XtremepowerUS 13" Sand Filter Pump Review: Is It Worth It?
Updated: Sep 10
The XtremepowerUS 13" Sand Filter Pump is aimed at above-ground pool owners who want the easier maintenance of a sand filter without stepping up to one of the larger and more expensive systems.
It combines a 13-inch filter tank, 3/4 HP pump and four-way control valve in a compact setup rated by XtremepowerUS for pools up to 10,000 gallons. The manufacturer lists a maximum pump flow of 2,400 GPH and a filter-media capacity of up to 43 lb of sand.
That sounds competitive for the price, but there is one important limitation when comparing it with filters such as the Intex SX2800 or SX3000: XtremepowerUS publishes the maximum pump-flow figure, not a separate complete-system flow rate.
That doesn't make the pump a poor choice, but it does mean we'd be more conservative when sizing it than simply assuming you'll get 2,400 GPH through the filter in a real installation.
Quick Verdict
The XtremepowerUS 13" is an appealing budget sand-filter system for a small-to-medium above-ground pool, particularly if you want a traditional pump-and-filter setup without spending SX3000 or Hayward money.
The 3/4 HP pump, 43 lb sand bed, large pre-filter basket and simple backwash valve give it the core features we'd want from an entry-level sand system. The relatively compact footprint is another advantage if you don't have much space beside the pool.
Our main reservation is sizing. XtremepowerUS rates it for pools up to 10,000 gallons and lists 2,400 GPH maximum flow, but doesn't provide a separate system-flow rating. For that reason, we'd be happier giving it some headroom rather than buying it specifically to operate at the very top of its stated pool range.
Best for: Small-to-medium above-ground pools where price and simple backwash maintenance matter more than extra automation.
Skip it if: You want a built-in timer, a six-position valve, or clearly documented system-flow performance for a larger pool.
XtremepowerUS 13" Specifications
The XtremepowerUS 13" combines a 3/4 HP pump with a 2,400 GPH maximum flow rate and a compact sand-filter tank. The important distinction is that XtremepowerUS publishes a maximum pump-flow figure rather than a separate complete-system flow rate, so we would leave some headroom when sizing it for a pool.
What Does the 2,400 GPH Rating Actually Mean?
This is the specification we'd pay the most attention to.
XtremepowerUS lists the pump's maximum flow as 2,400 GPH.
That is not necessarily the amount of water you'll actually move through the complete filter system every hour. Once water is being pushed through hoses, fittings and 43 lb of filter media, resistance reduces real-world flow.
That's different from systems such as the Intex SX2800 and SX3000, where Intex publishes both a pump-flow figure and a lower complete-system flow figure.
At the theoretical 2,400 GPH maximum, turnover would look like:
4,000 gallons — about 1.7 hours
5,000 gallons — about 2.1 hours
7,500 gallons — about 3.1 hours
10,000 gallons — about 4.2 hours
Those numbers are useful for context, but we would not treat them as guaranteed turnover times.
The actual result will depend on the filter media, plumbing, hose length, pressure and how dirty the filter becomes.
What Pool Size Would We Use It For?
XtremepowerUS rates this system for above-ground pools up to 10,000 gallons.
That rating is believable on paper, but because we don't have a separate published system-flow number, we'd rather leave ourselves some room.
For a pool around 4,000–8,000 gallons, this is much easier for us to recommend. You're getting useful filtration capacity without relying on the pump delivering close to its maximum published performance all the time.
At 10,000 gallons, the filter may still be entirely suitable — that is within the manufacturer's rating — but if we were buying a new system for a heavily used 10,000-gallon pool, we'd compare it carefully with something like the Intex SX2800 or a larger 14-inch filter before deciding.
If you're still choosing between filtration types rather than individual models, our Sand Filter vs Cartridge Filter guide explains the ownership differences first.
The 13-Inch Tank and 43 lb Sand Capacity
The 13-inch tank holds up to 43 lb of filter media, which puts this firmly in compact sand-filter territory.
That's less media than larger systems such as the Intex SX2800 with its 77 lb sand bed or the SX3000 with 120 lb.
