If you’re a pool owner, you need a pool test kit. A pool test kit allows you to test your pool’s chlorine, pH, and alkalinity frequently and cheaply. Testing these readings will keep your swimmers safe, as it ensures you are adding the correct chemicals to prevent algae blooms, infestations, and unsanitary pool water.
However, not all test kits are created equal. This article will review the best pool test kit options on the market in 2021.
LaMotte Digital Water Test Kit
The LaMotte Digital Water Test Kit is a top-of-the-line choice for pool owners who want a test kit that will last years. This test kit allows you to test your pool’s free chlorine, total chlorine, bromine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, and pH levels. Unlike other kits, this kit includes a digital photometer. This makes the pool testing process extremely easy and quick, as you simply add water to the photometer’s test tube, insert testing liquid, and wait for your results. This kit will save you money long-term, as you can simply purchase replacement testing liquids when they go out of date (rather than repurchasing the entire kit).
Pros:
- Extremely accurate
- Includes seven tests
- Easy to use
- Waterproof case
Cons:
- More expensive than manual test kits
Taylor Service Test Kit K-2006C
The Taylor Service Test Kit is a manual kit that allows you to test your free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, calcium hardness, alkalinity, stabilizer, acid, and bromine levels. This kit includes all the testing liquids you need, plus reagent testing bottles, detailed instructions, and level guides. To use this kit, you simply add pool water into the reagent bottles and apply the liquid test. Use the watercolor to get your results. If you are looking for a complete manual kit, this is the best pool test kit for you.
Pros:
- Includes seven tests
- Yields very accurate results
- Includes detailed instructions
- Includes all the equipment you need for testing
Cons:
- You may need to replace the reagent bottles and liquid tests every few years
- Manual pool testing can be time-consuming
Poolmaster Water Test Kit
The Poolmaster Water Test kit is a great budget option for pool owners who prefer manual tests. This testing kit includes five tests for chlorine, bromine, pH, acid, and alkalinity levels. The kit also includes regent testing containers with handy guides to help you interpret your results. While this test kit is fairly basic, it yields accurate and reliable results. Poolmaster also sells the testing liquids used in this kit separately, so you can simply replace them once they go out of date.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Includes five tests
- Includes handy guides
Cons:
- This kit is primitive
- Can be time-consuming to use
Varify Premium Pool Test Strips
The Varify Premium Pool Test Strips are an awesome alternative to a standard test kit. These strips are very easy to use. You simply dip the test strip in the pool, wait 15 – 30 seconds, and interpret the results with the testing guide. The Varify test strips measure your total chlorine, free chlorine, bromine, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and pH levels. Varify also donates 10% of each purchase to the charity Water For Good. Each container of Varify contains 50 test strips.
Pros:
- It takes less than 2 minutes to test your water
- Includes seven tests
- Fairly child-safe (as there are no chemicals to consume)
- 10% of proceeds to go charity
Cons:
- You will need to repurchase the test strips every few months
- Not as precise as digital or liquid testing
AquaChek Test Strips
The AquaCheck Test Strips are a good alternative to the Varify test strips. The AquaCheck strips test for seven things: calcium hardness, total chlorine, bromine, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, total alkalinity, and pH. These strips are easy to use – you simply dip them in water, wait, and read your results. Each pack contains 50 test strips and should last you 2 – 4 months. AquaCheck also has an app you can use to track your pool readings over time.
Pros:
- Fairly accurate
- Includes seven tests
- Fairly child-safe (as there are no chemicals to consume)
- Small, easy-to-carry container
- Comes with an app for result tracking
Cons:
- Not as precise as liquid tests
- You will need to repurchase the strips every few months
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should you check pool water?
Ideally, you should check your pool’s chlorine levels between 2 – 3 times a week during spring, summer, and autumn. In winter, you should check your chlorine levels at least once a week. If in doubt, test your pool. It is easier to correct unbalanced levels than drain and refill the pool.
How long do pool test kits last?
The average lifespan of pool test kit liquids is 12 – 24 months. As the lifespan of the chemicals depends on the manufacturer and the ingredients, you should use the expiry date on the bottom of your test liquids as a guide. If in doubt, replace your liquids every 12 months.
What pool test kit should I buy?
The best pool test kit is the LaMotte Digital Test Kit. As this test calibrates your results automatically, it is more accurate and easier to use than other test strip options. It’s also sold in a waterproof case.
Are pool tests accurate?
Pool tests are very accurate when they are administered correctly. To ensure you get accurate results, always follow the test kit’s instructions and store your test kit in a dry, cool location out of direct sunlight.
Takeaway
While there are many great pool test kits to choose from in 2021, some brands are simply better than others. We believe that the LaMotte Digital Kit is the best pool test kit. However, if you are looking for a manual test kit or test strips, you won’t go wrong with the Taylor Test Kit or the Varify Premium Pool Tests Strips, respectively.
