How to Get the Best Chlorine Tablets for Swimming Pool (A Comprehensive Buying Guide)

For many people, there is always the hassle of getting the best chlorine tablets for swimming pool to use in their facilities.  There are presently different brands of chlorine tabs in the market for pools that might be used to kill bacteria and eliminate algae that are hazardous to your body.

Here are the best Chlorine Tablets on the market today!

In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock (24 x 1 labs Bags)

Buy from Amazon.com

If you are searching for a good, easy to use, and reliable pool shock with affordable price, search no more because In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock is here to help you out. The product features an active element called Potassium Mono Persulfate that forms almost 50 percent of the tablet. This shock eradicates the development of algae as well as other dangerous bacteria in your swimming pool.

It works well in a facility that is well sanitized with bromine and destroys dead chlorine cells offering a better free chlorine reading. In The Swim is a great product to use for regular shocking of your swimming pool.  Another great feature of this product is that it enhances the health and condition of water in your swimming pool.

Add the specified dosage of this shock during the evening while your pool’s filter is running. Broadcast it over a wide surface in the deepest section of your pool and use the entire content when opened.

Pros

• 24 x 1 lb. is a superb non-chlorine alternative for your swimming pool.
• The product eliminates the development of bacteria and algae.
• It is suitable for swimming pools sanitized with bromine.
• You can jump into your pool immediately after treating with this product.

Cons

• Doesn’t improve the level of chlorine.
• You need to use the entire content when you open it.

NAVA Chlorinating Tablets (for SPA and Swimming Pools)

Buy from Amazon.com

Nava Chlorinating Tablets come in a 50 lbs. a value pack that lasts for an entire season. Although concentrated, these tablets won’t leave any build-up or stain in your swimming pool. In addition to their chlorinating efficiency, Nava tabs are US EPA certified to guarantee you peace of mind. The product comes in a tightly sealed bucket that features an easy to open lid – which also happens to lock well.

For its price, it is a huge bucket, that is so big such that you will spot it among other chlorine tablets suppliers when a meter away. Truly a great value for your hard-earned cash. As well as keeping your facility clean and sanitized, these individually wrapped three inches tablets will fit the majority of chlorinators and floaters and are quite easy to use. They dissolve gradually and offer a long-lasting constant chlorinating effect.

As for the unwrapping, although it is pretty easy because you do not require touching the tablets with your bare hands, rubber gloves are required. Wrapping is beautifully done so the tabs are easy to open. Some users find individual wrapping to be unnecessary, but it is meant to offer protection from chemical odor and moist at the same time.

Pros

• NAVA tabs don’t leave any mineral build up or stain in your pool.
• They are EPA approved to guarantee safety.
• They come in a well-sealed bucket that is easy to open.
• All the tabs are wrapped individually to add extra protection from moist and chemicals.

Cons

• Takes time to unwrap.
• Crumbles easily when near expiration date.

In The Swim 3 Inch Pool Chlorine Tablets (50 lbs.) – Our Editors’ Choices for 2018

Buy from Amazon.com

The In The Swim 3 Inch Pool Chlorine Tablets feature powerful 90 percent stabilized chlorine and 99 percent Trichlor-S-Triazinetrione with a recommended dosage of one to two tablets per 10K gallons of water every week. It naturally depends on the temperature of your swimming facility and the sun. The bucket comes with about 114 tablets which will last you long.

Advertised as the longest lasting and slowest-dissolving chlorine you will get, every tab is wrapped individually for extra protection. Expect no residual on your hands. The individual wrappings might not be sealed, hence, avoid inhaling fumes when opening the bucket – open it outdoor. What is even amazing is that the bucket is waterproof, has a safety locking top, and is pretty strong.

As well as individual wrapping, tabs come packed in special bags. These plastic bags are a welcome protection for pool owners. The tablets aren’t recommended for skimmers as they are thick and they might leave lots of acid and chlorine once the filter pump is off. They dissolve slowly and are perfect for floaters and chlorinators which will fit the tabs needed for your swimming pool.

Pros

• The tablets dissolve slowly and evenly to ensure that the last long.
• They do an effective job and are quite affordable.
• They are enough to last you one season.
• Individual wrapping protects your tabs for long-term

Cons

• Very fragile.
• Some tabs come broken.

