11 Best Chlorine Tablets for Clean and Clear Pools

For many people, having a swimming pool is a dream. It doesn’t matter if it’s an above ground pool or an inround pool, as long as the pool provides some fresh and cleaner water to dive in.

But what to do when the water doesn’t feel so clean after some time on hot summer days? Then it’s time for pool chlorine tablets.

Chlorine is used for the pool to eliminate bacteria, fungi and sometimes algae in the pool. With rainwater and wind, these get into the pool. On hot days, the germs and algae would multiply greatly if you did not put chlorine in the pool.

Chlorine is often used in the hot tub for the same reasons it is used in the indoor pool: germs would otherwise thrive in the permanently warm water.

To keep your pool water clear, clean and safe for your health, sooner or later you will need to raise the chlorine level. And chlorine tablets are perfect for that.

But which product is the right one for your needs? What should you look for when buying? In this article, you will learn numerous answers about pool chlorine tablets. In addition, we will introduce you to the best chlorine tablets that we are happy to recommend.

The best pool chlorine tablets

Guide: Buying the right chlorine tablets

Do you need chlorine tablets that are suitable for your pool? Do you want to know what to look for when buying? And do you have many more questions?

Then you should read this guide thoroughly. After reading it, you will know what matters, what tabs you need and what this product is all about.

The types of chlorine tablets

There are three different types of chlorine tablets, all of which help you to set up the ideal chlorine concentration.

• Rapid tablets
• Long-term tablets
• Multifunctional tablets

Fast dissolving tablets

As a rule, fast dissolving tablets have a weight of 20 grams each. These should be used when you have just refilled your pool so that you can perform shock chlorination.

These chlorine tablets are the fast dissolving variety, so chlorine is released to the water faster. As a result, the chlorine level is reached quickly.

A shock chlorination can also be carried out if the chlorine value is very low when measured. You can also use rapid tablets for continuous chlorination, but then you have to re-dose more often.

Long-term tablets

Long-term tablets are only suitable for continuous chlorination, as this variant dissolves particularly slowly. The weight per tablet is about 200 grams. A chlorine dosing float can be used to influence how much chlorine is added to the water.

If the chlorine level is too low, the dosing float can be opened. In this way, chlorine can escape. As soon as the desired chlorine value is present, the dosing float can be closed completely or partially.

How much of the long-term tablet is needed depends on how high the chlorine content in the tab is. After all, there are long-life tablets that have 90 percent chlorine content and also variants that have only 60 percent chlorine content, for example.

Please note: If the chlorine content in the tablet is low, the more chlorine must be added. The chlorine content is indicated on the label. Often, chlorine tablets that have a low chlorine content are cheaper than products with a higher chlorine content. Keep in mind that if the chlorine content in the tablet is low, you will have to add more often and the consumption will be higher.

Multifunctional tablets

There are numerous names for multifunctional tablets. For example, they are called Multitabs, All in One Tabs, 3 in 1 Tabs or Combitabs. However, each designation is the same product. Within the various chlorine tablets, these are probably the most popular. The weight can vary from 20 to 200 grams per tablet.

This is a long-lasting tablet that consists of chlorine, a pH stabilizer and a flocculant. The chlorine disinfects the pool water and the flocculant ensures that the pool water is clear, as it binds the finest suspended particles. The pH stabilizer, on the other hand, increases the pH value.

These tabs are particularly recommended because they already contain all the important ingredients. Many users of multi-tabs are extremely satisfied with the product. Certainly, Multitabs contain less of all ingredients, so the pH value and chlorine content should still be checked. However, with Multitabs, basic care is well taken care of.

Recommended read: How to add chlorine tables to the pool

Buying criteria for chlorine tablets

In this section, you will learn what you should look for when buying chlorine tablets. This will make it easier for you to make a good purchase decision.

• Place of use
• Dosage
• Pool size
• Chlorine tablets organic or inorganic

Place of use

Chlorine tablets can be used in numerous different applications. Examples are given below:

• Swimming pool
• Whirlpool / Jacuzzi
• Paddling pool
• Children’s pool
• Pond
• Garden fountain
• Rainwater
• Drinking water

According to the place of use you want to keep away from algae and bacteria, you need different chlorine tablets.

