Saltwater vs. Chlorine Pools: What’s the Right Choice for You?
If you’re thinking about installing a pool, one of the first big decisions you’ll face is how to keep it clean. You’ve probably heard people talk about saltwater pools vs. chlorine pools, but here’s the thing—both actually use chlorine. The difference? It’s all about how that chlorine gets into your pool.
So, which system is better? Well, that depends on what matters most to you. Let’s break it down.
How Saltwater Pools Work
Saltwater pools sound fancy, but they’re actually pretty simple. Instead of adding chlorine tablets, you add pool-grade salt to the water. That salt then runs through a salt cell, which breaks it down and converts it into chlorine through a process called electrolysis.
The result? A pool that stays constantly sanitized—without you having to manually add chlorine all the time. And no, it doesn’t taste like the ocean. The salt levels in a saltwater pool are much lower than in seawater, so you won’t even notice it.
Why Some Homeowners Prefer Saltwater Pools
✔ Feels better on skin and eyes—no strong chlorine smell, no itchy skin
✔ Low maintenance—you don’t have to add chlorine manually every week
✔ No storing harsh chemicals—eliminates the need to keep chlorine tablets on hand
✔ Automatically generates chlorine—the system does the work for you
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
- Costs more upfront—the system itself is an investment
- Needs professional installation—there’s electrical work involved
- Requires occasional maintenance—the salt cell needs to be cleaned to prevent buildup
- Less effective in cold weather—when water temps drop below 60°F, chlorine production slows down
Join Cory, owner of Pools by Cory, and Alex, the service manager, as they explain the real differences between saltwater and traditional chlorine pool systems.
What About Traditional Chlorine Pools?
Chlorine pools are the classic choice. You manually add chlorine tablets to a floater, skimmer, or feeder, and as they dissolve, they sanitize the water. It’s a simple, straightforward system that’s been around forever.
Why Some Homeowners Stick with Chlorine
✔ Lower upfront cost—no need to buy expensive equipment
✔ Works in all weather—cold temperatures don’t affect chlorine levels
✔ Easy to use—just add chlorine tablets as needed
✔ No electrical setup required—keeps installation simple
A Few Downsides
- Requires regular maintenance—tablets need to be replaced weekly
- Can be harsh on skin and eyes—chloramines can cause irritation if not balanced properly
- Stronger chemical smell—chlorine-heavy pools tend to have that classic “pool” odor
- Needs safe storage—chlorine tablets must be kept dry to avoid dangerous chemical reactions
Is a Saltwater Pool More Corrosive?
A lot of people assume saltwater pools are bad for pool equipment and cause corrosion, but the truth is both systems use chlorine, and chlorine itself is naturally corrosive. The difference is that a saltwater system slowly produces chlorine over time, whereas traditional chlorine pools require periodic manual dosing.
Modern saltwater pools also include sacrificial anodes (kind of like what’s used in water heaters), which help prevent corrosion. So, as long as your pool is properly maintained, corrosion really isn’t something to worry about.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, what’s the best choice? That really depends on what you want out of your pool.
- If you want the lowest maintenance possible, go with saltwater.
- If you don’t mind adding chlorine weekly and want to save money upfront, stick with chlorine tablets.
- If you prefer softer water with fewer chemicals, salt water is the way to go.
- If you want a simple, straightforward setup, chlorine tablets work just fine.
At the end of the day, both systems keep your pool clean—they just do it in different ways.
Still Not Sure? We Can Help.
Choosing between saltwater and chlorine is just one part of planning your pool. If you’re thinking about installing a new vinyl or fiberglass inground pool, our team at Pools by Cory can walk you through all the options and help you decide what’s best for your home and lifestyle.
Call us today to get started on your dream pool!