9 Drinking Water Test Kits

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• Making the Right Call of Water Test Kits
• Water Testing Kit Buying Guide
  • Types of Water Test Kits
  • Benefits of Water Test Kits
  • Important Things to Consider
• Frequently Asked Questions

Making the Right Call of Water Test Kits

Accuracy is the epitome of selection criteria when you want to choose a water testing kit. The kit should be able to provide a comprehensive overview of the constituents of the water. Also, there are two types of kits: instant results and laboratory-based ones. Choosing between these depends on what you value more — the amount of time or utmost accuracy. Understanding these facts, we have included all sorts of water test kits in this compilation.

1. SimpleWater Labs Professional Water Test – Best Overall Water Test Kit

Professional-grade testing from SimpleWater Labs Professional Water Test is considered one of the trusted and popular water testing solutions in the market. This is a send-away water kit, meaning that you will have to collect the samples and send them to SimpleWater Labs. The sampling process is very easy, and the pack comes with everything you need for doing your part right.

Once the sample is at SimpleWater Labs, it would be tested using the EPA method. The testing would give you a comprehensive report on the presence and intensity of more than 100 chemicals. Among those are common contaminants like Lead, Arsenic, Heavy Metals, VOCs, Nitrates, Chlorine(s), THMs, and E. coli bacteria. These tests are done by experienced biologists with sufficient professional experience.

Probably the best thing about the SimpleWater Labs Professional Water Test is the easy-to-understand water test report. This 360-degree report not only lists every other chemical in your water but also recommends a bunch of ways you can follow. It’s also impressive that SimpleWater Labs does not sell any water treatment device; so, the results are truly unbiased.

Some after-sampling features also make this test impressive. For instance, you will get the test reports in an awesome time frame of 10 days. If you are confused after reading the report, you can contact the customer care to get some expert data. These executives would help you discover the type of water treatment systems that your water source needs.

One problem with the SimpleWater Labs Professional Water Test is its price. However, we should consider that the maker covers shipping charges and offers one of the most comprehensive water test reports in the country.

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2. JNW Direct Water Hardness Test Kit – Water Hardness Test Kit

As the name says, this is a water testing kit that is made exclusively for testing the hardness of the water. No matter whether you use the source for drinking, hard water isn’t good for your health or appliances. So, if you live in an area with a hard water presence, you should consider going for what JNW Direct Water Hardness Test Kit has to offer.

Because it’s made for a single kind of diagnosis, this water test kit is the easiest of all. Using the system is an easy task as you simply have to dip the testing strip in the sample water. Depending on the hardness level, its color would change. You can refer to the color code literature to understand whether the sample water is hard. There are different color gradients to represent the level of hardness as well.

Probably the best part about the JNW Direct Water Hardness Test Kit is that it has 150 strips. That means a single pack of the water testing kit will allow you to test the hardness of water for 150 times. Each of these times, you can get accurate results, using the code reference and the official app. If your water hardness is changing according to seasons, this is the best water kit you can ever have.

An application of the testing kit is how it works in judging devices like water softener. You don’t have to trust the manufacturer. Instead, you can take two of these strips and check the hardness of the water before and after using the water softener machine. Sounds awesome, right? It also helps that each of these strips can give you the accurate results in just 15 minutes.

Overall, the package is good, but your results are limited to hardness level only. Also, this won’t be the best choice if you are planning a one-time check. Thinking that way, 150 is a huge number if you don’t plan to test your sample water multiple times.

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3. iSpring TDS Water Quality Test Meter – Best TDS Water Test Kit

First things first, iSpring TDS Water Quality Test Meter is not your typical water test kit. Instead, we’re looking at electronic equipment that tests the quality of work. This quality test meter is designed to help you get a figure on the TDS of the sample water. TDS here refers to Total Dissolved Solids. Understanding this in the right way will impact how you purchase water purification appliances.

