Best pH Tester Kit Guide: Reviews (2023 Update)

Why Should You Use a pH Tester Kit

The best reason to use a pH tester is to make sure that the soil is right for your plants. Keep in mind that not all types of plants will require the same kinds of soil. They may have varying requirements, especially in terms of the pH level. If the pH level is too little or too much, the health and growth of the plant will most likely suffer.
If the soil has too much calcium, the pH meter will show that there is a high level of alkaline. On the other hand, if there is a high concentration of phosphorus, the readings will show that it is acidic. When the level of acid or alkaline is too high, the plants will not thrive. Therefore, by having the soil tested, gardening frustrations can be minimized.

What are the Different Types of pH Testers?

Different types will have different levels of effectiveness. The most affordable comes in the form of strips or paper. In this case, the color of the paper will change depending on the pH level of the soil or the water that is being tested. More often than not, it comes with a reference to easily determine the corresponding pH level depending on the resulting color.
The next type is the one with probes or sticks. Most of the options that are mentioned in this guide belong to this category. You need to stick the probe on the soil and on the top part, the readings will be shown.
You can also opt for electronic or digital soil testers. They are the most advanced from the three and usually expensive. The results are quite accurate and preferred by many people because of the convenience that it offers.

How to Choose the Best pH Tester Kit

Similar to shopping for other gardening tools, the options can be overwhelming. Nonetheless, you should still take the time to evaluate the possibilities, which will be easier if you consider the factors briefly mentioned below:

• Ease of Use: For sure, you hate complications! Therefore, you have to choose a pH tester that is as effortless to use as possible. It should have a simple design and the manufacturer should provide comprehensive instructions on how to use the product.
• Accuracy: Your pH tester will be useless if it is unable to show the accurate results. One of the best ways to determine its accuracy is to read reviews from its past users. Through the experiences that they are sharing, it will be easier for you to determine how one product is better than all others.
• Versatility: A good option is one that can deliver multiple functions. More than being able to measure the pH level, it must also measure other things, such as sunlight and moisture, making it a multifunctional gardening tool.

How to Take Care of your pH Tester

To make the most out of your home soil test kit and to make sure that it can deliver accurate results even after a long time, care and maintenance should be prioritized. That being said, here are some of the most important things that you need to do:

• When you are not using the tester, keep it in a safe place, away from direct heat and moisture. It is a good thing that some options are already inclusive of a case.
• The use of the right solution for calibration is also important, making sure that the readings remain accurate. See to it as well that the meter will be calibrated based on the schedule that has been specified by the manufacturer.
• Before storing the tester, clean it thoroughly. If there are traces of soil on the end of the probe, it could harden over time and can be more difficult to remove.

How to Use a pH Tester

This is actually going to vary depending on the pH tester that you are using. If in case you are using a probe, which is the most common, here are the simple steps that you have to follow in its use:

1. Dig a small hole on the part of the garden with the soil that you want to test.
2. Once the hole has the right depth (depending on what the manufacturer recommends), fill it with water. It is best to use filtered water.
3. Once the soil turns muddy and once the liquid has been drained, it is now time to start with the test. Stick the probe or the end of the meter on the wet soil. Hold it for about a minute or depending on what the manufacturer specifies.
4. Read the results. When the display shows 7, the soil is neutral. When it is less than 7, it is acidic. On the other hand, when it is more than 7, this goes to show that the soil is alkaline.

At the end of the day, the most important is to religiously follow the instructions from the manufacturer to be confident that the readings will be right.

What are the Other Ways to Test Soil

While a pH tester can come handy, gardening experts also recommend other unique ways to evaluate the quality of the soil. For instance, if you would like to test for alkaline, here is what you need to do:

1. Dig about six inches deep and take a soil sample.
2. Remove any debris from the soil and make sure that only soil remains. If there are clumps, break them before you proceed with the test.
3. Place one cup of the soil in a glass container.
4. Add water and mix the soil until it becomes muddy.
5. Add a half cup of vinegar and mix.
6. At this point, if there are bubbles, this is an indication of alkaline in the soil.

From the steps that have been mentioned above, if the bubbles did not form, proceed to another test, which will help you to determine if the soil is acidic.

