Water is a vital element in our lives, so it makes sense if you want to see whether the water you are using at home is clean. The best solution here is to use a water test kit. But what is the best water test kit?
If you are still pondering over your choices, we recommend you have a look at our article below.
It will offer a comprehensive guide on choosing the best water test kits, as well as the top brands on the market.
We believe that our advice would be helpful for you to choose the most suitable product. Keep reading to find out more.
9 Best Water Test Kits
1. API Freshwater Master Test Kit
For those of you who want to focus on making sure the water used in household aquariums matches the natural habitats of marine lives, this individual water test kit from API would meet your needs.
What makes this product among the best water test kit is its easy-to-use GH & KH tests.
These terms refer to water hardness, the amount of diffused mineral inside water.
If you want to keep your fish healthy and vibrant, it is a must that?GH & KH levels?are maintained approximately the same as those in natural habitats.
The water test kit allows you to do so by performing weekly tests and determine the levels of such components.
With two test bottles, color cards, and test tubes; you can effortlessly perform check-ups to make sure your aquarium matches the needs of fish.
The test can quickly point out if the levels are too low, thus giving you time to deal with the problem. However, you should make sure your aquarium is using freshwater.
Both of these tests are done well on freshwater, but the GH test won’t be necessary for saltwater environments.
In short, if you want an economical yet scientifically accurate water test kit, you shouldn?t miss out on this one.
One downside of this water test kit is its ill-designed tube caps. It is reported to be leaky if the test tube is shaken too violently.
Overall, this water test kit from API provides you with all the main tests needed to assess your aquariums. It is affordable, simple to use and effective according to most of the customers.
2. API Test KIT Individual Aquarium Water Test Kit
For those of you who want to focus on making sure the water used in household aquariums matches the natural habitats of marine lives, this individual water test kit from API would meet your needs.
What makes this product among the best water test kit is its easy-to-use GH & KH tests.
These terms refer to water hardness, the amount of diffused mineral inside water.
If you want to keep your fish healthy and vibrant, it is a must that GH & KH levels are maintained approximately the same as those in natural habitats.
The water test kit allows you to do so by performing weekly tests and determine the levels of such components.
With two test bottles, color cards, and test tubes; you can effortlessly perform check-ups to make sure your aquarium matches the needs of fish.
The test can quickly point out if the levels are too low, thus giving you time to deal with the problem.
However, you should make sure your aquarium is using freshwater. Both of these tests are done well on freshwater, but the GH test won?t be necessary for saltwater environments.
In short, if you want an economical yet scientifically accurate water test kit, you shouldn?t miss out on this one.
3. Hach 145300 Total Hardness Test Kit
Have you ever had problems with washing your hair or your clothes, simply because the water doesn’t seem to cooperate with soap at all? If so, maybe your household water is?hard water.
But don?t worry. There?s one easy way to find out. That is to try using this water test kit, focusing on measuring the hardness level of your water.
Hard water isn?t necessarily bad for your health. But it makes washing suck as the detergents can?t dissolve the high accumulation of mineral matter.
This also implies that the water softener you’re using has done a bad job.
So how can this water test kit come into use?
By mixing your household water with chemicals provided inside test tubes, you can assert that your water is hard should the mixture turn from pink to blue.
Sure enough, this is considered to be the best water test kit among many customers. However, complaints are made about the instructions. It seems like the producers have failed to make it clear on how to use this test kit.
But aside from that small hindrance, the Hach Total Hardness test kit is still worth your purchase. It?s quick, it?s without error, and it?s within your budget!
4. Hach 2745250 Total Hardness Test Strips, 0-425 mg/L
Some of you want to measure the total hardness of your water, but you dislike the idea of mixing chemical components.
What’s the solution then?
Go for this water test strip! It?s far simpler to use than a water test kit, especially if you aren?t skillful at blending mixtures.
To measure the total hardness of your water, use two different test strips for GH and KH.
Dip them into the water, then quickly draw them out. By then, compare the color on the strips with those on the calibrated color card.
It?s probably the most straightforward process you have ever heard. Yet, these test strips are proven to be efficient in correctly measuring the level of hard water.
However, you should be careful when reading the result. The range between different shades of hues is quite close, so it can get tricky to make out exactly how hard your water is.
But still, if you don?t want to do complicated tasks, this simple water test strips wouldn?t let you down.
5. Total Hardness Water Test Strips Kit
Another water test kit that we would like to suggest is this total hardness water test strips from Baldwin Meadows. So what makes it become among the best water test kits available on the market?
Baldwin Meadows understands that using complex procedure to measure your hard water is something not all of us can do.
This is when the idea of water test strips come into handy. Just submerge the strip into your water and bang!
The strip will change its color, according to the KH & GH levels. Now all you need to do is to quickly compare the strip to the color card, and confirm whether your household water is hard or not.
And one more brilliant idea?
This water test strips kit comes with 100 strips in total! In other words, you have a lot at your disposal; and a monthly check-up is totally within hands.
But there?s a small disadvantage to this product. Like every other water test strips, the hues used on the color card can be a bit confusing for users. Make sure you carefully eye the color on your strip and that in the card provided.
Most water test trips share this complaint about indistinguishable colors, so you shouldn?t worry too much about it. Instead, if you aim at a quick and instant check on your water, this product is not to be missed.
6. Health Metric Heavy Metals Test Kit
Heavy metals can be present in your household water. When their levels are more than medically acceptable, they can cause bad stuff to your health.
So how can you prevent this from happening?
Tada, simply by using this water test kit! The test comes with strips that can measure the levels of four most common heavy metals in your water: lead, iron, copper and mercury.
Instead of using an all-in-one test kit, this water test kit comes with separate strips, making individual tests possible. With each test, you can measure accurately how much toxic component is present.
With straightforward instructions, you won’t have to worry about getting confused about the testing process. The results are out within 15 minutes, so you can easily perform it in no rush.
Another practical feature of this water test kit is its producer. Made in the USA this water test kit applies EPA standards and completely matches the domestic requirements of a freshwater test kit.
But remember that this test can only confirm if there’s a high or low level of heavy metal in your water. It only gives a positive or negative result. In other words, you won’t get to know the exact measurement.
For this price range, this water test kit can be a starting point for you to ensure the safety of your household water. It’s hassle-free, it’s easy-to-use and the results are super simple to read.
See also: How to read sensus iperl water meter
7. HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester
Sometimes, you will need a hi-tech device to carefully check out the water quality inside your house. This is when this digital water test come into use!
This water meter is designed to measure the TDS level, which stands for Total Dissolved Solids. It indicates how pure your water is, as lower level is equal with purer water.
So how can this water test be used?
By dipping the prongs into the water (remember to keep it at room temperature), the electronic tester would calculate and confirm the TDS level. The result is shown clearly by digits on the screen, and you cannot miss it.
What makes this water test stand out is its convenience. The test takes just a few minutes to finish, and it doesn’t require any complicated process.
Also, this meter comes with a battery-saving system, meaning you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off.
Another item included in this water test kit is a TDS chart sticker, which explains each different TDS level. In other words, no need for Google after getting the result, everyone.
Nevertheless, there is one drawback to this water test kit. It can only detect non-organic matter, and organic contaminants will be left unsupervised. So make sure you understand this product right before making a purchase.
This water meter can be used up to 1000 hours, and it promises to provide scientifically accurate results. If you are into some hi-tech household gadgets, check this one out!
8. VANTAKOOL Digital PH Meter
One more technical water tester we would like to introduce is this digital pH meter from VANTAKOOL.
Below, we will break down the features of this product and explain how they make up for the best water test kit.
This water tester focuses entirely on measuring the pH level?in your water, be it drinking water or aquariums.
Simply by submerging the head of the meter inside water, the number will appear on the screen, indicating whether your water has a pH balance or not.
One notable detail of this water test is its automatic temperature compensation.
Unlike the previous product which relies on room temperature water, this VANTAKOOL meter makes use of technology that can precisely assess the pH value regardless of how hot or cold the water is.
Being compact and portable in design, this water test kit can be used both for domestic and industrial purpose. This is among the reasons why many customers praise this product for being the best water test kit.
However, you should look out not to put this water meter into extremely hot weather. It won’t do much damage to the test result, but the plastic used to craft this meter can suffer from slight deformity.
9. HoneForest 3-in-1 Water Quality Tester
If you are working for a lab and want something to check out some most common features of the water, this water test kit may very well meet your needs.
Designed to be used by professionals, this product can measure three factors: the TDS level, the EC (electrical conductivity)? and the temperature.
By pressing the Mode button and picking your preferable parameter, the result will be displayed on the screen after being dipped into the water.
What if the digits are blurred?
To prevent any error, the LCD is lit by bright color lights, offering users a perfect view for easier reading. The numbers are also locked on the LCD seconds after the concrete result is out, so take your time to check it out.
The wide use of this water meter is another reason that makes this water test kit popular.
You can use it to check the temperature of your child’s milk or make sure your tap water has a low TDS level.
See also: TDS Meters for drinking water
Although this water meter is multifunctional, it?s worth remembering that it cannot measure the pH level. If you want to make sure your water is pH balanced, you should purchase a separate product.
What Is A Water Test Kit?
