Water is the endurance of life. If it is polluted with dangerous elements, then it is a big concern for anyone. With the help of the best water test kits, you can make sure that your water is secure from harmful impurities. Everyone around you uses water for drinking, cooking, bathing, or even for laundry. No one can take the risk of life using polluted water. So the quality of water matters a lot for many people, saving them from the threat of life.
Many people think they will have to go laboratory to test the water. They are wrong. You are living in an era of modernization where everything is possible at home. There are many professional water testing kits available on the market that will let you test water quality at your home. After experimenting with a water hardness test kit, you will know whether your water is safe or contaminated. The water hardness tester will reveal impurities in water like lead, bacteria, and many more.
As many water hardness test meters are available in the market, they are incredibly expensive. Also, you have to make sure that it will deliver fast and accurate results. To pick an affordable and best-quality water test kit according to your needs, we will help you with the best water testing kit reviews.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
Best Water Test Kits Reviews of April 2024
Here we will discuss the top 10 water testing kits rich in functionality and give you accurate results at an affordable price. We selected these products after the market surveys, analyzed customers’ reviews, and proffer you to pick them with ease. Let’s start without any delay!
1. Drinking Water Test Kit for Home Tap and Well Water
If you are looking for a simple-to-use water test kit and expect an accurate result, then here it is. This water test kit is according to your expectations and lets you test harmful contaminants in your water. This water test kit can detect a minor amount of Lead and Copper. Also detects other harmful materials in water like unbalanced levels of bacteria, nitrite, nitrate, chlorine, pH, etc., that can cause serious health issues.
This water test kit is simple enough to use that anyone, having no science degree or experience, can test water at home. You can get results quickly and easily. You have to follow the instructions provided by the brand. It is made in the USA following EPA limits. After testing the water, you can compare results according to EPA-approved guidelines.
This model is an excellent option for the tap water test. It provides quick results. Although results are not a hundred percent accurate, they give you an indication of potential contaminants. And you can take steps accordingly.
- Quickly detects lead & copper.
- Super easy to use.
- Covers more than one type of test.
- EPA standards are followed.
- Deliver instant results.
- Results may not be accurate but give you an indication of potential impurities.
- The colors don’t match in some cases.
2. Safe Home ULTIMATE Water Quality Test Kit for City Water or Well Water
If you are unsatisfied with a basic water test and want a comprehensive one, then a safe home test kit is the best. It will see each aspect that affects the quality of water. The safety of drinking water is a big concern for everyone. This water quality test kit will give you detailed results of up to 200 contaminants. It includes 12 physical properties, 20 semi-volatile organic compounds, six inorganic substances, 32 toxic metals, and 130 volatile organic compounds tests.
While the product seems expensive, you pay for a product that will perform a comprehensive test of your water for peace of mind. After collecting samples, you have to send them to the company’s EPA-certified lab.
They will deliver results in a maximum of 7-10 days of your sample. The company offers a free kit. If results are not delivered on time, the product includes lab fees and a return shipping fee for your sample result. This DIY water test kit consists of a DIY bacteria test with guidelines to complete.
- Test from EPA-certified lab.
- Free test kit on late delivery of the result.
- Comes with a DIY bacteria test.
- Detailed results.
- Professional analysis of a sample.
- Takes time for results.
- Costly but worth it.
3. JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips to Determine Soft or Hard Water
If you are looking for a hardness test of your water, then these strips are the best to purchase. People are concerned whether their water is becoming challenging day by day or their water softener appliances are failing. This water hardness test kit will allow you to understand the water hardness and take precautionary steps.
This water hardness tester includes only a water hardness test and doesn’t perform any other basic test of contaminants in water. That is also reflected in the price as it contains 150 test strips. It means you can perform a water hardness test 150 times. Performing tests is super easy. You have to dip the testing strip in water and compare results from the eBook. The company also gives you a free app for your convenience to analyze results.
This water hardness test is superfast and delivers results in seconds. Moreover, the results are reliable, and you can trust them. You can improve your water supply after testing hardness and keep it at the level for your best.
- Super easy to use.
- Free app and eBook.
- Easy to interpret results.