1. From the portion of the garden where you retrieved the soil that has been initially tested, get another one cup and place in a glass container.
2. Add water and mix until it becomes muddy.
3. This time, instead of using vinegar, you have to put baking soda. Stir.
4. If there are bubbles, this shows that the soil is acidic. If nothing happens after testing for both alkaline and acid, this means that you have a neutral soil.

However, while these are great alternatives, I suggest that you still use a pH tester kit. After all, there is no substitute for the real thing if you want the results to be more accurate.

Top 7 Our Picks for the Best pH Testers

Still clueless on which product offers the best value for money and delivers an incredible performance? In this section of this best pH tester kit guide, we will briefly look at some of the options that you should definitely take into consideration.

#1. Luster Leaf 1605 Rapitest Digital Soil Testing Kit

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Value for money – this is perhaps the reason why this is the product on the top of our list. At its price, this soil testing kit can deliver other functions beyond measuring the pH level. It also tests nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
It is also an exceptional choice not only because of its simplicity but also because it comes with a guide that will serve as your reference. There is a booklet that provides a reference for up to 450 plants and gives insights about the right ways to fertilize to enjoy the best outcomes. It will be easy to turn into a pro in the garden.

#2. Atree Soil pH Meter

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One thing that we liked the most about this product is the fact that it is multipurpose, making it deliver the best bang for the buck. Aside from being a pH meter, it also tests moisture and light, making it the ultimate gardening companion.
Ease of use is also an asset of this product. All that you have to do is to plug it into the soil and look at the screen. It has a high-level of sensitivity, providing an assurance that the information displayed is accurate.
More than being accurate, we also loved how it does not use a battery, making it an eco-friendly option.

#3. Covery 3 in 1 Soil Tester Moisture Meter, Light and PH Tester

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This is another option that fares well in terms of being a multifunctional gardening tool. More than testing the pH level, it also measures sunlight and moisture. Regardless of what it measures, you can have peace of mind regarding its accuracy.
Like most of the top-rated options that have been listed in this guide, there is also no battery required, making it simple and eco-friendly.
It should also be noted that the probe has a length of almost 8 inches, making it possible to test the soil with a good depth for the results to be more accurate.

#4. Kelway pHD Soil PH Meter

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This is quite expensive compared to the other options mentioned in this guide. The price, however, can be justified by its quality and performance. It has a handheld size, making it a good pick for a portable pH meter.
The simplicity of this option is another thing that has captivated our attention. All that you need is to dig a small hole in the garden. Approximately, the depth should be about five inches and the width should be four inches. Fill the hole with water and wait until it drains. Put the tester on the top and wait for the reading.

#5. Yaheetech pH Test Indicator Strips

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What makes this unique is that it does not come in the form of a probe but strips. This is also the reason why it is an affordable option.
The color of the strips will change depending on the pH level in whatever is being tested. There is an accompanying guide to help you determine the pH, which is provided from a scale of 1 to 14. 1 to 3 means that it is very acidic, 4 to 6 is acidic, 7 is neutral, 8 to 11 is alkaline, and 12 to 14 indicates a very high level of alkaline.

#6. Environmental Concepts 1662 Professional Soil Test Kit

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For the serious gardener, this is one option that is worth considering. We loved this product because of its ability to perform 40 tests. More than testing the pH level in the soil, you can also use it for the measurement of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
To make it easier to use, there is a reference list so that you can easily determine the right pH level for the different kinds of plants. Plus, there is also a sturdy kit to keep everything organized.

#7. CSHope pH Meter

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The products that have been mentioned above are for testing the pH level in the soil. This model, however, is a water pH tester. It will be useful for pool, aquariums, and hydroponics, among other applications.
It is designed with your needs in mind, which is why it is user-friendly. It offers automatic calibration. It also has automatic temperature compensation, which improves its level of accuracy.
To use, all that you have to do is remove the top cover, immerse it in the liquid, turn it on, and check the display.

Conclusion

Now that you are done reading this best pH tester kit guide, I hope that you are able to learn a thing or two to help you out in choosing the perfect tool. With the help the right resting equipment, you can easily assess the quality of the soil and become successful in gardening tasks!