The Intex SX2800 is sold as model 26647EG and is a 2,800 GPH sand filter pump designed for above-ground pools. It is the unit most above-ground owners end up comparing everything else against. This review sticks to what is verified on the manufacturer listing, separates that cleanly from what owners report, and is honest about the specs that are not published. No prices, no star ratings copied across, just what the unit is and who it is for.
| Model | 26647EG |
|---|---|
| Pump flow | 2,800 GPH |
| In-pool system flow | 2,150 GPH |
| Pool range | 5,500 to 17,200 gallons |
| Tank | 14 inch |
| Sand capacity | 77 lb |
| Valve | 6-function |
| Warranty | 2-year limited |
For a typical above-ground pool within its 5,500 to 17,200 gallon rated range, the SX2800 is a strong default choice. You get real sand filtration you clean by backwashing, a genuine 6-function valve, a 24-hour timer, and sand that lasts up to five seasons, and replacement parts are available through Intex. It is not for large pools, and a minority of owners report leakage or sand return, but for most above-ground setups it is the low-fuss choice.
- Example pool
- 15,000 gallon pool
- System flow
- 2,150 GPH in-pool
- Turnover
- About 7 hours
- Our assessment
- Good fit
Is the SX2800 a good fit for your pool?
Good fit if
- You have an above-ground pool
- Your pool is 5,500 to 17,200 gallons
- You want sand filtration rather than a cartridge
- You want a built-in 24-hour timer
- You prefer occasional backwashing over weekly cartridge rinsing
Look elsewhere if
- Your pool is larger than 17,200 gallons
- You have an inground pool with fixed plumbing
- You specifically want variable-speed control
Performance and real flow
The number on the box is 2,800 GPH, and that is the pump's flow. The figure that actually matters for turnover is the in-pool system flow, which Intex states as 2,150 GPH. Both are worth knowing, because sizing on the higher number alone overstates what your pool really receives.
For pool turnover calculations we use the 2,150 GPH system-flow figure rather than the headline 2,800 GPH pump-flow number. At 2,150 GPH, a 15,000 gallon pool turns over in about 7 hours, comfortably inside a single day. The rated maximum is 46.6 GPM, which lines up with 2,800 GPH divided by 60. For a mid-size above-ground pool that is enough flow to keep the water clear without running the pump around the clock.
The 6-function control valve
This is the part that earns its place. The multiport valve gives you six settings: filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, drain, and close. In plain terms, you can filter normally, clean the sand by reversing the flow, settle the sand after a backwash, circulate without filtering, drain the pool, or shut the filter off, all from one lever.
Backwashing through the valve is what keeps a sand filter low-effort. Instead of pulling and rinsing a cartridge every week, you run a backwash when the pressure climbs, and the trapped debris flushes out to waste.
Timer and HydroAeration
The built-in 24-hour timer runs preset cycles from 2 to 12 hours, so the pump can schedule itself. One thing owners note: there is no timer bypass, so if you want it to run outside the preset pattern you work around the timer rather than switching it off.
Intex fits its HydroAeration technology, which the listing says improves circulation, filtration, and water clarity while adding surface aeration. Treat that as a manufacturer feature claim rather than something independently measured here.
Pool compatibility
The verified range is 5,500 to 17,200 gallons, and the system is designed for Intex above-ground pools. That covers most above-ground setups, but not large ones, and not inground.
Owners with Bestway and Coleman pools report fitting it successfully, sometimes with adapters because the connections did not match out of the box. So the honest line is not "fits every pool" but "designed for Intex pools in its gallon range; other brands may need adapters."
Installation and what is in the box
Setup is close to plug-and-play: partial assembly, then connect two 1.5 inch (38 mm) hoses and plug in. The unit ships with those two connector hoses.
It is a corded electric unit on 110 to 120 V with GFCI. It weighs 43 pounds and measures roughly 23 by 16 by 26 inches, so it is heavier and bulkier than a small cartridge pump and wants a stable, level spot on the pad.
Sand and maintenance
The tank is 14 inches and holds 77 pounds of sand. Intex states the sand can last up to 5 years with regular backwashing, which is the main reason a sand system is less hands-on than cartridge over a season.
The routine is simple: filter normally, watch the pressure, and backwash when it climbs above the clean baseline. That is the whole rhythm, and it is why sand suits owners who would rather not fuss weekly.
How long to circulate your pool?
