No matter if you’re already a hot tub owner, or you’re thinking of buying one in the near future, you probably already know that keeping your hot tub clean and sanitised is of the utmost importance for your physical health.

Needless to say, as relaxing and stress-relieving as hot tubs can be, the heat and dampness they naturally produce are also the ideal environment for mould, bacteria, and other unsavoury contaminants to grow and fester in – which, if left unchecked, can lead to potentially serious health complications.

Fortunately, there are plenty of hot tub chemicals and sanitisers out there that you can use to ensure your hot tub stays in tiptop condition for whenever you want to use it, the most common of which are chlorine and bromine sanitisers.

Of course, this then begs the question; when it comes to bromine vs chlorine for your hot tub, which do you choose? After all, both have their pros and cons which might make one hot tub sanitiser type better suited for you than the other.

Keep reading to learn the core differences between bromine vs chlorine sanitisers, and how they work to keep your hot tub clean, all so you can figure out which one is right for you.

Let’s get started!

What is the difference between a bromine vs chlorine hot tub sanitiser?

Before you can decide whether or not a bromine or chlorine sanitiser is better suited for your hot tub, it’s important to understand how these two sanitisers differ, that way you’ll be able to better understand how they keep your hot tub clean:

Chlorine

First off, let’s look at the most commonly used hot tub sanitiser – Chlorine. You’re probably already familiar with this chemical as it’s often used to keep swimming pools free from bacteria and dirt, and it operates in the exact same way when used with your hot tub.

Chlorine is what’s known as an oxidising agent, a type of chemical that destroys bacteria and fungi by removing electrons from their atoms and tearing their bacterial structure apart at the seams. Many bleaches work along similar lines to chlorine, though chlorine is certainly less harsh, hence why it’s an excellent sanitisation option.

Bromine

Much like chlorine, bromine is also a powerful oxidising agent, meaning it destroys bacteria and algae in much the same way in order to keep your hot tub clean and looking fresh.

However, unlike chlorine, bromine is even less potent and may require higher volumes to keep your tub’s water clean. But, as a bonus, these sanitisers also lack the distinctive swimming pool smell thanks to their lower intensity.

What are the pros and cons of bromine vs chlorine?

Now that we know how chlorine and bromine both work to keep your hot tub clean, it’s time to take a look at what splits them apart. We’ve outlined the core advantages and disadvantages of both sanitisers below so you can see which might be better used to meet your hot tub preferences:

What are the pros and cons of using chlorine sanitiser?

Looking at chlorine first, this sanitiser comes with the following core benefits over bromine:

  • Chlorine is more commonly used than bromine, which makes it cheaper and easier to find.
  • It’s available in many different forms, including liquid, tablets, and granules, giving you greater flexibility in storage and how you sanitise your tub.
  • Chlorine works faster than bromine, meaning you can use your hot tub that much sooner after sanitising.

Of course, being such a powerful sanitiser, chlorine is not without its downsides, including but not limited to the following:

  • Chlorine produces byproducts known as chloramines, which give it that distinctive and intense swimming pool smell.
  • Too much chlorine can cause skin or eye irritation.
  • Chloramines can cause breathing difficulties if inhaled by accident.
  • While powerful, chlorine does require more regular use in order to keep your pool clean.

What are the pros and cons of using bromine sanitiser?

Moving on to bromine, like chlorine, this sanitiser has numerous benefits that come with its use, especially for those with more sensitive skin:

  • As it’s less harsh than chlorine, bromine is much gentler on the skin and eyes when too much is used.
  • Unlike chlorine, bromine does not produce strong smells after use.
  • Despite being less intense, bromine actually lasts longer in your water than chlorine, meaning you’ll be sanitising your tub less often.

Much like chlorine, however, bromine too has its drawbacks:

  • Bromine is less common than chlorine, making it harder to find and more expensive to buy.
  • Bromine is less powerful than chlorine, so you will have to use a large dose when sanitising.
  • Bromine doesn’t work as well if exposed to sunlight, making it less ideal for use in outdoor hot tubs.

What else should you consider when settling on bromine or chlorine for your hot tub?

Besides the pros and cons we’ve laid out above, there are a few other things you should consider when settling on which sanitiser to use with your hot tub.

First, consider how often you’ll be using your hot tub. If you plan to use it regularly, then bromine might be a better option as it means you’ll spend less time sanitising your water and more time relaxing in it. Meanwhile, chlorine is the better choice for more infrequent use as it will clean your water faster and allow you to get in sooner.

On top of this, you’ll also want to consider where your hot tub is based. As we highlighted previously, bromine is less effective when exposed to sunlight, so if you plan to have your hot tub in your garden, chlorine is certainly the better choice for keeping your water free from bacteria. Finally, consider how sensitive your skin is and whether or not your chosen sanitiser could aggravate it. For example, if you have eczema, then bromine is going to be a much friendlier sanitiser to use than chlorine thanks to its lower intensity.

How to stay safe when using hot tub sanitisers

Last, but not least, it’s worth highlighting a note on safety when using bromine or chlorine for your hot tub. Specifically, the serious risks that come with accidentally mixing these two chemicals.

Simply put, you must never mix chlorine and bromine. Otherwise, the two will produce both chlorine and bromine gasses, which are potentially lethal when combined together.

Therefore, once you’ve picked a sanitiser, you’ll have to stick with it for a little while. And if you do decide to switch from chlorine to bromine, or vice versa, it’s best to consult an expert beforehand to make sure that you’re switching safely.

Picking bromine vs chlorine hot tub sanitisers

At the end of the day, there is no single answer to the question of whether or not bromine or chlorine is better at sanitising a tub – it all comes down to your own personal preference.

If you’re running your hot tub on a budget, then chlorine is likely going to be the better option for you. Whereas if you’re using your hot tub regularly, then bromine could save you time when sanitising.

Either way, before you even consider using any form of hot tub sanitiser, you’ll first need to invest in a hot tub to begin with. And if that’s something you’re interested in doing, then you should check out the Platinum Spa range when you get the chance.

Get in touch today to find out more about our product range and speak to an expert for advice on how to pick your first tub. And don’t forget to visit our hot tub owners’ hub for more informative articles about hot tub care and maintenance like this one.

Chlorine vs bromine FAQs

Both chlorine and bromine are safe to use in your hot tub, provided you follow the instructions provided. However, caution should be used when using chlorine if you have asthma, as it can trigger asthma attacks. You should also remember that both sanitisers can be dangerous if overused, so always follow the dosage instructions provided.

Even though bromine lasts longer than chlorine, you will still need to shock your hot tub every so often to get rid of the noxious compounds called bromamines and ensure your pool is entirely clean.

Jamie Smith
Latest posts by Jamie Smith (see all)

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