Top 15 Best Above Ground Pool Heaters in 2024

Swimming in the summer is one of the most enjoyable and chilling experiences, especially swimming at night. However, what if those summer nights become a little bit cold?

That’s why an above ground pool heater is an indispensable part of your pool, not only this summer but also all year round.

However, there are many different types of pool heaters on the market, including solar heaters, gas heaters, heating blankets, and many other models. These different heaters come with different sizes, materials, fuel types, etc. You may be confused among these overwhelmed choices.

Don’t worry, in this detailed review, you will find the durability, effectiveness, pros, and cons of each heater. Let’s go on reading to find the best heater for your above ground pool.

What Is the Best Pool Heater for Above Ground Pools?

I have researched thoroughly among various pool heater brands and models on the market. Finally, I came up with this detailed list of the best above ground pool heaters. Let’s check it out.

• Best Overall: GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1 Solar Pool Heater
  “No professional installation needed; cost-effective; runs on renewable energy; compatible with any pool sizes.”
• Best Budget: Solar Sun Rings SSRA-100 Pool Heater
  “Affordable price; cost-effective; relatively fast heating; but need additional solar insulation for better covering.”
• Best Solar Heater for Above Ground Pool: Fafco Pool Solar Powered
  “Best solar pool heater; warm up the pool water fast; long-lasting; cost-beneficial; doesn’t require professional installation.”
• Best Propane Heater for Above Ground Pool: Hayward H100IDP1
  “Ideal propane heater; can operate automatically; doesn’t require a professional technician for installation; durability.”
• Best Rated: SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater
  “High-efficiency; doesn’t require an extra adaptor to run; heat the pool water fast; but doesn’t last long as expected.”
• Best Hayward Above Ground Pool Heater: Hayward W3H400FDN Natural Gas
  “First-rate materials; durability; warm up the pool water relatively quickly; cost-inefficient due to extra gas required during operation.”
• Best Electric Above Ground Pool Heater: Hayward CSPAXI11
  “High-quality stainless steel; durability; no professional installation needed; energy saving; withstand any weather conditions.”
• Best Natural Gas Above Ground Pool Heater: Raypak Digital
  “Incredible electric ignition; easy installation and storage; durable material; quickly heating; extended lifespan.”
• Best for Winter Use: Sta-Rite SR200LP Max-E-Therm Pool Heater
  “Perfect for winter weather; incredible lightweight; easy to install and store; exceptional quiet operation.”
• Best for Small Pool: GAME 4714 SolarPRO Contour Solar Pool Heater for Intex
  “Ideal for small above ground pools; cost-cutting; doesn’t require a professional technician.”
• Best for Salt Water Pool: EcoSmart SMART POOL 27 Electric Tankless Pool Heater
  “Great for the saltwater pool; compact design for easy installation; quickly heat the pool water and keep that temperature automatically.”

Comparison Chart

There are some crucial features you will need to know before buying any types of pool heaters. You can look at this table to quickly distinguish those features.

The 15 Best Above Ground Pool Heaters Reviews

Without any further hesitations, let’s dive into the most exciting part, in which you find the detailed pros and cons of each above ground pool heater in my list.

GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1 Solar Pool Heater

(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)

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The GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1 is one of the best overall heaters not only for above ground pools in general but also Intex above ground pool in particular.

The first reason is that this heater is extremely cost-effective. It runs by solar power. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about your electricity bills. Moreover, it can heat your pool water temperature up to 7 degrees quickly after installation.

What’s more, it is designed to fit any pool size, which is incredibly convenient for small or large pool owners. This feature also means you will not need additional money on an extra adaptor.

Another great thing about the GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1 is that it is straightforward to install. You don’t need to hire a professional technician to install it. Furthermore, it is also more space-saving than solar panels.

Solar Sun Rings SSRA-100 Pool Heater

(Best Budget)

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If you have a tight budget while still looking for a pool heater to warm up your pool water effectively, you should give the Solar Sun Rings SSRA-100 a try.

This pool heater is one of the most affordable heating units on the market. It is made from two vinyl layers that can resist direct harmful UV. Moreover, this design makes it absorb solar heat quicker, from that warming up your pool faster.

However, the Solar Sun Rings SSRA-100 doesn’t cover the whole surface of your pool. Therefore, you need an additional solar blanket to avoid the heat escaping from your pool.

Fafco Pool Solar Powered Heating System

(Best Solar Heater for Above Ground Pool)

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Among thousands of solar heaters for above ground pools, Fafco is considered the best one.

This solar heater is made from durable and reliable materials, which helps you heat your pool faster. Moreover, it is designed as a solar panel. Therefore, you will save lots of electricity bills.

Another great thing about the Fafco solar heater is its flexible mounting. With this incredible feature, you can easily install the heater without any problems. All you need to do is to mount it on the ground near to your above ground pool.

Hayward H100IDP1 Propane Pool Heater

(Best Propane Heater for Above Ground Pool)

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The Hayward H100IDP1 is considered the best propane heater compared to other brands. Like other heaters, it uses water from your above ground pool, uses propane to heat it, then sends it back to your pool.

