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Best Pool Water Testing Kit

Marcus Robertson Marcus Robertson
July 28, 2021
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Best Pool Water Testing Kit

Whether you have a personal well or you rely on municipal water, testing the quality of your pool water is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

This is because there are lots of waterborne diseases as well as contaminants that may make the water unsafe for human consumption.

You don’t have to worry about the common recreational water illnesses only; there are more grave concerns like heavy metals like Lead and barium, which pose serious threats.

In this article, we are going to review the best pool water testing kits that should be in your wish list. We will also discuss the importance of pool water testing and most importantly, the considerations that should inform your purchase decision.

The Best Pool Water Testing Kits Reviewed

There are hundreds of different pool water testing kits in the market; from the cheap and inaccurate knockoffs to the reliable and accurate models. Below are the top 10 models that are worth the money.

Model
Name
Color comparator
Tests for
Check
Price
AquaCheck TruTest Digital Reader
Free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, and Total Alkalinity
Check Price
Blue Devil B7448 5-way OTO
Chlorine/Bromine, pH, Alkalinity and Acid demand levels
Check Price
LaMotte 2056 Digital Pool Water Test Kit
Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, PH, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid
Check Price
HTH Pool Test Kit 6-Way Test Kit
Total chlorine, bromine, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, and cyanuric acid
Check Price
LaMotte ColorQ Pro 11
Biguanide and Biguanide Shock, Calcium hardness, copper, Alkalinity, bromine, total and free Chlorine, pH, cyanuric acid and iron
Check Price
Poolmaster 22260 5-way Test Kit
Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, and Total Alkalinity
Check Price
Pentair R151246 78 DPD Test Kit
Free, total and combined Cl, pH, acid demand and total Alkalinity, Lucite test cell
Check Price
Taylor K-2005 Deluxe DPD Pool Water Test Kit
Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, Base Demand, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid
Check Price
Taylor Technologies INC K-2006 Test Kit
Total and Combined Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and Cyanuric Acid
Check Price
Taylor Service K-2006C Test Kit
Free and Total Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid and Base Demand, Calcium Hardness, Total Alkalinity and Stabilizer levels
Check Price

1. AquaCheck TruTest Digital Reader

AquaCheck TruTest Digital Reader is one of the easiest to use water testers available. It delivers results on total Alkalinity, pH, Bromine, and Free Chlorine on test strips in only 15 seconds.

It is a water resistant and lightweight test kit that requires no visual color matching. This kit features a large display that ensures the ease of reading the data provided. It also has 25 strips that one can use to insert on the device and find out the statistics of 3 pool water quality.

The digital kit comes at a reasonable price, and the AA batteries are replaced after a long time lowering the worry for an extra cost. The beginner-friendly design ensures that the results are easy to understand with an alarm to notify when the chemical levels are not safe.

It needs 2 AA batteries that are not included in the package, and one may need to purchase them constantly. Another con is that the test strip reader will function only with the TruTest Digital Test Strips.

2. Blue Devil B7448 5-way OTO

Blue Devil B7448 5-way OTO is a five-way testing kit that tests for bromine, Chlorine, pH, Acid demand, and alkalinity levels of the pool. It is easy to use as it comes with an easy-to-read color comparison chart and testing vials.

The kit features a compact storage as the supplies are kept in a plastic storage case. One can use the kit to test chemical levels year after another. Easy to follow instructions are included to avoid second-guessing the results.

The kit has an Omni stain and scale control that eliminates staining and scale build-up caused by excessive quantity of dissolved metals. It also avoids staining from manganese, copper, and iron, thus helping prevent serious damages to the kit. The results are fast, easy, and highly accurate, and one can purchase dropper bottles separately when they run out. Its price is quite affordable.

Blue Devil B7448 5-way OTO has poor quality color match bars making it hard to differentiate readings. The color of the dye is likely to fade after some time. The total alkalinity dye is pale blue making it difficult to view in the sunlight next to the pool where everything has a blue background.

