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 2.9. The Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) leads on cell cost and features.
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.
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 cell cost (Replacement cell $899 ($999 per lb/day) vs Replacement cell $1,249 ($1,784 per lb/day)) and 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).
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) | Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.1/5 | 2.9/5 |
| Value 30% | 15 $1,999 for 0.9 lb of chlorine a day ($2,221 per lb/day) | 50 no current price (neutral score used) |
| Cell cost 20% | 33 Replacement cell $899 ($999 per lb/day) | 0 Replacement cell $1,249 ($1,784 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% | 75 Salt level readout, works with hayward pro logic, pentair intellitouch, polaris eos, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode | 50 Works with pentair intellicenter, pentair intelliconnect, pentair easytouch, pentair intellitouch, pentair suntouch, cold-water shutoff, flow sensing, boost mode |
| Certification 10% | 100 Certified to NSF/ANSI 50 | 50 certification not published (neutral score used) |
Specifications
| Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9) | Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Pool type | In-ground | In-ground |
| Rated pool size (maker) | 25,000 gal | 20,000 gal |
| Chlorine output | 0.9 lb/day | 0.7 lb/day |
| Salt level | 2,700 to 3,400 ppm (ideal 3,200) | 2,800 to 4,500 ppm (ideal 3,600) |
| NSF/ANSI 50 certified | Yes | - |
| Cell | ||
| Replacement cell | W3T-CELL-9 | 520554 |
| Replacement cell price | $899 | $1,249 |
| Self-cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Plumbing size | 2 in | - |
| Controls | ||
| Salt level readout | Yes | No |
| 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 | Hayward Pro Logic, Pentair IntelliTouch, Polaris Eos | Pentair IntelliCenter, Pentair IntelliConnect, Pentair EasyTouch, Pentair IntelliTouch, Pentair SunTouch |
| Voltage | 120/240 V | 115/230 V |
| Warranty and models | ||
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 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. | 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). |
| Released | - | 2009-11 |