We sell and service both salt and mineral systems, so we have no horse in this race. Here's the honest comparison we give customers at the counter.
First, a myth to clear up
Both salt and mineral pools are chlorine pools. The chlorinator turns dissolved salts into chlorine — minerals don't replace sanitising, they change how the water feels and how hard the system works. Anyone claiming a "chlorine-free" mineral pool is selling you something.
Salt pools: the reliable workhorse
- Cheapest to run: a bag of pool salt costs very little and lasts months.
- Simple chemistry: every test kit and every pool shop understands salt pools.
- Huge equipment choice: Zodiac eXO iQ, AstralPool Viron, Hayward AquaRite — every major brand makes a salt chlorinator.
Downsides: water can feel slightly "salty" at high levels, and salt can be harsh on some natural stone coping if levels creep up.
Mineral pools: the luxury upgrade
Systems like MagnaPool and Zodiac's Hydroxinator iQ blend magnesium and potassium minerals with a lower salt level. The result:
- Noticeably softer water — no red eyes or tight skin, and hair feels better after a swim.
- Crystal clarity — magnesium flocculates fine particles so filters catch more.
- Gentler on equipment at the lower salt levels these systems run.
Downsides: mineral blends cost significantly more per bag than plain salt, and you'll want a chlorinator designed for mineral chemistry (the Hydroxinator iQ is purpose-built for it).
Our honest verdict: if you swim daily, have sensitive skin or eczema in the family, mineral is worth the extra running cost. If the pool gets weekend use and budget matters, a modern salt chlorinator like the Zodiac eXO iQ will make you just as happy.
Converting is easier than you think
Switching from salt to mineral usually means new media in the filter (for MagnaPool), a compatible chlorinator and the first mineral top-up — often done in a single service visit. Bring a water sample in and we'll tell you exactly what your pool would need, and what it would cost per year either way.