Water test kits are products that can measure certain factors in the water. Some water test kits can detect if heavy metals are present, while others indicate whether the aquariums are safe for marine lives.
Water test kits come in many forms. The most popular test kit is strips, which are papers with chemicals. They can change their colors to tell users about the quality of the water.
Other types of water test kits include digital meters or test tubes that require a scientific procedure.
Whatever their form is, water test kits all aim at making sure users have a good understanding of their water. These kits can be used to determine the water?s quality, giving users concrete data to deal with possible problems.
Types of Home Water Test Kits
There are three main types of home water test kits, and we will evaluate the pros and cons of each type.
a) Color Disk Kits
Color disk kits rely on chemical reactions to measure your water.
The plastic viewing box has already had a color chart with different values indicating different levels (pH, TDS, etc). After mixing the chemicals to your water in the test tube, place the tube inside the viewing box.
By then, you can spin the chart around until you find the color matching that in the tube. And here comes the result.
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PROS
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- More accurate results.
- Interesting procedures.
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CONS
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- Higher price.
- Complex steps are required.
- More time-consuming.
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b) Test Strips
Water test strips are long pieces of paper, with certain chemicals embedded on it.
Once dipped into the water, these chemicals will interact with the water and change its color, thus giving out the concentration level of certain elements (heavy metals, pH).
To read the result accurately, you need to compare the color on the strips with that in the color chart.
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PROS
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- Affordable price.
- Simple procedure.
- Time-saving.
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CONS
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- Accurate results aren?t always ensured.
- Color change can be hard to detect.
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c) Hand-held Digital Instruments
Technical water tester relies on technology to check the water?s quality. Simply by submerging the prongs of the meter into the water, the device will automatically display the result on the screen.
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PROS
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- Easy to carry around.
- Accurate results.
- No complicated step needed.
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CONS
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- Higher price.
- Must use with batteries.
- Calibration at factories can slightly go wrong.
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What Are The Benefits Of Water Test Kits?
a) They Can Be Used Right At Your Home
In the past, if you wanted to check the quality of your water, an expert was needed. Or at least, you would have to send the samples to a lab, where the results would be returned days later.
But with modern water test kits, feel free to perform such tasks right inside your home. You can use them anytime and anywhere you like without much trouble. Even your children can do it!
b) They Can Identify Different Types Of Contaminants
From heavy metals like mercury or copper to the level of total dissolved solids in your water, nothing can escape the radar of water test kits.
Multiple chemical components and elements can be found within the water by using these water test kits. In other words, rest assured that you will be able to detect the most common types of contaminants, simply by these compact kits.
c) They Can Point Out Which Device Needs Fixing
Most water-related problems in your home tend to trace back to malfunctioning household gadgets, such as filters or water softeners.
By using these water test kits and confirming that there’s trouble with your water, you can expose which device is at fault. The sooner you know about the problem, the better it is for high-quality water!
How To Pick The Best Water Test Kit
There are many factors that make or break a water test kit. Here is our advice on the three factors you need to think about before making a purchase.
a) Contaminants
Some water test kits are multifunctional and can measure various types of pollutants, while others are built to detect one or two elements only.
Think about how comprehensive you want your water test to be, and make the right decision.
b) Water Source
Is your water freshwater or saltwater? Some types of water test kits can only respond to certain source of water, so make sure you correctly determine the water source and pick out a suitable water test kit.
c) Testing Procedure
Does this water test kit involve complicated steps, or is it easy to perform the water testing?
You must understand the pros and cons of different water test kits along with its procedure, and make sure it fits your needs.
FAQs
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There is no concrete answer to this question. Usually, it is advised that you test your water once to three times a year for a regular checkup.
But in case of unexpected problems like severe leaking or flooding, you should test your water immediately to make sure it?s still safe and clean.
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[su_spoiler title=”HOW DO I DETERMINE IF MY WATER IS CONTAMINATED?” style=”fancy”]
By using different water test kits, you will get to know if your water is hard, low in pH or has a high TSD level. It all depends on the type of water test kit you take. Each water test kit will give results on different types of contaminants for you.
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[su_spoiler title=”SHOULD I REALLY TEST MY WATER?” style=”fancy”]
It?s a yes. Although your water is hygienic to your eyes, hidden inside are invisible stuff that can cause trouble to your family?s health and your marine pets.
Water testing is the safest and only way to make sure your water is still usable.
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[su_spoiler title=”INSTANT RESULTS OR LABORATORY RESULTS ?” style=”fancy”]
Water test kits with instant results are easier and less time-consuming to perform, but their accuracy isn?t always guaranteed. Vice versa, laboratory results take time and are more costly, but the outcome is more reliable.
If you need professional advice on your water, opt for the latter. But if you just want a simple water test, you should choose the former.
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