To keep your pool water warm and inviting, you need a heater that provides enough heat to last your family a day or two if the power goes out. We researched the best pool heaters based on ratings, effectiveness, ease of use, and energy efficiency.
Our top pick, the Intex Solar Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pool, is portable, energy-efficient, and easy to install.
Here are the best pool heaters.
Best Swimming Pool Heaters: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Swimming Pool Heaters Reviews
- Extend Your Swim Season & Fun* Nothing beats a warm pool for your kids, pets and the whole family! The EU70 pool heat pump can operate within the range of ambient temperature from 30F to 100F, under optimal operating conditions can heat the water temperature to 105F, making it an ideal choice for extending the swimming pool season for months
- Save Money* Base on heat pump technology, the EU70 heat pump absorbs energy from the air molecules and transfers it into the water. So the operation only requires very limited electric input, hence its high efficiency and heat conversion rate can reach a score of COP 4.7. In other words, for every cent of electricity spent, 4.7 times heat is generated!
- Available for Above & in-Ground Pools* Max output 22462BTU/hr, the Pool heat pump EU70 is Ideal for Above Ground Pools with up to 6500 gallons of water. (Please refer to the temperature map of the United States to chose the appropriate model).
- Built in flow sensor* The machine is equipped with a water flow sensor, which can automatically control the working time of the heater through the timing setting of the water pump.
- Easy operation* The intelligent control IC automatically maintains the swimming pool at your desired temperature. Once it starts running, you don't need to adjust any settings, just enjoy a warm and comfortable swimming pool.
- SUMMERTIME FUN: Escape the summer heat and help keep your little ones cool with the Intex Rectangular Frame Baby Pool. Great outdoor fun for ages 6 and up
- DESIGN: Easy to assemble, ready for water in 30 minutes; Supported by strong, durable steel frames which are powder-coated for rust resistance and beauty; Rust-resistant frame keeps pool sturdy through many afternoons of splashing
- CONVENIENT DRAINING: Convenient drain plug connects to garden hose so water can be drained away from pool or house area
- INCLUDES: Swimming pool and set up instructions for help with set up and maintenance; Pump, filter, cover, and ladder are not included
- SPECIFICATIONS: Material: Heavy-duty PVC and polyester 3-ply side walls; Ages: 6 and up; Color: Blue; Dimensions (L x W x H): 8.5 x 5.3 x 2.13 feet
- CLEAN AND GREEN: The FH135 is powered by clean electricity, reducing the harmful environmental effects and cost of traditional heaters that use natural gas or propane. Our pumps instead move heat from the air into the water, which saves you money and is a breeze to maintain
- COMPATIBLE WITH: In ground pools up to 7,500 gallons and above ground pools up to 18 foot round or 12 by 24 foot oval. As with all heat pumps, we recommend using in a humid climate down to 50 degrees for best performance. Dry climates are better served by a traditional gas heater
- HIGH EFFICIENCY: Utilizing high-pressure differential compressors and titanium heat exchangers, FibroPool heat pumps are meticulously designed to be the most energy efficient in their class. You can rest comfortably knowing your family will enjoy years of late season swimming without feeling a squeeze on your electric bill
- RUGGED DESIGN: Enamel-coated steel chassis is designed to withstand outdoor elements season after season. Slim profile measures just 16"x40"x24", offering a wide range of mounting options. Conveniently installs with included 1 1/2 inch compression fittings
- EASY OPERATION: Digital control panel with an easy-to-read display offers convenient temperature setting and monitoring. Optional extension cable allows you to mount the control panel in a location that works best for you
- Blanchard, Kristine (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 05/16/2023 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
- Product Parameters: 240V 3000W (Must Use NEMA 6-15P 15A Outlet, This Heater is 12.5A Current) , Heater Length 13.5 Inches, Power Cord Length 118 Inches.
- Fast Heating: The 3000W Heater Can Increase The Water Temperature Of A 30 Gallons Bathtub By 50 Degrees Fahrenheit Within 30 Minutes(Make Sure You Have A NEMA 6-15P 15A Outlet In Your Home).
- High Quality Material: The Shell Of The Heater Is Made Of Stainless Steel 316L Material, Which Has Better High-temperature And Corrosion Resistance Than Stainless Steel 304. The Anti Scalding Sheath Of The Heater Can Avoid Damaging The Container During Use.
