Pools are a wonderful place for relaxation, fun or exercise. But in order to enjoy those activities, you want to make sure that your swimming surface water is safe and clean. The greatest way to do that is getting the best pool test kit which will show you key information about the cleanliness and chemical balance of your water.
Geared toward the best pool test kits, you want to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product. With pool water test options that involve considering the ease of use, the accuracy of the results, the design and the durability too, among other factors.
Here we will go through all that key information to give you the confidence to make a perfect choice. We have also completed pool test kit reviews to show you the best pool testing kits on the market. After reading this guide, you’re going to be able to pick the perfect products for you.
OUR TOP PICK
Poolmaster 5-Way – Basic Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- 5 testing options
- Accurate scales to measure the level
- Easy drop-testing method
Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 7.5 x 4.2 inches
Item Weight: 1 pound
Amazon Shipping Weight: 1 pound
Tests for: Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, and Total Alkalinity
EDITORS CHOICE
Taylor Technologies Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- Versatile kit
- A high level of tests with great accuracy
- Durable case to keep them protected
Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 4 inches
Item Weight: 2.31 pounds
Amazon Shipping Weight: 2.35 pounds
Tests for: total chlorine, free chlorine, pH, acidity, bromine, base demand, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and Cyanuric acid
BEST VALUE
JED Pool Tools Dual Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- Simple design that makes it easy for using
- Two key tests
- Safe carry case
Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.2 x 11 inches
Item Weight: 5.6 ounces
Amazon Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
Tests for: Total Chlorine, Bromine, pH
Blue Devil 5-Way OTO Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- 8 test reagents included
- Comprehensive results
- Easy readouts
Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.5 x 4.3 inches
Item Weight: 1.05 pounds
Amazon Shipping Weight: 1.05 pounds
Tests for: Chlorine/Bromine, pH, Alkalinity and Acid demand levels
SplashTech 2-Way Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- Excellent for smaller pools or home saunas
- Delivers the results quickly
- Big bottles of fluid that will last long
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 3 inches
Item Weight: 4.2 ounces
Amazon Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
Tests for: total pH and chlorine/bromine
LaMotte Manager Swimming Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- 50 tablets included
- Maximized accuracy
- High-quality octa-slide color bars included
Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
Item Weight: 1.6 pounds
Amazon Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
Tests for: Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Acid Demand, and Cyanuric Acid
Pentair 2-In-1 Pool Test Kit
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- High accuracy regarding the method
- Very easy to read and use
- For chlorine and pH, perfect for smaller pools and spas
Product Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 inches
Item Weight: 1 pound
Amazon Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
Tests for: pH and Chlorine
XtremepowerUS 5-Way Tester
- What Makes This Pool Testing Kit Stand Out
- Color scales made from durable materials that won't get destroyed
- Highest accuracy provided when compared to the pool water testing kit options
- Polyethylene case designed to keep the pool water test safe
Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 13.4 x 9.8 inches
Item Weight: 1.1 pound
Amazon Shipping Weight: 1.1 pound
Tests for: Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, and Total Alkalinity
How To Choose A Pool Water Test Kit – Buying Guide
Ease of use
When it comes to buying any piece of equipment, you should always be focused on ease of use. When choosing a pool test kit, you need to know a little about the different types out there.
Test strips are the most common and popular option. The top-rated pool test strips are the easiest to use. Once they are placed in the water their color will start to change, according to the chemicals inside. You can get them in bulk, usually coming in packages of fifty. Once you use one, you throw it away.
However, these test strips are not much accurate without digital strip readers. If you choose to use them alone, you will need to compare the color with the color spectrum provided on your own. The digital test strip readers add some accuracy, and they are reasonably affordable.
Wet chemical kits give a more accurate and detailed reading by using a color compactor block to filter the water. OTO kits are the most affordable. They check for the total chlorine. They do not tell you how much sanitizer you need. DPD kits chow your free chlorine and other chemicals. They are a lot more accurate and extensive than strips, but they take more time and effort to use.
