Hayward
Hayward SwimClear C3030 Cartridge Filter (325 sq ft)
Best overall
The set-and-forget cartridge filter — a huge 325 sq ft of media means fine filtration, long cycles between cleanings, and zero backwashing.
Pool Filters
Sand, cartridge, and D.E. pool filters — the equipment that actually keeps your water clear. We compare filtration fineness, flow rate, maintenance, and which type fits your pool and your patience.
Hayward
W3DE4820
Hayward
Hayward ProGrid DE4820 D.E. Filter (48 sq ft)
Finest filtration (D.E.)
The clarity champion — a diatomaceous-earth filter that polishes water down to a few microns, for owners who want the cleanest possible pool.
Pentair
CC150 (160317)
Pentair
Pentair Clean & Clear CC150 Cartridge Filter (150 sq ft)
Best mid-size cartridge
The right-sized cartridge filter for typical pools — 150 sq ft of fine filtration and no backwashing, at a friendlier price than the giant multi-cartridge units.
Pentair
FNS Plus 48 (180008)
Pentair
Pentair FNS Plus 48 D.E. Filter (48 sq ft)
Premium D.E.
A premium D.E. filter with a tough fiberglass-reinforced tank and a single-nut grid pack — the clearest water with slightly easier servicing.
Hayward
Hayward Pro Series S244T Sand Filter (24 in)
Best value sand filter
The classic, low-fuss sand filter — cheap to run, forgiving, and dead simple, with a multiport valve that backwashes at the turn of a handle.
Pentair
TA60D
Pentair
Pentair Tagelus TA60D Sand Filter
Best Pentair sand filter
Pentair’s durable fiberglass-reinforced sand filter — a uniform sand bed and clamp-style multiport valve for reliable, low-cost filtration.
Hayward
W3C9002 (C900)
Hayward
Hayward Star-Clear Plus C900 Cartridge Filter (90 sq ft)
Best compact cartridge
The compact single-cartridge filter — cartridge clarity and no backwashing for smaller pools and spas, at an approachable price.
Pentair
SD60 (EC-145322)
Pentair
Pentair Sand Dollar SD60 Sand Filter (22 in)
Larger above-ground sand
The larger Sand Dollar — a 22-inch corrosion-proof sand filter with more capacity, suitable for bigger above-ground pools or small in-ground setups.
Pentair
SD40
Pentair
Pentair Sand Dollar SD40 Above-Ground Sand Filter
Best above-ground sand
A compact, one-piece blow-molded sand filter built for above-ground pools — corrosion-proof, simple, and easy to set up.
Intex
Intex Krystal Clear C2500 Cartridge Filter Pump
Best above-ground / budget
The all-in-one above-ground filter pump — a cartridge filter and pump in one unit that hooks up in minutes for Intex-style pools.
What to know before you buy
The three types are a fineness-vs-maintenance tradeoff
Sand filters (~20–40 microns) are cheapest and most forgiving but filter the coarsest and need backwashing. Cartridge filters (~10–15 microns) filter finer and waste no water backwashing — you rinse the cartridge — but cost more and eventually need new cartridges. D.E. filters (~3–5 microns) give the clearest water but demand the most hands-on maintenance. Match the type to how clear you want the water and how much fuss you will tolerate.
Bigger filter, less work
An oversized filter runs longer between cleanings, keeps pressure and flow lower, and lasts longer. Buy a filter rated above your pump’s flow and your pool’s turnover needs — undersizing means constant backwashing and cloudy water on heavy-use days.
Match the filter to the pump
The filter’s flow rating (GPM) must exceed your pump’s maximum flow, or water races through faster than the media can clean it and dirt pushes back into the pool. Variable-speed pumps make this easier since you can run slower, but always size the filter for the pump’s high speed.
Cartridge is the low-water-waste choice
If you’re on a well, in a drought area, or just hate backwashing, cartridge filters don’t dump pool water to clean — you pull the cartridge and hose it off. That’s a real advantage anywhere water is scarce, metered, or expensive.
Frequently asked questions
Sand, cartridge, or D.E. — which is best?
It depends on priorities: sand is cheapest and easiest but filters coarsest; cartridge filters finer and wastes no backwash water; D.E. gives the clearest water but needs the most maintenance. Most modern residential pools do very well with a quality cartridge filter.
How often do I clean or backwash?
Sand and D.E. filters backwash when pressure rises about 8–10 psi over clean; a cartridge gets rinsed every few weeks to a few months depending on load. Oversizing the filter stretches all of these intervals.
What size filter do I need?
Big enough that its flow rating exceeds your pump’s maximum flow, with headroom for your pool’s turnover. When in doubt, size up — a larger filter runs longer between cleanings and lasts longer.
Do cartridge filters really save water?
Yes — you rinse the cartridge with a hose instead of backwashing pool water down the drain, which matters on a well, in drought zones, or anywhere water is metered.
How long do pool filters last?
Tanks often last 10+ years; the consumables don’t: sand every ~5–7 years, cartridges every ~2–5 years, and D.E. grids every ~5–10 years. Factor consumable cost into your choice.