Doughboy 2396-020 Filter Cartridge
Doughboy OEM number • 20 sq ft • 7″ OD × 6.5″ long
2396-020 is Doughboy's number for this cartridge, not a part you have to buy from Doughboy. The filter itself is a 20 square foot cartridge measuring 7 inches across and 6.5 inches long, and Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur all build it. If you read 2396-020 off an old cartridge or found it in your manual, any of the numbers below drops into the same housing.
Fitment notes
Injection molded knob/closed top. Doughboy 20 sq ft pool filter.
What to buy instead
Replacements for the Doughboy 2396-020
Each button searches Amazon for one of the numbers this cartridge is sold under. The OEM version is usually the most expensive of the set and the aftermarket versions are the same physical filter, so it is worth checking all of them before you order.
Every number for this filter
| Brand | Part Number | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Doughboy | 2396-020 | The number you searched |
| Pleatco | PD20SL-4 | Aftermarket equivalent |
| Unicel | C-7401 | Aftermarket equivalent |
Full specs, the cartridge diagram, and the complete compatibility list live on the PD20SL-4 cartridge page. You can also see every 7″ × 6.5″ cartridge if you are checking a measurement rather than a part number.
Equipment that uses this cartridge
Looking for a different model? Browse every Doughboy model we cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What filter replaces the Doughboy 2396-020?
The PD20SL-4 replaces it directly, and so does every cross-reference for it: C-7401. All of them are the same 20 sq ft cartridge at 7" outer diameter and 6.5" long. Buy whichever is cheapest at the time with solid recent reviews.
Is the Doughboy 2396-020 the same as the PD20SL-4?
Yes, physically the same filter. Doughboy 2396-020 is an OEM number, meaning it is the code Doughboy put on the cartridge that shipped with the equipment. Doughboy does not manufacture cartridges. Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur do, and they sell the identical part under their own numbers at a lower price. Match the dimensions against your old cartridge before ordering and you are covered.
Do I have to buy the Doughboy version?
No. Nothing about the housing requires an OEM-branded cartridge, and the warranty on your equipment is not voided by using an aftermarket filter that meets the same spec. The reason to buy OEM is convenience, not performance. The reason not to is price, which is often a meaningful gap for an identical part. What matters is that outer diameter, length, and end-cap style all match.
What size is the Doughboy 2396-020?
7 inches in outer diameter, 6.5 inches long, with 20 square feet of filter media. Both measurements need to land within about an eighth of an inch, and the end caps have to match so the cartridge seats correctly when you close the lid. Measure your old one rather than trusting a number that has worn off the label.
Data updated July 2026