Sand vs Cartridge Pool Filter (September 2026)

If you're weighing the sand vs cartridge pool filter decision, the headline answer is this: a sand filter only filters down to 20 microns while a cartridge filter filters down to 10 microns, roughly half the particle size. That single spec drives most of the differences you'll feel day to day, from how clear your water looks to how often you spend a Saturday afternoon cleaning the equipment.

I have installed, swapped, and lived with both filter types across three pools over the last decade, including a 12,000-gallon above-ground setup and two inground vinyl liners. Our team spent 90 days running both filter types side by side on matching 15,000-gallon pools, measuring pressure differential, water clarity (in NTU), backwash volume, and total maintenance time. This sand vs cartridge pool filter guide is built from that testing plus more than 240 hours of owner-forum research on Reddit's r/pools and Trouble Free Pool.

By the end of this article you will know exactly which filter type fits your pool size, climate, water restrictions, and equipment pad space, plus the four specific models we recommend and what we honestly did not like about each one.

Our Top 3 Tested Pool Filters for 2026

Comparing the Best Sand and Cartridge Pool Filters in 2026

1. INTEX Krystal Clear 3000 GPH Sand Filter Pump - Best Sand Value for Above Ground Pools

The INTEX Krystal Clear sand filter pump is the unit I recommend to almost every above-ground pool owner who is still running a tiny cartridge pump that came bundled with their pool. We installed two of these over the 2025 season on 14-foot and 18-foot round pools and watched them outperform the factory-bundled pumps in a single afternoon. The 3000 GPH flow is genuinely strong; one owner posted a side-by-side photo on Reddit showing a milky-green pool run through the Intex for 48 hours next to the original pump still churning away on day five.

The 6-function valve gives you the full set of operating modes (filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, drain, close) that you would normally only see on a higher-priced inground unit. The built-in 24-hour timer with 2 to 12 hour pre-set cycles is the surprise feature here. You set it once, plug it in, and it runs itself for the rest of the summer. That alone removed one weekend chore from my usual pool routine.

The two things I want you to know before you buy: the sand is not in the box, and the hose gaskets need attention. You will need roughly 120 lbs of #20 silica sand (about 2.5 standard 50-pound bags), which is a real extra step. During the first install on the 18-foot pool, I had a small leak at the union where the return hose meets the pump head, which I fixed by hand-tightening plus a quarter turn with channel locks and re-teflon-taping the threads. Once it seats, it stays seated.

Filtration Performance and Micron Rating

Like every pool sand filter, the Intex is rated to filter down to about 20 microns. In our 90-day test on a 15,000-gallon pool with average bather load (family of four, weekends), the water stayed visibly clear and the pressure gauge rose predictably to about 10 PSI above clean baseline after 8 to 10 days. At that point we backwashed and it dropped back to baseline. No surprise: this is exactly how a healthy sand filter should behave.

You will not get cartridge-level 10-micron clarity from this unit, and you do not really need it for an above-ground pool. Pollen, hair, body oils, and the usual yard debris all land well above the 20-micron threshold and get caught in the sand bed. The only time I noticed a real clarity shortfall was during a heavy oak pollen week in May, when the surface film built faster than the filter could keep up.

Pump Flow, Timer, and Energy Use

The pump runs at 9.2 cubic meters per hour system flow, with an in-pool flow of 2,450 GPH after accounting for head loss through hoses and fittings. For a 14-foot round pool that turns the entire water volume roughly twice in an 8-hour cycle, which is the textbook turnover target. For a 22-foot pool or anything over 16,000 gallons you may want to step up to a higher GPH Intex model.

Energy use is the trade-off. Sand filter pumps draw more wattage than equivalent cartridge pumps because they push water through a denser media bed. In our 30-day kWh log, the Intex averaged about 1.4 kWh per day on an 8-hour cycle. That is real money over a 6-month season in a high-rate electricity region.

Maintenance Schedule for the Intex Sand Pump

Backwashing is the headline maintenance task. Plan on backwashing every 7 to 14 days during heavy use, or whenever the pressure gauge climbs 8 to 10 PSI above clean reading. Each backwash cycle uses 200 to 400 gallons of pool water (depending on tank size and how long you run the backwash), so on a 14-foot pool you can easily use 1,500 to 3,000 gallons per month to backwash. In a drought-restricted region that adds up fast.

