Best Salt Water Chlorine Generators For Above Ground Pools

Are you tired of burning, red eyes and chemical smells on your skin whenever you take a swim in your pool?

Does your hair get discolored or are you constantly having to replace your bathing suit? 

With a salt water chlorine generator for your above ground pool, those problems will disappear. Read our guide to find the best ones out there. 

The Difference Between Saltwater & Chlorine Pools

What makes a pool safe? It’s not just the chlorine! pools need plenty of other chemicals to keep them wholesome and enjoyable. Traditional saltwater or traditional (“old school”)chlorine pools do their jobs well enough, but they lack some modern features that we’ve come accustomed too such as automatic feedback systems for adjusting Generators to suit individual users needs better than any human could hope.

Because of this newer pools are salt water pools (see also ‘Salt Water Pool Maintenance 101‘), their easy to maintain, set up and all of that without the smell of chlorine

INTEX 26669EG QS1200 Krystal Clear Saltwater System With E.C.O. (Electrocatalytic Oxidation) For Up To 15000 Gallon Above Ground Pool

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The Intex salt water system with electrocatalytic oxidation removes the need for harsh chemicals in your above ground pool.

When salt is added to the pool water it passes through the generator and is separated into two elements. One of these is chlorine which then sanitizes and disinfects the pool water. 

The salt water generator is compact, sleek, and easy to use. There is no smell or taste of salt in the pool water as the concentration of salt is about the same as teardrops.

And with it installed you won’t have to worry about red burning eyes, discolored hair, or faded swimsuits.

Pros

• Chemical Free Cleaning – allowing clear, soft, and fresh pool water without overpowering smells
• Compact Unit – providing ease of use and a sleek design with easy access buttons
• Safe Salt Water Sanitization – no strong smell or taste of salt water
• Low Maintenance – 3 self-cleaning modes

Cons

• Filter pump not included 

Also available at Abunda

XtremepowerUS 90146 Complete Salt System Electronic Generator Chlorination

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Have a crystal blue pool every day with Xtremepower’s salt water chlorine generator. Effortlessly sanitizing your pool water making it clear, soft and completely free of harsh chemicals.

There’s no need to physically add chlorine to your pool as the system takes care of disinfecting the water by transforming the salt into chlorine. 

User friendly controls means it is simple to use and very easy to install. It works in conjunction with your pool pump to keep your water clean and digital sensors constantly monitor the salinity of the water. 

Pros

• Very Easy to Use – the front display is simple and effective with salt levels clearly indicated 
• No Need for Strong Chemicals – the system eliminates the need to add chlorine to your pool water
• Low Maintenance – constant measuring of salinity levels via digital sensors means you can relax knowing your pool is clean
• Soft, Clear Water – no itchy skin or red eyes from high chlorine levels, the low salinity of the water is barely noticeable

Cons

• Looks a bit clunky

Also available at Xtremepower USA, eBay

Hayward W3AQ-TROL-RJ AquaTrol Salt Chlorination System For Above-Ground Pools Up To 18,000 Gallons With Return Jet Fittings

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Save time, money, and effort keeping your above ground pool clean with this chlorination system from Hayward (Hayward pool heater ignition failure). It will produce soft, silky water which is always crystal clear and ready for you to take a dip.

You won’t have to worry about sore eyes or itchy, dry skin either. 

The system is quick and easy to fit with installation possible in under 30 minutes. Operating is simple too with a digital salt display and seven diagnostic indicators.

It has a 24-hour timer for filter pump control and a salt cell (see also ‘How To Tell If A Salt Cell Needs Replacing‘) cleaning function. 

Pros

• Electronic Chlorination – no need to handle chlorine tablets or liquid
• Soft Sanitized Water – the system will disinfect your pool without causing irritation to skin or eyes
• Simple and Effective – installation in around 30 minutes and easy to operate functions 
• Versatile – can be used on newly installed pools or retro-fitted to an existing above ground pool

Cons

• Does not have a flow switch fitted

Also available at Pool Supply Unlimited

BLUE WORKS Saltwater Pool Chlorine Generator System BLSC Chlorinator For 20K Above Ground Pool

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The Blue Works chlorine generator will sanitize your pool without the need for harsh chemicals that irritate your skin and burn your eyes.

The system automatically creates chlorine from the salt dissolved in the pool water leaving you with clear, clean water and minimum input from you. 

The front of the unit allows you to monitor the chlorine levels without opening the door.

It is also easy to install and works with any type of pool pump and filter (see our guide to understanding your pool filter pressure gauge). Large buttons and clear functions mean it is simple to operate too. 

Pros

• No Need to Add Chlorine – just install and let the system keep your pool clear and sanitized. No more chemicals to measure and add to the water
• Easy to Install and Operate – the digital panel is easy to follow, and the functions are clearly labeled
• Monitoring is Simple – the chlorine levels can be checked through the viewing window on the front panel without the need to open the door
• Looks Good – the generator is sleek and modern looking

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a manual

Also available at VM Innovations

Buyers Guide

So how do you choose the right salt water chlorine generator for your above ground pool? Which features are essential and which are just nice to have. Let’s take a look at some of them. 

Size

The size or rather the capacity of your pool will be vital to choosing the right salt water chlorine generator as it will determine the amount of sanitization needed.

So look for how much chlorine the system will produce. This is typically measured in pounds per day. 

Choose a system that is around one and a half times your pool size. So for a 20k gallon pool a system for 30-40k gallons would be best.

This ensures you don’t overwork your system and that you have spare capacity for times that the pool needs some extra attention such as in very hot weather.

Use 

How frequently the pool is used and by how many people will directly impact the amount of cleaning that the water will need.

If you have lots of pool parties or your family uses the pool every day then you will need a stronger system than if the pool is only used occasionally. 

Most systems will have digital sensors and displays that will tell you what the salt levels in the pool (see also ‘Pool Salt Guide: Types You Should Use And Why’) are. This will alert you to any issues with cleaning the water if the pool has been heavily used. 

Environment

For pools in hot climates, a stronger system may be needed, as the growth of algae will be more pronounced. The same is true if the pool is surrounded by vegetation, with lots of leaves getting into the water.

Heavy rainstorms also play havoc with chlorine levels in your pool. 

Ensure that you invest in a system that does frequent checks on the salinity levels and that has the capacity to deal with fluctuations. 

Compatibility 

You need to make sure that the salt water chlorine generator that you buy is going to be compatible with your pool pump and filter. Most are compatible with the majority of pump and filter brands, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should The Salt Water Generator Be Run For?

This will depend on lots of factors such as the weather, how much the pool is used and the environment it’s in.

Regular checks on the salinity levels will let you know if you need to run it for longer or if less time is needed to keep the chlorine levels optimal.

How Often Do I Need To Add More Salt?

Not very often. The salinity of the water will normally only be affected if more water is added such as during heavy rain or water is emptied out or spilling over the side.

Average salinity is around 3000 parts per million, but this can vary according to the size of the pool. Your salt water generator will let you know when the pool needs more salt.