Want to know which pool filter is best? Use this pool filter comparison to learn everything you need to know about the different types of pool filters.
With options like sand, cartridge, and DE filters, choosing a filter for your swimming pool comes with plenty to consider. Each pool filter works differently and requires different kinds of maintenance. But we’re here to make all of that super easy for you with a straightforward pool filter comparison.
Understanding the differences between sand, cartridge, and DE pool filters makes it easy to choose the best filter for your swimming pool. And in this pool filter comparison, we explain everything from how each pool filter works and what sets them apart, to how much they cost to run. That way, you can choose the pool filter that meets your needs and fits your budget.
So if you’re ready to find out which pool filter is best, and become an expert on the different types of pool filters, keep reading. We’re comparing swimming pool filters in this quick, 5-minute guide that makes choosing a pool filter easy. And we’re including a downloadable pool filter comparison chart at the end of the post to save you even more time.
Pool Filter Systems Comparison Guide
Differences Between Sand, Cartridge, and DE Filters
Sand Filters
What Are Sand Pool Filters?
Sand filters are large tanks that use pool filter sand to remove contaminants and debris from swimming pool water that flows through. They can remove debris as small as 20 microns, which is about a third of the size of a human hair (70 microns).
They’re one of the most popular and low-maintenance pool filters available to pool owners, especially since they only need occasional backwashing and sand replacement once a year.
How Do Sand Filters For Swimming Pools Work?
As your pool filter pump pushes water into your sand filter, it gradually passes through a thick bed of sand. The sand acts as a filter screen that traps debris and removes contaminants, preventing them from getting back into your pool. From there, clean water flows out of the sand filter and into your pool, and the process repeats itself.
Sand Filter Maintenance
Over time, all of the debris and contaminants that your sand filter captures will build up and increase the pressure of your sand filter’s tank. And when the pressure gauge on your sand filter reads more than 8 PSI higher than its original “clean” reading, you can lower it by backwashing your sand filter.
Backwashing a sand filter reverses the flow of water to the pool filter pump and acts as a rinse cycle that forces out all of the debris and dirt clogging up your filter.
Sand Filter Pool Sand Replacement
Sand filters typically only require pool sand replacement every 3-5 years. This means that you can reuse the same pool sand throughout the year as long as you regularly maintain and backwash your sand filter.
What Is The Best Pool Filter Sand?
For the best filtration, pool owners can use glass pool filter sand, which can filter contaminants as small as 3 microns. But let’s break down the 3 different types of sand filter media, and help you decide what the best pool filter sand to use is based on your situation.
- Silica Pool Filter Sand: The standard and most affordable pool sand. Filters particles as small as 20 microns. Made from ground quartz
- Zeolite Pool Filter Sand: Sand made from volcanic rock minerals that can bind to chloramines to improve chlorine balance. Filters contaminants as small as 10 microns
- Glass Pool Filter Sand: Sand made from recycled glass that can trap debris as small as 3 microns. Capable of trapping algae spores — ideal for pools with algae problems
With pool sand filter media, you get what you pay for. Silica pool filter sand is the most affordable but offers the least sensitive filtration. On the other hand, glass pool filter sand costs the most but works the best.
Related: 9 Ways To Improve Your Sand Pool Filter
How Do I Choose a Sand Filter For My Pool?
The best way to choose a sand filter for your pool is to size it according to the size of your pool filter pump. This means you should choose a sand filter with a flow rate in GPM (gallons per minute) that’s more than the max output of your pump.
So if you’re using a pool filter pump that’s rated at an output of 100 GPM, you’d need a filter with a flow rate of at least 120 GPM.
In most cases, it’s better to choose a large-sized filter over a smaller one.
Sand Pool Filter: Pros and Cons
Sand Pool Filter PROS
- Lowest initial cost
- Low-cost filter media
- Easy to use and maintain
- Upgradeable filtration power with zeolite and glass sand
- Pool filter sand lasts long (3-5 years)
Sand Pool Filter CONS
- Least sensitive pool filter (without upgrades)
- Heavy water usage: requires regular backwashing (300-500 gallons)
- Not energy efficient with high-pressure pool systems
Are Sand Or Cartridge Pool Filters Better?
While sand filters work great for most pools, cartridge filters offer superior filtration and can trap 50% more contaminants than silica pool sand. That said, sand filter users can also improve filtration by up to 50% by upgrading to zeolite pool filter sand, which offers a similar filtering capability to cartridge filters.
Cartridge Filters
What Are Cartridge Pool Filters?
Cartridge pool filters consist of a large plastic tank that houses one to four cylindrical filter cartridges. Each cartridge features a hollow tube that’s lined with a layer of folded, or pleated, cloth material. The pleated cloth design increases the surface area of the filter media, which lowers flow resistance and allows for more water to be effectively filtered at once.
Cartridge pool filters can trap and filter out particles as small as 10 microns.
Since they don’t require backwashing, cartridge filters use far less water than sand filters and work great for eco-friendly pools, or in states with water usage restrictions.
How Do Cartridge Filters For Swimming Pools Work?
As your pool pump pushes water through your cartridge filter, it passes through a series of pleated, filter cartridges. Each tube features a layer of folded cloth that traps debris and particles as water flows through. And as clean water flow outs of the filter, dirty pool water flows in, and the cycle repeats.
