{"id":3963,"date":"2023-02-02T02:40:26","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T08:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roboticpoolcleanerscompared.com\/?p=3963"},"modified":"2023-02-03T01:37:33","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T07:37:33","slug":"best-pool-shock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roboticpoolcleanerscompared.com\/pool-maintenance\/best-pool-shock\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Pool Shock 2023: Reviews, Top Picks & Buying Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shopping for the pool shock for your swimming pool?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You’ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n

Pool shock<\/a> is the most effective way of dealing with bacteria, algae, and other contaminants in a swimming pool.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pool shock can be added to the pool regularly or for a particular reason such as an algae bloom, after a heavy rainstorm or after heavy use.<\/p>\n

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Whats in This Guide<\/h2>\n\n
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What Is Pool Shock and What Are the Types Available?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"chlorine<\/p>\n

Pool shock is a chemical oxidizer that breaks down organic contaminants in the pool and oxidizes combined chlorines or chloramines. <\/strong>Chloramines give your pool a strong chlorine smell and cause eye irritation when you swim in the pool.<\/p>\n

Pool shock, specifically calcium hypochlorite, is also used as an algaecide to kill algae in the pool. It also kills bacteria.<\/p>\n

Essentially, pool shock is a powerful pool cleaner that’s used when the pool has higher than average levels of contaminants or too little free chlorine.<\/p>\n

There are three types of pool shock. Each is ideal for a different kind of pool and situation.<\/p>\n

Calcium Hypochlorite<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cal Hypo, as it’s also called, is the most commonly used type of pool shock. You’ll find it in different strengths ranging from 50% to around 70% chlorine.<\/p>\n

Calcium Hypochlorite<\/a> is highly effective against chloramines, organic contaminants, bacteria, and algae. It’s the cheapest type of pool shock.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the downside, calcium hypochlorite is harsh on pool surfaces, particularly vinyl. That’s why it’s a good idea to pre-dissolve the shock in a bucket before you add it to the pool. You also cannot swim immediately after adding it.<\/strong> You have to wait 24-48 hours for chlorine levels to come down to a safe level.<\/p>\n

Also, calcium hypochlorite adds calcium to the pool. This is a problem if you already have hard water.<\/p>\n

Sodium Dichlor<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sodium dichlor is stabilized pool shock. It has cyanuric acid added to it to prevent UV degradation. Dichlor is pH-neutral thus won’t raise your pool pH levels.<\/p>\n

Like Cal hypo, Dichlor<\/a> oxidizes chloramines as well as organic contaminants. It’s an effective way to purify the pool after a storm or heavy use. Dichlor also kills bacteria and algae.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because Dichlor doesn’t add calcium to the water, it’s perfect for pool owners that struggle with hard water.<\/p>\n

Like Cal Hypo, Dichlor is harsh and can bleach pool surfaces, especially vinyl. You also have to pre-dissolve it and wait 24-48 hours before using the pool.<\/p>\n

Another downside of Dichlor is that it adds cyanuric acid to water. But this is only an issue if your pool already has high levels of cyanuric acid.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do a quick pool test before you settle on a pool shock. If there are high levels of cyanuric acid, opt for calcium hypochlorite or non-chlorine shock instead.<\/p>\n

Potassium monopersulfate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Potassium monopersulfate<\/a> or non-chlorine shock uses a chlorine-free formula to oxidize organic impurities and remove chloramines.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Non-chlorine shock is less harsh than the other two types of chlorine shock, making it ideal for vinyl pools. Also, you can use the pool immediately after shocking it.<\/p>\n

Another advantage of non-chlorine shock is that it also doesn’t add calcium or cyanuric acid to the water.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the downside, Potassium Monopersulfate is not very effective against algae and bacteria.<\/p>\n

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The 8 Best Pool Shocks Reviewed<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. Best for all pool types<\/strong>: Aqua-Chem Xtra Blue<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Best for vinyl pools<\/strong>: Clorox Pool & Spa Shock Plus<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Best value for money<\/strong>: HTH Pool Shock Super Shock<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Best for cloudy water treatment<\/strong>: Pool Essentials Shock Treatment<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Best non-chlorine shock<\/strong>: Leisure Time RENU2 Pool Shock<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Best for Spas and Hot Tubs<\/strong>: SpaGuard Enhanced Shock<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Best for quick sanitizing<\/strong>: DryTec Calcium Hypochlorite Shock<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Best for regular maintenance<\/strong>: In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
    Pool shock<\/th>Best for<\/th>Type<\/th>Available chlorine<\/th>Kills <\/th>Dosage<\/th>pH neutral<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Aqua Chem Xtra Blue<\/strong>
    \"Aqua<\/a><\/td>    		Best for all pool types<\/td>Chlorine shock<\/td>39%<\/td>Bacteria & algae<\/td>1lb for 12,000 gal<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Clorox Pool & Spa Shock Plus<\/strong>
    \"Clorox<\/a><\/td>    		Best for vinyl pools<\/td>Dichlor chlorine shock<\/td>37%<\/td>Bacteria & only mild levels of algae<\/td>1lb for 12,000 gal<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    HTH Super Shock<\/strong>
    \"hth<\/a><\/td>    		Best value for money<\/td>Calcium hypochlorite shock<\/td>54%<\/td>Bacteria & algae<\/td>1lb for 10,000 gal<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Pool Essentials<\/strong>
    \"Pool<\/a><\/td>    		Best for cloudy water treatment<\/td>Chlorine shock<\/td>40%<\/td>Bacteria & algae<\/td>1lb for 10,000 gal<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Leisure Time RENU2 <\/strong>
    \"Leisure<\/a><\/td>    		Best non-chlorine shock<\/td>Non-chlorine shock<\/td>None<\/td>Some bacteria, no algae<\/td>4oz for 250 gal<\/td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    SpaGuard Enhanced Shock<\/strong>
    \"SpaGuard<\/a><\/td>    		Best for spas and hot tubs<\/td>Dichlor chlorine shock<\/td>58.2%<\/td>Bacteria & only mild levels of algae<\/td>3 tablespoons for 500 gal<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    DryTec Calcium Hypochlorite<\/strong>
    \"DryTec<\/a><\/td>    		Best for quick sanitizing<\/td>Calcium hypochlorite shock<\/td>68%<\/td>Bacteria & algae<\/td>1lb for 10,000 gal<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    In The Swim<\/strong>
    \"In<\/a>
    \n<\/td>    		Best for regular maintenance<\/td>Calcium hypochlorite shock<\/td>65%<\/td>Bacteria & algae<\/td>1lb for 10,000 gal<\/td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
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    1. Best for All Pool Types: Aqua-Chem Xtra Blue<\/a><\/strong> Pool Shock<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n

    \"Aqua<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"Buy<\/a><\/p>\n

    Aqua-Chem Xtra Blue<\/a> is chlorine-based, but it’s formulated differently from other chlorine pool shocks.<\/strong> It kills bacteria and algae while being gentle on your pool liner. You can swim just 15 minutes after the application.<\/p>\n

    Pros <\/strong><\/h3>\n