Top Picks – Pool Heaters

Pool heaters are the secret to lengthening your swim season and enjoying consistently warm water without huge energy bills. From eco-smart solar collectors to compact electric heat pumps, today’s models offer plug-and-play installation with standard pool pumps, digital or app-based temperature control, and the power to raise water by up to 10 °C. Whether you’re looking to cut costs with renewable solar energy or craving precise heat with a 4 kW unit, a quality heater ensures warm water on demand all year round.

• Extended Swim Season: keep your pool at inviting temperatures well into autumn and beyond.
• Energy Efficiency: select from solar-powered panels or R32 refrigerant heat pumps to minimise running costs.
• Simple Installation: most units connect directly to existing filter hoses or mount on racks – no complex plumbing needed.
• Precise Temperature Control: adjust warmth via digital panels, timers, or smartphone apps for perfect comfort.
• Durable, Low-Maintenance Design: UV-resistant materials and corrosion-proof components deliver years of hassle-free performance.

Scroll down to explore our curated list of the best pool heaters for 2025 – chosen for reliability, efficiency, and standout features – so you can find the perfect solution to keep your water perfectly warm. Or browse the full range of Pool Heaters on Splash & Relax here.

The Intex SunBoost Eco Solar Heating Mat is a low-cost, planet-friendly way to extend your swim season. Using nothing more than sunshine, this 47 × 47 inch mat captures and circulates solar warmth, raising pool water temperature by 3–5 °C (5–9 °F) on bright days. Compatible with any Intex filter pump up to 2,000 gal/hr, it connects in minutes via the supplied 1.25 in hose ports and is ideal for above-ground pools holding up to 8,000 gal / 30 m³.

Simply place the mat on a sunny surface beside your pool, hook up the inlet and outlet hoses and let the pump do the rest. Water flows through the black corrugated channels, absorbing heat before returning to the pool. When the weather cools, the mat drains flat for fuss-free storage.

Because the SunBoost relies solely on solar energy, there are no running costs or emissions, making it an eco-upgrade for anyone who wants warmer water without a hefty utility bill. Pair multiple mats for even greater heat gain, or use it alongside a traditional cover to lock warmth in overnight.

Customer Reviews:

“Super easy to install – I was swimming in noticeably warmer water after just one sunny afternoon. A brilliant, eco-conscious alternative to electric heaters.”

“We linked two mats together for our 15-ft pool and gained about 4 °C on a clear day. Folds away flat when not in use – perfect for our small shed.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Efficiency: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★★ 5/5

The Bestway Above Ground Pool Heater is an efficient, plug-and-play unit designed to keep outdoor pools comfortably warm. Delivering up to 2.9 kW of output, it can raise water temperature by roughly 0.5–1.5 °C per hour (pool size and weather dependent) – perfect for extending swim sessions without a steep energy bill.

Engineered for pools holding between 1,520 L and 17,035 L (400–4,500 gal) and up to 15 ft across, the heater connects directly to any Bestway or Intex filter pump rated at 3,785 L/h (1,000 gal/h) or below. A soft-touch digital interface lets you set and monitor the temperature with ease, while an integrated flow sensor and supplied 10 mA RCD plug add extra safety.

Compact and weather-resistant, the unit installs with standard 1¼ in hoses in minutes, then drains and stores easily once the season ends—no bulky heat pump or gas line required.

Customer Reviews:

“Installation was a breeze—had it heating our 12-ft pool in under 15 minutes. We gained about a degree an hour on a sunny day and the kids stayed in much longer!”

“Great little heater for the price. The control panel is clear and the built-in safety cut-off is reassuring. Perfect for taking the chill off evening dips.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Performance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★☆ 4/5

The Intex 2.2 kW Electric Pool Heater is a compact plug-and-play unit that takes the chill off small to mid-size above-ground pools. Rated at 2.2 kW output, it gently lifts water temperature by around 0.5–1.5 °C per hour (depending on pool volume and ambient conditions) – ideal for extending daily swim time in the UK’s unpredictable summers.

Purpose-built for round Easy Set or Metal Frame pools up to 12 ft (3.6 m) – or rectangular models of similar water capacity (max 9,463 L / 2,500 US gal) – the heater plumbs straight into any filter pump moving ≥ 800 gph (3,636 L/h). A new push-button switch and built-in water-level sensor simplify operation and safeguard the element. The supplied UK 3-pin RCD plug adds another layer of protection, while the included pool thermometer lets you track progress at a glance.

