Quick verdict
The practical cartridge filter for a typical pool — fine filtration and no backwashing at a mid-range price, with just one element to clean.
Ideal for
- Typical residential in-ground pools
- Cartridge benefits on a mid-range budget
- Owners who want a simple single-element clean
Not ideal for
- Large pools wanting the longest cycles (get a bigger unit)
- Bargain sand-filter shoppers
The full picture
The Clean & Clear CC150 is Pentair's mainstream single-cartridge filter, and it hits the sweet spot for a lot of residential in-ground pools. A 150-square-foot cartridge traps particles down to around 20 microns, you never backwash (just rinse the single element), and the tank is a clean, reliable design that's easy to open and service. It doesn't have the months-long cycle of a 325 sq ft SwimClear, but it costs less and is simpler to clean — one cartridge, not four. For an average pool where you want cartridge benefits without premium pricing, it's the practical pick.
Pentair Clean & Clear CC150 Cartridge Filter (150 sq ft) at a glance
- Filter type
- Cartridge
- Filter area
- 150 sq ft
- Flow rate (GPM)
- 150
- Filtration (microns)
- 10–15
- Backwashing required
- No
- Filter media
- Single pleated cartridge
- Tank material
- Reinforced polymer
- Valve
- Manual air relief (no multiport)
- Pool type
- In-ground
- Notable feature
- Single-cartridge simplicity, no backwashing
Source: Compiled from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and aggregated owner feedback. Specs and prices change — confirm with the retailer before buying.
This is a research-based review — our analysis draws on manufacturer specifications, manuals, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback rather than our own hands-on testing, and we note where a detail couldn't be confirmed. How we review
The in-depth review
The Clean & Clear CC150 is Pentair's mainstream single-cartridge filter, and it hits the sweet spot for a lot of typical residential pools that don't need a 325-square-foot behemoth.
The practical middle ground
You get the cartridge advantages — fine filtration around 10–15 microns and no backwashing — in a right-sized 150-square-foot package that costs less than the big multi-cartridge units. Cleaning is a single element, not four, so it's quick: pull it, hose it, done. The tank is a clean, reliable design that opens easily for service. It won't run for months between cleanings like a SwimClear, but for an average pool that's a fair trade for the lower price and simpler cleaning.
The honest caveats
Cycles are shorter than a big cartridge filter simply because there's less media, so you'll clean it more often on a heavily used pool. The cartridge eventually needs replacing, and there's no multiport valve versatility. It's also undersized for large pools.
Performance breakdown
Research-based editorial judgments from specs, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback — not lab measurements. How we score
Pros and cons
What works
- Fine cartridge filtration, no backwashing
- Single element — quick to clean
- Right-sized and affordable for typical pools
- Reliable, serviceable tank
What doesn't
- Shorter cycles than a 325 sq ft filter
- Cartridge eventually needs replacing
- No multiport valve versatility
- Undersized for large pools
Best alternatives to Pentair Clean & Clear CC150 Cartridge Filter (150 sq ft)
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
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How is the CC150 different from the SwimClear?
The CC150 is a single 150 sq ft cartridge; the SwimClear C3030 is a four-element 325 sq ft filter. The SwimClear runs far longer between cleanings, but the CC150 costs less and is simpler to clean — one cartridge instead of four.
What size pool is it good for?
Typical residential in-ground pools. Its flow rating is generous, but as always ensure it exceeds your pump’s maximum flow; for a large pool, step up to a bigger cartridge filter.
Do I ever backwash it?
No — like all cartridge filters, you clean it by removing and hosing off the element, which saves the pool water that sand and D.E. filters waste when backwashing.
How often does the cartridge need replacing?
Typically every few years with regular rinsing and good water balance. Cleaning before pressure climbs too high is the biggest factor in cartridge longevity.
Is a Clean & Clear the same as a Clean & Clear Plus?
No — the Plus models are larger, multi-cartridge filters for bigger pools. The CC150 is the single-cartridge Clean & Clear sized for typical residential pools.
Can I install it myself?
Yes — it plumbs into the return line and needs no multiport valve. Leave clearance above the tank so you can lift the cartridge out to clean it.