Daniel Arthur
The best shock for pools is a key weapon in your battle against algae. Pool shock keeps your pool water crystal clear. Basically pool shock is a chemical that adds electrons to the water that is able to kill contaminants like bacteria and algae.
In this detailed guide, I will share with you the best pool shock product reviews & key concepts that you need to know about pool shock. I suggest also my handpicked products so that you can confidently make the decision.
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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top pick
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In The Swim Pool Shock
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A crystal form pool shock contains 68% active calcium hypochlorite | Check On Amazon |
|
budget pick
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Clorox Pool & Spa Pool Shock
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Superb performance without affecting the pH clears cloudy water | Check On Amazon |
|
HTH 52016 Super Pool Shock
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offers crystal clear water within 24 hours, contains 54% active sodium hypochlorite | Check On Amazon |
|
Pool Essentials Pool Shock
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economical product & suitable for all types of pool | Check On Amazon |
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NAVA Star Plus Pool Shock
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Dichlor based stabilized pool shock, not build up any scale | Check On Amazon |
|
Aqua Chem Pool Shock
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contains sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione as an active ingredient, 39% available chlorine | Check On Amazon |
|
In the swim chlorine free pool shock
|
The chlorine-free product contains potassium monopersulfate as an active ingredient | Check On Amazon |
Best Shock For Pools Reviews
In this section, I will review the 7 best pool shock products that is hand-picked after extensive research so that offers the superb performance.
1. In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock
This is a crystal form pool shock available in small bags. It is very easy to use. It contains 68% active calcium hypochlorite cal hypo for quick sanitizing.
This product quickly eliminates algae bacteria and other harmful contaminants from your pool water. This product is available in pre-portioned 1 pound bags. The dosage of this product is 1 pound per 10,000 gallons of water.
Pros
- Popular and trustworthy brand
- Extra effective for killing bacteria and algae
- Budget-friendly product
Cons
- Not suitable for vinyl-lined pools
2. Clorox Pool & Spa Shock Plus
The 4 in 1 formula of clorox pool and spa shock plus product gives superb performance without affecting the pH of the pool. This product is super easy to use.
It can clear cloudy water and removes contaminants from the pool water. It can also improve the performance of the filter. Your swimming pool is ready for swimming after 15 minutes of adding this product.
You can use Clorox mobile app with this product to monitor chemical needs for your pool & find out how much shock need to add.
Pros
- The bottle is easy to open in use
- The pool is ready for swimming after 15 minutes
- Suitable for all types of the pool including vinyl
Cons
- Check expiry date as older chemicals don’t work
3. HTH super shock treatment
HD super soft treatment offers crystal clear Water within 24 hours. It contains 54% active sodium hypochlorite & available in proportioned 1 pound bags.
The manufacturer claims that this product will not color your liner because it dissolves very slowly in your swimming pool. This product is a little bit expensive and it will take time to work open several hours needs overnight.
You pool is Reddy to swim after several hours after adding this product.
Pros
- Suitable for saltwater swimming pools
- Blue colorization of water indicates the shock in action
Cons
- Little bit expensive product
- Takes several hours for pool availability
4. Pool essentials shock treatment
Pool essentials is economical product and suitable for all types of pool. it is designed for easy applications through the skimmer or directly into the deep end of the pool.
Do not breeders all this product before adding it to pool or skimmers. do not mix this product with any other products or chemicals.
Pros
- Suitable for all types of pools and spas
- Not build up any scale
Cons
- High levels of cyanuric acid will affect your pool chemical composition
5. NAVA Chemical Star Plus Chlorinating Shock
This is dichlor based stabilized pool shock. It is suitable for all types of pools and spas. Manufacturer claims that this product will not build up any scale in your pool.
You can use this product once a month but it will vary according to the condition of your school. one pound of this product is required to treat 10,000 gallons of water.
Pros
- Suitable for all types of pool
- Dichlor based stabilized pool shock (55.5% chlorine)
Cons
- Little bit expensive product
- Dissolving speed is not available
6. Aqua Chem Shock Extra Blue
Aquacare shock extra blue contains sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione as an active ingredient that provides 39% available chlorine. The major advantage of this product is that it will not increase the pH of your pool water and clear the cloudy water.
This product is available in one-pound bags and you can choose from any quantities between 1 to 36 bags.