Dosage

If you would just put the chlorine tablets into the pool directly, it may cause bleaching in foil pools, for example. Therefore, we present the most common dosing options for chlorine tablets. Each of these dosing options causes the chlorine tablets to dissolve in the water.

Chlorine tablets can be dosed in different ways. Numerous pool owners use so-called dosing floats (also dosing containers or dosing devices). Dosing floats are available in different sizes for each pool size. However, you should always remove the dosing float from the pool for bathing.

Another variant is the dosing sluice (also automatic chlorine doser). You do not need to remove it before using the pool. It is installed in the return line of the filtration system. The dosing sluice also has a higher filling capacity. Therefore, you can use it without any problems for a longer period of time, because even then it will not be necessary to rechlorinate the pool.

Do not place the chlorine tablets in the skimmer under any circumstances. A skimmer is used to suck in the water through the pool pump. Therefore, pool chlorine tablets dissolve faster in the skimmer than it is intended. The pool will be over-chlorinated by dissolving too quickly and this will bleach out the pool liner.

Pool size

How much chlorine is needed in the pool depends on the pool size. You can use the following formula to help you calculate the pool capacity:

Length in meters x width in meters x average depth in meters = pool capacity in m³.

Always, the chlorine content of the pool water should be 0.5 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of water. How many pool chlorine tablets you need for the calculated pool content can be found in the respective product descriptions.

Chlorine tablets organic and inorganic

Organic chlorine tablets contain cyanuric acid as a stabilizer. This stabilizer slows down the reaction of the chlorine and thus the effect is more even and slower.

Inorganic chlorine tablets, on the other hand, are very reactive. For example, increased water temperature, UV radiation or increased pool use cause them to degrade quite quickly. This makes frequent re-chlorination necessary and you should check the water values daily.

Advantages and disadvantages of pool chlorine tablets

Chlorine tablets have some advantages and disadvantages for the pool owner and the pool. These are presented to you below.

Advantages

In the following section, we will explain the main advantages of chlorine tablets in more detail. They should sufficiently disinfect the pool water to adequately protect the pool from bacteria and germs. The most popular variant in this regard is disinfection with pool chlorine tablets.

Disinfection of the pool water:

The pool water is disinfected by adding reliable water care products such as pool chlorine tablets to kill bacteria and germs. In this way, the hygiene factor increases tremendously and the water no longer needs to be changed constantly.
Inexpensive purchase costs:

Water care products such as chlorine tablets are relatively inexpensive. The prices depend on the size of the container.

Please note: The larger the container, the lower the price per kilogram. So if you buy a container weighing 5 kilograms, you will pay less per kilogram than if you buy 1 kilogram containers.

Storage possible:

A big advantage of chlorine tablets is that they don’t have to be used up within one bathing season. They can often be used over a longer period of time. Look for a best-before date on the container. This way you know how long you can store the chlorine tablets in a dry place.

During storage, the container should not be exposed to frost and should be well closed.

Disadvantages

There are some chlorine tablets advantages. But equally there are not insignificant disadvantages, which you can see here.

Chlorine tablets are a chemical water care product: there is a reason why the labels on the back of the containers contain various hazard warnings. After all, in addition to chlorine, they contain acids as additives, for example. Therefore, chlorine tablets are and remain chemicals that you should handle with care. For this reason, you should read the product information and labeling before use.

Chlorine tablets are harmful to health: Chlorine tablets can be harmful to health when used due to the chemical they contain. Therefore, it is advisable to use safety gloves and possibly mouth guards when using chlorine tablets. The chlorine tablets should also be stored out of reach of children.

Chlorine removes so-called softeners: If chlorine is used constantly or overdosed, softeners are gradually removed from the pool liner and plastic components. As a result, the liner and plastic components become rough and brittle. You should therefore always add the chlorine tablets to the pool water using a dosing float.

The skimmer basket should not be used for chlorine tablets. If the skimmer basket and the chlorine tablet are in direct contact, the screen basket has a very short service life and thus quickly becomes brittle.

