A letter that is a shape, not a quality

The best pool filter cartridges for 2026

A filter cartridge is a pleated element in a plastic frame, and the first thing to get right about this shelf is that the type letter is a dimension, not a grade. Type A, C, H, S1, S2 and the roman-numeral sizes describe an outside diameter, a height and an end fitting; they say nothing about how well the cartridge filters, and they are not interchangeable — an S1 spa cartridge does not go into a Type A pool housing whatever the price. Once compatibility is fixed, the number that separates cartridges of the same type is the filter area, which is set by the pleat count and pleat depth: more pleats mean more surface, lower velocity through the medium, a longer interval between rinses, and a cartridge that holds its flow for longer as it loads. Very few listings publish the area in square feet or metres; where they publish a pleat count, that is the usable proxy. The medium is spun polyester on nearly everything here, and the ones that differ say so — reinforced cores, antimicrobial treatments. Then the figure that actually decides the purchase: price per season. A cartridge rinsed weekly and replaced every six to eight weeks over a four-month season is bought four to six times, and a six-pack at a low unit price beats a single premium element far more often than not. We compare type compatibility, pleat count and area, medium, stated flow and pack economics.

These parts, one figure beside another

1. 

   Bestway Filterkartusche Gr. VI, 2-pack

   The original type VI cartridge in a two-pack, published at 10.6 × 8.0 cm with a fine lamella structure and stated to fit all spa pumps.

   Type compatibility

   Size VI, stated to fit all spa pumps. No model list published

   Pleat count

   Not published. A fine lamella structure is stated

   Filter area

   Not published

   Medium

   Not published. Fine structure for optimal cleaning of the water, stated

   Stated flow

   Not published

   Pack economics

   2 cartridges per pack. Dimensions 10.6 × 8.0 cm. No replacement interval published

   Amazon reference

   B08CCXV3WD (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   6942138924985

   • The original-brand cartridge, so the fit question does not arise
   • Publishes its dimensions, which three of the seven cartridges here do not
   • No replacement interval, where five rivals publish one — and disagree with each other

   Best for: A Lay-Z-Spa owner who wants the original part and will work out the replacement interval from use

   Check price on Amazon
2. 

   Mallez Ersatzfilter Typ VI, 2-pack

   A compatible type VI cartridge in a two-pack, and the only listing in this family to publish the inner bore — about 52 mm — alongside the outer dimensions.

   Type compatibility

   Bestway filter cartridge VI. Stated compatible with all Lay-Z-Spa models including Vegas, Monaco, Paris, Hawaii and Palm Springs, and with SaluSpa 90352E

   Pleat count

   Not published

   Filter area

   Not published

   Medium

   Not published. A high-quality material mixture is stated, washable and reusable

   Stated flow

   Not published. Stated to optimise pump performance

   Pack economics

   2 cartridges per pack. 104 mm × 80 mm with an inner diameter of about 52 mm — the only bore dimension published in this family. No replacement interval published

   Amazon reference

   B091J1RNWG (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   7804946839860

   • The only cartridge here to publish its inner bore, which is what actually seats on the pump spindle
   • Names five specific Lay-Z-Spa models rather than claiming universal fit
   • No replacement interval, where five cartridges here publish one

   Best for: A named Lay-Z-Spa model where the cartridge seat has been measured

   Check price on Amazon
3. 

   Intex Pure Spa S2 cartridges, 2-pack

   The only cartridge in this family to publish a filtration fineness — 20 microns — and to name its fibre. It is also the shortest published replacement interval on the shelf: about every ten days.

   Type compatibility

   Intex Pure Spa S2. Named models: Chevron, Schiefer, Blue One, Sahara 8-seat, Galaxis, Calacatta, Carbon

   Pleat count

   Not published

   Filter area

   Not published

   Medium

   Very resistant Dacron fibres — the only medium named in this family

   Stated flow

   Not published. Filtration fineness 20 microns — the only fineness figure in this family

   Pack economics

   2 cartridges. Clean twice a week; replace about every 10 days — the shortest interval published on this shelf

   Amazon reference

   B0DQVDCTMS (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   6941057428888

   • The only cartridge here to publish a filtration fineness — 20 microns
   • The only one to name its fibre: Dacron
   • Ten days is the shortest interval in this family by a wide margin, and a two-pack is under three weeks

   Best for: An Intex Pure Spa run hard, where water clarity matters more than cartridge cost

   Check price on Amazon
4. 

   POOLPURE Filter VI, 6-pack

   Six type VI cartridges with the fullest compatibility list on this shelf — part numbers, spa models and pump codes — plus a published opening size and a monthly cleaning interval.

