The 8 Best Chlorine Tablets Reviews in 2021

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Being a pool owner is not an easy task, as you constantly need to ensure that your swimming pool is free from dirt, organisms, and other harmful things.

Luckily, there are lots of pool chemicals and equipment used in the daily pool sanitization, of which the chlorine pool tablets are a vital part. Pool chlorine tablets are vital pool sanitization products that help sanitize the swimming pool water and hot tub and keep your pool safe for you and your family.

The following pieces of information that you shall encounter are aimed at making you understand more about the best pool chlorine tablets available in the market, how these pool chlorine tablets function, and what to look out for in the best.

How Do Chlorine Tablets Work?

Pool owners, after the best quality pool water they can get in their swimming pools, need to understand the mechanism and functionality of chlorine tablets, and to make that easier, here is a basic guide to how the chlorine tablets work.

Before going any further, we all need to understand that chlorine is a chemical for pools and hot tubs to keep them water bacteria and algae-free.

Chlorine tablets are a dense tablet form of chlorine made by the combination of chlorine with calcium hypochlorite as the primary ingredient and a stabilizing agent like cyanuric acid that often acts as a sunscreen for the chlorine, and to use them, add chlorine tablets to the automatic chlorinator, automatic chlorine dispensers, or pool skimmer, and these slowly dissolve in the swimming pool water for 7-10 days gradually releasing chlorine into the water.

The chlorine tablets function through a chemical reaction that occurs when a chlorine tablet comes in contact with organisms and bacterias. The process is called oxidation and it works well when the overall pool chemistry is balanced.

Furthermore, there are two types of chlorine tablets, the stabilized chlorine tablets, and unstabilized chlorine tablets.

Most chlorine tablets are stabilized, and this means that they are designed with the addition of extra chemicals like cyanuric acid to fend off the UV rays of the sun and its quick dissolving effect on the chlorine tablets, making them perfect for outdoor pools. 

Stabilized chlorine tablets or slow dissolving tablets last longer thanks to their stabilizing agents which allow for a slower dissolving process, and which in turn also help to maintain chemical balance in the pool.

On the other hand, the unstabilized chlorine tabs which often contain lithium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite are the direct opposite of the stabilized chlorine tabs. They are without stabilizers and dissolve faster in the swimming pool water especially when exposed to the sun, therefore, perfect for indoor swimming pools. Oftentimes, the unstabilized tabs are used for quick treatment for fast actions.

Where Do You Put Chlorine Tablets in Pools?

Whether it is for swimming pools, for an above ground pool, for an inground pool, for fountains, or hot tubs, there are specific ways to place the chlorine tablets and these include the use of a pool skimmer, floating chlorine dispensers, or an automatic chlorinator.

Pool skimmers are known as the easiest and best ways to dispense chlorine tablets due to the reasonable even spreading of the chlorine that occurs through them.

A floating chlorine dispenser on its part is easy to use with the easy addition of the number of tablets necessary to the float and it floats around dissolving the chlorine. The only but to it is that the floating dispensers could get stuck in a spot affecting the even distribution of the chlorine.

The Automatic chlorinator is the most effective way to get your chlorine into the swimming pool. Place the tablets into the chlorinator and set the machine to the chlorine level necessary. This way the chlorine dispensation is regulated and your pool gets the exact chlorine levels needed at all times.

Quick Reviews of The 8 Best Chlorine Tablets in 2021

1. CLOROX Pool & Spa XtraBlue 3-Inch Chlorinating Tablets

CLOROX Pool&Spa offers unique 3-inch chlorinating tablets that promise long-lasting protection for your pools against bacterias and organisms.

To keep your swimming pool clean, these stabilized chlorine tablets weighing a total of 5 pounds features concentrated 99% trichloro-s-triazinetrione, an ingredient different from those found in chlorine granules which allows for the chlorine tabs to dissolve slowly and withstand the UV rays. Plus, they are designed primarily to kill bacteria and prevent all types of pool algae.

All the tablets are individually wrapped and contain conditioners designed to give your pool water a silky smooth feel in comparison to larger tablets. In addition to that, the 3-inch tablets are designed to prevent corrosion, scales, and stains.

Pros

• Perfect fitting size for floaters, skimmers, and feeders
• Prevents corrosion, scales, and stains
• Kills bacteria and algae
• Long-lasting protection against sunlight

Cons

• Quite expensive

2. Pool Mate 1-1405M All-in-1 Swimming Pool 3-Inch Chlorine Tabs

The Pool Mate 3-inch chlorine tabs are an all-in-one granular chlorine tablet designed to act as a sanitizer, clarifier, stain inhibitor, algae control and descale.

All these functions are easily performed through the 3-inch chlorine tablets are individually wrapped and as stabilized chlorine tablets are protected leading to a slow dissolving and long-lasting effect.

The model contains about 94% trichloro-s-triazinetrione and 85% available chlorine, and with its 3-in-one feature, it cuts down the need to buy and use extra chemicals to get the desired effect. Best used with feeders and floaters.

