Replacing or upgrading a pool outlet fitting sounds simple until you start sorting through adapter sizes, thread types, and strainer attachments. The right part depends on whether you run an Intex-style soft-wall pool, a Bestway, a Coleman, or a more permanent above-ground setup with a sand filter plumbed in. Below, you’ll find nine options that cover the most common outlet and inlet needs, from budget strainer replacements to complete return jet assemblies.
The Leading Options At A Glance
Waterway Clearwater Sand Filter Waste Port Adapter
CVILL P6H1317 Pool Inlet and Outlet Filter
GAME 40mm to 1.5-Inch Pool Hose Adapter Conversion Kit
River Country Inlet Outlet Strainer P6H1317 Replacement
Fairooth Pool Hose Conversion Adapters Kit (4 Pack)
EINDER Above Ground Pool Return Fitting for Hayward SP1023
Hayward SP1408 In-Ground Return Inlet Fitting
ATIE SP1023 Above Ground Pool Return Outlet Jet Fitting
Amptyhub Above Ground Pool Return Outlet Jet Fitting (2 Pack)
The Details Behind The Selections
This adapter is the part you reach for when a Clearwater or Carefree sand filter has developed a slow leak around the waste port, or when an old threaded fitting has finally cracked from years of seasonal tightening. Waterway’s waste port adapter slots into the drain/waste opening and gives you a usable threaded connection for a hose or a cap.
For owners running Waterway-branded equipment, the fit is what makes this part worth considering over a generic PVC fitting. Thread pitch and port depth tend to vary between filter brands, and forcing a mismatched part is a common cause of slow drips. In a normal spring tune-up, the swap takes only a few minutes once the filter is depressurized.
Useful Strengths
- Direct match for Clearwater and Carefree sand filter waste ports.
- Machined threads that hold a tight seal with a standard hose cap.
- Compact part, easy to keep in a pool-parts drawer for emergencies.
Things To Consider
- Limited usefulness if your filter is a different brand.
- Plastic threads can cross-thread if forced, so hand-thread first.
Key Product Details
Whose Pool Room It Belongs In
Shoppers running a Waterway Clearwater or Carefree sand filter on an above-ground pool and need a reliable waste port replacement.
Look Elsewhere When
The CVILL P6H1317 is a better match if you’re maintaining a soft-wall Intex or Coleman pool and need a strainer at the water inlet instead of a sand filter port.
Soft-wall above-ground pools rely on small threaded strainers at the inlet and outlet to keep leaves, hair, and grit out of the hose and pump. The CVILL P6H1317 serves either role, which is helpful when you have a single replacement job that could go on either side of the wall.
It’s built for pools with a 1.5-inch hose connection and a 2.5-inch threaded fitting on the strainer body, which covers a large share of Intex and Coleman setups. The mesh screen is fine enough to catch debris that would otherwise clog your pump impeller in a single afternoon.
Where It Helps
- Doubles as inlet or outlet strainer without modification.
- Threaded body matches common 2.5-inch pool wall ports.
- Fine mesh that noticeably cuts down on pump clogs.
Points To Note
- Mesh needs periodic rinsing to maintain flow, especially after storms.
- Confirm thread pitch before ordering if your pool is several seasons old.
Made For
Shoppers with Intex or Coleman above-ground pools who want one strainer part that can cover either the inlet or the outlet side.
Consider Something Else When
The River Country Inlet Outlet Strainer is a stronger pick if you want a single replacement that explicitly lists Bestway compatibility alongside Intex and Coleman.
Soft-side pool hoses are often 40mm in diameter, while many aftermarket pumps, filters, and salt-water systems use 1.5-inch fittings. That size mismatch is exactly the headache the GAME conversion kit is built to fix, and the two-adapter pack is sized for an inlet and outlet pair.
Where this kit earns its place is during equipment upgrades. Replacing a stock Intex pump with a more powerful unit is a common project, and the GAME adapters let you keep your existing hoses instead of buying new ones. You may find the plastic feels lighter than expected, but the fit is usually snug once the hose clamp goes on.
Real Benefits
- Bridges the 40mm to 1.5-inch gap on both inlet and outlet.
- Lets you mix Intex-style hoses with non-Intex filtration gear.
- Two adapters in a pack covers a full hookup.
Trade Offs
- Plastic bodies are best paired with quality hose clamps to prevent slow slippage.
- Won’t help if your pump uses 1.25-inch threads, which need a different kit.
Feature Snapshot
Best Suited To
Shoppers who want to upgrade their pump or filter on an Intex-style pool without replacing the existing hose set.
Skip It When
The Fairooth 4 Pack is a better fit if you’d rather keep spare adapters on hand or if your setup has multiple pumps and a heater in the loop.
River Country leans into the cross-brand reality of soft-wall above-ground pools, where one backyard might have an Intex frame, a Bestway liner, and a Coleman filter. The P6H1317 replacement strainer is built to sit comfortably in any of those setups, with the same 33mm (1.5-inch) connection that shows up across the category.
It’s a true dual-position piece: the body threads into either an inlet or an outlet port. For most households, the practical benefit is that the part drawer gets simpler, since you can stock a single SKU instead of brand-specific versions.
