---
product_id: 11716939
title: "Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools"
price: "R4649"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/11716939-solar-pool-water-heater-mat-for-above-ground-swimming-pools
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# 47.25" x 47.25" heating surface Fits pumps ≤ 2,000 GPH 5-9°F solar heat boost Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools

**Price:** R4649
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> ☀️ Elevate your pool vibes with solar-powered warmth—because chilly dips are so last season!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools
- **How much does it cost?** R4649 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/11716939-solar-pool-water-heater-mat-for-above-ground-swimming-pools)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Sun-Powered Warmth:** Harness solar energy to raise your pool temperature by up to 9°F—eco-friendly comfort without the electric bill.
- • **Durable & UV-Resistant:** Heavy-duty UV stabilized PVC ensures long-lasting performance season after season.
- • **Compact Storage Solution:** Folds flat for effortless off-season storage—keep your backyard sleek and clutter-free.
- • **Plug & Play Compatibility:** Designed for filter pumps up to 1/3 HP or 2,000 GPH flow rate—easy integration with your existing setup.
- • **Generous Heating Footprint:** An 11 sq. ft. mat maximizes sun absorption, efficiently warming pools up to 8,000 gallons.

## Overview

The Intex Solar Pool Water Heater Mat is a compact, solar-powered heating solution designed for above-ground pools up to 8,000 gallons. Measuring 47.25 by 47.25 inches, it uses an 11-square-foot UV-resistant mat to increase water temperature by 5 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Compatible with filter pumps up to 2,000 GPH, it offers an economical, eco-friendly way to extend your swimming season with minimal setup and easy storage.

## Description

Buy Intex Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools | 28685E - Energy-Efficient Heating - Designed to work with INTEX Filter Pumps up to 2,000 GPH, 47.25" x 47.25": Pool Heaters - desertcart.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