3. LaMotte 2056 Digital Pool Water Test Kit

Lamotte 2056 ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit was in 2008 was named as one of the most valuable by Aquatics International.

It is a multi-test, and unique ColorQ pool and spa-hand held photometer that reads at least seven test factors including cyanuric acid, pH, calcium hardness, Alkalinity, total Chlorine, free Chlorine and bromine directly on the digital display.

Its dual-optic design that provides more test factors and accuracy eliminates the need to use look-up tables.

It’s effortless to use and gives the accurate reading simplifying water balancing. The kit is useful to color blind individuals because it cancels guesswork out of the analysis. One only needs five drops for each liquid reagent, and it comes with easy push-button control.

LaMotte 2056 also features a water-resistant housing and a carrying case boosting its durability. The auto-off function after every 5 minutes protects the battery life while the trilingual instructions are available in French, Spanish, and English.

Lamotte 2056 ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit has a limited warranty period, and if it experiences an error, it takes time to reboot.

4. HTH Pool Test Kit 6-Way Test Kit

HTH Pool Test Kit 6-Way Test Kit gives room to test for cyanuric acid, total hardness, total alkalinity, pH, total Chlorine, and bromine. One kit can test up to 100 times, helping keep the pool clear and clean during the summer. It gives accurate results for total chlorine test.

The kit is manufactured by Lonza, a popular manufacturer of water treatment chemicals with more than a century of experience in creating innovative water treatment solutions for pools.

This kit is can also test chemicals in a saltwater pool. It is easy to perform tests using this kit, and it comes with straightforward instructions. One can also download the HTH app to utilize the reading and suggestions of what to use. It comes with 30 strips. PH reagents refills are readily available online.

Compared to other testing kits, its price is lower and delivers accurate results.

HTH Pool Test Kit 6-Way Test Kit downside is on the paper instruction sheet that is easily ruined. The colored paper card is also a bit cheap, even though it helps make a comparison.

5. LaMotte ColorQ Pro 11

LaMotte ColorQ Pro 11 is a digital test meter kit that is easy to use with quicker results.

Pool and SpaNews recognized this test kit as one of the “Top 50 Products for 2008”. It’s the best on-site hand held spa and pool photometer. It measures at least eleven spa and pool tests directly on a digital display.

The kit tests for Biguanide and Biguanide Shock, Calcium hardness, copper, Alkalinity, bromine, total and free Chlorine, pH, cyanuric acid and iron.

The kit features a pool manager handbook, economical liquid reagents, and easy to use tablets. It eliminates guesswork in the results as one doesn’t need to use look-up tables or visually determine the slight color variations.

For on-site testing, reagents and the ColorQ PRO 11 are packaged in a rugged carrying case that is water resistant boosting its durability.

Other items included in the case are saturation index calculator and photo-diagrammatic trilingual instructions in French, English, and Spanish. The instructions are easy to follow, making the testing process better with accurate results.

However, LaMotte ColorQ Pro 11 is a bit expensive with a limited warranty period.

6. Poolmaster 22260 5-way Test Kit

Poolmaster 22260 5-way Test Kit is one of the best pool water testing kit because it’s loaded with essentials to keep the pool sparkling. It provides accurate and easy-to-read results. The kit tests five water chemicals in the pool, including alkalinity, acidity, pH, bromine, and Chlorine.

It stands out for its clear-view round test block equipped with UV-protected color chips. These chips make it easier to get the information on color matching. The block has no writings printed on it, making them resistant to wear and tear with the constant interaction with the sun or use.

Poolmaster 22260 5-way Test Kit has a polyethylene case, well designed to protect the chemicals. Includes 1oz solutions of #3 and #1 and ½ once solution for #5 and #4. The kit also uses the drop testing mechanism, making it faster to deliver results.

Despite the instructions being simple, one is likely to confuse between the Phenol Red and #2 Phenol Red. Compared with other testing kits, its price is relatively higher. The manufacturer should also consider offering waterproof charts.