- Notice: The Heater Needs To Be Completely Submerged In Water During The Heating Process To Avoid Dry Burning Damage. This Product Is Only Suitable For Heating Tap Water And Is Not Suitable For Heating Corrosive Liquids Such As Well Water,Seawater, Acids, Alkalis, etc.If There Is Scale On The Surface Of The Heater, It Should Be Regularly Removed With A Scale Remover Or Vinegar.
- Warranty: This Product Provides A One-year Warranty, And Is Free To Return Or Exchange If Damaged During Normal Use.
- CLEAN AND GREEN: The FH270 is powered by clean electricity, reducing the harmful environmental effects and cost of traditional heaters that use natural gas or propane. Our pumps instead move heat from the air into the water, which saves you money and is a breeze to maintain
- COMPATIBLE WITH: In ground pools up to 15,000 gallons and above ground pools up to 27 foot round or 18 by 33 foot oval. As with all heat pumps, we recommend using in a humid climate down to 50 degrees for best performance. Dry climates are better served by a traditional gas heater
- HIGH EFFICIENCY: Utilizing high-pressure differential compressors and titanium heat exchangers, FibroPool heat pumps are meticulously designed to be the most energy efficient in their class. You can rest comfortably knowing your family will enjoy years of late season swimming without feeling a squeeze on your electric bill
- RUGGED DESIGN: Enamel-coated steel chassis is designed to withstand outdoor elements season after season. Slim profile measures just 13"x38"x27", offering a wide range of mounting options. Conveniently installs with included 1 1/2 inch compression fittings on a 240 volt circuit
- EASY OPERATION: Digital control panel with an easy-to-read display offers convenient temperature setting and monitoring. Optional extension cable allows you to mount the control panel in a location that works best for you
- NEXT GEN TECHNOLOGY: Based on our best selling FH270, the FH285 heat pump has been upgraded with next generation, full inverter technology, allowing it to warm your pool from even lower temperatures while using even less electricity
- CLEAN AND GREEN: The FH285-I is powered by clean electricity, reducing the harmful environmental effects and cost of traditional heaters that use natural gas or propane. Our pumps instead move heat from the air into the water, which saves you money and is a breeze to maintain
- COMPATIBLE WITH: In ground pools up to 17,500 gallons and above ground pools up to 27 foot round or 18 by 33 foot oval. As with all heat pumps, we recommend using in a humid climate down to 55 degrees for best performance. Dry climates are better served by a traditional gas heater
- RUGGED DESIGN: Weather resistant chassis is designed to withstand outdoor elements season after season. Compact profile measures just 26"x26"x31", offering a wide range of mounting options. Conveniently installs with included fittings
- EASY OPERATION: Digital control panel with an easy-to-read display offers quick temperature setting and monitoring. Wi-Fi and app integration allow you to make adjustments from the convenience of your phone
- POWERFUL 2000W HEATING: Powerful Pool heater is designed to deliver efficient fast heating for inflatable and above ground pools, allowing you to enjoy warm water in minutes. Swimming pool heater quickly heats up water to desired temperature
- ACCURATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: bucket heater equipped with LCD thermometer allows to monitor precision water temperature. You can set appointment time and water temperature freely, protable water heater will auto-off when reaches certain temperature
- VERSATILE IMMERSION HEATER: Immersion water heater portable and submersible design makes it easy to use and convenient in various containers, submersible heater perfect for heating water in bathtubs, plastic and wood bucket, basin inflatable pool
- DURABLE AND SAFE: UL Certified Pool heater for inflatable pool features US plug,and 304 stainless guard that ensures durability and protection against rust or corrosion, heater for pool is safe and reliable, last through repeated use
- FAST HEATING FOR LARGE VOLUMES: With its high power and efficient heating capability, electric hot water heater can heat up to 5-20 gallons of water in minutes. Please note that camping heater must be completely immersed in water during use.
- Ideal Choice for Above Ground Pools - Pool heat pump is specially designed for above ground pools with up to 4700 gallons of water (No bigger than 16ft round or 10x20ft oval) Can operate at outdoor temperatures of 40ºF to 105 ºF, while the swimming pool can be heated up to 100ºF
- Easy and Simple to Install - The heat pump pool heater allowing fast & easy hookup without professional installation. Just hook up several quick connectors, then plug and play. No need professional tools. No need a plumber!!
- A Better Way to Extend Your Swim Season - Nothing beats a warm swimming pool for your kids and the whole family! What you’ll need is a highly efficient, low operating cost heating system an XtremepowerUS pool heat pump for your pool to extend the fun for a few more months!
