In-ground salt systems have a control center wired on the equipment pad and a cell plumbed into the return line after the filter and heater. They’re sold by the maximum pool size they serve. A system rated at about 1.5 times your pool’s volume runs at a lower setting, which spares the cell. If your pool is close to a system’s limit, look at the large-pool systems too.
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.
Full ranking 12
- Hayward AquaRite 925#1 of 12Full review
A dealer-installed salt system for mid-size in-ground pools that want a longer warranty than the S3 and already have, or don’t need, automation.
$1,899.9925,000 gal--4 years - Hayward AquaRite S3 15K#2 of 12Full review
Hayward’s current dealer-installed salt system for small in-ground pools, with a salt readout and pump control built in.
No price15,000 gal0.5 lb/day-3 years - Hayward AquaRite S3 25K#3 of 12Full review
For mid-size in-ground pools where a pool pro installs the system; it controls a Hayward VS pump and heater without separate automation.
Amazon $2,199.95$2,199.9525,000 gal1 lb/day-3 years - Pentair IntelliChlor Plus30#4 of 12Full review
A mid-size Pentair Plus system for pools up to 30,000 gallons, best bought through a pool pro to keep the 3-year warranty.
$1,675.5030,000 gal1.1 lb/day$1,2243 years - Pentair IntelliChlor LT15#5 of 12Full review
A plug-in Pentair salt system for small in-ground pools up to 15,000 gallons, sold complete with its own power pack.
Amazon $1,159$1,15915,000 gal0.7 lb/day-2 years - Hayward AquaRite T-9 (W3AQR9)#6 of 12Full 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$1,99925,000 gal0.9 lb/day$8993 years - CircuPool Universal25#7 of 12Full review
A low-cost way to replace a worn-out AquaRite-style system on a smaller pool (up to 25,000 gallons) without replumbing.
Amazon $1,095$1,09525,000 gal1.2 lb/day$5491 years - Pentair IntelliChlor LT25#8 of 12Full review
Pentair’s budget cell for pools up to 25,000 gallons; the easiest upgrade for anyone with an old IC20 and its power center.
$1,600.5125,000 gal0.9 lb/day$1,1492 years - Hayward AquaRite 100#9 of 12Full review
A basic dealer-installed salt system for in-ground pools up to 30,000 gallons, for owners who don’t want automation or a salt display.
No price30,000 gal1.1 lb/day-3 years - Pentair IntelliChlor IC20#10 of 12Full 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.
No price20,000 gal0.7 lb/day$1,2493 years - Hayward AquaRite T-3 (W3AQR3)#11 of 12Full 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$1,79915,000 gal0.6 lb/day$6993 years - Jandy AquaPure 700#12 of 12Full review
The small AquaPure for pools or spas up to 12,000 gallons; worth it mainly for homes already on Jandy AquaLink.
$2,298.9912,000 gal0.6 lb/day$8893 years
