Recap: Best Pool Heaters
- Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump:Best electric heater
- Raypak Natural Gas Pool Heater:Best gas heater
- Pentair MasterTemp High Performance Eco-Friendly Pool Heater:Best quiet and efficient heater
- Happybuy 3KW 220V Electric Pool Heater:Best for small pools
- XtremepowerUS Swimming Pool Solar Panel Heating System:Best solar pool heater
- FibroPool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater Heat Pump:Best lightweight heater
How They Compare
Heating Performance and Price Comparison
I created a scatterplot chart comparing heating performance and price for each of my top picks so you can see which pool heaters give you the best value for your money. As you can see, the Hayward HeatPro Titanium Heat Pump is an excellent value.
Durability Comparison
- Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump - 5
- FibroPool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater Heat Pump - 5
- Raypack Natural Gas Pool Heater - 4
- Pentair MasterTemp High Performance Eco-Friendly Pool Heater - 4
- XtremepowerUS Swimming Pool Solar Panel Heating System - 4
- Happybuy 3KW 220V Electric Pool Heater - 2
Hayward and FibroPool heaters were standouts in terms of durability.
Energy Usage Comparison
- Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump - 5
- FibroPool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater Heat Pump - 5
- Pentair MasterTemp High Performance Eco-Friendly Pool Heater - 5
- XtremepowerUS Swimming Pool Solar Panel Heating System - 5
- Happybuy 3KW 220V Electric Pool Heater - 5
- Raypak Natural Gas Pool Heater - 3
All the heaters in my top picks performed well in energy-efficiency tests except for Raypak.
Installation Comparison
- FibroPool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater Heat Pump - 5
- Pentair MasterTemp High Performance Eco-Friendly Pool Heater - 4
- XtremepowerUS Swimming Pool Solar Panel Heating System - 4
- Happybuy 3KW 220V Electric Pool Heater - 4
- Raypak Natural Gas Pool Heater - 4
- Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump - 3
The Hayward HeatPro was a bit more complicated to install than my other top picks. FibroPool was exceptionally easy to set up.
Other Notable Pool Heaters Researched
- Hayward Universal H-Series Pool and Spa Heater - This is a reliable option from Hayward, but I found the HeatPro model performed better in my heat performance tests.
- Ecosmart US SMART POOL Tankless Pool Heater - I didn't love the energy efficiency of this heater. Their customer support is also sub-par.
- AquaCal SQ120R HeatWave SuperQuiet Pool Heat Pump - The chiller feature is unnecessary for many pool owners and jacks up the price.
- Smartpool Solar Pool Heating System - XtremepowerUS performed better when I tested heat performance vs. this model.
My Research Criteria
So, how did I determine the best pool heater options in each category? Here are the research criteria I established to filter through the best heaters for your home pool.
Heating Performance
Heating performance is obviously the most important thing to consider regarding your pool heater. For this reason, this section takes up the highest percentage block at 30% in determining the overall score of the pool heaters above.
The ability of the heater to heat a pool to the desired temperature is absolutely critical. Of course, the actual performance will depend on the type of pool heater, but I have not pitted a gas heater against a solar heater, as that rating would not be fair. Instead, the focus is on how well a pool heater can heat the pool (and how warm it is) based on the type of heater.
Heating capacity and BTU ratings are also important here. But more on this is below.
Product Construction, Weight, and Durability
Overall durability accounted for 20% of the overall score of each product.
Depending on your pool type, the weight and construction of your pool heater might be significant. Whether in or above ground, indoors or outdoors, your pool might be compatible with one heater type and not another.
If your pool is a permanent installation and you can install the heater in a protected area, weight might not matter—except to your delivery crew. Weatherization features won’t be relevant, either.
If, however, you want to heat a temporary pool or move your heater indoors at night or during the off-season, weight does matter. Pool heaters range from under 20 pounds to over 200, and I’ve listed various sizes and configurations to serve each pool owner’s needs.
