7 best pool water tests

Pool water testing is an essential part of pool maintenance to ensure the water is safe, clean, and properly balanced for swimming. There are various tools and products available for testing pool water quality. Here's what you need to know about pool water tests:

Test Strips: Test strips are one of the most common and user-friendly tools for testing pool water. They typically come with color-coded strips that you dip into the pool water. The strip will change color, and you match it against a chart to determine the levels of various parameters like pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and sometimes hardness.
Liquid Test Kits: Liquid test kits are another option for testing pool water. They typically include reagents and a series of test tubes. You add the reagents to a water sample and observe the color change to determine the chemical levels in the pool.
Electronic Testers: Electronic testers provide digital readings of water parameters, such as pH and chlorine levels. They are convenient and can offer more precise results, but they are often more expensive than test strips or liquid kits.
Parameters Tested:
- pH Level: This measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. The ideal pH level for pool water is typically between 7.2 and 7.8.
- Chlorine Level: Chlorine is used to disinfect the pool water. The appropriate chlorine level varies but is typically between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million (ppm).
- Total Alkalinity: This measures the water's ability to resist pH changes. The recommended range is usually between 80 and 120 ppm.
- Calcium Hardness: This measures the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water. Ideal levels vary but are generally between 200 and 400 ppm.
- Cyanuric Acid (CYA): CYA stabilizes chlorine in the pool. The recommended range is typically between 30 and 50 ppm.
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): TDS measures the concentration of various dissolved substances in the water, and high levels can indicate the need for water replacement.
Frequency: Regular testing is essential for maintaining pool water quality. How often you test depends on factors like pool size, usage, and weather conditions. Typically, pool owners test their water at least once a week during the swimming season.
Adjusting Chemicals: If test results indicate that the pool water is out of balance, you may need to add chemicals to adjust the levels. Common pool chemicals include pH increasers/decreasers, chlorine, shock treatments, and algaecides.
Recording Results: Keep a record of your test results to track changes over time and ensure that you maintain the proper balance in your pool water.
Safety: Always follow safety precautions when handling pool chemicals and testing equipment.Store them in a safe place, away from children and pets.

In summary, regular pool water testing is essential to maintain a safe and comfortable swimming environment. Whether you use test strips, liquid kits, or electronic testers, understanding and maintaining the right chemical balance in your pool is crucial for water clarity, sanitation, and overall enjoyment.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best pool water tests on the market

Eat Less Water

Based on 32 reviews Check latest price

The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas

Based on 184 reviews Check latest price

EPLST Pool Test Strips - 6 in 1 Swimming Pool Test Strips for Hot Tub, Test pH, Chlorine, Bromine, Hardness and More - 100 Count(2 Pack)

Based on 15 reviews Check latest price

Product description

How much do you know about your life water?Do you know your pool ,spa ,hot tub water whether is safe and clean to have fun ?Our pool, spa and hot tub testing kit can help you to know your water quality quickly and accurately.

You will get 100 strips which mean 100tests.

Omnidirectional Testing

Total Chlorine: Having too little chlorine means your pool will be unsanitary, it will develop algae.

Free Chlorine: Too much chlorine in the pool stings your eyes, irritates your skin and turns blond hair green.

pH: Low pH results in skin & eye irritation and a high pH causes long term damage to your pool and equipment.

Total Alkalinity: Low or high alkalinity levels will result in your pools pH levels to fluctuate making it harder to maintain.

Total Hardness: Very hard water will turn pool water cloudy and too soft water will cause damage to pool & equipment.

Cyanuric Acid: Low levels can cause pool to become dirty and unpleasant. High levels cause long term damage to pool & equipment.

The test strips is used for pool, spa, hot tub water quality test, you can assured of maintaining the right amount of chemicals in your pool, thereby avoid health problems and device damage.

So it is very important to test water quality of the pool regularly, suggest pool water quality should be tested every week.

Important tips:

Store in a cool dry place away from water source to ensure freshness and longevity of strips.

Also to ensure freshness, when you take out a strip, put the lid back on properly.

