Best Pool Shock Reviews 2019

Swimming is great fun but cleaning the pool and getting it safe for use is much less so! The right pool shock will make your pool crystal clear and give it an irresistible brilliance. But how do you determine the best and safest option from the many out there? We have made this easy by reviewing 5 of the top brands. Go ahead, read our review and note that these brands have other product variants if you can’t make up your mind with the particular products reviewed.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

pH impact

Ingredient

Treatment

Size/Pack

Timing

Our Top Choice

Clorox Pool&Spa Shock Plus

For years, Clorox Pool&Spa has been creating testing and treatment products for swimming pools you can spend more time safely enjoying them.

Easy to use. Clears cloudy water, creating a sparkling pool. Works fast and for salt water pools too. 1 pound bottle treats 10,000 gallons of water.

Does not work in all types of pools.

pH neutral

Sodium Di-Chlor.

Algae killing; improves filtration

6 or 12-pounds

15 minutes

Best Value

Aqua Chem Xtra Blue Shock

Aqua Chem is known for manufacturing and distributing superior performance and reliable swimming pool products.

Effective on all pool types. Will not bleach pool lines. Potent, and it improves filtration. 1 pound treats 12,000 gallons of water. 6-in-1 treatment. Keeps water pH neutral.

Quite pricey for the value you get in return.

pH neutral

Sodium Di-Chlor.

Kills bacteria and algae

5lbs; 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 or 36 pack

15 minutes

Doheny's Chlorine Free Oxidizing Shock

For 50 years, Doheny’s has been manufacturing innovative and efficient pool products and accessories for both household and commercial use.

Free of chlorine. Works great on all pool surfaces. Clears your pool in just 15 minutes. Makes pools sparkly and clean.

Needs more than the recommended dosage to be effective.

pH neutral

Potassium monopersulfate

Oxidation; reduces chlorine level

6, 12, 24, 25 or 50 pounds

15 minutes

DryTec Calcium Hypochlorite Shock

For years, DryTec has been manufacturing superior performance chemicals that are used to treat and maintain swimming pools.

Works fast. Made with potent ingredients. Cleans and clears your pool. Available in different pack sizes. Can be used for start-up or maintenance.

Requires too much work to store.

Increases pH

Calcium hypochlorite

Chlorine boost; start-up shock

1lb; 1, 12 or 24 pack

2 hours

HTH 6-in-1 Ultra Shock Treatment

HTH is a global manufacturer and supplier of chemicals for water treatment used in spas, swimming pools, and even drinking water.

Quick to dissolve which means fast action. Eliminates contaminants from your pool and restores clarity. Also works with salt water pools. 6-in-1 treatment.

Does not work with hot tubs.

pH neutral

Calcium hypochlorite

Water softening; scale protection

1 pound pouch

5 minutes

(Updated August 12, 2017)

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Watch Our Pool Shock Review

How Do I Choose the Best Pool Shock?

It’s been a long day and you just want to take a long soak. Sure, you could do it in the bath, but the freedom of the pool is far more appealing. You get home, change to your swimsuit and head for the pool. Then you remember it’s been a while since you used it, and something isn’t right with the color of the water – it’s slightly greenish and looks like algae is growing in it. So much for that idea! If only you had one of those fast action pool shocks.

Cleaning your pool can be hard work especially if you’re using a manual pool cleaner. Even if you use a robotic pool cleaner, the job isn’t done until pool shock has been used, whether you have a dedicated indoor pool or an above ground pool. A shock is a water treatment that reacts with your pool water to clean out contaminants and return it to a safe, clean state in a short space of time. Every swimming pool should be shocked – the average frequency is every week, but you may want to do it more often if the pool is heavily and consistently used. Many pool owners leave this task till it’s necessary especially those who rarely use their pool but this is an unhealthy thing to do.

Some pool shocks are in liquid form, some in granulated form and others in powder form. Each comes with its advantages. The best pool shocks will restore the sparkle and clarity of your water. They will eliminate organic contaminants and bacteria. They will not change the pH level of your pool and are effective on most pool types. Most pool shocks don’t take long to get the job done, so you can have more time to enjoy swimming.

Price

The percentage of chlorine and other active ingredients, as well as the size and quantity of the shock, are usually determinants of its price. As such, you can get a 50-pound bucket of oxidizing shock for around $150 while a less expensive option goes for about $30.

There are cheap pool shocks out there, but if you scrutinize them well, you will discover they don’t have enough chlorine to maintain a balanced water pH or keep contaminants at bay. If you use those, you certainly will still be swimming in dirty water.

Features

Swimming is for good for relaxation, but you must ensure your pool is clean and free of bacteria and other organic agents at all times. You can easily do this with a pool shock. If you want to get one for yourself, here are points to watch out for:

Active ingredients
Time taken to dissolve
Packaging
Safety
Effect on pH level
Reviews

These features are further explained below which shows you how they affect the efficacy of pool shocks. Hopefully, the explanation will help you decide on the combination of features you want in your pool shock.