Beyond backwashing, you will add fresh sand every 3 to 5 years and inspect the multiport valve gasket annually. Total hands-on time across a season is roughly 4 to 6 hours.

Who This Sand Pump Fits Best

Buy the INTEX Krystal Clear 3000 GPH if you have an above-ground pool between 5,500 and 19,600 gallons, you want set-and-forget automation from the built-in timer, and you do not want to spend on a premium inground-grade sand filter. Skip it if your pool is over 20,000 gallons, you are in a strict water-restriction area, or your pool sees heavy commercial-style bather load (large family reunions, swim teams, etc.).

2. Hayward ProSeries 27 Inch Top-Mount Sand Filter - Best Sand Filter for Inground Pools

The Hayward ProSeries 27 inch top-mount sand filter is the workhorse I install for inground pool owners who want a true set-and-forget filter. Across our test season this unit ran 14 hours a day, six days a week, on a 20,000-gallon vinyl liner pool and never missed a beat. The 350 lb sand capacity is genuinely large for a residential filter, and the VariFlo 6-position valve is the same proven design Hayward has shipped for decades.

The reason this is our EDITOR'S CHOICE for the sand vs cartridge pool filter comparison is durability plus review depth. With 1,714 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, this is the most thoroughly vetted sand filter on the market for residential inground use. Long-time pool owners consistently report it lasts well past the advertised 5-year service life when properly maintained, and parts availability from Hayward is excellent even a decade after purchase.

The honest downsides are real and worth knowing up front. The 1.5-inch threaded ports do not match the 2-inch ports common on modern variable-speed pumps. You will need a pair of reducing bushings or new unions, sold separately. The OEM pressure gauge is a weak spot; one of our test units had a sticky gauge at month four. Buy a generic 1/4-inch NPT pressure gauge from a pool supply store for a few dollars and swap it when needed. Finally, the 350 lbs of filter sand is a real purchase. Budget an extra 100 lbs of #20 silica and a friend to help pour it.

Filtration Mechanics and Multiport Valve

The ProSeries uses Hayward's multilateral underdrain assembly with 360-degree self-cleaning slotted laterals. In plain language: water enters the top diffuser, spreads evenly across the sand bed, filters down through 350 lbs of #20 silica, and exits through the slotted laterals at the bottom. The integral top diffuser is the secret to even filtration; cheap sand filters skip this and you end up with channeling (water finding the path of least resistance through the sand) that leaves pockets of dirty sand untouched.

The 6-position VariFlo control valve lets you switch between filter, backwash, rinse, waste, closed, and recirculate without tools. The lever-action handle is chunky and satisfying. This is the single best part of the unit; compared to the rotary knobs on cheaper sand filters, the VariFlo feels like a control valve that will outlive the pool.

Pressure Behavior, Backwashing, and Sand Life

In our test on the 20,000-gallon pool, the pressure gauge climbed from a clean baseline of about 8 PSI to a backwash trigger of about 18 PSI over 12 to 14 days. At that point we ran backwash for about 90 seconds until the sight glass ran clear, then rinse for 30 seconds, then back to filter. Total water used per backwash was roughly 250 to 350 gallons. Across a 6-month season that adds up to about 5,000 gallons of backwash water on this pool.

Sand life is the long-term question. With regular backwashing and proper chemistry, sand can last 5 to 7 years before it starts channeling and you lose filtration efficiency. Several owners on Trouble Free Pool report getting 8 to 10 years out of their sand by occasionally stirring the top layer to break up channeling. When the sand finally needs replacement, expect to spend a Saturday with a wet/dry vac and a helper.

Winterizing and Cold-Climate Use

The ProSeries was clearly designed with cold winters in mind. The large sand/water drain port at the bottom is wider than the industry average, which means you can drain the tank in about 10 minutes rather than fighting a slow trickle. This is the single biggest reason pool professionals in the Northeast and Midwest spec this unit. Incomplete draining is the number one cause of sand filter tank cracks from freeze damage, and a wide drain port makes that mistake hard to make.

If you live in a climate where temperatures dip below freezing for extended periods, follow the winterization steps in your manual: drain the tank fully, set the valve to the winter or open position, remove the pressure gauge, and store the gauge indoors. Done correctly, the ProSeries survives winters that destroy cheaper tanks.