Cartridge Pool Filter Maintenance
Cartridge pool filters generally require low maintenance, and only need the occasional cartridge rinsing every few weeks. That said, rinsing your cartridge can be a little more intensive than other filter cleaning methods, like backwashing a sand filter.
To clean your cartridge filter, remove each cartridge from the filter tank and spray it down with a garden hose. For the best results, make sure to rinse thoroughly between the pleats/folds to remove stubborn debris buildup.
Cartridge Filter Replacement
Cartridge pool filters require cartridge replacement every 3-5 years depending on pool usage. To maintain the best performance, consider replacing your filter cartridges every 3 years.
Cartridge Pool Filter: Pros and Cons
Cartridge Pool Filter PROS
- Low water use, eco friendly
- Easy to maintain
- Most energy-efficient pool filter type
- Works well for inground and above ground pools
- Good filtration sensitivity: filters particles as small as 10 microns
Cartridge Pool Filter CONS
- Filter cartridges are expensive and need replacement every 3-5 years
- Cleaning cartridge filters takes extra time
- Higher purchase cost
Diatomaceous Earth Filters
What are Diatomaceous Earth Filters?
Diatomaceous earth filters, or DE Filters, comprise a series of powder-coated fabric grids within a plastic tank. The DE powder clings to the fabric grids, which increases filtration power and allows the DE filter to capture particles as small as 3 microns.
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring sediment made from the fossilized remains of ancient microalgae. It can be crushed and processed into DE powder, which gets added to DE filter systems to improve filtration and capture a finer range of particles.
How Do DE Pool Filters Work?
DE pool filters use a combination of fabric grids and DE powder to capture particles as they flow through the filter system. A DE pool filter cartridge works best with the help of an added layer of DE powder that lines each filter grid and helps it capture a wide range of particles as water passes through.
DE Pool Filter Maintenance
Like sand filters, DE pool filters require backwashing every few weeks. But they also require DE powder replacement whenever there’s a backwash.
After backwashing your DE filter, you can replace the DE powder by adding a few scoops through your pool skimmer. Since DE filters require regular backwashing and powder replacement, their water usage and maintenance costs (DE powder) are higher than other filters.
In addition to regular backwashing, pool owners should occasionally remove the DE pool filter cartridge and clean it off manually by rinsing it with a hose.
DE Pool Filter Replacement
A DE pool filter cartridge, or grid set, will last anywhere from 7-10 years. But after that, they require a replacement.
To replace your DE pool filter cartridge:
- Turn off your filter pump
- Relieve pressure from your pool system
- Open up the filter tank
- Remove the old grids from the assembly
- Attach the replacement DE filter grids to the assembly
- Place the assembly back inside of the tank
- Close tank
- Add DE powder to pool skimmer
DE Pool Filter: Pros and Cons
DE Pool Filter PROS
- Highest filtration power (3 microns)
- Long lifespan
- Easy to replace filter media
- Straightforward cleaning process
DE Pool Filter CONS
- Highest initial costs
- Highest maintenance costs
- Not ideal for states with water usage restrictions
- DE powder can be toxic in powder form if mishandled
Pool Filter FAQs
What Is A Micron?
A micron represents one millionth of a meter and serves as a scientific unit of length used to measure very small objects. For reference, the average strand of human hair has a diameter of about 70 microns.
In terms of pool filters, microns measure the smallest size particles that a pool filter can capture. So while a sand pool filter can trap particles as small as 20 microns, a DE pool filter can trap particles much smaller at 3 microns.
Which Is Better DE Or Cartridge Filter?
Diatomaceous Earth pool filters offer higher filtration power than cartridge filters and can trap 75% more particles. While cartridge filters can capture debris as small as 10 microns, a DE filter can trap debris that’s 3x smaller at 3 microns.
With that said, cartridge filters still offer great filtration performance and feature the most energy-efficient operation out of all the types of pool filters.
What’s The Best Pool Filter For My Swimming Pool?
A DE filter is the best pool filter for your swimming pool when it comes to “filtration power” since it can capture smaller particles than any other filter. With that said, the answer to this question also depends on what’s important to you as a pool owner. Each type of pool filter has unique advantages over others:
- Best energy efficiency: Cartridge Pool Filter
- Most affordable: Sand Pool Filter
- Best filtration: DE Pool Filter
Related: 9 Essential Tips For New Pool Owners
What Is The Best Pool Filter For Above Ground Pools?
Both sand filters and cartridge filters work great for above-ground pools. But the most important thing to remember is to choose a filter with a flow rate that’s higher than your pool filter pump. So if your above ground pool filter pump has an output of 60 GPM (gallons per minute), choose a filter with a flow rate of at least 70 GPM
What Is The Best Filter System For A Inground Pool?
When it comes to performance, a DE filter is the best filter system for an inground pool. It offers the highest filtration power and can trap smaller particles than any other type of pool filter.
But when it comes to energy efficiency, cartridge filters are the best choice. Thanks to their unique design, cartridge filters conserve water and limit flow resistance, which keeps your energy bills low. And despite not being as effective as DE filters, Cartridge Filters still capture a wide range of contaminants and debris.
Pool Filter Comparison Chart: Sand Filter vs Cartridge Filter vs DE Filter
Have questions about the different types of pool filters? Use this pool filter comparison chart to help you choose the best filter for your swimming pool.
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