Maintenance is the center stage of owning a swimming pool. It requires uncountable water testing and topping pounds of chlorine to purify the pool water. But every pool needs a pool filter to capture the waste the chlorine kills.
And DE pool filters come into play to capture smaller particles for optimum pool filtration. Compared to other filter types, it can trap the tiniest speck of dirt.
Here in this round-up guide, we reviewed the three best DE pool filters in the market. Therefore, we end this article with an in-depth buying guide so that you can choose the right one for your bucks.
Types Of Pool Filters
You can find the three following pool filters in the market. Each of them has upsides and downsides. So, read on to know all about them and learn why the DE pool filter is the best despite its high price range.
Sand Filter
A sand filter is one of the oldest and least expensive pool filters on the market. It has a filtration tank filled with sand. As the water passes through, it captures dirt and particles measure 20 microns or larger.
You can find two types of sand filters, including top-mounted and side-mounted filters. A top-mounted sand filter is less expensive, and it requires less space. On the other hand, a side-mounted sand filter is easy to maintain.
The advantage of a sand filter is that it requires less maintenance & costs fewer bucks to get. However, sand filters fail to capture small particles, which is a downside.
Cartridge Filter
A cartridge filter has a replaceable filter that captures particles when water goes through it. It is more efficient in trapping dirt down to 10 microns. Therefore, cartridge filters are easy to clean. Just pull out the cartridge filters from the unit and wash them with a garden hose.
DE Filter
Diatomaceous Earth is the full meaning of DE. It works similarly to the sand filter. This pool filter pumps water through the DE filter powder, capturing particles down to 5 microns. The DE pool filter is more efficient than other filters as it can trap smaller particles. However, DE pool filters are more expensive than the other two-filter types and require the most maintenance.
3 Best DE Pool Filters You Should Consider
We narrowed down the list of DE pool filters to 3. It will help you decide which one you should buy without bogging you down. All these filters can capture the tiniest particles to leave the pool crystal clear.
#1: Hayward DE6020 ProGrid D.E. Pool Filter- Best Overall
Hayward DE6020 ProGrid is the best DE pool filter in the market. Though it is a bit pricey compared to other filters, you don’t be disappointed by observing its ability to capture the tiniest contaminants out of your pool. We ranked it as the best overall due to its filtering efficiency, durability, and ease of use.
The DE6020 ProGrid delivers 120 GPM of flow, which pumps more water and filters out a large pool optimally by capturing tiny particles. Turns out, it has a quick-release valve to bleed more air out of your pump to improve flow.
Now, let’s move on to its longevity. This DE pool filter uses a durable glass-reinforced copolymer as its construction. It can endure any toughest applications and environmental conditions. Indeed, you can use it for years to come.
You know DE filters require the most maintenance, but Hayward makes it a breeze. Its one-piece flange clamp allows you quick access to every internal component for effortless maintenance.
What We Like:
- Large capacity and high flow rate
- Long-lasting due to its durable construction
- Easy to maintain because of the Quick-release flange clamp
What We Don’t:
- It requires a bit of elbow grease to seat the O-ring properly.
#2: Pentair 188592 Quad D.E. Cartridge Style D.E. Pool Filter (Best Pentair DE Filter)
“Offer the highest water clarity with the lowest amount of fuss!” This sentence perfectly resembles the Pentair 188592 Quad D.E. Cartridge Style D.E. Pool Filter. We go with this DE pool filter for several reasons: superior filtration capacity, ease of maintenance, and durability.
Firstly, the Pentair Quad DE filter has four large-capacity cartridges. They deliver max filtering surface area to hold more dirt than other pool filters. So, you don’t need to empty it often between cleaning.
When the water passes through these filters, these four cartridges capture microscopic impurities like dirt & bacteria to leave your pool sparkling clean. Therefore, its unique internal flow path offers superior filtration and backwashing efficiency.
Secondly, cleaning the DE-style cartridge filter is just a piece of cake. Just open the lid and remove the four cartridges. Then, use a garden hose to wash them out.
Lastly, let’s talk about the durability of this Pentair DE pool filter. It uses fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene as the construction material. So, it can easily resist chemicals and shield the unit against tough environmental conditions.
