OxiTab vs EfferSan: the broader-coverage, faster HOCl disinfectant tablet.
Both are NaDCC tablets that make hypochlorous acid (HOCl), so safety is a genuine tie. We compared the two on what actually differs — EPA coverage, kill speed, dosing, and cost per gallon.
- EPA list coverage
- Pathogen coverage
- Kill times
- Tablets per gallon & cost
- Safety & PPE
Used across the industries that demand proven, non-hazardous disinfection
OxiTab vs EfferSan, at a glance.
The four numbers that matter most when two HOCl tablets go head-to-head. If you only read one block on this page, read this one.
Head-to-head comparison
An honest read: where the two products tie, and where OxiTab pulls ahead. Every row reflects manufacturer specs and EPA records — sources listed below.
| Feature | OxiTab | EfferSan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active chemistry | NaDCC → HOCl (Hypochlorous Acid) | NaDCC → HOCl (Hypochlorous Acid) | Tie |
| Tablet size & dose To make 1 gal @ ~1076 ppm |
13.1g — 1 tablet per gallon | 4g — ~4 tablets per gallon | OxiTab |
| Cost per equal-strength gallon | $1.50 (1 tablet) | ~$5.00 (≈4 × $1.25 tablets) | OxiTab |
| EPA list coverage | Lists N, K, Q, M, L | List N + Emerging Viral Pathogens | OxiTab |
| Pathogen coverage | 20+ incl. C. diff, TB, Ebola, Candida auris, MRSA, Norovirus, Parvo | Broad-spectrum; no TB, Ebola or Candida auris claims (C. diff/MRSA legacy high-ppm) | OxiTab |
| Kill times | 1–4 min for most pathogens | 5 min disinfect @ 1300 ppm; MRSA & C. diff 10 min | OxiTab |
| Safety profile | Non-hazardous, no PPE, neutral pH | Non-hazardous (HMIS 0/0/0), no PPE, neutral pH | Tie |
| Scent | Mild "sea breeze" | Subtle chlorine, no masking fragrance | Tie |
| No-rinse & food-contact | Yes (air dry; rinse food-contact) | Yes (no-rinse food-contact sanitizer) | Tie |
| Packaging & footprint | Lightweight tablets, recyclable packaging | Lightweight tablets, low shipping footprint | Tie |
Dose math: both tablets are ~31.75% available chlorine, so matching OxiTab's 13.1g tablet takes 13.1 ÷ 4 = 3.3 EfferSan tablets — rounded up to 4 whole tablets, since tablets can't be split. EfferSan per-tablet price ($1.25, ~$30 per 24-count) varies by pack size and seller.
What you save per gallon.
Both are HOCl tablets — but because each EfferSan tablet is ~⅓ the size, you need about 4 of them to match one OxiTab tablet. Enter your monthly volume to see the difference at equal disinfecting strength.
OxiTab monthly cost
EfferSan monthly cost
Your savings with OxiTab
EPA registered. Hospital-grade. Non-hazardous.
OxiTab is EPA registered, hospital-grade, and classified non-hazardous — on five EPA pathogen lists.
Two HOCl tablets — here's where OxiTab pulls ahead.
We won't pretend EfferSan is a hazardous quat. It isn't — it's a non-hazardous HOCl tablet, just like OxiTab. The real differences are coverage, speed, and dosing.
Broader protection
OxiTab carries five EPA lists, reaching the spores and pathogens facilities worry about most.
- C. diff spores (List K)
- Tuberculosis (List M)
- Ebola virus (List L) & Candida auris
Faster turnaround
Shorter dwell times mean tools and surfaces are ready sooner, with less waiting.
- 1–4 minutes for most pathogens
- Parvo in 4 minutes
- No 10-minute spore/MRSA waits
Simpler, cheaper dosing
One pre-measured tablet makes a gallon — no triple-dosing or counting out tablets.
- 1 tablet per gallon
- ~70% lower cost per equal-strength gallon
- Pre-measured — no mixing or guesswork
Where it's used.
From municipal facilities and food plants to farms, clinics and marinas, one HOCl tablet covers a wide range of professional disinfection needs.
Government & municipality
Public restrooms, playgrounds, dumpsters and community facilities.
Food & beverage
Processing plants, breweries and no-rinse food-contact sanitizing.
Water purification
Safe drinking water, including emergency and contaminated-supply treatment.
Yacht & marine
Boats, marinas and holding tanks where compact tablets travel light.
