Raypak is one of the three brands (alongside Hayward and Pentair) that most pool professionals reach for first, and it makes gas heaters, heat pumps, and electric spa heaters across nearly every size a residential pool needs. The Raypak AVIA 264K natural gas heater is our overall pick for most in-ground pools, the R8450ti heat pump is the best choice if you want the lowest monthly running cost, and the compact E3T electric heater is the right call for spas and small above-ground pools. Here’s how the lineup breaks down by price and use case.
Raypak pool heaters at a glance
| Model | Type | Output | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raypak AVIA 264K | Natural gas, Wi-Fi | 264,000 BTU | Best overall | ~$3,890 |
| Raypak Digital 266K | Natural gas | 266,000 BTU | Best value gas heater | ~$3,179 |
| Raypak R8450ti | Heat pump, titanium | 140,000 BTU | Lowest running cost | ~$4,200–$4,800 |
| Raypak E3T (11kW) | Electric | 37,534 BTU | Spas & small pools | ~$1,000–$1,100 |
1. Raypak AVIA 264K — Best Overall
Raypak AVIA 264K Natural Gas Pool Heater
- Wi-Fi-enabled with the Raymote app, so you can start heating from your phone before you get home.
- Available with a copper or NiTek (cupronickel) heat exchanger for salt-pool durability.
- Compact, lightweight cabinet that's easier to fit into tight equipment pads than older Raypak models.
- Heats fast — a real advantage over any heat pump if you swim on a schedule rather than all season.
The AVIA line is Raypak’s newest residential gas heater, and the app control plus flexible heat-exchanger options make it the easiest recommendation for most in-ground pools. It’s not the cheapest Raypak gas heater, but the smart-control upgrade over the older Digital series is worth it if you want to start heating remotely before a pool party. Ordering through Prime means you’re not waiting on freight during a heat wave: try Amazon Prime free for 30 days for two-day shipping on parts and accessories.
2. Raypak Digital 266K — Best Value Gas Heater
Raypak Digital 266K Natural Gas Pool Heater
- The long-running Raypak workhorse — copper heat exchanger, electronic ignition, digital thermostat.
- Several hundred dollars cheaper than the AVIA for essentially the same BTU output.
- No app control, but every pool tech in the country has installed and serviced one.
If you don’t care about app control, the Digital 266K delivers the same fast, on-demand heat as the AVIA for less money, and it’s the model most independent pool builders already know how to service. Propane versions run a bit more than natural gas at the same BTU rating.
3. Raypak R8450ti — Best for Low Running Cost
Raypak R8450ti Heat Pump (Titanium)
- Tested to AHRI 1160 at a 5.6 COP (80°F air / 80°F water), meaning roughly $1 of electricity buys about $5.60 of heat.
- Spiral titanium heat exchanger resists salt and chemistry swings better than copper.
- Meets Florida's state-mandated 4.0 minimum COP for pool heat pumps sold in-state — a useful efficiency floor to compare against if you're shopping other brands too.
- Needs a dedicated electrical circuit and, like any heat pump, heats slowly and stalls in cold air.
The R8450ti costs more upfront than either gas heater, but a 5.6 COP means it uses a fraction of the energy per BTU of heat delivered. For anyone heating an in-ground pool all season in a mild-to-warm climate, the electric bill savings typically make up the price gap within a couple of seasons versus running gas full-time. It’s a poor fit for cold-climate or occasional heating — pair it with a gas heater or solar cover if you need fast heat too.
4. Raypak E3T (11kW) — Best for Spas & Small Pools
Raypak E3T Digital Electric Heater (11kW)
- Titanium heating element handles spa chemistry and small-pool salt systems without corroding.
- No gas line or outdoor venting needed — plugs into a dedicated electrical circuit.
- Far lower output than the gas or heat-pump models above, so it's sized for spas and small above-ground pools, not a full in-ground pool.
The E3T is the cheapest way into a Raypak heater and the right pick when a gas line isn’t available or the pool is simply too small to justify a 200,000+ BTU unit. It’s also available in 5.5, 18, and 27kW sizes if 11kW doesn’t match your spa’s volume.
Raypak vs. Hayward vs. Pentair
All three brands make comparably reliable gas heaters and heat pumps, and parts/service availability is similar across the board. Raypak’s AVIA and Digital gas heaters generally price a little below equivalent Hayward and Pentair models at the same BTU rating, while its R8450ti heat pump’s 5.6 COP sits in the same range as Hayward’s HeatPro and Pentair’s UltraTemp. If you already own Hayward or Pentair automation, staying in-brand simplifies integration; otherwise, price and local parts availability are the deciding factors.
How to size a Raypak heater for your pool
Use roughly 3 BTUs per gallon for a gas heater and 5 BTUs per gallon for a heat pump. A typical 20,000-gallon in-ground pool needs a 300,000+ BTU gas heater (the AVIA 264K is sized more for pools in the 15,000–18,000 gallon range, so check your volume before buying) or a 120,000–140,000 BTU heat pump like the R8450ti. For exact monthly running-cost numbers by heater type, see our pool heating cost breakdown.
The bottom line
For most in-ground pools, the Raypak AVIA 264K is the best all-around buy — fast heat plus app control at a fair price. Choose the Digital 266K to save a few hundred dollars with no smart features, the R8450ti heat pump if minimizing your monthly electric bill matters most, and the E3T electric heater for a spa or small pool where a full-size gas or heat-pump unit would be overkill.