6 WAY POOL WATER TEST STRIPS: The Accurate POOL TEST STRIPS for your swimming pool & spa hot tubs.Testing pH, free chlorine/bromine, total chlorine, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, total hardness at a time.
EXTREMELY EASY TO USE: pool testing strips, Just dip a strip in water 2 seconds, take it out and wait for 15 seconds,compare with large color chart on bottle.you can get the the accurate results of water quality.
Easy To Store: 100 count pool chemical test strips were packed in an easy-to-store container.50 strips/Pack,each pack was sealed well with 5 individual moisture-proof packages to ensure the swimming pool test strips can be stored for 2 years.
High Precision: the spa and pool water test strips 100 count is made of high quality imported filter paper. Each swimming pool test strip provides high accurate and reliable instant results for any water sources including spas and hot-tubs、fresh and salt water pools.
What you get: If you're not satisfied with our hot tub test strips, please contact us freely.We suggest pool&spa water quality should be tested every week.Our total hardness water test strips help test swimming pool, Spa, hot tub's water chemistry,bring health clean,and safe water.

U.S. Pool Supply Standard 3-Way Swimming Pool & Spa Test Kit, Tests Water for pH, Chlorine and Bromine

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

About U.S. Pool Supply

U.S. Pool Supply is your online source for professional high quality and affordable pool cleaning and maintenance supplies, pool accessories and for pool recreational activity pool toys, floats and leisure lounges. We offer all the essential items needed to help residential pool owners care for and maintain their own pools, so they can eliminate the need for expensive scheduled pool service technicians. Our goal is to provide you the premium products you need to keep your pool clean and ready for use, so you can focus on what's most important... enjoying your pool!

Buy with Confidence from a Trusted Company

U.S. Pool Supply is a division of the TCP Global Corporation, a trusted worldwide company that has been in business for over 40 years. Our innovative company operates out of several large warehouses with over 150 staff members providing excellent service and hassle free daily customer support. A full one year warranty is offered on all pool cleaning, maintenance and accessory products. (Note multiple year warranties are offered some select items). A one year limited guarantee is offered on all pool leisure and recreational activity pool toys, inflatable floats and lounges.

Professional 3-way water test kit for maintaining proper Chlorine, Bromine and pH chemical levels in swimming pools and spas
Kit includes a 1/2 ounce dropper bottle of OTO (Orthotolidine) Chlorine Test Solution and a 1/2 ounce dropper bottle of Phenol Red pH Test Solution
Includes clear view water testing block with accurate measuring scale and integrated color markings for the chemical levels
Comes with a user guide and it all stores in a polyethylene case
Easy to use, just fill each test tube with pool water, add 5 drops of the proper solution into each test tube, put the test tube caps on, shake the testing block then check the Chloride, Bromine and pH readings

User questions & answers

Question:	how many uses does it last when using 5 drops each time
Answer:	Hello MG120, Thank you for inquiring about our Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Kit, with testing for 200 different contaminants at our EPA-certified lab. In this kit, we do not test for S-(elemental sulfur) nor do we test for H2S-(hydrogen sulfide gas). We do test for Sulfate-(SO4) as one of the 200 different contaminants, in this kit. Thank you for considering Safe Home, for your water testing needs.
Question:	How can tests can be ran with this kit
Answer:	Hello Doug, Thank you for your interest in our Safe Home ULTIMATE Drinking Water Test Kit, which provides testing for 200 different contaminants at our EPA Certified Laboratory. I am happy to share my 42 years of experience with testing drinking water, with some input. If you want to know what's coming into your home and being treated by your filtering system, test the water before the system. If you want to know what you are drinking, test the water after your filtering system. If you want to know how efficient your water filtering system is, you should purchase two kits: Use one kit to test the water before the filtration system and use the second kit to test the water after the filtration system. Note: this can be pricey...so evaluate accordingly. The math to calculate the percent removal of each contaminant is very simple. I only recommend the third option, because we receive countless emails asking us "how" to check the efficiency of a water treatment (filtering) system. The final decision is ultimately, yours. Thank you again for your interest in our Safe Home ULTIMATE Test Kit.
Question:	Does it test Cya levels in the pool
Answer:	Hello BG, thank you for your interest in our UKTIMATE drinking water kit with testing for 200 Parameters at our EPA certified laboratory. Unfortunately PFOA and PFOS are not included in this kit. We do have a kit that tests for a dozen perfluoro alkyl substances including PFOA and PFOS. Please feel free to contact us at our toll-free number 888–932–6699 and ask for safe home customer services. Thank you again for your interest in safe home drinking water test kits.
Question:	Does it test for cya
Answer:	The test is carried out by the lab, where you need to send samples of water by mail. In the box there are only vessels for filling with water, but there are no chemicals for conducting tests at home. There is only one test tube for testing water at home for bacterial contamination. Therefore, the cost of $300 is only for testing one source of water, but for 200 possible polluters.