Livestock, farm & dairy
Barns, pens, poultry and swine premises — even livestock drinking water.
Vet, pet & animal care
Clinics, kennels, shelters and boarding facilities.
The verdict: OxiTab covers more, kills faster, and costs less per gallon.
Two well-made HOCl tablets. On the metrics that differ, OxiTab wins — which is why facilities across healthcare, food, animal care and municipal settings choose it.
- 5 EPA lists (N, K, Q, M, L) — incl. C. diff, TB, Ebola
- 1–4 minute kill time on most pathogens
- 1 tablet per gallon — simplest dosing
- ~70% lower cost per equal-strength gallon
- Hospital-grade for healthcare, food & facilities
- Non-hazardous HOCl, no PPE, no rinse
- EPA List N + emerging viral pathogens only
- 5-minute disinfection; 10 min for MRSA / C. diff
- ~4 small tablets to match one OxiTab gallon
- Higher cost per equal-strength gallon
- Positioned for municipal, food, marine & ag
- Also non-hazardous HOCl — a real tie on safety
Frequently asked questions
Real questions from buyers comparing two HOCl tablets.
Aren't OxiTab and EfferSan basically the same thing?
On chemistry, yes — both are sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) tablets that dissolve into hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and both are non-hazardous with no PPE required. The differences are coverage and dose: OxiTab is on five EPA lists (N, K, Q, M, L) versus EfferSan's List N plus emerging-viral claims, kills faster (1–4 min vs 5–10 min), and uses one 13.1g tablet per gallon instead of about four 4g tablets.
Why does it take ~4 EfferSan tablets to match one OxiTab tablet?
It's tablet size. Both products are about 31.75% available chlorine, so the dose scales with weight. OxiTab's tablet is 13.1g; EfferSan's is 4g. 13.1 ÷ 4 = 3.3 tablets to reach the same ~1076 ppm in a gallon — and since you can't split a tablet, that rounds up to 4 whole tablets.
Is OxiTab cheaper than EfferSan?
Per tablet, EfferSan's smaller tablet costs about the same. But per gallon of equal-strength disinfectant, OxiTab is roughly 70% cheaper: one $1.50 OxiTab tablet versus roughly four EfferSan tablets (~$5.00 at $1.25 each). You also save handling time — one tablet instead of four.
Does EfferSan kill C. diff, TB, Ebola or Candida auris?
EfferSan's current EPA registration centers on List N with emerging-viral-pathogen claims; its MRSA and C. diff figures are legacy claims requiring high concentrations and 10-minute dwell times, and it does not carry on-label TB, Ebola or Candida auris claims. OxiTab is listed on EPA Lists K (C. diff), M (TB) and L (Ebola) and claims Candida auris.
Is one safer than the other?
No — this is a genuine tie. Both are HOCl-based, non-hazardous, neutral-pH, and require no PPE for normal use. Unlike a quat such as Barbicide, neither product carries those hazard concerns.
Which is the better fit for high-traffic facilities?
OxiTab. It pairs the broadest EPA coverage (five lists) with the fastest kill times (1–4 minutes) and single-tablet dosing, so tools and surfaces are ready sooner across healthcare, food service, animal care and facility settings. EfferSan covers similar ground but on fewer EPA lists with slower dwell times.
References
- OxiTab — Product specifications, dilution & EPA listings (Reg. No. 71847-6-99958). oxitab.com
- EfferSan — Multi-Purpose Sanitizer & Disinfecting Tablets (Activon, Inc.). effersan.com
- EfferSan / CleanCore — HOCl tablet sell sheet: 50% NaDCC, 31.75% available chlorine, kill-claim & dilution data. cleancoresol.com (PDF)
- US EPA — EfferSan Pesticide Product Label, Reg. No. 66570-2. epa.gov (PDF)
- US EPA — List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19). epa.gov
- US EPA — List Q: Disinfectants for Emerging Viral Pathogens. epa.gov
- Block MS, Rowan BG. Hypochlorous Acid: A Review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2020. PMC7315945
This comparison is for informational purposes and reflects publicly available manufacturer specifications and EPA records at the time of publication. Both products are EPA-registered; always follow the product label and your local regulations for disinfection protocols. Kill claims, dwell times and concentrations vary by pathogen — verify against the current EPA master label. EfferSan per-tablet pricing varies by pack size and retailer; figures shown are illustrative for equal-concentration cost comparison.