Chlorine must be re-dosed: Since chlorine does not remain in the water consistently, you will need to re-dose regularly. On particularly hot days or when the pool is used heavily, it will also be necessary to add more chlorine tablets to the pool water.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about chlorine tablets for the pool answered

What is a pool chlorine tablet?

Essentially, a chlorine tablet consists of chlorine and is one of the halogens. In the process, chlorine reacts with almost all compounds and elements.

As chlorine and water react with each other, the chemical element chlorine creates a disinfecting effect due to hypochlorites. Hypochlorites is the name given to the process of chemical reaction of chlorine and water, during which hypochlorous acid (also hypochlorous acid) or free chlorine is formed.

Thanks to the disinfecting effect of the water-chlorine reaction, the chlorine tablet is ideal for water treatment. Therefore, with the chlorine tablet you gain a good opportunity to protect your pool water from bacteria and germs.

When do you need chlorine tablets for the pool?

If you have no other way to disinfect the pool reliably, disinfection with chlorine is a good option. Necessary is this water treatment, so that bacteria and germs are killed and no new ones are formed.

Unless a pool is sufficiently disinfected, the water can quickly turn green (colloquially overturn). If there is permanently poor pool maintenance, the pool will soon become a biotope and the only thing you will see is green colored water. Certainly no one likes to go swimming in it.

In fact, without disinfection or water maintenance, it is possible for the pool water to appear clean and clear and then look cloudy and green the next day. The word “tip over” comes from this event. It happens quickly and without any warning. Then the pH needs to be fixed again and a shock chlorination needs to be done. Backwashing should also be done as often as necessary.

For this reason, regular monitoring of the pH value and chlorine content is essential. It has proved particularly useful to check these values weekly.

What are the ingredients of chlorine tablets?

Chlorine tablets essentially consist of trichloroisocyanuric acid and sodium carbonate. These ingredients are supplemented by various non-hazardous additives.

According to EU regulations, chlorine tablets must always be offered for sale with a safety data sheet. This can also be viewed online for most products.

What are the alternatives to chlorine tablets?

There are several options for keeping pools clean. Each alternative has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Bromine: Bromine is especially popular for waters that have wildly fluctuating pH levels. Bromine is also gentle on eyes, skin and hair.
• Active oxygen: Active oxygen is an oxygen-splitting compound consisting of oxygen and chlorine. However, here the chlorine only serves as a carrier for the oxygen and is absolutely harmless in this form.
• Chemical-free: Chemical cleaners are extremely reluctant to be used, especially for natural swimming ponds. It is particularly important here to always supply fresh water to the pond. Pond vacuums or water plants are also very suitable for chemical-free pond cleaning.

Note: Although bromine and active oxygen are gentle alternatives to the use of chlorine tablets, these have a less reliable effect compared to chlorine. Therefore, with bromine and active oxygen, it becomes necessary to monitor water quality especially closely and regularly.

Are chlorine tablets better or chlorine granules?

As soon as chlorine granules are added to the pool water, they dissolve and the effect is quickly developed. Granulate is therefore particularly suitable for refilling the pool. In addition, chlorine granules are also popular when the swimming season begins.

If you want to disinfect your pool permanently with chlorine granulate, it is best to check the chlorine content daily.

Compared to chlorine granules, chlorine tablets develop their effect over a longer period of time and more slowly. Therefore, you do not need to measure the chlorine content daily. So when it comes to pool cleaning, chlorine tablets are an extremely popular alternative due to their long-lasting disinfection effect.

Conclusion

If you don’t want to change the pool water within a few days because it keeps turning over due to bacteria, viruses and fungi, then chlorine tablets are recommended.

With multifunctional tablets, you also keep algae away from the pool and the pH is regulated.

Finally, compared to the chlorine tablets, it is expensive to change the pool water regularly and also the cleaning effort for the pool would be unmanageable.

Chlorine tablets do what they are supposed to do: Keep the pool water clean and sanitary and make the owners feel good about using the pool.

We are happy to recommend the chlorine tablets from our best list, so you can finally find a solution to cloudy and contaminated pool water. These products convinced us in tests, so you make a good choice with them.

Recommended read: Too much chlorine – How to lower the chlorine level