Bromine Vs Chlorine

Choosing the right sanitiser can be tough especially for portable spa pool owners. In this blog, we’ll dive into the core differences between chlorine and bromine so you can decide which will work best for your family.

When it comes to sanitation, there are two main chemicals you can choose from – chlorine and bromine. It is important to understand what each of these chemicals are and the pros and cons of each.

Essentially bromine and chlorine are chemical compounds used to eliminate nasty bacteria caused by heating water and adding bodies to the mix but they each do this in a different way with different effects.

Chlorine

Chlorine cleans your spa water by oxidising the impurities in your water. “Oxidising” means that the chemical combines with oxygen to separate the contaminates which then can be collected by your filter.

  • Cost – Depending upon brand RRP of chlorine is around $20 p/kg
  • Odour – Very strong in odour, chlorine creates chloramine, a derivative of ammonia
  • Killing Power – Very effect and fast at eliminating bacteria
  • Convenience – Requires daily dosage for the average spa pool

Bromine

Bromine ionizes spa pool water. Particles are converted to ions by removing electrons, and when that takes place, the contaminates are collected by the filter.

  • Cost – Depending upon brand RRP of bromine is around $40 p/kg
  • Odour – Mild in smell
  • Killing Power – Less effective than chlorine and does still require a weekly dose of chlorine or to be used in conjunction with Ozone
  • Convenience – Dispensers typically need refilling once a week

So Which Should You Choose?

Both are great at what they do. Both sanitise your portable spa and keep the water clean. That said, every spa pool owner is different and may have their own preferences for time, cost and experience.

If you constantly find yourself forgetting to add sanitiser or if you want to try and save a little money on maintenance, chlorine may be the way to go. If you have sensitive skin, bromine is the better choice, even though its more expensive.

If you have a portable spa, bromine has a tonne of advantages over chlorine. It may cost more, but it lasts longer and does a much better job than chlorine at killing bacteria.

Which is better – bromine or chlorine? Bromine is best for spas, use Chlorine for pools.