Pool Heaters & Heat Pumps
Best Above Ground Pool Heater (2026): Our 5 Picks Ranked
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Specs below come from each product's Amazon listing; we do not test products in person.
For an above-ground pool, the Vidapool heater leads this list for small above-ground pools: it pairs 16,000 BTU with heating and cooling for pools up to 5,000 gallons, plus app control over WiFi. The MICOE covers pools up to 5,500 gallons with 18,000 BTU, and the TURBRO covers pools up to 6,000 gallons with 18,000 BTU. Every pick here is a heat pump with heating and cooling modes.
Starting out? See the main guide: Best Pool Heater
Top picks at a glance
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Best OverallVidapool Swimming Pool Heater Electric Pool Heat9.8 View on Amazon -
9.8 View on Amazon -
9.7 View on Amazon -
9.6 View on Amazon -
9.2 View on Amazon
Compare the specs
Ranked on heat output, phone app control from each listing, plus how many buyers have rated it. A dash (—) means we could not confirm that figure from the listing.
| Pick | Heat output | Phone app control | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vidapool Swimming Pool Heater Electric Pool Heat | 16,000 BTU | Yes | — | — |
| 2. MICOE 18000 BTU Pool Heater for Above | 18,000 BTU | Yes | — | 2-year |
| 3. Varpoolfaye 5,500 Gallon Heat Pump Pool Heater | 16,000 BTU | Yes | — | — |
| 4. AQUASTRONG Swimming Pool Heater for Above Ground | 16,000 BTU | — | 72 lb | 3-year |
| 5. TURBRO 18,000 BTU Swimming Pool Heat Pump | 18,000 BTU | — | 80 lb | 2-year |
Vidapool Swimming Pool Heater Electric Pool Heat
It heats and cools pools up to 5,000 gallons with 16,000 BTU, a 5.5 COP figure, and app control over WiFi.
- Heat output: 16,000 BTU
- Phone app control
Good for
- Owners of small above-ground pools up to 5,000 gallons
- Buyers who want heating and cooling with app control
Skip it if
- You need a heater for more than 5,000 gallons
- You need heating above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
It has a titanium heat exchanger and heats freshwater and saltwater pools, with heating from 59 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and cooling from 46 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The maker puts noise at 38 dB, and the included 16.5-foot GFCI plug connects through 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch hose adapters with a 1.5-inch conversion kit. The maker recommends a minimum flow rate of 450 GPH and a pool cover to retain warmth.
MICOE 18000 BTU Pool Heater for Above
It heats and cools pools up to 5,500 gallons with 18,000 BTU, app and touchscreen control, and a 2-year warranty.
- Heat output: 18,000 BTU
- Phone app control
- 2-year warranty stated
Good for
- Owners of above-ground pools up to 5,500 gallons
- Buyers who want touchscreen and app control
Skip it if
- You need a heater for more than 5,500 gallons
- You want operation quieter than 50 dB
It runs in ambient temperatures from 32 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit and heats water up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a titanium tube heat exchanger, an IPX4 rating, and a 15-minute DIY install kit. The maker puts noise at 50 dB. The 2-year warranty covers the unit, and control runs through the panel or the app.
Varpoolfaye 5,500 Gallon Heat Pump Pool Heater
It heats and cools pools up to 5,500 gallons with 16,000 BTU, a 4.3 COP figure, and WiFi app control.
- Heat output: 16,000 BTU
- Phone app control
Good for
- Owners of above-ground pools up to 5,500 gallons
- Buyers who want heating and cooling with WiFi app control
Skip it if
- You need a heater for more than 5,500 gallons
- You want operation quieter than 50 dB
It has a titanium heat exchanger and heats water from 59 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooling from 46 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The box includes two DN32-38 mm universal connectors and a 118-inch power cord, and the maker pairs it with a pump that delivers 700 GPH. Water dripping from the bottom during heat exchange and defrost cycles is normal condensation.
AQUASTRONG Swimming Pool Heater for Above Ground
It heats and cools pools up to 5,000 gallons with 16,000 BTU, a 5.5 COP figure, and a 3-year warranty.
- Heat output: 16,000 BTU
- 3-year warranty stated
Good for
- Owners of above-ground pools up to 5,000 gallons
- Buyers who want a 3-year warranty and auto-defrost
Skip it if
- You need a heater for more than 5,000 gallons
- You want heating below 41 degrees Fahrenheit
It heats water from 41 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and cools from 41 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, with a thermostat accurate to plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. The maker puts noise at 38 dB, and an auto-defrost system removes ice buildup without manual steps. It ships with 1.25-inch hose adapters and 1.5-inch conversion kits, weighs 72 lb, and carries a 3-year warranty.
TURBRO 18,000 BTU Swimming Pool Heat Pump
It heats and cools pools up to 6,000 gallons with 18,000 BTU, a 5.5 COP figure, and a programmable timer.
- Heat output: 18,000 BTU
- 2-year warranty stated
Good for
- Owners of pools up to 6,000 gallons
- Buyers who want a programmable timer and auto-defrost
Skip it if
- You need a heater for more than 6,000 gallons
- You want a unit lighter than 80 lb
It heats water from 59 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and cools from 46 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, in ambient temperatures from 41 to 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a titanium heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an IPX4 rating, a GFCI plug, and an auto-defrost function with error codes and auto-shut down. It fits round pools up to 16 ft and rectangular pools 12 by 20 ft, weighs 80 lb, and carries a 2-year warranty. Hose clamps, hose connectors and a drain outlet adapter are included.
How to choose
Match gallons to the heater rating
Each heater here carries a gallon rating: 5,000 gallons for the Vidapool and AQUASTRONG, 5,500 gallons for the MICOE and Varpoolfaye, and 6,000 gallons for the TURBRO. Compare that figure with your pool's gallon count before ordering. A pool cover also helps retain warmth, as the Vidapool and Varpoolfaye makers note.
Heating and cooling modes
A heat pump with both modes heats in spring and cools in summer. The Vidapool, MICOE, Varpoolfaye, AQUASTRONG and TURBRO all heat and cool: the Vidapool, Varpoolfaye and TURBRO heat from 59 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and cool from 46 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, while the AQUASTRONG heats from 41 to 104 and cools from 41 to 83. Check the temperature ranges against your swim season before ordering.
Controls, timers and installation
Control runs through a panel, an app, or both. The Vidapool, MICOE and Varpoolfaye offer app control, and the MICOE adds a touchscreen panel. The TURBRO adds a programmable timer. For installation, the Vidapool and AQUASTRONG ship with 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch adapters, the MICOE includes a 15-minute DIY install kit, and the TURBRO includes hose clamps, hose connectors and a drain outlet adapter.
FAQ
What size above ground pool heater do I need?
Compare the heater's gallon rating with your pool's gallon count. The Vidapool and AQUASTRONG cover up to 5,000 gallons, the MICOE and Varpoolfaye up to 5,500 gallons, and the TURBRO up to 6,000 gallons.
Do these pool heaters also cool the water?
Yes. The Vidapool, MICOE, Varpoolfaye, AQUASTRONG and TURBRO all heat and cool. The Vidapool, Varpoolfaye and TURBRO cool from 46 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and the AQUASTRONG cools from 41 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit.
Which of these pool heaters has the longest warranty?
The AQUASTRONG carries a 3-year warranty. The MICOE and TURBRO carry 2-year warranties.
How loud are these pool heat pumps?
The Vidapool and AQUASTRONG makers put noise at 38 dB, and the MICOE and Varpoolfaye makers put it at 50 dB.
