Pentair FullFloXF 620 vs. Clean & Clear Plus: Which Filter Wins?
Short answer: the Pentair FullFloXF 620 (model 160448) wins if you have a big pool with high-flow plumbing. The Clean & Clear Plus wins for most everyday inground pools. Both are excellent cartridge filters, so this really comes down to how much water your system moves.
We sell a lot of both, and customers ask us about this matchup all the time. Here's how they actually compare, without the marketing fluff.
What is the Pentair FullFloXF 620?
The FullFloXF 620 (160448) is Pentair's big high-flow cartridge filter, built with 620 square feet of filter area. It's made for pools that push a lot of water, like large pools, pools with water features, or systems plumbed with oversized pipe.
The XF in the name matters. It stands for extra flow, and the whole filter body is designed to cut down on flow restriction. Less restriction means your pump doesn't work as hard, which can shave a little off your energy bill over a season. If you're running a high-output variable speed pump, this filter lets it breathe.
What is the Clean & Clear Plus?
The Clean & Clear Plus is Pentair's standard workhorse cartridge filter line, available in several sizes including 320, 420, and 520 square feet. It uses four cartridges inside a tough fiberglass-reinforced tank, and it's been one of the most popular inground pool filters in the country for years.
For a typical residential pool with standard 2 inch plumbing, a Clean & Clear Plus in the right size does everything you need. It's easy to open, easy to clean, and replacement cartridges are simple to find.
Which filter has more capacity?
The FullFloXF 620 has more filter area than any single Clean & Clear Plus model. At 620 square feet, it beats even the largest Clean & Clear Plus (the 520) by about 100 square feet.
More filter area means two practical things:
- Longer stretches between cleanings, since dirt spreads across more surface
- Lower pressure at the same flow rate, so better circulation overall
That said, capacity isn't everything. A 520 square foot Clean & Clear Plus is already generous for most pools up to around 30,000 gallons. Going bigger than you need isn't harmful, but you may be paying for headroom you'll never use.
Do you have high-flow plumbing?
This is the question that usually settles it. The FullFloXF is built for systems with larger plumbing and high flow rates. If your pad is plumbed with 2.5 or 3 inch pipe, or you're pairing the filter with a high-horsepower pump like a Max-E-ProXF or an IntelliFlo XF, the FullFloXF 620 is the natural match.
If your pool has standard 2 inch plumbing and a regular residential pump, the extra flow capacity of the XF is mostly wasted. Your pipes become the bottleneck, not the filter. In that setup the Clean & Clear Plus is the smarter buy.
How much do they cost?
The FullFloXF 620 (160448) runs $1,999 in our store. The Clean & Clear Plus 520 (160332) is $1,699, and smaller sizes cost less from there, with the 420 (160301) at $1,578.
So you're looking at roughly a $300 premium for the XF over the biggest Clean & Clear Plus. If your system can actually use the extra flow, that premium is worth it. If it can't, put that money toward fresh cartridges down the road instead.
So which filter should you buy?
Buy the FullFloXF 620 if any of these describe your pool:
- Large pool, roughly 30,000 gallons or more
- Oversized 2.5 or 3 inch plumbing on the equipment pad
- High-flow pump, spa jets, or big water features
- You want the longest possible time between filter cleanings
Buy a Clean & Clear Plus if this sounds more like you:
- Standard residential inground pool with 2 inch plumbing
- Typical variable speed or single speed pump
- You want proven performance at a lower price
Either way you're getting a quality Pentair tank that should last many years with basic care. The FullFloXF 620 is the specialist, and the Clean & Clear Plus is the all-rounder. Match the filter to your plumbing and pool size and you won't regret the choice.
Not sure this is the right part for your problem? Reach out and we will help you figure out exactly what you need before you spend money on the wrong thing.