Top 10 Best Above Ground Pool Heaters Reviewed

Thankfully, there are heaters for above-ground pools to help you heat your above ground. Before you go out and purchase a heater for your above ground pool, I am going to share with you the essential information you need to know before you buy one and review ten pool heaters so you can get a taste of what is available on the market

Definition of an Above Ground Pool Heater

An above ground pool heater is a tool that is used to raise the temperature of this type of swimming pool. After this tool has raised the temperature of an above ground swimming pool, it helps maintain it as well.

Why it is Helpful For You to Heat The Water in Your Pool

The two main reasons to heat the water in your above ground pool is the outdoor temperature and your personal preference. It is essential for you to have a heater for your above ground pool, especially if you live in a very cold area.If you want to use your above ground pool when the weather outside is cold, a pool heater is needed to make the temperature of the pool a comfortable one.Your personal preference is another reason to have a pool heater.If you are like me, you do not like bathing or swimming in cold water.I personally prefer to have water as close to hot as possible when I bathe or swim. A lot of people prefer swimming in lukewarm instead of cold water. A pool heater can help you do this.There are quite a few different types of above ground pool heaters for you to choose from. They are all different in the method that they use to heat water.The sources of heat/energy that is used to power them are different as well.

Solar-Powered Pool Heaters

This type of heater is powered by the sun. Due to the fact that there is no charge to use solar power, solar-powered above ground pool heaters are a popular choice among those of you that own this type of swimming pool.The way that this type of heaters operates is the water from the pool is circulated into the collector. The collector is placed right where the sun can get to it like on the top of a roof.The water is heated inside of the collector and then it flows back into the pool. How fast the water goes back into the pool depends on how big the collector is. The bigger the size of the collector, the quicker the pool will be heated.

Electric Heaters

Gas heaters are the most popular heater for above ground pools and spas too. This type of heater either uses natural gas or propane as the source to heat a pool. When the source of a gas heater is propane, the heater is called a propane pool heater.It does not take a gas heater a lot of time to heat up an above ground pool, but you will only have a heated pool for a short amount of time. The water from your pool will enter the heater that has a Combustion Chamber in it.After the gas enters the Combustion Chamber, the gas is burnt inside of it to produce it. Then the heat is transferred to the pool water that entered the heater. Then the heated water is pumped into the pool.

Wood Heaters

Even though this type of above ground pool heater is the least popular and the most energy inefficient type of pool heater, it is still a type of pool heater. I want you to be fully informed of all the types of pool heaters available, so I am sharing this one with you also.This type of above ground pool heater uses firewood as its heat source. The heat that is made during this process is passed to the pool water entering the heater. Then the water is pumped back into the pool.In order to keep this type of above ground pool heater operational, you have to replace the burnt out wood with new wood just like you would in a wood-burning fireplace or stove. For that reason, it is not the best choice available for you to heat your pool.

To get the highest amount of energy efficiency, it is a good idea for you to use more than one type of above ground pool heater. An example of this is to buy a solar heater and a gas powered heater.During the warm weather months, you can use your solar heater to heat your pool. That will help you cut down on the expense of your pool heating costs.When the colder months roll around, you can use the above ground gas pool heater. That type of heater makes it possible for you to heat your pool no matter how cold it is outside.If you do this, you will be able to nicely and do so in an economical fashion when it is warm outside and have a heating solution you can depend on during the cold weather months.

Pool Covers Help Conserve Heat

Pool covers are a good way to conserve the heat in an above ground swimming pool. After you heat up your pool, you can cover it with a pool cover. The cover will hold the heat in for longer than it would if you leave the pool uncovered.Since it keeps a pool warmer for longer, it will not take you as long to get your pool warm again. Using a pool also cuts down on the amount of water that your pool loses water when the water turns into vapor.

Buying a heater for your above ground pool is not an easy task as there a lot of features that you need to focus on. These features include the type of heater, the amount of heat that the heater can hold, and the price of the heater as well.To help you understand more about these features, I am going to explain them more in depth for you.

