Compare Hot Tub Filter Brands: Pleatco, Hurricane, ProAqua & EGO3

Choosing the right hot tub filter can be confusing because the same spa may have several compatible replacement options. At EZ Hot Tub Parts, we organize filters by the spa brand and model instead of only by filter manufacturer. That means you can shop by your hot tub brand first, then choose the filter option that fits your budget, preference, and maintenance style — from budget-friendly aftermarket to genuine OEM factory filters.

Start here: Shop all hot tub filters | Shop by spa brand | Learn about EGO3 filters

Quick Filter Brand Comparison

Filter Brand	Best For	Position	Notes
Hurricane Filters	Best overall value — our top pick	Best Value	USA-made filters with genuine Pleatco pedigree — founded by a former Pleatco VP of Operations, manufactured in Greenville, PA. Our stocked, ships-fast recommendation for most spa owners.
OEM / Artesian Direct	Exact factory fitment	Factory Fit	Genuine factory replacement filters — the exact filter your spa shipped with. No cross-referencing, no measuring, guaranteed fit. The premium option for Artesian-built spas including Tropic Seas, Island Spas, South Seas, Garden Spas, TidalFit, and Artesian Elite.
Pleatco	The legacy premium name	Premium Name	The name that built the spa filtration industry. Since the Pentair acquisition, Pleatco has become harder to source and premium priced. Still well-made — you’re paying for the name.
ProAqua / ProLine	Lowest-cost replacement filters	Budget	ProLine filters transitioned into ProAqua in summer 2025. These are budget-friendly replacement filters that fit many common spa applications.
EGO3	Reusable cartridge + replaceable filter media	Specialty	EGO3 is a different style of filtration system that uses a reusable cartridge and replaceable internal filter media — replace the media, keep the cartridge.

Our Simple Recommendation

For most spa owners, Hurricane is the sweet spot — USA-made, in stock, and priced below the premium name brands. If you want guaranteed factory fitment with zero guesswork, choose OEM / Artesian Direct (allow for factory-direct shipping times). If you want the lowest possible replacement cost, choose ProAqua. If you specifically want the Pleatco name and don’t mind the premium, choose Pleatco. If your spa uses an EGO3 system, or you want a reusable cartridge with replaceable media, choose the correct EGO3 cartridge for your spa.

Hurricane Filters — Our Best Value Pick

Hurricane is the new name with genuine Pleatco pedigree. Hurricane’s co-founder spent over a decade in US filter cartridge manufacturing — including serving as Vice President of Operations at Pleatco through its acquisition by Pentair in 2021 — before founding Hurricane to do what the legacy brands were known for: quality USA-made cartridges, strong aftermarket fitment, and honest pricing. Hurricane filters are manufactured in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

For the most common Artesian-family replacement filters, Hurricane delivers the quality longtime Pleatco customers expect, made in the USA, at a lower price — which is why Hurricane is our stocked, ships-fast recommendation for most spa owners.

Best for: spa owners who want the filtration quality the Pleatco name was built on — made in the USA, in stock, at a better price.

OEM / Artesian Direct Filters

OEM filters are the genuine factory replacements — the exact filter your spa shipped with from the manufacturer. For Artesian-built spas (Artesian Elite, Island Spas, South Seas, Garden Spas, TidalFit, and Tropic Seas), these are Artesian Direct filters sourced through the factory parts channel.

The advantage of OEM is certainty. There’s no cross-referencing dimensions, no comparing thread styles, and no wondering whether an aftermarket equivalent seals the same way in your filter compartment. If your spa is under warranty, OEM filters also keep your maintenance record unambiguous.

OEM filters cost more than aftermarket equivalents — that’s the trade. Many spa owners run OEM while under warranty or for peace of mind, then switch to a quality aftermarket option like Hurricane once they’ve confirmed their filter fits and performs.

A note on OEM shipping: Artesian Direct filters ship from the factory parts channel, and multi-filter orders occasionally arrive in separate shipments a few days apart. Both filters are on the way — this is normal for factory-direct fulfillment.

Best for: owners who want guaranteed factory fitment, spas under warranty, and anyone who would rather pay a little more than measure threads.

Pleatco Filters — The Legacy Name

Pleatco built its reputation as the king of spa filtration — for years it was the name everyone knew and asked for. Following Pleatco’s acquisition by Pentair in 2021, the brand changed for many distributors and dealers: availability tightened and prices rose. The filters remain well-made, but the brand today is a different operation than the one that built the legend.

Some customers still prefer Pleatco by name or part number, and we can supply it — just expect a premium price and longer lead times compared to our in-stock options. If what you actually want is the quality the Pleatco name used to stand for, made in the USA and in stock, see Hurricane above.

Best for: customers who specifically want the Pleatco brand name and are willing to pay the premium for it.

ProAqua / ProLine Filters

ProLine filters became ProAqua in summer 2025. These filters are commonly used as affordable aftermarket replacements for many popular hot tub filter sizes. They are a strong choice for spa owners who want good fitment, regular replacement, and a lower cost compared to premium-name filters.

For many customers, ProAqua is the best value option. If you clean and rotate filters regularly, a lower-cost replacement filter can make it easier to stay on schedule without overspending.

Best for: value shoppers, routine filter replacement, online buyers looking for the correct fit at the best price.

EGO3 Filters

EGO3 filters are different from standard pleated cartridge filters. Instead of replacing the entire filter cartridge every time, EGO3 uses a multi-application reusable cartridge with replaceable internal filter media.