Clorox Active 99 One-Inch Chlorinating Tablets ( 3.75 Pounds 22003CLX for SPA and Pool)

Buy from Amazon.com

Clorox Active 99 One-Inch doesn’t just remove bacteria in your swimming pool. With its four in one formula, it prevents algae, eliminates organic elements, and sanitizes your facility offering it a clear and fresh look. However, more treatment will be required if your pool has black algae. The tabs come in a 3.75 pounds jug which protects them from sun’s heat.

Small one inch tabs are perfect for chlorinating your facility using tiny dispensers in a simple, easy, and convenient way. Additional chlorine for shocking might be required. The tabs contain 99 percent Trichloro-S- Triazinetrione and are quite effective for inground pools and hot tubs – as long as you follow the instructions for usage and dosage.

Ensure that you don’t touch (user rubber gloves) the tabs and don’t bring them into contact with a vinyl pool as it might get bleached. In addition, keep the jug tightly closed to prevent moist air from affecting them.

Pros

• Perfect for small pools as well as hot tubs.
• They are value for your money.
• Quite effective especially when you follow the instructions.
• They are ideal for inground swimming pools.

Cons

• Tabs dissolve quickly.
• They aren’t effective with black algae.

RX Clear 99 Percent Sodium Dichlor Stabilized Granular Chlorine ( 50 Pounds for SPAS and Pools)

Buy from Amazon.com

Compared to other rivals on the market today, RX Clear 99 Percent Sodium Dichlor provides better quality and an affordable price. You will be glad to hear that they are easy to dissolve and last longer. They feature 99 percent Trichlor as well as 90 percent chlorine to make them one of the best out there. They weigh about 15 grams and are easy to use.

Another great feature about these tablets is that they are wrapped individually – be careful when unwrapping to avoid inhaling the powder. Furthermore, they are versatile, you may use them for spa or pool and you only require 7 tabs for every 2.5K gallons.

Pros

• Their effective packaging prevents chlorine smell.
• They are very easy to use as well as storing.
• Their chlorine levels are high and well balanced to avoid negative effect in your facility.
• They are quite effective and last longer.

Cons

• They aren’t packaged well.
• Often dissolves quickly.

50-Pound Bucket of Spa/Swimming Pool 3 Inches Wrapped Chlorinating Tablets (50 lbs.)

Buy from Amazon.com

Keep your swimming pool in good swimming condition all year long with this 50-Pound Bucket of Spa/Swimming Pool 3 Inches Wrapped Chlorinating Tablets. These tabs help to keep the water crystal clear and disinfected to avoid mishaps that might irritate your skin or eyes.

They won’t cloud your facility water and are perfect for the skimmer, floaters, and feeders baskets. The tabs are concentrated and dissolve gradually in the water for optimal safety without forming any mineral scale build-up. They are EPA certified and have been tested for safety to guarantee the desired results every time you use them. For complete pool care and convenient, grab these tables from Nava. They are perfect for hot tubs and above ground pools.

Pros

• Forms crystal clear water.
• Hardly any broken tablet.
• Last all summer.
• Very effective tablets.

Cons

• Hard to open the package.
• Might create a mess.

HTH 41238 3 Inches Super Chlorinating Tablets (37.5 lbs.)

Buy from Amazon.com

HTH 41238 3 Inches Super Chlorinating Tablets sanitizes your swimming pool the moment you drop them into the water. It comes with a sun protected formula that extends their life to last you all summer. They are perfect for use in floater or simmer and protects against algae and bacteria growth.

The major activate elements in these tabs are Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate 3.5 percent, Trichlors-S-Trazinetrione 93.6 percent, and other elements 2.9 percent. From simple problems like pH fluctuation or cloudy water to more specialized issues like cleaning filters and metals, these tabs work effectively and fast to deal with most common swimming pool problems. They work to keep your pool clean and clear, and effectively guards against algae, bacteria, and other elements.

Pros

• They are quite effective in cleaning pools.
• They are perfect for shocking your swimming pool.
• They dissolve slowly and spread across your pool.
• Great product for all facilities such as spa and pools.

Cons

• A bit expensive.
• Some might break during shipment.

Robelle 1440M 5-in-1 Multi-Purpose 3 Inches Chlorine Tablets (40 lbs.)

Buy from Amazon.com

Robelle 5-in-1 multi-purpose 3 Inches Chlorine Tablets contain a perfect blend of elements that will reduce the level of chemicals needed to keep your facility clean. Every 3 inches 8 oz. tablet is well wrapped for safer and easier handling, stabilized to deter burn-off, and is slow dissolving to maintain the right chlorine level.