TAYLOR TECHNOLOGIES INC K-2006 TEST KIT COMP CHLORINE FAS-DPD

taylor

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

About the Taylor Technologies K-2006 Pool Test Kit, Complete Service Drop Test Kit For Acid Base Demand, Total Akalinity, amp; Calcium HardnessThe Taylor Technologies K-2006 2000 pool test kit comes complete with FASDPD bromine test for acid base demand, total akalinity, and calcium hardness. This drop tester kit is unlike the OT method which will distinguish between free available chlorine and total chlorine for a accurate reading.

Country Of Origin: USA
Model Number: K-2006
Item Package Dimensions: 9.099999990718" L x 5.599999994288" W x 3.899999996022" H
Item Package Weight: 2.35012771292 lb

User questions & answers

Question:	Is this test kit also good for salt pools
Answer:	If stored in high humidity (e.g., Miami summer weather) in spite of the foil packaging, they will not last a year. But, if kept in an air conditioned room (or even in a freezer), they should last a year or more, although there may be a diminution of potency. The best way to check is to have KNOWN high concentrations of N, P, and K, so that you can see if you get full color development. Freezing a soil sample that analyzed as "high" for all three elements when the chemicals were fresh should work to provide such a check (i.e., "positive control").
Question:	can this be used for salt pools
Answer:	Refer this to the manufacturer.
Question:	how many CYA tests can you do with this kit
Answer:	50 tests of each of N, P, and K can be performed (measuring in comparison to a color card as "Low, Medium, or High"). BUT there are only enough extraction tablets for 50 extracts. So, the presumption is that you do N, P, and K tests on each extract. If you only want to do N or P, before disposing of extracts, then you'll be limited to 50 tests (the total number of soil extractions that you can perform).
Question:	What is the difference between K-2005 and K
Answer:	I suspect there is a way to use this for hydroponics but have not found anything to say how. It appears that the commonly used tests for hydroponics are ph and TDS or EC. Note that TDS and EC measurements are two different ways of measuring the same thing so you don't need both. The TDS (total dissolved solids) or EC (electrical conductivity) is a general gage of the quantity of nutrients in the water. The ph is important because if the ph is wrong the plants will not absorb the nutrients. That said amazon does sell inexpensive ph, TDS and EC meters that are easy to use. You should get reference solutions to calibrate these meters. (be careful not to contaminate your reference solutions with your nutrient solutions!) If you are looking to do custom nutrient solutions or replenishment of individual nutrients some of the nutrients can be measured using aquarium test kits but some of those test kits do not have a range that is fitting for hydroponics. I purchased the LaMotte N-P-K soil test kit for soil based gardening but I also do some hydroponics. I have not yet found tests (or a way to use this test kit) to measure the individual hydroponic nutrients.

Taylor K2005 Swimming Pool Chlorine Bromine Alkalinity Hardness pH DP Test Kit

Taylor Technologies, Inc.

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Taylor Technologies K-2005 Compete Test Kit, High Range. Maintaining safe pool/spa water for the public is an important responsibility. Therefore, precise test results are essential when checking the water quality of commercial pools and spas. Taylor's 2000 Series is designed for the kind of comprehensive, routine testing performed by service technicians, public and semipublic pool operators, and other professionals. Taylor's 2000 Series uses printed color standards to achieve a reliable and accurate color match, making frequent test comparisons even easier. 2000 Series kits feature six different standards for chlorine (High Range: 0.5-5 ppm, Low Range: 0.25-2.5 ppm), bromine (HR: 1-10 ppm, LR: .5-5 ppm) and pH (7.0 to 8.0). The Taylor Complete kit includes nine tests for thorough testing: Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, Base Demand, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid. Includes 3/4 ounce reagent bottles.

