All one needs on a hot sunny summer day is a refreshing dip in the pool. However, maintaining a pool is no easy task, especially looking after the water.
It is absolutely essential to check your pool water before using it. Checking the pool water will let you know about the chemical levels and undesirable substances in the water.
An easy and convenient way to test pool water is through pool test strips. This review will discuss a variety of pool test strips. However, that’s not all! It will also help you decide which one is the best pool test strip for you.
So stay tuned!
Top 6 Best Pool Test Strips In 2023 Reviews
| Name | Number Of Chemical Tests | Wait Time | Water Hardness | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Choice Aquachek 551236  View Price | Number Of Chemical Tests 7 | Wait Time 15 seconds. | Water Hardness 0-1000 ppm. |  (4.3 / 5) |
Also Great Poolmaster 22211-Smart Test  View Price | Number Of Chemical Tests 4 | Wait Time 2 seconds. | Water Hardness - |  (4.2 / 5) |
Also Great Leisure Time Spa Test  View Price | Number Of Chemical Tests 4 | Wait Time 2 seconds. | Water Hardness 0-800+ ppm. |  (4.5 / 5) |
Cheap Price Hach 2745250  View Price | Number Of Chemical Tests 1 | Wait Time - | Water Hardness 0-425 ppm. |  (4.6 / 5) |
Number Of Chemical Tests 1 | Wait Time 40 seconds. | Water Hardness 80-250 ppm. |  (3.9 / 5) |
|
Also Great La-Motte Insta Test 4 Plus  View Price | Number Of Chemical Tests 4 | Wait Time - | Water Hardness 0-800 ppm. | (4.6 / 5) |
1 Aquachek 551236
This pool check strip by AquaCheck is a 7-way test strip. It checks for total Chlorine, total Bromine, total hardness, total alkalinity, pH and free Chlorine Cyanuric Acid. It works for pools that are both in ground and above ground.
Each bottle has 100 test strips. This means they will last you a long time. The procedure of checking with these strips is quite easy. All you need to do is to take a water sample from your pool and dip the strip in it. After that, wait for just 15 seconds and read the results.
For the convenience of the user, the strips also come along with a reusable color chart comparator. The AquaCheck 551236 features vibrant colors that make the process of distinction easier. This, in turn, makes reading the results easier.
One thing you should be absolutely careful is how long you keep the strip in the water for. It has to be exactly 15 seconds; otherwise, the reading will not be accurate.
Since 15 seconds is a considerably short amount of time, it is best to use a stopwatch. Although these strips do not provide 100% as a digital meter would, they still provide a great level of accuracy.
Therefore, these strips are a brilliant choice for acquiring daily readings. However, do be mindful of the expiration date. If the strips are expired, they will not show accurate results.
(4.3 / 5)- Provide a great level of accuracy.
- Tests for seven chemical with just one strip.
- Wait time is very little.
- Very convenient for daily use.
- Expired test strips will show inaccurate readings.
2 Poolmaster 22211-Smart Test
These strips are 4-way test strips. This means that they test for 4 chemical with just one strip. These include Bromine, Free Chlorine, pH, and Alkalinity of the water. This test measures all the basic things that you need to know about the water in your pool.
All you need to do to carry out this test is to dip the test strips in a water sample from the pool. This test has a very small waiting period, which is 2 seconds. You can immediately read the results by comparing them to the color chart present on the bottle.
However, you must be careful of the time you keep the strips in water. Holding them for longer than 2 seconds is not recommended at all as that could tamper with the results.
Each bottle holds exactly 50 strips. However, note that not all these strips are always made the same.
At times, there have been strips that have not been up to the quality mark. These have, at times, also produced inaccurate results. Another thing to keep in mind is the expiration date of the strips. If the strips are expired, do not use them since they will not work as efficiently.
Overall, these strips are a convenient way to check for chemical levels in your pool.
(4.2 / 5)- The strip tests 4 chemicals with one strip.
- It is a fast and easy way to test the chemical levels.
- The wait time is very little.
- Some batches are not up to the quality mark.
3 Leisure Time Spa Test
The Leisure Time Spa Test strips are the third entry in this line up for the best pool test strips.
These strips also measure for 4 chemical readings. These include Chlorine, Calcium Hardness, Alkalinity, and pH level of the water. It helps to check if the pH range is between 7.2 and 7.8.
It also helps to check if the alkalinity is between 80 and 120. Similarly, it checks if calcium hardness is between 150 and 400 ppm.
The company Leisure has held a good name and reputation in the market for 25 years. This can be seen clearly in the form of their high quality products that have been developed over the years.
Moreover, the instructions on how to use these strips are very specific. The strips must be immersed in a sample of water being tested. Then exactly after two seconds, the strips must be removed.
Be careful because the pads on the strip must be facing upwards. Then, shake the soaked strip once to get rid of excess water and get your readings immediately.
The manufacturers recommend that the strip be used at least twice per week. This is to make sure that the pool water remains balanced and at an optimal level.
In addition, one bottle of Leisure Time Spa Test contains 50 strips. These are easy to use and provide fairly accurate results.
Another important feature of these strips is that they are compatible with ozone and chlorine sanitizers.
(4.5 / 5)- Determines the level of chemicals in pool water accurately.
- It takes next to no time.
- It is compatible with ozone and chlorine sanitizers.
- It is not recommended to test bromine.
4 Hach 2745250
When it comes to maintaining the optimal condition of pool water, something important to measure for is water hardness.
