Intex Pool Filter Pumps Reviews

7 Best Intex Pool Filter Pumps for Cleaner Pool Water

Looking to upgrade your Intex pool pump? Here’s what you need to know about Intex’s line of pool filter pumps.

Intex is one of the leading manufacturers of backyard swimming pools, particularly the affordable above-ground pools that are fun for the whole family.

But you know what’s not so fun?

Constantly trying to balance the water and clean your swimming pool.

One of the best tools in your toolbox for cleaning and maintaining your Intex above-ground swim pool is a pool filter pump.

Here’s a detailed look at the pool filter pumps that Intex makes, the key features of each, and which filter pump is best for you and your swimming pool.

Let’s jump right in.

Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump

Made specifically for above-ground swim pools, and compatible with almost all of Intex’s backyard pools, the Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump is easy to install; plug in the hose and pump and you are in business.

Featuring a double-insulated pump, the Krystal Clear is easy to change (Intex recommends changing the cartridge every two weeks or so), and includes two hoses with clamps (1.25” diameter) and an air release valve for rapid priming.

Related: Intex Ultra XTR Above-Ground Swim Pool [Full Review]

The Krystal Clear uses Intex’s proprietary One Hydro Aeration to help quickly clean pool water.

There are two versions of the Krystal Clear on the market, the base model that includes the filter pump (for around $25-30) and a model that has a pool chemical dispenser.

Dispensers that work through the pool pump can be more efficient in dissolving chemical tablets, whether we are talking about chlorine tablets or the less common bromine, as the water breaks it down and circulates it immediately into the pool.

Key features:

  • Replaceable cartridge (Type A or C cartridges). Change it every two weeks.
  • Compatible with Easy Set, Metal Frame and round above-ground pools.
  • 25” (32mm) hose opening size
  • Available with an optional pool chemical dispenser
  • One Hydro Aeration technology. Mixes oxygen with air to speed up the oxidation of manganese and iron to keep the water sparkling.
  • 1,000, 1,500 or 2,500 gallons per hour flow rate
  • Includes properly fitted hoses and clamps to make installation simple.

There are three versions of the Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pool Pump, with increasing flow rates and designed for pools starting at 6,00 gallons up to larger above-ground pools of up to 15,200 gallons.

The 637R has a pump flow rate of 1,000 gallons per hour and is designed for pools up to 6,000 gallons. They require a Type A or C replacement cartridge. It retails for around $25-40 and is the base model.

Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump - Model 637R

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The 635T has a pump flow rate of 1,500 gallons per hour and is designed for swim pools up to 9,400 gallons. They require a Type A or C replacement cartridge. They cost around $120.

Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump - Model 635T

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The 633T is Intex’s strongest Cartridge Filter Pump, with a pump flow rate of 2,500 gallons per hour, and is designed for pools of up to 15,200 gallons. They use a Type B cartridge and the 633T retails for around $300.

Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump - Model 633T

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Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump for Above-Ground Pools

Sand filter pumps are an excellent choice for filtering the water for your above-ground pool.

The way they work is simple: water is pumped into the plastic housing and flows through graded sand, which removes impurities like dirt, bugs, and other organic matter. Sand filters are kind of like a litter box for your pool water.

The Krystal Clear sand filter pumps has some of the same features as the cartridge version, including the Hydro Aeration component and is similarly easy to install.

Each pump comes with a 25-foot-long power cord for easy placement, a pressure gauge for use during backwashing the filter, two 1.5” connector hoses, and a strainer basket for pre-filtering, extending the life of the sand.

Additionally, the pump can be set to run with a digital timer that can automatically turn it on each day and run it for pre-set times, from 1-12 hours in duration.

Key features:

  • Digital timer
  • Skimmer basket for pre-filtering
  • 26-120lbs sand capacity
  • Six functions including filter, backwash, rinsing, draining, re-circulation, and close system.
  • Flow rate of up to 3,000 gallons per hour
  • Filters water for pools up to 17,200 gallons
  • 25-foot power cord
  • Two-year manufacturer’s warranty

The Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pumps come in four different sizes, cleaning the water of pools from 2,800 to 19,600 gallons in size.

