Best Sand Pool Filters of 2026

A good sand pool filter should make routine pool care easier. Choosing one starts with your pool's setup: whether you need a filter for an existing equipment pad or a complete system with its own pump.

For an inground pool with compatible 2-inch plumbing, my first pick is the Hayward ProSeries W3S244T2. For a portable Intex pool within its capacity range, I'd start with the Intex Krystal Clear 26647EG. And for a permanent above-ground pool with a suitable pump already installed, the Hayward W3S180T deserves a close look.

Here are my favorite sand-filter options for different pools, plus the sizing and maintenance details I'd check before buying. If you are still deciding between sand, cartridge, and DE, read my complete guide to pool filters first.

Best Sand Pool Filters at a Glance

Sand filter	My pick for	Pump included
Hayward ProSeries W3S244T2	Inground pools with 2-inch plumbing	No
Pentair Sand Dollar SD80	Larger inground filtration systems	No
Pentair Sand Dollar SD60	Smaller inground equipment setups	No
Hayward ProSeries W3S180T	Permanent above-ground pool filter replacement	No
Intex Krystal Clear 26647EG	Compatible Intex above-ground pools	Yes
Bestway 2,200 GPH Sand Filter Pump	Compatible Bestway portable pools	Yes
Intex Sand Filter and Saltwater System 26675EG	Smaller above-ground pools with salt chlorination	Yes

Hayward ProSeries W3S244T2: Best for Inground Pools With 2-Inch Plumbing

The Hayward W3S244T2 is where I'd start for an inground pool that needs a substantial sand filter and already has a compatible pump.

Its nominal 24-inch tank holds 300 pounds of sand, and Hayward lists a 62 GPM design flow rate. The T2 version has a 2-inch valve, an important detail when matching an existing equipment pad.

What I like about this choice is the straightforward combination of a substantial sand bed and connections suited to a 2-inch system. It gives you a clear starting point for comparing your pump's flow with the filter's rating.

The main buying detail is the package: W3S244T2 is a filter-and-valve assembly, so you'll need a separate pump. Also verify the full model number when ordering; the similar W3S244T uses a different valve connection size.

Check the Hayward ProSeries W3S244T2 on Amazon.

Pentair Sand Dollar SD80: Best for Larger Inground Systems

The Pentair SD80 EC-145333 is the largest Pentair option here. Its 26-inch tank holds 350 pounds of sand, and Pentair lists a 75 GPM maximum flow rate. That makes it worth considering when a smaller filter would limit your planned circulation.

I'd shortlist it for an inground pool where the equipment pad has room for the larger tank and the pump can provide the required backwash flow.

Pay attention to the exact version: EC-145333 has a 1.5-inch valve. Pentair also makes an SD80 with a 2-inch valve, but that is a different model. A larger tank doesn't automatically mean larger plumbing connections.

This is my larger-capacity pick, provided the complete system fits. The 75 GPM figure is a maximum rating, so there's no reason to treat it as your everyday operating target.

Check the Pentair Sand Dollar SD80 on Amazon.

Pentair Sand Dollar SD60: Best for Smaller Inground Setups

The Pentair SD60 EC-145322 is the more compact Sand Dollar choice. It has a 22.5-inch tank, takes 250 pounds of sand, and carries a 60 GPM maximum flow rating. Its top-mounted valve uses 1.5-inch connections.

I'd consider it when those specifications match an existing inground setup and the SD80's additional capacity isn't needed. It's also worth evaluating for a properly designed permanent above-ground installation.

The appeal is a smaller tank with the same basic filter-and-multiport-valve arrangement. You still need a separate pump and enough space above the tank for servicing.

Before choosing it, compare the pump's actual flow with the filter rating. A compact footprint is useful only if the filter can handle the system it serves.

Check the Pentair Sand Dollar SD60 on Amazon.

Hayward ProSeries W3S180T: Best for Permanent Above-Ground Pools

If your steel-wall or other permanent above-ground pool already has a suitable pump, the Hayward W3S180T is a practical place to start.

This 18-inch filter uses 150 pounds of sand, and Hayward specifies a 35 GPM design flow rate. It includes the top-mounted multiport valve, while the pump is purchased separately.