Water hardness is caused by two elements. These are calcium and magnesium ions, although other types of tri and divalent metals can have a similar impact. However, these are not in such a high concentration and usually do not cause many issues.
The Hach 275250 strips specifically measure the level of hardness in the water. They do not measure any other elements. So, if you are concerned with just the level of water hardness, then these strips are a good option for you.
The total quantity of strips in one bottle is 50. The best thing about these is that they provide results almost instantly. You can dip them into the water sample, take them out, shake out excess water, and read the results. It is very simple and very convenient.
You can even compare the results to check the level of hardness as there is a color chart present on the bottle.
With this test strip, too, it is important to keep a note of the expiration date. If the product is past its date, it will not function properly. It may also provide inaccurate results.
Water hardness can cause the scale to develop in the pool water, making it unsafe. Therefore, it is important to keep water hardness levels in check.
(4.6 / 5)- It is quick and convenient to use.
- Gives results without any waiting time.
- Colour chart on the bottle makes checking results convenient.
- Only measures for water hardness.
5 Hone Forest Water Hardness Test Strips
Yet another test strip that measures for water hardness levels is the Hone Forest water hardness test strips.
These are perhaps one of the easiest water hardness test strips to use. The color of the strip changes from red to green depending on the level of hardness in the water.
The gradation of the two colors makes the results extremely easy to distinguish. In addition, the color chart provided on the bottle adds to this ease. It has a wide measuring range. It ranges from 0-425 ppm (parts per million) or 0-25 gpg (grams per gallon).
The bottle for this test comes with 100 strips in total. This means that it will last a long time and you will not have to repurchase every now and then. The procedure of testing with these strips is as follows.
First, the strip must be dipped in the sample of pool water from the padded end. Then, let it stay there for two seconds.
After that, take it out and shake off excess water. Lastly, you will have to wait an additional 40 seconds before you can read the results.
As mentioned earlier, the results can be read by comparing the colored pad to the chart on the bottle.
The results of this test are fairly accurate. Therefore, it is a reliable way of testing for water hardness.
(3.9 / 5)- The results of the test are accurate.
- The test is easily distinguishable.
- Covers a wide range.
- Only tests for water hardness.
6 La-Motte Insta Test 4 Plus
Last but not least, in our review for best pool test strips is the La-Motte Insta Test 4. As the name suggests, this is a 4-way test. It tests the water for free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, and alkalinity, and it also measures total hardness.
The bottle of this 4-in-1 test strip is lined with a molded desiccant. This keeps the strips inside safe from moisture as well as UV light. Therefore, the strips are always in perfect conditions.
Moreover, the strips work with a 1 dip method. You can just dip the strip in and immediately read the results. There is no additional waiting time. It is very easy and simple.
Like the other tests, this one also has a color chart present on the bottle. This way, you can easily tally the results.
Furthermore, the bottle comes with clear and comprehensive instructions so that the test can be used correctly. The bottle also features instructions in French and Spanish along with English.
The La-Motte Insta 4 Plus test strip has a count of 50 strips in each bottle. Although they are not very fancy, they still cover the important chemicals as well as the total hardness. Since it’s so convenient and reliable, it can be used on a daily basis to maintain your pool.
(4.6 / 5)- Tests for four different things with just one strip.
- Gives results instantly.
- The instructions are clear and are available in different languages.
- The total amount of strips is less compared to other tests.
Best Pool Test Strip Buying Guide
Pool strips are an easy and convenient way of keeping your pool water in good condition. The best part about them is that they provide results instantly. In fact, it does not even take a full minute. However, there is a wide variety of pool test strips available in the market.
The search for the best pool test strips is not an easy one. There are many things that you must consider before investing in one. First and foremost is what you need to measure. In this review alone, we have discussed three different types of test strips.
Kinds Of Strips
There is the 7-way test that measures all kinds of things from free chlorine to bromine to pH etc.
There are also the 4-way test strips that cover the most basic of chemicals found in the water.
Finally, there is the test for water hardness level.
If you’re looking for something fancier, then the 7-way test is your best bet. It will give you the most information out of the three options.
Meanwhile, if you are more concerned with the basics and do not want any complications, then the 4-way test will suit you best.
However, if you are solely looking to measure the water hardness level, then the water level test is the one.
Additional Features
Each test has its own features and a varying range. The color charts on the bottle also vary depending on those ranges. So that is another thing you need to consider.
Both the color chart and the pigmentation on the test need to be clear and vibrant. This makes deducing the result easier.
It also makes the accuracy of the test better. Test strips are a brilliant way to save up. Nowadays, digital meters are used for the task of maintaining pool water. However, when put to daily use, digital meters can be subject to wear and tear.
This is undesirable because usually, these digital meters have a quite hefty price tag. Test strips, on the other hand, are easy and convenient. There is no concept of wear and tear so they can easily be used on a daily basis.
Usually, these strips come in packs of 50 or 100. This means that they will also you a good while.
Conclusion
Now it is time to round up this review of the best pool test strips and find out which one is actually the best. For us, the winner is the AquaChek 551236!
After an overall assessment of all six items, the reasons AquaChek 551236 emerges as the winner are many.
All these test strips share more or less the same features. However, AquaChek takes the cake with 7 chemical tests in one strip. Moreover, it has great quality and a high level of accuracy as well.
Furthermore, it has 100 strips per bottle, so even if you use it daily, it will last you for around 3 months!