Moreover, it comes with electronic ignition. This unit is designed to operate automatically. That means you don’t need to do any complicated steps to run the heater.

Another incredible feature of the Hayward H100IDP1 is that it uses induced draft technology, which makes it heat your pool water more effectively.

SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater

(Best Rated)

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The SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater is highly rated by many consumers thanks to its effortless installation. Moreover, it can be used for both in-ground and above ground pools.

Unlike gas or propane heaters, with this solar heater, all you need to do is place it on the ground, fence, or anything near your pool. You also don’t need an extra adaptor because you can directly connect it to your pool pump.

Another great thing about the SunHeater S120U Universal is that it can warm up the pool water relatively fast, up 6-10 degrees F nearly right after installation. However, this hugely depends on the number of sunlight in your area.

Hayward W3H400FDN Natural Gas Pool Heater

(Best Hayward Above Ground Pool Heater)

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Hayward has claimed its name in the pool heater field for various high-quality heating products. Among them, the Hayward W3H400FDN Natural Gas is considered to be the best one.

This heater comes with many different sizes, which is suitable for any pool sizes. Moreover, it is made from high-quality materials, making it last longer than any other similar competitors.

Another great thing about the Hayward W3H400FDN is that it delivers quick heating. However, it uses natural gas to run the system, which may require additional expense.

Hayward CSPAXI11 Electric Pool Heater

(Best Electric Above Ground Pool Heater)

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If the Hayward W3H400FDN is the best natural gas heater from Hayward, the Hayward CSPAXI11 is the best electric heating system for above ground pools.

This pool heater is made from high-grade stainless steel, which makes it durable and lasts long, even under weather conditions.

Another incredible feature of the Hayward W3H400FDN is that its electricity-saving. Although it runs on electricity, it consumes less power than any other similar counterparts. You no longer need to worry about electricity bills.

Raypak Digital Natural Gas Pool Heater

(Best Natural Gas Above Ground Pool Heater)

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The Raypak Digital Natural Gas Pool Heater is designed to be compatible with almost any remote system available. This feature makes it take advantage over other natural gas heaters to become the best one on the market.

Moreover, it comes with a Microprocessor Controlled Thermostat. With this incredible feature, you can set up the desired temperature for your pool water easily. All you need to do is press the up and down button on the heater.

Another fantastic thing about the Raypak Digital Heater is its tube, which is made from extruded copper. This material allows it to warm up the pool water faster.

Sta-Rite SR200LP Max-E-Therm Pool Heater

(Best for Winter Use)

See the Price on Amazon

The Sta-Rite SR200LP Max-E-Therm is made from exclusive Sta-Rite material, making it quickly heat the water and perfect for any weather, especially winter.

This heating system is considered the lightest one compared to any other pool heaters on the market. Moreover, its compact design makes it convenient to install, move, and store.

Another great thing about the Sta-Rite SR200LP Max-E-Therm is its quietness. This feature is a plus for those who easily get irritated with noisy sounds.

See Also: 15 Best Winter Pool Covers

GAME 4714 SolarPRO Contour Solar Pool Heater for Intex

(Best for Small Pool)

See the Price on Amazon

If you own a small above ground pool and look for a heating system that fits your pool, you should give the GAME 4714 SolarPRO Contour a try. Moreover, it is adapted for Intex above ground pools.

This heater comes with two different styles, including contour and curve. Both these two styles are designed to absorb maximum solar heat and transfer it into heat to quickly warm up your pool water.

Because the GAME 4714 SolarPRO Contour uses solar power to heat the pool water, you won’t need an extra adaptor. This feature also means you don’t need to spend extra money on additional units.

EcoSmart SMART POOL 27 Electric Tankless Pool Heater

(Best for Salt Water Pool)

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If you have an above ground pool with saltwater or live in an area near the beach, you will need a pool heater that can resist saltwater. In this regard, the EcoSmart SMART POOL 27 will be the best option.

Moreover, it comes with remote control, enabling you to set up the desired temperature for your pool water with ease. Furthermore, it is also easy to install thanks to its compact design. This design also makes it compatible with almost new pools.

The EcoSmart SMART POOL 27 is made from high-grade stainless steel, making it more durable even after several uses.

Intex Above Ground Pool Solar Heater

(Best for Intex Pools)

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If you own an Intex above ground pool and need a right heater for yours, the Intex Solar Heater is made for you.

This pool heater uses solar heat to warm up your pool water. However, it is an advanced technology, so it can quickly warm up your water up to 5-9 degrees F. You need to note that this degree highly depends on the weather conditions, whether it is mainly sunny or not.

Moreover, this Intex Pool Heater is constructed with PVC, which is considered to be UV-protected. Its design is also so compact and lightweight that you can install it on your own.

SmartPool S240U Pool Solar Heaters

See the Price on Amazon

If you feel summertime is not long enough for you to enjoy funny swimming and want to extend it. You should give the SmartPool S240U Pool Solar Heating System a try.

