Pentair IntelliChlor IC20
#10 in In-GroundFull review
Pentair’s small IntelliChlor for pools up to 20,000 gallons, back in the US; the newer LT25 fits the same power center and shows salt in ppm.
The Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 and the Hayward AquaRite T-3 (W3AQR3) are evenly matched, rated 2.9 and 2.9. The Hayward AquaRite T-3 (W3AQR3) wins on features and cell cost.
Hayward AquaRite T-3 (W3AQR3)
#11 in In-GroundFull review
The cheapest Hayward salt system you can buy online for small in-ground pools, best for owners who install it themselves and accept a 1-year warranty.
Amazon $1,799$1,799
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-3 (W3AQR3) for features (Salt level readout, works with hayward pro logic, pentair intellitouch, polaris eos, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode vs Works with pentair intellicenter, pentair intelliconnect, pentair easytouch, pentair intellitouch, pentair suntouch, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode) and cell cost (Replacement cell $699 ($1,165 per lb/day) vs Replacement cell $1,249 ($1,784 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 | Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 | Hayward AquaRite T-3 (W3AQR3) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.9/5 | 2.9/5 |
| Value 30% | 50 no current price (neutral score used) | 0 $1,799 for 0.6 lb of chlorine a day ($2,998 per lb/day) |
| Cell cost 20% | 0 Replacement cell $1,249 ($1,784 per lb/day) | 24 Replacement cell $699 ($1,165 per lb/day) |
| Warranty 20% | 50 3-year cell, 3-year control center warranty | 50 3-year cell, 3-year control center warranty |
| Features 20% | 50 Works with pentair intellicenter, pentair intelliconnect, pentair easytouch, pentair intellitouch, pentair suntouch, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode | 75 Salt level readout, works with hayward pro logic, pentair intellitouch, polaris eos, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode |
| Certification 10% | 50 certification not published (neutral score used) | 100 Certified to NSF/ANSI 50 |
Specifications
| Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 | Hayward AquaRite T-3 (W3AQR3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Pool type | In-ground | In-ground |
| Rated pool size (maker) | 20,000 gal | 15,000 gal |
| Chlorine output | 0.7 lb/day | 0.6 lb/day |
| Salt level | 2,800 to 4,500 ppm (ideal 3,600) | 2,700 to 3,400 ppm (ideal 3,200) |
| NSF/ANSI 50 certified | - | Yes |
| Cell | ||
| Replacement cell | 520554 | W3T-CELL-3 |
| Replacement cell price | $1,249 | $699 |
| Self-cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Plumbing size | - | 2 in |
| Controls | ||
| Salt level readout | No | Yes |
| Flow sensing | Flow switch | Flow switch |
| Cold-water shutoff | Yes | Yes |
| Boost mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| App | Pentair Pool (via Pentair automation) | - |
| Automation compatibility | Pentair IntelliCenter, Pentair IntelliConnect, Pentair EasyTouch, Pentair IntelliTouch, Pentair SunTouch | Hayward Pro Logic, Pentair IntelliTouch, Polaris Eos |
| Voltage | 115/230 V | 120/240 V |
| Warranty and models | ||
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty terms | Pentair's US relaunch page gives the reintroduced IC20/IC40/IC60 a 3-year warranty when bought through a pool professional. Pentair's warranty page gives TradeGrade products bought online a much shorter limited warranty (60 days on the product page; 1 year, parts only, on the warranty page). | 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. |
| Also sold as | - | AQR3 (Hayward Expert Line, dealer-sold) |
| Released | 2009-11 | - |