7. Pentair R151246 78 DPD Test Kit

Pentair R151246 78 DPD Test Kit is an all-in-one DPD test kit that tests for combined, free and total Cl, total alkalinity, acid demand, and lucite test cell. It has 50 each DPD number 1 and 3 ½ ounces number four and five 1-ounce number 2 and 3. Every test kit features a red display box and water test booklet. It measures 9-inch length, 15- ¼ inch height by 14-inch width. It offers a better idea of the pH and Chlorine levels.

The kit solutions are readily available for replacement, it’s easier to compare, and it produces accurate results. It can be ideally used once a week in the cold weather. In the peak season twice a week.

The downside of the Pentair R151246 78 DPD Test Kit is that the tablets used to test chlorine leave behind small residue or air bubbles in the liquid after dissolving, which seems to lighten the color. This raises doubts on the end color results. The sample tubes have a round shape, making it difficult to recognize the color shade as they are thicker in the middle than on the edges.

8. Taylor K-2005 Deluxe DPD Pool Water Test Kit

Taylor K-2005 Deluxe DPD Pool Water Test Kit tests for all major chemical levels in the pool and works for both residential and commercial locations.

It offers accurate sanitizer levels and comes with easy instructions for testing the other chemicals. Each testing reagent has a .75oz bottle allowing one to test for pH levels for both base and acid demand, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, total Alkalinity, free and total Chlorine, and total bromine. Also included in the kit is a shatterproof 2-celled comparison chart.

It features a hard-shell case which hosts easy-to-distinguish color gradations, water-resistant color—coded testing instructions summary, Watergram water balance calculator, 62-page water chemistry guide, and a CYA dispensing bottle. All the parts of the kit are independently replaceable. The instructions are easy to understand and implement. The refills are readily available in the stores or online.

Taylor K-2005 Deluxe DPD Pool Water Test Kit color changes are indefinite and require one to put it to the sky for a proper read. It is challenging to differentiate between Chlorine and bromine color scale, and the instructions can look too technical for simple users.

9. Taylor Technologies INC K-2006 Test Kit

Taylor Technologies INC K-2006 Test Kit is important for accurate spa and pool chemistry. It tests for pH, total and combined Chlorine, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness. It features Taylor 9058 comparator. It also includes .75 ounce reagents, comprehensive water guide booklet for quick comparisons, a convenient case for safe storage and a circular watergram for quick identification of where there is need adjustment. The CYA reagent fills can be purchased at good prices.

It is easy and fast to use the kit, and the provided instructions are easy to follow. The kit uses a FAS-DPD titration method for sanitizer tests helping eradicate color-matching problems. It best tests for combined and free Chlorine. It also measures free chlorine levels up to 50ppm.

It’s ideal for health department officials, service people, and commercial pool operators. The kit is also economical and portable.

Most people feel that Taylor Technologies INC K-2006 Test Kit results leave a room for improvement and DPD power present in K-2006 give better results. It also lacks adequate reagents for citric acid and chlorine tests.

10. Taylor Service K-2006C Test Kit

Taylor Service K-2006C Test Kit is an easy to use titration drop water testing kit that offers fast and accurate water testing results.

It tests for pH, Bromine, Acid and Base Demand, free and total Chlorine, stabilized levels, and total alkalinity. To improve the accuracy of the results, it uses 2 oz. reagents with titrants and includes waterproof chemistry guide, treatment charts, printed color comparator, and waterproof instructions.

The test kit also has 2 oz. bottles of FAS-DPD titrating reagent, 10 grams of powder × 2, Phenol Red, DPD Reagents, Acid, and Base Demand Reagent, Sulfuric Acid, Cyanuric acid reagent × 2and Total Alkalinity Indicator. It also comes with calcium indicator liquid, two chamber comparator, cyanuric acid testing bottle, thiosulfate N/10, calcium buffer, water balance calculator wheel, and hardness reagent.

Taylor Service K-2006C Test Kit water balance calculator uses temperature as one of its variables, but the company doesn’t include a thermometer in the kit. The kit also fails to include a sodium chloride test best for salt pools to figure out the salt ppm. It is also a bit expensive.

Pool Water Testing Kit Buying Guide

Now that we know of the best pool water testing kits, it is time we discuss a few things regarding pool water testing kits and pool water hygiene in general.

Is Pool Water Testing a Necessity?

A lot of people assume that their municipal water is safe as there are rigorous tests done at the plant to ascertain water quality.
Well owners, on the other hand, ignore testing their water with the belief that its natural source is not contaminated.

The truth of the matter is that your water source may be contaminated and the contaminants are transferred to your swimming pool.

Why test well water?

In the case of well owners, the Penn State report is conclusive as to why well water should be tested. In the report, over half of the private wells failed at least one water standard test. But how exactly is well water contaminated?

There are so many ways through which well water gets contaminated. If you have livestock around the well, you should be wary about contamination. Another cause for contamination is proximity to a septic tank, factory, mines, oil rigs, and landfills.

Also, if you use pesticides around the well, or there is a gas leak nearby, there is a high risk of contamination.

Why test municipal water?

There are so many tests performed at the municipal water plant in accordance with the laws and regulations.

However, we have witnessed several cases of municipal water contamination, either at the source or in the main supply’s plumbing systems.

While lead pipes remain banned, over 10 million households in the US are still on lead pipes. This should be a big scare for you and your family. Another thing, the municipal tests, and Consumer Confidence Reports may not be conclusive as the test looks for around 100 pool water contaminants when there are over 100 harmful elements and over 12 dangerous microbes.

Now, which are some of the common elements when it comes to water contamination?

It is important to acquaint yourself with these elements and most importantly, to be aware of the law regarding the maximum acceptable limits.
 1. Fluoride  This is not a serious contaminant and is actually used in manufacturing toothpaste. However, it may be hazardous to your bones. It is not rare to find municipal water with small amounts of fluoride, and this shouldn’t be a concern as long as you keep the limits down to 4.0mg/l as per the federal requirements.

 2. Ammonia  This is a common water contaminant but is not harmful to humans. There are no laws regarding the allowed amount of ammonia. But once your water tests positive for ammonia, you should be worried about the source of contamination. Also, while humans can tolerate ammonia contamination, it takes a toll on aquatic life.

 3. Potassium  Also, potassium is not a poisonous contaminant, and in fact, the human body requires at least 4.7 grams daily. Potassium prevents kidney stones and lowers blood pressure. There are no laws on water potassium levels.

 4. Barium  The source of barium is mineral deposits around the water source, especially wells. It also ends up in the water because of improper drilling, waste disposal, and copper smelting. The effects of barium are grave, and that’s the reason for a strict 2.0mg/l federal limit. Exposure to barium may cause bowel irritations, high blood pressure, brain damage, weekend muscles, and even organ failure.

 5. Lead  In most of the previous cases of mass water contamination, Lead was the main culprit. It is sad that many US homes still rely on the banned lead pipes either in the main supply plumbing or the pool plumbing. The effects of Lead are far much worse than those of barium. It may cause brain damage, attack the nervous system, or cause organ failure. The federal law limits Lead to 0.015mg/l. Lead dust is also a major concern for homeowners with old houses. Before 1978, paints were, and there’s a high chance even the pool or the deck has lead-based paint.

When Should You Test Your Pool Water?

A lot of people have been asking, when should you test your water?

Yes, there are some common signs of contaminated water, but in the first place, it is important to have a regular water testing schedule. So, don’t wait until your pool water starts showing signs of contamination – buy a pool water testing kit today.

Now, back to the main objective of this segment: when should you test your pool water, and what are some of the signals that your water may be contaminated? And most importantly, which test should you perform? That’s what we want to discuss.

  • Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) – If you and your family experience recurrent bouts of stomach problems, that is a classic sign of pool water contamination. Honestly, you can’t guarantee that your kids will finish a swimming session without gulping some pool water. I. this case, focus your test on coliform bacteria which is synonymous with most gastrointestinal illnesses.
  • Skin irritations and disorders. The biggest culprit here is pH which leaves your skin dry and itchy. Test your pool water regularly and ensure the pH is balanced. Besides pH, elements like arsenic and barium may lead to skin irritation, cause lesions, and worse, skin cancer. For that reason, you should emphasize on testing your water comprehensively.
  • Lead and corrosion in plumbing – In almost all the water contamination cases, Lead was the notorious element. If you aren’t sure whether your plumbing has lead pipes or it shows signs of corrosion, do a pH, copper, and lead test. Most of the old pools were painted with lead-based paints, and this often leaves lead dust settles at the bottom of the pool. If you’ve had fireworks around, also consider a lead test as the remnants of the fireworks which have Lead might find their way to your pool.
  • Agriculture – Whether you have a garden for intensive farming or you keep livestock nearby, chances are high, your well water may be contaminated. In this case, test for pesticides, nitrates, and coliform bacteria.
  • Saltiness – If your pool water turns salty, your water is contaminated. Your tests should target sodium, Chlorine, and TDS.
  • Scaly residue – If your pool water leaves some scaly residues, consider a water hardness test.

Types of Pool Water Testing Kits

Before you venture out to the market, here are three types of pool water testing kits available and how to use them.

1. Test Strips

These are the most popular testing kits. They are affordable and, but unfortunately, they don’t guarantee 100% accuracy. But that is not to say there aren’t any good test strip water testing kits. Some models are known for high accuracy and efficiency. Strips are best if you want a kit for initial screening or testing for water hardness and maybe pH.

Strips are made from specific materials which, when chemically treated, they react and exhibit a specific color change, thus confirming the absence or presence of certain contaminants. The color change is matched on a color chart to determine the exact contaminant. This method is very subjective just on the fact that the youth and men are not so good at colors.

2. Digital Testers

These are quite complex, and unlike test strips, they probe the water properties that change with the presence and amounts of different contaminants. Digital Testers display the quantities in digits eliminating errors.

But unfortunately, digital testers are not accurate in all tests. Furthermore, TDS (total dissolved solids) tests are not conclusive as they don’t test microbial and lead, which are common pool water contaminants.

3. Lab Test Kits

Experts agree that lab tests are the best if you want to know even the smallest amounts of contaminants in your pool water. Lab test kits have vials where you fill the sample and send it to professional labs. While these tests are accurate, the results are not immediate.

Also read: The Best Above Ground Pool Ladders and Steps

Factors to Consider when Buying Pool Water Testing Kits

There are several important considerations to take into account before adding any pool water testing kit to your cart.

1. Brand

There are so many brands in the market. Always stick to the household names. Avoid the cheap, little known brands. Some of the best pool water testing kit brands to watch out for include: Pentair, PoolMaster, La Motte, and Taylor, just to mention a few.

2. Water source

There are different types of water testing kits. Some are designed to accurately test municipal water while others are strictly for well water. For examples, the Watersafe WS425W is designed for testing only well water so it may not be resourceful in testing municipal water. So, buy your pool water testing kit depending on the source of your pool water.

If you have a well, the common contaminants you are testing for include bacteria, Lead, fluoride iron, manganese, arsenic, nitrite, nitrate, and radiological. You won’t need chlorine tests unless you have disinfected it recently.

For those who rely on municipal water, the standard tests you require are for Chlorine, Lead, and maybe fluoride. There is no urgency of testing bacteria unless there is a scare like recurrent gastrointestinal complications.

3. Self- test vs. lab-test

This is pretty straightforward. If you want to self-test, go for a home pool water testing kit. As for those who would like to seek professional help, There are also lab pool testing kits.