For proper functionality, weekly maintenance is advised with a dosage of 1-3 tablets per 10,000 gallons of water, and for safety, test the water’s pH, high calcium hardness, alkalinity before you add the tablets.

Pros

• Stabilized chlorine tabs
• Long-lasting sun protection
• Optimal performance without extra chemicals
• Multi-functional
• Design for easy and safe handling

Cons

• Tablets PC are prone to breakage and damaging

3. Rx Clear 3-Inch Individually Wrapped Chlorine Tablets

Rx Clear 3 inch tablets are amongst the best chlorine tablets because not only do they provide long-lasting protection for your pools, they are also great for hot tubs.

For effective cleaning of your swimming pool, these effective tablets weighing 7 ounces are slow dissolving 90% available chlorine and 99% trichloro-s-triazinetrione which allows for easy circulation of the chlorine granules. To ensure that the tablets dissolve at a slow pace, the tablets are designed to be sunlight resistant.

The RX tablets are not harsh on the skin and to ensure longevity, the stabilized chlorine tablets are designed with cyanuric acid forming an iso-cyanurite tablet that lasts longer, has less odor, unlike other chlorine tablets that utilize calcium hypochlorite. Plus, it serves as a bactericide, algaecide, and disinfectant perfect to treat pools.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Long-lasting protection against sunlight
• Active bactericide, algaecide, and disinfectant
• Low price
• Dissolve slowly
• Offers liner protection against bleaching

Cons

• Can irritate the eyes and skin

4. Clorox Pool & Spa Small Pool 1″ Chlorinating Tablets

CLOROX Pool&Spa offers to pool owners unique small pool 1-inch chlorinating tablets for long-lasting protection for pools against bacteria and algae.

This model dons 1 inch stabilized chlorine tablets that feature concentrated 99% trichloro-S-triazinetrione which allows for the chlorine tabs to dissolve slowly and withstand the UV rays. Plus they are designed primarily to kill bacteria and prevent all types of pool algae.

Due to the 1 inch size, the chlorine tabs are great choices for an inflatable pool, for Intex pool, for small pools, for above ground pools, and for fountains. All the tablets contain conditioners designed to give your pool water a silky smooth feel. In addition to that, the tablets are designed to prevent corrosion, scales, and stains, making them perfect for vinyl pools.

Pros

• Prevents corrosion, scales, and stains
• Perfect for killing bacteria and algae
• Long-lasting protection against sunlight
• Keeps water clear with a silky feel

Cons

• Tablets crumble easily
• Not suitable for skimmers

5. Pool Mate 1-1407 Jumbo 3-Inch Swimming Pool Chlorine Tablets

The Pool Mate 3-inch chlorine tablet is designed to act as a sanitizer, to kill bacteria and germs off in your pool.

The tablets are individually wrapped for easy safe handling to avoid contact with liquid chlorine and as stabilized chlorine tablets, the tablets are protected leading to a slow dissolving and long-lasting effect.

The model contains about 94% trichloro-s-triazinetrione and 85% available chlorine, which ounces are designed to improve the chlorine residual in the pool. Weighing 8 ounce the tablets are perfect for floaters or in-line feeders only.

For proper functionality, weekly maintenance is advised with a dosage of 1-3 tablets per 10,000 gallons of water, and for safety, test the water’s pH, high calcium hardness, alkalinity before you add chlorine tablets.

Pros

• Design for easy and safe handling
• Long-lasting sun protection
• Multi-functional
• Stabilized chlorine tabs
• Optimal performance without extra chemicals

Cons

• Tablets are prone to breakage and damaging

6. Qualco Giant 3inch Chlorinating Tablets Swimming Pool

Qualco Giant is a 3-inch, chlorinating tablet for swimming pools designed to clean, clear and sanitize all kinds of pools, with a guaranteed assurance of a bacteria and algae-free pool.

The model is an easy-to-use 3-inch tablet designed to prevent chlorine loss through a sunlight-protected formulation, which allows the chlorine tablets to dissolve slowly while yielding fast and effective results. 

The stabilized chlorine tablets feature concentrated 99% trichloro-s-triazinetrione and 90% chlorine. These, and chlorine tablets are suitable for gunite pools, for vinyl pools, for large pools, and small pools alike.

Pros

• Effective chlorine tablets
• Perfect for killing bacteria and algae
• UV inhibitors prevent chlorine loss
• Sanitizes water and keeps them clean

Cons

• More expensive than most tablets
• Tablets are not individually sealed

7. Pool Care 36150 Swimming Pool Chemical 3-Inch Chlorine Tablets

Pool Care 36150 chlorine tabs are 3 inches chlorine tablets designed to disinfect and sanitize the pool as algaecide and bactericide.

The tablets come in a 50-pound bucket that keeps the chlorine stocked, individually wrapped, and ready for use for the entire season. A single tablet is designed to give optimum functionality for multiple days allowing you to skip the daily maintenance.

