Intex Krystal Clear QS1600 Plus
#1 in Above-GroundFull review
The pick for big above-ground pools up to 18,000 gallons when you want app control and a salt readout; buy it on sale, since Intex lists it at $460.
Amazon $246.23$246.23
The Intex Krystal Clear QS1600 Plus rates 3.9 among above-ground salt chlorinators; the Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 rates 2.9 among in-ground ones.
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.
Scores side by side
These two sit in different pool type classes (above-ground and in-ground), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own pool type peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Intex Krystal Clear QS1600 Plus | Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.9/5 | 2.9/5 |
| Value 30% | 100 $246 for 0.8 lb of chlorine a day ($290 per lb/day) | 50 no current price (neutral score used) |
| Cell cost 20% | 92 Replacement cell $295 ($347 per lb/day) | 0 Replacement cell $1,249 ($1,784 per lb/day) |
| Warranty 20% | 25 2-year cell, 2-year control center warranty | 50 3-year cell, 3-year control center warranty |
| Features 20% | 70 Salt level readout, built-in wi-fi, 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% | 0 Not certified to NSF/ANSI 50 | 50 certification not published (neutral score used) |
Specifications
| Intex Krystal Clear QS1600 Plus | Pentair IntelliChlor IC20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Pool type | Above-ground | In-ground |
| Rated pool size (maker) | 18,000 gal | 20,000 gal |
| Chlorine output | 0.8 lb/day | 0.7 lb/day |
| Salt level | 800 to 1,800 ppm (ideal 950) | 2,800 to 4,500 ppm (ideal 3,600) |
| NSF/ANSI 50 certified | No | - |
| Cell | ||
| Replacement cell | 13429 | 520554 |
| Replacement cell price | $295 | $1,249 |
| Self-cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Plumbing size | 1.5 in | - |
| Controls | ||
| Salt level readout | Yes | No |
| Flow sensing | Flow switch | Flow switch |
| Cold-water shutoff | - | Yes |
| Boost mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Built in | No |
| App | Intex Link | Pentair Pool (via Pentair automation) |
| Automation compatibility | - | Pentair IntelliCenter, Pentair IntelliConnect, Pentair EasyTouch, Pentair IntelliTouch, Pentair SunTouch |
| Voltage | 115 V | 115/230 V |
| Warranty and models | ||
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
| Warranty terms | Intex 2-year limited warranty on the control unit and the chlorine electrode and salt/temperature sensor, 180 days on hoses; original purchaser only, the same for every buyer since Intex sells direct and through retailers. Repair or replacement after an Intex service center accepts the claim. | 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 |