Quick answer
The Raypak Digital 266K Propane (266,000 BTU, ~$3,400) is the best overall propane pool heater for most in-ground pools without a natural gas line — the same reliable copper-exchanger platform Raypak has sold in natural gas for years, built for LP tanks instead. For a large pool or the fastest heat-up available, step up to the Pentair MasterTemp 400 Propane (400,000 BTU, ~$4,950). Propane carries about 91,500 BTU per gallon per U.S. Department of Energy figures, and every manufacturer in this roundup notes that a propane-configured heater costs a bit more per hour to run than the same model on natural gas — factor that into your fuel budget, not just the sticker price of the heater.
Propane is the standard fuel choice for any pool without a natural gas line to the equipment pad — rural properties, many above-ground pool installs, and homes where trenching a gas line isn’t practical. A propane heater burns LP from a standard 100–1,000-gallon tank instead of piped gas, and heats water just as fast as its natural-gas counterpart; the tradeoff is a higher cost per therm of heat delivered. Here’s how the major brands compare.
Best propane pool heaters at a glance
| Heater | Output | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raypak Digital 266K Propane | 266,000 BTU | Best overall | ~$3,400 |
| Pentair MasterTemp 400 Propane | 400,000 BTU | Large pools, fastest heat-up | ~$4,950 |
| Hayward Universal H150FDP | 150,000 BTU | Best budget / small pools | ~$2,800 |
| Raypak AVIA 264K Propane | 264,000 BTU | Wi-Fi control | ~$4,100 |
1. Raypak Digital 266K Propane — Best Overall
Raypak Digital 266K Propane Pool Heater
- Copper heat exchanger, electronic ignition, and a digital thermostat — the same long-running Raypak platform sold in natural gas, factory-configured for propane.
- Sized for most 15,000–20,000-gallon in-ground pools using the standard 3-BTU-per-gallon gas-heater rule of thumb.
- No app or Wi-Fi control, but it's the model most independent pool techs already know how to service.
- Runs a bit more per hour than the identical natural-gas model — factor propane's higher per-BTU cost into your seasonal budget.
For most pools that need propane instead of natural gas, the Digital 266K is the safest default — it’s Raypak’s proven workhorse gas platform rather than a lesser LP-only line, and independent pool builders across the country already stock parts for it. Ordering ahead of a tank delivery matters here: try Amazon Prime free for 30 days for two-day shipping so a backordered part doesn’t leave you without heat mid-season.
2. Pentair MasterTemp 400 Propane — Best for Large Pools
Pentair MasterTemp 400 Propane Pool Heater
- The highest BTU output in this roundup — built for large in-ground pools or fast heat-up on a tight schedule.
- 84% thermal efficiency on the standard copper heat exchanger, per Pentair's published spec sheet.
- Needs a larger propane regulator and tank sizing than the smaller units here; confirm delivery capacity with your propane supplier before buying.
If your pool is on the larger side or you only heat for weekend swims rather than all season, the MasterTemp 400’s extra BTU output means a shorter wait between turning the heater on and jumping in. See our full Pentair MasterTemp size guide if 400,000 BTU is more heater than you need.
3. Hayward Universal H150FDP — Best Budget / Small Pools
Hayward Universal H150FDP Propane Pool Heater
- The smallest, least expensive propane heater in this roundup — sized for spas, small above-ground pools, and pools under about 12,000 gallons.
- Same Universal H-Series platform Hayward sells in natural gas, factory-set for LP.
- Lower upfront cost than the 266K–400K models, but a longer heat-up time on anything larger than a small pool.
For a small above-ground pool or spa that just needs occasional heat, the H150FDP avoids paying for BTU output you’ll never use. Compare it against our full best above-ground pool heater guide if you’re not sure which size fits your gallon count.
4. Raypak AVIA 264K Propane — Best with Wi-Fi Control
Raypak AVIA 264K Propane Pool Heater
- Wi-Fi-enabled through the Raymote app, so you can start heating from your phone before you're back at the pool.
- Available with a copper or NiTek (cupronickel) heat exchanger for salt-pool durability.
- Costs a few hundred dollars more than the Digital 266K Propane for the same BTU output, purely for the app control.
The AVIA is worth the premium over the Digital 266K if remote-start matters to you — heating a pool ahead of guests arriving is the main reason owners upgrade. See our full Raypak lineup for the natural-gas AVIA pricing and the brand’s heat-pump and electric options too.
Propane vs. natural gas: what changes
The heater itself works the same way regardless of fuel — burn gas, transfer heat to water on demand. What changes is the math: propane holds about 91,500 BTU per gallon per U.S. Department of Energy figures, versus roughly 1,030 BTU per cubic foot of natural gas, and propane typically costs more per BTU delivered in most U.S. markets since it has to be trucked in and stored in a tank rather than piped. Every manufacturer in this roundup — Raypak, Pentair, and Hayward — sells identical heater platforms in both fuel types, so the propane version isn’t a lesser product, just a pricier one to operate. For the full monthly running-cost comparison across gas, propane, heat pump, and electric, see our pool heating cost breakdown.
How to size a propane pool heater
Use the same 3-BTU-per-gallon rule of thumb as natural gas: a 20,000-gallon in-ground pool wants at least 200,000–250,000 BTU (the Digital 266K or AVIA 264K), while a large pool over 25,000 gallons or anyone heating on a tight schedule should size up to the MasterTemp 400. Also confirm your propane tank size and delivery schedule with your supplier before buying — a 400,000 BTU heater run daily draws down a standard 250-gallon tank noticeably faster than a 150,000 BTU unit used occasionally. A fitted pool heater cover cuts down on how often the heater has to run in the first place, regardless of fuel type.
The bottom line
For most pools without a natural gas line, the Raypak Digital 266K Propane is the best all-around buy — proven hardware, wide service availability, and no premium for features you may not use. Step up to the Pentair MasterTemp 400 Propane for a large pool or the fastest possible heat-up, choose the Hayward Universal H150FDP to save money on a spa or small pool, and pick the Raypak AVIA 264K Propane if app control is worth a few hundred extra dollars to you.