9 Best Water Test Kits — Reviews and Buying Guide

For a comprehensive, reliable water test kit, the Health Metric Home Drinking Water Test Kit really fits the bill. It is able to test for anything you might be worried about in your water. This includes lead, copper, and iron.

What’s more, is that you can compare the results you get from the kit with EPA-guidelines so you know exactly how safe your water is.

While some test kits are made overseas, the Health Metric Home Drinking Water Test Kit is manufactured in the USA. Having such a product made here, where you know it has undergone strenuous testing, means investing in a product that will definitely work.

You can use the Health Metric Home Drinking Water Test Kit with just about any bodies of water. Tap water, well water, pools, and aquariums can all benefit from this test kit.

While this is a low-cost product, it is pretty much a one-use kit. It does come with two strips for some tests, such as chlorine and pH, there is only one strip for lead, copper, and bacteria. It would be nice if there were at least two strips for every test so that you could perform two comprehensive tests with one package.

Still, this water test kit has excellent reviews from previous customers. The results are accurate, the test strips are easy to use, and the whole package offers really good value for money. Even if you have to order multiple of these test kits over time, it is sill a good bargain.

The problem with water test kits is that you can never be quite sure how accurate they are. They might seem like they’re measuring different levels in your water, but how confident are you that they pain the full picture?

The Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit is our Premium Choice for a reason. With this kit you know that the results are accurate. What’s more is that the kit tests for an impressive 200 different contaminants, all in one test.

The Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit is recognized by a lot of institutions for being the best. It has earned the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Seal of Approval. It also was recognized as a top new product at the National Hardware Show. With over four million kits having been sold and amazing customer reviews, this is the water test kit that is as close to perfection as it gets.

The Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit is a lab kit. All you need to do is fill the containers with your drinking water. Then, ship the containers to the laboratory facility. In just a few days you will receive your lab report by email.

The test is a one-time use kit. It is quite expensive, so is best for your annual water test. If you just need to test pool water or aquarium water, this is definitely not for you.

There are two main types of water test kits. Those you can do at home, and those you need to send into a lab. While it may be cheaper to perform a test at home, you won’t get the accuracy of a lab test.

If you’re particularly worried about the quality of your aquarium’s water and want to find out just what is in it, a lab test, like the Hach Total Hardness Test Kit, is the way to go.

This high-performance water test kit is easy and accurate. Simply fill the vials with the water you want to test. Then, ship it with the prepaid label to the laboratory. The results are then provided in about two weeks. This is a bit longer than some other lab kits, but the accuracy is well worth the wait.

Within this lab test kit, it will test for common elements such as chloride, calcium, and Sulphur. Other elements it will test for include arsenic, lead, and iron. Furthermore, unlike other more basic lab test kits, this one will test for salinity and KH. The comprehensive results allow you to see the whole picture of your water.

This test is perfect for saltwater aquariums. So often we just don’t know what is hiding in our water and your fish deserve all the answers. You might have to spend a bit extra with this test, but the peace of mind it can bring for both you and your fish is well worth it.

When you think about water test kits you might immediately think about your own drinking water. And while that is important, what about your amphibian friends who live in water? Aquariums are awesome to have in the home. They provide ambiance and a creative hobby. But what happens if the water just isn’t right?

Because your aquarium is a small container of water, the chemical levels can quickly alter in it. Even larger aquariums can have their water change overnight. If there is too much ammonia in the water, this can create a hazardous environment for your fish. Too much ammonia means not enough oxygen in the water and the result is fish floating belly-up.

The solution, however, is extremely easy. Simply test your aquarium’s water with TETRA EasyStrips Ammonia Aquarium Test Strips.

Just dip one strip into your aquarium. Remove and wait ten seconds. Your test strip will change color, and you can use it to learn how much ammonia is in the water.

What’s really great about the TETRA EasyStrips Ammonia Aquarium Test Strips is that you can use them for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Furthermore, you can actually upload your results into the TETRA MY Aquarium app. You can track your water’s history and have access to aquarium tips.

Overall, this is a solid product. A liquid kit may be more accurate, but the test strips are inexpensive and can be used as often as you deem necessary.

The one-off cost of a water test kit might not seem too expensive but if you plan on testing your water over and over again, the price can quickly add up. For those looking for a solid product that doesn’t break the bank, try the Culligan Essential Water Lab Test Kit.

Within this water lab test kit, you will receive the necessary resources to test for bacteria, nitrates, pesticides, lead, iron, pH levels, and many more.

The kit is made so that you can test everything you want to learn about right at home. This DIY kit means not having to spend days or even weeks waiting for your results from a lab.