Built-in clarifiers lead to crystal clean water, stain-inhibitors remove and prevent stains caused by minerals and metals, and comes with an algae preventer that gets rid of all algae and prevents it from regenerating. The tab also features a built-in descaler that prevents the buildup of scale which might lead to corrosion.

Because of all these features, you will spend fewer bucks on your pool supplies. Furthermore, the tabs are perfect for floaters or feeders and are great for above ground pool.

Pros

• Saves your money.
• Kills bacteria and deters algae development.
• Produces crystal clear water.
• Effective for all pools.

Cons

• Some might come broken.
• Might be hard to get in the market.

Swim Best Bucket 3 Inches Swimming Pool Stabilized Chlorine Tablets (50 lbs.)

Buy from Amazon.com

Swim Best Bucket 3 Inches Swimming Pool Tablets will keep your facility clean and ready for swimming in 24/7. These tabs help to keep the water disinfected and won’t cloud it after dropping them. The tabs happen to be great for floaters, skimmers, and feeders baskets and dissolve slowly to ensure that they spread evenly across your pool.

What is amazing about these tablets is not that they dissolve slowly but they are quite concentrated to offer optimum safety. Another great feature of these chlorine tablets is that they don’t leave mineral buildup in your swimming pool. Swim Best are also EPE certified to guarantee safety. For the perfect and total pool care, get these tables from Swim Best or any other store that sells pool products.

Pros

• They spread evenly across your swimming pool.
• They dissolve slowly to ensure that they reach every part of your pool.
• They keep the water disinfected for long.
• They are quite effective.

Cons

• Very fragile.
• A bit hard to unwrap.

Zappit 73 Percent Calcium Hypo Pool Shock (50 lbs.)

Buy from Amazon.com

Zappit 73 Percent Calcium Hypo Pool Shock with 70 percent available chlorine cleans your swimming pool to offer a ready to swim in facility any time you want. These unique tabs come in a bucket and save you money and time by easily dissolving to kill algae, bacteria, and waste in your swimming pool.

These powerful shock treatments are perfect for spring start-up, offering you a quick chlorine increase and help to keep your pool’s pH balanced as well as other chemicals. One tab treats 16.5K gallons of water and keeps your pool clean and fresh for long.

Pros

• They are very affordable.
• Keep your pool fresh and clean for long.
• They kill different types of bacteria, algae, and other waste.
• Keep the pool balanced.

Cons

• Don’t kill black algae.
• Dissolves easily.

What is Chlorine Tabs?

When the pH level in your swimming pool is unbalanced, it might be a chlorine issue and you might end up with a facility that looks corroded or dirt and even get irritated skin and eyes. Adding tablets chlorine will not only make your facility look good but also become safe to use.

Chlorine tabs are one kind of chlorine you should consider adding to your pool. They are found in cubes that are easy to drop into the pool and easily spread out. These solid balls contain chlorine that removes any kind of bacteria and disinfects your swimming pool.

Types of Chlorine Tablets

Before you hit the market to look for the best chlorine tablets for swimming pool you need to understand that there are 2 different types of chlorine. There is unstabilized chlorine and stabilized chlorine. Unstabilized chlorine is suitable for pools and spas that are indoors and stabilized one is perfect for pools that are outdoor.

Unstabilized chlorine has a shorter lasting power than the stabilized one does. The main reason is that the stabilized chlorine comes into contact with the sun (the more exposed to the sun the better) and thus helps to keep your pool clean. On the other hand, unstabilized one doesn’t work well with sun. In fact, its power decreases with the sun and hence perfect for indoor swimming pools.

Calculating Chlorine Demand of Your Swimming Pool

Some people complain that their swimming pools turn cloudy after using chlorine. These complaints are genuine because they haven’t seen the wanted result even after spending their money. The main reason why their facilities water doesn’t change is the chlorine demand. This is the amount of chlorine required to provide the desired results.

Add less, and algae and bacteria will remain in your facility. Add more, and your pool will turn cloudy. Therefore, if you wish to add the desired amount, calculating the chlorine demand of your swimming pool will get go a long way. There are other methods to do this but I would recommend the above method.

Here is a video that shows the way to compute the amount of chlorine demand.

Best Chlorine Tablets for Swimming Pool: Things to Consider

Here are factors and tips to consider when buying the best chlorine tabs for your swimming pool:

1. Type of tablets

This one is quite clear. With that said, we need to add that you will get these products on either sticks or tablets. Tabs stack better in chlorinators while sticks are bigger and perfect for outdoor swimming pools.

