Top 15 Best Pool Water Test Kits in 2024

The best pool water test kits are applicable for both public and home pools since pool water is a sensitive environment that needs proper chemistry balance. Chlorine and other relevant chemical substances in pool water have to be at their safest rates.

More than making pool water look fresh and clean; this is a matter of health. It is not surprising that a lot of us have at least once drunk chlorine water straight from the pool while swimming. Unbalanced pool water is also possible to cause skin irritation.

So far, the two most common methods to test pool water is to take advantage of the manual pool test drops or a digital kit to view the test results right on its screen. Take a look at this article and find yourself a suitable test kit for stabilized pool water.

Types of Swimming Pool Test Kits

As being said earlier, there are two different main approaches to test pool water: using a manual pool test kit or a digital one. Using pool test strips is now considered an old method that no longer provides accurate color readouts of these chemical tests.

The manual kit is a popular, cost-effective selection with versatile test quantities but more challenging to operate as sometimes its color ranges are obscure and unreadable. It is much suitable for monthly testing of chlorine water in home pools and hot tubs.

In contrast, a digital kit belongs to the higher price range. It runs on AA batteries and often delivers more precise outcomes. The numeric display is active for color blind people. As it shows immediate results, this test kit is ideal for public pools and spas.

What Is the Best Pool Water Test Kit?

Not all swimming pools contain Chlorine because some might be filled with salt water, so it is quite challenging to look for the best pool water test kits without some help. The following suggestions are the current finest ones on the market with their tag labels:

• Best Overall: Blue Devil 5-Way Swimming Pool Water Test Kit
  “5-way testing, Multiple uses, Instructions divided in different colours.”
• Best Budget: Jed Pool Tools Standard Dual Water Test Kit
  “High quality, Standard tools and items, Sturdy packaging.”
• Best Digital Pool Test Kit: LaMotte 2056 ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit
  “Digital reading of test results, Water resistant, carrying case.”
• Best for Saltwater Pool: HTH 6-Way Pool Test Kit
  “Covers all pool types, quick results, equipment for 100 tests.”
• Best for Color Blind: Poolmaster 22260 5-Way Pool Water Test Kit
  “Black or blue case colour, contents remain unchanged, clear test block view.”
• Best for Home Pool: Taylor K1001 Basic Residential Pool or Spa Test Kit
  “Dosage chart included, hard shell case, color coded instructions.”
• Best Value for the Money: Taylor K-2005-Salt Water Test Kit
  “Highest standards, color coded instructions, Easy-to-read watergram.”

Comparison Chart

This comparison table is presented to let you know which chemical factors do these best pool water test kits check for because it is not the same for all of them.

The 15 Best Pool Water Test Kits Reviews

With this complete review section, you can obtain clear insights into the best pool water test kits available on the market and weigh their pros and cons at the same time. Eventually, a suitable kit can be decided based on personal needs.

Poolmaster 22260 5-Way Pool Water Test Kit

(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)

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Most customers are fond of how the UV-protected color chips of this Poolmaster pool test kit are integrated into its test block. The 5 reagent solution bottles include tests for Chlorine, Alkalinity, pH, Acid Demand, and Bromine in 2 different volumes of 15 & 30ml.

It is simple to conduct pool water tests with the kit because this brand provides A-Z instructions and added tips for each purchase. Besides the #1 solution, the rest does not need sealed caps. This test kit comes in an organized polyethylene case for neat storage.

Not only in swimming pools, but you can also take tests in spas, hot tubs and jacuzzis with the 22260 5-way test kit from Poolmaster. It only takes around 5 minutes to complete all of the tests for chlorine water and quickly reveals the results.

LaMotte ColorQ Pro 11 Digital Pool & Spa Water Test Kit

(Best Digital Pool Test Kit)

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The brand LaMotte has long been famous for producing premium digital test kits for pool water that deliver quick testing on site. It does not require customers to check for those slight shifts in color since the results will pop up right on its digital screen.

Because this kit runs on 2 AA batteries, there is a function for auto-off in 5 minutes to preserve the battery life. It only requires 5 drops of each liquid reagent bottle to test factors like Total/Free Chlorine, Alkalinity, Biguanide, Iron, and pH in pool water.

Its instructions are provided in 3 different languages of English, French, and Spanish to support worldwide customers at ease. Along with the chemical reagent bottles, the ColorQ Pro 11 pool kit also offers 100 tablet packs and a saturation index calculator.

Taylor K-1776 Pool Salt Water Test Kit

(Best for Saltwater Pool)

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The chemical reagents in this K-1776 saltwater test kit from Taylor give within 200 ppm reading in one drop, which means it can be used for at least 17 water tests. It is best to combine with saltwater chlorine generators to check pool and koi ponds with saltwater.

LaMotte 2056 ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit

(Best for Color Blind)

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While you might think color blind people can’t use a pool water test kit, LaMotte offers the 2056 ColorQ Pro 7 model that includes a photometer. This feature delivers test results in the form of digital readouts, so no need to compare the colors.

