Best chlorine tablets for pools 2026: reviewed and compared

200g trichlor tablets dissolve in 7-10 days and are the best choice for home pools. A 5 kg bucket costs EUR 30-45 and covers a full swimming season.

Quick answer

200g trichlor tablets are the best choice for private pools between 10,000 and 60,000 litres. They dissolve slowly over 7 to 10 days, are simple to dose via a floating dispenser or skimmer and cost …

200g trichlor tablets are the best choice for private pools between 10,000 and 60,000 litres. They dissolve slowly over 7 to 10 days, are simple to dose via a floating dispenser or skimmer and cost approximately EUR 6 to EUR 8 per kg.

Which type of chlorine is best?

TypeActive chlorineDissolve timeCyanuric acidBest for
Trichlor tablets 200g90%7 to 10 daysYesRoutine pool maintenance
Trichlor tablets 20g90%1 to 2 daysYesSmall pools, fine-tuning
Calcium hypochlorite granules65 to 70%ImmediateNoShock treatment
Sodium hypochlorite (liquid)12 to 15%ImmediateNoShock treatment, fast response
Dichlor granules56%ImmediateYesShock treatment
Illustration of three types of pool chlorine products: tablets, granules and liquid chlorine

For daily use, 200g trichlor tablets are the best choice. For shock treatments, use calcium hypochlorite or liquid chlorine: they contain no cyanuric acid and are immediately active.

Our pick: Bayrol 200g chlorine tablets

Bayrol is a reliable European brand with consistent quality. Their 200g tablets have a high chlorine content (90%), dissolve evenly and are widely available.

Best pick 2026
Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Bayrol

Slow-dissolving chlorine tablets for use in skimmer or floating dispenser. 5 kg for a full season.

8.8 Score
Cleaning
9
Ease of use
8.5
Pros
  • Slow dissolving
  • Easy to dose
  • Good price per kg
Cons
  • Slightly lowers pH over time
Premium pick
Interline Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Interline Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Interline

Trichloro tablets of 200 grams with 90 percent active chlorine. 5 kg of stock covers a full season in pools up to 50,000 litres.

Pros
  • 90 percent active chlorine
  • Slow 7 to 10 day dissolve time
  • From an established Dutch pool specialist
  • Also available in smaller packs
Cons
  • Higher price per kg than no-name options
  • Contains cyanuric acid (CYA)
Budget pick
Pool Lab Tabs 200g Chlorine Tablets (5 kg)

Pool Lab Tabs 200g Chlorine Tablets (5 kg)

Pool Lab

25 trichloro tablets of 200 grams, totalling 5 kg. Same formulation as premium brands at roughly half the price.

Pros
  • Half the price of major brands
  • 200 gram 90 percent trichloro
  • Same dissolve time as Bayrol and Interline
  • Good pick once you know your usage
Cons
  • Lesser-known brand
  • Less Dutch packaging detail

How much do you need per season?

Consumption by pool volume:

Pool volumeNormal useHeavy use
10,000 litres1.5 kg2.5 kg
25,000 litres3 kg5 kg
50,000 litres5 kg8 kg

“Normal use” = 1 to 2 swimmers, 3 times per week. “Heavy use” = more swimmers, daily, hot summer.

Stabilised vs. unstabilised chlorine

Trichlor tablets contain cyanuric acid (CYA) as a stabiliser. CYA protects chlorine from UV breakdown: without stabiliser, sunlight destroys 90% of free chlorine within 2 hours. With CYA at 30 to 50 mg/l, half the chlorine remains after 6 hours of direct sunlight.

The downside: CYA accumulates in the water because it does not evaporate or break down. Each dissolved 200g tablet adds roughly 6 grams of CYA to the water. In a 25,000-litre pool consuming 5 kg of trichlor per season, the CYA level rises by approximately 120 mg/l. Above 80 mg/l CYA, the effectiveness of chlorine drops dramatically: this is called chlorine lock or chlorine demand. Free chlorine is present but bound to CYA and unavailable for disinfection.

Calcium hypochlorite contains no CYA. It is therefore the preferred choice for shock treatment when you need rapidly available active chlorine without pushing CYA levels higher.

Alternative
Hypomen Fast-Acting Chlorine Granules (5 kg)

Hypomen Fast-Acting Chlorine Granules (5 kg)

Hypomen

Calcium hypochlorite granules for shock treatment. Dissolves instantly and acts within hours — without raising cyanuric acid levels.

Pros
  • No CYA build-up in the water
  • Active within 1 to 2 hours
  • Tackles algae and cloudy water effectively
  • 5 kg covers multiple shock treatments
Cons
  • Never mix with trichloro (fire risk)
  • Raises calcium hardness
  • Requires pre-dilution in a bucket

Weekly dosing guide

One 200g tablet per 25,000 litres per week is the standard starting point. At temperatures above 28 degrees, heavy use (more than 5 swimmers per day) or after rain: increase to 1.5 to 2 tablets per week.

Pool volumeBasic doseHeavy use
10,000 litres0.4 tablet0.8 tablet
25,000 litres1 tablet2 tablets
50,000 litres2 tablets4 tablets

Always verify free chlorine with test strips. The tablet dosing is a starting point, not a guarantee. If free chlorine falls below 1.0 mg/l, add a tablet immediately or run a shock treatment. For full guidance on how to add chlorine to your pool , see our step-by-step guide.

Alternative
Pool Power Mini Chlorine Tablets 20g (1 kg)

Pool Power Mini Chlorine Tablets 20g (1 kg)

Pool Power

Small 20-gram trichloro tablets in a 1 kg pack. Dissolve in 1 to 2 days — ideal for small pools or fine-tuning alongside 200g tablets.

Pros
  • Fast acting thanks to 20g format
  • Ideal for pools up to 10,000 litres
  • Easy dosing in spas or kiddie pools
  • 90 percent active chlorine
Cons
  • Higher consumption than 200g tabs in large pools
  • Only sold as 1 kg pack

Floating dispenser vs. skimmer

A floating dispenser distributes chlorine evenly throughout the day as it drifts across the surface. You can remove it easily before swimming so bathers have no direct contact with the concentrated tablet. Adjust the opening to control the dissolving rate.

The skimmer method is convenient: the tablet sits in the basket and is dissolved by the water flow. The risk: when the pump stops, concentrated chlorine water sits in the skimmer line and can attack PVC fittings and vinyl liners over time. Only use the skimmer method if the pump runs continuously.

Use a floating dispenser if you turn the pump off overnight or need to stop it regularly for maintenance.

Safe storage

  • Store tablets dry and cool, preferably below 25 degrees
  • In an unheated shed or cellar, stability deteriorates rapidly above 35 degrees
  • Seal the container tightly after each use: humid air activates the oxidising properties and attacks the packaging
  • Never store trichlor next to calcium hypochlorite, pH correctors or other oxidising agents. Contact between dry trichlor and calcium hypochlorite causes spontaneous combustion. Store in separate, sealed containers at least 1 metre apart
  • Use gloves when handling tablets: direct skin contact with concentrated trichlor causes irritation

Warning

Never mix different chlorine products. Trichlor and calcium hypochlorite together cause a violent chemical reaction that can result in fire or explosion.

Safety: what to do at end of season

At the end of the season, remove all tablets from the dispenser and skimmer before winterizing. Never leave a tablet in a pool that is being partially drained: the chlorine concentrates as the water level drops and the chemical load on the remaining water becomes extreme.

Store unused tablets sealed in their original container in a cool, dry place over winter. Do not dispose of them in household waste or pour dissolved chlorine down storm drains.

Cost overview

A 5 kg bucket of trichlor tablets costs EUR 30 to EUR 45. A 20,000-litre pool at normal use consumes 3 to 4 kg per 20-week season. Total chlorine cost per season: EUR 25 to EUR 35.

To monitor chlorine levels accurately, pair your tablets with good test strips. See our best pool test strips comparison for the top options.

Recommended products

Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Bayrol

Slow-dissolving chlorine tablets for use in skimmer or floating dispenser. 5 kg for a full season.

8.8 Score
Cleaning
9
Ease of use
8.5
Pros
  • Slow dissolving
  • Easy to dose
  • Good price per kg
Cons
  • Slightly lowers pH over time
Interline Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Interline Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg)

Interline

Trichloro tablets of 200 grams with 90 percent active chlorine. 5 kg of stock covers a full season in pools up to 50,000 litres.

Pros
  • 90 percent active chlorine
  • Slow 7 to 10 day dissolve time
  • From an established Dutch pool specialist
  • Also available in smaller packs
Cons
  • Higher price per kg than no-name options
  • Contains cyanuric acid (CYA)
Pool Lab Tabs 200g Chlorine Tablets (5 kg)

Pool Lab Tabs 200g Chlorine Tablets (5 kg)

Pool Lab

25 trichloro tablets of 200 grams, totalling 5 kg. Same formulation as premium brands at roughly half the price.

Pros
  • Half the price of major brands
  • 200 gram 90 percent trichloro
  • Same dissolve time as Bayrol and Interline
  • Good pick once you know your usage
Cons
  • Lesser-known brand
  • Less Dutch packaging detail
Pool Power Mini Chlorine Tablets 20g (1 kg)

Pool Power Mini Chlorine Tablets 20g (1 kg)

Pool Power

Small 20-gram trichloro tablets in a 1 kg pack. Dissolve in 1 to 2 days — ideal for small pools or fine-tuning alongside 200g tablets.

Pros
  • Fast acting thanks to 20g format
  • Ideal for pools up to 10,000 litres
  • Easy dosing in spas or kiddie pools
  • 90 percent active chlorine
Cons
  • Higher consumption than 200g tabs in large pools
  • Only sold as 1 kg pack
Hypomen Fast-Acting Chlorine Granules (5 kg)

Hypomen Fast-Acting Chlorine Granules (5 kg)

Hypomen

Calcium hypochlorite granules for shock treatment. Dissolves instantly and acts within hours — without raising cyanuric acid levels.

Pros
  • No CYA build-up in the water
  • Active within 1 to 2 hours
  • Tackles algae and cloudy water effectively
  • 5 kg covers multiple shock treatments
Cons
  • Never mix with trichloro (fire risk)
  • Raises calcium hardness
  • Requires pre-dilution in a bucket

Frequently asked questions

A 25,000-litre pool at normal use consumes approximately 2 to 4 kg of chlorine tablets per season (20 weeks). Buy 5 kg as a starting stock.

200g tablets dissolve in 7 to 10 days and are suited for dispensers and skimmers. 20g tablets dissolve in 1 to 2 days and are useful for fine- tuning chlorine levels in smaller pools.

Yes, but be careful: never switch the pump off with a tablet still in the skimmer. Concentrated chlorine in static water attacks PVC fittings and vinyl liners.

At high water temperatures above 28 degrees, chlorine dissolves faster. Close the dispenser slightly or switch to 20g tablets for easier fine-tuning.

Keep your pool clear with the right maintenance schedule

See our complete maintenance schedule with daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks.

View schedule

By

Zwembadwijzer

The Zwembadwijzer editorial team consists of experienced pool owners and water treatment specialists who combine practical knowledge for residential pool owners.

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Chlorine Tablets 200g (5 kg) EUR 34.99
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