What Earns Its Place
- Confirmed fitment for Intex, Bestway, and Coleman pools.
- Works as either inlet or outlet strainer.
- Standard 33mm connection keeps the install familiar.
Honest Caveats
- Mesh catches debris well but needs a quick rinse every couple of weeks during heavy leaf season.
- Plastic threads can wear if the strainer is removed and reinstalled frequently.
Who It Suits Best
Shoppers with a mixed-brand soft-wall pool who want one strainer SKU that fits three of the most common above-ground setups.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The CVILL P6H1317 is a comparable alternative if you prefer that brand’s specific mesh design or want a slightly different body shape on the threaded end.
The Fairooth 4-pack is the kind of kit that pays for itself the first time an old adapter cracks mid-season. Four adapters, four o-rings, and four gaskets come in the box, and the plastic and PVC construction is gray throughout so it’s easy to spot on a cluttered workbench.
Each adapter bridges a 40mm pool hose to a 1.5-inch connection, so it covers the same job as the GAME two-pack from earlier, but with double the inventory. For households running multiple pumps, a heater, and a salt-water system, that headroom removes the “we’re out of spare adapters” panic.
The Case For It
- Four adapters cover multi-component plumbing setups.
- Includes o-rings and gaskets for proper sealing.
- Useful as a long-term spare-parts stash.
Worth Noting
- More adapters than most single-pool owners will use at once.
- Plastic and PVC build, so keep the kit away from direct heat and flame sources.
Spec Overview
The Right Fit
Shoppers running a more complex above-ground pool setup with several pumps or a heater, and who want spares on the shelf.
Swap It Out When
The GAME 40mm to 1.5-inch kit is a leaner pick if you only need one inlet and one outlet adapter and don’t want extras sitting in the drawer.
The Hayward SP1023 is one of the most common return fittings on above-ground pools, and replacement bodies are a frequent parts order. The EINDER unit is a direct SP1023 substitute with 1.5-inch male and female threads, a locknut, and a gasket in the box.
It threads into the standard pre-cut wall opening, then accepts either a hose barb adapter for flexible hose hookups or a slip-to-MPT adapter for hard pipe. The dual-thread design is a small detail that pays off during a swap, because you don’t have to choose between barb fittings and rigid plumbing until you’re already mid-install.
Positive Takeaways
- Direct replacement for the SP1023 fitting.
- 1.5-inch male and female threads for flexible install options.
- Locknut and gasket included.
Soft Spots
- Doesn’t include a directional eyeball, so add one if you want flow control.
- Gasket seating depends on a clean, flat wall opening, so inspect the old surface first.
Quick Facts
Perfect Match For
Shoppers with a Hayward SP1023 outlet that needs a direct replacement and who are comfortable sourcing an eyeball or directional fitting separately.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The ATIE SP1023 Complete Return Jet Fitting is a stronger pick if you want the directional eyeball, gaskets, and adapter all in a single box.
The SP1408 sits a step up from the SP1023, and it’s the fitting you usually find on vinyl-liner or fiberglass pools where the wall material can handle a more substantial threaded body. Hayward builds the body out of ABS plastic (a rigid, impact-resistant thermoplastic) and pairs it with stainless steel screws for the locking ring.
The fitting accepts 1.5-inch FIP (female iron pipe) connections and ships with a combo locknut and spacer. For most above-ground pool owners, the part is overkill. For in-ground vinyl and fiberglass shells, it’s the standard the rest of the category is measured against.
Noteworthy Benefits
- ABS body with stainless steel hardware resists corrosion.
- Designed for vinyl and fiberglass pool walls.
- Includes gaskets, locking ring, and combo locknut/spacer.
Factors To Consider
- Overspec for soft-wall above-ground pools.
- Body thread is 1.5-inch FIP, so confirm your plumbing matches before ordering.
Feature Rundown
Who Should Grab It
Shoppers maintaining a vinyl or fiberglass in-ground pool who want a long-service return fitting from a familiar brand.
Another Choice May Suit
The EINDER SP1023 replacement is a better match for above-ground vinyl pools that use the smaller SP1023 opening.
The ATIE complete return jet fitting is a one-box solution for a tired above-ground outlet. You get the directional eyeball (a small rotating ball that aims returning water around the pool), a wall adapter, gaskets, and a hose adapter that accepts both 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch connections, all sized for the standard pre-cut wall opening.
The eyeball is a useful upgrade over a plain return fitting because it lets you angle the flow toward problem corners where debris tends to settle. The 3/4-inch opening on the eyeball is a common flow size, and the body sits flush against standard vinyl liners.
Strong Points
- Includes directional eyeball, gaskets, wall adapter, and hose adapter.
- Fits the standard pre-cut wall opening on most above-ground pools.
- Eyeball lets you aim flow at debris-prone corners.
Room For Improvement
- Eyeball can stiffen over time in hard-water areas, so plan a periodic clean-out.
- Single-pack only, so a two-outlet pool needs two orders or the Amptyhub two-pack.
Built With In Mind
Shoppers with a single above-ground outlet that needs a full replacement kit, including the directional eyeball.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The Amptyhub two-pack is the better value if you have two outlets to service at the same time.