- Accurate and fast results.
- Helps to verify the hardness level.
- Other basic tests are not included.
- Provides very basic information.
4. 16 in 1 Drinking Water Test Kit for Aquarium, Pool, Spa, Well & Tap Water
If you are looking for an affordable and complete water test kit, here it is. This water test kit tests up to 16 parameters, and you can make sure that you are drinking safe water. It detects chlorine, nitrite, nitrate, copper, iron, and other contaminants. Not only test for these impurities but also measure the pH level and total alkalinity.
This water test kit comes with 100 test strips that you can use for two years if they are unopened. If they are opened, then they last for 90 days. These 100 seals are divided into batches of 10 strips sealed in a bag and with dry agents that make it long-lasting. Also, the package includes a testing tube and water dropper to take the water samples easily. Moreover, a color-coded instruction manual, comprehensive drinking water eBook, and testing record chart with WHO-provided info are also included.
It tests the low level of contaminants in water. It is straightforward to test with it. You can follow the guidelines provided in the instruction manual to test the water.
- Strips are divided into batches of 10.
- Contains color-coded instructions.
- Test 16 parameters of contaminants.
- Quick results with Free eBook.
- Easy to use and reliable.
- Complaints about inaccurate color indicators.
- Complaints about inaccuracy.
5. Professional Water Test by SimpleWater Labs, Certified Tap Score Home Kit
Looking for a precise water testing kit for your home? Then this is the best option for you. Indeed it is a little pricy, but it’ll give you detailed results and the best information about your water. This is a mail-in tap water testing kit that gives you results by sending samples to the company’s laboratories. These labs are the world’s best labs certified by EPA, ISO, and ELAP. They will deliver the result in just ten days, and there will be a detailed analysis of the containments in the report.
This water test kit can screen samples for more than 100 impurities in your water. Lead, heavy metals, Arsenic, Chlorine, VOC’s, Nitrates, THM’s, bacteria, and many other tests are included in this comprehensive test kit. The kit comprises sterilized and preserved water sampling vials that don’t affect the sample and keep them in their original form. Tap Score is not the only highly accurate send-away kit, but no other kit we tested delivered nearly as useful a report. Tap Score explains the potential health risks due to compounds and suggests treatment. It also offers unmatched online support.
The best part of this professional water test kit is unbiased health and treatment support from highly experienced scientists. According to the company, they are not linked with any water treatment companies and provide you with the best advice on how to tackle the problems that cause contaminants in water.
- Unbiased advice by experts.
- Sterilized and preserved water sampling vials.
- Free test report delivery.
- Easy to collect the sample.
- Peace of mind for the quality of water.
- A little costly.
- Complaints about support.
6. Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water, Bacteria Nitrate Nitrite pH Manganese
Moving to another testing kit, this best well water test kit is suitable for drinking water. It gives more detailed information on impurities that are potentially found in yours. This whole testing kit includes a bacteria test, two manganese tests, 2 three-way pH tests, two hydrogen sulfide tests, two nitrate and nitrite tests, a hardness test, and alkalinity.
It is simple enough to use that you need no degree or experience to test the water. Just follow step-by-step instructions, and you can get the results of the water your family is drinking. With these well water test kits, you don’t need to carry samples to test in labs. Just do it at home and get accurate results of all contaminants in a few minutes.
If you are using a private well, it is not regulated as safe water, and you need to test it. For peace of mind, test water through this well water test kit. The product includes a free user guide, which is very easy to follow. You can use color-coded information and compare your test results.
- Eight impurities test in 1.
- Affordable price.
- Easy to use and perfect for DIY.
- Free user guide.
- According to EPA Standards.
- Some complaints of inaccuracy.
7. Drinking Water Test Kit – 10 Minute Testing For Lead Bacteria Pesticide Iron Copper
If you want to test all types of impurities in water, then this is the best water quality test kit. This water test kit has ten tests in one, and you can test water impurities like pesticides, lead, iron, copper, bacteria, nitrates, nitrites, and also the pH of water. Go for this water softener test kit as you will know each impurity included in it. Don’t take the risk of affecting your health with these contaminants. