Best Overall
Hayward DE6020 ProGrid D.E. Pool Filter
Runner-Up
Hayward W3S180T ProSeries Sand Filter
Best Bang for the Buck
XtremePowerUS 19" Swimming Pool Sand Filter
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A pool filter is absolutely full of life to the function of any swimming pool . It ’s responsible for for slay contaminant from the puddle water supply , ascertain that the consortium not only stays watch glass open but also destitute of bacteria and other contaminants that present health hazard .
syndicate filter use a assortment of means for filtering water , including sand , paper cartridges , and diatomaceous globe . They come in various sizes to meet the needs of above - ground and inground pool , both large and little . With so many shapes , sizes , and brands to choose from , selecting the right-hand model for one ’s puddle can promptly become an overwhelming operation . Our top recommendation is theProGrid from Hayward , thanks to its perdurable structure and impressive flow rate for pools up to 60 straight feet .
This template plunk into the world of pool filter through inquiry and/or hired hand - on examination to key out what factors are important to deliberate when shopping for the good puddle filter , while judge some of the top role model on the market .
How We Chose the Best Pool Filters
In evaluating wads of pool filter for this guide , we research and/or hands - on screen an extensive list of products based on important shopping consideration listed below . In our research , we concluded that a pool filter should be both light to preserve and durable . As such , we chose models with bad , molded charge card building that could protest harmful ultraviolet ( UV ) ray as well as extreme cold .
For easiness of maintenance , we chose theoretical account with designs that allow the drug user to impart minimum upkeep quickly . For magazine filters , we chose models with agile - release fittings that allow the drug user to reach the cartridge without give to remove a lot of hardware first . For George Sand and D.E. filters , we select model with multiport valve that allow the drug user to easily modify the filter to dissimilar operating modality for back - flow and winterizing .
Our Top Picks
The lean below narrows the field to some of the top puddle filters on the securities industry through strict hands - on examination and/or thorough enquiry . It includes both above - ground and inground syndicate filters with flow rates for pool both large and small .
Though more expensive and need more sustainment than other type of filters , D.E. pool filter do the best job when it get tocleaningcontaminants out of a puddle . Of all the D.E. filter out there , this model from Hayward is one of the best . The DE6020 has an rich flow rate of 120 GPM and is constructed out of long-lasting glass - reinforced copolymer , check it will endure the elements . High - impact grid elements also help upflow filtration and top - down backwashing .
D.E. filters have gamy care requirements but Hayward makes them easier to perform with a few useful designing features , including a one - piece rim clamp that form it easygoing to start the filter to access its interior and a prompt - release valve for bleed strain out of the pool filter heart to ameliorate flowing .
Get the Hayward ProGrid pool filter atAmazon .
Runner-up
Hayward is a notable name when it make out to pool filter , and this model is no elision . This ProSeries sand filter is made for above - ground pools and come with an umbrella - fold ego - clean sidelong system and top diffuser for even statistical distribution , long life , and an efficient flow rate of 36 GPM .
This model also hail in multiple sizes to accommodate varying pond volumes , and the seven - position VariFlo valve allow for maximal restraint over the system ’s operation . Need more ? This manakin also has a prominent drainage and pump - to - filter uniting link that appropriate for rapid winterizing or quick modification as well as a pressure gauge .
What our examiner says : Stephanie Cronk , executive editor program of commerce at Bob Vila , notes that “ we have used this gumption filter for 8 years with no issues beyond distinctive sustenance of replacing the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin every 3 to 5 years . The filter has an well-fixed - to - function valve allow for well-to-do backwashing with the twist of a handle . We pull up stakes our filter out in all elements , including Northeast snow and ice , and we ’ve never had a problem with rusting or deterioration . ”
Get the Hayward W3S180 T pool filter atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Best Bang For The Buck
With price tags that go into the thousands of dollars , a swim pool filter replacement can quickly become a major investiture . That ’s why this Baroness Dudevant filter from Xtremepower is such a nice selection . It boasts a menstruation rate of 20 to 160 GPM , which is enough to service a 24,000 - gallon pond .
Seven - way multiport controls located on the filter ’s lid permit the user to change the filter ’s flow to handle rinsing , filtration , backwashing , and even winterize with just the turn of a lever . A big insistency gauge make it easy to see when it ’s time to backwash the filter . This option also comes with 360 - degree valve rotation for quiet plumbing system . In improver to being affordable , this filter is also versatile , since it will work with both inground and above - dry land pools .
Get the XtremePowerUS pocket billiards filter atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Cartridge
Pentair 160332 Clean and Clear Cartridge Pool Filter
With a large-minded filtration Earth’s surface area and high stream rate , this magazine filter from Pentair is a great option for declamatory pool . The filter boasts a menstruation rate of 150 gallons per instant , making it a suitable choice for larger inground pools of 30,000 congius or more . Unlike sand and D.E. filters that require periodic backwashing , Pentair ’s pickup filter is easy to keep . only remove the filter , rinse it with a garden hosiery , and interchange it .