The core function of the iSpring TDS Water Quality Test Meter is to find out how much TDS is there in a given sample of water. Because it’s an electronically powered system, you can use the same device for testing an impossible amount of times. Every time you test a sample, the device would also show you the temperature of the water as well.

Accuracy would not be a problem when you are using the iSpring TDS Water Quality Test Meter, though. All the functions are programmed correctly, and the figures are as precise as they get. You just have to ensure that you are paying attention to the testing process the company has mentioned. For instance, when you do put down the meter in water, it should have maximum immersion level.

There are also some software-oriented features in the meter, all thanks to the well-placed buttons. You will be able to take care of the readings and hold a particular reading for taking it down. We should also mention that you can use the device for purposes other than TDS in general. For instance, the amount of TDS would also have an impact on water hardness.

The problem, as you can guess, is the limited nature. You cannot go deep into the quality of water using the system. For instance, if you want to know how much chlorinated your sample water is, you should not pick this one.

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4. Safe Home Ultimate Water Test Kit – Best Drinking Water Test Kit

Now, this is a testing kit that is made for testing drinking water. Understanding the ongoing situation around water security, this kit claims to offer a truly detailed experience. Although the main test kit is send-away, it comes with a DIY bacteria kit. For the first one, you have to send the sample to the given address — while you can get instant results with the bacteria test.

The main, send-away water kit can test your drinking water for 200 potential contaminants. The list of these chemicals would be too huge for any place, but it contains 6 In-Organics, 12 Physical Properties, 32 Toxic Metals, 20 Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds, 130 Volatile Organic Compounds. Long story short, you would know every possible property of the drinking water you have.

By the way, the DIY Bacteria test kit can test common coliform and E. coli. So, if your drinking water poses the threat of E. coli, you can know right away. As you can guess, the price covers return shipping charges as well. You will receive the comprehensive sample analysis report in just 7 to 10 business days, which is okay when considering the intensity.

Once again, the report is comprehensive and easy to understand. Different color codes and an adequate set of descriptions give you a clear idea about what could be with the drinking water. Safe Home is a trustworthy company to have sold millions of kits in the United States alone. Customers also praise the customer service for its quality and coverage.

Of course, the downside of the Safe Home Ultimate Water Test Kit is the price tag. But the amount you pay is way less than the problems contaminated water could cause. At the end of the day, it all comes down to whether you prioritize safety over expenses.

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5. Test Assured Drinking Water Test Kit – Accurate Water Test Kit for Drinking

Now, suppose you live in an area with more contaminated water. But you don’t want to wait for a week to get the water testing report. That said, you won’t be good with the testing kit we mentioned earlier either. In that instance, you should consider what a Test Assured Drinking Water Test Kit has to offer. This instant-results water test kit comes with the ability to test your drinking water for several issues.

First things first, the Test Assured Drinking Water Test Kit is a 10-in-1 testing kit. You can use the single testing kit to know whether ten different contaminants are there in the drinking water. Elements like Lead, Bacteria, Pesticide, Iron, Copper, Alkalinity, pH, Hardness, Chlorine, Nitrates and Nitrites can be tested using the single set and it’s no less than amazing.

The testing kit comes with all the necessary hardware to make the experience smoother. You will be able to find a color code card for each of these tests. For instance, there is a code that corresponds to the pH level of your water. Similarly, there are a few materials you can use for references. As though that wasn’t enough, Test Assured has a customer support section too.

According to customer reviews, the kit does an amazing job in pointing out the presence of coliform bacteria among other things. This can come in handy at not just your home but also other places like your office or a classroom. The best thing? Test Assured actually offers money-back guarantee on this product and you can get a refund if you’re not satisfied.

As we mentioned earlier, the Test Assured Drinking Water Test Kit is the more compressive shot. That said, you should follow the instructions with utmost precision. If you play things wrong, you would have the issue of false positives and negatives.

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6. Poolmaster Water Test Kit – Best Water Test Kit for Swimming Pools

Now, this is a water test kit made for pool and spa water. When you think about it, you may not be using the same water for pools and drinking. In most cases, your pool water contains an increased number of potential threats. So, this test is designed to measure the important factors and help you decide how safe the water actually is.