For a smaller pool, that isn't necessarily a disadvantage. A smaller tank takes up less room and requires less sand when you're first setting the filter up.
The trade-off is filtration capacity. A larger media bed generally gives the system more room to collect debris before resistance builds and backwashing becomes necessary.
If you need sand for this filter, our Best Pool Filter Sand for Above-Ground Pools guide covers suitable No. 20 pool-filter sand.
Four-Way Multi-Port Valve
The current model uses a simpler four-way valve rather than the six-function valves found on some Intex and Bestway filters.
The settings are:
Filter
Backwash
Rinse
Waste
Those cover the important everyday jobs.
Filter is your normal operating position. Backwash reverses water through the media to flush accumulated dirt. Rinse settles the sand again after backwashing, while Waste lets you send water out of the system rather than returning it to the pool.
What you don't get are separate Recirculate and Closed settings.
For many owners that won't matter, but it is a genuine feature difference compared with some similarly priced competitors.
Large Pre-Filter Strainer Basket
The pump includes a large pre-filter strainer basket with a clear quick-lock lid.
Its job is to catch larger debris before it reaches the pump impeller and filter tank.
The transparent lid is useful because you can see when debris has accumulated without opening the pump first, while the larger basket should mean less frequent emptying than a very small pump strainer.
XtremepowerUS describes this as one of the larger baskets in its class.
For pools that regularly collect leaves or other larger debris, we'd still skim the worst material before it reaches the system rather than relying entirely on the basket.
Pressure Gauge and Backwashing
The built-in pressure gauge gives you a simple way to track how restricted the filter is becoming.
Rather than looking for one universal PSI number, note the reading when the filter media is clean and the system is operating normally.
As dirt builds in the sand, resistance increases and the pressure reading rises. That's your cue to consider backwashing.
One advantage of this system over a basic cartridge pump is that you don't need to dismantle the filter and hose down an element every time filtration becomes restricted.
Pump Protection and Build
The pump includes automatic thermal-overload protection, designed to shut the motor down if it begins overheating. XtremepowerUS also uses a blow-molded polyethylene filter tank intended to resist corrosion and outdoor exposure.
That doesn't mean we'd leave any pool equipment completely exposed year-round, but these are useful durability features for equipment that spends the swimming season outdoors.
The pump and filter are mounted together on a shared base, which also makes the complete system easier to position than separate pump and filter components.
Connections and Installation
The current manufacturer specifications list a 1-1/4-inch NPT inlet, with versions of the system also supporting a 1-1/2-inch outlet arrangement.
This is an area where we'd check your existing pool plumbing before ordering.
If you're replacing a small Intex, Bestway or Coleman pump, don't assume every hose will connect directly just because the pump is designed for an above-ground pool. Depending on your pool's hose size, adapters may be required.
The system requires assembly and the filter media is sold separately.
What We Like About the XtremepowerUS 13"
It gives you a complete sand-filter setup at a relatively accessible price. You get the pump, tank, valve, strainer and shared base rather than having to assemble a filtration system from separate components.
The 3/4 HP pump is a reasonable match for smaller and mid-size above-ground pools. Its 2,400 GPH maximum flow gives it useful circulation potential without making the system physically huge.
The 43 lb tank remains manageable. Filling or eventually emptying it is considerably easier than dealing with 100+ lb of sand.
The large strainer basket is useful. Catching larger debris before it reaches the pump and sand bed reduces unnecessary load on the filtration system.
Backwash maintenance is straightforward. If you're tired of repeatedly removing and washing cartridges, that's probably the biggest reason to consider it.
What We Don't Like
The 2,400 GPH figure is a maximum-flow rating, not a separately documented system-flow figure. That makes direct comparisons with Intex's published system-flow numbers less straightforward.
The valve only has four functions. Intex and Bestway systems often give you six positions, including options such as Recirculate and Closed.
There is no built-in timer. If you want automatic daily filtration scheduling, you'll need a separate solution or a different pump.
The 10,000-gallon maximum leaves less sizing certainty than we'd like. We wouldn't automatically buy this specifically for a pool at the top of that range when larger-filter alternatives exist.