Theoretical turnover at the stated 2,150 GPH in-pool system flow. Match your pool size to the nearest row.
| Pool size | Approx. turnover |
|---|---|
| 5,000 gal | 2.3 hours |
| 10,000 gal | 4.7 hours |
| 15,000 gal | 7 hours |
| 17,200 gal | 8 hours |
These are theoretical times using the stated system flow. Actual circulation varies with plumbing, fittings, elevation, and operating conditions.
SX2800 sand filter vs a cartridge filter
Sand (SX2800) advantages
- Cleaned by backwashing, not weekly cartridge rinsing
- Sand lasts up to 5 years, fewer media replacements
- Better suited to larger above-ground volumes
Cartridge advantages
- No backwash water discharged
- Simpler setup with fewer parts
- Often easier on smaller pools
If you specifically want sand filtration, the SX2800 is the relevant option to consider. If your pool is small and you want the simplest setup, a cartridge system may suit you better.
The trade-offs
What we like
- Sand media lasts up to 5 years with regular backwashing
- Genuine 6-function control valve simplifies backwashing and maintenance
- 24-hour timer with 2 to 12 hour preset cycles
- Widely available Intex parts and media
Worth knowing
- Heavier and bulkier than a cartridge unit (43 lb)
- Backwashing discharges pool water
- Tops out at 17,200 gallons, so not for large pools
What owners report
These are patterns from owner-reported feedback, not our own bench tests or a measured failure rate.
Owners like
- Water clarity: several report near-clear water within about an hour of running
- The 24-hour timer for hands-off scheduling
- Backwashing keeps maintenance simple
- Quiet operation and easy startup
Owners flag
- Noise on some units, though most call it quiet
- Leaks, in some cases near the motor connections
- Fittings and adapters needed for non-Intex pools
- Sand returning to the pool on some units
- Occasional reliability issues within a season
Who should buy the SX2800?
Buy it if
- Your above-ground pool falls within the 5,500 to 17,200 gallon range
- You want low weekly effort and are happy to backwash occasionally
- You value easy parts availability through Intex
Skip it if
- Your pool is larger than the rated range
- You want the finest possible filtration (a cartridge or DE system filters finer)
Consider a larger system if
- You are near the top of the range and expect heavy bather loads
- You want headroom to reach two turnovers a day in peak heat
Common questions
What size pool does the SX2800 suit?
It is verified for above-ground pools from 5,500 to 17,200 gallons. Below that it is comfortable; above it, look at a larger tank-style sand system instead.
What is the difference between the 2,800 and 2,150 GPH figures?
2,800 GPH is the pump's flow rate. 2,150 GPH is the in-pool system flow, the water your pool actually receives once it passes through the filter. Size your turnover on the 2,150 figure to be safe.
Can I use it on a Bestway or Coleman pool?
Owners report doing so, sometimes with adapters because the fittings differ. It is designed for Intex pools, so plan for an adapter if your pool is another brand.
How often do I change the sand?
Intex states the sand can last up to 5 years with regular backwashing. You backwash as pressure rises, and replace the sand every few seasons.
Does it come with a pump?
Yes. It is a combined pump-and-sand-filter unit, which is why it is popular for seasonal above-ground pools.
Verified specifications
| Filter type | Sand |
|---|---|
| Control valve | 6-function (filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, drain, close) |
| Best pool type | Above ground |
| Pool capacity | 5,500 to 17,200 gallons |
| Pump flow | 2,800 GPH pump / 2,150 GPH in-pool system |
| Sand capacity | 77 lb (lasts up to 5 years with regular backwashing) |
| Tank size | 14 inch |
| Timer | 24-hour, 2 to 12 hour cycles |
| Warranty | 2-year limited |
Source: Manufacturer specifications from the product's Amazon listing (model 26647EG), captured September 2026, plus owner-reported review themes.
What we could not confirm
Honest gaps. These figures are not in the manufacturer listing we worked from, so we do not state them rather than guess.
- Motor horsepower, wattage, and amperage
- Exact cord length
- Decibel (noise) rating
- Maximum head height and self-priming specification
- Saltwater compatibility and freeze protection
Our verdict
For a typical above-ground pool within its 5,500 to 17,200 gallon rated range, the SX2800 is a strong default choice. You get real sand filtration you clean by backwashing, a genuine 6-function valve, a 24-hour timer, and sand that lasts up to five seasons, and replacement parts are available through Intex. It is not for large pools, and a minority of owners report leakage or sand return, but for most above-ground setups it is the low-fuss choice.
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