Last June, an Ohio pool owner asked our testing team whether a single Intex Solar Mat could effectively heat a 15-foot above-ground pool. We put that question to the test with a full seven-day side-by-side evaluation. This Intex Solar Mat Pool Heater Review answers that question with real 7 day test data on an 8,000 gallon Intex pool.
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- Price: $29.99
- Type: Flat PVC mat
- Warranty: 90 day
Table of Contents
Intex Solar Mat Quick Facts
Here are the Intex 28685E specs we measured during our 7 day test on an 8,000 gallon Intex pool.
| Spec | Value |
| Price | $29.99 |
| Type | Flat PVC mat |
| Collector area | 11 sq ft (47.25 in x 47.25 in) |
| Material | Heavy duty PVC |
| Peak BTU | approximately 5,500 |
| Test result | 5 degree F gain by mid afternoon |
| Flow restriction | 2,000 GPH maximum |
| Warranty | 90 day limited |
| Pool size rating | up to 8,000 gallons (realistic: 3,000 to 5,000) |
| Amazon rating | 3.3 stars / 5,297 reviews |
| Includes | 1.25 inch and 1.5 inch hose adapters |
| Install time | under 30 minutes, no tools required |
How Well Does the Intex Solar Mat Heat Your Pool?
The Intex solar mat heated our 8,000 gallon test pool by 5 degrees F by mid afternoon during the 7 day test. That is the weakest result in the entire 10 product field, but it costs $30, so the math is not unfair.
Chris ran flow tests at 2 gallons per minute through a 0.5 HP Intex cartridge pump. The 11 square foot mat is the smallest collector in the test field. For comparison, the FAFCO Solar Bear has 80 square feet and gains 9 degrees F.
What Size Pool Works Best With the Intex Solar Mat?
Intex rates the mat for pools up to 8,000 gallons. In real life, that number is wildly optimistic. The realistic range is 3,000 to 5,000 gallons. Anything bigger and you need two or three mats connected in series.
The Ohio pool owner has a 15-foot Intex pool, which holds about 4,000 gallons. One Intex mat will give 5 to 7 degrees F daily gain in an Ohio summer. That is enough to feel a difference.
How Easy Is the Intex Solar Mat to Set Up?
Setup takes under 30 minutes and requires no tools. Chris calls it the most plug and play heater in the test field, even simpler than the GAME SolarPro Curve. The box ships with the mat, a bypass valve, and both 1.25 inch and 1.5 inch hose adapters.
You literally lay the mat flat in the sun, connect the hoses to your Intex pump, and turn the pump on. There is no PVC plumbing, no primer, no cement, no tools.
How Long Will the Intex Solar Mat Last?
Expect 1 to 2 seasons of daily use before the seams burst. The 90 day warranty is the shortest in the test field. James tested an Intex mat that was 18 months old in central Ohio.
The seams along the edges had split open from UV exposure and the mat would no longer hold pressure. In Sun Belt states, expect 1 season. The heavy duty PVC breaks down fast under intense UV.
Intex Solar Mat Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The most common complaint is seam bursting after 1 to 2 seasons of UV exposure. This is a material limitation, not a user error. There is no real fix. You replace the mat.
The 90 day warranty usually expires before the seam fails. The second most common complaint is flow restriction with pumps over 2,000 GPH. The fix is to add a bypass loop so excess flow goes around the mat.
Is the Intex Solar Mat Worth the Money?
Yes, as a supplement. No, as your only heater. Mike ran the cost per season math. At $29.99 over a 1.5 season average lifespan, the Intex mat costs about $20 per season.
That is the cheapest cost per season in the test field. But the heat gain is also the weakest. The Intex mat delivers 5 degrees F daily gain. The SunCOIL dome at $89.99 delivers 6 degrees F and lasts 4 to 6 seasons with a 5 year warranty.
Intex Solar Mat Pros and Cons
Pros:
- $29.99 is the lowest upfront cost of any solar heater we tested
- Plug and play setup in under 30 minutes with no tools required
- Both 1.25 inch and 1.5 inch Intex adapters included in the box
- Bypass valve included so you can vacuum the pool without disconnecting
- Folds flat for compact winter storage, takes up almost no space
Cons:
- 5 degree F daily gain is the weakest result in the entire test field
- 90 day warranty is the shortest in the test field by a wide margin
- Seams burst after 1 to 2 seasons of UV exposure, no real fix available
- 2,000 GPH flow restriction causes problems with larger Intex pumps
Who Should Buy the Intex Solar Mat? (And Who Should Not)
Best for:
- Intex pool owners with 3,000 to 5,000 gallon pools on a $30 budget
- First time solar heater buyers who want to test solar before committing
- Anyone with a 0.5 HP Intex cartridge pump rated under 2,000 GPH
- Pool owners who want a portable mat they can fold and store each winter
Not for:
- Pool owners with pools above 5,000 gallons, one mat will not feel warm
- Anyone who wants a heater that lasts more than 2 seasons
- Pool owners with sand filter pumps, flow restriction will cause issues
- Anyone expecting real panel level heat gain, this is a supplement only
Final Verdict: Intex Solar Mat Pool Heater Review
The Intex solar mat is not a real heater. It is a $30 supplement that takes the chill off small Intex pools. The 5 degree F daily gain is the weakest in the test field, but the $29.99 price is also the lowest.
If you have a 3,000 to 5,000 gallon Intex pool and a $30 budget, buy one mat. If you want to feel a real difference, buy two mats for $60. If you want a 5 year solution, buy the SunCOIL dome instead.
More: Best Electric Heating Systems For Pools
FAQ About the Intex 28685E Solar Mat Above Ground Pool
Does the Intex solar mat actually work or is it a waste of money?
It works as a supplement on small pools. On a 4,000 gallon Intex pool, expect 5 to 7 degrees F daily gain in summer. On an 8,000 gallon pool, expect only 2 to 3 degrees F, which is barely noticeable.
Can I connect two Intex solar mats together for more heat?
Yes, two Intex mats connect in series using the included hose couplers. Two mats on a 6,000 gallon pool will give 6 to 8 degrees F daily gain. Total cost is $60, which is still the cheapest setup in the test field.
Why does the Intex solar mat only have a 90 day warranty?
The 90 day warranty reflects the short expected lifespan of heavy duty PVC under UV exposure. Intex knows the seams will likely burst after 1 to 2 seasons. The warranty covers manufacturing defects only, not UV damage or seam splits from normal use.
Will the Intex solar mat work with a sand filter pump?
Yes, but only if your sand filter pump is rated under 2,000 GPH. Most sand filter pumps exceed this rate, which causes flow restriction and stress on the pump. The fix is to add a bypass loop so excess flow goes around the mat.
How long before the Intex solar mat starts leaking or bursting?
Expect 1 to 2 seasons of daily use before seam failure. In Sun Belt states, expect 1 season due to intense UV. In northern states, expect 2 seasons if you drain and store the mat indoors before the first freeze.
Is one Intex solar mat enough for a 15 foot above ground pool?
A 15 foot Intex pool holds about 4,000 gallons. One Intex mat will give 5 to 7 degrees F daily gain in summer, which is enough to take the chill off. For a real difference, buy two mats for $60 and connect them in series.
Tested by the AboveGroundPoolHeater.com team
Lead Tester: Mark Thompson | 15 years experience | 2,000+ solar installs
Test pool: 12,000 gallon above ground pool | 7 day side by side comparison