The NSF - heel Pentair filter also self - regulates its national pressure , thanks to its Integrated Continuous High Flow Internal Air Relief , which automatically releases press that can bottle up the menses of water through the filter .
Get the Pentair pool filter atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Sand
Hayward W3S244T ProSeries Pool Sand Filter
With its tough polymer construction , this Hayward sand filter ’s tank is built like a tank and is one of the most well - built guts filter on the market . In gain to being durable , this model makes it easy to conduct regular maintenance , thanks to a six - locating VariFlo valve on the top of the filter . With the valve , a pool owner can easy set this small pool filter for backwashing , rinsing , winterizing , and other functions .
The ProSeries Pool Sand Filter comes with some utile additional feature , including a top diffuser that ensures even statistical distribution of pee through the sand , a self - cleaning drain that makes it loose to empty the filter descend winter , and a bore for monitoring pressure .
Get the Hayward W3S244 T pool filter atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Above-ground
Carvin Laser 22.5" Above-Ground Pool Sand Filter
This sand filter ’s flow rate of 20 GPM can keep the water in a 31,000 - plus gallon pool sporty . Couple that with a six - position valve that make it easy to backwash , rinsing , drainage , winterize , or test the filter , and the Carvin Laser is one of thebest above - ground pool filteroptions on the market .
The filter efficiently filters water by using a side - slot sidelong design and an underdrain to dish out water equally across the surface of 250 pound of moxie . It is durably built with a shape charge card UV- and corrosion - resistive tank and two hose adapter . A drain located at the bottom of the cooler makes it easy to empty the filter for winterizing or sand changes .
Get the Carvin pool filter atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best With Pump
Hayward W3CC15093S XStream Above-Ground Filter Pump
stop over worrying about pump and trickle compatibility with this pocket billiards ticker and filter jazz group from Hayward , which includes both . It come with a Hayward XStream cartridge filter and a 1.5 - H.P. Hayward PowerFlo Matrix heart . This powerful combo can move up to 100 GPM , making it ideal for a large above - background pool .
It ’s also gentle to keep , thanks to an Easy - Lok ring design that let admittance to the filter ’s intragroup parts in a single bit . This various pond heart and filter combo will work with flexible or rigid plumbing . Both social unit sit down on a rigid base , making it easy to climb on the terra firma next to the puddle .
Get the Hayward W3CC15093S pool filter atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Best For Small Pools
Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
The Krystal clear cartridge filter pump is idealistic for modest , temporary above - flat coat pools . Its 16.67 GPM filter and the pump are suitable for puddle with up to 6,000 gallon of water , which includes 10 - understructure to 18 - foot round Intex Easy Set and metal frame pool .
The Krystal clear cartridge filter heart caparison opens to agree a disposable magazine , which go about 2 weeks . An air release valve prevents too much pressing from ramp up up inside the pump and filter , slowing water flow . mark up the pump / filter is easy . Simply seize 1.25 - inch hoses to the fittings and to the intake and outtake holes in the puddle .
Get the Intex cartridge pool filter atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best For Large Pools
Hayward W3EC50AC Perflex DE Pool Filter
big puddle varieties ask a gravid - duty filter like this Hayward model , capable of supply reliable and efficacious filtration in above - ground pools of over 25,000 gallons . Built with a 1 - horsepower heart , this model has a great tank that holds 5 Sudanese pound of D.E. to filter out minor unwanted corpuscle as tiny as 2 microns in size . This Hayward filter also comes with “ flex - tube ” engineering that enables the D.E. to recycle repeatedly for add filtration .
Get the Hayward W3EC50AC pool filter atAmazon .
Best Design
Hayward W3C12002 StarClear Plus Cartridge Pool Filter
This Hayward filter might look a little more like a blast hydrant than a pool filter , but that ’s because it ’s built to be tough . Its single - piece shot molding construction is well suitable for enduring the elements . In add-on to its long-lived building , it ’s also easy to maintain . A exclusive knob tone ending that securely fastens the filter pass to the tank makes it easy to get to the filter pickup .
With its stream pace of 120 GPM , this filter can service large inground pools with up to 60,000 gallons of pee . Despite its high capability , the filter is fair compact at just 13.375 in in diameter and 36 inch magniloquent .
Get the Hayward StarClear pool filter atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Also Consider
Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump
The Intex Krystal Clear guts filter pump is a reliable option for those who prefer George Sand filter for pools . Made with a six - function control valve , users can apace switch between backwashing , filtering , rinsing , recirculating , draining , and closing down the filter easily . It can obligate over 50 pounds ofpool filter sandor 35 pounds of glass culture medium .
The filter also come with an adjustable 24 - hour timekeeper that can be place between 2- and 12 - hour increase for automated use . Plus , it come with a strainer basket , two 1.5 - inch connector hoses , a built - in GFCI , a heart stream rate of 35 GPH , and a organization flow rate of 26.7 GPM . Overall , the system of rules improves water lucidity , circulation , and filtration by adding ion to the water control surface which neutralize algae and microorganism growth .
