A water testing kit can offer a quick and easy way to test your water, whether you want to check your pool, drinking water, or the effectiveness of a water softener. The best water testing kits use test strips or drops to identify contaminants like lead, other heavy metals, dissolved solids, bacteria, and more.
We researched the top-rated water test kits on the market to help homeowners find the right option for their intended use and offer peace of mind. Learn more about our top-five picks in this detailed review.
Top 5 Water Test Kits
- AquaChek Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips: Best For Pools
- HoneForest Water Quality Tester: Best Digital Tester
- JNW Direct Total Water Hardness Test Strips: Best for Hard Water
- VARIFY Premium Drinking Water Test Kit: Most Versatile
- Health Metric Well Water Test Kit: Best For Well Water
Compare Top Water Test Kits
| Product | Testing Method | Tests For | Levels Measured |
|---|---|---|---|
AquaChek Salt Water Swimming Pool Test StripsCheck Price | Ten test strips | Sodium chloride | 400-7,000 ppm |
HoneForest Water Quality TesterCheck Price | One digital tester | Dissolved solids, electrical current, and temperature | 0-9,900 ppm |
JNW Direct Total Water Hardness Test StripsCheck Price | 150 test strips | Hard water | 0-425 ppm |
VARIFY Premium Drinking Water Test KitCheck Price | 100 test strips and two bacteria tests | Lead, bacteria, fluoride, iron, pH, copper, and more | 0-2,000 ppm |
Health Metric Well Water Test KitCheck Price | Eight test strips and one bacteria test | Nitrite, nitrate, bacteria, manganese, and more | 0-1,000 ppm |
Best For Pools
AquaChek Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips
Designed with saltwater swimming pools in mind, this testing kit measures sodium chloride from water samples to ensure your pool has the proper salinity level. We were pleased to see the kit comes with 10 test strips and clear instructions. The instructions include useful tips, such as testing both ends of the pool twice weekly.
Pros and Cons of AquaChek Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips
- Measures salt levels in minutes
- Can measure levels from 400 to 7,000 parts per million
- Comes in a pack of 10 strips
- Won’t work properly if it’s submerged in too much water
- Doesn’t test for other chemicals besides sodium chloride
What People Are Saying About The AquaChek Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips
According to our verified-buyer research, customers who liked this product said it had easy-to-understand directions and produced fast, easy-to-read test results. However, those who didn’t like this testing kit claimed that it sometimes gave inaccurate readings, with multiple strips giving different results for the same pool.
Best Digital Tester
HoneForest Water Quality Tester
We were impressed that this water tester produces results in seconds and displays them on a backlit LCD screen for easy interpretation. This kit uses Automatic Temperature Compensation technology to ensure accurate readings every time.
Pros and Cons of HoneForest Water Quality Tester
- Measures total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, and temperature
- Works in seconds
- Comes calibrated
- The auto shut-off function can sometimes kick in before the readings display
- Doesn’t test pH levels
What People Are Saying About The HoneForest Water Quality Tester
Our team noted that satisfied customers said this testing kit was simple to use. They also liked that it could keep track of their reverse osmosis systems. However, those unsatisfied with the product said that the instructions were difficult to understand and that the screen sometimes displayed inaccurate readings.
Best for Hard Water
JNW Direct Total Water Hardness Test Strips
If you struggle with hard water and want to see if your water softener is working properly, we think this kit is a reliable testing option. The kit has 150 easy-to-use strips that measure water hardness levels between zero and 425 parts per million with a color-coded chart.
Pros and Cons of JNW Direct Total Water Hardness Test Strips
- Also keeps tabs on water conditioning and reverse osmosis systems
- Comes in a large 150-strip pack
- Comes with a downloadable app to track your results
- Has a color chart that can be confusing to understand
- Some customers had issues with the strips expiring even though they don’t have an expiration date
What People Are Saying About The JNW Direct Total Water Hardness Test Strips
We found that numerous pleased customers said that this kit was easy to use and produced accurate results. However, some reviewers claimed that the strips stopped working despite not having a listed expiration date.
Most Versatile
VARIFY Premium Drinking Water Test Kit
With the ability to test for 17 contaminants, we like that this kit gives you complete peace of mind that your water is safe to drink, bathe in, and cook with. It includes 100 test strips as well as two bacteria tests.
Pros and Cons of VARIFY Premium Drinking Water Test Kit
- Includes tests for lead, bacteria, fluoride, iron, pH, copper, and more
- Comes with an easy-to-follow color-coded chart
- Comes with a test tube
- May be too comprehensive if you’re only testing for one or two specific elements
- The strips’ colors sometimes vary slightly from the colors on the chart
What People Are Saying About The VARIFY Premium Drinking Water Test Kit
By and large, customers were pleased with the number of contaminants that this kit tests for and the easy-to-follow instructions. However, we did note some customers claimed that the bacteria tests often produced false negatives and that the strips sometimes gave the exact or similar results for multiple unique water sources.
