Designed to provide the same heating performance regardless of the weather outside, gas pool heaters are the most effective type of pool heaters on the market. Made to use propane or natural gas as fuel and transfer combustion energy directly to pool water, these pool heaters come ready to rock right out of the box.
When shopping for a gas pool heater, you can’t just click the buy button on any old model. In truth, there are a lot of factors to consider to ensure you pick the gas pool heater for you and your home.
Lucky for you, you’ve found your way to this invaluable guide and our 100 percent honest and unbiased gas pool heater reviews. Packed full of useful content, tips, and straight-shooting reviews, you’ve come to the right place to learn all about gas pool heaters and find a model with your name on it.
Best Gas Pool Heaters:
1. Hayward W3H200FDN Universal H-Series 200,000 BTU Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater for In-Ground Pools and Spas
The Hayward W3H200FDN Universal H-Series 200,000 BTU Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater is one of the top-selling pool heaters on the market and has a ton of positive gas pool heater reviews.
Aside from its reasonable price tag, the Hayward W3H200FDN Universal also provides pool owners with incredible thermal efficiency and a long list of features typically found on more expensive pool heaters. If you have a small to average-sized pool and want a highly efficient pool heater that won’t let you down, this Hayward may be the one for you.
If you want to enjoy a nice heated pool without breaking the bank, the Hayward W3H200FDN Universal H-Series Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater may have your name all over it. With superior hydraulic performance, this mighty little 200,000 BTU pool heater can turn a 60-degree 800-gallon pool into a balmy 85-degree oasis in under an hour.
Thanks to its Cupro nickel Finn Plate heat exchanger, one-of-a-kind silicon nitride ignition, fire tile combustion chamber, forced draft system, and more, the Hayward W3H200FDN Universal is arguably the gas pool heater in the 200,000-BTU category.
The Hayward W3H200FDN Universal Universal H-Series 200,000 BTU Pool Heater is reasonably priced and offers low NOx emissions, industry-leading thermal efficiency, and a myriad of features designed to make it one of the gas pool heaters around. If you have an average-sized pool and want above-average heating performance, you can’t go wrong with this impressive Hayward.
Pros
- Very energy-efficient
- Well-priced
- Excellent hydraulic performance
- Modern LED display
- Durable and built to last
- Performs in any climate or weather conditions
Cons
- Not ideal for large pools over 20,000 gallons in size
2. Hayward W3H250FDN Universal H-Series 250,000 BTU Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater for In-Ground Pools and Spas
If you like the efficiency, performance, and features of the Hayward above but want even more heating power, say hello to the Hayward W3H250FDN Universal! With 250,000 BTUs of heat output, the Hayward W3H250FDN Universal H-Series is considered by many the gas pool heater for residential use being made today.
Sure, you could up the ante with a 400,000 BTU model. However, the superior heating ability and hydraulic performance of the Hayward W3H250FDN Universal will provide you with all the heat you need to extend the swimming season and not lose your shirt to the energy company every month.
A fixture in Hayward’s award-winning Universal H-Series pool heater lineup, the Hayward W3H250FDN Universal H-Series 250,000 BTU Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater has received its fair share of glowing natural gas pool heater reviews from pool owners just like you.
In addition to its thermal efficiency and superior hydraulic performance, which cuts down on pool pump run time and increases its energy efficiency, the Hayward W3H250FDN Universal features an electronic ignition, fire tile combustion chamber, and Cupro nickel heat exchanger for the fastest possible heating performance.
With an easy-to-use LED control panel and other smart design features, you can count on this Hayward to deliver reliable lightning-fast performance whenever you want the press of a button.
If you’ve been searching high and low for the perfect gas pool heater for your home, you may have just found it with the Hayward W3H250FDN Universal H-Series 250,000 BTU Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater. Offering excellent performance, convenience, and efficiency, it’s simply one of the best around.
