Find the Best Pool Heater for Your Pool
We test, compare, and rank pool heaters — gas, heat pump, solar, and electric — for above-ground and in-ground pools, so you swim in warm water without wasting money on the wrong BTUs. No fluff, no brand bias.
Latest Reviews & Guides
Aquastrong Pool Heater Review 2026: Which Model to Buy and What the Spec Sheet Hides
Aquastrong heat pumps run $649 to $3,699 on its own store, but the 35,000 BTU and 15.8 COP headlines are best-case numbers. Real 59°F output, the warranty fine print, and which model to buy.
Buying GuidesPool Heater Setback Requirements: Property Line, Noise & Zoning Rules (2026)
How far a pool heater must sit from the property line, fence, and neighbor's window — and why a separate noise ordinance can force it even farther back than zoning alone requires.
Buying GuidesPool Heater Extended Warranty: Is It Worth It? (2026)
Most home-warranty pool/spa add-ons quietly carve out the one heater type that costs the most to replace. What's actually covered, what it costs, and when it's worth it.
Buying GuidesPool Heater Winterizing: The Complete Shutdown Checklist (2026)
Draining a pool heater wrong is how a cracked heat exchanger happens. Gas, heat pump, and solar steps in order, plus the antifreeze mistake that can do real damage.
Buying GuidesPool Heater Surge Protector: Do You Actually Need One? (2026)
Power surges are one of the top causes of pool heater control-board failure — here's what a dedicated surge protector actually covers, what it doesn't, and what it costs.
Best PicksBest Pool Heater Sacrificial Anode Replacements 2026: Raypak & Jandy
Which pool heaters actually use a replaceable sacrificial anode — Raypak's ProTek Shield and Jandy's zinc anode kit — part numbers, prices, and why Pentair and Hayward skip it.
Why Trust PoolHeaterLab?
Hands-On Research
Picks grounded in real heat-output, efficiency (COP), and build-quality research — not spec sheets.
Expert Picks
Every guide is matched to your pool size, climate, and fuel type, not marketing claims.
Every Budget
Options from budget solar mats to premium high-COP heat pumps — clearly labelled.
Updated for 2026
Prices, picks, and efficiency research kept current for the swim season.