Review: This is wonderful! - I will build a frame for this and put it under acrylic sheet for better heating. It is under acrylic right now, but not boxed in. I “MacGyvered” it, and use small tubing that works with my pond SOLAR pump that I have, so it can heat my pool all day, not just when pump is running. Instead I use a small pond solar pump and run 3/8” ID tubing to and from the pad, with one end connected to a pond pump with solar panel sitting on noodles in pool or off to side on a table, like the pad is.. Works great. I have a small Bestway pool 6.5’x10’x33” (1000 gal) and this raises temp by 10 deg a day with a bubble cover on my pool too. Last year I made a similar DIY panel, with copper tube painted black, put under glass in a frame. This is way better.
Review: So what's left is a handful of poor reviews/videos to go along with many items they sell - Long review. Do the mats work? Yes and No! Do the mats leak? Yes and No! Do YOU own a pump large enough to consider? According to Intex whom I called myself. These mats are supposed to work with multiple pumps they sell. They did not lie when it came to the fact that it did move the water through the mats. However, when I questioned the minimum spec amount for the pump that would proficiently work for me. They would not give me a direct answer. What I have found is they will not do this for many of the products they sell. So what's left is a handful of poor reviews/videos to go along with many items they sell. I have watched several YouTube videos of people that have been able to get these mats to work but they are also running a second pump to these mats. So if you don't mind additional hoses with clutter and dead grass. ( Many may have parts/pumps laying around as some due from previous pool purchases ). Then by all means. However, if you intend to keep a neat, clean and orderly backyard this summer. One without all the clutter and additional electrical wires, pumps and hoses. Then this is not the route to go. So after I was able to play around with the piping to get it to stop leaking. ( A lot has to do with the black O-ring gaskets ). If you try to push the hose onto the mat pipe without first lubing the pipe. There is a good chance that you will push the O-ring gasket out of its Groove. ( Main cause of leaks I have found so far and reviewers ). So now the leaking has stopped. On to the next issue. NEEDING A BIGGER PUMP. The representative form intex suggested I run the pump for up to an hour just to make sure all the air was out of the mats system. When running it as it was suggested with just the B side ( heat side ) the pump lasted 20 or 30 minutes before it overheated and died. ( At this time I did not even have the pool skimmer connected to it just the two mats ). The mats have an A side and a B-side. A side is direct current from the intake to the pump. B-side is utilizing the mat itself and the heating channels. Running the B-side alone suffocated the pump causing it to overheat. Now running just the A side. ( Even with/out connecting the skimmer ). It still wasn't enough suction. ( Skimmer still wouldn't function correctly ). So I opened A&B at which point I finally received water moving through my system. ( However, with skimmer connected ). I still had no upper movement from the skimmer. My pool is one that has the dual intake. I even disconnected one intake. Plugging it and removing the additional hose lines as I was asked to do so by the representative. This didn't make much difference at all. However, the representative still swears up and down that it works. Again it works in regards as to it does move some water but nothing else will function properly. I opened it up to the B-side itself and moved the warm water. Within 20-30 minutes the pump overheated and died. The purpose of the mats obviously is to intake water. Heat the water up and then filter it back into the pool in a circulation. So of course you're going to want to run this for several minutes before entering. Not just two to five minutes. The mats obviously aren't large enough to hold a massive amount of water that two or three minutes is enough to knock the chill down. However, running only 20 to 30 minutes and having the mats overheat the pump and kill the pump. Is not proficient at all. Especially when Intex told me let it run for an hour. Now again I am only running a thousand gallon pump. A pump Intex themselves swears runs the system. ( It does move water from one end to other ) As for running the system proficiently. This it does not. I also hooked a skimmer sold by Intex. An accessory they have told me will work with my layout. It does work. It pulls water in from the lower half but as for it skimming the surface there is just not enough pump suction. I also have tried closing one intake valve as it was suggested I do by the representative. Some reviews reading this will say that's too much to run accessory wise on such a small pump. ( This is how I feel as well ). However, it's a pump that Intex says should be running the system absolutely proficiently well. As for questioning customer service and asking them the required specs to run the system proficiently they would just tell me what I have is fine. My neighbors statue that urinates has more flow. I'm also running not one but two mats which also was recommend by Intex. I have placed an ordered for a larger sand filter pump. Upon arrival and testing. My rating and post may or may not change. Their customer service by far is the worst of all companies I've had to deal with. Buyer beware if you do not save your tracking email they will not honor any of the their warranties. And what I mean by tracking email is the actual tracking email not the order receipt email. So if you do buy an accessory from them or a pump that has a one or two year warranty. Remember at all cost to save the tracking email if ordering through desertcart. My understanding is if you do not order from them directly one will need a tracking receipt. On the bright side. With mats only being $13 dollars apiece through desertcart. I've seen them listed anywhere from $32 a mat to $60 dollars. It may be well worth buying one or two for parts. If anyone has priced out clamps for hoses especially the converter adapters to connect a larger pump to a smaller pool. They run high in price. Example, it's $25 and up just for a pair of adapters to go from a small pump to a large pump then to the pool. Included was one such adapter in the Box. So if you need two or more of these adapters. And you can catch the mats at 13 apiece or lower. It's almost like getting the mats for free along with additional clamps, hoses and accessories. So I'm still hoping for the mats to work for me with a larger filter and pump this summer. I will be bummed if they don't. However, getting additional parts that can always be used ( from what I'm learning from this company NEEDED ). I'm basically getting the mats and some parts for free. It's well worth the Gamble. So after getting larger filter I still had very little luck. I could only imagine six to eight of these hooked together. You kill you pump!

## Features

- Solar heater mat uses solar technology to increase the temperature of the pool water by approximately 5 to 9 degrees depending on the weather
- Features an 11-square-foot surface to absorb the sun's rays to heat up above-ground pools; Dimensions (L x W): 47.25 x 47.25 inches (flat)
- Simple and economical to use, compatible with filter pumps with up to 1/3 HP or a pump flow rate less than 2,000 GPH; Weight: 6.41 pounds
- Includes a 1.25-inch hose attachment point, a bypass valve, 1 adaptor A, and 1 adaptor B for a 1.50-inch hose connection
- Constructed of heavy-duty UV stabilized PVC; Suitable for above-ground pools up to 8000 gallons; Folds for compact winter storage

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #33,543 in Patio, Lawn & Garden ( See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden ) #4 in Swimming Pool Heaters |
| Customer Reviews | 3.2 out of 5 stars 5,427 Reviews |

## Images

![Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71fFJXl17XL.jpg)
![Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81VVDyualhL.jpg)
![Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81MjdqkoCaL.jpg)
![Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91Mp0Vq2pRL.jpg)
![Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91dLtOizmjL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: How much water does this heater hold by volume? Entertaining the thought of a alternate hot water source.**
A: Not a lot, made a few degrees difference in pool temp.  Going to use another type next year.  I'd say a little over a gallon.  Kimberly M.

