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The 7 best pool solar heaters 2024?

by Tim

pool-solar-heater-header
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Is the pool too cold? With a solar pool heater, the water can be heated completely without electricity.

Environmentally conscious pool heating?

By diverting the pool water into black pipe systems using a pump, it is possible to increase the temperature of the water. The sunlight is absorbed in the tubes, the water is heated and then fed back into the pool. The solar heater heats the pool water without any electricity.

What many people don’t know:

Heating the pool using solar heaters or solar mats is generally much cheaper than heating the water using a heat pump.

Which pool heater with solar is good?

To help you find the right solar heater quickly, our recommendations present the most popular models 2024. We have summarized the most important purchasing features in a practical Checklist. This means that any pool can be brought to the right bathing temperature in no time at all.

Contents:

  1. Top picks: The best pool solar heaters 2024 reviewed.
  2. Checklist: These features are important in the test.
  3. Bestsellers: Overview of the most popular solar pool heaters.
  4. FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about pool solar heaters.

The best pool solar heaters 2024 reviewed

How do we rate? Our experts thoroughly research and evaluate each recommendation. We take into account the most important product features, adherence to quality standards, prices, customer reviews, our own experiences, and much more. Learn more about our process.

To make your choice easier, we have researched the 7 most popular solar pool heaters and presented them based on various product features:

1. best large pool solar heater

No product found.

Why we like it: The solar heater’s large surface area of 6 × 1.4 m also makes it suitable for larger pools. This makes the water pleasantly warm and allows you to enjoy your time in the pool even more. The heater is very easy to set up and can be extended with additional heating elements as required.

Recommended for: The pool solar heater from KESSER is recommended for those who value good workmanship and high-quality materials. Customers praise the high quality of the solar heating system and are impressed by its durability.

2. best pool solar heater in spherical shape

Effective
Steinbach Loop solar collector*

    This solar sphere heats the pool water in an environmentally friendly way and without electricity.

    Why we like it: This solar sphere is an extremely effective solution for heating water. It consists of high-quality solar collectors that capture the sunlight and transfer the heat to the water. Several solar spheres can be connected for larger pools and a higher heating output.

    Recommended for: This spherical solar heater is perfect for those who regularly use the pool and want to maintain a comfortable water temperature.

    3. best pool solar heater with mat

    Inexpensive
    Intex solar heating mat*

      The roll-up solar heating mat from Intex ensures pleasantly warm water in the pool. It is easy to install and therefore particularly user-friendly.

      Why we like it: The pool is heated particularly cheaply with this solar mat. The mat is UV and salt water resistant. If the output of one mat is not sufficient, several mats can be connected.

      Recommended for: This Intex solar heating mat is suitable for pool users looking for effective pool heating.

      4. best pool solar heater for installation

      High quality
      Steinbach solar collector Exclusive*

        This solar heater from Steinbach impresses with its good quality and excellent heat output.

        Why we like it: The curved surface of this solar heater is ideal for absorbing sunlight. The water is quickly heated by the black pipes of the solar collector and fed back into the pool.

        Recommended for: The solar heater is suitable for all above-ground pools and can also withstand salt water.

        5. best pool solar heater with two connections

        Environmentally friendly
        Hecht solar pool heater*

          The generous surface of the pool heater has a unique design that ensures optimum use of solar energy and a pleasant bathing temperature.
          makes it possible.

          Why we like it: This pool heater from Hecht is ideal for pools measuring 360 x 90 cm. Thanks to the simple connection of several elements, even larger pools can be conveniently heated with the solar heater. The Hecht solar heater is supplied with two hoses and two connections (32 mm and 38 mm) so that the heater can be connected to all standard pumps.

          Recommended for: With this complete pool solar heating set, outdoor swimming pools, paddling pools or above ground pools can be heated very easily.

          6. best pool solar heater from Bestway

          Good heat output
          Bestway Flowclear solar pool heater*

            Thanks to solar energy, this solar pool heater from Bestway makes it possible to protect the environment and save costs.

            Why we like it: Bestway has produced this inexpensive solar mat so that above-ground pools can be heated easily and in an environmentally friendly way. With sufficient sunlight, the mat can heat the water up to 5 degrees.

            Recommended for: The solar heater is suitable for above-ground pools with cartridge filter pumps with a capacity of up to 9,462 liters per hour.

            7. best pool solar heater for 6 degrees warmer

            No product found.

            Why we like it: This solar heater for the pool has height-adjustable feet to receive the sunlight from the right angle. This heater heats the pool by up to 6 degrees to make it pleasant to swim in.

            Recommended for: This solar heater is suitable for different types of pools such as above ground, steel wall or wooden pools.