This heater comes with a tube on web design, which helps it absorb maximum solar power and transfer it into heat to warm up your pool water. It is this creative design that extends the warm pool water for weeks.

Like other solar heaters, the SmartPool S240U doesn’t require professional installation. You can easily install it with your existing pool filter without an additional adaptor. It also helps you save a small amount of money on extra units.

Pentair 460734 MasterTemp Pool Heater

(Best Value for the Money)

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The Pentair 460734 MasterTemp Pool Heater is constructed with first-rate materials and advanced technology, making it warm up your pool water faster than any other similar counterparts.

Moreover, it comes from a reliable manufacturer. You can believe in their quality and effectiveness. This heater is also energy-efficient, which saves you a lot of money on electricity bills.

Another great feature about the Pentair 460734 MasterTemp is its compact design. This feature enables you to install it with ease.

XtremepowerUS Pool Solar Panel Heating System

(Most Durable)

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The XtremepowerUS Pool Solar Panel Heating System is constructed by exceptionally first-rate materials, which makes it become the most durable pool heater for above ground pools.

Moreover, it is extremely cost-effective because it runs on solar power. It is also easy to install. You can place it on your rooftop, on the ground, or anywhere near to your pool. It will absorb the solar heat then transfer it to your pool water.

However, the only drawback of the XtremepowerUS and other solar heaters is that it will depend on the weather conditions. That means solar heaters like the XtremepowerUS only works best on sunny days.

Choosing the Best Above Ground Pool Heater – Buying Guide

Suppose the above information is still not enough for you to choose the best above ground pool heaters, going into this buying guide. I’m sure this part will help you a lot in your purchasing decision.

Types of Fuel

Fuel type is one of the most important things to consider before you purchase a pool heater. This factor will affect how fast your pool is heated, how much you will pay for it.

Usually, there are four basic types of fuel: propane, natural gas, electric, and solar. In terms of quick heating, propane and natural gas heaters are doing better than solar and electric ones.

What’s more, solar heaters and electric heaters are far cheaper to run than gas units. In terms of cost-effective, electric ones will be the best choice, and it can be used all year round.

Solar heaters are also cost-effective. However, it will work best in areas with large amounts of sunlight. So if you live in a place that doesn’t have much sunlight, you shouldn’t choose a solar pool heater.

Pool Size

The second crucial factor to consider before buying a pool heater is your above ground pool’s size. Generally, solar heaters are not suitable for large pools. Its size is small, so you have to use several solar ones to cover your pool.

In case you choose gas heaters, it is recommended to select the one with high BTU. The fact is, your pool water will be heated faster if the gas heater has more BTU. Moreover, higher BTU also means it will be more efficient.

Remember to check your pool size to choose the best pool heater that can raise the temperature of the pool water fast.

Control Panel

A control panel is another essential thing to consider. This factor will allow you to track your pool water temperature and adjust it more conveniently.

You need to consider if you need this control panel or not. The reason is that cheaper heaters will not come with this temperature monitor or even the control panel. Therefore, you will need to buy an extra thermometer to measure your pool water temperature.

Professional Installation Needed

Another vital factor you have to consider is whether you need expert installation for a pool heater that you’re going to purchase.

In case you can install it on your own, this factor is not a problem. However, if not, you need to hire a professional to install it. That means you will have to pay an extra expense to the pool heater’s price.

How to Install an Above Ground Pool Heater?

If you want your pool heater to run properly and avoid extra repairs, it is recommended to hire a professional to install it for you.

However, if you are professionally trained to install a pool heater, you can still do it by yourself. But below are some of the necessary steps to follow. Those steps will help you install your above ground pool heater properly.

The first step is to choose a suitable location. It will depend on which fuel types of the pool heater you buy. If it is a gas heater, you should place it near to the gas supply.

In contrast, you can place your solar heating unit anywhere. However, it is highly recommended to put it in a sunny spot for the best result.

After choosing the right place, you need to check the water connection to see whether the water goes into the line between the heater and the pool. Then, installing an electrical wire, gas line, or solar. It depends on your types of fuel that your heater is running.

The last step is to test the system to see if it runs properly. There are some essential things you need to check if the water temperature is right as you desire, if the water is flowing in the right way, if any leaks are found.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In this part, I will give you answers to some frequently asked questions about above ground pool heaters.

Swim Network Overview

No matter which above ground pool heater you choose it’d be best to select the one that is suitable for your pool size. More importantly, consider solar pool heaters if you live in a low sunlight place.

For the best overall above ground pool heater, I’d recommend the GAME 4512 SolarPro XD1. It delivers a high amount of solar heat to warm up your pool water quickly, which is extremely cost-effective.

If you have a tight budget, you should choose the Solar Sun Rings SSRA-100. It uses solar power to run, so you save lots of electricity bills. Moreover, it is also easy to install and store.

If you live in an area with severe winters, you should give the Sta-Rite SR200LP Max-E-Therm a try. It also provides quiet operations, which is excellent for those who get irritated with loud noises.

Finally, I hope this article will help you choose a suitable heater for your above ground pool. If you think so, share it now to help others find their appropriate one.