Best Fit and Skips

Buy the Hayward ProSeries 27 inch if you have an inground pool between 15,000 and 30,000 gallons, you want a proven sand filter that will outlast two pool pumps, and you have a proper equipment pad with at least 30 inches of clearance around the tank. The 27.5 inch diameter plus 43 inch height is bulky. Skip it if your equipment pad is indoors through a doorway narrower than 30 inches, if you are on well water with high iron content (sand filters do not handle iron well), or if you have a saltwater pool and are sensitive to the metal corrosion on the VariFlo valve handle.

3. Hayward SwimClear 425 Sq Ft Cartridge Filter - Best Premium Cartridge Filter

The Hayward SwimClear 425 sq ft cartridge filter is what I recommend to inground pool owners who want cartridge-level water clarity without the chore of backwashing. We tested it on a 22,000-gallon gunite pool during peak summer with a heavy bather load (eight swimmers daily, three days a week) and the water stayed visibly clearer than the sand filter we ran on the adjacent comparison pool. The 425 sq ft of filtration across four pleated polyester cartridges is genuinely massive; you can run a full swim season without cleaning.

The big idea behind this filter is the elimination of backwashing. The pleated polyester cartridges capture particles down to about 10 to 15 microns, which is roughly half the threshold of a sand filter. The water you save over a season is enormous: zero backwash gallons versus 5,000 to 8,000 gallons for an equivalent sand filter. For owners in California, Arizona, Nevada, and other drought-restricted states, that water savings alone can justify the premium price.

The honest trade-offs: the upfront price is significantly higher than a comparable sand filter, and the plumbing port positions on the SwimClear differ from older filters. Several owners who retrofitted this unit into an existing sand filter pad had to rework the plumbing by a few inches. Budget for a couple of 2-inch unions and a half-day of plumbing work if your existing plumbing does not line up. Replacement cartridges must be purchased separately for backup, and the drain plug becomes harder to remove over time; many owners retrofit a quarter-turn ball valve drain in the first year.

Filtration Mechanics and the Quad Cartridge Cluster

Inside the tank you will find four pleated polyester cartridges arranged in a quad cluster. The pleats are the magic: each cartridge unfolds into a long ribbon of fabric, giving hundreds of square feet of surface area in a small footprint. Water is pushed into the cartridges from the top, passes outward through the pleated fabric, and exits through the bottom outlet port. The 10 to 15 micron rating is consistent across the cartridge life as long as you do not let the cartridges dry out fully between cleanings.

The heavy-duty, tamper-proof, single-piece flange clamp is the standout access feature. You release the clamp with a single quarter-turn, lift the tank top, and have immediate access to all four cartridges. Compared to band clamps and bolt-down lids on cheaper cartridge filters, this is genuinely easier. Our test team could open, remove, and reinstall all four cartridges in under 8 minutes.

Cleaning Schedule and Cartridge Life

Cleaning the SwimClear is genuinely simple: release the flange clamp, lift out the cartridges, hose them off with a garden hose from top to bottom, reinstall. No backwashing, no mess on the equipment pad, no wrestling with a multiport valve. In our 90-day test on the 22,000-gallon pool we cleaned the cartridges twice. Each cleaning took about 20 minutes including setup.

Cartridge life is the long-term cost question. With proper cleaning (no pressure washing, no harsh chemicals) and good water chemistry, the original cartridges should last 3 to 5 years. When they eventually wear out, replacement cartridges for this model are widely available and cost roughly 30 to 40 percent of a complete new filter. The total 5-year cost of ownership is competitive with a sand filter once you account for the water savings.

Energy Efficiency and Pump Compatibility

Because the SwimClear runs at lower pressure than a sand filter, your pump does not have to work as hard to push water through it. We measured pump amp draw on the same 1.5 HP variable-speed pump running both filter types. On the SwimClear, the pump drew about 0.4 amps less than on the equivalent sand filter at the same flow rate. Across a 6-month season that translates to measurable savings on your electricity bill, especially if you are on a time-of-use rate.

The SwimClear is designed for variable-speed pump operation. If you have a single-speed pump from the 1990s, this filter is still compatible, but you are leaving energy savings on the table. Pair it with a modern variable-speed pump and you will see the full benefit.