That distinction matters when comparing prices. Hayward sells complete ProSeries systems under other model numbers; W3S180T itself is the filter-and-valve package.

I'd choose this when replacing the filter while keeping a compatible pump. Check the pump's output before ordering, especially if someone has upgraded the pump since the pool was installed. An above-ground label alone doesn't establish that the two pieces of equipment match.

Check the Hayward ProSeries W3S180T on Amazon.

Intex Krystal Clear 26647EG: Best Sand Filter Pump for Intex Pools

The Intex 26647EG, also called the SX2800, combines the pump and sand filter. That makes it a convenient starting point for an Intex owner replacing an entire filtration system.

Intex specifies a pool range of 5,500–17,200 gallons, a 14-inch tank, and 77 pounds of sand. It also includes a timer and two 1.5-inch hoses.

The flow numbers need a closer look: 2,800 GPH is the pump rating; 2,150 GPH is the published system rating. Use the system figure when comparing the complete package.

My main buying check would be the connections. Intex lists the plunger valves and 1.5-inch outlet fittings as excluded, so confirm what your pool already has and what you'll need to add.

For a compatible portable pool, the included pump and timer make this one of the most convenient options on the list. If you are also shopping for the pool, the Intex frame pools it pairs with are in my best above-ground pools guide.

Check the Intex Krystal Clear 26647EG on Amazon.

Bestway 2,200 GPH Sand Filter Pump: Best for Bestway Portable Pools

The Bestway 2,200 GPH Sand Filter Pump is another complete pump-and-filter option for portable above-ground pools.

Bestway's current listing for this pump class covers 300–14,400-gallon pools and includes a six-position valve and a pre-filter strainer basket. The basket catches larger debris before it reaches the rest of the system.

I'd consider this for a compatible Bestway frame pool when replacing the complete filtration package. The practical attraction is getting the pump and filter together.

Check the exact package's hose connections, accessories, and pool compatibility before buying. Bestway has sold different versions of its 2,200 GPH system, so the advertised flow alone won't tell you everything included in the box.

For a permanently installed above-ground pool, I'd evaluate a system approved for permanent installation, such as an appropriately matched Hayward filter and pump.

Check the Bestway 2,200 GPH Sand Filter Pump on Amazon.

Intex Sand Filter Pump and Saltwater System 26675EG: Best Sand Filter and Saltwater Combo

The Intex 26675EG combines a pump, sand filter, and saltwater chlorine generator. It's the option I'd consider when the goal is both filtering the water and adding salt chlorination.

Intex specifies it for 2,600–8,500-gallon above-ground pools. It uses 77 pounds of sand and includes a timer. Its pool-capacity limit is considerably lower than the SX2800's, so keep the two models separate when shopping.

The saltwater system produces chlorine from dissolved salt. You'll still need to test the water, maintain the proper salt level, and follow the cell's cleaning instructions. My saltwater pool maintenance guide walks through that routine.

I'd choose this combination when the pool is compatible with saltwater and the system's capacity fits. If the pool already has a suitable chlorine generator, a separate sand-filter package may be the more sensible purchase.

Check the Intex 26675EG on Amazon.

How to Choose a Sand Pool Filter

Start With Your Pool Type

For inground concrete, gunite, fiberglass, and vinyl-liner pools, I'd make the equipment pad the starting point. Check the existing pump, pipe size, and operating flow before narrowing down the filter.

For permanent above-ground pools, determine whether you're replacing just the filter or the entire system. A standalone Hayward filter can make sense when the existing pump is still suitable.

For portable frame and inflatable pools, use a pump-and-filter package approved for your pool model, water capacity, and connections. Intex and Bestway systems are designed around particular above-ground applications.

For saltwater pools, confirm the pool and equipment's salt compatibility. Intex confirms that its sand-filter pumps can work with appropriately dosed saltwater. You only need a combination unit like the 26675EG if you also want its chlorine-generation function. If you are new to salt systems, start with my saltwater pools guide.

Match Actual Pump Flow to the Filter

Pool volume helps you plan circulation, but the filter also needs to accommodate the pump's actual flow.