It is an instant-result water test and you can have the result in a few minutes. Because it’s a proper chemistry test, you can use the available modules to see how much of Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, and Total Alkalinity are in the pool water. In case you didn’t know, you have to maintain proper pH and alkalinity in a pool so that you don’t come across hair fall and eyesight issues due to exposure.

Using the Poolmaster Water Test Kit is an easy task as long as you pay some attention. That is, you must not interchange the solutions by any chance. That is, you have to put the right solution at the right time to know the presence. As you can guess, the five solutions are made to point out five characters. And, there is a well-designed color code to understand where the values stand.

Just so you know, the vials in the Poolmaster Water Test Kit are arranged so perfectly. You won’t have any trouble in carrying this around for any reason. Just be sure that you are washing the vials before you pour in the water sample. Also, do not rush; give each test some time so that you get the most precise counts. Last but not least, pay attention to the color scales.

As mentioned earlier, the only caution with the Poolmaster Water Test Kit is that you should be careful while handling the solutions and vial. That said, it’s great to know that you can always reach out to customer care in case of doubts.

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7. Health Metric Home Water Test Kit – Best Home Water Testing Kit

Unlike the two water testing kits we have listed earlier, Health Metric Home Water Test Kit is a water testing kit that provides near-instant results. That is, you don’t have to send the samples to another location or wait for the comprehensive report. Instead, the testing kit is designed to show the results in the form of color codes. Based on these codes, you can come to conclusions. Superb, right?

Despite being a cheap water test kit, it can show you the precise amount of contaminants in the tap or well water. Individual indicators are available for Lead, Mercury, Copper and Iron. The package contains a total of seven test modules and all of them can be done in less than 15 minutes. Considering that Lead, Mercury and Iron are quite common in the US water supply, the selection of contaminant testing is apt here.

When compared to your typical instant water test kits, the Health Metric Home Water Test Kit is noted for its precise calculation. Low-level detection means that you don’t miss anything important and accuracy is a super-useful thing in most cases. It should also be noted that the test kit has been designed to test drinking water and not outdoor water.

Another thing that we loved about the Health Metric Home Water Test Kit is its straightforward process. As soon as you open the package, you can see the testing modules. Because tests are individualized, you don’t have to use all the methods at once. Instead, a slow and steady method would suffice. Health Metric is also powered by a group of scientists familiar with EPA.

You would have guessed the problem. If you want to know the presence of something other than Lead, Iron and Mercury, the Health Metric Home Water Test Kit won’t be enough. In that case, you need a test kit that is more powerful.

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8. Drinking Water Specialists Water Test – Best Affordable Professional Water Test Kit

As the manufacturer itself has said in the description, the Drinking Water Specialists Water Test is a bang-for-the-buck water testing kit for most people. You may have noticed that all the send-away water testing kits we listed were more or less expensive. This testing kit, however, is an exception. It brings you the benefits of laboratory-level testing without forcing you to spend a huge amount of money.

According to the official statement, the Drinking Water Specialists Water Test would be enough to test your water for more than 170 contaminants. The list includes 85 VOCs as well. This means you will have one of the most detailed analyses of your sample water. And, when it comes to purchasing water purifier systems, this does the job very well.

It should be noted that the test itself is very comprehensive. The system would recognize the presence of a lot of potential issues like coliform bacteria and E. coli. Keeping things in standard, everything has been taken care of by the package. You can easily mail the samples to the given address and you will receive an email in 6 to 10 days. The turnaround time is also impressive for most part.

Compared to the other water tests in the list, the Drinking Water Specialists Water Test is not really the most colorful one. That having said, the vials and the instructions are arranged properly. Also, the only part you have to do is taking the samples into the vials. Everything else is done by the EPA-approved laboratory that is controlled by the manufacturer.

