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You may live in a very safe, well-developed part of the world, with an efficient water supply from the local utility company. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your water is free of contaminants because there is always a risk that something could cause contamination. As a result, an array of water test kits have been developed that allow people to ensure they are using a clean, safe and quality water supply, whether that is at home or out in an unknown area.
Our Top Picks
Best Water Test Kits of 2021:
Water Test Kits that are worth mentioning:
There are many water test kits out there on the market and it can be quite difficult to work out which is the best one to go for. It is important to think about what you want to test for and whether you want to test immediately or send it away for analysis. Once you know these answers, you will be able to make the right choice. We have put together some of the top water test kits on the market, to help you decide on which option best fits your requirements.
1. The Perfect Water Full Lab Water Test Kit
First on our list is a test kit you send away to a laboratory and it really does stand out from the crowd when it comes to what it tests.
Performance:
It has quite an extraordinary list of contaminants it checks for, ranging from harmful bacteria, metals, chemicals that are both organic and inorganic, as well as any pesticides in your water supply. The list on the manufacturer’s product page is so extensive, you will surely spot what you need.
Analysis proces:
In terms of getting the tests analysed, you must ship them on the same day and it is important to follow the guidance from the manufacturer on this, otherwise, you could end up sending samples that cannot be analysed.
Support:
The manufacturer provides fantastic support documentation that gives you clear guidance on every aspect of the process and also has a helpful customer service team who seem willing to help.
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2. Quality Water Treatment Well Water Test Kit
The next product on our list is from Quality Water Treatment, a company you can trust to provide fantastic water test kits and they have been doing so for over a decade now..
Types:
This kit can be ordered in one of three different sizes: lite, basic and standard. Not the most imaginative names and frankly, a little confusing because the standard kit is actually the full, most comprehensive option.
Performance:
All of the tests will check for a range of 22 heavy metals and minerals, as well as inorganic chemicals and what the pH level of the water supply is. Where these differ is that the basic and standard options will test for harmful bacteria in the water and the standard will do further checks for organic chemicals and trihalomethanes.
Usage:
No matter the choice you make, they are very easy to use, the instructions that come with it are easy to follow and there is a great money-back guarantee.
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3. HoneForest Water Quality Tester
We’ve chosen this model primarily because it is a great portable water tester that can be used for an array of water types, wherever you are.
Performance:
It may be you’re at home wanting to test the water supply, or working at a pool or spa and need to assess the quality of the water – this kit will do the job.
Features:
Aside from the testing functions, they’ve equipped it with some really useful features including an auto-off setting that saves the battery when not being used, a backlit screen and protective case for when it’s being stored. You can even use the handy belt clip to carry it with you whilst moving around or travelling.
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4. Hach 2745250 Total Hardness Test Strips
For those out there who want a simple, yet effective way of testing the hardness of your water supply, then we recommend looking right here.
Budget:
Don’t be fooled by the low price either, this is both affordable and quality, a great combination for any customer.
Purpose:
Hard water can be an issue for many parts of the world, particularly in developed regions and countries, usually caused by a buildup of calcium and magnesium ions. Whilst it may not seem like a major issue, it has the potential to dry out your skin, make water taste awful and cause damage to pipes and faucets through limescale build-up.
Process:
These test strips from Hach will display a colour which you then match up to the bottle, showing the level of hardness in the water. From here, you will have a very good idea about what needs to be done to rectify the situation, such as purchase filtration systems and if so, which ones.
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5. Drinking-Water Test Kit
Probably the most important reason for wanting to test the quality of your water supply is because you wish to drink from it or for your family to drink from it. As a result, these guys have released a superb home testing kit that actually has 10 tests inside the box.
Performance:
This water test kit will search for pesticides, bacteria, metals, hardness, alkalinity and more, so you can be sure that the water supply poses no threat to the health of you or your family.
Process:
Results from this kit are quick and easy as you don’t need to send them off for a professional laboratory to assess, you simply wait for the kit to perform the test and tell you the results. A really convenient way of checking the water and taking action.
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6. Watersafe WS425W Well Water Test Kit
The team at Watersafe understand that water is the most important substance on the planet and one that we need to be very careful about.
Purpose:
Contaminated water poses a great many risks to the health of people who ingest it and these kits are a great way of protecting you from that, particularly if you draw water from a private well, as opposed to a treated water supply.
Performance:
This water test kit has been designed to test for a broad range of contaminants including harmful bacteria, chlorine, metals, pesticides, pH levels and many others.
Instructions:
Its helpful user guide and instructions make this an easy to use solution at a budget-friendly price.
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7. Baldwin Meadows Drinking Water Test Kit
This entry onto our top 10 list comes from the manufacturer Baldwin Meadows and it is yet another home test kit that tests for a wide range of contaminants including metals, chlorine, nitrates and more, as well as the hardness and pH level.
Features:
A nice feature of this product is that the kit comes with 100 test strips, so you will be able to get a lot of use out of it, before investing in another pack.
