Name: Farm Innovators Model P-418
Brand: Farm Innovators Model P-418

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When the winter months roll in, having a pond heater can make a big difference. Many people like to install pond heaters to prevent their ponds from freezing over when the temperatures start to get low. They help to protect the pond fish and other aquatic life, and if you’re looking to buy the best pond heater, this is the guide for you.

We took a look at 33 of the best pond heaters on the market and found that the Farm Innovators Model P-418 is the best option in most cases. It’s a well-made, durable pond heater that fits perfectly in most standard-size ponds and is super friendly to fish and plants, as well as being totally safe to use. We also included five other highly rated pond heaters in our guide and hope it will help you to find the perfect pond heater for your home.

Our review team spent hours evaluating and analyzing the pros and cons of each pond heater. We looked at various features, including the size of pond that each heater is able to handle, which is very important for those who have big ponds, as well as the type of heater, how much power it uses, the length of the power cord for easy installation, and other aspects like the dimensions of each product and what kind of warranty the manufacturer is able to offer. Below, you can find a table showing all of the top pond heaters we found, followed by detailed reviews of each one and then a buying guide and FAQ section to help you buy the perfect pond heater.

Quick Summary

Editor’s Choice: Farm Innovators Model P-418

"It is a great all-round option, especially, for small to mid-sized ponds, up to 600 gallons, and being constructed with aluminum it is compact and lightweight."
Best Value: TetraPond Pond De-Icer

"It offers easy floating installation, nice natural stone design to blend in with pond, 3-year warranty, as well as being compact and lightweight, and energy efficient."
Budget Pick: THERMO-POND FLOATING DE-ICER

"This is a budget-friendly model which uses just 100 watts of energy, making it one of the most energy efficient pond heaters out there, and can handle up to 1000 gallons of water."
Best Laguna Pond Heater: Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds

"This heater uses 315 watts of power, can handle super cold conditions, heating up ponds even in -20 degree Fahrenheit weather, has sleek and modern design, with an easy to see LED pilot light."
Best Pond Heater Kit: Natural Waterscapes Pond Heater and Pond Aerator Winterizing Kit

"This kit, which includes heater and aerator, is a great option for those who have delicate koi carp or goldfish in their ponds, as these species are very easily affected by big temperature drops."
Most Durable: Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds 500Wt

"This model is one of the most durable around, it is made from strong materials, has highly effective heating element, long power cord and can handle huge ponds."

Top 6 Pond Heaters Review 2022

9.8

Editor’s Choice

Farm Innovators Model P-418

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Features

Type: floating
Pond size: 200-600 gal
Power: 1250 Watt
Power cord: 10 ft
Dimensions: 4.5 x 7.5 inches
Weight: 3.08 lbs
Warranty: 3 years

More features: Constructed of premium cast aluminum

We start off our list with the top rated pond heater on the market today: the Farm Innovators Model P-418. Made by one of the top brands in the business – Farm Innovators – this floating pond heater sits on top of your pond and can handle ponds of anywhere from 200 to 600 gallons in size, so it’s a great all-round option for small to mid-sized ponds.

It’s super powerful, using 1,250 watts of energy to generate strong and steady heat, ensuring that even on the frostiest of days, you’ll never have to worry about the whole surface of your pond freezing over. The Farm Innovators Model P-418 always keeps a hole open on top of the pond to provide oxygen to the fish and other life inside the water, and it’s made from top quality aluminum too, built to last for years without any flaws or faults.

It uses more energy than many of the competing models out there, so if you want an energy efficient model, the Farm Innovators Model P-418 might not be the one for you. It also has quite a short (10 feet) power cable, which can make installation a little difficult, depending on where your pond is located and how you choose to set up the heater.

What do we love it for?

Very powerful and effective heating
Super easy floating installation
Made from strong aluminum for durability
Compact and lightweight
3-year warranty
Works in most pond sizes
Great value for money

What were we disappointed with?

High energy usage compared to other models
Quite a short power cord

9.6

Best Value

TetraPond Pond De-Icer

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Features

Type: floating
Pond size: 250+ gal
Power: 300 Watt
Power cord: 15 ft
Dimensions: 6.44 x 11.31 x 6.94 inches
Weight: 3.9 lbs
Warranty: 3 years

More features: Natural stone finish; UL listed

Next, we move onto the TetraPond Pond De-Icer. This is one of the best value pond heaters on the market and is made by a trusted company, TetraPond, responsible for some of the top pond accessories out there. The TetraPond Pond De-Icer is a thermostatically controlled floating pond heater that uses just 300 watts of power. It’s very energy efficient, shutting itself off once the temperature reaches a certain level in order to save as much power as possible.

