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.
- High-Power Filtration: Unique pure silica formula effectively traps dirt and debris, ensuring your pool water remains crystal clear and sparkling clean, providing a pristine swimming experience.
- Optimal Shape: The angular grains in OptiFlow are designed to enhance filtration efficiency, providing longer-lasting performance and ensuring maximum filtration for a consistently clean pool.
- Low-Maintenance: With its unique composition, OptiFlow promotes better water flow, reducing the need for frequent backwashing and conserving water for efficient maintenance.
- Versatile Compatibility: Works seamlessly with major sand filter brands and is suitable for both in-ground and above-ground pools, making it an ideal choice for both residential and commercial pools, delivering reliable filtration every time.
- 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.
- 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
- High-Quality Filtration: 50 pounds of pre-washed, kiln-dried natural silica Pool & Spa Filter sand captures dirt, leaves, hair, and debris without clogging or clumping
- Universal Compatibility: Works with all residential and commercial sand filter systems for above-ground and in-ground pools
- Long-Lasting Performance: Promotes smooth water flow, extends filter life, and reduces maintenance needs for season long filtration
- Ready to Use: Pre-cleaned for quick application; store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture
- Season Long Clean Water: Aqua Joe Premium Filter Sand is a safe, long-lasting solution that keeps your water sparkling all season long
- 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
- 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.
- Premium Pool Pump Sand – Designed to enhance the cleanliness and appearance of your inground pool, our filter sand is compatible with all pool sand filtration systems. It effectively captures particles such as dirt, leaves, hair, and small debris.
- Residential or Commercial Pools – Classic Sand & Play pool sand is compatible with all sand filters for above and inground pools in commercial or residential spaces which means it can be used for your backyard pool or pools in hotels, RV campgrounds, and local municipalities.
- Clean, Efficient, and Clump Resistant – This silica filter sand provides smoother, cleaner operation and effectiveness with no harsh chemicals, chlorines, or additives so you can maintain an efficient filter without impacting pH balance.
- Helps Extend Filter Life – Pairing our pool pump sand with your filtration process can help keep your filter running more effectively throughout its lifespan which can help reduce repair costs and improve your overall filtration functionality.
- Pre-Washed for Enhanced Purity – Our high-quality sand for pool filters is pre-washed and kiln dried to remove any particles or impurities before it’s bagged and shipped, so you can be sure you’re adding reliable sand to your filtration system.
- 【New Eco-Friendly Pool Filter Ball】These fiber filter balls can perfectly replace the traditional pool filter sand, it is lighter, more environmentally friendly, and more effective than traditional sand filters. Moreover, they won't clog your filters, high-quality filter balls extend the service life of the filter. 3.1 lbs filter ball is equivalent to 100 lbs of filter sand, which can meet your needs and replacement.
- 【Premium Polyester Fiber Material】Pool sand filter ball is made of 100% eco-friendly polyester fiber. It not only has the advantages of strong adsorption capacity and fast filtration speed, but also has a long service life, can be reused, and low water consumption. It is a brand new swimming pool filtration material.
- 【Powerful Filtering Effect】These fiber filter balls can filter impurities as low as 5-3 microns, ensuring that your swimming pool remains clean and tidy; The filtration rate is much higher than traditional sand filtration media, giving you more time to enjoy the swimming pool！
- 【Machine Washable & Reusable】We provide a high-quality polyester fiber mesh bag for these filter balls, which you can place fliter ball in the fiber mesh bag and use a washing machine for cleaning. These fiber filter balls will make your pool cleaning effortless！
- 【Zero-Risk Purchase】We will provide you with a pleasant shopping experience and take responsibility for our products. If for any reason you aren't happy with your purchase, please contact us, we will quickly provide you with a satisfactory solution！
- High Efficiency Filtration: Pool maintenance will improve extremely after using these pool filter balls. They quickly capture dirt and particles in pool water, keeping pool water crystal clear. Cleaning and maintenance of filter will be greatly reduced, saving a lot of time and energy. They can clean tank well and reduce your workload. These filter balls for sand filter are truly an indispensable accessory for swimming pool and tank
- Reusable and Machine Washable: These pool filter media balls are made of polyester, non-toxic and reusable. When its time to clean, just throw them in washer and they will be good to go again; They held up fine in washing machine, as well as in sand filter for back washing and rinsing. These pool filter balls are far easier to fill filter with and keeping pool water nice, clean and sparkling. Also filtering time will be cut down saving on electricity
- Good Alternative to Sand: These filter balls do a good job of replacing sand in sand filter pump. 3.1 lbs filter balls equal 100 lbs filter sand, these pool filter balls work great at filtering and are considerably lighter; They are able to filter out small particles and cottonwood pollen that fall into pool. More convenient than typical sand for filter. They extend filter life and are a great replacement for filter sand and filter glass
- Easy to Use and Maintain: Set up is so easy, just replacing pool filter sand with these fiber pool filter balls. They are much lighter and easier to handle than traditional sand. There's no more sand getting into pool. Plus, maintenance is a breeze. Just throw sand filter balls in washing machine once in a while, they come out like new. If you have a sand filter on your stock tank or pool, consider switching to these filter balls. You won't regret it
- Multipurpose Application: These polysphere pool filtration balls are compatible with various pool sand filters, not only for pool, but also for aquarium and fish tank, providing excellent filtration performance for a wide range of application. Their high adsorption capacity ensure water crystal clear, also save your time on cleaning filter. If used properly, they will keep water clean for quite a long while. Every family needs these filter balls
- Pack of (4) 50-pound bags of angular-shaped sand that provides maximum entrapment of solids, optimizing your pool's filtration abilities
- Effectively removes leaves, moss, oil, cosmetics, gum, and other litter, leaving you a clean and clear pool water
- Stops clogging with a specially-graded formula that ensures a uniform flow rate within the filter
- Constructed from a material that doesn't stain and can be harmlessly disposed of, reducing hassle during your pool maintenance cycle
- Material: Sand
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.