5 Best Rated Pool Clarifiers [Pros & Cons] & Buying Guide

If you are struggling with your pool getting cloudy and a little too green, you need to get the best pool clarifier. A pool’s filtration system and sanitizer can help eliminate most cloudiness, but a clarifier works faster and does a much better job.

Pool clarifiers work by disintegrating or coagulating the compounds that make your water cloudy, making them easy to remove from the pool. It is always a great idea to use a clarifier at least once every week. 

The important thing is to make sure you have a clarifier that works. Here we make it easier to find something effective with a review of a few top products and a comprehensive buying guide.

5 Best Pool Clarifier – Review

1. Best Overall: HTH 67023 Super Clarifier

The fast-acting formula of the HTH 67023 Super Clarifier and its ability to improve your overall water quality makes it our best overall pool clarifier.

With the fast-acting and easy-to-use formula, you only need to dilute a little of it with water from the pool and pour the mixture into your skimmer. The pool will start clearing almost immediately and be ready to vacuum in just 8 hours as the clarifier kills both biological and physical contaminants.

By coagulating the tiny particles in the water that cause cloudiness, this clarifier frees up your filter to deal with the large ones like organic debris and algae more efficiently.

What’s more, using the clarifier on your pool does not alter the pH level, meaning you will not need to balance it again afterward. Also, you can use this clarifier on all pool types, including those that use salt sanitation systems.

This pool clarifier requires some dilution, which means some extra work for you, but this should not be a big deal as it only takes a few seconds.

Pros

• Clears out cloudy water fast
• Helps keep filters efficient
• Will not affect pool pH
• Works for any pool type

Cons

• Requires dilution before use

2. Clorox Pool&Spa Super Water Clarifier

With the Clorox Pool&Spa Super Water Clarifier, you will not need to add a lot of product to clear your dull, cloudy, or hazy water. Just 1 fluid ounce is enough to treat up to 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Many pool owners will also love that they do not need to dilute before using the product, which speeds up the job. You can pour the clarifier into the pool or skimmer, and it comes with detailed directions to make the job even easier for you.

There will be minimal pool downtime when using this clarifier, as the water will be safe for use by swimmers in as little as 15 minutes.

If you are looking for a fast-acting pool clarifier, this might not be the best choice for you as it will take up to 12 hours or even longer to clear out the pool. However, the crystal clear water you get in the end makes it worth the wait.

Pros

• A little of it goes a long way
• Minimal pool downtime
• Does not require any dilution
• Easy to use with clear directions

Cons

• Not very fast-acting

3. Robarb R20154 Super Blue Clarifier

Robarb R20154 Super Blue Clarifier is a highly concentrated pool clarifier that will minimize your pool’s demand for sanitizers by getting rid of dirt particles that make the water cloudy and hazy.

Removing the dirt particles also helps improve the overall filter efficiency as the system can focus more on dealing with the larger contaminants. What’s more, the clarifier works well with all filter types as it does not cause clogging.

You can use this pool clarifier effectively at different temperature levels, and it also remains effective when you have varying levels of other pool chemicals. Also, the formula is non-toxic and biodegradable to ensure safety for swimmers and the environment. Better still, it is highly concentrated, and just 1 fluid ounce is enough for 5,000 gallons.

Measuring the amount is not easy as it does not come with a measuring cup or even markings in the bottle to guide you. But, this is something easy to figure out, and the chances are you already have something you can use at home. Also, the price is a little steep, but for a highly concentrated and effective clarifier, it is worth the price.

Pros

• Minimizes the pool sanitizer demands
• Non-toxic and biodegradable formula
• Works with all filter types
• Suitable for use at various temperatures

Cons

• No measuring cup
• A little pricey

4. Aqua Clear 30032ACL Products Pool Water Clarifier

The Aqua Clear 30032ACL works well for all pool types out there, including those that use salt sanitation systems. Also, the clarifier has a high concentration to ensure just 1 fluid ounce treats at least 5,000 gallons of water.

Using this pool clarifier should be straightforward because, besides the clear step-by-step directions that include dosage instructions, it does not require any dilution. Therefore, you only need to pour it directly into the pool and wait for it to work.