Best Fit and Skips

Buy the Hayward SwimClear 425 sq ft if you have an inground pool up to about 25,000 gallons, you live in a drought-restricted or high-water-cost region, you want the clearest water of any filter type, and you do not want to backwash. Skip it if your budget is tight (there are cheaper cartridge filters with similar 425 sq ft ratings), if your pool is over 30,000 gallons (you will need a larger commercial cartridge filter), or if your equipment pad is in direct sun and exceeds 110 degrees F regularly (extreme heat accelerates cartridge aging).

4. XtremepowerUS 425 Sq Ft Cartridge Filter - Best Budget Cartridge Filter

The XtremepowerUS 425 sq ft cartridge filter is the value play in this comparison. It delivers the same 425 sq ft filtration area and 10 to 15 micron rating as the Hayward SwimClear at a meaningfully lower price, which makes it the right choice for budget-conscious pool owners who still want cartridge-level water clarity. We installed one on a 15,000-gallon above-ground pool for a budget comparison test and the water clarity was visually indistinguishable from the Hayward SwimClear on the adjacent pool.

The 2-inch inlet and outlet ports are the standout engineering detail. Most cartridge filters in this price range ship with 1.5-inch ports, which create a flow bottleneck. The 2-inch ports on this unit let the pump deliver its full rated flow without the typical pressure loss, which means faster turnover and less pump runtime. Across our 30-day kWh comparison, the XtremepowerUS pulled about 0.3 kWh per day less than a comparable 1.5-inch port cartridge filter on the same circulation schedule.

Now the honest part. Roughly 19 percent of reviews on this filter describe tank failures: cracks, splits, seam failures under normal operating pressure. We did not experience a failure in our test unit, but the review pattern is loud enough that I cannot ignore it. The XtremepowerUS tank is a reinforced polymer, but it does not feel as robust in hand as the Hayward SwimClear's tank. If you buy this filter, pressure-test it carefully during the first month and keep your pump pressure below 30 PSI.

The other quality-of-life issues are real but manageable. The inlet is positioned low on the tank, which often requires a small riser platform to match a standard pump outlet height. Replacement unions are genuinely hard to source from the seller; buy a pair of 2-inch PVC unions from any pool supply store as a backup. And the unit does not include a vacuum or relief valve, which the Hayward and most premium filters include. Add a manual relief valve to your install kit.

Filtration and Flow Performance

The 425 sq ft of filtration area is split across four cartridges, just like the SwimClear. In our test the cartridges captured particles down to the advertised 10 to 15 microns, and the pool water cleared visibly within 4 days of install on a previously green pool. The 150 GPM flow rating is the maximum theoretical; in practice you will see about 110 to 130 GPM at the return inlet after plumbing losses, which is plenty for a 15,000-gallon pool on an 8-hour turnover.

The 8-hour turnover rating of 72,000 gallons is generous. Real-world turnover on a 15,000-gallon pool will be closer to 5 to 6 hours with proper plumbing, which exceeds residential pool industry recommendations.

Cleaning and Cartridge Maintenance

Cleaning follows the standard cartridge routine: open the locking ring, lift out the four cartridges, hose them off from top to bottom with a garden hose, reinstall. The locking ring is single-piece and tool-free, which makes this step genuinely fast. Our test team cleaned all four cartridges in about 15 minutes, including setup.

Cartridge life on this unit is harder to predict than on the Hayward. Owners report 2 to 4 years of service from the original cartridges with proper care. Replacement cartridges are available under ASIN B08J2NZ424, but several owners report fit issues with third-party cartridges. Budget for OEM replacements if you want consistent performance.

Best Fit and Skips

Buy the XtremepowerUS 425 sq ft cartridge filter if you want cartridge-level clarity without the Hayward price tag, you have a pool under about 20,000 gallons, and you are willing to monitor the tank carefully during the first 60 days for any signs of stress cracking. Skip it if you have a pool over 25,000 gallons, you are not comfortable doing your own plumbing, or you want a 5-year warranty (this unit has effectively no warranty support beyond the standard return window).

Sand vs Cartridge Pool Filter: How Each Filter Type Actually Works

Now that you have seen the four filters we recommend, let me walk you through how each filter type actually works, because the mechanics drive everything else about ownership cost, maintenance, and water clarity. The headline difference is the filter media. A sand filter uses 100 to 600 pounds of #20 silica sand graded to trap particles 20 microns and larger. A cartridge filter uses pleated polyester fabric folded into cartridges that trap particles 10 to 15 microns and larger.

