Hayward SwimClear 425 Review: No More Backwashing
A Hayward SwimClear 425 sq ft cartridge filter review covering hydraulic efficiency, no backwashing, cartridge replacement cost and when a sand filter is the better choice.
Four hundred and twenty five square feet of cartridge, and the water you stop sending down the drain.
The verdict: A large cartridge filter is the right answer for anyone in a water restricted area or with a variable speed pump, because it does not backwash and its low resistance lets the pump run slower. Buy the SwimClear 425 if you want long intervals between cleanings and no water down the drain. Skip it if you want the simplest possible maintenance, because cleaning four large cartridges by hand is a messier job than turning a backwash valve.
Hayward SwimClear Cartridge Pool Filter, 425 sq ft
~$1,819
A 425 square foot heavy duty cartridge filter with no backwashing required, a single piece tamper proof flange clamp and a high capacity quarter turn air relief valve.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Filter area | 425 square feet |
|---|---|
| Media | Cleanable cartridge elements, no backwashing |
| Tank | Heavy duty materials for demanding applications and weather exposure |
| Access | Single piece tamper proof flange clamp securing tank top and bottom |
| Air relief | High capacity manual valve, quarter turn |
| Benefit | High hydraulic efficiency supporting energy efficient operation |
Specifications above come from Hayward's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- No backwashing at all, so you are not sending hundreds of gallons of treated water to waste several times a season. In a water restricted area that alone can be the deciding factor.
- Low hydraulic resistance means a variable speed pump can run at a lower speed for the same flow, which compounds the energy saving.
- Four hundred and twenty five square feet is a lot of area, which means long intervals between cleanings on a normal pool.
- Cartridge filters catch finer particles than sand does, so water clarity is generally better.
Where it falls short
- Cleaning cartridges is a physical, wet job. You pull four elements, hose them thoroughly, and it takes real time. A backwash valve takes thirty seconds.
- Cartridges are consumables. A full set of replacements is a meaningful cost every few years, and it is the running expense to budget for.
- It is expensive up front compared with a sand filter of equivalent capability.
- Oil, lotion and organic residue clog cartridges faster than sand, so a heavily used pool needs more frequent cleaning.
What owners report
Published owner reports describe excellent clarity and long intervals between cleanings, which is the expected benefit of a large cartridge area. Owners with variable speed pumps particularly note the low pressure drop and the ability to run slower.
The consistent complaint is the cleaning task itself: four large cartridges, a hose and a wet afternoon. Owners who bought a spare set of cartridges to swap in and clean at leisure describe that as the single change that made the filter pleasant to live with, which is a useful tip and a real additional cost.
Who it suits
- Water restricted areas where backwashing is expensive or prohibited.
- Owners with variable speed pumps who want the lowest possible pressure drop.
- Anyone prioritising water clarity over ease of the cleaning task.
Who should skip it
- Owners who want the simplest possible routine, where a sand filter and a valve wins.
- Heavily used pools with a lot of lotion and body oil, which clog cartridges quickly.
- Budget installations, where a sand filter costs a fraction of this.
Alternatives worth considering
Hayward SwimClear Single Element Cartridge Filter, 150 sq ft W3C150S
~$1,009
One cartridge instead of four, which makes cleaning far less of a chore, at 150 square feet rather than 425 so it needs cleaning more often. Eight hundred dollars less.
Check price on AmazonHayward ProSeries 24 Inch Top-Mount Pool Sand Filter
~$689
Around eleven hundred dollars less, with a six position valve that backwashes in under a minute. It filters less finely and it uses water to clean itself, which is the whole trade.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Cartridge vs sand pool filter
- Skimmer socks vs more backwashing
- Hayward ProSeries sand filter review
- Hayward TriStar VS review
- Pump turnover chart
- Cloudy pool water
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
Cartridge or sand filter?
Cartridge filters catch finer particles, waste no water and let a pump run slower. Sand filters are cheaper, and cleaning is a thirty second valve turn rather than a wet afternoon. Our cartridge versus sand comparison goes through it properly, and the honest tiebreaker is usually whether water is scarce or expensive where you live.
How often do cartridges need cleaning?
When the pressure gauge rises around 8 to 10 psi above the clean starting pressure. On a 425 square foot filter serving a normal pool that can be a few times a season. Note the clean pressure when the cartridges are new so you have a baseline to compare against.
How long do filter cartridges last?
Typically a few seasons with proper cleaning, less if the pool sees heavy use with sunscreen and body oil. They are a consumable, and a full set for a four element filter is a real expense. Buying a spare set to rotate makes cleaning easier and extends the life of both sets.
Does a bigger filter mean cleaner water?
It mostly means longer intervals between cleanings and lower pressure drop, which helps a variable speed pump. Filtration fineness is a property of the media rather than the area. Oversizing a filter is one of the few places in pool equipment where bigger is genuinely better.
Can I clean cartridges with a pressure washer?
It is tempting and it damages the pleats, which shortens cartridge life considerably. A garden hose with a fan nozzle, working between each pleat, is the recommended method. For deep cleaning, a soak in a proprietary filter cleaner removes oils that hosing does not.
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