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Pool heaters can provide a constant temperature for your pool so anytime is perfect to hop in for a swim or a soak. The quality of gas heaters on the market vary, and sometimes, the best-known brands don’t provide the best value. It’s important to consider things like the amount of BTUs a gas heater produces before purchasing one.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Water Heater Installers

Pentair MasterTemp 125 Low NOx Pool Heater

Pentair’s MasterTemp 125 NOx Pool Heater ranked at the top for customer ratings, warranty and its compatibility. It also ranked near the top for price and heating capacity to earn it’s place at the top of our list. It’s moderately priced and provides a mid-range heating capacity of 125,000 BTUs, which will heat around 400 square feet of pool surface area. An average pool typically has 600 square feet.

Raypak PR266AENC50 266,000 BTU Natural Gas Heater

Raypak’s 266,000 BTU natural gas pool heater packs plenty of punch, enough to comfortably heat up to a 20,000 gallon pool. This model received high customer ratings from both Amazon Pool Supply Unlimited customers. It features a copper heat exchange and will work with both above-ground and inground pools.

Some Amazon users have noted that other models with higher BTUs have leaked within a couple of years or the heat exchange has failed, so take note of those issues.

Of course, with more power comes a higher price tag. But, it will heat your pool quicker than heaters with fewer BTUs.

Raypak PR266AENX51 240,000 BTU Heater Electronic Ignition – NG

Raypak remains one of the best manufacturers in the business for pool heaters, and is known for its electronic pilot ignition, which has remained the same for the last 20 years. This heater will easily power any oval or round pool as well rectangular pools up to 16 feet by 36 feet with a depth of six feet.

Its price tag makes it a mid-range heater, but it’s a reliable one from a proven company.

Hayward Universal H-Series 150,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heater, Natural Gas

Hayward’s Universal H-Series 150,000 BTU heater tied with Pentair’s heater for the top spot in customer ratings, and came in second for price among the top five heaters we found.

It lagged in heating capacity, only because it’s one of two heaters with 105,000 BTUs and ranked in the middle for compatibility since it only works with inground pools and spas.

Pool Unlimited Supply customers rave about the heater in their reviews. Hayward’s heater’s retail cost is considerably higher than Raypak’s 105,000 BTU model, but Hayward features a cupro nickel heat exchanger and 50,000 additional BTUs.

Hayward also provides corrosion protection against premature breakdowns due to unbalanced water chemistry or other issues.

Raypak PR106AENC 105,000 BTU Heater

Raypak’s 105,000 BTU pool heater is the most budget-friendly choice among our top five pool heaters. In addition to this, its impressive warranty ranked second best on our list.

However, there are some downsides with this economical unit, like its heating capacity. At just 105,000 BTUs, it can comfortably heat up to a pool of 10,000 gallon, which is around a 20-foot round, above-ground pool. This heater will only work with above ground pools and uses a copper heat exchanger.

Pool size is the most important factor to consider when looking for a pool heater. The bigger the pool, the more BTUs you’ll want in order to heat the pool faster. Sure, you can use small heaters, but beware of the additional heating time.

Heating a pool comes with additional costs, especially if you have a large pool. Find a pool heater with good efficiency. Most have a thermal heating efficiency of 82% or greater. The more efficient the heater, the lower your gas bill will be.

Many customers lament the lack of durability with some pool gas heaters, so pay attention to how the unit is housed and how much corrosion protection a model provides. Pool owners can help prevent problems with heat exchangers, and other components, by keeping a close eye on their pool’s pH levels. Often, manufacturer’s will not cover pH-related issues under their warranty.

Gas pool heaters will use either a copper heat exchanger or a Cupro nickel heat exchanger most often. A Cupro nickel heat exchanger provides extra protection against corrosion. Gas pool heaters with Cupro nickel heat exchangers tend to cost more than copper models, but the extra cost might prove worthwhile in the long run.

Glance through some bad reviews of gas pool heaters and the complaints will often focus on warranty issues. The length of warranty is an important factor in choosing a gas pool heater, too. Some customers have encountered issues just a few years after purchase, so having that layer of protection can save a ton of money in repairs.

It’s important to remain diligent with pool maintenance because manufacturers can deny warranty claims due to neglect, like a pool having poor pH levels.

Several states have enacted low nitrous oxide (NOx) emission standards and most gas pool heaters come with low NOx levels. But double check to be sure the model you want meets emission standards in your state.

With a natural gas pool heater, or any other kind of pool heater, owners can use their pool at nearly any time, depending upon the region’s climate. Additionally, the pool’s temperature can remain at the same level and even help extend the pool season into the fall.

Natural gas remains a more energy efficient option for pool heating because of its low cost. Natural gas pool heaters also work as efficiently as possibly to stave off any energy waste. Plus, homes typically have a natural gas line installed, so tapping into that for your pool heater is easier than using an electric or a propane heater.

Gas pool heaters will have an additional cost of installing a gas line to the heater, but in the long run, gas is around two and a half times cheaper than running propane. Gas pool heaters are also priced similarly to electric heaters, but typically don’t require as much maintenance as electric models.

Gas heaters rely on propane or natural gas to properly heat your pool, while electric heaters use electricity to warm your pool and are generally cheaper to use.

To determine the best natural gas pool heater ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on five major companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

*Price and customer reviews acccount for 55% of the total weighting.

We picked the Pentair MasterTemp 125 Low NOx gas pool heater as the best natural gas pool heater because of its price, warranty and heating capacity. The Pentair MasterTemp 125 Low NOx will likely handle the heating needs of your inground or above-ground pool.

If you want to use your pool longer each year, a gas pool heater is worth the price. It will help regulate the pool temperature throughout the year so you can go for a dip even when there’s a chill in the air.

Initial costs can be a bear, since you have to run an additional gas line, and heating can range from $300 to $600 per month, but keeping a pool covered while not in use, and finding an efficient pump, can help reduce those costs. A solar blanket can also help heat your pool without using any gas.

No, you should not leave your natural gas pool heater on all the time because your heating costs will rise exponentially, plus you’ll shorten the lifespan of your heater. Instead, heat the pool during the day and purchase a solar blanket to keep the pool warm.

Yes, pool heaters can use a lot of natural gas. Some estimate the cost to heat a pool annually to be around $4,000. Gas pool heaters work best when heating pools for short time periods. Try to maintain a pool temperature at a level that won’t require much heat to raise it to a comfortable swimming level.

Nick is a content creator with a background in DIY home renovation, maintenance, repair and trends. When he's not writing, Nick likes to rehab vintage or kitsch furniture for his home.

Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.