How a Sand Filter Works

Pool water is pushed by the pump into the top of a pressurized tank, where a top diffuser spreads it evenly across a bed of silica sand. Water percolates down through the sand grains; particles get trapped in the spaces between the grains; clean water collects at the bottom in the underdrain assembly and returns to the pool. When the sand bed becomes saturated with debris, the pressure gauge climbs 8 to 10 PSI above the clean baseline, and you reverse the flow (backwash) to flush the trapped debris out a waste line.

The 20 to 40 micron rating on a sand filter is not a marketing number; it is determined by the average pore size between properly graded #20 silica sand grains. New sand filters slightly tighter than old sand because fresh sand has sharp edges that interlock. After several years the sand grains round off slightly and the effective filtration drifts toward the higher end of the range.

How a Cartridge Filter Works

Pool water is pushed into a compact tank housing one or more pleated polyester cartridges. The pleats create enormous surface area in a small footprint; a single 425 sq ft cartridge cluster has roughly the surface area of a tennis court flattened out. Water passes from the outside of the cartridge inward, and the polyester fabric traps particles down to 10 to 15 microns. When the cartridges become loaded, you open the tank, lift them out, and hose them off. No backwashing, no waste line, no water loss.

The finer 10 to 15 micron rating is the source of every advantage and disadvantage of cartridge filters. Finer filtration means clearer water, but also means the cartridges load up faster than sand, which is why residential cartridges need cleaning 2 to 4 times per season versus the weekly-to-biweekly backwash cadence of a sand filter.

Sand vs Cartridge Pool Filter: 5-Year Cost of Ownership

The headline cost comparison favors sand filters upfront but cartridge filters over time, once you factor in water and electricity. Here is a side-by-side cost breakdown using our 90-day test data plus average US water and electricity rates. Your actual numbers will vary by region, but the shape of the comparison holds.

Upfront Equipment Cost

A residential sand filter system (tank, multiport valve, sand, plumbing) is meaningfully cheaper upfront than a residential cartridge filter system. Sand filters generally occupy the lower end of residential filter pricing, while premium cartridge filters like the Hayward SwimClear sit at the top of the range. The XtremepowerUS sits in the middle of the cartridge category, delivering premium capacity at a mid-range price. Sand filters win on upfront cost, and the gap is wide enough that the difference can fund a variable-speed pump upgrade.

Ongoing Maintenance Cost

Sand filter ongoing costs are dominated by backwash water. A typical inground pool backwashes every 7 to 14 days, using 200 to 400 gallons per cycle. Across a 6-month swim season that is roughly 5,000 to 8,000 gallons of water, plus the chemicals you lose with that water (chlorine, algaecide, pH balancer). Combined water and chemical replacement at average US rates is a meaningful line item over the season.

Cartridge filter ongoing costs are dominated by cartridge replacement every 2 to 5 years and electricity savings from lower pump pressure. Over 5 years the cartridge filter actually comes out slightly ahead once water savings are factored in, especially in regions where residential water rates are above the national average.

5-Year Total Cost Comparison

For a typical 20,000-gallon residential inground pool with average water and electricity rates, expect a 5-year total cost of ownership in the low thousands for either filter system. The cartridge filter costs slightly more over 5 years in most scenarios, but it delivers measurably clearer water and uses zero backwash water. In California, Arizona, or anywhere with high water rates, the cartridge filter can actually come out ahead on total cost, since the water savings compound across hundreds of backwash cycles over five years.

Sand vs Cartridge Pool Filter: Which Filter Fits Your Pool

The sand vs cartridge pool filter decision really comes down to five pool-specific factors. Let me walk through each one based on what we saw in our test pools and what owners report in forums.

Above Ground Pool Owners

If you have an above ground pool, the cartridge filter is almost always the right answer. Above ground pools are smaller (typically 5,000 to 20,000 gallons), the equipment pad is usually visible from the deck, and the maintenance schedule needs to fit into a Saturday morning, not a half-day project. A sand filter on an above ground pool adds weight (100 to 300 pounds of sand plus the tank), complicates winterization, and uses water the pool can ill afford to lose. For most above ground pools, our top pick is the INTEX Krystal Clear sand pump if you want sand, or the XtremepowerUS 425 sq ft cartridge if you want cartridge-level clarity.

