Hayward ProSeries Sand Filter Review: Still the Value Pick
A Hayward ProSeries 24 inch top mount sand filter review covering the VariFlo valve, self cleaning laterals, filtration fineness and when a cartridge filter is worth the extra.
A six position valve, a corrosion proof tank, and a cleaning routine that takes under a minute.
The verdict: A sand filter is the least demanding filter to own: you turn a valve, it cleans itself, and you replace the sand every several years. Buy the ProSeries 24 if you want low maintenance and low cost and your water supply is cheap. Skip it if you live somewhere water is scarce or expensive, or if you want the finest possible filtration, because sand cannot match a cartridge on either count.
Hayward ProSeries 24 Inch Top-Mount Pool Sand Filter for Inground Pools
~$689
A 24 inch top mount sand filter with a six position VariFlo control valve, self cleaning slotted laterals, a corrosion proof polymeric tank and a large drain for winterising.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Size | 24 inch top mount tank |
|---|---|
| Valve | Six position VariFlo control valve with lever action handle |
| Underdrain | Multilateral assembly with 360 degree self cleaning slotted laterals |
| Distribution | Diffuser spreading water evenly across the sand bed |
| Tank | Corrosion proof polymeric material |
| Winterising | Large pressure sand and water drain |
Specifications above come from Hayward's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Cleaning is a valve turn. Backwash for a minute or two, rinse, return to filter, done, with no wet cartridges and no elements to handle.
- The media lasts for years. Sand is replaced on a multi year cycle rather than a per season one, which makes running costs low.
- A corrosion proof polymeric tank handles weather and pool chemicals better than metal, and there is nothing to rust.
- The large drain makes winterising quick, which matters in any climate that freezes.
Where it falls short
- Backwashing uses water, and a lot of it. In a drought area or on metered water that is both an expense and, in some places, restricted.
- Sand filters catch coarser particles than cartridges do, so very fine material passes through and the water is not quite as sharp.
- Backwashing also sends treated, balanced water to waste, which means adding chemicals to the replacement water.
- A sand filter has higher pressure drop than an oversized cartridge filter, which slightly reduces the savings from a variable speed pump.
What owners report
Published owner reports are consistently positive on ease of use and value. The six position valve draws praise for feel and reliability, and the routine of backwashing is described as trivially easy compared with cartridge cleaning.
The recurring theme in complaints is filtration fineness: owners chasing crystal clarity often add a clarifier or move to a cartridge filter. Sand does exactly what sand does, and the pattern in reports is that people who understood that beforehand are happy and people who expected cartridge level clarity are not.
Who it suits
- Owners who want the least demanding filter maintenance available.
- Areas where water is cheap and backwashing is unrestricted.
- Budget conscious installations, where the price difference funds other equipment.
Who should skip it
- Drought areas and metered water supplies, where backwashing is costly or restricted.
- Anyone chasing the sharpest possible water clarity.
- Owners who want the lowest pressure drop to maximise variable speed pump savings.
Alternatives worth considering
Hayward SwimClear Single Element Cartridge Filter, 150 sq ft W3C150S
~$1,009
Cartridge filtration catches finer particles and wastes no water, with only one element to clean rather than four. Three hundred and twenty dollars more, and the right move if water is expensive where you live.
Check price on AmazonHayward SwimClear Cartridge Pool Filter, 425 sq ft
~$1,819
Far more filter area and the longest intervals between cleaning, with the lowest pressure drop of the three. The choice if you run a variable speed pump and want the maximum energy benefit.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Cartridge vs sand pool filter
- Clarifier vs flocculant
- Hayward SwimClear 425 review
- Hayward Super Pump review
- Cloudy pool water
- Pump turnover chart
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I backwash a sand filter?
When the pressure gauge reads around 8 to 10 psi above the clean starting pressure, not on a fixed schedule. Backwashing more often than necessary wastes water and actually reduces filtration, because a slightly dirty sand bed filters better than a perfectly clean one.
How long does filter sand last?
Typically several years, after which the grains wear smooth and stop catching debris effectively. If your pressure climbs quickly after every backwash and the water stays dull, the sand is a likely suspect. Replacing it is a physical but straightforward job.
Sand or cartridge for a home pool?
Sand is cheaper and easier to maintain; cartridge filters finer and wastes no water. If your water is cheap and you want a simple life, sand. If water is scarce, expensive, or you want the clearest possible pool, cartridge. Our cartridge versus sand comparison covers the details.
Can I use glass media instead of sand?
Filter glass media is a common substitute that filters somewhat finer and can last longer, and many owners use it in standard sand filters. Check that your specific filter is approved for it and follow the manufacturer's quantity guidance, which differs from sand by weight.
Why is my pool still cloudy with a sand filter?
Sand does not catch very fine particles, so cloudiness from fine suspended matter often persists. A clarifier binds those particles into larger ones the sand can catch. Cloudiness can also be a chemistry problem rather than a filtration one. Our cloudy water page works through the causes in order.
Taking care of a pool?
Use our free calculators and guides to get every number right.
Pool Care Planner: $39