Construction and Design

Pool shocks usually have one of three active ingredients – calcium hypochlorite, sodium di-chlor or potassium monopersulfate, which is a non-chlorine pool shock. If your pool is green and regularly used by a lot of people, it is advisable that you opt for the calcium hypochlorite as it is an active pool shock. This shock will keep your pool free of bacteria and prevent algae growth.

Pool shocks that contain sodium di-chlor last longer in the pool than the previous type and are more suitable for regular pool maintenance. This shock also increases the cyanuric level of your pool water so you should be aware of the chemistry of the water before deciding on its suitability. Ideally, 1lb of this shock will treat 10,000 gallons of water, but you may need more on sunny and windy days. This treatment is best applied in the evening as it takes a while for the pool pH to be regulated enough to allow swimming.

A non-chlorine shock isn’t to avoid the necessity of chlorine for healthy and safe pools. Instead, it releases chlorine that’s been tied up in the pool. If there is tied-up chlorine in the pool and chlorinated shock is used, you may skyrocket the chlorine level to unsafe amounts. This also explains why most pool shocks come with chlorine test strips so you can know what amount of shock would be suitable to treat your pool safely.

Pool shock packaging varies and may affect the suitable type for you. They come in plastic bucket and bottle of varying sizes as well as paper bags. The ones that come with a bunch of 1lb sachets are instant money savers.

Performance and Ease of Use

There is something inviting about a crystal-clear pool with sparkling clarity. A suitable pool shock can give you this within minutes. Fortunately, most pool shocks have been created to be easy to use. If you are doing routine maintenance, you might be ready to swim just 15 minutes after treatment. But if the treatment is grander, you will have to wait longer.

In choosing a suitable pool shock, you should also consider the surface of the pool to which you will apply the shock for scale protection. You should also read the labels of the shock of your choice to see if it suits your pool. Ordinarily, the pool shocks we reviewed will clear cloudy water, control contaminants and restore the crystal clarity of most pool types. But the product that will work best depends on the pre-existing condition of your pool. In some cases, you may need a little more than the recommended dosage to get desired results.

We hope this information will help you decide on the features you want in an ideal pool shock. This will make it easier for you to select a particular product to satisfy your needs.

What is the Best Pool Shock?

Now that you know the important features that make a pool shock worth using and have decided on the ideal features for you, it’s time to read our detailed reviews of individual products so you can choose the brand/product that suits your needs the most. We believe you’ll find what will work for you at an affordable price.

Our Top Choice

The Clorox Shock Plus treats pool water without affecting the pH levels and removes contaminants. This shock is so potent that a 1-pound bottle will treat 10,000 gallons of water. If you’d like a more powerful version, go for the Clorox Pool&Spa Shock Xtra Blue which has algae killing crystals.

Clorox Pool&Spa Shock Plus - Available in 2 Sizes

Clorox Pool&Spa Pool Shock 32012CLX – 12-Pound

Features

Clorox Pool&Spa is well known for offering top quality products for treating and maintaining both commercial and private pools. It creates testing kits that give you instant results so you can monitor the condition of your pool. It also makes products that solve common pool issues. Its pool treatments do not leave residues in your pool, and all its products are safe to use.

Shock Plus is a powdery formula that removes contaminants from the pool without impacting the pH level. It works in 3 simple steps to clear cloudy or green water to create a sparkling pool you will be happy to dip into. The following are some other features of this pool shock:

Packaged in an attractive bottle
Highly potent. A 1 lb. bottle treats 10,000 gallons of water
Clears cloudy and green water
Treats water in 15 minutes
Removes contaminants
Does not affect pH
Reduces chlorine odor
Does not irritate the eyes when you swim after treatment
Contains algae killing crystals
Increases filter performance

If you’re still in doubt, Clorox Pool&Spa has many other pool shocks you can check out.

Best Value

The Aqua Chem Xtra Blue Shock is a fast action shock that kills algae, bacteria, and other contaminants while remaining pH neutral. It also creates a sparkling pool water. If you want an all-in-one shock, you can check out the Aqua Chem 5-Pack Shock Plus Water Clarifier which works in a 4-step system and also comes in 6 sizes.

Aqua Chem Xtra Blue Shock for Swimming Pools – Available in 6 Sizes

Aqua Chem Pool Shock 12101AQU – 5-

Features

Aqua Chem is committed to offering long-lasting and high-performance swimming pool products and accessories. It makes chemicals that help clear pool water and kill bacteria, making it safe to swim in. It continually seeks to create new products that improve the efficacy of your pool to make it more enjoyable and safe to use.

The Aqua Chem Xtra Blue Shock is a 6-in-1 formula that clears cloudy water and keeps it sparkling for that pristine swimming pool effect. It’s a fast action treatment that neither leaves behind residues nor raises the pool’s pH, so you can spend more time swimming than treating. This awesome pool shock can also be used for above ground pools.