The fact that the Culligan Essential Water Lab Test Kit tests for pesticides is a really nice touch. Pesticides can too easily seep into ground water or even get blown into pool water. Furthermore, just because you don’t use pesticides in your garden, doesn’t mean your neighbors don’t. In fact, the point of a water test kit is to find out everything you didn’t know that is in your water.

The Culligan Essential Water Lab Test Kit is really easy to use. The instructions are simple and well layer-out so you can get to testing your water at home with no issues.

Of course, a DIY kit does have its limitations. If you like the look of this kit but want more, you can always try the Comprehensive Kit from Culligan. It has everything the Essential kit has plus the ability to send your tests to a lab.

Those that have a pool learn a few things quickly. One, you’ll soon meet all your neighbors. And two, nobody likes a dirty pool. To help you quickly check your pool water, use a product like AquaChek Pool Water Test Strips.

In just 15 seconds, you can know all the vital levels of your pool water. Simply take a test strip, dip it right into your water, and almost instantaneously you’ll know what your water levels are at. The test kit includes an easy to read color chart that you can match up to know what the levels are at.

The AquaChek Pool Water Test Strips test for chlorine, alkalinity, pH, and more. Included in your package are 100 test strips. This gives really good value for money. While you will still need a supplementary, more comprehensive water test kit, these strips are perfect for testing your water on a quick, daily basis.

The only real issue with the AquaChek Pool Water Test Strips is that the colors can be a bit hard to discern. It’s best to follow the instructions absolutely to get the best results. While this is a simple test, spend a bit of extra time when you first start using them to really nail the whole process. That way there will be no issues later on.

Also, make sure not to use expired test strips. The chemicals used on the strips to cause reactions can dissolve over time, leading to not as accurate readings.

Just what is hard water, and why is it so bad for you? Hard water means it has a high concentration of minerals. It is usually found in well water because it has to pass through substances such as clay and limestone, where elements can slowly leach into the water. Hard water usually has magnesium, calcium, and sulfates.

Generally, hard water is fairly safe. However, too many of these elements can add to concern over time. On a practical level, hard water can deposit these minerals into your pipes as it passes through them. Over time those minerals can accumulate, leading to clogged pipes and even residue in your shower or bathtub.

If you rely on well water, you should test your water annually to see just what is going on. A test like the Hach Total Hardness Test Kit can tell you exactly what is in your water. Then, you can decide if you need to add water softeners to combat the adverse effects hard water has.

Instead of using strips that aren’t as reliable, the Hach Total Hardness Test Kit uses a more advanced system that is easy and offers reliable results.

Previous customers all recommend this water test kit. The only downside is that it really only tests for water hardness levels. If you want a more comprehensive test, you’ll have to look elsewhere or eventually purchase a separate test kit.

Having a pool in your backyard means endless hours of fun. It also means a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure safety and comfort. Pool water is quite finicky. You need to be mindful of both external environmental factors as well as internal ones from the people in the pool.

Frequent testing of your pool is a necessity. While it might seem like a bit of a headache at first, with the proper kit it soon becomes routine and quite easy.

To get started, use the LaMotte ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit. This comprehensive testing kit will test for chlorine, alkalinity, and pH levels. There are tests that should be performed daily, and tests that should be performed less frequently.

The LaMotte ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit uses modern technology and includes a photometer. This quickly provides you with test results in a digital manner. You also receive a carrying case to keep all your chemicals and testers together in one safe, convenient area.

While the initial use of this test kit is quite simple, understanding the results is a bit complicated. The digital reading is fast but merely gives you numbers. You then have to know what those numbers mean and what to do with your results. This testing kit is not perhaps best for pool beginners. Rather, those that have a lot of experience with testing pool water might find more benefit from it.

If you rely on well water, you know how important it is to regularly check your water. While city water is regularly checked in the system, it’s up to homeowners to check their own well water.

The WaterSafe Well Water Test Kit is a fast, reliable test that will give you great peace of mind with your drinking water. In just ten minutes, you can get the results you want. This lab kit tests for bacteria, pesticides, lead, chlorine, and more. Basically, everything you might worry about is tested for.

One great feature of the WaterSafe Well Water Test Kit is that it is very easy to use. In fact, the manufacturer boasts that even little kids can perform this test. But don’t worry as you can still expect reliable test results. While the instructions are clear, the products themselves can be a bit frustrating. It might seem minor, but the vials you fill have clear lines on the sides to indicate where to fill. However, once you start putting water in, those lines quickly become invisible.
Furthermore, while the results are pretty accurate, the test strips often change colors not quite on the scale. It can take a bit of interpretation to figure out just what each color means. Hopefully with enough feedback this complaint is in the process of being remedied.

This WaterSafe Well Water Test Kit comes with just one test in the package. However, if you want more of a bargain, you can find packages of up to four tests.