Pool Care 36150 model contains about 94% Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione and 89% available chlorine, designed for optimum pool cleaning

Pros

• Stocked chlorine for long term use
• Functions as both bactericide and algaecide
• Optimal performance
• Effective disinfection of pool water
• Individually wrapped tablets

Cons

• Tablets are prone to breakage
• No sunlight protection

8. Members Mark Chlorinating Tablets 40 LB 3″ Tablets

As one of the best chlorine tablets available in the market, Members Mark chlorinating tablets are uniquely designed to not only sanitize your pool but to give you a sanitized and residue-free clean pool.

Fitted in a 40-pound bucket the chlorine tablets are stocked and individually wrapped for quick use for months. A single 3-inch tablet is designed to keep both algae; then help keep bacteria at bay and under control. Plus, the tablets are residue-free and allow you to use them without worries about having your pool liner compromised.

Members mark contains about 94% trichloro-s-triazinetrione and 89% available chlorine, designed for optimum pool cleaning and perfect for all water types. including saltwater pools.

Pros

• Residual-free functionality
• Help keep bacteria and algae at bay
• Optimal performance
• Perfect for all water types
• Effective disinfection capacity

Cons

• Tablets are prone to breakage
• A bit expensive

Commonly Asked Questions 

How Long Will Chlorine Tablets Last?

The time-frame of chlorine tablets always falls within a week, with some lasting between 2-3 days and for the slowest dissolving chlorine tabs lasting about 4-5 days.

Also note that the factors behind a tablet lasting include the size of the tablets, the active ingredient present in the tablets, the gallon capacity of the pool, and where the tablets are placed like in the floater, feeder, or chlorinator.

Will Chlorine Tablets Kill Mosquito Larvae?

Chlorine tablets alone cannot kill mosquito larvae. They are only strong enough to maintain the pool’s health and hinder the growth of the mosquito larvae.

You can use a large dosage of chlorine tablets to shock the pool but this cannot be done often and too much chlorine would affect the chlorine level in the pool.

To completely kill mosquito larvae, pool owners need to ensure that they use the right volume of chlorine tablets, and employ the use of other efficient and effective pool maintenance equipment like pool filters, maintaining the proper chlorine level in the pool, circulating water, and so on.

Are Chlorine Tablets Better than Granules and Liquids?

For proper maintenance of pool water, manufacturers produce chlorine tablets and granules or chlorine dust for use, as well as liquid chlorine. While the tablets are chlorine in tablet forms, the granules are more powdery and loose, and the liquid ones are simply liquified chlorine.

On many levels such as ease of use, cost, impact on the water chemistry like the spa chemicals, there is almost no difference between the granules, the liquid and the tablets as both have almost the same active ingredient.

The main area where a chlorine tablet surpasses the granules or liquid is based on the fact that the tablet dissolves slower than the granules, while liquid compared to granules also dissolves at a slower rate as it is already in liquid form. The liquid chlorine is also generally unstable compared to tablets. However, choosing which of the two is best is a matter of personal choice.

Can Chlorine Tablets be Stored Outside?

Yes, chlorine tablets can be stored outside, as it is written on the package to be stored in a cool dry space. Storing them in places like the garage will over time lead to heavy rust even when located in properly and tightly sealed containers.

Hence, it is best to store the tablets outside while in well-sealed water-tight containers. But note that while outside, they should be stored in cool places out of the heat to avoid reducing the effectiveness of the tablets.

Buying Guide

Now that you have an idea of what chlorine tablets are, there are a few things to consider when purchasing the best chlorine tabs for your pool. Some of these criteria include:

The Size of The tablet

The tablet size you use will depend on the size of your pool and the size of the dispenser you will be using.

The tablet size variation in the market is 1-inch or 3-inch. Each of these inch sizes has peculiar functionalities that they can achieve for you. While 1-inch3-inch ones are better fits for larger pools and are also good for chlorinator use.

Consider the Tablet Composition

Chlorine comes in different types and each type of tab uses a specific type like sodium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, and others.

The important thing is to choose the tablet that has about 85-90% chlorine composition as these are more effective at ridding pools of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

The Dissolve Speed

The speed at which a chlorine tablet dissolves is very important. If the chlorine molecules dissolve too fast it would require you to add extra tablets for your pool thereby affecting the pH level of the pool, while if the tablet dissolves too slowly there is the risk of having low chlorine in the pool leading to the quick formation of organisms in the pool.

You need to find the perfect dissolving speed for your tablet so that it can last for at least 7-10 days without adding chlorine tablets for your pool or having to reduce.

Concluding Thoughts

Knowing now the importance and the vital work of a chlorine tablet in your pool, investing in the best chlorine tablets in the market is a must.

With this piece, we have been able to highlight the best chlorine tablets available in the market with the hopes that one of them would be the best fit to maintain and sanitize your pool for optimum usage.