Pros
- Available in 1 pound big size
- Availability of pool is within 15 minutes
- Not raise the pH of the pool water
- Clear the cloudy water
Cons
- Expensive product compared to other pool shocks
7. In The Swim Chlorine Free Pool Shock
In the swim pool shock is a well-known brand in the swimming pool chemical industries. The main feature of this product is that it is chlorine free. it contains potassium monopersulfate as an active ingredient and available in 1 pound bags packings.
after adding this pool shock in your pool, it starts the oxidation process and burns off the dead chlorine cells. It becomes more effective as your pool water free chlorine level rises. This is the perfect stabilizer if you are using bromine-based sanitizers.
It will not affect the pH of your pool water and your pool is ready within 15 minutes after adding this product. The only downside of this product is this is not considered a solid pool shock.
Pros
- Chlorine-free pool shock
- Availability of pool within 15 minutes
- It does not affect other chemical levels
- Suitable for all types of pole
Cons
- Not suitable for dirty and cloudy pool water
Buyer’s Guide- Best Shock For Pools
In this section, I will point out the key points about the best shock for pools that you should look for so that you can wisely take the decision.
Powdered Vs Liquid
Actually, Most of the pool shocks are available in the market is in powdered form. You need little effort to mix & dissolving it.
If you’re looking for a more convenient way then liquid-based pool shocks are a great option. The downside of this product is that it is more expensive.
Stabilized Vs Unstabilized
A pool shock that contains sodium dichlor is considered to be a stabilized pool shock. Stabilized pool shock isn’t affected by sun-light & UV rays.
You can use unstabilized pool shock in the night only in absence of sun-light. The concentration of the product declines very fast in presence of sun light. Chlorine based pool shock considered in this group.
Most of the pool shocks are available in the market are in unstabilized form. It is very effective in absence of sun-light.
Chlorine Level
The primary goal of your pool shock is to maintain healthy chlorine level so that it can easily kill the bacteria. Lower chlorine level isn’t sufficient & effective to kill the bacteria.
Remember this simple thumb rule, higher chlorine level is better than low chlorine levels.
You should check the percentage of available chlorine in the product.
pH Level
pH plays a very important role when we are talking about pool water chemical balance. Even a minor change in pH can make big difference.
Low pH level makes your pool water corrosive & damage all the material that are in contact with water. While the high pH level causes an issue like irritation in eyes, ears, nose & mouth.
The takeaway is, You should pick a pool shock that is not impacting the pH of pool water.
In case, If you pick a product shock that changes the pH then you test the pool water by using the best pool water test kit. Add the required chemical and balance the pH of pool water so that your pool water chemistry remains unaffected.
Dissolving Speed
Your pool shock product should dissolve fast otherwise remaining powder granules will damage your pool liner. On the other hand, a faster dissolving pool shock quickly increases the chlorine level in the pool that enhances the process.
Types of Pool Shock
Shocking the pool is a great option when you want to disinfect your pool water. Mainly, there are three different types of pool shock available in the market.
In this section, I’ll discuss about each of them in detail including pros & cons.
Calcium Hypochlorite
Calcium hypochlorite is also known as cal-hypo. It is the cheapest way to shock a pool & available in two different strenghts 65% & 73%. Calcium hypochloride is unstable product so that you should use this chemical in the evening when sun-light isn’t present otherwise chlorine will breakdown.
This is highly concentrated product so special care need to be taken while using it. I highly recommend that you should first properly dissolve the powder in bucket filled with the water. Please note that always add this chemical to water not any another way.
The only downside of calcium hypochlorite is that it will increase the pH & calcium level of water. It will take approx 8 hours to bring back chlorine to the normal level. Pool water is safe for swimming after getting the chlorine to the normal level.
Potassium Mono Persulfate
Potassium mono persulfate is non-chlorine based pool shock available in the market. It doesn’t contain any chlorine in it.
The major advantage of this product is
- It is unaffected by sun light
- As effective as chlorine based pool shock
- Dissolved very fast & doesn’t give storng odor
- Works best with the pools that uses bromine as a sanitizer
- It is safe to use because it doesn’t contain high level of chlorine
The other good thing about this product is that your pool is ready for the swimming in just 15 minutes after adding this product.
Sodium Dichlor
The full chemical name of sodium dichlor is Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione and also known as dichlor. It is available in 56% of strength in the market.
The key feature of this product is that it doesn’t add calcium to the water and boosts up the cyanuric acid level in the pool water. It has a neutral pH level.
Especially, dichlor based pool shock is very helpful when you want to remove chlorine resistant bacteria & micro-organisms from water. It is comparatively more expensive than calcium hypochlorite. Your pool is ready to swim within 15 to 30 min after adding this product.
Bottom Line
Best shock for pools keeps your pool free from algae. My overall top pick is In The Swim chlorine pool shock as it is efficient, cost-effective, and removes all types of algae.