EGO3 filters were introduced in Germany and have been sold successfully across Europe. They are designed to reduce weekly filter cleaning, reduce plastic waste, and capture very small particles. EGO3 states that its filters can capture particles as small as 1 micron.

EGO3 filters are made in Germany and Austria. According to EGO3, no part of EGO3 is produced in China, and their factories meet environmental and social standards.

Best for: spa owners who want easier maintenance, less filter cleaning, reduced plastic waste, and a reusable cartridge system.

Learn more about EGO3 hot tub filters

Which Filter Should I Buy?

Choose Hurricane if…

You want USA-made filtration with genuine Pleatco pedigree, in stock and ready to ship, at a lower price than the premium name brands.

Choose OEM / Artesian Direct if…

You want the exact factory filter with zero fitment guesswork, your spa is under warranty, or you simply prefer genuine parts.

Choose Pleatco if…

You specifically want the Pleatco brand or are replacing an existing Pleatco filter and want to stay with the same name-brand option.

Choose ProAqua if…

You want the lowest-cost replacement filter that fits your spa. ProAqua is a strong option for customers who replace filters regularly and want the best value.

Choose EGO3 if…

Your spa is compatible with EGO3 and you want a reusable cartridge with replaceable filter media instead of replacing the entire cartridge every time.

Shop Hot Tub Filters by Spa Brand

EZ Hot Tub Parts organizes filters by the hot tub brand because that is usually the easiest way for spa owners to find the correct replacement. Use the filter category below, then choose your spa brand or model family.

Need Help Finding the Right Filter?

✅ Need Help Finding the Right Filter?

Hot tub filter fitment can vary by spa brand, model, year, filter compartment, thread style, top style, bottom fitting, and part number.

To help us identify the correct replacement filter, please send clear photos of your existing filter label or part number, the top and bottom of the filter, and the filter area inside your spa if accessible.

EZ Hot Tub Parts can help confirm filter fitment before you order and help reduce costly returns.

Hot Tub Filter Brand Comparison FAQs

OEM / Artesian Direct filters are the genuine factory replacements with guaranteed fitment. Pleatco is the legacy premium name-brand pleated filter, now harder to source since its acquisition by Pentair. Hurricane is a USA-made filter brand founded by a former Pleatco operations executive, focused on premium quality at competitive pricing. ProAqua is a value-focused aftermarket brand offering affordable replacements. EGO3 uses a reusable cartridge with replaceable filter media instead of replacing the entire cartridge.

Not always. A more expensive filter may offer better materials, stronger end caps, tighter manufacturing tolerances, or longer service life, but proper fitment and regular maintenance matter more than brand alone. A correctly sized aftermarket filter often performs very well when maintained properly.

Pleatco is generally considered the more premium brand and has strong recognition in the pool and spa industry. ProAqua is typically the better value option for customers focused on affordability. When dimensions and specifications match, both can be suitable depending on your budget and replacement preferences.

Hurricane was founded by a filter cartridge veteran who served as Vice President of Operations at Pleatco through its acquisition by Pentair — so the quality philosophy is shared DNA, not imitation. Hurricane filters are made in the USA in Greenville, Pennsylvania, are typically in stock, and cost less. Today’s Pleatco remains well-made but is harder to source and premium priced since the acquisition. For most spa owners, Hurricane delivers the quality the Pleatco name was built on at a better price.

Yes. Hurricane Filters was founded with a mission to bring cartridge filter manufacturing, production, and distribution back to the USA. Hurricane manufactures its filters in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

ProLine filters transitioned into the ProAqua brand during summer 2025. Many filter sizes and applications remained similar, but branding and packaging changed.

Yes, as long as the replacement filter matches the original filter’s dimensions, top style, bottom fitting, thread type, and filtration area. Many aftermarket filters are cross-referenced to Pleatco, Unicel, Filbur, and OEM part numbers.

Many spa owners prefer Pleatco because they recognize the brand, trust its reputation, and often search by Pleatco part number. Pleatco has been widely used in the pool and spa industry for years. Since the Pentair acquisition, that recognition comes with a premium price and longer lead times.

Aftermarket filters such as ProAqua and Hurricane often offer lower pricing while still providing reliable fitment and filtration. Many spa owners choose aftermarket options to reduce maintenance costs without sacrificing performance.

Traditional pleated filters use a disposable pleated cartridge that is cleaned and eventually replaced. EGO3 uses a reusable cartridge body with replaceable filter media inside. This design reduces plastic waste and can simplify maintenance for compatible spas.

EGO3 states its filtration media can capture particles as small as 1 micron, which may exceed traditional pleated filter performance in some applications. Real-world performance still depends on water chemistry, circulation, maintenance, and spa usage.

OEM filters guarantee exact factory fitment with no cross-referencing, which matters most for spas under warranty or filter compartments with unusual thread or seal styles. A correctly matched aftermarket filter performs comparably for most spas — the OEM premium buys certainty, not necessarily better filtration.

Artesian Direct OEM filters ship from the factory parts channel, and multi-filter orders sometimes ship separately a few days apart. Both filters are on the way — this is normal for factory-direct fulfillment, not a missing item.

Choose based on your priorities. Hurricane is our recommendation for most spa owners — USA-made quality, in stock, at a strong price. OEM / Artesian Direct is the choice for guaranteed factory fitment or spas under warranty. ProAqua is ideal for value-focused buyers, Pleatco appeals to customers who specifically want the legacy premium name, and EGO3 is best for compatible spas seeking easier maintenance and reusable filtration.