Intex
Intex C1000 Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
Cheapest that works / small pools — The cheapest cartridge pump that actually filters a real above-ground pool: 1,000 GPH on the box, 750 GPH of real filtered flow, enough to turn a 6,000-gallon pool over in about 8 hours. Comes with the cartridge.
Contender — The Best Above-Ground Cartridge Filter Pumps of 2026 (by Pool Size — and the Name-Brand to Skip)
Specs
| Type | Cartridge filter pump (all-in-one) |
| Pump flow | 1,000 GPH |
| Real flow | 750 GPH (system) |
| Rated pool | Up to 6,000 gal |
| Cartridge | Type A (29000E) |
| Owner rating | 4.3★ / 22,899 |
Pros
- 750 GPH of real filtered flow turns a 6,000-gal pool in ~8 hours
- Comes with the Type A cartridge to start
- Huge proven owner base (22,899 ratings) at the lowest price
- Cheap, everywhere Type A replacement cartridges
Cons
- Cartridge, not sand — swap it every ~2 weeks (~$30–60/season)
- Rated to 6,000 gal; undersized for a 15-ft-plus pool — step up to the C1500/C2500
- No wall-mount skimmer; it is a canister pump
“Working exceptionally well in my 12'x30" round pool. It came with a filter which was nice. Hooked up and pushed water quickly. Much better flow than the one Intex sent.”— E.S., Amazon · Verified owner
✓ Safety: no active recall — No active CPSC recall found (checked July 2026)
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Data last verified: July 2026. Ratings are real, dated reads — never scraped or invented. Full methodology and monetization disclosure: how we test.