All of this means that you won’t need to worry too much about the TetraPond Pond De-Icer having any effect on your energy bills. It’s a really useful and practical pond heating solution, and it features a very clever design as well. The TetraPond Pond De-Icer is actually styled to look just like a smooth stone, sitting in the center of your pond, so it blends in perfectly with the water and looks very natural, as opposed to some of the brightly colored or poorly-designed alternatives out there.

As a floating pond heater, the TetraPond Pond De-Icer is really easy to install and it comes with a lengthy 3-year warranty to keep you covered in case any problems arise. Unfortunately, some users have reported issues when using this pond heater in super cold environments, but the warranty keeps you covered for a good length of time.

What are our favorite features?

Easy floating installation
Nice natural stone design to blend in with pond
Long 3-year warranty
Compact and lightweight
Energy efficient

What could be better?

Not the most long-lasting product

9.5

Budget Pick

THERMO-POND FLOATING DE-ICER

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Features

Type: floating
Pond size: 1000 gal
Power: 100 Watt
Power cord: 12 ft
Dimensions: 12 x 4 inches
Weight: 2.62 lbs
Warranty: 1 year

More features: Has a protected heating element

Next, we come to our Budget Pick for this list, the Thermo-Pond Floating De-Icer. If you’re just looking for a simple, effective, cost efficient pond heater or de-icer that gets the job done, this is an amazing product to choose. And one of the best things about it is its price. The Thermo-Pond Floating De-Icer is available for under $50 and can keep your pool safe and your fish healthy for many years to come. It uses just 100 watts of energy, making it one of the most energy efficient pond heaters out there.

Many other pond heaters and de-icers use up to 500 watts of energy or more, but the Thermo-Pond Floating De-Icer has no noticeable impact on your energy bills whatsoever and is one of the most eco-friendly devices you can find. It features an automatic thermostat that switches off the heating element when the temperature gets high enough, and the heating element is fully protected too, ensuring that this floating de-icer can go the distance and last for several years without any issues.

On the downside, the Thermo-Pond Floating De-Icer comes with quite a short power cord of just 12 feet. It also has a small warranty of only one year, but many users have proven to be highly satisfied with this device and would recommend it to other pond owners, even those with large ponds as it can handle bodies of water of up to 1,000 gallons.

Why are we impressed?

Works in huge ponds of up to 1,000 gallons
Very energy-efficient, only uses 100 watts of power
Compact and super lightweight
Long lasting design with protected heating element

What negatives must you be aware of?

Short power cord
Nor a very long warranty

9.4

Best Laguna Pond Heater

Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds

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Features

Type: floating
Pond size: 250+ gal
Power: 315 Watt (+15 Watt top heater)
Power cord: 22 ft
Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 inches
Weight: 3.93 lbs
Warranty: 1 year

More features: Integrated thermostat; highly-visible LED pilot light; aids in gas exchange

When it comes to pond heaters and de-icers, Laguna is one of the top brands to trust. Time and time again, Laguna has proven itself to be a dependable and reliable maker of the best quality pond heaters around, and the Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds is the best Laguna pond heater you can buy right now. You have to pay a bit of a premium for this product compared to some of the others due to the fact that it comes from a top brand, but many users believe that the extra cash is justified by the durability, efficiency, and effectiveness of this product.

The Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds uses 315 watts of power, so it’s one of the most energy efficient pond haters around. It can handle super cold conditions, heating up ponds even in -20 degree Fahrenheit weather. It’s a sleek and modern device, with an easy to see LED pilot light to let you know when the unit is turned on and heating up the pool.

It also comes with an integrated thermostat that shuts the de-icer down when the temperature gets high enough. In short, the Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds is able to keep a good-sized hole on the surface of your pond, perfect for gas exchange and keeping your fish alive. It comes with a 22-foot long power cord for flexible installation and has protection against overheating too, but the warranty is a little on the short side.

Why is it special?

