Best Pool Filters
Your pool filter is the workhorse that keeps water clear. The three types — sand, cartridge, and DE (diatomaceous earth) — filter to different micron levels and need different upkeep. Below they're grouped by type so you can compare like with like, with a separate section at the bottom for replacement cartridges and grids (consumables, not filters).
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Sand Filters
Simplest and cheapest to run. Sand traps debris down to ~20-40 microns and you clean it by backwashing — no parts to buy for years. Sand lasts 5-7 seasons.
Hayward W3S244T ProSeries Sand Filter, 24-Inch, Top-Mount
The most popular residential sand filter. 24-inch tank handles pools up to 33,000 gallons. 6-position multiport valve for filter, backwash, rinse, waste, recirculate, and closed. Sand lasts 5-7 years before replacement.
Best for: Most inground pool owners who want low-maintenance filtration
View on Amazon →Pentair TR100 Triton II 30" Side Mount Sand In-Ground Pool Filter
Pentair's fiberglass-reinforced sand filter built for durability. The one-piece construction won't corrode like metal-banded filters. Handles pools up to 62,000 gallons. A professional-grade filter for serious installations.
Best for: Large pools and long-term durability
View on Amazon →Cartridge Filters
Finer filtration than sand (~10-15 microns) and no backwashing — you just hose off the pleated cartridges. Great water clarity and water-saving, at the cost of replacing cartridges every few seasons.
Pentair EC-160301 Clean & Clear Plus 420 sq. ft. Cartridge Pool Filter
Pentair's flagship cartridge filter. 420 sq ft of pleated cartridge area handles pools up to roughly 42,000 gallons with no backwashing — just rinse the four cartridges a couple of times a season. Captures finer particles than sand (down to ~10 microns) for noticeably clearer water.
Best for: Mid-to-large inground pools that want cartridge clarity without backwashing
View on Amazon →Hayward W3C3030 SwimClear 325 sq. ft. Multi-Element Cartridge Pool Filter
Hayward's 325 sq ft multi-element cartridge filter. Four cartridges, no backwashing, and a single-piece flange clamp for quick access. Often runs a full season between cleanings. The natural choice if your pad is already Hayward equipment.
Best for: Hayward-equipped pools up to ~30,000 gallons
View on Amazon →DE Filters
The finest filtration available — down to 3-5 microns for glass-clear water. DE coats a set of grids; you backwash and add fresh DE powder when pressure rises. The most hands-on of the three, and the clearest result.
Hayward W3DE6020 ProGrid Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Pool Filter, 60 Sq. Ft.
DE filtration is the finest available — it filters down to 3-5 microns for crystal-clear water. The ProGrid design uses vertical grids for even DE distribution and high flow (60 sq ft, ~120 GPM). You backwash and recharge with fresh DE when pressure climbs.
Best for: Owners who want the absolute clearest water
View on Amazon →Above-Ground & Budget
Combo pump-and-filter units sized for above-ground pools. The filter and pump come together, so there's nothing else to buy to get water moving.
INTEX C1000 Cartridge Filter Pump for Above-Ground Pools, 1000 GPH
The standard filter pump for Intex and other above ground pools. Affordable, easy to set up, and replacement cartridges are cheap and widely available. Not the finest filtration, but gets the job done for seasonal use.
Best for: Entry-level above ground pool owners
View on Amazon →Replacement Cartridges & Filter Media
These are consumables, not filters. Every cartridge and DE filter above eventually needs fresh media — buy these only to re-stock a filter you already own. Match the part to your exact filter model before ordering.
In The Swim Premium Filter Cartridge 4-Pack — for Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420 (CCP420)
Replacement cartridge set for the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420 above. Swap in a fresh 4-pack when the old cartridges are torn or no longer rinse clean (typically every 2-3 seasons). Not a filter on its own.
Best for: Owners of a Pentair CCP420 cartridge filter
View on Amazon →C3030 Pool Filter Cartridges 4-Pack — for Hayward SwimClear C3030 / C3020 / C3025
Replacement cartridge set for the Hayward SwimClear C3030 (and C3020/C3025) above. Replaces Hayward CX580XRE / Pleatco PA81. Install a fresh set when the elements won't clean up or pressure stays high after rinsing.
Best for: Owners of a Hayward SwimClear cartridge filter
View on Amazon →Optimum Pool Technologies Filter Cartridge 4-Pack — for Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 240 (CCP240)
Replacement cartridge set for the smaller Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 240 (240 sq ft). Replaces R173572 / Unicel C-7469 / Pleatco PCC60. A budget-friendly OEM-compatible option for the CCP240.
Best for: Owners of a Pentair CCP240 cartridge filter
View on Amazon →60 Sq. Ft. DE Filter Grids (8-pack set) — for Hayward ProGrid DE6020 / Pentair / Unicel FG1005
Replacement DE grid set for the Hayward ProGrid DE6020 (and Micro-Clear DE6000 / Unicel FG1005). Re-grid your DE filter when the fabric tears and DE blows back into the pool. Not a filter on its own.
Best for: Owners of a 60 sq ft DE filter with torn grids
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