Best Above Ground Pool Heaters 2022 [Buyer’s Guide]

You want to take a nice refreshing swim in your Beautiful above ground pool. But every time you have to do a toe-dip before you dive. And once that turns out to be freezing-cold, that is incredibly frustrating for anyone.

To keep your pool nice and cozy warm all throughout the pool season, you need the best above ground pool heater for your space. In this article, we have tackled the issue of above ground pool heating in greater detail.

Here we have 7 best pool heaters of all varieties and price ranges. We have even prepared a buying guide for you. So, what are you waiting for? Dive right in.

Related Article: How to Keep Mice Out of Your Pool Heater?

Best Above Ground Pool Heaters 2022

1. Sun2Solar Blue 33-Foot Round Solar Cover

The Sun2Solar pool covers are made from a film of a thousand tiny little bubbles that go over your pool and work together in collecting and retaining heat. This cover can keep your pool warm on chilly nights and colder days.

The heat retention in this product is so efficient that you won’t have to think twice before jumping in your pool. It also helps with water evaporation. Keeping your pool covered can also be helpful in keeping leaves and dirt from flying in.

The size is also customizable. Above-ground pools are often designed in unique shapes that make finding pool covers a chore. But this one can be easily traced and trimmed for the best fit.

2. SmartPool S240U Pool Solar Heaters

The Smart pool  Solar heaters use a new tube-web-tube structure that allows it to capture the most amount of sunlight and keep that heat trapped for the longest time possible. It is structurally strong and reliant.

The optimal heating can raise the temperature of your pool by almost 15° F and effectively extend the pool season for you and your family by a couple of weeks.

The panels are usually flexible enough to manipulate to your need. It is also durable enough to last you for years. You won’t have to think about a new heating system every summer.

It uses free unobstructed sunlight to warm the water so it is a very energy efficient option if you are looking to invest in a pool cover this Summer.

3. BEAR Fafco Solar Economy Heating System

The Bear Archery pool accessories are known and loved amongst the pool owners. They’ve been doing this since 1995 and they sure know what it takes to make the best rated heater for above ground pool.

The Fafco solar economy heating pool comes rolled up and can be installed on your pool’s surface within 30 minutes or less. The ease of application, the energy efficiency and the heat retaining ability all combined make it one of the front runner products for the best above-ground pool heater

It is also compatible with any existing pool pump. If the hoses are larger than the unit, you can just use a convertible tube and you should be golden.

4. SmartPool SunHeater-Solar Heating System

With two threaded elbow connectors, end caps, stainless steel hose clamps, Teflon tape, hoses for the second collector, the Smart pool Solar heater is truly one of the best user-friendly heating systems in the market.

Made from durable polypropylene material the solar heater would last you for years of use. Its heat-trapping feature makes it a crowd favorite. It can easily let you have a pool season into early fall.

The sun heaters’ design lets the pool water flow through the individual tubes assuring full circulation and proper warming up. With this heating system, you can be sure to enjoy the luxury of a warm pool at any hour.

5. Blue Wave NS105 8-mil Solar Blanket

With its amazing film of tiny little bubbles and blue coating design the Blue Wave solar blanket is a common name when it comes to above ground pool

It is created with UV protected polymer and it is also UV rays and chemicals used in the pool water. So, there is way lesser of a chance of its deteriorating over time compared to other pool blankets

Pool blankets are an easy one-step solution for retaining heat in your pool and extending the pool season for you and your family. Most pool blankets have the issue of not being warm enough but this one definitely fulfills that criteria. The blue wave pool blanket can boost up the temperature of your pool by almost 15° F with unobstructed sunlight.

6. Fafco Solar Bear Economy Heating System

The Fafco Solar Bear Economy Heating System comes with 1-1/2″ barb connections, 12 mounting caps, 12 mounting bases, 6 mounting straps, 1 valve handle, and 20 rubber tube plugs. This is everything you need to create a working solar heating system for your pool, except for a flexible hose. You don’t need to run to hardware stores or worry about tiny nuisances. You can build your solar system straight out of the package.