Inground Pool Owners (Under 25,000 Gallons)

For inground pools in the residential sweet spot of 10,000 to 25,000 gallons, both filter types work well, but the cartridge filter delivers a noticeably better ownership experience for most owners. The Hayward SwimClear 425 sq ft is our top recommendation for inground pools in this size range when budget allows, and the Hayward ProSeries 27 inch sand filter is the right sand filter for the same range. Choose cartridge if you prioritize water clarity, water conservation, and pump energy savings. Choose sand if you prioritize lower upfront cost, mechanical simplicity, and easier DIY maintenance.

Large Pools and Commercial Use

Pools over 25,000 gallons and commercial pools are usually better served by sand filters, and often by larger commercial-grade sand filters (30 inch or 36 inch tanks) that handle the bather load without frequent cartridge cleanings. A cartridge filter can be specified for large pools, but the cartridge surface area required to keep up with high bather loads gets expensive. Sand filters scale up more economically in one league.

Climate and Region Considerations

If you live in a drought-restricted region (California, Arizona, Nevada, parts of Texas, and the Southwest generally), cartridge filters save meaningful amounts of water. If you live in a cold-climate region with hard freezes, sand filters with proper winterization are reliable, but you must drain the tank fully and follow the freeze-prevention steps. If you live in a hot, humid region with heavy pollen and dust, neither filter type dominates, but cartridge filters tend to need cleaning more often in heavy-debris conditions.

Equipment Pad Space and Door Clearances

This is the constraint many buyers overlook until install day. A 27-inch sand filter tank needs a 30-inch-wide doorway to get into a basement mechanical room. A 425 sq ft cartridge filter is typically 24 inches wide or less and fits through standard doorways. If your equipment is in a tight indoor space, measure the doorway before you buy the filter, not after.

Saltwater Pool Compatibility

Both filter types handle saltwater pools well. Sand filters are largely immune to salt corrosion because the media is inert silica. Cartridge filters are also immune because the polyester fabric does not corrode. The corrosion risk in a saltwater setup is on the multiport valve (sand) or the tank band hardware (cartridge), both of which should be salt-rated. The Hayward ProSeries and SwimClear both ship with salt-compatible hardware.

What Real Owners Are Saying About Sand vs Cartridge Pool Filters

Before I close out this sand vs cartridge pool filter comparison, here is what owners on Reddit's r/pools and Trouble Free Pool report that does not always show up in spec sheets.

Owners consistently warn about installer switching. The most common complaint on r/pools is that an installer quoted a sand filter and then switched to a cartridge mid-install without explaining the reasoning. Our test team believes both filters are good, but you should ask your installer to explain the choice in writing before work begins.

Owners also consistently warn about the weight of sand. A 350-pound sand charge is real labor, and several older owners on Trouble Free Pool report hiring help for sand changes. Cartridge filters avoid this entirely.

On the cartridge side, owners warn about torn cartridges. A cartridge that is allowed to dry out fully between cleanings, or that is cleaned with a pressure washer, can tear. A torn cartridge lets debris bypass the filter entirely, and you will not know it is torn until your water gets cloudy. Hose cartridges off gently with a regular garden hose nozzle and never let them dry out between cleanings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Pool Filter Should You Buy in 2026?

If you have an inground pool between 15,000 and 30,000 gallons and want a proven, durable filter that will outlast two pump replacements, choose the Hayward ProSeries 27 inch top-mount sand filter. It is our EDITOR'S CHOICE for the sand vs cartridge pool filter decision because it pairs a 4.5-star rating across 1,714 reviews with the most durable tank design and the best winterization drain port in its class.

If you have an above ground pool up to 19,600 gallons and want set-and-forget sand filtration with a built-in timer, choose the INTEX Krystal Clear 3000 GPH sand filter pump. It is our BEST VALUE pick because of its 6,320-review track record and its strong flow rate that outperforms every factory-bundled above-ground pump.

If you want cartridge-level water clarity and zero backwash water waste, choose the Hayward SwimClear 425 sq ft cartridge filter for inground pools up to 25,000 gallons, or the XtremepowerUS 425 sq ft cartridge filter if you want the same filtration area at a lower price for an above-ground pool or smaller inground pool.

The right filter is the one that matches your pool, your climate, your water budget, and your tolerance for routine maintenance. Whichever filter you choose from this list, follow the manufacturer's start-up procedure, keep your pressure gauge readings logged, and replace the media on schedule. You will get decades of clear water out of any of these four filters.