Sta-Rite is a Pentair-owned brand best known for pumps and filters, but its Max-E-Therm line is a legitimate gas pool heater option — engineered on the same platform as Pentair’s own MasterTemp, just sold through a different dealer channel. Here’s how the three sizes compare and where the brand fits if you’re already comparing MasterTemp or Hayward.
Quick answer
The Sta-Rite SR333NA (333,000 BTU, 84% thermal efficiency, ~$5,297 installed) is the best all-around choice for a typical in-ground pool. Downsize to the SR200NA (200,000 BTU, ~$4,268 installed) for a spa or smaller pool, or step up to the SR400NA (400,000 BTU) for the fastest heat-up on a large pool — though most retailers hide that model’s price behind an in-store “call for price” policy. Every size is also available as an HD version with a cupro-nickel exchanger for salt-chlorinated or harsh-water pools.
Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm lineup at a glance
| Model | BTU | Efficiency | Exchanger | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sta-Rite SR200NA | 200,000 | 84% thermal | Copper | ~$4,268 installed |
| Sta-Rite SR333NA | 333,000 | 84% thermal | Copper | ~$5,297 installed |
| Sta-Rite SR400NA | 400,000 | 84% thermal | Copper | Call for price |
| Sta-Rite HD versions | Same BTU tiers | 82% thermal | Cupro-nickel | ~$150–$250 more |
Installed prices include delivery and local flat-rate installation per retailer bundle pricing; unit-only street prices typically run lower — get an exact quote from your installer.
1. Sta-Rite SR333NA — Best Overall
Sta-Rite SR333NA Max-E-Therm (333,000 BTU)
- Rated 84% thermal efficiency with a Dura-Glas rustproof cabinet and copper heat exchanger.
- Right-sized for most 15,000–25,000-gallon in-ground pools — enough BTU for fast heat-up without paying for capacity a mid-size pool won't use.
- LED temperature readout with dual thermostat controls and low-NOx design.
Warm up your pool sooner — try Amazon Prime free for 30 days and get your pool heater delivered in two days. The SR333NA sits in the same 84%-efficiency tier as Pentair’s own MasterTemp 250, which makes it a reasonable alternative any time the MasterTemp is backordered or priced higher at your local dealer.
2. Sta-Rite SR200NA — Best Value
Sta-Rite SR200NA Max-E-Therm (200,000 BTU)
- Same 84% efficiency rating and Dura-Glas construction as the larger SR333NA, sized down for spas and smaller pools.
- Lightweight, compact design suited to retrofit installs where an older heater is being swapped in place.
- 2-year manufacturer's warranty plus a typical 1-year installation warranty from most dealers.
For a pool under roughly 15,000 gallons, the SR200NA heats just as effectively as the 333NA at a lower price and with a smaller gas-line requirement — right-sizing down is the better call unless you need the fastest possible warm-up.
3. Sta-Rite SR400NA — Best for Large Pools
Sta-Rite SR400NA Max-E-Therm (400,000 BTU)
- Fastest heat-up in the Max-E-Therm lineup, built for large in-ground pools or frequent cold-start heating.
- Compatible with Pentair's IntelliCenter control system and an optional Smart Heater Bypass valve rated for up to 35% savings in yearly operational cost, per the manufacturer's spec sheet.
- Most retailers list this size "too low to advertise" under Pentair's minimum-advertised-price policy — expect to call or visit a local dealer for an exact number.
The 400NA is the right call for anything above 25,000 gallons, but budget a phone call into your shopping process — MAP pricing rules keep the number off most retailer websites, the same hidden-pricing pattern we ran into with Jandy’s heat pump line.
Is Sta-Rite the same as Pentair MasterTemp?
Sta-Rite has been a Pentair-owned brand for years, and the Max-E-Therm line shares its core engineering with Pentair’s own MasterTemp: both rate their standard copper exchanger at 84% thermal efficiency and offer a cupro-nickel HD version at 82% efficiency for pools with salt systems or harsh water chemistry. The real difference is distribution — MasterTemp is Pentair’s retail-facing line, stocked widely on Amazon and at big-box stores, while Max-E-Therm sells mostly through wholesale pool-supply dealers. That narrower distribution is also why Sta-Rite pricing is harder to find online than MasterTemp pricing for an equivalent BTU size.
The bottom line
The Sta-Rite SR333NA is the best overall pick for a typical in-ground pool, with the SR200NA a smart downsize for spas and smaller pools and the SR400NA reserved for large pools willing to call a dealer for pricing. If you run a salt system or fight low pH, step up to the HD cupro-nickel version of whichever size fits your pool. And if Sta-Rite pricing proves hard to track down locally, the functionally identical Pentair MasterTemp is worth cross-shopping since it’s stocked more widely.