Pros
- Fast-acting heating power
- Very energy efficient
- Easy to install
- Digital display and control panel
- Well-priced for its BTU output
Cons
- A little louder than some heaters
3. Raypak 406,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater
Designed to offer a lifetime of heating enjoyment and outperform virtually every other pool heater out there, the Raypak 406,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater packs quite a punch. While it ironically resembles an igloo, there’s nothing chilly about this Sta-Rite.
With pre-mixed air and gas combustion technology, a rust-proof exterior, exact temperature controls, and more, it’s without a doubt one of the natural gas pool heaters around.
A perennial favorite for pool owners and highly recommended in many gas pool heater reviews, the Raypak 406,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater is super-efficient and features a compact, lightweight design for the easiest installation possible.
With 400,000 BTUs of heating power, the powerful natural gas pool heater can heat a large pool in just a few hours. Plus, thanks to its durable and reliable design, you can swim all season long season after season.
Throw in a large LED display with push-button controls to easily monitor and adjust your swimming pool’s water temperature, and you have one heck of a pool heater that’s tough to beat.
The Raypak 406,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater may not look like an advanced, high-performance swimming pool heater at first sight, but looks can certainly be deceiving. With a rust-proof Dura-Glas exterior, compact and energy-efficient design, great LED control panel, and a whole lot more, this Sta-Rite deserves 5s across the board.
Pros
- Small and compact design
- Energy-efficient
- Durable construction
- Easy-to-use control panel
- Lower operating costs
Cons
- A little noisy compared to smaller heaters
4. MasterTemp Pentair EC-462027 250,000 BTU Propane Gas Pool Heater
Like other first-class Pentair MasterTemp pool heaters, the MasterTemp Pentair EC-462027 250,000 BTU Propane Gas Pool Heater works quickly and efficiently to provide your pool with all the heat it needs to become a warm and inviting oasis with the press of a button.
With a durable exterior, rotating LED display, easy-to-use digital controls, hot surface ignition, Cupro nickel heat exchanger, and a ton of premium features, it’s convenient, works like a champ and is built to withstand decades of use.
The MasterTemp Pentair EC-462027 250,000 BTU Propane Gas Pool Heater works efficiently to quickly heat almost any pool in under an hour.
The fully pre-mixed air and gas system features a hot surface ignition and digital push-button controls, allowing you to monitor your pool’s heating and make quick adjustments for just the right temp.
When you consider its hundreds of positive gas pool heater reviews and a wide variety of other great features, such as a composite rust-proof exterior, rotating digital display, and Cupro-nickel heat exchanger, the MasterTemp Pentair EC-462027 250,000 BTU Propane Gas Pool Heater is easily one of if not the gas pool heater for today’s average pool owner.
It may be last on this list, but it definitely shouldn’t be last on yours. With 250,000 BTUs of efficient heating power, a durable construction, and every feature you could ask for, the MasterTemp Pentair EC-462027 250,000 BTU Propane Gas Pool Heater hits all the marks and maybe just the pool heater you’ve been looking for.
Pros
- Highly efficient
- Easy-to-use
- Very durable
- Impressive heating power
- Able to heat any average to large-size pool
Cons
- May need professional installation
5. Pentair 460737 MasterTemp 400K BTU Propane Gas High-Performance Eco-Friendly Heater
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The Pentair 460737 400,000 BTU MasterTemp Natural Gas Pool Heater offers all of the reliability, efficiency, performance, and ease of use you would expect from a Pentair pool heater and much, much more.
Made to contend with the natural gas pool heater options on the market and set the bar in terms of heating efficiency, this powerful Pentair can quickly heat up the largest and coldest of pools in record time. So, if you’ve found yourself reading endless gas pool heater reviews on the hunt for the best, the Pentair 460805 MasterTemp should be at the top of your list.
The Pentair 460737 400,000 BTU MasterTemp Pool Heater provides advanced engineering, best-in-class efficiency, top-quality construction, and the reliable performance thousands of pool owners have come to love and expect from Pentair.
As one of today’s top pool heaters, the Pentair 460737 harnesses the quick heating power of gas and has a heat output of 400,00 BTUs, allowing it to quickly heat swimming pools up to 30,000 gallons or more.
