Go with a cartridge filter for your pool.

Yes. For most residential pools, cartridge filters are the better choice.

Sand filters are cheaper upfront and last forever, but they filter down to only about 20–40 microns. That means your water stays a little hazier, and you have to backwash—which dumps hundreds of gallons of water down the drain every time. You also need to replace the sand every 5–7 years, which is a messy job.

Cartridge filters catch particles down to 10–15 microns. Your water stays clearer. No backwashing—just hose off the cartridge every few weeks and replace it every 1–3 years. They use way less water, cost about the same over time, and are quieter to run.

The downsides: cartridges cost $50–150 each, and you need to physically clean them. But that’s 20 minutes with a garden hose. Sand filters need backwashing, valve maintenance, and occasional deep cleaning.

Unless your pool gets hammered with debris (like near a forest), cartridge is the better investment.

Future You will appreciate not watching a hundred bucks of water wash into the street every week.