If you have a small and manageable swimming surface, then the strips will be fine. They are easy to use and quick. If you need more detailed readings, then you will need a wet chemical kit, even though it will take up more of your time.
Using Them Correctly
It’s important to know how to use it to check water quality in order to know that you are looking at and it’s also important to know your basic pool chemistry too in order to have full confidence in what you are doing.
Depending on the setup you have, you may be okay with basic reading. If you have a small hot tub, then you might not need to have the most accurate reading, and a pool tester will be fine. If you have a large outdoor pool with needs to be balanced exactly, then you will be better off with a more accurate tester.
Consistency of results
If your tester not accurate or consistent, then you can have a lot of problems. If you cannot accurately track problems as they begin to occur, then you may miss them. You could have an imbalance in chemicals, or something growing in your pool, but if you get an inconsistent result, then you may not know that there is an imbalance. You need to weigh up the cost of a kit, but if you have spent a lot of money on your pool, then spending a little more on test kits can keep you protected.
Suitability of testing method
You need to ensure that your testing method is suitable. Is the test kit suitable for your pool? You do not want to have the most expensive one in the world and be testing a kiddie pool. At the same time, you do not want to be using the most basic pool test strips for a large indoor pool which is open to the public. When you check up your pool, you should get results that you can understand.
Appropriate design
The design of the kit should be appropriate for being close to the water, and for your pool in general. When you check your pool, there should be minimal parts next to the water. The less moving parts near the water, the less chance there is of something contaminating the water. The pool water kit should also be designed to hold together. You do not want any brittle parts coming off and falling into the water.
The Durability of the Kits
We want everything to be durable, and the tester is no exception. You are going to be using your test kit regularly. At times you may be testing your pool every day. It should be easy to use and should handle being used a lot.
The test kits should also be able to stand up to the water, as it will come into contact with the water regularly. If your pool needs constant attention and care, then the tester will need to stand up to the wear and tear which will come along with it.
Availability
When you are buying your pool chemical tester, you should always check the availability. This may not seem important initially, but if you get used to a particular brand, then you may want to buy it again when the time comes to replace it.
If you are using a tester that needs to be refilled, with either test strips, or other parts, then you need to ensure that these are regularly available when you need them. If you need to get refills regularly, then you should ensure that these refills are constantly in stock, or your purchase could be useless.
Independent manufacturer
If you buy your tester from a manufacturer who also manufactures specialized pool chemicals, then you may get biased results. Companies are in business to make money, and pool chemical manufacturers are in the business to sell chemicals.
If they can manufacture testers too, then they may find a way to make the kit more biased towards their chemicals. We are not saying that all manufacturers would do this, but if you buy your pool chemical test kit from an independent manufacturer, you can be assured that it is not going to be biased in any way.
The Value of the Products
Whenever we come to buy anything, we always have value for money in mind. We always want the best pool water test kit, and the testers on our list deliver that value to you. If you go for the cheapest pool test kits on the market, then you may not get the best kit in the world, in fact, you might get one that is not going to work very well.
Your tester is an invaluable piece of kit for keeping your pool in working order, but that does not mean you have to spend an enormous amount of money either. Find one that works and does not be afraid to spend a little on it.
FAQs
Q: How To Use A Pool Test Kit?
The best advice we can give is to follow the instructions which come with your pool water test kit. If you have strips, then you should dip them in the water. If you have vials to collect water in, then fill the vials to the correct line. You should wait long enough for the strips or water to change color and then act accordingly.
Q: How Often Should I Test My Pool Water?
You will need to check the levels of your chemicals at different times and you should be checking daily for the pH and chlorine levels. Every week, you should check the temperature and alkalinity.
Once a month, you should check the stabilizer level and calcium hardness. If you miss one of the daily tests, then it is not too big of a deal, as long as you check it the next day, but a weekly or monthly test can be more costly. If you do miss the test, then try and do it the next day. If you wait for a week or a month, then you could have a big problem.
