Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9)
#6 in In-GroundFull review
Hayward’s online-sold salt system for mid-size in-ground pools: a proven design, but with only a 1-year warranty bought this way.
Amazon $1,999$1,999
The Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) is the better salt chlorinator overall, rated 3.1 to 3.0. The Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) leads on warranty, certification and features. The CircuPool Universal25 wins on value and cell cost. The CircuPool Universal25 costs $904 less ($1,095 vs $1,999).
CircuPool Universal25
#7 in In-GroundFull review
A low-cost way to replace a worn-out AquaRite-style system on a smaller pool (up to 25,000 gallons) without replumbing.
Amazon $1,095$1,095
Prices were last checked October 27, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) for warranty (3-year cell, 3-year control center warranty vs 1-year cell, 1-year control center warranty), certification (Certified to NSF/ANSI 50 vs Not certified to NSF/ANSI 50) and features (Salt level readout, works with hayward pro logic, pentair intellitouch, polaris eos, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode vs Salt level readout, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode).
- Choose the CircuPool Universal25 for value ($1,095 for 1.2 lb of chlorine a day ($912 per lb/day) vs $1,999 for 0.9 lb of chlorine a day ($2,221 per lb/day)) and cell cost (Replacement cell $549 ($458 per lb/day) vs Replacement cell $899 ($999 per lb/day)).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every in-ground salt chlorinator; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) | CircuPool Universal25 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.1/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Value 30% | 15 $1,999 for 0.9 lb of chlorine a day ($2,221 per lb/day) | 59 $1,095 for 1.2 lb of chlorine a day ($912 per lb/day) |
| Cell cost 20% | 33 Replacement cell $899 ($999 per lb/day) | 76 Replacement cell $549 ($458 per lb/day) |
| Warranty 20% | 50 3-year cell, 3-year control center warranty | 0 1-year cell, 1-year control center warranty |
| Features 20% | 75 Salt level readout, works with hayward pro logic, pentair intellitouch, polaris eos, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode | 55 Salt level readout, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode |
| Certification 10% | 100 Certified to NSF/ANSI 50 | 0 Not certified to NSF/ANSI 50 |
Specifications
| Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) | CircuPool Universal25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Pool type | In-ground | In-ground |
| Rated pool size (maker) | 25,000 gal | 25,000 gal |
| Chlorine output | 0.9 lb/day | 1.2 lb/day |
| Salt level | 2,700 to 3,400 ppm (ideal 3,200) | 3,000 to 4,000 ppm (ideal 3,500) |
| NSF/ANSI 50 certified | Yes | No |
| Cell | ||
| Replacement cell | W3T-CELL-9 | UL25-2200-4A-1RC |
| Replacement cell price | $899 | $549 |
| Self-cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Plumbing size | 2 in | 2 in |
| Controls | ||
| Salt level readout | Yes | Yes |
| Flow sensing | Flow switch | Flow switch |
| Cold-water shutoff | Yes | Yes |
| Boost mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Automation compatibility | Hayward Pro Logic, Pentair IntelliTouch, Polaris Eos | - |
| Voltage | 120/240 V | 115/230 V |
| Warranty and models | ||
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 years |
| Warranty terms | 3 years on the dealer-sold versions (AQR3XLCUL and siblings) bought from and installed by a pool professional; the online-sold W3AQR versions carry 1 year (manual, effective 03/01/12; Hayward's W3AQR15 page: 1 year parts, no labor). A replacement W3T cell bought alone carries 3 years parts. | Sold as a 4-year limited warranty, prorated: parts free in year 1, then supplied at 25% (year 2), 50% (year 3) and 70% (year 4) of base price. No labor or shipping. DIY installation keeps the warranty. Commercial use: 1 year. |