Pentair Quad D.E. 100
#1 in D.E.Full review
A cartridge-style D.E. filter for a large in-ground pool, for owners who want D.E. clarity without wasting water on backwashes.
Amazon $1,999.99$1,999.99
The filter is what keeps pool water clear between chemical doses. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: how much flow you get for the money, how much filter there is, how easy it is to clean, how much pressure the tank is built for and how long it’s covered.
Filter type is the first choice. Sand is the cheapest to buy and run, and you clean it by backwashing. Cartridge filters catch finer dirt and waste no water, but you hose the cartridges off by hand. D.E. filters give the clearest water, at the cost of adding D.E. powder after each backwash.
Match the pump. A filter’s rated flow should be at least the pump’s flow at your pool’s plumbing, or the filter clogs fast and the pressure climbs. More filter area than you need is never wasted: it means longer between cleanings.
Pool size is the third check. Makers rate each filter for the largest pool it turns over in about 8 hours, listed on each product page.
Top Picks
Pentair Clean & Clear 150
#2 in CartridgeFull review
A slim single-cartridge filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 72,000 gallons. It suits owners who want simple cartridge cleaning from a major maker.
Amazon $787$787
Shop by Type
Sand
13 rankedThe cheapest to buy and run: backwash to clean, and change the sand every five to seven years.
Top rated: Hayward ProSeries S310T2 $1,219
Cartridge
10 rankedFiner filtering than sand and no backwash water wasted: hose off the cartridges a few times a season.
Top rated: Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420 $1,295
D.E.
10 rankedDiatomaceous earth filters: the clearest water, at the cost of adding D.E. powder after every backwash.
Top rated: Pentair Quad D.E. 100 $1,999.99
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Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Sand Pool Filters
- Hayward ProSeries S310T2#1 of 13Full review
A low-priced top-mount sand filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 47,040 gallons. It suits owners who want easy backwashing over the finest filtering.
Amazon $1,219$1,21998 gpm4.9 sq ft47,040 gal - Pentair Tagelus TA100D#2 of 13Full review
A sturdier top-mount sand filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 48,000 gallons. Pay the extra over a Sand Dollar for the 50 psi tank and automatic air relief.
Amazon $1,499$1,499100 gpm4.9 sq ft48,000 gal - Hayward ProSeries S270T2#3 of 13Full review
A low-priced top-mount sand filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 35,520 gallons. It suits owners who want easy backwashing over the finest filtering.
Amazon $819$81974 gpm3.7 sq ft35,520 gal - Pentair Sand Dollar SD80#4 of 13Full review
An affordable top-mount sand filter for a pool of up to about 36,000 gallons. It suits buyers who want a simple multiport filter from a major maker.
Amazon $689$68975 gpm3.5 sq ft36,000 gal - Hayward ProSeries S244T#5 of 13Full review
A low-priced top-mount sand filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 29,760 gallons. It suits owners who want easy backwashing over the finest filtering.
Amazon $689$68962 gpm3.1 sq ft29,760 gal
Best Cartridge Pool Filters
- Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420#1 of 10Full review
A large four-cartridge filter for a big in-ground pool, for owners who want to clean the filter a few times a season and never backwash.
Amazon $1,295$1,295150 gpm420 sq ft- - Pentair Clean & Clear 150#2 of 10Full review
A slim single-cartridge filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 72,000 gallons. It suits owners who want simple cartridge cleaning from a major maker.
Amazon $787$787150 gpm150 sq ft72,000 gal - Hayward SwimClear C5030#3 of 10Full review
A big four-cartridge filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 72,000 gallons, for owners who want long cleaning intervals and no backwash.
Amazon $2,249$2,249150 gpm525 sq ft72,000 gal - Hayward SwimClear C4030#4 of 10Full review
A big four-cartridge filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 72,000 gallons, for owners who want long cleaning intervals and no backwash.
Amazon $1,819$1,819150 gpm425 sq ft72,000 gal - Pentair Clean & Clear 200#5 of 10Full review
A slim single-cartridge filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 72,000 gallons. It suits owners who want simple cartridge cleaning from a major maker.
Amazon $1,049$1,049150 gpm200 sq ft72,000 gal
Best D.E. Pool Filters
- Pentair Quad D.E. 100#1 of 10Full review
A cartridge-style D.E. filter for a large in-ground pool, for owners who want D.E. clarity without wasting water on backwashes.
Amazon $1,999.99$1,999.99150 gpm100 sq ft76,800 gal - Pentair FNS Plus 60#2 of 10Full review
A grid D.E. filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 57,600 gallons, for owners who want the clearest water and will handle D.E.
Amazon $1,458.99$1,458.99120 gpm60 sq ft57,600 gal - Hayward ProGrid DE6020#3 of 10Full review
A vertical-grid D.E. filter for an in-ground pool owner who wants the clearest water and will add D.E. after each backwash.
Amazon $1,709$1,709120 gpm60 sq ft- - Hayward Perflex EC75A#4 of 10Full review
An extended-cycle D.E. filter for an in-ground pool, for owners who want D.E. clarity and long runs between cleanings.
Amazon $1,239$1,239100 gpm40 sq ft- - Pentair FNS Plus 48#5 of 10Full review
A grid D.E. filter for an in-ground pool of up to about 46,080 gallons, for owners who want the clearest water and will handle D.E.
Amazon $1,379$1,37996 gpm48 sq ft46,080 gal
How We Rank
Each filter is ranked against others of the same type, and scored on its price per gpm of rated flow, its filter area, its backwash valve, its tank pressure rating and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per gpm of rated flow | 35% |
| Filter area | how much filter there is, which sets how long between cleanings | 30% |
| Valve | how easy it is to backwash | 10% |
| Pressure rating | maximum working pressure of the tank | 10% |
| Warranty | warranty on the tank | 15% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.