In addition to its awesome heating abilities, the Pentair 460805 is equipped with a rotating digital display with easy-to-use controls, a stack flue sensor, a high limit switch, a water pressure switch, and electronic ignition. It’s truly a great gas pool heater in every way.
Whether you’re having a new pool put in and need a powerful heating solution or have an old outdated pool heater that simply doesn’t cut it anymore, the Pentair 460737 400,000 BTU MasterTemp Pool Heater is a fantastic option worth considering. With powerful heating performance and every feature under the sun, this Pentair is as good as pool heaters get.
Pros
- Very energy-efficient
- Able to quickly heat large pools
- Durable, corrosion-resistant exterior
- Easy-to-use digital controls
- Heavy-Duty
Cons
- High BTU output makes it costly to operate
Factors to Consider
If you can’t tell by now, there are a lot of factors to consider when picking out the right gas pool heater for you and your pool, including:
Pool Size – Many gas pool heaters specify the pool size they’re most suitable for and even provide you with a pool sizing chart to help you determine the right sized heater for your pool.
That being said, you can’t go wrong with too many BTUs. The more BTUs a gas pool heater has, the quicker and more efficiently it can heat water. Using a gas pool heater with not enough BTUs, on the other hand, will consume too much energy and still be unable to provide efficient heating.
Efficiency – When shopping for the gas pool heater for your family, your pool, and your budget, it’s easy to get hung up on the purchase price of a gas pool heater. However, the operating costs of a pool heater, especially for a gas model, are even more important.
The efficiency of a pool heater plays a key role in its operating costs. The more efficient a pool heater is, the better its performance and lower its operating costs will be.
Durability – The durability of a gas pool heater is another obvious and equally important factor to consider. Most quality gas heaters, like the ones reviewed above, feature durable rust-proof exteriors meant to hold up to the harshest weather conditions and heating components designed to last for years.
Heat Exchanger – As their name suggests, heat exchangers transfer heat to pool water. Traditional heat exchangers are made of copper, but many newer gas pool heaters feature Cupro nickel or titanium heat exchangers for their durability and corrosion resistance.
Control Panel – The control panel is the interface and allows you to easily adjust the temperature of your pool water. Most modern gas pool heaters feature digital displays and control panels, and some are capable of automatically maintaining the temperature of your pool water right down to a degree. Many also have alerts, which indicate when a malfunction occurs and identify the problem.
Warranty – As is the case with any large purchase, a warranty is another important factor to consider when choosing a gas pool heater. A warranty can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if the heater malfunctions and a repair is needed.
Many quality gas pool heaters come with a warranty. However, some warranties are longer and more comprehensive than others. Therefore, it’s a good idea to select a pool heater with as long of a warranty as possible. It’s a smart idea to fully read the warranty and understand its conditions as well.
Overall Costs – The majority of pool owners only dwell on the purchase price of a gas pool heater, but its efficiency and overall operating costs are even more important. From installation and maintenance to repairs and running costs, the overall cost of a gas pool heater will far exceed its price tag over time and should be considered when searching through gas pool heater reviews and picking the best one for your budget and your pool.
A gas pool heater can be a smart investment in your happiness, but it can also be a sizable one. By understanding your needs and considering these factors, however, you’re guaranteed to choose the right gas pool heater for your backyard oasis.
Making The Decision
A quality gas pool heater can mean the difference between transforming your pool into a warm and inviting oasis or a money pit with little to no reward. Since pool owners have different pools, locations, budgets, and so on, it’s important to choose the right gas pool heater for your exact needs.
Whether you have a healthy budget and an Olympic-size pool or a modest budget and an average-size pool, one of the high-quality gas pool heaters above will fit perfectly for your pool, budget, and lifestyle. So, rather than spend another hour reading reviews while your pool remains colder than Lake Eerie in December, go ahead and pick out a great gas pool heater today.
As thousands of pool owners will attest, a gas pool heater is not only an investment in your happiness but one of the best investments you’ll ever make!