Lightweight and weather-resistant, the heater connects with the supplied 1¼ in hoses in minutes, then drains flat for off-season storage. For best results, pair it with a solar cover to lock in warmth overnight and keep your filter cartridge clean to maintain optimum flow.

Customer Reviews:

“Heats our 10-ft Easy Set pool from 20 °C to 28 °C in a single sunny afternoon. Push-button control is fool-proof and the RCD gives peace of mind.”

“Great value for money – simple to install and the kids can now swim until dusk without turning blue! Just remember to keep the pump flow above the recommended rate.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Performance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★☆ 4/5

The Bestway Solar Powered Pool Pad is an eco-smart way to warm your above-ground pool without adding to your energy bill. Measuring 110 cm × 171 cm (≈ 1.46 m²) and moulded from heat-absorbing black PVC, the pad channels water through sun-soaked coils, lifting pool temperature by around 3–5 °C on clear days.

Designed for cartridge pumps up to 9,462 L / 2,500 gal / h or sand filters up to 7,570 L / 2,000 gal / h, it hooks up in minutes using the supplied 32 mm and 38 mm adapters. Link several pads in parallel if you have a larger pool—just add extra panels in full sunshine to scale the heat gain.

The tough 0.9 mm PVC sheet folds flat once drained, so winter storage is simple. Pairing the pad with a solar blanket overnight will help lock in the daytime warmth and cut heat loss even further.

Customer Reviews:

“We connected two pads to our 15-ft frame pool and saw the water climb 4 °C in a single sunny afternoon. Easy install, zero running costs—brilliant!”

“Water definitely feels warmer and stays comfortable longer into the evening. Great budget option before investing in an electric heater.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Efficiency: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★★ 5/5

The Bestway Flowclear 4 kW Pool Heater harnesses ambient air warmth to keep above-ground pools comfortable well beyond peak summer. Using an energy-efficient air-source design with eco-friendly R32 refrigerant, it delivers steady heating while keeping operating costs low – perfect for pools up to 30,000 L (7,925 gal).

An anti-corrosion titanium heat exchanger sits inside the compact grey housing, which carries an IPX5 waterproof rating for peace of mind. Push-button controls, a bright temperature display and a water-sensor power switch make the unit simple to operate, while automatic protection prevents use when outside air drops below 12 °C.

Installation is fast: connect the heater to any cartridge or sand filter pump flowing ≥ 2,006 L/h (530 gal/h) using the supplied 32 mm or 38 mm adapters, plug the RCD-protected lead into a 230 V socket and start warming the water. Add a solar cover or second heater to speed things up for larger pools.

Customer Reviews:

“Our 18-ft frame pool now holds at 28 °C in September. Quiet, economical and easy to fit – the kids love the extended season!”

“Took less than 20 minutes to plumb in. Digital read-out is handy and it shuts itself down if the air gets too cold – great safety feature.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Performance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★☆ 4/5

The Lay-Z-Spa WiFi AirJet Plus Pump is an all-in-one upgrade for any AirJet-series Lay-Z-Spa hot tub. Swap out the standard pump and gain full WiFi control: heat, filter and start the bubble massage from anywhere using the free app or voice assistants. Simply clip it on, connect to your home Wi-Fi and enjoy hands-off convenience.

Via the app you can schedule heating cycles, monitor and adjust water temperature, toggle filtration, choose between two AirJet™ intensities and fire up the bubbles before you step outside. A programmable timer trims running costs by running only when you need it.

Compatible with every Lay-Z-Spa AirJet model, the unit keeps the familiar clip-on housing, built-in cup holders and bright touchscreen, all wrapped in a weather-resistant shell for year-round use. A floating thermometer is included so you can check the water at a glance.

Customer Reviews:

“Total game-changer! I start the heater on my commute and the spa’s at 38 °C when I get home. Pairing took five minutes.”

“Love dropping the bubbles to low while reading, then ramping them up without leaving the water. Installation was a straight swap for the old pump.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Installation: ★★★★★ 5/5
• App Control & Features: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★☆ 4/5

The Costway Solar Pool Heating Panel Kit uses two 3 m × 0.75 m PE panels to convert sunlight into warm pool water, efficiently raising temperature for pools up to 12,900 L. Its durable PE construction works flawlessly from –20 °C to 90 °C, ensuring reliable heat absorption in all seasons.