We like to have a chart in our house which has the schedule on it. After testing, we mark it off on the chart, so we know it is done. If we miss a check-up, then it is easy to catch. One tip we would give is to check more after anything which is out of the ordinary. For example, if you have a heavy downpour and were not able to get your pool cover on, you should check the levels of your pool.
As well as the chemical levels, you also need to ensure you are regularly using a pool cleaner and it’s also important to know why you should cover your swimming pool or a hot tub as a great pool cover will not only reduce cleaning but it will help to keep the chemicals in balance too.
They aren’t the only things to consider either as the right chemicals or cleaner won’t clear anything on the surface and that is what a pool skimmer is used for. A great pool skimmer will clear bugs and debris but you will also need to know how to clean tiles at the swimming pool waterline.
Q: What Are The Chemicals In My Swimming Pool?
Before you use the tester, you should know a little about the chemicals in your pool. As long as you keep these chemicals balanced, you can keep your pool in great working order. Sodium bicarbonate is used to boost the level of alkalinity in your pool.
Calcium hardener boosts the calcium levels. Bromine is used to stabilize the pH level and acidity in your pool, ensuring that your pool does not become too acidic. Chlorine helps to chlorinate your pool and kill bacteria and it’s good to know how to protect your hair from the chlorine.
Q: What Are The Most Common Types Of Swimming Pool Test Kits?
Pool test strips are the most common kit. They are cheap, easy to use, and compact. You can buy a container of test strips and leave them by the pool. When you need to use one, you take a strip, dip it into the pool, and compare it with the color chart. They are the easiest pool kits to use and the cheapest. They are also the pool testing kit options that require you to do the work. You need to make a comparison and decisions.
You can also find testers that do the work for you. You need to add some water to the kit, and the test kits will examine the water for you. The kit will then give you some detailed information about how your pool is doing. These test kits are more expensive, but they give you a lot more information and allow you to take better care of your pool.
Q: Who Will Take The Tests?
ou may think that it does not matter who is taking the test, but depending on the type of test used, the results can vary from individual to individual. With a colorimetric test, the results are compared to a color spectrum. When we look at colors, our perceptions can be wildly different.
One person may see colors lighter, while another may see colors darker. If two people take the same test strip and dip it in the pool, the results may differ, and different chemicals may be added. This can cause a lot of confusion. Colorimetric tests are better when one person is doing the testing.
Photometric tests are better when more than one person is testing the water. These tests are not affected by the light or any other conditions. You could have multiple people testing the water on multiple days, and the results will always be consistent.
Q: What Do I Need To Test?
At the most basic level, you should find kits that can test your total chlorine, free chlorine, pH level, total alkalinity, Cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness. Some test kits may test less than this, while some may test more. Depending on the size of your pool, and the usage, you could go in either direction. If you want to go all out, then a high-end photometric kit will take care of the most expensive swimming surface.
Q: What Is The Accessibility Of Reagents?
When you buy your kit, you want to have ready access to reagents. You may prefer to deal with local agents, in which case you will need to ensure that they keep stock or reagents in store. If you want to order online, then you should also make sure that there is a supply for you to purchase.
Q: Does My State Have Any Legal Regulations?
Some states (and regions in other countries) will have regulations about pool test kits. When you come to buy your tester, you should make sure to first check with your local authorities to see if you need to follow any guidelines when you come to purchase your kit. Some states may have different rules, and there may be pool test kit specifications.
Globo Surf Overview
It’s important to know your facts about pools, spas, swimming, and safety as you want to be able to enjoy yourself in a clean and healthy pool. Once you know everything is safe thanks to the pool water testing kit, then you can cast your mind to more fun activities such as using the likes of pool floats and pool slides.
If you take care of your pool, it will last for a long time. A pool with a chemical imbalance can damage your pool, its pump as well as the heater system. The material of your pool can be damaged too, but worse than that, the water can be unsafe which is going to especially affect children.
The pool test kit will help to keep your pool safe and the best kits will allow you to check this in a very small amount of time and give you reassurances that it is safe. Once you have that reassurance then you can enjoy your pool with peace of mind.