Comes from a trusted brand
Integrated automatic thermostat for easy functionality
Simple to install
Works flawlessly to provide gas exchange in and out of the water
Long power cord

What are the flaws?

Quite a high price
Short warranty

9.2

Best Pond Heater Kit

Natural Waterscapes Pond Heater and Pond Aerator Winterizing Kit

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Features

Type: submersible/floating
Pond size: 100-750 gal
Power: 250 Watt
Power cord: 12 ft
Dimensions: heater – 9 x 9 x 5 inches, aerator – 5.25 x 4.75 x 0.5 inches
Weight: 4 lbs (heater), 1 lbs (aerator)
Warranty: 2 years

More features: Includes Aquascape aerator has a 6 ft cord, 50 ft of air line, 2 air diffusers, air pump, 2000 gal coverage area and 3-year warranty

Next, we come to the Natural Waterscapes Pond Heater and Pond Aerator Winterizing Kit. This is actually the only submersible pond heater on our list, so you have to install it a little differently when compared to the floating de-icers and pond heaters out there.

The Natural Waterscapes Pond Heater and Pond Aerator Winterizing Kit is also a full kit, complete with an Aquascape 75000 Pond Air 2 Double Outlet Aeration Kit. The pond heater and aerator work together in combination to keep your pond safe in winter and help your fish stay lively and healthy. The aerator works to provide oxygen and strong gas exchange in the water, while the heater helps to create a warm pocket of water for the fish to live in safely. It’s a great option for those who have delicate koi carp or goldfish in their ponds, as these species are very easily affected by big temperature drops.

The Natural Waterscapes Pond Heater and Pond Aerator Winterizing Kit is well-made and very easy to maintain, lasting for years when treated with care. The kit is quite expensive and has the highest price tag of any entry on our list, but you’re getting a lot of accessories for your money and a 2-year warranty on the heater itself, plus a 3-year warranty on the aerator.

Why did it make our list?

2-year warranty
A full kit with aerator and air diffusers
Very energy-efficient
Great for ponds of varying sizes
Comes with lots of accessories

What is not ideal about it?

A high price tag
A short power cord

9.0

Most Durable

Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds 500Wt

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Features

Type: floating
Pond size: 2000 gal
Power: 500 Watt
Power cord: 22 ft
Dimensions: 9.5 x 8 inches
Weight: 2 lbs
Warranty: 1 year

More features: LED light; stainless steel construction; high impact resistance

Last but not least, we come to the final entry on our list, the Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds 500Wt. Many people worry when buying a pond heater as they fear that it might break down easily or be damaged from being in such a difficult environment and cold conditions all the time.

It’s true that a lot of de-icers and pond heaters break down within the first few years, but the Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds 500Wt is one of the most durable pond heaters around. This pond heater has a high price tag, but it was built to last. It can stick around for years to come, surviving in any conditions and handling temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit with ease.

It features an LED light to let you know when it’s functioning and turns off when the temperature of the surrounding water is warm enough to prevent freezing. It does use quite a lot of power at 500 watts, but is very effective and efficient at what it does, so you shouldn’t notice much of a change to your energy bills when using this device. It also comes with a very lengthy 22 foot power cord and can handle massive ponds of up to 2,000 gallons in size.

What makes it special?

One of the toughest pond heaters around
Made from strong materials
Highly effective heating element
Long power cord
Can handle huge ponds

What cons did we find?

High price tag

Things to Consider

Now that you’ve read through our detailed pond heater reviews and seen some of the best pond heaters on the market, let’s take a look at why you might want a pond heater in the first place. This buying guide will explain how pond heaters work, what kind of benefits they offer, and how they help to protect your pondlife, as well as covering the various factors you need to consider when shopping for your next pond heater too.

When are pond heaters needed?

This all depends on where you live, but in general, pond heaters or pond de-icers are only really necessary in winter. As the temperatures start to get low, the oxygen levels in your pond can start to decrease. This makes it harder for the fish inside, and other aquatic life, to live comfortably. A phenomenon known as ‘winterkill’ can occur, in which fish like koi carp actually die during the freezing winter months as they run critically low on oxygen and the top of the pond freezes over.

When the pond freezes, it makes it much more difficult for oxygen and other gases to be exchanged in and out of the water, creating a much more difficult and hostile environment for the fish. This is particularly true in terms of koi, as they’re very sensitive to low oxygen levels and freezing conditions. So, overall, the time to use a pond heater is when the temperatures drop down close to freezing point.

