An effective pool filter not only keeps your water clean and clear, but also removes contaminants, reduces chemicals and heat, and kills algae and bacteria from your pool.
We researched and tested pool filters from the top pool filter brands, evaluating ease of installation and maintenance, efficiency, and capacity. Our top pick, the INTEX 26643EG SX1500 Ground Pools, has a long-lasting cartridge filter and an extra large capacity, making it a great choice for larger pools.
Here are the best pool filters.
Best Sand Pool Filters: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Sand Pool Filters Reviews
- High-Quality Filtration: U.S. Silica Mystic White II Pool Filter Sand provides superior filtration for above ground and inground pools; This bag contains 50 pounds of high-purity white silica sand
- Convenient Packaging: Also available in packs and bags, making it easy to store and handle; Ideal for use with sand pool filter pumps, ensuring thorough cleaning of pool water
- Effective and Reliable: Consistent-sized pool filtration solution captures and removes dirt, dust, leaves, insects, moss, oil, cosmetics, gum, and other debris, ensuring your pool water remains clean
- Easy Application: Quality angular-shaped sand maximizes solid entrapment and ensures uniform flow to prevent clogging; Compatible with any standard pool filter system
- The U.S. Silica Expertise: For over 100 years, U.S. Silica has led the industrial silica and minerals industry with resilient, reliable, and innovative solutions.
- Silica Sand for Pool Filters: This sand has a uniform angular 99% pure silica formula to capture dirt and debris for superior pool water clarity. It’s ideal for in- and above-ground pool filters.
- High-Capacity Filtration System Sand: Our sand has a high dirt-holding capacity in the pool filter container. Its composition promotes water flow while reducing backwash for less cleaning and maintenance.
- Promotes Clear Pool Water: This silica sand has a low dust content to enhance clarity and reduce initial cloudiness, so you can swim, play, and make waves in pristine pool water.
- Planet-Conscious Design: Made without harmful chemicals, our silica pool-filter sand is a safe, planet-conscious system for pool filtration that also helps extend the filter’s life.
- A Standard of Excellence: Proudly made in the USA, Optiflow is crafted in our advanced facilities using complete logistics capabilities to provide a premium swimming pool experience.
- Crystal Clear Pool Water: Effectively captures leaves, dirt, dust, sunscreen oil, hair, and other small particles, ensuring your pool remains pristine and inviting all season long
- Superior Purity: Undergoes a rigorous washing and screening process, providing the purest 20-40 Sieve pool filter sand available; High-quality filtration means cleaner water and reduced maintenance time
- Safe & Natural Composition: Soft, clean, and free from chunks or harsh additives; Meets the standards for most pool filter pump brands, ensuring safe operation and a healthy swimming environment
- Innovative Technology: Produced with cutting-edge robotics and screening technologies, this filter sand offers a long-lasting solution for your pool’s filtration needs
- Generous Size: You’ll have more than enough to keep your pool functioning at its best as each bag fills an area of 18 square inches to a depth of 3 inches; Ideal for pool filters, molding, and building
- {EFFICIENT WATER FILTRATION} Hydrotools sand filters are designed to hold sand at the most effecient position for optimized filtration, consistent performance, and efficient backwashing. Perfectly constructed to efficiently promote the cleanest water quality.
- {OVERSIZED CAPACITY} This sand filter features a double reinforced 12 inch molded tank that can hold up to 42 pounds of sand, perfect for pools up to 8000 gallons. Sand can withstand approximately 5 years of use before replacement depending on water chemistry and proper backwashing frequency.
- {SILENT BUT POWERFUL} This filtration unit houses a freshly designed 0.3 THP 1980 GPH pump (Model 71206). The pump has been optimized to run on low noise levels & is DOE compliant, making the filtration process a seamless experience for pool owners.
- {SIMPLE COMPLETE COMBO} Complete system set including the Tank, Pump, Filter Base, 4-Way Multi-Port Valve, 3-Prong Plug & Power Chord, and more. Comes with everything you need out of the box for quick, simple setup and operation.
- {MULTI-PORT FILTRATION} Integrated Multi-Port Valve provides quick, easy to understand settings for optimal filtration performance. Settings include: Backwash, Rinse, Filtration, and Winter.
- Crafted angular-shaped sand is purposefully designed to ensure the utmost entrapment of solids, thereby optimizing your pool's filtration capabilities for a crystal-clear aquatic experience
- Purpose is to effortlessly eliminate debris, leaves, moss, oil, cosmetics, gum, and other litter from your pool, ensuring a pristine and unobstructed water surface
- Maintain optimal performance by minimizing interruptions and enhancing the overall efficiency of the filtration process; Formula is meticulously designed to prevent clogging
- Crafted with a resilient material resistant to stains and corrosion, our purpose-driven design ensures not only seamless pool maintenance but also eco-friendly disposal
- Designed with a commitment to safety, this product is free from hazardous chemicals, ensuring an inert and odorless composition; Provide a pristine and pleasurable swimming experience
- 2025 New Upgraded Cost-Effective: These pool filter media balls can efficiently replace traditional swimming pool filter sand. It is lighter, more eco-friendly, and more effective. What's more, filter balls won't clog your filter, high-quality fiber filter balls can extend the life of your sand filter pump for above ground pool. 4 pounds of filter balls are equivalent to 150 pounds of filter sand, which can meet your needs and replacement, provide a nice pool experience for you
- New Pool Filter Material: Pool filter balls are made of high quality eco-friendly polyester fiber. It not only has the advantages of strong adsorption capacity,high dirt interception capacity, and fast filtration speed, but also has a long service life, is reusable and has low water consumption, the swimming pool maintenance will improve extremely
- High Efficiency Filtration: These filter balls can filter tiny suspended solids that are not easy to settle and cottonwood pollen that fall into the pool, filter impurities as microns, and the filtration rate is higher than other sand filter media. perfect alternative to sand and filter glass, ensuring your pool water crystal clear, let you and your family enjoy the swimming pool more happily
- Reusable: Filter media balls are different from sand, these reusable filter balls are machine wash friendly and you can clean them whenever needed, and can be reused after cleaning. With proper care and handling, the swimming pool filter balls can last for several seasons, indispensable accessory for swimming pool.(never use clarifiers with these filter balls and check and clean your filter balls as needed usually once a month)
- Multipurpose: The pool cotton filter media balls suitable for sand filter pump for above ground pool and aquarium, fish tank, filter pump, etc, wide range of application, excellent filtration performance, lighter and more efficient than traditional filter sand. Reduce filter cleaning and maintenance work, saving a lot of time and energy
- In The Swim sand filter cleaner is a fast acting solution that helps restore your sand filters efficiency by eliminating build-up such as oils, minerals, and gunk. Giving users crystal clear water in their swimming pools.