What We like:
- Provide exceptional strength and long life
- Removable cartridge elements make maintenance fast and easy
- Use less energy to operate
What We Don’t:
- Some users complain one of the 4 filters has a small crack around the rim
#3: Rx Clear DE Element Inground Swimming Pool Filter System (Best Filter With Pump)
What If a DE pool filter comes with a pump? Then, Rx Clear DE Element Inground Swimming Pool Filter System is here to fulfill your dream. It comes with a Mighty Niagara 1 HP Pump. So, you don’t need to buy a pump separately to operate this filter. This pump delivers enough power to filter out a 25,700-gallon pool optimally.
Superior filtration capacity is the top-notch feature of this RX DE pool filter. It can collect every speck of dirt from your pool efficiently, leaving the swimming pool crystal clear.
Keep in mind that this self-generation system requires 3 lbs of DE powder. And you need to purchase the DE pool filter powder separately to let the filter capture particles out of your pool.
What We Like:
- Perfect for a pool up to 25,700 gallons
- No need to buy a pump separately
- Durable construction ensures durability
What We Don’t:
- The pump is not powerful enough
What To Look For Before Purchasing The Best DE Pool Filter?
You need to consider multiple things when shopping for the right DE pool filter like construction, filter size, and ease of installation. Below, we break down the standards that will help you pick the best DE pool filter.
Compatibility
A filter, whether it’s a DE filter or others, won’t work without a pool pump. You must consider the compatibility of the filter and ensure the filter and the pump are compatible with each other.
When choosing a pool filter, ensure the flow rate of it is a little bit higher than the pool pump’s flow rate. Never go for a DE filter that has less flow rate than the pump as it could damage the filter.
Flow Rate
Every DE pool filter comes in various sizes to handle pools of different volumes. Most pool filters are rated by GPM or gallon per minute. You should get a filter that matches or is higher than the flow rate of a pool pump.
Capacity
Here capacity means the amount of dirt a pool filter can hold. A filter with a large volume will offer an extended filter cycle to deliver superior filtration for a pristine pool. On top of this, you don’t need to clean the filter often between cleaning. Regarding this, you can go for the Pentair DE Pool Filter as it has four cartridges, which offer a large filtering surface.
Filter Valve
DE pool filters come with different valves. These valves have multiple modes to clean your pool optimally. For example, Filter, Backwash/Rinse, and Waste are some modes of valves.
The filter mode will help filter out your pool water, while the Backwash mode uses to clean the filter. On the other hand, the Waste mode will help send the dirty water out of a waste line.
Durability
Most DE pool filters on this list use glass-reinforced copolymer or fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene as the construction. As a result, they can perfectly resist corrosion or other environmental defects to ensure longevity.
Ease Of Clean
DE filters require the most maintenance. But some features of this filter make maintenance a breeze. For example, the one-piece flange clamp of the Hayward DE Filter allows quick access to every internal component for fast & easy maintenance. Similarly, the Pentair DE filter comes with removal cartridges, which makes it easy to clean the filter.
Ease Of Installation
Installing the DE filters is not that difficult. Once you set the grids in place, just hook it up with your plumbing and the multiport valves. Therefore, every filter on this list comes with the necessary pieces of equipment for effortless installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which DE filter is the best?
Here is the list of the best DE filters you can consider for your pool.
Hayward DE6020 ProGrid D.E. Pool Filter
Pentair 188592 Quad D.E. Cartridge Style D.E. Pool Filter
Rx Clear DE Element Inground Swimming Pool Filter SystemIs a DE pool filter worth it?
Yes, a DE pool filter is worth it. It can capture and filter out smaller particles (down to 2-3 microns) where other filters fail. Indeed, it leaves your swimming pool sparkling clean by removing the tiniest dart from your pool.
How long do DE pool filters last?
Generally, a DE pool filter will last over 5-10 years with proper maintenance. Therefore, most DE filters use durable construction material, which prolongs the filter life by shielding it against the toughest conditions.
Can you put too much DE in a pool filter?
No, you can’t put too much DE powder in a pool filter. If you do so, the excessive power will return to your pool. So, avoid pouring extra DE powders.
Do you have to add DE Every time you backwash?
Yes, you need to add DE powder every time you backwash the filter. Ensure you pour the right amount of DE filter powder the filter recommends.
Final Verdict
We used several standards or criteria to evaluate DE pool filters. For example, we assess the DE pool filter based on durability, filtration capacity, ease of use, and multiport valves. So, you don’t need to worry about the performance and longevity of the DE filters we enlisted. Just grab one DE pool filter from the list and install it with your pool plumbing. Then, you will be ready to filter out every speck of dirt to leave your pool crystal clear.