A cold pool on a hot summer day is one of the easiest ways to refresh. However, you have to ensure that the water has the right level of chemicals. We performed extensive research to find the best pool test strips.
With this information, we were able to determine which ones were the most accurate and easy to use. With our own detailed reviews and educational information, it will be easy for you to pick the test strips that best suit your needs. Now, let us get started.
10 Best Pool Water Test Strips:
1. Poolmaster 22211 Smart Test 4-Way Swimming Pool and Spa Water Chemistry Test Strips
The Poolmaster Smart Test Chemistry Test Strips will analyze your pool’s free chlorine, alkalinity, bromine, and pH. This ensures consistency in the chemical makeup of your pool. You will get enough or a full season and they come in a handy container that keeps them fresh.
What Consumers Are Saying
These are the best pool water test strips, according to consumers. You get 50 of them, so you can use them throughout an entire pool season without needing more. Other people said that they are very accurate. You will be able to determine the exact chemical makeup of your pool.
Pros
- These are quick and easy to use
- The color chart is simple
- You can use these in multiple pools
Cons
- The alkalinity may not be as precise as the other chemicals
2. AquaChek 551236 7-Way 100 Count Pool Water Test Strips
The AquaCheck Pool Water Test Strips allow you to test for free chlorine, bromine, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, total chlorine, total hardness, and pH. They are easy to use and come with a color chart that you can use to see the levels of each of these chemicals in your pool water.
What Consumers Are Saying
Multiple people said that these swimming pool test strips are easy to use. You just dip them in the water and get your reading. Other consumers talked about how long they last. You will not have to replace the box in a pool season, saving you money.
Pros
- These strips test more chemicals than comparable ones
- The reading is fast
- They are easy to use
Cons
- The color chart could be easier to read
3. AquaChek Aqua Chek Yellow Test Strips Free Chlorine
The AquaCheck Free Chlorine Testing Strips let you look at free chlorine, total alkalinity, pH, and stabilizer. Once you put the testing strip into the water, you only need to wait approximately 30 seconds to get your results.
What Consumers Are Saying
Many people said that these pool water test strips are simple to read. This ensures that you know the exact chemical consistency of your pool. Other people said that they were easy to use. Once they received the box, they were able to start using them right away.
Pros
- These make it easy to assess chlorine levels
- They work in several pools
- These strips work fast
Cons
- They are not as accurate with chlorine as similar strips
4. AquaChek 561140A Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips – White
The AquaCheck Saltwater Pool Test Strips are designed specifically for use in a pool comprised of saltwater. You will use these strips to see the level of salt that is present in your water. It only takes a little bit of water to perform an accurate test, allowing you to quickly tackle this chore so that you can get back into your pool and start enjoying it.
What Consumers Are Saying
Multiple consumers stated that these swimming pool water test strips were very accurate. After a few tests runs, they got the same results, ensuring accuracy. Other people discussed their ease of use. You will not have any trouble reading the results with these strips.
Pros
- You only need a little water
- They are easy to use
- Reading the results is simple
Cons
- The salt concentration is sometimes a little off
5. Leisure Time 45010A Chlorine Test Strips
The Leisure Time Chlorine Test Strips ensure a balanced pool since they test for pH, calcium hardness, chlorine, alkalinity, and bromine. Use the chart on the back of the bottle to compare the colors to read the results.
What Consumers Are Saying
A lot of people like these pH test strips for a swimming pool because they last an entire year or more. This ensures that you will not waste any of them. Other people said that they are simple to use. Just dip the strip and follow the instructions to get your results.
Pros
- These are easy to use
- You only need to dip them to use them
- There are 50 strips in each box
Cons
- They may be hard to read until you learn the chart
6. Hach Total Hardness Test Strips
The Hach Total Hardness Test Strips will tell you when there are high levels of magnesium and calcium ions in your water. Depending on the results, you will know when it is time to add a water softener to get the water in your pool to the desired level so that problems do not start to occur.
What Consumers Are Saying
These testing strips are accurate, according to consumers. You will always know the levels of the chemicals in your pool. Other people said that the instructions are simple. As soon as you get them, you can learn how to use them properly within minutes.
Pros
- These are easy to use
- The strips are accurate
- It makes it easy to determine when water softener is needed
Cons
- You may need a flashlight to see the colors accurately
7. Premium Water Hardness Test Kit – Quick and Easy Hard Water Test Strips for Water Softener Dishwasher Well Spa and Pool Water
The Premium Water Hardness Test Kit gives you results in about 30 seconds, making these fast and easy to use. The color chart is clear, allowing you to always get an accurate reading regarding how hard your water is and when you need to soften it.
What Consumers Are Saying
These pool check strips are a good choice for a beginner. This is because you only need a minute or two to learn how to use them. These strips are durable. They will last and will not degrade when you dip them into the water to get a reading, according to consumers.
