Hayward AquaRite T-15 (W3AQR15)
#3 in Large PoolsFull review
For large in-ground pools when you want to buy a Hayward salt system online and install it yourself; dealers sell the newer AquaRite S3 instead.
Amazon $2,099$2,099
The Hayward AquaRite T-15 (W3AQR15) is the better salt chlorinator overall, rated 3.4 to 3.3. The Hayward AquaRite T-15 (W3AQR15) leads on warranty, certification and features. The CircuPool Universal40 wins on value and cell cost. The CircuPool Universal40 costs $804 less ($1,295 vs $2,099).
CircuPool Universal40
#7 in Large PoolsFull review
For owners of an aging Hayward AquaRite or similar system who want a new control box and cell for about the price of a brand-name cell, on pools up to 40,000 gallons.
Amazon $1,295$1,295
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-15 (W3AQR15) 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 Universal40 for value ($1,295 for 1.8 lb of chlorine a day ($719 per lb/day) vs $2,099 for 1.4 lb of chlorine a day ($1,448 per lb/day)) and cell cost (Replacement cell $649 ($361 per lb/day) vs Replacement cell $1,099 ($758 per lb/day)).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every large pools salt chlorinator; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Hayward AquaRite T-15 (W3AQR15) | CircuPool Universal40 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.4/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Value 30% | 36 $2,099 for 1.4 lb of chlorine a day ($1,448 per lb/day) | 71 $1,295 for 1.8 lb of chlorine a day ($719 per lb/day) |
| Cell cost 20% | 48 Replacement cell $1,099 ($758 per lb/day) | 90 Replacement cell $649 ($361 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-15 (W3AQR15) | CircuPool Universal40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Pool type | In-ground | In-ground |
| Rated pool size (maker) | 40,000 gal | 40,000 gal |
| Chlorine output | 1.4 lb/day | 1.8 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-15 | UL40-2200-4A-1RC |
| Replacement cell price | $1,099 | $649 |
| 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. |