Each kit comes with end caps, hose clamps, connector hoses and adapters for 32 mm & 38 mm fittings, so you can link panels in series or parallel. Roll-up design makes placement on the ground, a sloped frame or rooftop simple, and panels store flat when not in use.

Extend your swim season without running up energy bills—these eco-friendly collectors deliver a 3–5 °C boost on sunny days, and you can deploy multiple kits together for larger or colder pools.

Customer Reviews:

“Set up was a breeze—clamped hoses on in minutes and saw a 4 °C rise in our 8,000 L pool by midday. Panels held up perfectly through a light frost overnight.”

“Impressed by the build quality—no leaks after weeks of use. We installed on our roof and now swim well into autumn without touching the electric heater.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Installation: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Efficiency: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★★ 5/5

The Costway Solar Thermal Dome Pool Heater harnesses sunlight via a black coil beneath a clear dome, boosting pool temperatures by around 3–4 °C. Its robust PE construction performs in temperatures from –20 °C to 90 °C, ensuring reliable, energy-free heating for both inground and above-ground pools.

Designed for versatile installation, the unit includes foldable stands for angle adjustment and compact storage, plus 90° rotatable hose connectors. You’ll also get all necessary fittings—flat gasket, threaded nut hose, sealing tape, short and long hoses, clamps and reducers—so you can link up to three heaters in series with a 1–2 HP pump (up to 16 GPM) for larger pools.

Set pressure must stay below 0.8 kPa with daily air pressures under 35 PSI for safe operation. Simply position the dome in full sun, connect via the supplied kit and enjoy extended swim seasons without the cost of electric heating.

Customer Reviews:

“Installed two domes on a tilted rack and saw our 20 ft pool rise by 3 °C in a single afternoon. Solid build and easy hookup—no leaks after weeks of use.”

“Love the foldable legs and rotatable connectors. We hooked three units in series and now swim well into autumn without touching the electric heater.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Performance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★★ 5/5

The Monzana Solar Collector Pool & Water Heater Panel MZSP116 uses a black coil beneath a clear HDPE dome to absorb sunlight, raising pool water by up to 3–4 °C. Measuring 112 × 55 × 14 cm and rated for flows up to 10,000 L/h, it connects easily to your existing pump and filter.

Adjustable legs set at 15°–22° let you angle the panel for maximum heat gain. The included installation kit—flat gasket, threaded nut hose, sealing tape, hoses, clamps and reducers—lets you link up to three panels in series with a 1–2 HP pump (up to 16 GPM) for larger pools.

Made from UV-resistant, weatherproof HDPE, this collector delivers eco-friendly heating with zero utility cost. For longevity, avoid freezing temperatures and store indoors during winter.

Customer Reviews:

“Installation was a breeze—the legs fold out, clamps hold tight and we saw a 3 °C rise in our 10,000 L pool by afternoon. Excellent build quality.”

“We hooked two panels to our roof rack and now swim into autumn without touching the electric heater. Really impressed!”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Performance: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★★ 5/5

The vidaXL Solar Pool Heater Panel Kit delivers up to a 10 °C increase in water temperature by circulating pool water through two 80 × 620 cm polyethylene channels that absorb sunlight. Compatible with most 32 mm and 38 mm hoses, it integrates seamlessly with standard pool pumps.

Constructed from UV-resistant HDPE, each panel can be mounted on a rack or laid flat poolside. Simple installation with the included 32 mm/38 mm adapters means you’re heating your pool within minutes. Link multiple kits in series to scale heating power for larger volumes.

Eco-friendly and cost-free to run, these panels are perfect for extending your swim season without any electricity costs. Store flat when not in use to save space.

Customer Reviews:

“Installation was straightforward—snapped on the hose adapters and saw a 6 °C rise in our 12 000 L pool within two hours. Panels feel robust and weatherproof.”

“Excellent value! Our family swims into late autumn without needing the electric heater. Highly recommend for effortless warmth.”

Ratings:

• Ease of Setup: ★★★★★ 5/5
• Heating Efficiency: ★★★★☆ 4/5
• Value for Money: ★★★★★ 5/5