Should I use a sand filter or a cartridge filter for my residential pool?

Sand filters are the right choice for most residential pools. They are simpler and cheaper to maintain, requiring only a five-minute backwash with no replacement parts. Cartridge filters catch finer particles (10–15 microns vs. 20–40 microns), but need cleaning every four to six weeks. Unless your pool has heavy fine debris like pollen or dead algae, the clarity difference doesn’t matter for backyard use.