- Our sand filter cleaner improves the backwashing process by breaking down oils, non-living organic contaminants, and mineral accumulation. This will help reduce build-up and increase the flow rate and circulation rate of your sand filter. We recommend you allow your filter to run through a proper cleaning cycle for best results.
- Regular use of our sand filter cleaner can save you money by extending the lifespan of your sand filter; avoiding the need to purchase a new filter prematurely.
- Our pool sand filter cleaner is safe to use with all types of sand filters, including in ground and above ground swimming pools. We recommend an initial dosage of 8 fluid ounces.
- Proudly manufactured in the USA for over 40 years.
- Pool Filter Sand: SILURIAN Pool Filter Sand is an ideal choice for maintaining a clean and secure swimming environment
- Optimal Filtration: Each grain represents effective filtration at its finest, graded at an optimal 20 level (0.40mm to 0.55mm) for crystal-clear waters
- Meticulously Screened: Every grain is meticulously screened to ensure uniform size, guaranteeing a flawless filtration experience
- Angular Shape: With its angular shape, each particle acts as a warrior against debris, ensuring maximum filtration efficiency and leaving no contaminants behind
- Pristine Pool: Chemically inert, this sand plays nice with pool chemicals, maintaining a balance while keeping the environment in mind; Safely disposable, ensuring your pool stays pristine without harming the planet
- Effective Filtration: Pool filter sand removes dirt, dust, and debris from pool water, ensuring clear and clean water for swimming.
- Long-Lasting: High-quality, can last for 2-5 years, depending on usage and maintenance, making it a cost-effective solution.
- Easy to Clean: Pool filter sand is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance, allowing for simple backwashing and rinsing to restore its filtering capabilities.
- Chemical Resistance: Pool filter sand is resistant to chemical corrosion, ensuring it won't break down or react with pool sanitizers, maintaining its effectiveness.
- Optimal Grain Size: Pool filter sand has a specific grain size that allows for optimal filtration, balancing water flow and particle removal for crystal-clear pool water.
Best Sand Pool Filters Buying Guide
Before choosing the best sand pool filter you should consider the following options:
1. Sand Filter Size: The size of your sand filter will depend on the size of your pool.
Sand filters come in two sizes: standard size and oversized size.
Standard-sized sand filters usually measure 20 inches in diameter.
Sand filters with oversized tanks measure 22 inches in diameter.
If your pool is 24 inches or less in diameter, then you need a standard-sized filter. If your pool is 24 inches or more in diameter, then you need an oversized filter.
2. Flow Rate: Most sand filters have a GPM (gallons per minute) of between 5 and 15.
This number tells you the rate at which water will move through the filter. The higher the GPM, the more powerful the pump.
The higher the flow rate, the more powerful the suction of the pump. You will need a powerful pump if you have a large pool or one with a lot of water features.
You will need a less powerful pump if you have a small pool with few water features.
3. Suction Rate: This tells you the rate at which water will be drawn from your pool and into the filter.
The higher the suction rate, the more powerful the pump. You will need a powerful pump if you have a large pool, or one with a lot of water features.
You will need a less powerful pump if you have a small pool with few water features.
4. Sand Size: Pool sand comes in various sizes, depending on the application.
There are four grades of pool sand: standard, medium, coarse and ultra-coarse.
Standard sand is the most common and is used in all-purpose filters.
If you use your pool for swimming, then you will need a sand filter with standard sand.
If you use your pool for water play, such as water slides and splash pads, then you will need a sand filter with coarse or ultra-coarse sand.
The grade of sand you need will depend on the type of water play you have.
5. Tank Size: Your tank size will depend on the flow rate of your filter.
The higher the flow rate, the larger the tank. If you have a powerful pump, then you will need a larger tank.
What else you should know about the best sand pool filters
1. What are the best sand pool filters?
The best sand pool filters are those that are made of high-quality materials and that are designed to last. There are many different brands and models of pool filters on the market, so it is important to do your research to find the best one for your needs.
2. How do sand pool filters work?
The sand in the filter helps to trap dirt and debris in the water as it passes through the filter. The dirt and debris are then removed from the water when the filter is cleaned.
3. How often should I change the sand in my pool filter?
The sand in your pool filter should be changed every 3 to 5 years.
4. What are the pros and cons of sand pool filters?
Some pros of sand pool filters are that they are relatively low-maintenance, they are easy to backwash, and they are effective at trapping debris. Some cons of sand pool filters are that they can be difficult to clean, they can be less effective at trapping smaller particles, and they can require more frequent backwashing.
5. How do I choose the right sand pool filter for my pool?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a sand pool filter for your pool. The first is the size of your pool. The second is the type of pool you have. The third is the type of filtration system you have.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best sand pool filters. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best sand pool filters will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.