Get the Intex guts pool filter atAmazon , The Home Depot , orTarget .
Photo: amazon.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Pool Filter
There are a form of factors one needs to consider when shopping for the right kitty filter include type , flow rate , and compatibility . scan on to learn more about these and other attributes of pool filter .
Types of Pool Filters
Buyers must consider three type of pool filters , each of which has its pros and cons . The most popular types of pool filters on the food market are sand , cartridge , and D.E. filter .
A sand kitty filter work by absorb pee through a filtration tank fill with moxie . As the water system pass through , it grabs particle of soil that value 20 microns or larger . The effective pool sand filter demand minimum upkeep and is more affordable than other filter , but does n’t enamour particles as small as other filter type can cop . Baroness Dudevant filter come in two types — top - go up and side - mounted filters . Top - mounted sand filters are less expensive and take up less infinite than a side - mount filter ; however , the side - riding horse filter reach it easy to change the sand , since it does n’t want you to disconnect pipes .
pond cartridge filter utilize a replaceable filter that collects dirt and debris as it go by through . Cartridge filters are effective because they can trap particles as small as 10 micron . Maintaining a cartridge filter is comparatively easy since it can be removed and spray clean with a hose .
Photo: amazon.com
D.E. filter ( the D.E. stands for “ diatomaceous ground ” ) , work likewise to a sand filter but rather than pump weewee through sand , it pumps water through D.E. , which is a fine gunpowder that can catch particles as little as 5 micron . D.E. is the most in effect filter due to its power to remove petite corpuscle from the pool ; however , this character of filter is more expensive than magazine or sand types and requires the most care .
Flow Rate and Capacity
filter come in unlike size of it to handleswimming poolsof various capacities . Most filters are shit by gallon per minute . A filter must have a flow rate that at least matches the gal per bit of the pump , or higher . The GPM of a syndicate filter is a great indication of how large a pool the filter can deal .
A pool filter should be able-bodied to filter the entire content of a kitty in about 8 hours . So , a pool filter with a flow rate of 50 GPM has enough filtering content to serve pools up to 24,000 congius ( 50 x 60 x 8) .
Pump Compatibility
A filter wo n’t work withouta puddle pumpto push water through it . When selecting a pump and strain , it ’s crucial to ensure they are compatible with each other . The ticker must be powerful enough to drive water through the filter without being so brawny that it damages it .
When selecting a filter , take a model with a flow rate that ’s a little higher than the pump ’s menses rate . Never pick out a filter with a flow rate that is less than the pump ’s flow charge per unit , since this can damage the filter . Working together , the pool filter and pump should be able-bodied tocleanthe entire contents of the pool about every 8 hr .
Additional Features
Most puddle filters have features that make them easier to use . Pressure gauge assess how well the system is drawing water from the pond . This lets the user know if the filter pickup should be alter , in the case of a cartridge filter , or backwashed , in the case of a sand or D.E. filter .
filter typically have features that make performing everyday maintenance easy . Many use quick - release knobs that permit the user to quickly open up the filter ’s lid without own to remove a lot of computer hardware . Other models have multiport design with substitution that give up the user to winterize , rinse , and backflush the filter with the twist of a knob .
FAQs
If you ’re wondering whether a cartridge of a moxie filter is good or if all filters can be used or how often a cartridge filter should be replaced , then read on for response to these and other normally ask question about pool filters .
In term of their power to dribble out contaminant , magazine filters are better . Cartridge filters have a large filtration area , which allow them to withdraw smaller particles than a sand filter can . They also are well-off to uphold since they need no backwashing .
Foam puddle filters are more economical than newspaper filters . Whereas paper filter wear out and must be supersede every 1 to 2 weeks , froth filters last around 2 months . you may clean froth filters with a garden hosepipe and put them back into service .
Photo: amazon.com
Pool cartridges last between 1 and 3 days , calculate on how often they ’re used and how often they ’re clean . user will always need to confabulate the user manual of their chosen filter to guarantee they know how toclean the pool filterand are using their filtration system aright .
D.E. filter remove the smallest particles of the three filter types with their ability to trap particle as small as 2 to 3 micrometer .
To deepen the grit in a pool filter , begin with drain the tankful by give the drain cap at the bottom of the tank . move out the hosiery connect to the filter ’s multiport valve . Remove the sometime sand with a loving cup or a shop vac , making certain to first videotape off the top of the pipe to keep sand from get at heart . Carefully remove the sidelong assembly and pipe , then wash out the tank with a garden hosiery . Replace the sidelong assembly and pipe and add fresh sand .
Photo: amazon.com
No . You must employ a filter plan for above - ground exercise . This is because most above - undercoat pool pumps are design to move sportsmanlike water to a level that ’s in high spirits than the pump while most inground pool pumps , which are locate above the piddle horizontal surface of the pool , are not .
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