Which heats a pool faster?

The Hayward. At 250,000 BTU it puts out twice the heat of the 125,000 BTU Pentair, so it warms a large pool in about half the time.

Which lasts longer in a saltwater pool?

The Hayward. Its cupro-nickel heat exchanger resists salt corrosion better than the Pentair's copper exchanger.

Is the Hayward worth the extra money?

Only if you have natural gas and a large in-ground pool. For a propane setup or a pool under 15,000 gallons, the Pentair does the job for about $1,960 less.

Can the Pentair run on natural gas?

Yes. The 461061 is listed for propane or natural gas, while the Hayward is natural gas only.

Which is better for a spa or small aboveground pool?

The Pentair. It is rated for aboveground pools and spas, and the Hayward is in-ground only.

How much does each cost right now?

The Pentair is $1,736.12 at Pool Supply Harbor and the Hayward is $3,699.00 at Leslie's Pool Supplies, both as of November 7, 2026.

Pentair MasterTemp 125K BTU Pool Heater vs Hayward H-Series 250K BTU Pool Heater

Buy the Pentair MasterTemp 461061 if you have a propane line and a pool or spa up to about 15,000 gallons, especially if you want the lowest price. Buy the Hayward H-Series 250K if you have natural gas and a larger in-ground pool, since it delivers twice the heat output and a cupro-nickel exchanger that tolerates salt water. The price gap is wide: $1,736.12 at Pool Supply Harbor versus $3,699.00 at Leslie's Pool Supplies, both as of November 7, 2026.

Today the Pentair MasterTemp 125K BTU Pool Heater costs $1,962.88 less at its best price.

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