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Best solar heaters for above ground pools

Updated

The best above ground pool solar heater depends on how much heat you want and how much space you have. A long roll-out panel system like SunGrabber’s does the most heating and can grow with extra panels. A compact collector on legs, like GAME’s SolarPRO Curve, takes up little room and plugs straight into a typical above ground filter. A solar mat is the cheapest way to add a little warmth to a small Intex pool. Our picks, chosen from manufacturers’ published information:

All three run on your pool’s existing filter pump, so there’s no separate pump or electrical work. Availability changes from season to season, so check with the manufacturer or a retailer before you plan around one.

Contents

Our picks at a glance

SunGrabber Above Ground¹ GAME SolarPRO Curve² Intex Solar Mat³
Collector type Roll-out polymer panels Curved collector on folding legs, with a clear cover Flat mat
Collector size 2 × 20 ft per panel; add-on kits for more One compact unit 47.25 × 47.25 in
Where it goes Ground, rack or roof On the ground, below the pool’s water level On the ground beside the pool
Pump it suits 3/4 to 1 1/2 hp; best at 4 to 8 gpm per panel Up to 1.5 hp without a bypass kit Up to 1/3 hp or under 2,000 gal per hour
Warranty 10-year limited; freeze damage not covered 90 days 90 days

Sources: ¹ SunGrabber Above Ground installation manual. ² GAME SolarPRO Curve product page and owner manual (item 4721). ³ Intex Solar Mat product page (28685E). All checked October 28, 2026.

Best overall: SunGrabber Above Ground Solar Pool Heater

SunGrabber’s above ground system uses the same kind of polymer panel as its inground systems: a 2 × 20 ft panel that unrolls on the ground next to the pool. It’s sold in one-panel and two-panel packages, and you can add more panels later with an add-on kit. The manual says the system can go on the ground, on a rack, or on a roof or shed with a separate mounting kit.

Water from your filter enters a header that, according to the manual, spreads the flow evenly across the panel’s tubes, so the whole panel heats rather than just one path through it. SunGrabber says a correctly sized and installed system will raise pool temperatures by up to 10°F. If the pool gets too warm in midsummer, the manual suggests running water through the panel at night to cool it.

It has the most surface area of our picks, and the most room to grow, which makes it the best choice for medium and large above ground pools.

Pros

Cons

Best compact heater: GAME SolarPRO Curve

The GAME SolarPRO Curve (item 4721) is a single compact collector with a curved shape, a clear cover to hold in heat, and adjustable folding legs so you can angle it toward the sun. GAME says it’s designed for above ground and most inground pools and works with Intex, Bestway and most other above ground pools. The box includes the filter hoses, hose adapters and reducers for 1 1/4 in and 1 1/2 in hose.

GAME is upfront about what it can do. It calls the Curve a gradual heater that extends your season by raising the water a few degrees, not a “miracle-cure” heater, and says it raises an 8,000-gallon pool by 5 degrees in 4 days. The manual approves it for filter pumps up to 1.5 hp without a bypass kit. Above that, or to connect more than one unit, you need GAME’s bypass kit.

Pros

Cons

Best budget pick for small Intex pools: Intex Solar Mat

The Intex Solar Mat (28685E) is a 47.25 × 47.25 in mat that lies beside the pool and connects to the filter with the included 1 1/4 in hose and bypass valve. Intex includes adapters for 1 1/2 in hose, too. It’s built for small above ground pools: Intex rates it for pools up to 8,000 gallons and filter pumps up to 1/3 hp or with a flow rate under 2,000 gallons per hour. Intex says it raises the water temperature by about 5°F to 9°F, depending on the weather.

It’s the simplest and cheapest way to add solar heat to a small Intex pool. On a pool much bigger than that, a single mat has too little surface area to make much difference.

Pros

Cons

Will your pump push water through it?

Every heater on this list runs on your pool’s existing filter pump, so the pump has to suit the heater:

Check your pump’s horsepower or flow rate (it’s on the pump’s label or in its manual) against the heater’s requirements before you buy. When in doubt, follow the heater manufacturer’s manual. It overrides any general advice.

How many heaters do you need?

The U.S. Department of Energy’s rule of thumb is solar collector area equal to 50% to 100% of your pool’s surface area. Our solar pool heater guide explains how climate and a pool cover change the number. Here’s an example with round, hypothetical numbers:

  1. Find the pool’s surface area. An 18 ft round pool has a radius of 9 ft, so its area is about 3.14 × 9 × 9 ≈ 254 sq ft.
  2. Apply the 50% to 100% range. That’s about 127 to 254 sq ft of collector.
  3. Convert to panels. A 2 × 20 ft panel is 40 sq ft, so you’d need about 3 to 7 panels, rounding up.

Compact heaters and mats have far less collector area than that, which is why their makers describe them as gradual heaters that add a few degrees. You can connect several, using the bypass or connection parts the manufacturer specifies, but for a bigger pool, panels are usually the more practical route. Our solar pool heater cost guide walks through panel counts and costs.

Whatever heater you choose, a solar cover helps keep the heat in. SunGrabber’s own manual points out that without one, much of the heat you add during the day can be lost at night. See our picks of the best solar pool covers.

How we chose

We started from the solar heaters sold for above ground pools in the U.S. and kept only those whose manufacturer publishes enough to describe them accurately: collector size, pump requirements, placement rules and warranty terms. Our sources were manufacturer websites and owner’s manuals, checked October 28, 2026. We haven’t tested these heaters ourselves, and we don’t list prices because they change often.

We left out heaters we couldn’t verify from the manufacturer. The SmartPool SunHeater systems and FAFCO’s Super Solar Bear are both widely sold, but we couldn’t find manufacturer specifications and warranty terms for them, so check those details with the seller if you’re considering one. For inground pools, see our roundup of the best solar heaters for inground pools.

Frequently asked questions

Do solar heaters work on above ground pools?

Yes. Most above ground solar heaters connect between your filter and the pool’s return, so the filter pump pushes water through the collector, where the sun warms it. How much they help depends on the collector area compared with your pool’s size, your climate, and whether you use a cover.

How much will a solar heater warm an above ground pool?

A few degrees to around 10°F, according to the manufacturers. Intex says its mat adds about 5°F to 9°F depending on the weather, GAME says the Curve raises an 8,000-gallon pool by 5 degrees in 4 days, and SunGrabber says a correctly sized system raises the temperature by up to 10°F. A pool cover helps you keep that heat overnight.

Can I use more than one solar heater on an above ground pool?

Yes, and on all but small pools you’ll often need to. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting them. SunGrabber sells a panel add-on kit, and GAME requires its bypass kit to connect more than one Curve. Also check that your pump can still push enough water through the larger setup.