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Cleaning your pool can be a hassle. Thankfully, pool shocks exist to clear your pool of unwanted organisms. To help you maintain a swim-ready pool, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best pool shocks on Amazon. We explore our top recommendations below.
Top 5 Pool Shocks
- Best Multifunction Shock: HTH Super Shock Treatment
- Largest Quantity: NAZUHA Zappit Pool Shock
- Best Packaging: DryTec Chlorine Shock Treatment
- Best Liquid Cleaner: Austin’s Pool Tech Shock
- Best Water Clarifier: Robarb Super Blue Clarifier
Compare Top Pool Shocks
| Product | Quantity | Treatment Amount | Active Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTH Super Shock Treatment | 12 one-pound bags | Treats 13,500 gallons per bag | Calcium hypochlorite |
| NAZUHA Zappit Pool Shock | 50-pound bucket | Treats 40,000 gallons per pound | Calcium hypochlorite |
| DryTec Chlorine Shock Treatment | 24 one-pound bags | Treats 10,000 gallons per pound | Calcium hypochlorite |
| Austin’s Pool Tech Shock | One-gallon jug | Not listed | Sodium hypochlorite |
| Robarb Super Blue Clarifier | 32-ounce bottle | Treats 5,000 gallons per ounce | Not listed |
| Product | Quantity | Treatment Amount | Active Ingredients |
Best Multifunction Shock: HTH Super Shock Treatment
HTH Super Shock Treatment
- $79.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with 12 one-pound bags
- Treats 13,500 gallons of water per bag
- Uses calcium hypochlorite as the active ingredient
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the amount of pool shock that they got for the price. They also said that the product dispersed easily. However, those who didn’t care for this pool shock claimed that it didn’t fully dissolve in their pool and that it occasionally leaked from the bag.
Largest Quantity: NAZUHA Zappit Pool Shock
NAZUHA Zappit Pool Shock
- $189.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with a 50-pound bucket
- Treats 40,000 gallons of water per pound
- Uses calcium hypochlorite as the active ingredient
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers liked how quickly this pool shock’s powerful formula treated their large pools. On the other hand, those who left negative reviews for this pool shock claimed that it didn’t dissolve all the way. Others struggled to open the bucket’s lid.
Best Packaging: DryTec Chlorine Shock Treatment
DryTec Chlorine Shock Treatment
- $110.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with 24 one-pound bags
- Treats 10,000 gallons of water per pound
- Uses calcium hypochlorite as the active ingredient
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praised this pool shock’s formula, stating that it was strong, fast-acting, and long-lasting. Some customers did have to use multiple packages to treat their entire pool, though.
Best Liquid Cleaner: Austin’s Pool Tech Shock
Austin’s Pool Tech Shock
- $27.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes in a one-gallon jug
- Uses sodium hypochlorite as the active ingredient
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were impressed with how easy this pool shock was to use and how quickly it cleared debris from their pool. Others liked that it was tightly wrapped and did not leak out easily from the jug. On the other hand, some customers had issues with the weakness of the shock, claiming that it required at least a quarter of the bottle to work effectively. Several other customers also felt this product was overpriced for what it provided.
Best Water Clarifier: Robarb Super Blue Clarifier
Robarb Super Blue Clarifier
- $49.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with a 32-ounce bottle
- Treats 5,000 gallons of water per ounce
- Uses a non-toxic, non-irritating, biodegradable formula
What Customers Are Saying
Those who gave this product positive reviews said that it was able to clean even the dirtiest of pools. They also mentioned it working in pools of various sizes. However, dissatisfied customers thought that the formula was watery and the instructions were difficult to follow.
Buyer’s Guide
Pool shock keeps your pool water clear by eliminating bacteria and algae. This buying guide will help you select the best pool shock to keep your pool swim-ready all summer long.
Shock Type
Pool shock can use one of three active ingredients.
Calcium Hypochlorite
This is the most common type of pool shock on the market. It’s strong and fast-dissolving, but it can damage vinyl pool linings.
Sodium Dichlor
This pool shock isn’t as strong. It slowly raises the pH of your pool, so you have to wait some time for it to dissolve before you can swim.
Potassium Monopersulfate
This is a non-chlorine pool shock that removes bacteria and algae by oxidizing the water. You can use it when you don’t want to raise the chlorine level of your pool.
Amount
Generally speaking, you need about one pound of pool shock per 10,000 gallons of water. Before you purchase pool shock, determine how much comes with the order. Some manufacturers sell pool shock in bulk to cut down on the number of orders you have to place during the swimming season.
Dissolve Speed
Pool shock comes in quick-dissolving and slow-dissolving formulas. If you need to use your pool shortly after shocking it, choose a quick-dissolve version.
Pool Type
Most pool shocks are designed for chlorinated indoor or outdoor pools. However, certain types of pools may require specialized pool shock. These types include:
- Fiberglass-lined pools
- Hot tubs and spas
- Saltwater pools
- Vinyl-lined pools
Functions of Pool Shock
All pool shocks keep your pool clear. However, some specialize in certain functions. Common specializations include:
- Removing algae
- Removing bacteria
- Removing chloramine
- Raising free chlorine levels
- Enhancing blue water color
- Clearing storm debris
- Preparing for winterization
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Shock
Does pool shock contain chlorine?
Pool shock is made with calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichlor, or potassium monopersulfate. Of these chemicals, only potassium monopersulfate is chlorine-free.
How often should I put pool shock in my pool?
Shock your pool once a week during the active swimming season as well as at the beginning and end of the season. You may also wish to shock your pool following heavy rainstorms, as the added water can upset the chlorine balance. You can also shock your pool if you notice that the water is cloudy or tinted green.
What does it mean if my pool shock is stabilized?
Stabilized pool shock has protection in it that prevents it from burning in the sun. Any pool shock with sodium dichlor is considered stabilized.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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