Best Pool Heaters of 2024 (2024)

Like the majority of pool heaters, this Hayward pool heater runs on natural gas. But it stands out from the crowd for its decent price for its heating capacity as well as its thermal efficiency and low emissions, according to the manufacturer.

Multiple online reviews on Amazon said the machine delivers fast heating. One customer who called it a "dynamo," said of the first time using it overnight with their pool which holds 20,000 gals of water: "The pool temperature rose from 74°F to 92°F; that is a rise of 18 degrees in seven hours."

It features a highly durable cupronickel heat exchanger — which helps prevent corrosion, making it a great choice for saltwater and chemically treated in-ground pools — and provides 200,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour. Plus, it’s equipped with a digital control panel that’s easy to use, according to one customer review on the manufacturer's website. But at 123 pounds, the unit is heavier than some other pool heaters in its class.

This natural gas pool heater from Pentair offers some serious bang for your buck, generating 125,000 BTUs per hour. The compact design runs quietly too. "The quietness of the unit running is amazing," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

It’s also certified for low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and equipped with a digital display that’s easy to read. One caveat: It’s not a good fit for smaller pools; according to the manufacturer, it’s designed for pools up to 15,000 gallons.

Talk about a powerhouse. This propane tank pool heater from Pentair produces 400,000 BTUs per hour — the highest output of any machine on this list. "Once connected and turned on, I could not believe the speed at which my 18 x 54 foot pool heated up," said one customer review on Amazon.

It also boasts top-notch energy efficiency, weighs only 65 pounds and is certified for low NOx emissions. It’s one of the most expensive pool heaters out there, but it could be worth the splurge depending on your needs.

Solar pool heaters are usually more costly, running around $2,500 to $4,000 to purchase and install, according to Energy.gov. But they cost very little to operate once they’re up and running. If you have a sizable budget, the Smart Pool S601 is worth considering.

Each unit comes with 80 square feet of solar panels. The system keeps your pool warm with a heat collector, raising the water temperature by as much as 15°F, however it will work slower than a gas-powered model.

The panels, which can be installed on the roof of your house, mounted on a rack or placed on the ground, are made of lightweight and durable polypropylene. But solar panel pool heaters require professional installation, which can be costly.

This dual-function pool heater-and-cooler heat pump is very quiet, according to customer reviews on Amazon. It features an easy-to-use digital display and heats water quickly using a spiral titanium heat exchanger. The cooling mode allows you to lower your pool’s temperature — a blessing during a steamy day.

While the unit is compact, it weighs a fairly heavy 152 pounds and delivers only 61,000 BTUs per hour, so it’s only designed for smaller above-ground pools. It's also pricey, but the convenience of offering warmth and cooling in one may be worth it if you want to extend your pool season and/or live in a climate with extremely hot weather.

There are several important factors to consider when you go shopping:

✔️ Pool type: Pool heaters are compatible with in-ground pools, above-ground pools or both, depending on the product. If you have a saltwater pool, make sure to confirm that the filter is designed for saltwater.

✔️ Heating capacity: This is measured by how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) a pool heater generates per hour. Most residential pool heaters produce between 50,000 and 400,000 BTUs an hour. BTU output impacts whether a pool heater is designed for a small, medium, or large pool; the fewer the BTUs, the less amount of water it can heat effectively.

✔️ Power source: Pool heaters run on natural gas, propane gas, electricity from a heat pump or solar energy. Gas-powered heaters tend to have a bigger impact on the environment in terms of emissions and may be more costly to operate.

✔️ Energy efficiency: Electric heat pumps and solar-powered pool heaters tend to be more energy efficient and, as a result, cheaper to operate than natural gas and propane gas pool heaters.

✔️ Emissions: Gas pool heaters produce nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas emission that's bad for the environment. Low NOx pool heaters are designed to minimize these harmful emissions. All gas heaters must meet the federal standards for NOx emissions.

✔️ Warranty: Pool heaters typically come with a warranty of anywhere from one to 10 years, depending on the product and manufacturer.

Getting a pool heater professionally installed can cost anywhere from $300 to around $5,700 or more, depending on the heating capacity, heat source, size, brand and other variables, according to home remodeling resource ANGI. The average cost typically runs $1,803 and $4,134.

Installation costs can vary depending on the type of pool heater too. According to ANGI, electric pool heaters cost $1,000 to $6,000 to install on average; natural gas or propane pool heaters cost $1,500 to $6,000 to install; heat pump pool heaters cost $2,500 to $7,500 to install, and solar panel pool heaters cost $2,500 to $9,500 to install. The size of your pool and where you live can also affect the cost.

Pool heaters also require maintenance, such as keeping the heater clear of debris and checking for rodent activity periodically. You can do these maintenance tasks yourself or hire a pool company to do them for you.

It’s best to hire a professional to install a gas pool heater because they require a gas line connection, which can be complex. Propane heaters require connecting the tank to your pool's heating system, a task best left to a professional. Proper installation also helps ensure the pool heater runs efficiently, according to Energy.gov.

Electric heat pumps and solar panel heating systems are a bit easier to install, but hiring a professional can provide peace of mind that the system was properly installed for optimal performance.

Daniel Bortz is a freelance writer who has written about home improvement for more than a decade, including testing-based product reviews across every major category from outdoor power equipment to smart home technology. His work has been published by the New York Times, Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, Money magazine and other outlets.

For this article, Bortz worked closely with Dan DiClerico, director of GH's Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab. DiClerico has tested and written about home improvement and outdoor power equipment for more than 20 years. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, his expertise appeared in Consumer Reports and This Old House.