2. Size of the tablets

Chlorine tabs come in various sizes, often 1 or 3 inches tablets. Stabilized 3 inches chlorine tabs are suitable for outdoor pools and are more economical. Chlorine stick or 1-inch tabs are used in a feeder and will offer you more surface area when wearing down, boasting the chlorine level. 1-inch tabs are also suitable for smaller pools since 3 inches ones might have lots of chlorine for spas and small pools.

3. Package of the tablets     

You need to chlorinate your swimming pool every seven days. To save on cash, you may opt to buy in bulk and even get buckets.

4. Percentage of available chlorine

Sticks or Trichlor tablets will have as high as 90 percent available chlorine. This means that these tabs have more chlorine needing fewer tablets to treat your swimming pool.

5. Stabilized chlorine

When you come across a tab labeled “Stabilized”, this means that it has an additive called Cyanuric Acid that protects chlorine from the sunlight.

6. Active ingredient

There are hundreds of fancy brands, with amazing names like Burn-Out and Sock-It. If you look at their labels, you will see a list of the active elements. Compare them and see what your swimming pool needs.

Why You Need Chlorine Tabs

Have you ever watched a Hollywood film with a beautiful, fresh swimming pool? The reason behind that clear water is the chlorine tabs. As long as you have added the right amount of chlorine into your facility, it will kill harmful elements which cause athlete’s foot, ear infection, legionnaire’s disease, and gastroenteritis.

These bacteria form in stagnant water. Hence, it becomes necessary for you to eliminate them via chlorination. Consequently, it is vital for you to know why you need chlorine tabs and know how to keep the chlorine level up.

Benefits of Chlorine Tablets

So what do chlorine tablets have against other types of chlorine? Here are some of their main benefits:

• Package – These tabs come in big packaging, enough to last the entire season. You don’t need to keep on visiting the market to buy them every now and then.
• Ease of use – Instead of needing to sprinkle liquid or powder around your pool, all you have to do is drop the tab and let it break down, with the aid of your pool’s pump.
• Spreads – Unlike other forms of chlorine that you spread manually, these tabs do the job for you – saving effort and time.
• Measurement – Because they come in tabs, they are quite easy to measure and determine how much you need. You don’t need to weigh liquid, pour it, and then mix with water. Just drop the recommended number of chlorine tablets into your swimming pool.
• Versatility – They are perfect for pools, Jacuzzis, and spas.
• Slow release – Slow release helps the tabs to spread evenly around your swimming pool, making them more effective.
• Fights germs – They help to fight germs while keeping the pH level balanced. They also keep your pool clean and deter algae from developing.
• Affordable – What makes these tabs beneficial is that you will get them easily. They are found online and other local stores. They are both convenient and affordable to buy.

How to Add Chlorine Tablets

There are 4 major approaches that you may use to correctly add chlorine tablets to your swimming pool:

1. Directly sprinkling the tabs
2. Using a chemical dispenser or floater
3. Using a skimmer
4. Using an auto chlorinator

Directly Sprinkling the Tabs

This is the easiest method since it involves sprinkling the tabs across your pool. Ensure that you wear your gloves to avoid the irritation effect of the tabs if they come into contact with your skin. Wearing of protective glasses is also vital to avoid disasters of dissolved tabs spilling to your eyes.

Determine the amount of water in your pool and then add 2 tables for 10K gallons of water. Drop the tabs at the point of water return to enable the water to re-circulate and prevent corrosion of your pool’s filter.

The major con of this method is that it’s ineffective because the tabs aren’t evenly spread across your pool.

Using a Chemical Dispenser or Floater

A chemical dispenser or floater is suitable for all kinds of pools. Open the floater and add the tabs probably 2 to 3. Apply protective measures like putting on goggles and gloves to avoid any mishaps. Additionally, cover the dispenser well to alleviate the spilling of dissolved solution into your pool. Adjust the dispenser according to the required level of chlorine.

One con of using this method is that it might hang up along the wall – especially for a vinyl liner pool. This will dissolve the tab in one area of your pool forming a bleach of the liner.

Using a Skimmer

The first step is to switch on the pump and leave it to run for a few minutes to remove the air that might have entered the lines. Just like the above methods, wearing gloves and goggles is a must to alleviate the irritation of the eye and the skin. Open the skimmer and drop the chlorine tabs into the skimmer – avoid spilling.