Type of Heater

Prior to shopping for an above ground pool heater, you need to decide if you want to get solar powered, gas, or wood burning heater. If you live in a climate that is warm, almost every day, then it is a good idea for you to get a solar powered pool heater.Not only will it an effective way for you to heat your pool, it will also be cost effective for you. On the other hand, if you live in a cold climate, you should get an electric or gas pool heater as they will provide the most output.

Heating Capacity

The heating capacity of an above ground pool heater is the amount of heat that it can hold. It is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Heat energy is measured in BTUs. One BTU will raise the temperature one degree Fahrenheit.The heaters used in above ground pools have a BTU rating that is a lot less than pools that are in the ground.The reason for this is that above ground pools are usually smaller than in-ground pools.Different types of pool heaters come with their own individual BTU rating.The higher the rating is, the faster they will heat up your pool. You also will pay more as your heaters BTU rating goes up. However, even though, you are paying more for your heater, your heater will heat up a lot quicker.

Brand

There are a few different brands of above ground pool heaters on the market. Every brand has a different heating capacity, shape, and size.Deciding what brand to get can be based on what brand has been trustworthy to you in the past. If you have never purchased an above ground pool heater before, then you go by word-of-mouth of friends and family or by reading customer reviews.

Budget

How much you can spend on your above ground pool heater is the most important factor. It is essential for you to look for when it comes to features when you are looking to purchase that type of pool heater.A good thing to keep in mind is that an above ground pool heater typically has a long lifespan. They typically last for ten years or more.Therefore, when you are determining how much money you are going to spend on your heater, make sure it is enough money to be the quality pool heater and has the heating capacity that your pool requires.Below we've reviewed the top 10 best above ground pool heaters on the market in 2019.[toc]

This polypropylene comes with all you need to keep your pool warm: two end caps, four stainless steel hose clamps, a roll of Teflon tape, connector hoses for additional units, and two stainless steel hose clamps.The instruction manual has directions in English, French, and Spanish. This attractive pool cover can be used with the majority of above and in-ground swimming pools. 

Pros:

• It can extend the amount of time that you can use your pool by a month or more.
• It is easy to install.
• It will heat your pool up twenty degrees or more, depending on where you put it in your yard.

Cons

• It does not come with anything to hold it in place
• It is not big enough for a standard size pool. You have to purchase quite a few of them to cover a pool.

This above ground pool heater has a one-of-a-kind curved shape that absorbs the highest amount of heat possible. The design also will heat up your pool in a very timely manner.Another great thing about this pool heater is that it comes with all you need to install it in just a few minutes.After you install this heating system, this heating system that is operated by a pump will send water to the part of the heater that heats the water up by means of the solar coils.Then it is warmed up by the solar energy inside the pump. Finally, the gentle, calm, and warm water are sent back into your pool. This heater also comes with a one-year limited warranty. 

Pros

• It does not take up a lot of space.
• It does a great job of heating up a pool.
• It keeps a pool warm even when it is cold outside.

Cons

• The legs break easily.
• The water moves too fast through this heater to properly heat the water.

This pool heater is environmentally friendly as solar energy is used to heat your pool. You will also love that no matter what size your above ground pool is, it will be able to properly heat it.It is easy to install and you will not need any gas or electricity. It also does not take up a lot of room and it is very pretty, especially in comparison to solar panels. It is ideal for pools that hold up to 8,000 gallons of water. 

Pros

• It even keeps a pool warm after the sun goes down.
• It is easy to install.
• It consistently keeps a pool warm.

Cons

• All of the fittings leak
• The instructions are hard to understand.

This pool heater is compact and you will have no trouble installing it. It will work with brand new pools or with a pool that you had for a while. You will also love that it has a digital thermostat that you can set and forget about.It can be used as an alternative to a heat pump or as a device that increases the strength of a heat pump.The two year limited covers everything but labor, other incidentals, and the heating elements. 