            Pool solar heater Checklist: These features are important in the test

            • Heating capacity: Depending on the model, solar heaters manage to heat different amounts of water to different degrees. Depending on how much water temperature is required, a suitable model should be purchased. Most models can heat the water in an above-ground pool by approx. 5 degrees. Approximately one hour of sunlight is required for each degree.
            • Size: The larger the pool, the larger the solar heater should be. The rough guideline is to have a collector surface of 0.8 square meters per 1 square meter of pool surface. You can either buy one large element or several smaller elements.
            • Model: Solar pool heaters are available as solar mats, dome heaters (power spheres) or solar collectors that can be set up.
              • Solar mat: Solar mats offer the cheapest method of heating water with a solar heating system. By connecting several solar mats together, they can become flexible and also heat larger quantities of water.
              • Dome heating: Thanks to their improved efficiency, dome heating systems provide good heating even with a small heating surface area. The hemispherical shape means that the light is absorbed effectively even when the position of the sun varies.
              • Installable solar collectors: Installable solar collectors are constructed in a similar way to solar mats. However, the hoses lie in a fixed frame, which provides more stability. The stands allow the solar collector to be optimally aligned with the sunlight.
              • Solar tarpaulin / solar foil: A solar tarpaulin or solar foil is a special cover that is attached to the surface of a pool. This heats the water using solar energy. A solar cover prevents the water in the pool from cooling down quickly overnight. Solar tarpaulins help to increase the water temperature and extend the swimming season.
            • Water flow rate: The water flow rate for a solar pool heater refers to the amount of water that flows through the solar heating system. It influences the effectiveness of heating the water in the pool. In the operating instructions, manufacturers of solar heating systems provide recommendations for the optimum flow rate.

            Did you know? These are the best solar mats for the pool 2024.

            Bestsellers: The most popular solar pool heaters

            What do others buy? In our bestseller list, we present the TOP 11 most purchased offers. The selection is updated daily.

            (**Last update 2024-12-04)

            FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers

            pool-solar-heating-faq

            What are the benefits of a solar pool heater?

            The water in the pool can be heated using a solar heater or a pool heater. Heating the water with solar energy is much cheaper. However, solar heating systems also need longer to heat the water.

            How many degrees does a solar pool heater provide?

            Depending on the model, a solar heater can heat the pool by up to 6 degrees.

            Which solar heater is best for the pool?

            Which solar heating system is best depends on how much water is to be heated and to what extent. It should be noted that solar heating systems are significantly slower than pool heating systems with heat pumps, as they only absorb heat from sunlight.

            How much does a good solar heater for the pool cost?

            Solar heaters for the pool are priced between approx. 30 and 250 $. The price depends on the model type and quality. Solar mats are significantly cheaper than solar heating systems that can be set up.

            Can I build solar heaters for the pool myself?

            Solar heaters for the pool can also be built yourself from a black hose. The finished solar heating systems can then be installed on the ground or on a roof.

            This video, for example, shows what the whole thing can look like:

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            More information

            Which manufacturers of solar pool heaters are good?

            Renowned manufacturers of solar pool heaters include Steinbach, Kesser, Bestway, Intex and Poolsana. They are characterized by their quality and reliability.

            How do pool solar heaters work?

            Solar heating systems require solar energy to heat the water in the pool. Solar collectors absorb the sun’s rays and convert them into heat. The heated collectors transfer the heat to the water, which is fed into the pool through fine pipes thanks to a pump.

            What are common defects and weak points in solar pool heaters?

            As solar heating systems are dependent on solar energy, they are less effective on days with little sun. This means that the water in the pool takes considerably longer to warm up.

            Over time, the performance of the solar collectors can be affected by leaves or dirt, it is advisable to clean them regularly. The efficiency of solar heating can be reduced by leaking connections or burst seams. Regular inspection of the pipes prevents water loss.

            How can I connect my pool solar heater?

            As there are many models of solar pool heaters, it is advisable to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when installing a solar pool heater and to follow the instructions. If there are any problems or uncertainties, it is best to consult a specialist to carry out the installation.

            Top picks: A suitable location for the solar heating system must be chosen in any case. A south-facing area with direct sunlight is ideal.

            Are there any Öko Test or Consumer Reports about good solar pool heaters?

            There are no current tests from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on solar pool heaters. The most popular solar pool heaters among buyers 2024 can be found in our bestseller list.

            Editor's note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone. The content has not been endorsed, reviewed, approved, or in any way financially supported by any advertiser. We only include products we believe to be useful. How we work

            *Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.

            Tim

            Tim has been surfing and paddling for over 20 years and is known from FitForFun, FreshSurf, and Zeitjung. Whether surfing in Portugal, snorkeling in Greece or wakeboarding in Germany ... one thing is certain: you'll definitely find him in the water!

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