Best PH Tester Reviews 2018

PH testers, like most products, will come with different features and functions which will in turn affect how much each one costs. There are a couple of factors that can affect the cost of a pH tester. The first is the type of tester. Regular pH testers that are used for household testing will certainly not cost the same as laboratory grade models.

Other factors like the accuracy of the tester and type of calibration among other things will also affect the cost of a pH tester. Generally speaking though, for general use, we found that you can get a good pH tester for between $10 and $70.

Surely, the difference in price signifies a difference in features and functions. However, these are not cheap pH testers but good quality testers that’ll deliver value at their levels. You just need to find which has the features you need and make the order, knowing it’ll serve you well.

When choosing a pH tester, you need to look at certain features and functions to be able to determine which one is best for your needs.

Some of these features and function include:

• Type
• Accuracy
• Calibration
• pH range
• Power
• Display
• Use

There are different types of pH testers and this is where you need to begin to address the issue of choice. The type of tester or meter you need will largely depend on the use you want to put it to. There are simple digital testers that can be used in the house and for basic laboratory functions. There are analog testers that can also be used around the house. There are laboratory grade testers with the highest level of accuracy and there are testers that combine functions. You have some like the Dr. Meter S30 3-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter which, in addition to pH, also measures soil moisture and the level of sunlight.

Determining the use you want to put the pH tester to will help you decide which type of pH tester will be ideal. For example, the Dr. Meter 3-in-1 will be excellent for gardening use while, for food testing, the other two functions will be redundant. We shall see over and over again that the use you want to put the tester to will determine to a large extent which type you should choose.

Another factor to consider is the accuracy of the tester. Not every usage requires the same level of accuracy. Some applications require the highest level of accuracy, which is about .0001 and can only be gotten with laboratory grade pH meters. The accuracy simply refers to how accurate the readings can be based on what is listed on the specs as “Resolution”. The resolution determines the accuracy. For general use, a resolution of .1 to .01 will suffice for most applications.

Actually, a resolution of .1 will suffice for general use. For more specific readings like with the testing of food, a resolution of .01 will be more appropriate.

One important aspect of using a pH tester is calibration. Without calibration, you cannot be sure you’re getting correct readings. Calibration is exactly what the word means. Using a buffer pH solution (which basically is a solution of known PH levels), the tester is adjusted until the readings match the pH level of the buffer solution. Having done this, you can be surer of the readings you get on your next test.

Calibration is not a one off thing. It should be done often to ensure continuous correct readings. This being the case, it’s therefore important that you choose a tester that’s easy to calibrate. The easiest method of calibration is the automatic method which is available in more expensive testers.

Aside from being manual or automatic, a pH tester could have one of three calibration options: it could have a 1-point calibration, a 2-point calibration or a 3-point calibration. Each of these refer to the number of different buffer solutions the device needs to be calibrated to. 1-point calibration means the meter is calibrated to a single buffer solution. This is usually done manually with the use of a screw which is turned until the readings match the pH levels of the buffer solution.

For the 2-point calibration option, the meter is calibrated to two different buffer solutions, usually one neutral solution (6.86 or 7 pH) and an acidic solution (4 or 4.01 pH). This is also usually done manually with the aid of a screw driver. Finally, the 3-point calibration option requires three buffer solutions, the alkaline, neutral and acidic buffer solutions. Most testers that have 3-point calibration are also automatic so you don’t need to go through the trouble of manually calibrating three screws.

Of the three options mentioned above, the 3-point calibration method offers the most accurate result. This is important to note, especially if your application requires very accurate results.

pH readings range from 1 to 14 with 0 to below 7 being acidic, above 7 to 14 being alkaline and 7 being neutral. A lot of testers list their range as 0-14 covering the entire range. Some have lower ranges which may be okay for some applications. Know the range you need for your application and ensure the tester you go for covers that range.

When manually calibrating a 2-point calibrated tester, there are two screws to be adjusted. Each screw is for either a neutral or an acidic reading. Be sure to know which screw is for which so you don’t mix it up and mess up your calibration.

Many pH testers work without batteries or other external power sources. This is one feature that’s very convenient. Many others require batteries which will of course require replacement at some point. If you want the convenience of not worrying about replacing batteries, then go for those that don’t use batteries.

Another thing that can affect the ease of use is the display. Many pH testers have LCD displays while others have analog meters. If you’ll be taking readings in dark locations or at night, then it makes practical sense to go for one that has backlight as this will allow you conveniently take your readings regardless of the darkness.

If you’ll be using your pH testers with liquids, then it may be helpful to get one that’s waterproof to reduce the risk of damage. You should also ensure you get one with Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) so your readings can be correct regardless of the temperature.

Take your time and ensure you get the pH tester that best suits the application you want it for.