The following are some more features of this pool shock:

Kills bacteria and algae
Enhances pool filtration
Reduces eye irritation and chlorine odor
Removes organic contaminant
1-pound treats 12,000 gallons of water
Works in 15 minutes

Not sure yet? Check out some other pool shocks available from Aqua Chem.

The Doheny's Oxidizing Shock uses its active ingredient (potassium monopersulfate) to make your pool water sparkle and eliminate contaminants, keeping it clean and clear. If you would like a chlorinated shock, go for the Doheny's Di-Chlor Shock which has 56% chlorine and clears your pool out in minutes.

Doheny's Chlorine Free Oxidizing Shock – Available in 5 Sizes

Doheny's Pool Shock 4835 – 50 lb. Bucket

Features

Doheny’s is an American brand that’s specialized in swimming pools, whether inground or above ground. It manufactures superior quality and innovative products that service, maintain, and protect pools to enhance their performance. Whether it’s the pool in a household or one for commercial purposes, Doheny’s has you covered with its full range of products. It also prides itself in its extensive distribution network that promises to deliver to you wherever you are in the US.

The Doheny's Oxidizing Shock restores cloudy pools to a clear and sparkling state with the use of its potent active ingredient, potassium monopersulfate. This shock can be used for initial treatment of pools, maintenance, after rainfall or after heavy use. Just 1-pound of shock will treat 10,000 gallons of water and it works fast, in just 15 minutes, so you can spend more time enjoying the pool than maintaining it. The chlorine free treatment is safe to use on all kinds of pools and pool surfaces and what’s more, you can choose this product in 5 sizes, so you can pick the right amount for your needs. Choose from 6, 12, 24, 25 or 50 pounds!

If you want more options then check out other pool shocks from Doheny’s.

The DryTec Chlorinating Shock has 68% calcium hypochlorite which makes it powerful enough to control algae, kill bacteria and deal with other organic contaminants. If you’d prefer an even more potent variant, go for the DryTec Extra Shock Pool Treatment which has 73% calcium hypochlorite and comes in 4 sizes.

DryTec Calcium Hypochlorite Chlorinating Shock Treatment for Swimming Pools – Available in 3 Pack Sizes

DryTec Pool Shock 1-1901-24 – 24-Pack

Features

DryTec is a company committed to offering the best products. Its extensive research and development of innovative and reliable products has helped it stay true to its commitment. It’s specialized in the manufacture of chemicals used for treating and maintaining swimming pools large and small. It distributes its products around the country making them easy to find in local stores.

The DryTec Chlorinating Shock works for most pool types and surfaces. The active ingredient in this powdery pool shock, calcium hypochlorite, is potent enough to kill all organic contaminants and bacteria in the pool. It clears a clouded pool and restores the water’s clarity giving a boost to the pool’s visual appeal.

The following are other features of this potent pool shock:

Fast action shock
Long lasting chlorine boost
Improves pool lucidity
Works for most pool surfaces
Can last for years if stored properly
1-pound per packet
Available in 3 pack sizes; 1, 12 or 24 packs

If your mind is not made up yet, you can check out other pool shocks available from DryTec.

The HTH 6-in-1 Shock Treatment is quick dissolving with additives that help protect your pool from scale and it also softens the water. If you’d like an equally effective shock in a pack of 30, try out the HTH Super Shock and Swim Powder which is buffered for pH control and has 52% Calcium Hypochlorite.

HTH Ultra Complete 6-in-1 Shock Treatment for Swimming Pools

HTH Pool Shock 51441

Features

HTH is one of the brands under Lonza, a giant company that offers its products through Arch Chemicals, which it acquired in 2011. It’s one of the world’s largest suppliers of spa and pool sanitizers of which HTH is one. It’s headquartered in Switzerland, and all of its brands are well known and widely distributed across the world.

The HTH 6-in-1 Shock Treatment is an effective shock that contains 56% calcium hydrochlorite to clean your pool and restore its sparkle. It eliminates bacteria and other contaminants, making your pool fresh to swim in again, as well as being quick to dissolve and working straight away. You will soften the water of your pool and prevent scale with this shock and it even works on salt water! Although this is a 1-pound pouch, there are bulk quantities available which will save you some money, and you get two free testing strips.

If you need more options to help you decide, HTH has other pool shocks you can check out.

Get the Best Pool Shock of 2019!

Thank you for reading to the end of this review. Since you have all the information you need to make a pool shock choice confidently, what’s stopping you? Go ahead, make your purchase and get ready to dive!

Our Top Choice

Clorox Pool&Spa Shock Plus

Best Value

Aqua Chem Xtra Blue Shock

Doheny's Chlorine Free Oxidizing Shock

DryTec Calcium Hypochlorite Shock

HTH 6-in-1 Ultra Shock Treatment