Cartridge Pool Filters

This collection holds 29 cartridge filters, 18 from Pentair and 11 from Hayward, covering inground (24) and commercial (5) pool applications. Filtration area across the representative models ranges from 90 sq ft single-element units like the Hayward Star-Clear Plus up to the 725 sq ft Hayward SwimClear and 700 sq ft Hayward HCF Series, with Pentair's Clean & Clear Plus and Posi-Clear lines filling in the 150 to 420 sq ft range. Cartridge configurations vary from single-element tanks to 4-cartridge and 8-cartridge (Dual Quad-Cluster) designs.

Sizing starts with your pool's gallonage and the turnover time you're targeting — the spec sheets list pool size capacity at different turnover hours (6, 8, 10, or 12), so match your pool volume to a model rated for the turnover you want rather than picking on filtration area alone. Installation space matters too: side clearance requirements run from 6 in on the Pentair units to 18 in on the Hayward tanks, and vertical clearance needed ranges from 19 in up to 76 in depending on the model, so confirm your equipment pad has room before choosing. If you're filtering a commercial pool, look for models built and certified for that use, such as the NSF-certified Hayward HCF Series.

Single-element filters like the Pentair Posi-Clear RP and Hayward Star-Clear Plus use one cartridge, which simplifies cleaning to a single part. Multi-cartridge models — Pentair's Clean & Clear Plus (4 cartridges) and Hayward's SwimClear (4 cartridges) or HCF Series (8 cartridges) — trade that simplicity for higher filtration area and flow rate in a single tank, which matters more as pool size or bather load increases. The Star-Clear Plus, SwimClear, Clean & Clear Plus, Clean & Clear RP and Posi-Clear RP models listed here carry a 1-year warranty, while the commercial-grade Hayward HCF Series carries a 3-year equipment warranty with 1-year labor coverage.