It can be mounted on a rack, on a fence, or even on the ground. With unobstructed sunlight, it will efficiently warm up your pool. It is compatible with almost all pool pumps so you wouldn’t have to worry about that.

This is a great no-fuss option for those who want a solar-powered heating system.

7. GAME 4721-BB SolarPRO Curve Solar Pool Heater

The Game Curve solar pool heater has been developed with above-ground

and most inground pools in mind. That’s why the construction of the

the product is unique and durable. It will last through the seasons like a

dream. The durable material faces little deterioration even after direct

exposure to sunlight for prolonged hours.

Out of all the heater in our list today this one has the most unique shape

and for good reason. The curved shape of it ensures maximum heat

collection that allows it to raise the temperature by almost 8° on an

average 8000-gallon pool.

The curve solar pool heater also has very versatile plumbing and foldable

legs so that you can adjust it to get the maximum sunlight depending on

it’s positioning.

Buying Guide

This buying guide is for those of you that are a bit overwhelmed with all the information and are stalling to make the big purchase. But, hey, summer’s not going to wait for you. So, we’ve focused on the fundamentals of above ground pool heaters so you can decide for yourself and make the best use of your summer before it’s over.

Energy Source

There are many different types of pool heaters available today. Some work on gas, some electricity and some solar. Gas and Electricity run heaters are both very energy consuming and rack up the monthly bill in no time. Solar heaters are an all-around better choice because it is energy efficient, cheaper, and more readily available.

Solar Blankets

Solar Blankets are the kind of heaters that go directly on top of your pool and retain the heat collected throughout the day. The air pressure keeps the blanket in place. These usually have a bubbled surface. The bubble side goes face down on the water to keep it afloat. These are really efficient for movement and ease of maneuvering but these can be less warming than other options available.

However, if someone is looking for a heating solution that doesn’t require too much fuss, this would be for you. We recommend the – Sun2Solar Blue 33-Foot Round Solar Cover

Solar Heating Systems

Solar Heating Systems do the same job but this is a more reliable setup. You should set up heating panels where it gets the most sunlight during the day at a certain angle and add tubes and hoses to connect it to your pool water. It efficiently uses the existing pool pump to run water through the heating panel to keep it warmer.

These are a bit harder to assemble and get running but once done, these have amazing output. They can increase the pool’s temperature significantly and keep it that way and it is much less flimsy than a solar blanket.

Budget

You should of course keep your budget into consideration. As one of our most affordable and amazingly effective heating systems, we recommend – GAME 4721-BB SolarPRO Curve Solar Pool Heater

Durability

A solar heater is exposed to the sun all the time. It has to withstand outside weather, there’s no second-guessing about that. It is better if you look for heaters that are made from durable material and preferably are UV stabilized as well.

Ease of Access

This is a crucial point many people do not consider prior. If you buy a pool blanket, you’ll have to remove it every time you swim and recover your pool when you’re done. It is a necessary hassle. Even if heating blankets are usually light and easy to maneuver, some people just don’t like that added bit of chore. If that’s the case for you, you probably should buy a panel heating system.

Parts

some heating panels require very specific parts and tools to assemble. It is better if you look into it prior to purchasing, that way you can make sure you get something that comes with all the necessary items in the package so you don’t have to pay extra for hardware again.

Craftsmanship

If you’re not very good with tools or just hate assembling things, or have health issues that don’t allow you to be bent over for a long time, you better avoid heating systems. A heating blanket is a much safer and better way for you.

You should think about all of these fundamental pointers before buying a new above ground pool so you get the most for your time and money.

Conclusion

And with that, we have reached the conclusion of our discussion on the best solar heater for above ground pool. We have tried to keep an option for everyone. For the budget buyer, for the beginners, for the one who wants a more permanent solution – there’s a pool heater for everyone. With our detailed breakdown of each of the products and the buyer’s guide, it should be easy for you to make the buying decision.

We hope you put this article to good use and find the best solar above ground pool heater reviews suitable for your needs. And, of course, thank you for reading!