Includes .75 oz reagent bottles
High Range (HR) kit

User questions & answers

Question:	Does this kit test for stabilizer and phosphates
Answer:	I do not think so because there provide places to be tested.
Question:	Does this test kit also test for iron and copper. I thought i read that in description, but i wanted to make sure i read it correctly
Answer:	Yes, you will receive one test in this kit.
Question:	Regarding the name of this kit. What does the "high" mean in Deluxe(High
Answer:	PCR.
Question:	Are the K-2005 and K2006 kits identical except for the chlorine test? Any other differences
Answer:	This Lab is based in L.A. County. Any labs collected that show a positive COVID result is required to send that data to State Health officials and Federal ;CDC. So to answer your question yes, it is easy, safe, fast, effective, and good for workplace environments to help prevent possible spread.

HTH 1273 6-Way Test Kit Swimming Pools Chemical Tester

HTH

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Quickly and easily test your pool water for free available chlorine, bromine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid (CYA). The HTH 6-way Test Kit can be used week after week and includes easy-to-follow instructions to get results in seconds. With the information from your test kit, you can adjust the chemicals in your pool water balanced, keeping sanitizers working hard and avoiding skin and eye irritation for healthy swimming. This test kit is great for all pool types including chlorine, bromine and saltwater systems. About the Brand: HTH was developed with the consumer in mind, offering products that are both economical and powerful enough for the toughest jobs. Within HTH’s wide selection of products, we offer everything you need for your pool, from algaecides and deposit control formulas to non-chlorine shock treatments, powerful surface cleaners, clarifiers, enzyme-based cleaners, and more. If you like using HTH, check out some of the other similar brands from our parent company, Sigura. With brands like Applied Biochemists, Leisure Time, GLB, Spa Selections, and PooLife, Sigura has a long heritage and more than a century of experience in developing innovative water treatment solutions for use in pools, lakes, ponds, hot tubs, and more. At Sigura, we have an unparalleled passion, pride, and commitment to delivering superior water treatments that improve the environment and enhance the security, health, and safety of the global communities we serve. With our track record of innovation and simple, intuitive solutions that anticipate needs, Sigura customers feel more secure as they enjoy their pools, spas, ponds, and lakes.

BENEFITS: Tests chlorine, bromine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and CYA in your swimming pool
USE: Test weekly up to 100 times with only one kit so you can keep your pool water clean all season long
COMPATIBILITY: All pool types including chlorine, bromine and saltwater systems
FEATURES: Allows you to see results of the test in seconds
INCLUDES: Pool test kit with instructions

User questions & answers

Question:	Is there a way I can get a refill of the pH regeant only
Answer:	Well this unit holds about 5 gallons of water, each flush is less then quater of gallon depending how many times you pump to dispose the waste. 1 to 3 flushes should do it. It has a decent pressure, not like a real toilet but enough to clean the bowl. I took it with me camping and I had three females ranging from 7 and 34 years, of age. Believe it or not I only had to dispose the waste every two to three days depending on use.
Question:	Is the hardness test total hardness (which includes magnesium), or calcium hardness
Answer:	These are 8.5" tall with the legs open. With legs folded it is just under 1" tall.
Question:	Does this test for free or toteal Chlorine
Answer:	Sure it's the same as using a gas bbq
Question:	How many tests will this kit perform
Answer:	Yes, I’ve used this grill on many occasions. It works well cooking with skillets, pans, and even direct cooking on the grill with aluminum foil.

Product features

Easy-to-use Kit

This convenient swimming pool test kit is a quick and easy way to find out what your pool needs to keep it looking clean and beautiful.

Checks for Six Key Parameters

The HTH 6-Way Test Kit for swimming pools checks for total chlorine, bromine, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness and cyanuric acid (CYA).

Achieve Balanced Water

Balanced water can help prevent corrosion, etching, equipment damage and scale buildup. It also ensures maximum sanitizer efficiency and optimizes comfort for swimmers.

1. Collect Water Sample

Dip the test cells into the pool water 18 inches below the surface of the water (approximately deep enough so the water reaches your elbow).

2. Dispense Solution in Drops

Hold the appropriate indicator solution bottle vertically and dispense the solution in drops as prescribed in the directions. Shake the cells three or four times to mix.

3. Compare with Color Standards

Hold the cells up to a neutral background in outdoor light. Match the color of the sample in the pH and sanitizer cells to their closest respective standard . Follow kit directions for determining Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level.