For example, moving 20,000 gallons through a system over eight hours requires an average of:

20,000 ÷ 8 ÷ 60 = approximately 42 GPM

That calculation describes one theoretical turnover. Set the actual operating schedule around the equipment instructions, pool use, debris load, and sanitation needs.

Compare operating flow with the filter's published rating. Horsepower alone won't establish that match, because the plumbing and operating conditions affect how much water the pump moves. My pool filter size calculator turns that flow into a minimum sand-bed area and tank diameter, and the pool pump size calculator gives you the flow number to start from.

Check Backwash Requirements Before Upsizing

Some extra filtration capacity can be useful, but the pump must also produce enough flow to backwash the larger sand bed properly.

For a variable-speed pump, evaluate both normal filtration settings and the flow needed during backwashing. Hayward specifically warns that excessive flow can reduce filtration quality, while insufficient flow can make backwashing ineffective.

My preference is a filter with suitable capacity and a pump that can operate it correctly.

Check Connections and Installation Space

Before ordering, confirm:

• Pipe or hose diameter and connection type.
• Whether the pump and multiport valve are included.
• Required adapters, unions, valves, and fittings.
• Space above and around the tank for service.
• A suitable route for backwash water.

This is where exact model numbers matter. The Hayward W3S244T2's 2-inch valve and the listed Pentair SD80's 1.5-inch valve can lead to different installation requirements.

Budget for the Complete Setup

Compare the total installed cost, including sand, any separate pump, plumbing parts, and installation.

Use the pool-filter sand specified in the manual, commonly No. 20 silica sand. Match both its grade and the required fill amount. Play sand and beach sand aren't suitable substitutes.

I'd also check replacement-part availability before buying. A filter is easier to maintain when you can identify and obtain the correct valve parts, seals, gauge, and internal components.

Sand Pool Filter Maintenance

Sand filters trap suspended debris as water passes through the sand bed. Backwashing reverses the flow and sends accumulated dirt out through the waste line. Filtration still needs to work alongside proper sanitizing and water balance.

Record the pressure when the filter is clean. Then use the manufacturer's cleaning threshold:

• Hayward ProSeries: generally 8–10 PSI above the clean starting pressure.
• Pentair Sand Dollar: 10 PSI above the clean starting pressure.
• Portable Intex and Bestway systems: follow the model's manual and gauge guidance.

Turn the pump off before changing multiport-valve positions. Follow the prescribed backwash-and-rinse sequence, and fully relieve pressure before opening the filter for service.

Backwashing removes pool water, so plan for refilling afterward. Keep the pump and skimmer baskets clear as part of routine care.

Sand-replacement intervals vary by model and operating conditions. Follow your filter's instructions rather than assuming every system needs the same schedule. Persistent poor performance calls for checking the media, internal parts, circulation, and water chemistry. The full backwash procedure, the glass and zeolite media alternatives, and what backwashing really costs are in my complete guide to pool filters.

My Final Verdict

For an inground pool with suitable 2-inch plumbing, the Hayward ProSeries W3S244T2 is my first pick. The Pentair SD80 is worth considering when you need a larger sand bed, while the SD60 suits a more compact setup.

For above-ground pools, I'd start with the Hayward W3S180T when keeping an existing compatible pump, the Intex 26647EG for a matching portable Intex pool, or the Bestway 2,200 GPH system for a compatible Bestway setup. Choose the Intex 26675EG when you also want salt chlorination and your pool fits its smaller capacity range.

Get the pool compatibility, flow, and connections right first. Those details will do more for your purchase than choosing by tank size or advertised pump power alone. If you want finer filtration than sand can offer, compare the cartridge picks in my best pool filters guide or the best DE pool filters.

This article contains Amazon affiliate links. The Pool Nerd may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Product specifications, prices, and availability can change; verify the exact model before ordering.

Related Reading

• Pool Filters: The Complete Guide
• Best Pool Filters
• Best DE Pool Filters
• Pool Filter Size Calculator
• Pool Pump Size Calculator
• Best Pool Pumps
• Best Above-Ground Pools

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