**Q: Is there a shut off, if the water get to hot?**
A: There is a bypass switch if you wish to stop the water flowing through the mat at any time.

**Q: How hot will the mat get if the water is not recycling?**
A: The items surface is dark in color, thus absorbing sun/heat readily. I would not recommend sitting on it with bare skin. I would not recommend touching it for more than a few seconds with bare skin if a hot day in direct sunlight. It will be hot. Not warm. Hot.

**Q: Can i use it with small intex pool 250×150?**
A: Yes you can. This is the type of pool I have. Place it in the sunniest place you can. If you can combine it with a solar blanket would be good to not lose the heat each night.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is wonderful!
*by M***S on June 30, 2026*

I will build a frame for this and put it under acrylic sheet for better heating. It is under acrylic right now, but not boxed in. I “MacGyvered” it, and use small tubing that works with my pond SOLAR pump that I have, so it can heat my pool all day, not just when pump is running. Instead I use a small pond solar pump and run 3/8” ID tubing to and from the pad, with one end connected to a pond pump with solar panel sitting on noodles in pool or off to side on a table, like the pad is.. Works great. I have a small Bestway pool 6.5’x10’x33” (1000 gal) and this raises temp by 10 deg a day with a bubble cover on my pool too. Last year I made a similar DIY panel, with copper tube painted black, put under glass in a frame. This is way better.

### ⭐ So what's left is a handful of poor reviews/videos to go along with many items they sell
*by J***N on April 17, 2017*

