Salt chlorinators Hayward

Salt Chlorinators Hayward: AquaRite's American brand and common platform with Sugar Valley

Hayward Industries has been manufacturing pool equipment since 1925 in the United States, where its historic AquaRite line is the best-selling salt chlorinator on the North American market. In Europe, Hayward distributes an adapted version of the AquaRite -now AquaRite NEO-and the compact Plug & Clear line for pools up to 30-60 m³. And here comes a technical detail that many customers are not aware of and that is important: in Europe, the Hayward chlorinators share an electronic platform with Sugar Valley (also distributed by Quimipool). This means that Wi-Fi modules, pH and ORP probes, peristaltic pumps and accessory kits are interchangeable between the two brands.

On this page you have the 16 products Hayward distributed by Quimipool: Plug & Clear and AquaRite NEO chlorinators, the optional kits shared with Sugar Valley (pH control, ORP, Vistapool Wi-Fi module, salinity, flow, temperature), the official technical review Hayward at 59,90 € and the Pool Terre grounding components. Here I help you to choose and to understand when Hayward is the right bet.

Why Hayward and for whom

Three traits place Hayward in a particular proposition:

• American brand with 100 years of history and worldwide commercial network. Hayward is one of the few large multinationals with a consolidated presence in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. For customers who move from country to country or have properties in several markets, they can find support Hayward almost anywhere in the world.
• AquaRite NEO: an evolutionary line of the world's best-selling chlorinator. The original AquaRite has been the USA benchmark for decades and the NEO version is the latest evolution, optimized for the European market with modern accessory compatibility.
• Shared platform with Sugar Valley in Europe. The two brands use the same electronic base for the accessory modules, which means that the customer can freely combine: Hayward chlorinator + Sugar Valley probes, or Sugar Valley Wi-Fi module on Hayward chlorinator, etc. Useful both for individuals and for maintainers running mixed fleets.

It is the natural choice for customers with properties in several countries who value a global sales network, maintainers who already know the Sugar Valley platform and want technical consistency, and private owners who prefer the classic American brand over smaller European manufacturers.

The range Hayward: Plug & Clear and AquaRite NEO

Plug & Clear: the entry-level compact chlorinator

The Plug & Clear line is the simplest and most economical proposal from Hayward. Compact design, quick-connect installation (literally "plug and clear", plug and forget), self-cleaning cell, manual production adjustment. Two models available:

• Plug & Clear 10 (679 €): 10 g/h, up to 30 m³
• Plug & Clear 20 (729 €): 20 g/h, up to 60 m³

Designed for private users who want to enter into saline electrolysis without complications, with a compact unit that does not take up much space in the machine room and can be installed in a few hours. It is the most economical entry level of the Hayward catalog, comparable in price to a BSV BSsalt or a Innowater SALT but with the American brand behind.

It does not support automatic pH/ORP control in its most basic version. If you want automation, move up to the AquaRite NEO range.

AquaRite NEO: the core range

AquaRite NEO is the main line of Hayward in Europe, an evolution of the historic AquaRite that is a legend in the North American market. Available in three productions:

• AquaRite NEO 16 g/h: up to about 50 m³
• AquaRite NEO 22 g/h: up to approx. 80 m³
• AquaRite NEO 33 g/h: up to 120 m³ approx

Technical features:

• Cell with TurboCell technology: titanium electrodes with noble metal oxide coating, indicative lifetime similar to market standard
• Configurableself-cleaning by polarity inversion
• Integratedsalinity sensor: continuously reads salt concentration and warns if it falls out of range
• Native compatibility with Sugar Valley accessories: pH kit, ORP kit, Wi-Fi Vistapool module, temperature module, flow detector, salinity control
• Informative LCD display with simple interface

AquaRite NEO pricing is available upon request, depending on exact configuration and availability. For a targeted quote, contact technical support or call directly.

How to size your Hayward

Same rule of thumb as for any serious chlorinator: work at 50-60% capacity in normal summer conditions. The Hayward range covers mainly medium-sized residential pools:

Pool volume	Recommended production	Model Hayward
Up to 30 m³	10 g/h	Plug & Clear 10
30-50 m³	16 g/h	AquaRite NEO 16
50-60 m³	20-22 g/h	Plug & Clear 20 / AquaRite NEO 22
60-100 m³	22-33 g/h	AquaRite NEO 22/33
100-120 m³	33 g/h	AquaRite NEO 33
More than 120 m³	Exit range Hayward residential	Consider Astralpool o Innowater semi-industrial

The Hayward Europe range does not cover the semi-industrial segment (over 50 g/h) with the same depth as Astralpool (Easy Salt Next VC 75 g/h) or Innowater (SMC-M and SMC-H). For large community pools or public facilities, it is advisable to look outside the Hayward catalog.

Shared platform Hayward + Sugar Valley: what does it mean in practice?

This is the technical detail that many customers are not aware of and which has real practical consequences:

• Optional accessories are interchangeable. The pH Control Kit (199 €), ORP Control Kit (219 €), Vistapool Wi-Fi Module (269 €), Ethernet Module (479 €), Temperature Module (99 €), Flow Detector (105 €) and Salinity Control (575 €) work on both Hayward and Sugar Valley chlorinators. If you have an AquaRite NEO and want to add Wi-Fi, the Sugar Valley Vistapool module is the official solution.
• The Vistapool app manages both brands. There is no specific app for chlorinators Hayward in Europe: mobile control is done through the Vistapool app, the same as Sugar Valley. If a maintainer runs mixed fleets of Hayward and Sugar Valley, he manages all of them from a single app.
• Spare parts and compatibilities. Many control unit electronics are common between AquaRite NEO and Sugar Valley Aquascenic/Hidrolife, which facilitates long-term spare parts availability.

