Best Pool Filters
Pool filters come in three types: cartridge, sand, and DE. They trap progressively finer particles and ask for different maintenance. The best one depends on how clear you want the water and how much fuss you will tolerate. Here is the pick for each.
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Hayward or Pentair cartridge filter
Who it is for: Most residential pools that want clear water with simple maintenance and no backwashing.
- +Filters finer than sand, so the water looks cleaner.
- +No backwashing, which saves water; you just rinse the cartridge.
- +A large cartridge can go weeks between cleanings.
Watch out: Cartridges eventually need replacing, and a heavy debris load means rinsing more often. Sized too small, it clogs fast.
Hayward or Pentair sand filter
Who it is for: Owners who want the simplest, most forgiving filter and do not mind slightly less fine filtration.
- +Cheapest to run, with sand that lasts years before replacement.
- +Clean it by backwashing in a couple of minutes, no parts to pull out.
- +Tough and hard to damage, a good default for many pools.
Watch out: Filters the least fine of the three, so water can look slightly less crisp. Backwashing wastes water each time.
Hayward or Pentair DE filter
Who it is for: Owners who want the clearest possible water and will do the extra maintenance for it.
- +Filters the finest particles of any type, for glass-clear water.
- +Catches very fine silt and dust that sand and cartridge miss.
- +The choice when clarity is the priority.
Watch out: The most maintenance: you backwash and then recharge it with DE powder each time, and handling the powder needs care.
What actually matters when buying
Three types, a clear order. Sand is the simplest and filters the coarsest; cartridge is the middle ground most people pick; DE is the finest and the fussiest. Decide how much maintenance you will actually do, then pick the finest type you are willing to maintain.
Bigger filter, less work. An oversized filter goes far longer between cleanings and puts less strain on your pump. Buy a filter rated above your pool's flow, not right at it. It is one of the few places where bigger is genuinely better.
Match the filter to the pump. The filter has a maximum flow rate. If your pump pushes more than that, water moves through too fast to filter well and pressure climbs. Make sure the pump's flow falls within the filter's rating, especially with a variable-speed pump.
Maintenance is the real difference. Sand backwashes in minutes, cartridge means pulling and rinsing the element, and DE means backwashing plus recharging with powder. The clearer the water a type delivers, the more hands-on it is. Be honest about which you will keep up with.
How we picked
This is a research-based guide comparing filter types, micron ratings, flow capacity, and a broad set of owner reviews across the major filter brands. We do not take payment for placement and have not bench-tested every unit, so confirm sizing against your pump before buying.
Keep your water right, too
Gear handles the cleaning; chemistry is the other half. Useful next: best pool pumps, saturation index calculator, all calculators.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of pool filter?
Cartridge filters are the best all-around choice for most pools: they filter finer than sand, need no backwashing, and are simple to maintain. Sand is the most forgiving and cheapest to run, and DE gives the clearest water but asks for the most maintenance. Pick by how much upkeep you will do.
Cartridge, sand, or DE filter?
Sand filters the coarsest and is the easiest, backwashing in minutes. Cartridge filters finer, skips backwashing, and is the popular middle ground. DE filters the finest for glass-clear water but means backwashing and recharging with powder. Finer filtration always means more maintenance.
What size pool filter do I need?
Size the filter above your pump's flow rate, not exactly at it. A larger filter runs longer between cleanings, strains the pump less, and filters better. Check that your pump's flow falls within the filter's rated maximum, which matters most with a strong or variable-speed pump.
How often do I clean a pool filter?
It depends on the type and debris load. Sand and DE filters are backwashed when the pressure rises about 8 to 10 psi over clean. Cartridges are rinsed every few weeks and deep-cleaned a couple of times a season. A bigger filter stretches all of those intervals.