is the energy efficiency ratio (EER). The higher the EER, the lower the operating cost.
The second way is the input rate measure (IM). The lower the IM, the lower the operating cost.
For example, if a heat pump has an EER of 8 and an IM of 1.8, then the operating cost will be half that of a heat pump with an EER of 10 and an IM of 2.0.
The higher the EER or IM, the lower the operating cost. Therefore, the ideal heat pump will have a low EER and IM.
Things to note:
The EER is calculated based on the pool water temperature of 35 degrees Celsius and the air temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the EER is different from the energy efficiency label (EFL) on the heat pump.
The input rate measure is calculated based on the water temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and the air temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the IM is different from the energy label on the heat pump.
The EER and IM are calculated based on the standard operation mode of the heat pump, and therefore, the real energy consumption will be higher than the standard operation.
2. Capacity: You need to purchase a heat pump that can meet the temperature requirements of your swimming pool. The ideal heat pump will have a large capacity so that it can heat the water in a short period of time.
The larger the capacity, the higher the energy input and operating cost. Therefore, you should purchase a heat pump with a capacity that meets your needs but doesn’t exceed them.
What else you should know about the best swimming pool heat pumps
1. What are the best swimming pool heat pumps?
Some of the best swimming pool heat pumps on the market include the Hayward HeatPro HP21104, the Pentair UltraTemp 70, and the Jandy LXi.
2. How do swimming pool heat pumps work?
A swimming pool heat pump is a device that uses the heat from the air to heat the water in a swimming pool. The heat pump consists of a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The compressor pumps the refrigerant through the system. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and transfers it to the water. The water is then circulated through the pool.
3. How do I choose a swimming pool heat pump?
There are a few things you need to consider when choosing a swimming pool heat pump:
1. The size of your pool – you need to make sure the heat pump is powerful enough to heat your pool.
2. The climate you live in – heat pumps work best in warmer climates.
3. Your budget – heat pumps can be expensive, so you need to make sure you can afford the one you want.
4. How do I install a swimming pool heat pump?
Most swimming pool heat pumps come with easy-to-follow installation instructions. In general, you will need to install the heat pump near your pool, connect it to a power source, and then connect it to your pool’s filtration system.
5. How do I maintain a swimming pool heat pump?
The best way to maintain a swimming pool heat pump is to regularly check and clean the filters, as well as the coils. You should also make sure that the pump is properly lubricated and that the unit is free of any debris.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best swimming pool heat pumps. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best swimming pool heat pumps will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.