The 10-inch model, the smallest of the sand filter pumps, has a flow rate of 1,200 gallons per hour, 26lbs of sand capacity, and works for above-ground pools 2,800-8,400 gallons in size. Retails for around $150.

Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump - 10 Inch

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The 12-inch model has a flow rate of 2,100 gallons per hour, 50lbs of sand capacity, and works for pools 2,800-12,800 gallons in size. Available at Amazon for $185.

Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump - 12 Inch

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The 14-inch model has a flow rate of 2,800 gallons per hour, 77lbs of sand capacity, and is suitable for pools 5,500-17,200 gallons in size. Retails for around $260 at Amazon.

Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump - 14 Inch

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The 16-inch sand filter is Intex’s most powerful, with a flow rate of 3,000 gallons per hour, a sand capacity of 120lbs, and works with pools from 5,500 to 19,600 gallons in size. Retails for $300 at Amazon.

Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump - 16 Inch

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Intex Pool Filters – What are the different types?

When it comes to filtering your pool water, there are two kinds of filters on the market. Here’s a quick look at the two of them, including key differences.

Intex sand filters.

Sand filters are kind of like litter boxes for your pool water. The water enters the filter housing and goes down through graded sand, which holds on to the debris, dirt and organic matter in the water.

As the water sinks to the bottom of the filter housing, it is pushed back out into the pool.

Sand filters last quite a while, with the sand being replaced every few years. The water is cleared of matter 20 microns in size and larger. (For comparison, a human hair is 50 microns.)

Sand filters are inexpensive, but they still do require keeping an eye on your pool chemistry as bacteria (at 2 microns, they are sneaky enough to get by the bouncers in the sand filter without paying cover) aren’t captured by them.

Intex cartridge filters.

Comparable to sand in terms of filtration quality, cartridges clean your pool water by pumping water through a cylinder that houses polyester pleats.

These pleats filter the water, collecting debris and unwelcome pool guests as small as 10 microns (which is only slightly larger than a red blood cell).

Cartridge filters are very efficient and low-cost. You don’t need to backwash the filter (backwashing is reversing the flow of the water to clean it of waste and debris) which will save you a lot of water.

Cartridge filters are energy efficient, cut down on water usage, and are quite small. They are also best used with pools that have a variable speed pump as the efficiency gains are highest with those kinds of pumps.


Recommended Reading

6 Best Pool Pumps for Ever Kind of Swimming Pool. Your best friend for clean and clear pool water is the pool pump. Here is a look at the best pool pumps for every kind of swimming pool.

6 Best Above Ground Pool Filters. Keep your above ground pool sparkling and clean with our hand-picked reviews of the best above ground pool filters.

5 Best Pool Pump Timers (and How Much Money You Can Save Using One). Is your pool or hot tub running up big electricity bills? Keep your pool clean and cut costs with our favorite pool timers for every budget.

Olivier Poirier-Leroy

Olivier Poirier-Leroy

Olivier Poirier-Leroy is the founder of YourSwimLog.com. He is an author, former national level swimmer, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and swim coach.
Olivier is the author of the books YourSwimBook and Conquer the Pool. He writes all things high-performance swimming and is passionate about helping swimmers, swim coaches, and swim parents  master the pool. His articles were read over 4 million times last year and his work has                                  appeared on USA Swimming, SwimSwam, STACK, NBC Universal, and more. He’s also                                    kinda tall and can be found hitting noon-hour lap swims. You can learn more about                                       Olivier here.

Olivier Poirier-Leroy Olivier Poirier-Leroy is the founder of YourSwimLog.com. He is an author, former national level swimmer, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and swim coach.

Olivier is the author of the books YourSwimBook and Conquer the Pool. He writes all things high-performance swimming and is passionate about helping swimmers, swim coaches, and swim parents master the pool.

His articles were read over 4 million times last year and his work has appeared on USA Swimming, SwimSwam, STACK, NBC Universal, and more.

He’s also kinda tall and can be found hitting noon-hour lap swims. You can learn more about Olivier here.

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