Performance:
As a home test kit, you want quick results and these claim to offer instant results that are reliable and can be processed easily. Whilst that is the claim, we have found some customers have reported them to not be accurate enough for their requirements, so as with any home testing solution, you need to be wary about potential issues or lack of clarity with results.
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8. Health Metric Drinking Water Test Kit
The next product on our list of the best water test kits comes from Health Metric and this has a comprehensive batch of tests that it provides. Whilst there are four tests that you can run, they provide you with two of each type, except for the bacteria test, which is only 1 per box.
Performance:
As normal, these will look for a range of contaminants including harmful bacteria, metals such as lead, chlorine, pH levels and water hardness. So you can rest assured that you are testing for all the key problems that can occur with a water supply.
Instructions:
However, where this falls down is that it doesn’t provide a great deal of information about what the results mean, so you may need to do your own research on the findings, to tell whether it is a problem and how serious that problem may be.
Summary:
Despite this issue, it still offers a cost-effective solution for anyone wanting to test their water supply, without having to resort to a professional laboratory or consultant.
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9. Pelican Rapid 16-point Water Test
Another test that makes it onto our best water test kit list, thanks in part to its performance and also its processing of results.
Performance:
As the name suggests, this water testing kit will check 16 contaminants and characteristics in the water supply, more than you will find in many home water test kits. These include checking the hardness of the water, pH level, levels of chlorine, lead etc.
Results:
For a start, you get free shipping with Pelican and when you drop it at their testing locations then you will get results within 3-5 days via email, a fantastic turnaround time. Water testing kits should be all about efficiency and support and you get it with these guys.
Budget:
It is a reasonably priced test kit for your home but you do pay for the detail that these provide. If you only really care about water hardness or a particular issue, then there may be better options out there.
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10. Poolmaster 22260 5-Way Swimming Pool Chemistry Test
We’ve put this water testing kit on our list for those that are focused on a test kit for their swimming pool.
Performance:
Performance:
With this particularly water testing kit, you get a 5-way chemistry test that will check for pH, chlorine, bromine, acid demand and total alkalinity. This pretty much covers everything you need to worry about.
Process:
The Poolmater 5-way water testing kits use drop reagants, instead of the popular testing strip method. It provides an accurate response and is probably the best water test kit for swimming pools on our list.
Ease of use:
Whilst we do note that some people struggle to determine certain test results, on the whole, it is an affordable, easy to use home test kit that is perfect to keep at home.
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Summary
Water test kits are a fantastic solution to have around the home and an affordable way to periodically check your water supply for any harmful contaminants and health risks. Looking after your family and anyone who uses the water is the number one concern for homeowners and you really do get the peace of mind you deserve, without spending lots of money on professional testing.
What do they test for?
Ultimately, a water test kit is designed to test for the common contaminants that may find their way into your water supply. This can range from metals such as iron and lean, through to pesticides and harmful bacteria. Furthermore, they can also test for the alkalinity and hardness of your water, less of an issue for safety but an important consideration for many who want healthier, nicer to drink water.
The benefits of a water test kit
Having water test kits with you when travelling or at home to use periodically, are a great tool to have at your disposal, particularly for those that want the peace of mind about what they are drinking or washing with. There are some key benefits of using these kits and they include:
No contamination
Top of the list of benefits is the ability to confirm there are no contaminants in your water supply and so you will know it is a healthy, nutritious source of water for you and your family. Furthermore, should it find there are contaminants, you can check to make sure whatever fix has been put in place, has worked.
Wide-ranging tests
There are now some fantastic tests on the market that search for a wide range of harmful bacteria, metals and other contaminants, so you don’t need to do multiple tests or pay for a professional to do it.
Cost-effective solution
Anything you can do yourself at home is generally going to be cheaper than paying for a professional workman or consultant. Whilst you will probably get a more detailed inspection by paying more for that kind of service, these home water test kits have advanced so much that they are a great alternative and the perfect cost-effective solution.
Guidance on equipment
These kits allow you to understand whether you need to install any extra protective or special equipment, such as water filters at certain faucets in the house, or a larger whole system filter. By checking first, you can potentially save a lot of money and time spent installing these pieces of equipment.
Important things to consider
Before making a purchase, there are a few things to consider, to make sure you purchase the right type of water test kit and that it will do the job you require.
Contaminants
Each test will be designed to either test for multiple common contaminants or specialise in a particularly few. Clearly the second type will save you money and if you’re only concerned with a specific bacteria, then this may be the best bet for you. However, it is more likely that the tests that offer more comprehensive testing will be the best choice, as they can look for a range of potential contaminants.
Source of water
For the majority of people, water will be from the public supply, as provided by your utility company. But for some, you may still get water from a well, you may wish to test a swimming pool, or you may be out travelling and wish to test natural sources. In most cases, each water test kit will work on a variety of sources, but it is always good practice to confirm this.
Testing Procedure
There are different types of water test kits, with some that offer instant results and others that require you to send them away to a laboratory for analysis. If you want to do a quick check at home then clearly, you should aim for the instant result kits, but if you wish to have a more scientific analysis of your water supply, search for the laboratory option.
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