Its housing is highly water-resistant to enable on-site testing in swimming pools. The test quantities in this kit are 4 factors fewer than the Pro 11 above, but these are still critical chemical elements. A pack of tablets is provided to test for Cyanuric Acid.

Taylor K1001 Basic Residential Pool or Spa Test Kit

(Best for Home Pool)

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Concerning water testing at a home pool, the Taylor K1001 unit is a basic DPD pool test kit, which provides quick results after a few simple steps. Its comparator includes molded fill lines that are not complicated to read the color shifts being displayed on it.

The flip side of its instruction card features useful dosage charts for you to find out proper treatment for their pool water via this translation. There is a small but hardshell case to handle 3 reagent bottles, which test for pH, Chlorine, and Bromine.

Taylor K-2006c Service Complete Pool Water Test Kit

(Best Value for the Money)

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So far, the K-2006c pool test kit from Taylor is the most expensive one due to its full set of essential reagents, and it worths the price. With a complete test kit like this, it would be perfect for applying for public pools, health departments, and service techs.

Other than basic testing factors such as pH, Free/Total Chlorine, Acid Demand, and Alkalinity, this kit is capable of measuring levels of Stabilizer in pool water as well. Each reagent bottle is of a 2-oz volume. Its instructions and chemistry guide are all waterproof.

Jed Pool Tools Standard Dual Water Test Kit

(Best Budget)

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Since this pool test kit from the brand Jed Pool Tools is a dual OTO one, the price is quite low compared to the average level on the market. Still, the kit provides tests for 3 essential factors in swimming pool water, including pH, Bromine, and Total Chlorine.

Each reagent bottle in this pool test kt needs 4 drops for the test, and there are about 100 drops per bottle. Its translucent plastic testers are ideal to indicate color ranges after testing the pool water. The storage case is compact to be carried around easily.

Blue Devil 5-Way Swimming Pool Water Test Kit

(Best With Simple Vials)

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Each solution bottle in the Blue Devil 5-way pool test kit has a volume of ½ oz and can be used for a series of frequent water tests throughout the year. By learning its instructions thoroughly, there is no need to guess any of these test results second.

Both the color comparator and its testing vials are simple to use and read, with bright color ranges integrated on translucent plastic. All of the testing components of this kit are stored inside a large case made from plastic for users to bring it along with ease.

HTH 6-Way Pool Test Kit

(Best With Testing App)

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The HTH 6-way pool test kit manages to impress a large number of pool owners for providing up to 100 times of usage within this kit, even when tests are performed regularly. It is compatible with all kinds of pools, including saltwater systems as well.

Its HTH Test to Swim app is the best part of using this pool test kit. After inputting the collected results into this app, it provides instant analysis of the water condition. The app recommends proper treatment along with auto-save past information for users to compare.

Taylor K-2005-Salt Water Test Kit

(Best With Water Balance Calculator)

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As all of the comprehensive instructions to use this K-2005-Salt test kit from Taylor are printed on its hard carrying case, you would no longer be afraid of losing them. Plus, it even tests for the Sodium Chloride (salt) rate in swimming pool water.

Its reagent bottles are manufactured with an equivalent volume of 75 oz to handle a considerable amount of chemical solutions for water testing. This complete test kit is built to the highest standards, with a total of 9 thorough tests that are taken through it.

Blue Devil 6-Way Pro Pool Water Test Kit

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This small test kit from Blue Devil allows you to analyze 6 different factors in pool water, including pH, Chlorine/Bromine, Acid Demand, Alkalinity, and Stabilizer. There is no installation required because all of its components are ready for action.

Not only is the color comparator in this pool test kit easy to read, but it is also durable with two sample testing tubes of different sizing. Complete instructions from A to Z are included, and the entire Blue Devil 6-way test kit is stored inside a compact case.

Taylor K-2005 Pool Test Complete Kit

(Best With High Range)

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As the K-2005 test kit from Taylor can examine 9 standard chemical elements in pool and spa water, it is favored by pool operators and professional techs. While other kits with low ranges only test up to 2.5 ppm, this unit has a high range from 1 to 10 ppm.

Its printed testing block provides a precise color match that is reliable to enable pool water tests regularly. This titration type of testing is even more trustworthy with accurate results than the strips and photometer.

US Pool Supply 3-Way Pool & Spa Water Test Kit

(Best for Spa Water)

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This unit from US Pool Supply is a standard and professional test kit to examine chlorine water in swimming pools and spas based on 3 factors of pH, Bromine, and Chlorine. The color markings are integrated into its testing block with high clarity and precision.

A small piece of paper, as its user manual, is attached inside a polyethylene storage case together with the chemical solution bottles. Both of these OTO and phenol red bottles are of a 20ml volume. It requires 5 drops each to complete their water tests.

Taylor K-2006 Pool Water Test Kit

(Best for Chlorine Distinguish)

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You need to distinguish between free and total Chlorine in pool & spa water, and that is precisely what the Taylor K-2006 FAS-DPD test kit is capable of doing. As usual, this kit features a Taylor water gram to calculate the balance of water.