Filter media is not included. Remember to add the cost of the required pool-filter sand when comparing prices.
XtremepowerUS 13" vs Bestway 2200 GPH
These two occupy a similar part of the market, but they take slightly different approaches.
The XtremepowerUS gives you:
13-inch tank
3/4 HP pump
2,400 GPH maximum flow
43 lb sand capacity
four-way valve
up to 10,000-gallon manufacturer rating
The Bestway 2200 gives you:
12.5-inch tank
2,200 GPH pump flow
1,800 GPH published system flow
44.1 lb sand capacity
six-position valve
up to 14,400-gallon manufacturer rating
The XtremepowerUS looks stronger if you're comparing headline pump flow, but the Bestway gives us something we value when sizing equipment: a clearly documented complete-system flow rate.
The Bestway also gives you two extra valve positions and compatibility with Polysphere filter balls.
If the XtremepowerUS is meaningfully cheaper, we can understand choosing it as the straightforward budget option. If the prices are close, we'd compare connection compatibility and the features you actually care about rather than choosing solely from the GPH printed in the listing.
Read our Bestway 2200 GPH Sand Filter Pump review for the alternative.
Still comparing sand filters? See our Best Sand Filters for Above-Ground Pools to compare the models we'd choose for different pool sizes and filtration needs.
Who Should Buy the XtremepowerUS 13"?
We'd shortlist it if:
your above-ground pool is small to medium in size
you want an affordable move away from cartridge filtration
you're comfortable with basic backwashing
you don't need an automatic timer
a compact 43 lb sand filter suits your available space
you value price more than having every possible valve function
For a straightforward backyard pool where the goal is simply reliable filtration without spending heavily, its simplicity is part of the appeal.
Who Should Skip It?
We'd look at a larger system if your pool is close to or above the manufacturer's 10,000-gallon limit.
We'd also skip it if you specifically want automatic scheduling. There is no built-in timer, whereas competing models such as the Intex SX2800 and SX3000 include one.
And if you want the most flexible valve setup, the four-way control is more basic than the six-function valves available elsewhere.
One other point for US buyers: XtremepowerUS currently states that this particular 13-inch / 3/4 HP model is not for sale in California.
Our Final Verdict
The XtremepowerUS 13" Sand Filter Pump still makes sense as a budget-oriented sand-filter option for smaller and medium above-ground pools.
Its strengths are straightforward: a 3/4 HP pump, compact 13-inch tank, 43 lb sand capacity, large pre-filter basket and simple backwash maintenance.
Where we'd be cautious is assuming that the headline 2,400 GPH maximum flow tells the whole story. XtremepowerUS doesn't provide a separate complete-system flow rate, so we'd give the filter some sizing headroom instead of treating 10,000 gallons as the automatic sweet spot.
For something around 4,000–8,000 gallons, particularly when this model is priced noticeably below the larger Intex or Bestway systems, we can see the appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons can the XtremepowerUS 13" sand filter handle?
XtremepowerUS rates the current 13-inch system for above-ground pools up to 10,000 gallons. We would leave some headroom rather than automatically choosing it for a pool at the very top of that range.
Is the XtremepowerUS 13" really 2,400 GPH?
XtremepowerUS specifies a maximum flow of 2,400 GPH. The manufacturer does not publish a separate complete-system flow rate, so actual flow through the filter and pool plumbing may be lower.
How much sand does the XtremepowerUS 13" need?
The filter tank holds up to approximately 43 lb of filter media. Use pool-filter sand that meets the manufacturer's requirements rather than ordinary play or construction sand.
What horsepower is the XtremepowerUS 13" pump?
The current 13-inch model shown here uses a 3/4 HP (0.75 HP) pump. This is worth stating explicitly because XtremepowerUS has other similar-looking product pages with different pump specifications.
Does the XtremepowerUS 13" have a timer?
No. The current 13-inch / 3/4 HP system does not include a built-in automatic timer.
What settings does the multi-port valve have?
The current four-way valve provides Filter, Backwash, Rinse and Waste settings.
Is the filter sand included?
No. Filter media is sold separately.
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