Pros

• It heats up water very quickly.
• It is easy to install.
• It is very attractive.

Cons

• It uses a lot of power.
• It does not come with the much-needed water enclosure.

This environmentally friendly solar mat uses the sun to heat your pool. It is easy to hook up. It will even keep your pool warm during the night. The more you have your pool in the sun, the warmer your pool water will get. 

Pros

• The directions are easy to understand.
• It heats up a pool quickly.
• It makes the swimming season longer.

Cons

• The hose that comes with it is not long enough.
• The plastic clamps that come with it are cheaply made.

This pool cover comes with a polypropylene heat collector, two threaded-elbow adapters, end caps, stainless steel hose clamps, Teflon tape, and hoses.The instruction manual is printed in three languages: English, French, and Spanish. You will love that they can effectively heat any pool and that they are made in America. 

Pros

• It heats pools up quickly.
• It is very durable.
• It is very easy to assemble.

Cons

• It leaks a lot.
• The pump that comes with it does not work well at all.

This pool heater is quiet and it does not take up a lot of space which makes it ideal for your above ground pool or spa. The exterior of this heater is tough and rustproof, so it can stand up to any weather condition.It also has a digital display for easy viewing and a manual shut-off for when you need to do maintenance on it.The right combination of air and gas heats this pool heater in a timely and efficient manner. The indicator lights make this heater easy-to-use and monitor. It heats up pools very quickly, even very large pools. 

Pros

• It is very easy to install.
• It is more efficient than other pool heaters.
• It is very dependable.

Cons

• It frequently breaks down.
• It has to be surfaced more than it is used.

This large-capacity heater will make your swimming season longer. For those of you that have an above ground pool, it can heat a twenty-one inch round or a 15 X 30-inch oval pool.It only takes a half-an-hour or less to install this pool heater. The all-metal case that is coated in enamel holds up well to the weather elements.You can also adjust this heater easy with the digital display. It also comes with a ten-year warranty. You will also love that this pool heater is easy to install and it works great. 

Pros

• It has a lower energy bill that other types of pool heaters.
• It heats pools well.
• It makes pool seasons last longer.

Cons

• It freezes up when it is in use.
• It is only good at heating small pools and hot tubs.

2. Hayward H100ID1 H-Series Above Ground Pool Heater

This pool heater has a trustworthy electronic ignition that makes it possible for you to automatically operate it. The induced draft technology makes it possible for the most optimum amount of heating and the ability to work in all types of weather including heavy winds.You will also love how easy it is to install and how well it will keep your pool water warm. 

Pros

• It is very efficient.
• It heats the water in a pool quickly.
• The controls work very well.

Cons

• The copper coils leak.
• It got an internal water leak after only a few weeks of being used.

This gas pool heater is trustworthy and hydraulically efficient. Since its NOX emissions are low, it also is very good for the environment. It is made to withstand erosion that comes with having a lot of water flow through it.The L.E.D. controls are accurate and easy-to-read so you save time and money while you get your pool to the temperature that you want it to be.

 Pros

• It starts to work right away when it notices a change in water temperature.
• It goes into standby mode when it detects low water pressure.
• It is easy to install.

Cons

• It regularly blows a fuse.
• It constantly leaks.

Which Above Ground Pool Heater Should You Buy?

Above ground pool heaters will help you keep your pool nice and warm while giving a longer swim season as well. You can choose from a gas, electric, solar, or wood burning heater.Even though their functions are basically the same as the majority of them heat a pool quickly and are easy to install.Even though all of these pool heaters are great and do their job well, I think the best one of the ones that I reviewed is the EcoSmart Smart Pool Electric Tankless Pool Heater.Not only is it environmentally friendly, it is easy to install, it heats up pool water quickly, and it looks good as well. For all of these reasons, I highly recommend this above ground pool heater and suggest you purchase it for your pool as soon as possible.