4. What tests?

It is hard to come by a single pool water testing kit that tests the over 100 water contaminants and bacteria. But this is something lab tests can manage.

When choosing a pool water testing kit, make sure you pick the type that is designed to test the probable contaminants in your pool water. There are those which test for heavy metals only while others may be only for water hardness or pH, among other common pool chemicals.

5. Certifications

While brands may promise accurate and reliable results, only independent tests can confirm this. Check out for water testing kits approved by EPA and other trusted independent certifications.

Also read: Top 5 best cleaners for Intex Pools

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should pool water be tested?

There is no specific timeframe for testing the quality of your pool water. It should just be done frequently to ensure that at no time, your family goes into a contaminated pool. We recommend you test your pool water at least every fortnight, after treating it or when you suspect there is contamination.

faq

3. What is the most accurate pool test kit?

A digital pool water testing kit will offer the most accurate results so here we recommend a model like AquaCheck TruTest Digital Reader. As for the test strips, you are not guaranteed accurate results, but models like Poolmaster 22260 5-Way Test Kit can go a long way in establishing what is contaminating your pool water.

4. How much pool water do I need for testing?

If you use a digital tester or strips, you need only to drop the strip into the pool or wet it. If you have liquid reagents added to water, the average amount of sample is 20-30 ml.

5. Do pool water testing kits show heavy metals?

The majority of water pool tests give you information about standard elements like pH, chlorine, hardness, etc. Only specialized kits show hazardous heavy metals like lead, barium, cooper, mercury. Among the best are ChemCare Heavy Metals test, NovoBlue 14-in-1 kit, Safe Home Starter, and so on.

6. Test strips vs digital testers vs lab test kits: which are the best?

Test strips are the cheapest and clearest way to check you pool water, however you should not that their potency isn`t very accurate. Digital testers are better, but here, you have high porobability of errors and cannot see the level of some elements. The best testing option is lab test kits. They give the widest range of water elements and the most accurate results.

7. How long do pool water testing kits last?

The shelf life of the water tests vary depending on their type and manufacturer. Usually, they are counted on one season. But in case of proper storage, you can keep kits up to 2 years.

Summary

There you have it; a review of the best pool water testing kits for home use. As you have seen, digital kits are the best because of the accuracy they offer.

However, if you want to check the quality of your pool water on a budget, get a strip testing kit but remember, it may not be precisely accurate.

So, which is your best option, and why? Talk to us in the comments section below.

6 Comments
  1. Reply
    Eve March 19, 2022 at 5:42 pm

    Hi! Thank you for the comparison. I just want to know how safe these test chemicals are themselves? I’ve got kids and pets. So are there any official manufacturers’ recommendations.

    • Reply
      Marcus Robertson March 20, 2022 at 9:30 am

      Hi, Eve! Thank you very much for your kind words and question! To test your pool water, you don’t need to add chemicals to the pool. Usually, you take a small amount of sample (into a glass for example) and test it. So, all chemical kits are safe, though you must follow all safety recommendations and keep testing kits out of the reach of children and pets!

  2. Reply
    Latisha March 25, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    Also liked your post very much) We have a small inground pool and add special salt but we need to monitor its level and water condition generally. Does any of these kits may fit us?

    • Reply
      Marcus Robertson March 29, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      Hi, Latisha! Thank you very much for your kind words and question! In your case we’d recommend HTH Pool Test Kit 6-Way Test Kit. It works great in salt pools and salt water, tests all main water components and agents. Besides, the kit is quite pocket-friendly if we can call it this way)

  3. Reply
    EugeneSimon July 17, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    Hi everybody! What kit is the best for pH measurement?

    • Reply
      Marcus Robertson July 22, 2022 at 5:29 am

      Hi, EugeneSimon! Thank you very much for your question! pH is the basic water indicator that’s why absolutely all kits test it. Try any of our digital kits.

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