Do you know your pH?
It’s an important question. Most (if not all) of us do, in fact. By definition, pH levels measure the acidity and alkalinity of water. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with acidic pH levels below 7 and alkaline pH values above 7 (you may have also seen 13 marked as "pH neutral").
The 7 is about as acidic as water can be, while 14 is as alkaline as water can be. Neutral is 7.
If your pH is too acidic, you risk weakening your bones, teeth, tissues and other soft body parts.
If your pH is too alkaline, you risk weakening your digestive system, liver, kidneys and other important bodily functions.
Ultimately, you want your water to be in the neutral range, which is right about 7. For your drinking water and for your health, it's best to keep it between 6.5 and 8.5.
There may be no reason for alarm, though: the pH of tap water can vary somewhat, but even within the parameters of the same city, things can fluctuate. It's especially important to be sure your shower water, bath water and drinking water are right where they should be.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Water Quality Tester | Best Overall |  |
| HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester | Budget Pick |  |
| Milwaukee Instruments MW102 PH and Temperature Meter | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Water Quality Tester
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design
- A wide range of ppm readings
- Very simple to use and you just need to dip it in the water you want to test or test tap water with it
- Backed up by a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- It doesn’t fit well with my 8 oz jar
- Doesn’t have a cover, might be a bit difficult to store it
- Could be hard for some people to read the monitor
The HoneForest Digital Water Tester is a very useful product for most homeowners when they want to ensure that their water is free of chloric and lead contamination. The tester has the ability to show results that are 5 times more accurate than most other brands in the market. It is backed up by a 1-year money back guarantee. The product is also very suitable for different types of water and can work with both tap water and distilled water.
The HoneForest Digital Water Tester is very compact in size which makes it the best type of tester to take with you on the road. The tester is accompanied by a carrying pouch and a user manual that provides important information about operating the product. The package also comes with a thermometer to help you measure the temperature of the water.
2. Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit
Pros:
- Affordable
- Very easy to use
- Small and portable
- Comes with a wide range of probes
- Ideal for a wide variety of uses
- Backed by a 5-year warranty
- Comes with a calibration certification from an independent testing lab
- Long battery life
- Includes a protective pouch and a calibration screwdriver
Auto-ranging with Optional Dipswitch.
This pH meter from Apera Instruments is one of the best you can buy, offering a great combination of quality, accuracy, affordability, ease of use, and reusability. The pH20 has a number of great features: 6 probes, 0.05 pH accuracy, temperature compensation, and auto-ranging.
Here are some additional features:
Cons:
3. HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester
Pros:
- Accurate readings
- Display shows two readings at once
- Easy to calibrate
With an advanced technology that enables it to make accurate readings, the HM Digital TDS-EZ is the best water tester for its price point. This product has a wide range of accuracy that measures between 0 and 9990ppm and can be sourced from 99% of the total water supply.
Featuring a high-resolution backlit LCD screen, this tester is easy to use and is built with a waterproof housing for better durability. It also comes with a calibration button that allows for quicker and easier sanitization.
The HM Digital TDS-EZ is also available in a model designed with a larger screen for easy readings. It also comes with a high-quality meter that measures the TDS value, which is found at the top of the meter. It also has a TDS/PPM switch button at the back, which allows you to switch between the two measurement units.
4. Milwaukee Instruments MW102 PH and Temperature Meter
Pros:
- Dual functions
- Outstanding digital accuracy
- Simple to use
- Affordable
The Milwaukee Instruments MW102 pH and Temperature Meter Set is an outstanding set of devices that is both affordable and easy to use.
With dual-function capabilities, this set includes both a digital pH meter and a thermometer. This makes the set versatile and suitable for a range of plants and growing environments.
In addition, this digital pH meter has an outstanding digital accuracy, making it ideal for regular home use. It also has a wide temperature range, making it useful for a variety of different growing environments.
5. Dr.meter 0.01 Resolution High Accuracy Pocket Size pH Meter
Pros:
- Stunning accuracy
- Folds up to the size of a cell phone
- Portable and easy to carry
Cons:
- More expensive than many models
- Relatively expensive
- Hard to find
Some serious gardeners require a greater level of accuracy than smaller screens can provide, however. If you’re looking for a pH meter that’s of higher quality than your average digital hydrometer, then you might want to check out this one by Dr.meter.
Unlike many meters that only measure from 0 to 7, this one has a wider range, going all the way up to a whopping 14 pH. It’s the perfect option for a person who’s extremely judicious about the exact number they want to retain. It also simplifies the process of calibrating and testing different solutions, which means you get to enjoy testing more than once.
It also features an extremely accurate range – 0.01 pH. That kind of precision is only offered by more expensive models, which is one of its main benefits.