   Type compatibility

   Type VI 90352E, 58323E, 58323, 58324, 90427E. Stated for Lay-Z-Spa Miami, Monaco, Vegas, Palm Springs and others, plus Coleman and SaluSpa. Named pumps: bw54123 Miami, bw54112 Vegas, bw54129 Palm Springs, bw54113 Monaco

   Pleat count

   Not published

   Filter area

   Not published. A trilobal fabric structure and dirt-locking technology are stated

   Medium

   Not published as a fibre. Trilobal woven structure, stated to release contaminants easily when cleaned

   Stated flow

   Not published

   Pack economics

   6 cartridges. Height 7.9 cm, diameter 10.5 cm, openings 5.15 cm top and bottom. Clean once a month for optimal performance, stated

   Amazon reference

   B09N77SW5S (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   6942101220236

   • The fullest compatibility list in this family — part numbers, spa models and pump codes
   • Publishes the opening size as well as height and diameter
   • No fibre named, where two cartridges in this family name theirs

   Best for: A Lay-Z-Spa owner who knows their pump code and wants a season’s cartridges in one order

   Check price on Amazon
5. 

   Sosayet Filter VI, 6-pack

   Six type VI cartridges in a thicker fabric, with the most unusual maintenance advice on this shelf: the listing says they may clog within two or three days and that rinsing, not replacement, is the answer.

   Type compatibility

   Bestway 58323, Lay-Z-Spa, Miami, Vegas, Monaco, Paris, Hawaii, Palm Springs and many other pools and hot tubs

   Pleat count

   Not published

   Filter area

   Not published. Stated to catch three times more contaminants than conventional mesh

   Medium

   High-quality mixed materials in a thicker fabric, stated to resist deformation under high water pressure

   Stated flow

   Not published

   Pack economics

   6 cartridges. May clog with contaminants within 2–3 days depending on water quality; the listing states this is not a damaged cartridge and that rinsing with water is sufficient, with no need to replace

   Amazon reference

   B0BZNTB87F (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0768733886857

   • Warns in its own listing that the cartridge may clog in two to three days, and explains why
   • Names deformation under water pressure as a failure mode and says the fabric resists it
   • Publishes no replacement interval at all, only a rinse-and-reuse instruction

   Best for: A heavily used spa where the owner is willing to rinse cartridges often rather than replace them

   Check price on Amazon
6. 

   FOSUN Vokowin Typ S1, 8-pack

   Eight type S1 cartridges for Intex PureSpa, listing thirteen compatible model numbers, with published dimensions and a stated change interval of every two weeks.

   Type compatibility

   Type S1. Stated for all Intex PureSpa models: 28403E, 28407E, 28413E, 28421E, 28423E, 28425E, 28427E, 28439E, 28441E, 28443E, 28453E; PureSpa Plus 28429E and 28431E. Also named for 11692/29001E

   Pleat count

   Not published

   Filter area

   Not published

   Medium

   Not published. Stated washable and reusable

   Stated flow

   Not published. Stated to ensure optimal spa pump performance

   Pack economics

   8 cartridges — the largest pack in this family. Filter size 10.7 × 7.1 cm. Change every two weeks, stated

   Amazon reference

   B0GSZ9XL4B (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   9327073294527

   • Eight per pack, the largest quantity on this shelf
   • Lists thirteen specific Intex PureSpa model numbers rather than claiming universal fit
   • Two weeks against eight cartridges is four months, so a pack is a single season at best

   Best for: An Intex PureSpa run through a season, buying the whole year’s cartridges at once

   Check price on Amazon
7. 

   Arebos Poolfilter 6-pack, antimicrobial

   Six antimicrobial cartridges in paper fleece — the only listing here to name a paper medium and the only one claiming an antimicrobial effect — with weekly cleaning and a four-week replacement limit.

   Type compatibility

   Hot tubs and spas. No type designation, model list or dimensions published

   Pleat count

   Not published. Large-area lamellae are stated

   Filter area

   Not published

   Medium

   Robust paper fleece with a fine-pore structure — the only paper medium named in this family. Stated antimicrobial, inhibiting the spread of micro-organisms such as bacteria

   Stated flow

   Not published

   Pack economics

   6 cartridges. Wash weekly under running water depending on soiling; replace at the latest every 4 weeks, stated

   Amazon reference

   B0949BLN3L (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   4260627427062

   • The only cartridge here with a stated antimicrobial effect
   • Names its medium — paper fleece with a fine-pore structure
   • No type designation and no dimensions at all, so the fit cannot be checked before ordering

   Best for: A spa whose cartridge size is already known, where water sitting warm between uses is the concern

   Check price on Amazon