Disposable vs pleated hot tub filters

When first trying to find a filter for your hot tub, it can be a bit confusing. There are many different brands and types of filters. One common question is whether a disposable or pleated filter is better. There are a few key differences to look at so you can make an informed decision.

Performance

Both pleated and disposable hot tub filters will adequately filter your hot tub water. Disposable filters offer increased filtration of up to 1 micron and the added convenience and time savings of not having to clean your filter.

Maintenance

Disposable filters are becoming more and more popular because there is no maintenance required. These filters are designed to be installed, used for 2-4 months (depending on hot tub usage), and then thrown away. You do not need to do anything to maintain or clean them, which makes them a great option for people who have a busy lifestyle.

Pleated filters such as Pleatco, Unicel or our house brand require regular cleaning and maintenance. It is recommended that they be rinsed out and cleaned about once a week, which you can do at home with a hose or more easily with a filter brush. Additionally, it is recommended that you use a chemical cleaner about once a month to get rid of oil and scum that has built up. You can read more about pleated filter maintenance on our blog.

Cost

Upon first glance, disposable filters definitely look more affordable than pleated filters. However, you will need to replace them about every 2-4 months depending on how often you use your hot tub, which can quickly increase the cost. The other thing to consider is that while using a disposable filter, you do not need to spend money on products such as clarifiers or filter cleaners.

In comparison, pleated filters only need to replaced about once a year, again depending on how often you use your spa. As referenced before, you will also want to use a chemical cleaner about once a month to clean out any oil and scum that has built up. Generally, pleated filters do tend to be the more affordable option.

Overall

Both pleated and disposable filters have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which kind of filter is better will depend on your own personal hot tub use and preferences. If you’re still unsure which option you would prefer, it’s recommended you take the time to use each kind of filter to see which is better suited for you.

When and how will my order ship?

Orders placed before 10am EST Monday to Friday excluding holidays typically ship same day for items in stock at one of our shipping facilities. Most orders leave the warehouse within 48 hours during business days. If item(s) on your order are back ordered or sold out before your order can be filled, a follow up email will be sent to you. Any orders with Special Order items will ship when the Special Order items arrive at the shipping depot.

Once your order has shipped the tracking information will be included in your Shipping Confirmation email. Please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the shipping company to update online tracking information. We ship using multiple delivery partners including Canada Post Expedited Parcel, UPS, and Purolator. Orders with a PO Box or Rural Route address ship via Canada Post only. Items may be shipped from multiple locations and arrive in separate packages and on different days.

Free Ground Shipping

Free shipping is available on orders of $69 before tax to most locations in Canada, excluding Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories, remote/beyond zones. Pool & Hot Tub Depot will select the most cost-effective carrier for orders eligible for free shipping to your area, typically Canada Post Expedited ground shipping. Alternative shipping options are available at checkout for an additional fee.

$9.00 Flat Rate Standard Ground Shipping

$9.00 Flat rate standard ground shipping is available on orders under $69 before tax to most locations in Canada, excluding Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories, remote/beyond zones. Pool & Hot Tub Depot will choose the most economical carrier for orders under $69 before tax that have paid the $9 flat-rate shipping fee, usually Canada Post Expedited Ground. Other shipping options can be selected at checkout for an extra cost.

UPS Standard Shipping

UPS Standard is a cost-effective, reliable ground shipping option, available for an additional fee at checkout to select areas in Canada that UPS serves. Please note that the transit time for the package is tracked by UPS starting from the day the order is picked up at the warehouse in London, Ontario, not from the day the order is placed online or by phone. UPS delivery business days are Monday to Friday 9am up to 8pm. All Canadian holidays are excluded and do not count as a business day.

UPS Express Shipping

UPS next business day* delivery is available for an additional fee at checkout to select areas in Canada that UPS serves. Please note that the transit time for the package is tracked by UPS starting from the day the order is picked up at the warehouse in London, Ontario, not from the day the order is placed online or by phone. *UPS delivery business days are Monday to Friday 9am up to 8pm. All Canadian holidays are excluded and do not count as a business day.

In-Store Pickup

In-store pickup is available at the London, Ontario location only. You will be notified via email when your order is available for pick-up. Please wait for the email as your order may not be available for pick up earlier. Orders that have not been picked up within 30 days of the order date may be cancelled and refunded to the original method of payment.

Remote and Airstage Locations

As determined by Canada Post and or UPS, areas considered remote, that receive infrequent mail service or where mail must be airlifted are ineligible for free shipping or $9.00 flat rate shipping. Remote areas are listed in Table 9 and the Air Stage Locations list is available here. Shipping costs to any of these areas is calculated by weight and size of the order, please add the desired items to the cart and enter your postal code in the shipping calculator of the shopping cart.

Shipping Outside Canada

Poolandhottubdepot.com only ships within Canada. Unfortunately we are not able to export our products to any other countries.

Cancellations

Should the need arise to cancel an order after it’s been placed, we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please get in touch with our Customer Care team as soon as possible, ways to contact us can be found here. Once your order moves into the awaiting shipment stage in our warehouse, we may no longer be able to cancel it. Should this be the case, we can help facilitate a return upon delivery (excluding final sale items).