Most above-ground pools have two return outlets, and replacing one while leaving the other cracked and faded is a common shortcut that ends up costing more in the long run. The Amptyhub two-pack solves that by shipping two complete assemblies in one box, so both outlets get a matching directional eyeball, gaskets, wall adapter, and hose adapter.
The included hose adapters accept 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch connections, and the eyeball opening is 3/4 inch with a 3.5-inch face diameter. For most homeowners tackling a full refit, that symmetry between the two outlets is a small quality-of-life win.
What It Does Well
- Two complete assemblies for a full-pool outlet refit.
- Directional eyeballs on both fittings for matching flow control.
- Hose adapters cover 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch connections.
Points To Keep In Mind
- Two-pack is more than you need for a single-outlet repair.
- Eyeball mechanism benefits from an annual clean in hard-water regions.
Whose Pool It Belongs In
Shoppers planning a full refit on a two-outlet above-ground pool who want matching parts without two separate orders.
Not Your Match When
The single-pack ATIE assembly is a more sensible order if only one outlet needs attention right now.
What Matters Most Before Choosing above ground pool outlet
Match the fitting to your pool wall and brand
Soft-wall pools use 1.25-inch to 1.5-inch threaded strainers and adapters, while rigid above-ground pools often run Hayward SP1023 or SP1408 return fittings. Confirm your wall opening and thread type before ordering, since forcing a wrong thread is the most common cause of slow leaks at the outlet.
Think about flow direction and debris patterns
A directional eyeball fitting is a useful upgrade if leaves and silt tend to collect in specific corners. For most rectangular pools, two outlet fittings aimed at opposite corners cover the heavy debris areas. Round pools often need the flow angled to push debris toward the skimmer or outlet for easier removal.
Plan for spares and chemical exposure
Plastic and PVC parts hold up well to standard chlorine and salt levels, but o-rings and gaskets degrade faster than the bodies. Keeping a small stash of spare o-rings, gaskets, and at least one extra adapter means a mid-season failure turns into a 20-minute swap rather than a panicked parts run.
Right-size the kit to the job
A 4-pack adapter kit makes sense for households running multiple pumps or a heater. A single return jet assembly or one replacement strainer is the better call for a one-off repair. Buying for the job you actually have, not the job you might have next year, keeps the parts drawer from filling with parts that never get used.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
A common mistake is ordering a 40mm-to-1.5-inch adapter for a pool that actually runs 1.25-inch threaded connections. The mismatch shows up as a hose that won’t seat fully, and the resulting gap leaks under pump pressure. Another frequent slip is buying a return fitting body without the matching locknut, gasket, or wall adapter, which then requires a second order before the install can finish. Measure twice and confirm the wall opening size before any outlet swap.
When Paying More Pays Off
Spending more tends to buy three things in this category: a sturdier body material, stainless steel hardware instead of plated steel, and a complete kit instead of a bare fitting. For an above-ground pool that’s only opened a few months a year, the mid-tier parts are usually enough. For a pool that runs year-round in a warm climate, the upgrade to ABS bodies and stainless hardware is the kind of purchase you only make once, because the parts simply outlast their cheaper counterparts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which above ground pool outlet size I need?
Measure the threaded opening on the existing fitting or check your pool manual for the connection size. Soft-wall pools usually run 1.25-inch or 1.5-inch threaded ports, while rigid-wall above-ground pools often use Hayward SP1023 or SP1408 return fittings. A quick tape-measure check is the fastest way to avoid a wrong order.
Can I use a sand filter waste port adapter as a regular outlet?
The Waterway Clearwater waste port adapter is designed specifically for the waste opening on a sand filter, not the pool wall outlet. Using it in the wrong location can lead to thread mismatch and leaks. Stick with the part designed for the location you’re working on.
How often should I clean a pool outlet strainer?
Most strainers benefit from a quick rinse every two to four weeks during the swim season. Pools near trees or in dusty areas may need more frequent cleaning. A clogged strainer shows up as reduced pump flow and longer filter cycles, both of which clear up once the mesh is rinsed.
Is it worth buying a two-pack of return fittings?
A two-pack makes sense if your pool has two return outlets and you want matching parts, or if you want a spare on the shelf for the next season. A single-pack is the better call for a one-outlet repair. The price-per-fitting in a two-pack is usually friendlier, but only when you’ll actually use both.
Do I need to replace the gasket when I swap a return fitting?
Yes, reusing an old gasket is a common source of slow leaks after a fitting swap. Fresh gaskets and o-rings come with most replacement fittings, but it’s worth confirming the included parts before you start the install. A new gasket is a small cost that prevents a return trip to the parts drawer.
Closing Remarks
The right above ground pool outlet part depends less on brand loyalty and more on matching the actual fitting to your pool wall, hose size, and equipment. Strainers and adapters solve hookup and debris problems, while return jet assemblies handle worn or cracked outlets. Measure the existing fitting, confirm the thread and connection size, and pick a kit that covers the job you have right now. With those basics handled, the rest of the swap is usually a quiet afternoon project rather than a weekend repair.