Long review. Do the mats work? Yes and No! Do the mats leak? Yes and No! Do YOU own a pump large enough to consider? According to Intex whom I called myself. These mats are supposed to work with multiple pumps they sell. They did not lie when it came to the fact that it did move the water through the mats. However, when I questioned the minimum spec amount for the pump that would proficiently work for me. They would not give me a direct answer. What I have found is they will not do this for many of the products they sell. So what's left is a handful of poor reviews/videos to go along with many items they sell. I have watched several YouTube videos of people that have been able to get these mats to work but they are also running a second pump to these mats. So if you don't mind additional hoses with clutter and dead grass. ( Many may have parts/pumps laying around as some due from previous pool purchases ). Then by all means. However, if you intend to keep a neat, clean and orderly backyard this summer. One without all the clutter and additional electrical wires, pumps and hoses. Then this is not the route to go. So after I was able to play around with the piping to get it to stop leaking. ( A lot has to do with the black O-ring gaskets ). If you try to push the hose onto the mat pipe without first lubing the pipe. There is a good chance that you will push the O-ring gasket out of its Groove. ( Main cause of leaks I have found so far and reviewers ). So now the leaking has stopped. On to the next issue. NEEDING A BIGGER PUMP. The representative form intex suggested I run the pump for up to an hour just to make sure all the air was out of the mats system. When running it as it was suggested with just the B side ( heat side ) the pump lasted 20 or 30 minutes before it overheated and died. ( At this time I did not even have the pool skimmer connected to it just the two mats ). The mats have an A side and a B-side. A side is direct current from the intake to the pump. B-side is utilizing the mat itself and the heating channels. Running the B-side alone suffocated the pump causing it to overheat. Now running just the A side. ( Even with/out connecting the skimmer ). It still wasn't enough suction. ( Skimmer still wouldn't function correctly ). So I opened A&B at which point I finally received water moving through my system. ( However, with skimmer connected ). I still had no upper movement from the skimmer. My pool is one that has the dual intake. I even disconnected one intake. Plugging it and removing the additional hose lines as I was asked to do so by the representative. This didn't make much difference at all. However, the representative still swears up and down that it works. Again it works in regards as to it does move some water but nothing else will function properly. I opened it up to the B-side itself and moved the warm water. Within 20-30 minutes the pump overheated and died. The purpose of the mats obviously is to intake water. Heat the water up and then filter it back into the pool in a circulation. So of course you're going to want to run this for several minutes before entering. Not just two to five minutes. The mats obviously aren't large enough to hold a massive amount of water that two or three minutes is enough to knock the chill down. However, running only 20 to 30 minutes and having the mats overheat the pump and kill the pump. Is not proficient at all. Especially when Intex told me let it run for an hour. Now again I am only running a thousand gallon pump. A pump Intex themselves swears runs the system. ( It does move water from one end to other ) As for running the system proficiently. This it does not. I also hooked a skimmer sold by Intex. An accessory they have told me will work with my layout. It does work. It pulls water in from the lower half but as for it skimming the surface there is just not enough pump suction. I also have tried closing one intake valve as it was suggested I do by the representative. Some reviews reading this will say that's too much to run accessory wise on such a small pump. ( This is how I feel as well ). However, it's a pump that Intex says should be running the system absolutely proficiently well. As for questioning customer service and asking them the required specs to run the system proficiently they would just tell me what I have is fine. My neighbors statue that urinates has more flow. I'm also running not one but two mats which also was recommend by Intex. I have placed an ordered for a larger sand filter pump. Upon arrival and testing. My rating and post may or may not change. Their customer service by far is the worst of all companies I've had to deal with. Buyer beware if you do not save your tracking email they will not honor any of the their warranties. And what I mean by tracking email is the actual tracking email not the order receipt email. So if you do buy an accessory from them or a pump that has a one or two year warranty. Remember at all cost to save the tracking email if ordering through Amazon. My understanding is if you do not order from them directly one will need a tracking receipt. On the bright side. With mats only being $13 dollars apiece through Amazon. I've seen them listed anywhere from $32 a mat to $60 dollars. It may be well worth buying one or two for parts. If anyone has priced out clamps for hoses especially the converter adapters to connect a larger pump to a smaller pool. They run high in price. Example, it's $25 and up just for a pair of adapters to go from a small pump to a large pump then to the pool. Included was one such adapter in the Box. So if you need two or more of these adapters. And you can catch the mats at 13 apiece or lower. It's almost like getting the mats for free along with additional clamps, hoses and accessories. So I'm still hoping for the mats to work for me with a larger filter and pump this summer. I will be bummed if they don't. However, getting additional parts that can always be used ( from what I'm learning from this company NEEDED ). I'm basically getting the mats and some parts for free. It's well worth the Gamble. So after getting larger filter I still had very little luck. I could only imagine six to eight of these hooked together. You kill you pump!

### ⭐⭐⭐ This is a pretty cool piece of kit.
*by W***. on August 13, 2026*

I installed this inline with the pump as explained in the directions. I found a good place that had decent sun exposure... After installation the soaking pool I am using it on is only like 500 gallons so it changed the temp on sunny days to a nice warmer temp. Layout of the mat is really simple. They include some awesome fittings if you need them I am planning on using PVC to replace some of my hoses and I will be using the fittings they gave in the kit to accomplish that. My one major complaint... the areas where you interface to the mat do not stay well inflated and flex ALOT.... it impedes flow especially when the filter is getting a little more full with biomatter. I removed 2 stars for this because well... there is no immediately easy solution to fix this. I have rigged stuff up but when you package a item like this... and its put into use you should consider the end users may not be as handy. I would recommend this to anyone who wants their pool to be warmer... but bear in mind that some regular adjustment of hose positioning will be required.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Intex 28685E 47 Inch x 47 Inch Solar Pool Water Heater Mat for 8,000 Gallon Above Ground Swimming Pool with Hose Attachment and Adaptors, Black
- Pool Hoses for Above Ground Pools, 4 Pack 1.25 x 59 Inch Pool Filter Pump Hoses, Compatible with Intex Pool Filter Pump 607, 637 With 8 Metal Clamps(4)
- TidyMister Pool Hose Adapter Connector Coupling 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" Plastic Pool Vacuum Hose Adapter for Swimming Pool Vacuums, Cleaners or Filter Pump Hoses - 2 Pack

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-09-01*