DE filters vs sand filters: Sand wins for most people who value ease over perfect clarity

DE filters catch particles down to 2-5 microns vs sand’s 20-40, giving noticeably clearer water, but require regular backwashing, fresh DE powder, and have fragile grids. Sand filters are dead simple—backwash every few weeks, replace sand every 5-7 years—and cheaper upfront. Most homeowners won’t notice the clarity difference, so go with sand unless you obsess over crystal-clear water and don’t mind extra maintenance.