Best For Well Water
Health Metric Well Water Test Kit
Using well water is not regulated under the Safe Drinking Act, so it requires dedicated testing to ensure safety. This DIY kit tests well water for eight parameters, including nitrate, nitrite, water hardness, and bacteria. We were impressed that the strips produced results in just two minutes.
Pros and Cons of Health Metric Well Water Test Kit
- Developed in accordance with EPA standards
- Includes comprehensive directions
- Includes tests for hydrogen sulfide
- Doesn’t include tests for lead, which is another common contaminant in well water
- Only includes one bacteria test
What People Are Saying About The Health Metric Well Water Test Kit
We noticed several positive customer reviews for this kit that remarked on how quickly it rendered results. They also liked that the kit came with multiple tests for most parameters. However, those who left negative reviews claimed that reading and understanding the results was sometimes difficult. Others said that the kit sometimes arrived with missing parts.
Water Test Kit Buying Guide
Read our guide below to ensure you’re purchasing the right test for the type of contaminant you’re worried about and the type of water source you’re testing.
Type
Water test kits typically come in one of the following types.
Strips
Strips are dipped into the water. They change color to indicate what contaminants and how much of those contaminants are present. Test strips are the most common type of at-home water testing kit because they’re convenient but don’t always produce accurate results.
Discs
Discs are usually more accurate than strips but can be more expensive. The discs run a series of tests at once. You drop water into each reagent-filled compartment. The reagent changes colors to indicate the presence of a contaminant.
Digital Readers
A digital reader displays results on an LCD screen. These devices can typically measure temperature, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity. Though they can’t test for specific contaminants, they can be reused.
Contaminants
Common contaminants that kits test for include lead, bacteria, pesticides, chlorine, copper, nitrates, nitrites, and iron. Make sure that the kit you choose can test the contaminants you’re looking for, especially if the contaminants are highly specific. A multipurpose kit that can test several parameters is always a safe bet because it can look for contaminants you may not know you should be worried about.
Water Source
Choose a kit that specifically tests for the elements pertaining to your water source. For example, if you’re testing tap water, you may want a testing kit that catches elevated chlorine levels. However, if you’re testing well water, you may be more focused on catching iron and bacteria. Some kits test for multiple types of contaminants in many water sources.
Common Water Contaminants
Using a water test kit is a great way to catch potential contaminants that could be affecting your home’s water. Here are some of the most common contaminants our team found are most important to look out for when using a water test kit.
- Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be present in water sources and can cause waterborne illnesses. Common examples include E. coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia.
- Heavy metals: Metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and copper can enter the water supply through corroded pipes, plumbing fixtures, or industrial discharges. These metals can pose health risks if consumed in high concentrations over time.
- Chlorine and disinfection byproducts: Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water, but it can react with organic matter to form disinfection byproducts (DBPs) like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). These can have potential health effects with long-term exposure.
- Nitrates and nitrites: These compounds often come from agricultural runoff or septic systems. High levels of nitrates or nitrites in drinking water can be particularly harmful to young children and pregnant women, potentially leading to a condition called methemoglobinemia.
- Pesticides and herbicides: Agricultural and residential use of pesticides and herbicides can lead to contamination of water sources. These chemicals can enter groundwater or surface water and enter drinking water supplies.
- Industrial chemicals: Depending on your proximity to industrial areas, certain chemicals and pollutants used in industrial processes can contaminate water sources. Examples include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, dioxins, and various solvents.
- Radon: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater. When you use water containing radon for activities such as showering or washing dishes, radon can be released into the air, creating health risks.
Water Test Kit FAQs
How accurate are at-home water test kits?
The accuracy of water testing kits varies widely depending on the brand, test type, and water source. To ensure your testing kit is as accurate as possible, read the instructions closely and check that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has verified the kit for accuracy.
What should I test my water for?
Check to see what contaminants or issues are most common where you live. For instance, choose a hard water testing kit if you live in an area with a hardness problem. You can also choose a kit based on the water source you’re testing. For example, if you’re testing pool water, look for a kit that measures chlorine, salinity, and pH levels.
How often should my water be tested?
Test your water at least once a year for common contaminants, such as iron, bacteria, and lead. If you’re concerned about the safety of your water, consider testing it more frequently or getting certified lab results instead of a home test. Finally, if there has been a recent change to your environment, such as nearby land development, it may be a good time to test your water.
How We Chose the Best Water Test Kits
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of test kits with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
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Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.