Weatherproofing is also significant if your heater must reside outdoors. After all, the harsh sun and other extreme weather conditions can shorten the life of your pool heater.
Energy Usage
Energy usage made up 15% of the overall score. The type of energy your heater uses is the primary factor that determines your usage. Still, some pool heaters are more efficient than others, regardless of their power source. I’ve recommended heaters with optimal energy ratings to help save you money on your pool heating costs.
To really understand what heater you need, read my guide on sizing your pool heater. I also wrote about the average costs of various pool heaters for folks who want a breakdown by heater type.
Installation
Installation makes up 15% of each product’s score. Of course, the overall ease of installation will play a big part in deciding the scores for the products above. Things like plumbing, electrical wires, and other more technical aspects of the installation that may be difficult for the usual non-specialist to tackle had to be considered.
Another small but important point to consider is the weight of the product. The product's weight may play a part in durability, as I’ve mentioned above, but it also makes an appearance here. The heavier the pool heater, the more difficult it is to install. After all, not everyone can lift a 300-pound heater with ease.
Price
Price is one of the most important criteria to consider, so it takes up 20% of the overall score. When deciding what to get, most pool owners will have a specific budget in mind. Prices will vary, especially according to what kind of pool heater you pick.
For example, a gas heater will be the cheapest option, ranging from $1,300 to $6,300. Electric heaters are middling, ranging from $1,200 to $7,700. And finally, solar heaters will be the most expensive to purchase initially. The average price range for these solar heaters is between $2,300 and $9,600.
On top of the initial purchase price, another cost to consider is the running costs. Gas heaters will generally cost the most to run, followed by electric and then solar. If possible, try to purchase an energy-efficient pool heater to reduce running costs.
What Else to Consider
Here are a couple of other things to consider when picking the best swimming pool heater for you.
Heating Capacity
You’ll notice a BTU rating on most products when shopping for a pool heater. But what does this mean regarding how large a pool the heater can handle? The calculations can become complicated, but there’s a formula for determining how much heat your pool needs to reach the ideal temperature.
For an inground pool, first, calculate the surface area of the pool. Then, determine how much of a temperature rise you need. Take the desired temperature and subtract the ambient temperature to figure this out.
Next, you’ll multiply the surface area of your pool by the rise in temperature. Finally, multiply that figure by 12 to calculate the BTU per hour output you need. The final number tells you the heater output you need to achieve the desired temperature increase in 24 hours.
Calculating the exact BTU level is nearly impossible, given temperature fluctuations and wind chill factors. But in general, this formula will help you determine the ideal heating capacity for your pool and temperature preference.
Energy Type
Pool heaters typically use one of four energy sources: natural gas, propane, electricity, or solar power. Each type has benefits and drawbacks, so I’ve listed the best picks for each category to help guide your purchasing decision. Here’s more on which types I’ve recommended.
Natural Gas
Adding a gas heater isn't a good fit for some consumers who don’t already have a gas line running in the appropriate place. But if you have easy access to natural gas, it can be a simple way to connect your heater.
Especially for larger inground pools, a natural gas pool heater is effective and quick at warming the water.
Propane
Propane pool heaters are similar to natural gas models, but propane can be an even better deal for consumers. Many propane heaters also offer high efficiency, which could save you more on energy costs.
Electricity
Electric-power pool heaters are the most common option, but as convenient as they are, there can be drawbacks. Some types you can plug in, which are handy for storage and winterizing. But other types use hard wiring into your home’s electrical grid, which may require an electrician to install and service.
Some units use a lot of electricity, which can substantially increase your household’s energy costs.
Solar Power
Solar power is a helpful heating option for homes with ample sunlight for most of the day (and year). It’s an easily renewable energy source; you only need to connect the pipes and pump and start circulating sun-warmed water.
Of course, a solar power heater isn’t the most efficient in areas without direct sunlight. Plus, some panels won’t stand up to weathering year after year.
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