Quick answer: Rheem sells pool heaters built by its own subsidiary, Raypak — acquired in 1985, per Raypak’s own company history — so several Rheem-badged units are the identical hardware as a Raypak model under a different name. The Rheem 266,000-BTU Digital natural gas heater (model 009963) is the best overall pick for most in-ground pools at roughly $3,500, matching the price band of Raypak’s own Digital 266K. For lower running cost, the Rheem Crosswind V heat pump (model TWPH-8550EHT10, 138,000 BTU, 5.3 COP) runs about $4,650-$4,800, while Rheem also still sells the older titanium Classic Series M8450ti-E (RHM-15-6035, 140,000 BTU) at around $5,700.
Most pool shoppers never think to cross-shop Rheem, because the brand is best known for water heaters and HVAC equipment — but Rheem has owned Raypak, one of the three major pool-heater manufacturers this site covers, since 1985. That parentage means a handful of Rheem-labeled pool heaters and heat pumps are built on the exact same platform as their Raypak counterparts, just distributed through Rheem’s own dealer and wholesale-supply network rather than the pool-retail and Amazon channel Raypak sells through. Here’s what Rheem actually sells under its own name, and how the pricing compares to the Raypak-badged equivalent.
Rheem pool heaters at a glance
| Model | Type | Output | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rheem 266K Digital (009963) | Natural gas | 266,000 BTU | Best overall / value gas | ~$3,500 |
| Rheem Crosswind V (TWPH-8550EHT10) | Heat pump, titanium | 138,000 BTU | Lowest running cost | ~$4,650-$4,800 |
| Rheem Classic Series M8450ti-E (RHM-15-6035) | Heat pump, titanium | 140,000 BTU | Legacy-generation alternative | ~$5,700 |
1. Rheem 266K Digital Gas Heater — Best Overall
Rheem 266K Digital Natural Gas Pool Heater (Model 009963)
- Copper heat exchanger with a polyester-coated, non-corrosive cabinet — the same construction pool-supply retailers list for the identical unit sold as the Raypak Digital 266K.
- Digital microprocessor thermostat with an LED temperature readout and on-board diagnostics, matching the control panel this site already covers on the control board and control panel guides.
- Right-sized for most 15,000-20,000-gallon in-ground pools per this site's own BTU sizing chart.
Warm up your pool sooner — try Amazon Prime free for 30 days and get your pool heater delivered in two days. At roughly $3,500, this Rheem-badged 266K sits squarely inside the $3,200-$3,900 range this site has already verified for the physically identical Raypak Digital 266K — worth cross-shopping if your local dealer prices one brand lower than the other.
2. Rheem Crosswind V — Best Running Cost
Rheem Crosswind V Heat Pump (Model TWPH-8550EHT10)
- Current-generation Rheem heat pump — capacitive-touch controls, front-panel service access, and Wi-Fi app control through Raymote, the same remote-connectivity platform Raypak's own Crosswind V uses.
- Rated 5.3 COP, meaning roughly $1 of electricity buys about $5.30 of heat, versus burning gas continuously on a comparable-output gas heater.
- Two built-in auxiliary dry-contact ports for pool lights or water features, plus optional relays for higher-voltage accessories.
At $4,650-$4,800, the Rheem Crosswind V lands inside the $4,550-$5,100 range this site has verified for Raypak’s own Crosswind V 8550 — another case where the Rheem badge doesn’t cost you a price premium over the Raypak-branded original.
3. Rheem Classic Series M8450ti-E — Legacy-Generation Alternative
Rheem Classic Series M8450ti-E Heat Pump (Model RHM-15-6035)
- DuraSteel powder-coated cabinet and a 3-blade swept-wing fan, sold in parallel with the newer Crosswind V rather than as a direct replacement for it.
- Same underlying platform as the Raypak R8450ti this site has already documented sitewide as the generation Raypak's own lineup has moved on from in favor of Crosswind V — Rheem still sells it new, so it isn't a discontinued unit the way the Raypak-badged version now is.
- Priced higher than the newer Crosswind V despite the older platform, which is common on legacy-generation equipment still being produced in smaller volume — confirm current stock and pricing with a Rheem dealer before assuming it's the better deal.
Is Rheem the same as Raypak?
Largely, yes, for the models above. Rheem Manufacturing has owned Raypak since 1985, and multiple pool-industry retailers describe the two badges as “the same exact pool heater” in many cases, sold under different names for different distribution channels — Raypak’s own company materials call it a “legacy of innovation and partnership” rather than treating the brands as competitors. That’s a different relationship from the Pentair-owned sub-brands this site’s pool heater brands guide already covers (Sta-Rite and Gulfstream, both smaller product lines under a parent that also sells its own flagship brand) — here, Rheem is the parent company, and Raypak is the pool-industry-facing subsidiary that happens to carry the better-known name among pool shoppers. Because Rheem badges these products for its own HVAC and plumbing wholesale-distributor network rather than pool retailers, warranty registration and parts sourcing may run through a different dealer than a Raypak-branded unit would — confirm both with your Rheem dealer rather than assuming Raypak’s published warranty terms apply automatically.
The bottom line
If you find a Rheem-badged heater priced the same as or lower than its Raypak equivalent, buying it isn’t a downgrade — the Rheem 266K Digital gas heater and Raypak’s own Digital 266K are the same hardware, and the same holds for the Rheem Crosswind V heat pump against Raypak’s Crosswind V. The one case worth a closer look is the Classic Series M8450ti-E: it’s the older titanium-heat-pump generation still sold new, priced above the current Crosswind V, so check current stock and financing before picking it over the newer unit. For the full sizing math before you buy either fuel type, see our BTU sizing chart, and for how Raypak’s identically-built lineup compares to Hayward and Pentair, our Raypak vs. Hayward and full brands guide cover that ground directly.
Sources: Raypak — Celebrating 100 Years of Rheem, Vita Pool Supply — The Difference Between Rheem, Raypak and Ruud, Rheem — Crosswind V Product Page, PoolCorp POOL360 — Classic Series Digital Heat Pump RHM-15-6035.