VEVOR VDPYCA-110 38,220 BTU
#1 in Above-GroundFull review
A cheap single-speed heat pump for above-ground pools up to about 13,000 gallons, for buyers who want the lowest price per BTU.
Amazon $973.07$973.07
A pool heat pump pulls heat out of the outdoor air and puts it into the pool water, the way an air conditioner works in reverse. For each unit of electricity it puts five to seven units of heat into the water in warm air, so it costs far less to run than a gas heater or an electric resistance heater. The catch is that it slows down as the air cools: most lose a third or more of their output by 50 °F, and many stop below 45 to 50 °F. That spring and fall weather is exactly when people want the pool warmer, so this ranking weighs cool-weather performance heavily.
Makers rate output at a standard test point of 80 °F air, 80% humidity and 80 °F water, and most also publish a 50 °F air rating; both come from the AHRI test standard (AHRI 1160). Those are the numbers compared here. Many direct-to-consumer brands quote a higher “up to” COP from a low-speed setting, and those don’t compare like for like, so each product page uses the full-output figure and notes the rest. Each pool size is ranked separately.
Top Picks
TURBRO Beluga B50V 52,200 BTU
#2 in Above-GroundFull review
A low-cost inverter heat pump for above-ground or small in-ground pools up to about 16,000 gallons, for buyers who want app control and a longer season.
Amazon $1,749$1,749
Shop by Pool Size
Above-Ground
14 rankedUnder 75,000 BTU: for above-ground pools, plunge pools and small in-ground pools, up to about 15,000 gallons.
Top rated: VEVOR VDPYCA-110 38,220 BTU $973.07
In-Ground
12 ranked75,000 to 112,000 BTU: for a typical in-ground pool of 15,000 to 25,000 gallons in a warm climate.
Top rated: VEVOR VBPYCA-250 93,390 BTU $2,189.90
Large Pools
20 rankedOver 112,000 BTU: for large pools, pools with a spa, or heating faster in cooler climates.
Top rated: Raypak Crosswind V 8550 $4,450
Narrow It Down
By budget
Prices were last checked October 27, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Pool Heat Pumps for Above-Ground and Small Pools
- VEVOR VDPYCA-110 38,220 BTU#1 of 14Full review
A cheap single-speed heat pump for above-ground pools up to about 13,000 gallons, for buyers who want the lowest price per BTU.
Amazon $973.07$973.0738k BTU6.64.1Single - TURBRO Beluga B50V 52,200 BTU#2 of 14Full review
A low-cost inverter heat pump for above-ground or small in-ground pools up to about 16,000 gallons, for buyers who want app control and a longer season.
Amazon $1,749$1,74952k BTU6.54.4Variable - TURBRO Beluga B75V 72,400 BTU#3 of 14Full review
An inexpensive inverter heat pump for in-ground pools up to about 21,000 gallons, for buyers who value low running costs and quiet operation over a long warranty.
Amazon $1,899$1,89972k BTU6.93.8Variable - VEVOR VBPYCA-210 70,730 BTU#4 of 14Full review
A cheap inverter heat pump for above-ground or in-ground pools up to about 20,000 gallons, for buyers who put price first and can live with a one-year warranty.
Amazon $1,899.90$1,899.9071k BTU6.94.8Variable - VEVOR VDPYCA-150 52,100 BTU#5 of 14Full review
A cheap single-speed heat pump for above-ground or small in-ground pools up to about 16,000 gallons, for buyers who want the lowest price per BTU.
Amazon $1,202.27$1,202.2752k BTU6.24Single
See all 14 best pool heat pumps for above-ground and small pools
Best Pool Heat Pumps for In-Ground Pools
- VEVOR VBPYCA-250 93,390 BTU#1 of 12Full review
A low-priced inverter heat pump for in-ground pools up to about 22,000 gallons, for buyers who put price first and can live with a one-year warranty.
Amazon $2,189.90$2,189.9093k BTU6.84.9Variable - TURBRO Beluga B100V 96,900 BTU#2 of 12Full review
A budget inverter heat pump for in-ground pools up to about 26,000 gallons, for buyers who want large output and app control at a low price.
Amazon $2,699$2,69997k BTU6.83.5Variable - Raypak Crosswind V 5550#3 of 12Full review
An efficient single-speed heat pump with a long parts warranty, for a typical in-ground pool up to about 20,000 gallons.
Amazon $3,945$3,945102k BTU6.14.1Single - Jandy VersaTemp 103,000 BTU#4 of 12Full review
An efficient heat/chill unit for a typical in-ground pool with Jandy AquaLink automation, installed by a dealer.
JandyNo price103k BTU6.44.1Single - VEVOR VBPYCA-310U 104,790 BTU#5 of 12Full review
A low-priced 100,000 BTU-class inverter for in-ground pools up to about 28,000 gallons, for buyers who want big output without a premium-brand price.
Amazon $2,501.91$2,501.91105k BTU5.94.6Variable
Best Pool Heat Pumps for Large Pools
- Raypak Crosswind V 8550#1 of 20Full review
Raypak’s largest Crosswind V, for big pools or pool-and-spa combos, at a low price per BTU for a single-speed unit.
Amazon $4,450$4,450138k BTU64.2Single - Raypak Crosswind V 6550#2 of 20Full review
A strong-value single-speed heat pump for average to large in-ground pools, with a longer parts warranty than most rivals.
Amazon $4,305$4,305118k BTU6.14.1Single - AquaCal HeatWave SuperQuiet SQ200R#3 of 20Full review
AquaCal’s biggest residential heat pump, for large pools or pool-and-spa setups that need strong heating into the cool seasons.
Amazon $6,255$6,255138k BTU6.14.2Single - TURBRO Beluga B160V 143,450 BTU#4 of 20Full review
A big, inexpensive inverter heat pump for large in-ground pools, for owners who need output and app control more than a long warranty.
Amazon $3,799$3,799143k BTU--Variable - TURBRO Beluga B120V 116,000 BTU#5 of 20Full review
A large, low-priced inverter heat pump for in-ground pools up to about 30,000 gallons, where its top discharge helps on a tight pad.
Amazon $3,099$3,099116k BTU--Variable
How We Rank
Each heat pump is scored on its efficiency at 80 °F air, how much output and efficiency it keeps at 50 °F, its price per 1,000 BTU of rated output, its warranty, the lowest air temperature it heats in, and its noise.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | COP at the standard 80 °F air test point | 25% |
| Cool weather | COP and output kept at 50 °F air | 20% |
| Value | current price per 1,000 BTU of rated output | 20% |
| Warranty | compressor, parts and labor cover, on dealer-installed terms | 15% |
| Cold air | lowest air temperature it heats in | 10% |
| Noise | sound level while running | 10% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.