Benefits of pond de-icers usage?

Many pond owners find themselves asking the common question “Should I use a pond heater?” and the usual answer is yes, especially if you have any fish in your pond. If you don’t have any fish, a pond heater is less necessary, but there are always many useful benefits to have a pond heater.

For starters, they can help to prevent the pond freezing over. This helps to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the pond, protecting the fish, as well as any frogs, plants, or any other forms of life in the pond. Pond heaters help to keep oxygen levels up in the water, making it a healthier and more comfortable place for live to flourish, and can actually save fish lives in the winter months.

Features to consider while choosing a pond heater?

If you’re ready to buy a pond heater, you shouldn’t just dive right in and buy the first one you see. There are many different models of pond heater out there, and the best pond heater for you will depend on the size of your pond, the amount of money you want to spend, how you want to install it, and various other factors and features. Read on to learn about these individual factors and be sure to consider them all when shopping for your next pond heater.

Type

There are three main types of pond heaters: in-line, floating, and submersible.

FAQ

Do pond heaters help to keep fish active all winter?

If you own a pond with fish inside, you’ll notice that their behavior tends to change a lot when the cold winter months begin to arrive. When the water temperature cools down, the fish have to adapt to survive to the different conditions. Their bodily temperatures also drop along with the water. Their breathing rate lowers and they tend to move less as they don’t need to use up as much energy. Basically, when the temperature of the water is lower, the fish become less active. If you install a heater that heats up the water of your pond, the fish will become a little more active, but the temperatures will still be relatively low, so you shouldn’t expect them to be swimming around as quickly as they would be in the summer months.

How large should be a hole in the ice?

Interestingly, you can actually allow most of the pond’s surface to freeze over and still keep your fish perfectly safe. The hole in the ice doesn’t need to be too big in order to allow the oxygen levels to stay high and give the fish the gas exchange they need to breathe comfortably. In general, most de-icers will make holes of about 10 inches in diameter, and that should be just right in most cases. It all depends on the conditions, however. If you live in a really frosty area, you’ll need to buy a more powerful pond heater to make a big enough hole, while those with milder winters won’t need to worry too much about hole size as the pond shouldn’t freeze too easily.

Will the pond de-icer use have a great impact on my electricity bill?

This all depends on the model you buy. Some pond heaters or de-icers are made to be highly energy efficient and can run all day and all night without really making a dent on your electricity bill. Others are less efficient. In general, the best pond heaters only use up to 500 watts of electricity. They’re also equipped with thermostats to check when the temperature is sufficiently warm to turn the heating element off and save energy. When buying a pond heater, check out how much energy it uses and try to find an efficient one if you want to keep your costs low, like the Thermo-Pond Floating De-Icer

Our Verdict

Overall, our number one ponder heater is the Farm Innovators Model P-418. Busting out a whopping 1,250 watts of power, this pond heater is super effective at warming up the surface of your pond and ensuring that it never freezes over, even in icy conditions.

The next best pond heater money can buy is the TetraPond Pond De-Icer. Unlike many of the other pond heaters out there, this one actually blends into the natural surroundings with its rock-like shape and coloring, helping to heat your pond without standing out and ruining the aesthetic.

Our third top rated pond heater is the Thermo-Pond Floating De-Icer. Able to handle ponds of up to 1,000 gallons in size, this high-powered, low-priced de-icer is a big winner in every category, proving that you don’t need to spend big to get a great pond heater.

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6 Best Pond Heaters – Cold Is Not A Problem Any Longer! (Spring 2022)

Top 6 Pond Heaters Review 2022

Farm Innovators Model P-418

TetraPond Pond De-Icer

THERMO-POND FLOATING DE-ICER

Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds

Natural Waterscapes Pond Heater and Pond Aerator Winterizing Kit

Laguna PowerHeat Heated De-Icer for Ponds 500Wt

Things to Consider

When are pond heaters needed?

Benefits of pond de-icers usage?

Features to consider while choosing a pond heater?

Type

Pond size

Power

Working temperature

Power cord

Dimensions

Warranty

Extra features

Price

FAQ

Do pond heaters help to keep fish active all winter?

How large should be a hole in the ice?

Will the pond de-icer use have a great impact on my electricity bill?

Our Verdict