There aren’t any reported issues with the Drinking Water Specialists Water Test. However, we wished if the package was a bit more intuitive and detailed. We would have also loved to see better descriptions from the maker.

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9. Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit – Multi-parameter Water Test Kit

The above-mentioned test cannot be your only option for enhanced results, right? That is why we decided to include the Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit in this list. It’s yet another affordable water testing kit, offering a wide range of testing capabilities and reliable results. The simple design and modular structure of the pack is a reason why many people love this testing kit.

The Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit claims to test your water sample based on 10 parameters. The list is inclusive of lead, chlorine, pH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Bacteria and some pesticides. Long story short, you get a more or less comprehensive coverage of what can be in your water source. All of these tests are available in the form of easy-to-use strips.

Although the list is pretty huge, the company says that you can expect the highest precision when you test the water for lead and pesticides. Considering that lead contamination is a huge problem in the country, the decision makes a lot of sense. As it goes without saying, the package comes with enough literature to help you understand the color codes.

In case you didn’t guess that yet, the Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit is made for drinking water alone. Of course, you can use it in different locations, but that’s it. You would need something like Poolmaster if you’re planning to test the amount of chemicals in pool water. It’s also worth noting that the kit offers one of the fastest water tests currently in the market.

Compared to the other instant-result water test kits, the Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit is expensive to a noticeable level. That having said, you will be able to purchase three or four units of the test kits if you like to save some money.

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Water Testing Kit Buying Guide

So, you have seen some of the most popular water test kits from the market. You may also have noticed that there are different categories. So, how do you make the right choice? Well, here goes our buying guide.

Types of Water Test Kits

Here are the popular types of water test kits:

• Color Disk Kits are pretty popular, and you will have to send these samples to a laboratory. Then, an EPA-approved team would be testing the sample for potential contaminants and provide you a fully-fledged report. You should go for this type of water test kits if you are looking for enhanced analysis and easy-to-understand results. If you think your water may have a lot of contaminants, this one has the maximum potential.
• Test Strips are also quite popular in the market. In this, however, we are looking at near-instant results. As soon as you dip the strip in the sample water, the chemical action would begin. Based on this, the color of the strip would change, and you can analyze this color to understand the chemical levels in the sample water.
• Hand-Held Digital Instruments are also available in the water testing kit market. The problem here is that you may not have so many detailed options in these devices. For instance, we have covered a digital meter that measures TDS. At the same time, you cannot use such a hand-held instrument for measuring multiple counts, say Lead and Chlorine.

Benefits of Water Test Kits

The most notable benefits of a water test kits are:

• Offer your peace of mind as you can know about water quality.
• Provides you a detailed chemical analysis of your well/city/tap water.
• Assists you in purchasing the right water purification system for home.
• Protects you and your family from long-term issues due to bad-quality water exposure.
• Water testing kits are quite easy to use. It makes more sense to use them than skipping a simple task.

Important Things to Consider

Your selection process should consider the following aspects.

1. Contaminants: You should consider which contaminants that you are testing the water for. You see, not all water testing kits would test your water for all types of chemicals. Some products focus on chemicals like chlorine and nitrates while others are more inclusive. There are also professional lab-based kits that test up to 200 contaminants.
2. Water Source: The amount of contaminants present varies according to the water source as well. To keep errors at bay, you should purchase exclusive kits only. For instance, you can find drinking water kits and swimming pool water kits in the list above. Making the final choice should also be based on the size/nature of the source — personal or commercial.
3. Testing Procedure: There are two major types of testing procedures in the market. One is send-away, meaning that you have to send the samples to a professional laboratory. Here, it may take up to a few days to get the final report. The second option is DIY/Instant water test kits. This one is made to provide you instant results and you will have to dip the strip or vial in the sample water.

Of course, you should also consider the amount of money you want to spend on a kit. As you’d have seen above, there are products belonging to different budget categories. When you compare the whole scenario to failing to purchase the best Reverse Osmosis system — because you didn’t test the water —, the amount you spend on the test is minimal enough.

Frequently Asked Questions