Best Pool Salts in 2022 – Reviewed
If you own a saltwater pool, then there are several chores you have to keep up on, but none of them are as important as maintaining the proper salt levels in the pool. And for that job, you’ll have to buy the best pool salt available. A salt that’s very much like common household salt that you sprinkle on your baked potato but has been specially treated for use in pools.
Once you have the proper type of salt for your pool, the next step is to maintain the pool. You are going to have to find one in the proper container, one that’s easy to pour and one that provides stability and value for the money. To help with all of those points, we not only reviewed some great pool salts, but we also wrote a handy guide on the subject. We hope everyone finds it useful.
Quick Summary of Best Pool Salts
Reviews
Best Overall: Morton Salt 3460 Pool Salt, 40 lb
This is a quality product that no pool owner we’ve known has ever had any problems using. And unlike some of the products manufactured by fly-by-night companies, the consumer can rest assured that Morton is going to stand behind their product. In our opinion, this is one of the best salts for people with chlorine generators and worth checking out.
- This salt is perfectly ground and perfect for chlorine generators.
- This is a high-quality debris-free salt.
- This salt costs a little more than some other lesser quality salt products.
Best Salt For Spas: Aquasalt-40 Swimming Pool and Spa Chlorine Generator
- It’s the perfect grind of salt for spas.
- It can be used in chlorine generators as well.
- It costs a little more than other types of salt products.
Best Professional Pool Salt: Morton Salt Professional’s Choice Pool Salt
- This is a fast-dissolving pool salt.
- This product is expensive.
Best Value: Clorox Pool & Spa High Purity Salt
One of the main reasons that this salt has made it on our list is because it’s one of the more inexpensive pool salts available, which makes it a good value for most consumers. This is a product that’s made by Clorox, a company that is usually known for making bleach for laundry and household cleaning products, but in this instance, they’re making salt. Although we do think that this is a fine grade of salt that should work well enough for most people, our major complaint was that it didn’t dissolve as quickly as some other brands. We’re not sure if we’re spoiled from using some of the commercial-grade products, so it’s up to every one of our readers to decide whether this budget pool salt is right for their needs.
- This is a good value pool salt.
- It doesn’t dissolve as quickly as we would’ve liked.
Pool Salt Guide
Different types of pools require a different approach to keep the water hygienic. However, even if you have a saltwater pool, you still need to find the best products to keep the water safe and free from bacteria. This why you need to make sure you have the best pool salt for your needs. Not all products out there are made equal which makes it difficult to get this purchase right.
This is why we have created the following buyer’s guide. By the end of it, you’ll be able to keep your water clean and clear for everyone to enjoy.
What To Look For In Pool Salt
Reliable Container
Although these are known for being less harsh than the chemicals used in regular pools, you still want to keep small hands of children away from your pool salt. This can also protect your pets from harming themselves so the quality of the container or a resealable bag is important.
Type
With different types of pool salt available, you need to find the right one for your pool. For many people, mined salt is a premium option as it is. purer than others, consult our section on the options you have below.
Value
The larger packs do tend to give you more value in the long run and mean you don’t have to think about repurchasing so soon. This does make it more important to go for a quality product so you don’t end up with a product you don’t like.
Easy Pour
A bag of pool salt is not as convenient for many reasons, most notably in how it pours. The better products will come in a container with a handle so you can always control how much you are pouring.
These are also good as they are reusable so you can buy refill bags and pour them in.
Stability
One of the benefits of using stable pool salt is that it does not evaporate as quickly and keeps your pool water more hygienic for longer. The UV. rays tend to be a nuisance in this way but certain products last longer meaning you don’t have to treat the water so frequently.
Different Types of Pool Salt
Although it might seem like a basic product, there are a variety of options here. Each has unique benefits to offer your pool water.
Mined
As the name suggests, this is salt from rock salt mines. Because it is one of the purest types of salt available, it is well suited to be used in a pool, particularly for those who are more conscious about what they use.
A lot of the time, it is 99% sodium chloride so you should find it to be among the highest quality.
Solar
This type of pool salt uses the sun as it is derived from seawater and left in an area where the water evaporates, leaving you with salt, hence the name.
Without the use of any machinery, it is another natural way to obtain salt for a pool. Because there are also impurities left behind, not to mention tiny fragments of brine shrimp, you need to make sure your pool filter is up to the task of removing them.
Because it puts added strain on other parts. of the pool, solar pool salt is not always a preferred option.
Mechanically Evaporated
Working similarly to solar, it uses nonsolar powered heat to evaporate seawater and kills bacteria and brine shrimp faster. The downside is that although those impurities are less of an issue, this source of pool salt contains other impurities. These include the likes of magnesium and calcium which can impact the hardness of the calcium levels.
This makes the maintenance that little trickier as you have to stay on top of the chemical levels of the water.
Is Pool Salt The Same As Table Salt?
Some people might think this is a silly question but the. truth is, they aren’t too dissimilar. The main difference is in the coarseness. Pool salt has been produced so it is coarser so it is better suited to the pool water.
Another difference is in the quantities they are sold. Because you can purchase table salt in larger bags and containers, it is easier to pour the right amount into your pool.
Is It Easy To Maintain A Saltwater Pool?
Most people believe it is the easiest option in terms of maintenance. Because you only have to add salt to the salt chlorinator, you don’t have to worry about mixing chlorine, the device does it for you.
This does make it more important to buy a quality salt chlorinator but because they do not need so many chemicals, the water is often less harsh on the skin and just as clean and clear.
How Long After Adding Salt Can You Swim?
After adding anything into your pool it is always best to wait 20 minutes before getting into the water. This gives the chemicals or salt a chance to mix into the water and make it hygienic. It also means you are less likely to swim among concentrated chemicals before they have had the chance to disperse.
Can You Add Too Much Salt To A Pool?
If you go a little over the top then you won’t be faced with a huge issue beyond the taste of the water (not that you should be consuming it anyway!). However, when things get overly salty it can impact the metal parts of your pool and cause corrosion.
What Are The Benefits Of a Saltwater Pool?
There are many reasons why a saltwater pool is a preferable option, and one of the most prominent is that it is kinder on skin and eyes.
Beyond that, they are good for anyone who wants less maintenance on their hands and when you are in the water, it tends to feel softer than a chlorinated pool. There is no chemical mixing involved when you buy a saltwater pool, not to mention no chemical smell.