The water starts to clear almost immediately after adding the clarifier, and it should be clear enough in just a few hours. Also, you do not have to worry about lengthy pool downtimes as the water should be safe to use in just 15 minutes.

The biggest weakness of this product is the bottle as the quality seems relatively poor and hence more prone to leaking. However, this does not make the clarifier less effective and should thus not be the deal-breaker.

Pros

• Works for any pool type
• Does not require dilution
• Helps improve filter efficiency
• Fast-acting with minimal pool downtime

Cons

• Poor bottle quality

5. BioGuard Polysheen Blue Clarifier

Whether you have a saltwater or chlorine pool, the BioGuard Polysheen Blue Clarifier will work for you as it is safe for all pool types. Better still, it works for any filter type and will never cause clogging.

Besides treating your water, this clarifier can help improve the efficiency of your filter. It binds together the tiny particles in the water and makes them easy to remove for the filter.

The formula has a high concentration to ensure the 32 fluid ounce bottle goes a long way to give you great value or money. You will only need 1 fluid ounce to treat every 5,000 gallons of water. What’s more, the job should be easier and faster, given you do not need to dilute the clarifier.

Overall, this pool clarifier is a little pricier as there are many cheaper options out there, but it does a fantastic job and lasts a long time to ensure you get good value for money.

Pros

• Safe for all pools & filters
• Easy use with no dilution
• More concentrated formula means you need a little of it
• Improve pool filtration efficiency

Cons

• Relatively pricier

Guide to Buy the Best Pool Clarifier

1. Pool Clarifier Form

Clarifiers come in either liquid or tablets. Therefore, as you shop for the best ones, you need to decide which type will work for you.

Liquid pool clarifiers are the most popular form, and many users love them for their ease of use and convenience. With these clarifiers, you will only need to add a few ounces directly to your pool and give the water a few hours to clear out.

Tablets are highly concentrated forms of clarifiers, but they are not as common as liquid ones. They are less popular because they are not fast-acting, given they take longer to dissolve in the water.

Overall, liquid clarifiers are the better option, but tablets can also be ideal for those looking for something that will be easier to store.

2. Concentration

You will also need to look at the concentration level as it determines the clarifier’s effectiveness and how much of it you need to use to clear out the pool water.

That said, the higher the concentration, the better the clarifier. Although the manufacturers do not always make the actual concentration clear, you can quickly tell from the dosage requirement.

For example, a clarifier that only requires you to use 1 fluid ounce for every 5,000 gallons of water like the Robarb R20154 Super Blue Clarifier is highly concentrated.

However, you also need to be careful not to pick something too concentrated as it can be harsh on your pool’s fixtures and surfaces. A very potent clarifier can bleach and damage delicate surfaces like vinyl finishes.

3. Pool and Filter Type Compatibility

Like with all other pool chemicals, it is crucial to make sure the clarifier you choose is compatible with your specific pool type and other things like your filtration system.

Some clarifiers will only work well for pools that use chlorine sanitation systems and damage others like the saltwater systems. Also, using a pool clarifier without checking compatibility can throw other things like pool chemistry off-balance.

Therefore, when deciding what to buy, make sure it will not damage or clog the specific filter type you have. If you are not sure what will work best for your specific situation, go for something safe for all pool and filter types like BioGuard Polysheen Blue Clarifier.

4. Pool’s Specific Problem

Another essential factor to keep in mind when deciding what clarifier to buy is your specific pool problem.

It would be best to determine whether your problem is cloudy water only or other issues like algae and low sanitizer levels.

Some of these problems will require you to use the pool clarifier and other products like pool shock for the best results. Also, you might have to get a pool clarifier that contains ingredients that do more for your pool besides clearing water.

5. Speed of Clearing Water

Pool clarifiers will not work at the same speed. Some types can take over 24 hours to clear the cloudy water, while others only require a few hours.

Fast-acting products like the HTH 67023 Super Clarifier are always the better option as they ensure minimal pool downtime as you do not have to wait long before using the pool again.

Bottom Line

You need the best pool clarifier to deal it dull, cloudy, or hazy pool water, but finding it should now be easy as there is a product for every pool type on our review above.

While every product on our list does a fantastic job, the HTH 67023 Super Clarifier is our top overall recommendation. This clarifier is fast-acting and works for all pool types out there.