- Superb Energy Saver - The pool heater is a heat pump specifically designed for swimming pools, not an gas or electric heater. The operation only requires very limited electric input, hence its high efficiency and heat conversion rate can reach a score of COP 5.9
- Powerful Compressor - The pool heat pump equipped with powerful compressor, outputs a capacity of 14500BTU/hr. The pure titanium heat exchanger can resist any corrosion from pool water. Intelligent control system maintains the pool temperature at a consistent level. Once it starts operating, you don’t need to adjust any settings, just enjoy a warm and heated swimming pool!
- CLEAN AND GREEN: The FH120 is powered by clean electricity, reducing the harmful environmental effects and cost of traditional heaters that use natural gas or propane. Our pumps instead move heat from the air into the water, which saves you money and is a breeze to maintain
- COMPATIBLE WITH: In ground pools up to 5,000 gallons and above ground pools up to 15 foot round or 12 by 18 foot oval. As with all heat pumps, we recommend using in a humid climate down to 50 degrees for best performance. Dry climates are better served by a traditional gas heater
- HIGH EFFICIENCY: Utilizing high-pressure differential compressors and titanium heat exchangers, FibroPool heat pumps are meticulously designed to be the most energy efficient in their class. You can rest comfortably knowing your family will enjoy years of late season swimming without feeling a squeeze on your electric bill
- RUGGED DESIGN: Enamel-coated steel chassis is designed to withstand outdoor elements season after season. Slim profile measures just 16"x40"x24", offering a wide range of mounting options
- EASY OPERATION: Digital control panel with an easy-to-read display offers convenient temperature setting and monitoring. Optional extension cable allows you to mount the control panel in a location that works best for you
Best Swimming Pool Heaters Buying Guide
Before choosing the best swimming pool heaters you should consider the following options:
1. Energy Efficient Pool Heaters: One of the most important things to consider when choosing a swimming pool heater is energy efficiency.
The Department of Energy estimates that more than 25 percent of the energy used in a typical pool is lost through dissipation.
This can be reduced by choosing a more energy-efficient option, such as a heat pump.
Heat pumps move heat from one place to another, typically from the environment to the pool, using a fan and a heat exchange system.
They are more efficient than other types of heaters, reducing energy consumption by up to 75 percent and potentially cutting your energy bills by up to 30 percent.
2. Pool Volume: The size of your pool will also affect what type of pool heater you should choose.
Heat pump heaters are best for pools measuring up to 50,000 gallons. Above that size, you may need to look at other options.
Gas pool heaters, for example, are best for pools with a volume of 20,000 gallons or less. If your pool is larger, you will likely need two heaters to ensure the water is heated evenly.
3. Pool Shape and Location: The shape of your pool will also impact your choice of heater. If your pool has a very shallow end, for example, you may want to consider a heat pump, which is best suited to shallow pools.
You will also need to consider your climate. In cold climates, heat pumps are the most energy efficient option, while in milder climates, it is possible to use heat pumps all year round.
Other factors to consider include how efficiently heat is absorbed into the water, which depends on factors such as the depth and temperature of the water.
If your pool is in a shaded area, you will also need to look at heaters with a larger capacity to ensure the pool is heated evenly.
4. Pool Use: The type of pool heater you choose will also depend on how you plan to use your pool. If you plan to use it for swimming, for example, heat pump heaters are the most efficient option.
If you plan to use your pool for parties and entertaining, you may want to look at heaters that have a faster recovery rate.
What else you should know about best swimming pool heaters
1. What are the different types of swimming pool heaters?
There are three main types of swimming pool heaters: gas, electric, and solar.
2. How do I size a swimming pool heater for my pool?
A good rule of thumb is to select a heater that is able to raise the temperature of your pool by 20 degrees Fahrenheit in 8 hours or less.
3. How do I install a swimming pool heater?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the installation process for a swimming pool heater can vary depending on the type and model of heater you have. However, in general, you will need to connect the heater to the pool’s filtration system and then to a power source. You may also need to install a gas line if your heater runs on natural gas.
4. How do I maintain my swimming pool heater?
Swimming pool heaters require regular maintenance to function properly. The most important thing to do is to keep the filter clean. The filter keeps the water clean and free of debris. It also helps to circulate the water.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best swimming pool heaters. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best swimming pool heaters will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.