This is not marketing: it is common platform engineering that Hayward and Sugar Valley apply in Europe. For the customer, the consequence is more configuration options and better spare parts availability compared to brands that maintain closed ecosystems.

Configurations available

As with any serious chlorinator, the Hayward can be left in various levels of automation by combining compatible accessories:

• Basic (Plug & Clear or AquaRite NEO without accessories): manual production adjustment. You measure chlorine and pH with a good pool photometer and adjust the chlorinator by hand.
• With pH kit (199 €): automatic dosing of acid when the pH rises above the setpoint. Recommended almost always in pool with salt chlorinator.
• With pH kit + ORP kit (199 € + 219 €): automatic control of chlorine production according to the actual ORP. Setup "install and forget" until the end of the season.
• With Vistapool Wi-Fi module (269 €) or Ethernet module (479 €): connectivity and mobile app. Useful for second homes and remote management.
• With flow detector (105 €): extra protection against overchlorination due to lack of flow.
• With salinity control (575 €): permanent digital reading of the salt concentration, useful in professional pools where registration is needed.

The difference between buying the basic chlorinator and the chlorinator with all the kits can add up to an additional €800-1,000. For a private family pool, the pH kit and the Wi-Fi module are the two most amortizable investments; the rest, according to specific needs.

Official technical service Hayward

Something that differentiates the offer Hayward at Quimipool is the Salt Chlorinator Check-up Hayward (59,90 €), an official technical service that includes equipment diagnosis, cell operation test, deep cleaning, sensor check and issuance of technical report. It is the equivalent of an "MOT" for the chlorinator.

Recommended:

• At the beginning of each season if the equipment has been in intensive use for more than 4-5 years
• After breakdown or suspected malfunction before changing the cell without diagnosis
• On transfer or purchase of property where you do not know the history of the equipment

Few manufacturers offer this type of after-sales service with a closed and known rate from the beginning. Hayward and Quimipool do it and, for customers who value professional maintenance without surprises in the invoice, it is a real argument.

Hayward vs. other brands of salt chlorinators

Each brand has its own profile:

• Hayward is the global American option with a shared platform with Sugar Valley and a worldwide commercial network. A safe bet if you value a classic brand with a long history.
• Sugar Valley shares an electronic platform with Hayward and provides its own lines (Aquascenic, Hidrolife) with combined treatments (chlorinator + UV + ozone).
• Astralpool is the other large multinational, fully manufactured in Espa, with the widest range (E-Next, Clear Connect, Elite Connect with CellWare 18,000 h, Easy Salt Next VC industrial).
• Innowater is the Spanish option with long-life cells (14,000 h SMC) and historical compatibility with NaturalChlor.
• BSV provides hardware modularity (upgrade Evo Basic → Evo Touch without works) and the low-salinity Low Salt line.
• Idegis the Aquark/QP offers native Wi-Fi connectivity and the Scalable line (scalable production without replacing equipment).
• Aquark/QP offers inverter and all-in-one technology (pH, ORP, Wi-Fi and low salinity as standard).
• Zodiac has a wide range with Ei, Gen and XA lines very popular in the domestic market.

If your priority is an American brand with global support and worldwide commercial network, Hayward is the natural choice. If you are looking for maximum cell life, Astralpool with CellWare 18,000 h. If it's local manufacturing and peninsular support closer to you, Innowater or BSV. If it is all inclusive without kits, Aquark Mr. Pure Genius. If you have a pool with an old Sugar Valley chlorinator and need replacement, Hayward is practically plug-and-play.

For replacements and maintenance of Hayward, in salt chlorinators spare parts you have the catalog, and specifically for this brand there is a dedicated section of chlorinators spare parts Hayward within the catalog of Quimipool.

Maintenance and considerations

Four specific tips for Hayward:

• If your chlorinator Hayward is old (original AquaRite, not NEO) and you need to replace the cell, check compatibility: AquaRite NEO cells may fit mechanically but the control electronics have changed in recent versions. Better diagnose before with the Overhaul service (59,90 €).
• To add connectivity to an AquaRite NEO that came without Wi-Fi, Sugar Valley's Vistapool module is the official option. It works perfectly and does not require changing the chlorinator.
• The AquaRite NEO's built-in salinity sensor is useful but should be checked each season against a separate conductivity meter: readings can drift over time, especially in very hard water.
• In overwintering, lower production to 0% but do not switch off: the AquaRite electronics retain calibration better if it maintains current, even if it is not producing.

As in any salt chlorinator installation, Pool Terre grounding is recommended (109 € for 50 mm, 139 € for 63 mm) to neutralize stray currents and protect the submerged metal components.

Find your salt chlorinator Hayward in the listing above. Filter by production and recommended pool size. Free shipping on orders over 150 € and usual delivery in 24-48 h in peninsula. If you want to confirm the updated price of the AquaRite NEO range, quote the official overhaul for your equipment or check compatibility with your current Sugar Valley accessories, call 91 128 55 90 or write us from the contact form: our technical team is available from Monday to Friday during business hours.