6. Lambow Digital Meter 0.01 High Accuracy Quality 0-14 Measurement Range
Pros:
- Simple, easy to use
- Affordable
This is by far the best water ph meter. It is very easy to calibrate as well as operate. The results are fast and the results are as accurate as can be. The monitor auto shut off to save battery life – which is a very useful feature.
The meter is lightweight and portable. It comes with a hanging clip, display cover, a measuring cap, a storage box, and two AAA batteries. The device is available in various colors and goes for a very affordable price.
7. Jellas Pocket Size pH Meter Digital Water Quality Tester
Pros:
- Affordable
- Pocket Sized…Easy to Carry
- Easy to Use
The Jella Pocket Size pH Meter Digital Water Quality Tester proves to be great for outdoor activities as you can easily carry it all over the place and it’s well worth the price.
What’s particularly unique about this model is that it’s compact and lightweight, which means that you can easily carry it…even store it in your pocket. It’s also an excellent solution for checking out your fish tank, pool, or hot tub.
The compact and stylish Jellas pH meter also features a large, easy-to-read color LCD display that gives you accurate readings. It’s also quite easy to use – Simply place the electrode of the sensor into the water and the display will show you the value of your readings in just a few seconds.
8. Micnaron Digital PH Meter
Pros:
- Digital
- Affordable
- Handy
- No calibration process required
- Automatically shuts off after 20 seconds (no waste of battery)
- Simple and reliable mechanism
Cons:
- A little bit difficult to use bottles
- The strips / test papers cost more than the meter
Micnaron specializes in manufacturing and marketing a variety of electronic meters, weighing scales, and other electric products for home and industrial use.
With this home water quality tester, you don’t have to worry about (or rush) getting a pH strip. Just plunge the tester directly into the water and it will give you an accurate 0-14 pH reading in seconds.
The tester uses two AAA batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best digital pH meter?
This pH meter by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals is a great little meter for beginners. It comes with a calibration buffer and has a probe that does not need to be cleaned for use. It includes a solid case, pH 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0 buffers, and an instruction card for use.
If you’re new to pH meters, let us break it down for you a little further. The probes for either type of meter need to be submerged in a liquid sample. This probe then sends the pH to the meter, which then displays it on the screen. Typically, a meter will also include a printed manual that details what the pH scale means and what is considered a standard range for pH levels.
The kit that we’re recommending actually comes with a calibration fluid in it. You may need to buy it separately with some more expensive meters.
What is the most accurate way to test pH?
Unfortunately there isn't one specific way that is the most accurate for every situation. That's because there are numerous variables that can affect the accuracy of your results such as your pH probe, the water temperature, and whether you are testing water through a filter or outside the filter.
The best way to protect yourself from any inaccuracies is to always test your water twice when making an important element change. The second test should be done about 24 hours after the first test so that the water has had a chance to fully re-balance itself to its new parameters.
When testing pH, make sure to always keep a record of the results. This will make it much easier to repeat great water conditions if you need to.
Are electronic pH testers accurate?
There is some concern about the accuracy of an electronic pH meter. Even the best models on the market can only go to 3 decimal places, which means they are accurate to .001 pH units. While this is a degree of precision that home hobbyists will likely never need, it is important to know whether such a meter will be accurate enough for you.
All pH meters are calibrated to a standardized solution and accuracy is dependent on the response of the solution in your solution. Since we are all different, the pH of our blood, urine, saliva, sweat, and other body fluids, can be different and the pH of these solutions can also change over our lifetimes.
Some folks who are more aware of these things and who also suffer from more chemical imbalances in their body are concerned about using a pH meter with their own bodily fluid. In such instances, I would recommend the Extech brand. Extech estimates their accuracy at +/- 0.01 pH units.
Why is the pH meter most accurate?
While different testing methods measure similar results, pH meters have their advantages over other tools as well. Digital pH meters are able to measure to a great precision, which means they can be extremely helpful for determining if and when further adjustments are required in your aquarium.
Contrary to popular belief, pH meters are also very easy to use! Simply place the electrode in a sample of your water and press the button; the result will be displayed on the device’s screen. The pH meters we review here are very easy to use; the only challenge will be interpreting the numerical result. Make sure you know the pH value of your fish’s preferred water pH, and you’ll be able to determine the difference between a small adjustment and the need to test for toxins at home.
Conclusion
The pH of your water is very important when you are trying to keep fish, particularly freshwater fish. If you keep tropical fish, then it is really important to keep a steady pH of your tank water. In the article we will tell you what pH is, the role of your pH, and how you can measure your aquarium's pH. We will review the best water pH meters for you and also list the ones that are available for sale on Amazon.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Water Quality Tester | Best Overall | |
| HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester | Budget Pick | |
| Milwaukee Instruments MW102 PH and Temperature Meter | Upgrade Pick | |