Swimara Pool Filter Cartridge Replacement Compatible with Pe

The Verdict

If you own a Pentair Clean & Clear Plus filter, you already know the pain of paying $80–$100 for a branded cartridge every season. The Swimara replacement undercuts that significantly — so the real question is whether it actually filters as well and lasts. After testing one through a full swim season, here’s what matters.

What’s in the Box

You get the cartridge itself — nothing else. No gasket, no O-ring, no instructions. That’s standard for this category, but worth knowing: if your filter’s O-ring is cracked or flattened, order a replacement seal separately or you’ll get air leaks and pressure loss right out of the gate. The cartridge measures exactly 5.375" diameter × 24.75" length — the dimensions match Pentair’s spec sheet for the 5oz series, so it seats firmly in the housing without rocking or needing shims.

Build Quality & Real-World Filtration

The filtration media is a 100% polyester pleated fabric with 50 square feet of surface area — same as OEM. The end caps are the standout difference: they’re injection-molded polypropylene with reinforcement ribs, noticeably thicker than what Pentair ships. In my testing, that translates to no flexing at the top cap even when the pressure gauge crept to 18 PSI on a hot day with heavy bather load.

Filtration itself is effective down to the claimed 15 microns. I ran this alongside a fresh OEM cartridge in a dual-filter setup for two weeks (testing, not recommending — that’s overkill for most pools). Cloudy water cleared at the same rate on both sides. Debris capture on the pleats looked identical under a magnifying lens. One quibble: the pleats are slightly stiffer than OEM, so if your pool deals with fine silt or pollen, you’ll see the pressure gauge climb a bit faster — expect to hose it down every 2–3 weeks instead of monthly.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The 4.5-star rating across 225 reviews is backed by repeatable patterns. One verified buyer put it plainly: “Fit my Pentair CCP520 perfectly. I was skeptical because of the price difference, but it’s been three months and my pool is crystal clear.” Another long-term owner noted durability: “Second season on this cartridge. Still holding up. I used to replace OEM every year.” The most common theme is “exact fit” — customers with CCP320, CCP420, and CCP520 models all report no modification needed.

Where It Falls Short

The stiffness issue is real, and it’s the most frequent complaint in the review data. If you have heavy tree cover dropping leaves and seed pods, you’ll be cleaning this cartridge more often than you would an OEM unit. One reviewer who runs a pool service noted: “Great value but I have to clean it every two weeks in the fall. OEM went three.” The other practical gap: no gasket included. Several one-star reviews trace back to air leaks from reusing an old, worn O-ring — a preventable issue if you plan ahead.

Who Should Buy This

Buy this if: You own a Pentair Clean & Clear Plus (any size from 320 to 520), you don’t want to spend $90+ on OEM, and you’re comfortable hosing off the cartridge every few weeks during heavy debris season.

Skip this if: You have a pool constantly bombarded with fine particles (sawdust, clay dust, heavy pollen) and want maximum time between cleanings — the stiffer pleats will cost you more maintenance time than the savings justify.

FAQ

Q: Will this fit my Pentair CCP420? A: Yes. The 24.75" length and 5.375" diameter are identical across the CCP320, CCP420, and CCP520 series. The end cap design matches the OEM locking mechanism — it seats and seals without adapters.

Q: How long does it actually last? A: With normal residential use (one pool, moderate bather load), expect 12–18 months. Several reviewers report two full seasons. If you run your pump 12+ hours daily or have heavy debris, plan on replacing annually.

Q: Is it worth the price difference over OEM? A: At roughly half the cost of a Pentair-branded cartridge, yes — provided you’re okay with slightly more frequent cleaning. If your time is worth more than the $40–50 savings, stick with OEM.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

The Swimara cartridge is the smart buy for most pool owners. It delivers OEM-equivalent filtration at a fraction of the price, with build quality that actually exceeds the original in the end caps. The stiffer pleats create a minor maintenance penalty, and the missing gasket is a small annoyance — but neither is a dealbreaker. If you’re tired of paying the Pentair tax, this is your answer.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.