Using an Auto Chlorinator

Of all the 4 methods, using an auto chlorinator is the best way to add chlorine to your pool. It is set at the point of water entry. You need to add chlorine tabs at this point.

Here is a video that shows you how you should add chlorine tabs.

Conclusion

Your swimming pool pH level and cleanliness are vital for a comfortable swimming session. With the best chlorine tablets for swimming pool, you will be able to effectively and easily keep your facility away from harm and have a great time in the water.

With that said, we will try to answer the question of what is the best chlorine tablets on the market by recommending the  In The Swim 3 Inch Pool Chlorine Tablets (50 lbs.) is a great tab for your pool. It features powerful 90 percent stabilized chlorine and 99 percent Trichlor-S-Triazinetrione with a recommended dosage of one to two tablets per 10K gallons of water every week.

How to Properly Add Chlorine Tablets to Your Pool ( Updated )

There are four major approaches that can be used to correctly apply chlorine to your pool:

1. Directly sprinkling the chlorine tablets to the pool.
2. Using a chemical floater (dispenser)
3. Using skimmers.
4. Using an automatic chlorinator (Read more robotic pool cleaner )

 Directly sprinkling the chlorine tablets to the pool

This method is the easiest since it entails sprinkling the chlorine tablets across the pool. Make sure you put on gloves to prevent the irritating effect of the tablets when in direct contact with the skin. Wearing of protective glasses is important to avoid mishaps of dissolved chlorine spilling to the eyes. Measure the amount of water that is present in the pool. Add one chlorine tablet for 5000 gallons of water. Always round up the amount of water in the pools to determine the correct quantity of tablets to sprinkle.

Pour the chlorine pucks at the point of water return to allow the water to recirculate to prevent corrosion of the pools filtration systems. This method is very ineffective since the chlorine tablets are not evenly spread across the pool. Moreover, it is difficult to determine the optimal output of chlorine levels that can offer maximum protection.

Using a Chemical Floater (Dispenser)

A chemical floater or dispenser can be used for all types of pools. Open the dispenser and add the chlorine tablets probably 2-3. Applying protective measures like wearing gloves and goggles is mandatory to avoid any accidents. You should cover the floater appropriately to alleviate the spilling of concentrated chlorine pucks into the pool. Adjust the floater depending on the required levels of chlorine. Leave the dispenser floating in the pool for specific time until all the tablets have been dispersed.

One challenge of using the chlorine dispenser is that it may hang up along the perimeters of the wall especially for vinyl liner pools. This may dissolve the chlorine in one area of the pool creating a bleach of the liner. The floaters are not effective in dispensing chlorine across the pools since they do not allow water to pass through them.

Using Skimmers

The first step is to start the pump on and leave it for few minutes to blow out the air that might have accumulated in the lines. As in the above cases, putting on goggles and gloves is necessary to alleviate the irritation of the skin and the eyes. Take off the cover of the skimmer and take out the container of the chlorine. Pour the chlorine slowly into the skimmer to avoid spilling it into the pool or the pool tile.

Ensure that the filter is running to move water rapidly over the tablets dissolving them in the process. The skimmer will push dissolved chlorine tablets through the return jets allowing the chlorine to spread in the entire pool. The last step is to replace the skimmer cover and let it run for two hours before using the pool. It is recommended that you remove the chlorine container when turning off the pump and adding new tablets.

Using Automatic Chlorinator

An automatic chlorinator is the best method of adding chlorine into a pool. The chlorinator is set at the point where water enters the pool. Add the chlorine pucks into the chlorinator. An automatic chlorinator allows the chlorine tablets to dissolve at a particular rate to maintain an optimal amount of chlorine in the pool. Using the dial on the unit, set the chlorinator to meet the optimal chlorine levels.

Using the middle of the dial can help to determine the appropriate number of chlorine pucks to add to the chlorinator. Check the chlorine tablets in every second day to know how many of the pucks have dissolved. Turn the dial up or down depending on how fast or slow the tablets have dissolved. The test strips can be used to check the chlorine reading. You can use a timer system to set when the pump should run thereby dissolving the tablets. The use of chlorinators is the best method of applying chlorine in water because it prevent bleaching of the liner by regulating the amount of chlorine dissolved in the pools. Moreover, it is time saving since it allows large amounts of chlorine to be dissolved at once.