Calesco Full Watt Hard Side Waterbed Heater

I had a unit that functioned well for 30 years and replaced it only because I was replacing everything and assumed I should replace it, as well -- yet it was working perfectly. Unfortunately, the unit I replaced it with (recommended here but not solid-state) failed periodically, leaving me severely chilled a number of times, in spite of all being properly plugged in, etc.So I then purchased this one, as all of the connections are solid -- no plugging and unplugging -- in hopes that would solve the problem I had with the just-purchased unit -- and indeed it has. As some reviewers have noted, the temperature setting is based on a scale of L-M-H with points between and not degree notations. Nonetheless, as with degree settings, once you know where you like it, that's not a problem, and it has held my settings (different for warm weather, obviously) beautifully and without fail so far.So I have come to trust it .... at least as much as a person can who spent time with a prior new heater that failed miserably (though lighting up as if to heat) periodically. So after 3 years, I feel I can honestly recommend this heater. :-)

I've had this particular heater for 4 years now and it holds its heat well. When filling my mattress in the winter it was icy cold water from our outdoor faucet. Took 3 nights (on medium setting) to feel the warmth. That's typical. I'm 63 and have used a waterbed for almost 50 yrs. This heater is the only choice for me. It's the only kind I've used all along. I usually set it one notch beyond medium in the winter and one notch below medium for summer. I have no complaints. If you want the best heater this is it. Don't waste time, or money, on anything else.

Update: While they advertise this as being more powerful (by 25 watts) I'm having my doubts. It went up to 85 degrees pretty quick, but that's only 'neutral' for me (neither warm nor cold). I'm used to 91-92 degrees in the winter but it looks like it's not going to get there. It took some 20 hours just to go from 85 to 86 degrees at it's highest setting. I'll give it a few more days just to be fair before I return it and buy the same 300 watt model as my previous one. It took less than an hour or so to increase by one degree.====================================Update #2: Ok, it finally got up to 90 degrees after a number of days (starting in the mid-80s because I filled the bed using my hot water heater.) The pad's footprint is somewhat smaller which is probably why it took longer than my old heater pad. I prefer 91-92 in the winter but I can live with this (plus it such a pain to drain/install/refill the bed). The controller is numbered 1-7, and 90 degrees is 6.5, so it's almost topped out.Finished refilling the bed after installing it, about 5 hours ago. There's no digital readout like my last heater, and only the heating element went bad so I'm using the old controller for it's temp readout. Just stuck the old temp probe back under the mattress. New heater is working well and it went from 77 to 81 degrees in the last few hours or so. Should be up to 90 by bedtime.I refilled the bed using my hot water heater, but had to keep stopping and let it heat up a new tankful. I slept on an ice cold bed all week waiting for my new heater so it's worth it to use the hot water heater to get a good start.Took off a star because it's all one piece and the control would not fit through my corner opening. Had to break out a saw and enlarge the hole. Are plug/unplug connections really that expensive? There's only a tiny red light to tell you it's on, and a numbered wheel for the temp setting, so no bells and whistles on this model.While this heater was reasonably priced, having the drain/install/refill kind of sucked. If you are installing a brand new waterbed it might behoove you to buy and install 2 heaters. My old heater had a 5 year warranty and it died right at the 5 year mark. It would have been worth the money had I installed 2 heaters 5 years ago.

This is my ninth heater in 30 years. Shipped flat! Most heaters I've gotten have been rolled up, and I have to flatten them.All the instructions are printed right on the device. But it also comes with a booklet. Looking at it, you can see the wiring of the heating element. Unlike most heaters, the thermostat is integrated into the device.The control gives a temperature range of High, Medium, Low -- I'll need to look into their documentation to see what that means. The LED on the control is very tiny -- if you are looking at it, you can see if it's on or off. It doesn't illuminate the room.There is so much elegance in this design that I felt slightly guilty about hiding it under my mattress.Highly recommended.

I had to replace the heater on my waterbed and was interested in a quality replacement. This heater is wired, rather than aluminum strips, which should provide durability. So I won't have to be worried about a replacement for a good long while. Also, it was able to heat up a queen sized bed in about 24 hours. The only downside is that the temperature control is a simple resistance based unit rather than a digital one. But at the end of the day, with some slight adjustments, I have the temperature where I want it. All-in-all a great value for the money.

I did considerable research about waterbed heaters before selecting this product, after my old one lasted for years, and am really pleased with the Calesco Heater. While it's true its dial does not have all the bells & whistles of other products, the heater works like a dream and has much better reports of longer product life.

This heater is very straightforward to use. Other reviewers have committed on the small size of the control. Yes it is small, but I believe this was done so it would pass through the hole in the plywood that the cord passes through. The LED indicator is small and a bit hard to see. I have been very happy with this heater. I filled my bed with a mix of cold and hot water and this heater was able to brig it up to the correct temperature in a single day.