Being aware of the pH levels in your water is crucial to achieving the results you need for your aquarium. Finding a quality pH meter isn’t really hard. The most common use of these devices is testing the acidity of water.
There’s a wide range of reliable, high-quality meters on the market, but to help spare you the hassle, we’re going to be showcasing the top digital pH meters available today.
Best pH Meters for Testing Aquarium Water
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1. Apera Instruments SX610 pH Tester
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The SX610 from Apera Instruments is one of the most reliable, single-button, pen-style meters on the market today. It’s a bit of a costly investment, but its ability to sustain its accuracy without the need for frequent calibration makes it worth every penny.
This pH meter is suitable for use on water treatment, brewing, aquaculture, and hydroponics. Its pH probe is suitable for test tube measuring and it can easily be replaced if it gets damaged or if it ages. This will help you save some pretty pennies in the long run.
The great thing about this meter is its auto-calibration function and buffer recognition. Moreover, it has an auto temperature compensation function from 32°F to 140°F. The pH measuring range is 0 – 14 and it has a ±0.1 pH/1.0 ̊C accuracy.
The meter also features some convenient smart functions such as the ability to switch from ˚F to ˚C and automatic power-off. It also has a low-battery alarm to eliminate the guesswork for when the battery needs to be replaced. Another feature is a probe invalidation reminder that reminds you when the probe requires replacement.
Pros
- Equipped with plenty of smart functions
- Doesn’t require frequent recalibration
- Completely waterproof and dustproof
- The meter comes with a 2-year warranty
Cons
- Inconsistent reading for distilled or deionized water
- The recalibration process is quite cumbersome
2. Poit Digital pH Meter
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The Poit Digital pH meter is one of the most affordable and reliable units on the market. In fact, the number of positive reviews from satisfied users is overwhelming, to say the least.
This tester has an accurate measuring range of 0 to 14 pH with a 0.1-pH resolution. The reading is displayed on the LCD display screen in a fairly short amount of time.
Using this meter is very easy. All you have to do is remove its cap and immerse the electrode in the water. Once in the water, press the on/off switch to start measuring. Calibrating this meter is also pretty simple, just follow the provided instructions to achieve the best results.
Another great thing about this meter is that it’s easily portable. It only weighs around 3.2 oz and is 6.1 x 1.3 x 0.8 inches. The package includes 3 packets of pH buffer powder and a convenient storage case.
Pros
- Highly affordable price tag
- Pocket-sized, portable design
- Easy to use and calibrate
Cons
- The design is pretty delicate
- The probe can get easily damaged
3. Dr.meter PH100-V pH Meter
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This is another digital pH meter that provides accurate and reliable readings. It’s a little bit more expensive than other devices on this list, but its great build quality makes it worth your while. You can use this meter to measure alkalinity and acidity of water with ease.
The measurement of this device, just like most devices on this list, is 0 – 14 pH. The reading is displayed on the display screen, in addition to the temperature of the solution.
There are other Dr. meter testers on the market that are better than this one, giving you a wide range of options to choose from. This meter features a handheld design for ease of portability. It also comes with its own carrying case.
One common complaint that many users seem to have is the poor instructions provided with this product. It seems like these instructions were written in a language that was then translated to English. However, it’s not that hard to work your way around them.
Pros
- Pretty accurate and reliable
- Great build quality
- Carrying case included
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Cons
- Instructions are poorly written
- Users reported poor customer service
4. Oakton pH1 EcoTestr pH Meter
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The final product on our list is the Oakton pH1 EcoTestr. This is the most expensive pH tester on this list, which may deter a lot of viewers from buying it, but the high build quality is definitely prominent in this one.
This electronic pH meter is a lot like others on this list. You can use it to measure the alkalinity and the acidity of the water. You can also calibrate it very easily. However, the thing that makes this device worth your money is the superb build quality that will likely last for years, and its ability to measure acidity and alkalinity in full spectrum.
Sadly, this device doesn’t come with pH test solutions, so you’re going to have to buy them separately if you need them. Also, this device lacks a temperature compensation feature, which is really the only thing negative about this product, apart from its steep price.
Pros
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Great build quality
- Full-spectrum measuring ability
Cons
- Pretty steep price tag for what it offers
- No auto temperature compensation
5. KoolaMo Digital pH Meter
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The KoolaMo Digital pH Meter is a pocket-sized device that’s ideal for both laboratory and home uses. You can use this pH meter to test for drinking water, pool, aquarium, RO systems, hydroponics, and many water-based solutions.
This digital meter features a built-in automatic temperature compensation function which allows it to determine the pH of the water at any given temperature within the range of 32°F – 176°F, so you no longer need to worry about the temperature of the sample.
The performance of this meter is incredibly fast and accurate. This is because it’s equipped with a highly sensitive electrode sensor, allowing it to calibrate the pH level of water pretty quickly. To find out how to get the best reading, carefully read the included instructions manual.
The automatic compensation feature helps adjust the device to the temperature and quality of the water, which allows it to give you those accurate pH readings in such a short amount of time. Its pH reading will be presented on the LCD display screen.
Before and after use, it’s highly advised to clean the electrode with distilled water. Wiping the pH meter should be done with a soft, clean piece of cloth and you should be careful with the glass probe because it’s pretty fragile. Lastly, the meter requires recalibration if the battery is replaced.
Pros
- Compact, pocket-sized design
- Fast and accurate pH reading
- Auto temperature compensation
Cons
- The glass probe is very fragile
- May often require recalibration
Things to Consider
As you can see, most pH meters tend to share pretty much the same functions and it’s hard to distinguish between quality and trash. Make sure to look for the following things in a meter to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck.
Accuracy
Ideally, you want to go for a pH meter that has an accuracy of +/– 0.01 – 0.02 pH units as they’re the most reliable for measuring pH levels of water. If you’re running on a low budget, however, we’d recommend going for a tester with a precision of +/- 0.1. These models are great for extensive tests.
Calibration
There are two types of calibration methods when it comes to pH meters: manual and automatic. Manual calibration is often viewed as more reliable than automatic calibration as it tends to recognize the buffer much quicker.
Automatic calibration, on the other hand, saves you the hassle of calibrating the device yourself, which isn’t really a task you’d like to do frequently, especially if the instructions provided by the manufacturer aren’t all that detailed.
Temperature Compensation
The pH levels of a substance changes frequently depending on the temperature. So in order to measure the pH, you’ll need a meter that features a temperature compensation function. Based on your budget, you can go for a device that features manual calibration or one with automatic calibration.
Conclusion
Picking a winner isn’t going to be that easy since most pH meters tend to share most of the same functions. However, one tester that seems to have everything going for it is the Apera Instruments SX610 pH Tester. The SX610 has plenty of smart functions that will make the process of measuring the pH levels in your water go a lot smoother.
And unlike a lot of other meters on the market, this one won’t require you to recalibrate it very often. Not to mention that it comes with a 2-year warranty, which proves that the manufacturer is willing to stand behind it wholeheartedly. It’s not the best meter to use in distilled or deionized water, but we’re talking about aquariums here, which it works great for.
Hopefully the information we’ve provided today has helped you pick the product that best suits your needs.