Pros
- They are easy to use
- The colors are easily readable
- These strips are very durable
Cons
- You may need to hold them in the water longer than the instructions state
8. Water Hardness Test Strips,Upgraded 100ct,0-425 mg/L, HoneForest Hard Water Test Kit, Testing Total Hardness of Water Softener, Drinking Water Quality, Pool Water
The HoneForest Water Hardness Test Strips are very sensitive, allowing you to see exactly how hard your water is. When you are using these strips, you will know exactly how much magnesium and calcium are present in your water.
What Consumers Are Saying
Several people stated that these test strips make it easy to see which chemicals are in your pool. The little chart makes it simple to read them. Other people discussed their ease of you. You can hold onto them with no problem so that they do not slip into the pool when you are running a test.
Pros
- These are easy to use
- The colors are evident and easy to read
- You only need to hold the strips under the water for a few seconds
Cons
- Sometimes the colors are slightly off
9. Nature2 W29300 Spa Test Strips, 50 Count (84235)
The Nature2 Spa Test Strips test for pH, alkalinity, and monopersulfate. This makes it easy to determine the safety of your spa water. The readings are instant, ensuring you can use these strips fast.
What Consumers Are Saying
Several people said that you get enough strips to test for a while. This ensures that you will not have to constantly buy new test strips. Other people said that they learned to use them fast. On average, just five minutes of reading the instructions is all that it will take.
Pros
- These are easy to use
- The results are accurate
- You get enough for a year or more
Cons
- They may expire faster than similar products
10. JNW Spa Test Strips
The JNW Spa Test Strips ensure that your spa water is always safe to use. Use these strips to determine the total hardness, free chlorine, total alkalinity, bromine, and pH levels of your water.
What Consumers Are Saying
These pool and spa test strips make it easy to keep an eye on your pool’s chemical levels, according to reviewers. You just dip them and read your results. Other people stated that the colors come through clearly. This ensures that you can read the results without any guesswork.
Pros
- You can read them easily
- They test several factors
- These are easy to use
Cons
- They could be a bit more accurate with water hardness
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Pool Test Strips
There are multiple factors to consider when you are buying test strips for your pool water. These include:
Ease of use:
You want to be able to dip it into the water and get the reading. This will make sure that you are not spending a lot of time maintaining your pool water chemistry.
Consistency:
Every time you test your pool, you should be getting the same results as long as your pool water chemistry is the same. To ensure consistency, you can check the water a few times within five minutes of each test.
Design:
The strips should be dippable. There should be a small space on top of them that allows you to hold one of them without touching any of the chemical pads.
Availability:
When you find a test strip that you enjoy using, it should be something that is easy to find. This will ensure that you always have access to your test strips.
Accuracy:
If your test strips are not accurate, you could accidentally get into a pool where the water is not safe. Always check reviews and do your own testing for accuracy before committing to a specific strip.
Testing method:
If you have a swimming pool and a spa, you will want to get a different testing strip for both of these. You also want to ensure that the method of testing is easy. For example, you should be able to dip it into the water and easily see the results using the chart that comes with the strips.
Durability:
When you buy a box of testing strips, you want to make sure that you are going to be able to use all of them. Check the expiration dates and durability to assess this.
Recommended for Reading: What is a Salt Water Pool
Pool Test Strip FAQ
There are certain questions that can help you to determine which strips are the best and how to properly use them. This will allow you to get the most out of the strips that you are using.
How Are Pool Testing Strips Used?
This will ultimately depend on the type that you choose to buy. In the box, there will be a set of instructions and it is important that you follow these exactly. When you do this, you are working to get an accurate result so that you can fully understand the chemical makeup of your pool water.
How Often Should You Use Pool Testing Strips?
The chemicals in your pool change fairly regularly. Some experts recommend checking your pool water as often as once a week to see if any changes have occurred. It ultimately depends on the chemicals that you use and the environment where your pool is.
Are Pool Testing Strips Really Accurate?
This will depend on several factors. The strips tend to be the easiest to use, especially for people using these types of products. When you use the strips properly, they tend to be highly accurate. Just make sure that you are following the instructions.
How Long Do the Test Strips Last?
On average, these strips will last you about one to two years. You can expect to buy a box about once a year, depending on the quantity and how often you need to test your pool. Be sure to always check the expiration date before you use any test strips.
Are Pool Test Strips Difficult to Read?
No, these strips are relatively foolproof when it comes to this. They generally use colors to tell you which chemicals are present and at what level. You just compare the test strip to the color chart that comes in the box to see what the results are.
Conclusion
You now know everything needed to choose the best pool test strips. One of the best options is the Poolmaster Smart Test Chemistry Test Strips. These ensure that the chemical consistency of your pool is accurate so that you can swim safely. By analyzing four chemicals, you will know if they are in the proper amounts.
All you have to do is dip them into your pool water and check the reading. This ensures that you can always know the chemical makeup of your pool water before you choose to dive in.