XtremepowerUS 5-Way Pool Water Test Kit

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As a great sign of the brand XtremepowerUS, this 5-way pool water test kit has a polystyrene testing block with clear reading. The color-matching chips are entirely UV-protected and integrated into this block, not printed on for improved sustainability.

With chemical testing choices of 5 essential factors in pool water such as pH, Total Alkalinity, Chlorine, Acid Demand, and Bromine, customers will know how the water is doing and treat it better. Helpful tips are available with the A-Z instructions to use it.

The good news is people can refill the reagent bottles in this kit with new solutions if used up, but make sure those require the same testing drops. Its polyethylene carrying case is responsible for maintaining the components in place between tests.

Choosing the Best Pool Water Test Kit

When it comes to purchasing pool water test kits, there are a lot of essential criteria that need to be considered for both manual and digital units. I believe that the notes underneath would provide customers with useful information for their shopping time.

Number of Tests

At least 3 and a maximum of 11 tests can be conducted with a test kit for a series of different factors in pool water. The more elements are checked, the safer that pool chlorine water becomes as it would be treated in a better method.

As far as I am concerned, the most crucial ones that cannot be missed out in the kit have to be Total Chlorine, pH, and Bromine. Customers should not forget to check for these chemicals like Calcium Hardness, Cyanuric Acid, Iron, Copper, and Biguanide.

Digital pool test kits often deliver more tests than manual ones; however, it depends on each personal requirement. Public aqua places like pools, spas, and hot springs certainly need more complex examination than residential pools, jacuzzis, and tubs.

Color Transition

This feature must be bright as a lot of pool water test kits contain test blocks without much difference in their color chips. It is difficult sometimes, even for an average person to visually clarify the correct color range of the tested pool water.

On the testing block in a manual pool water test kit, the most common colors to use for indication are red, pink, orange, and yellow. The ideal level of chemical elements are often in the middle of this range; however, these shades are close and look alike.

To be honest, not all test kits on the market can provide a precise color shift of pool water because of their vague scales. I would recommend choosing a digital unit instead, if users struggle with guessing the colored results after these chemical tests.

Sealed Bottle Caps

All of them are poisonous chemical solutions, so each bottle must come with a secure lid. It would be quite dangerous in case these harmful solutions ever spill out of their container bottles or leave stains on the skin.

After being used, the entire pool water test kit has to be stored somewhere far from the reach of little kids. Remember always to open and close reagent bottles for tests with concentration and carefulness. Finally, tighten the bottle caps before putting it away.

Benefits of Pool Test Kits

A complete pool water test kit is used to make sure a swimming pool is safe to swim in and preserve its equipment from degradation. With the balanced level of multiple chemical elements, it prevents swimmers from getting asthma and external irritation.

All of the vial bottles have sealed caps and are kept inside a convenient case to be carried around with ease. The waterproof storage case would include separate slots for different bottles and organize them while pool owners conduct on-site water tests.

Furthermore, I know you would like to understand how several vital chemical factors tribute to the common health of the pool water. The kit examines their rates in the water within a specific color range and helps find the best solution to treat it well.

Chlorine/Bromine – These factors work as sanitizers to block germs and algae from building up in swimming pools. Chlorine and Bromine tests would best indicate pool owners how much of these sanitizers are still active and performing well in the water.

Alkalinity/pH – The amount of water acidity is measured through these elements. A balanced level of Alkalinity and pH in pool water is effective in preventing scales and corrosion from occurring. Having them in check also makes sanitizers function better.

Acid Demand – Acid tests are an insignificant relation to help keep the balance of pH levels.

Sodium Chloride – As Sodium Chloride means salt, it should be tested in saltwater pools and spas. A low rate of salt can result in an unclean water environment since its chlorine production is insufficient. This factor needs to be stable all the time.

How to Use a Pool Water Test Kit?

The first rule is to keep the kit away from children and replace its solutions yearly for better results before the expiration. Remember to store all the reagent bottles in dry places and avoid trapping surrounding moisture that can affect the chemical liquids.

The final test results would either be color readouts to compare with the color range or exact numbers of ppm rates. In some cases, the instructions even translate them into suitable treatment for that pool water. In brief, a test kit keeps pool water healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about pool water test kits.

Swim Network Overview

People use a pool water test kit to analyze the chemical balance of pool water to see whether it is safe to swim in. You should better take these tests of diverse factors at home with the best pool water test kits and stop spending too much at pool stores.

The best overall unit is the Poolmaster 22260 5-Way Pool Water Test Kit. If saltwater pools need testing, I suggest the Taylor K-1776 Pool Salt Water Test Kit. A premium but low-budget kit on the market is the Jed Pool Tools Standard Dual Water Test Kit.

It is understandable if none of the reviewed test kits in this list is tempting enough for your liking. In that case, I hope the buying guide is much helpful.

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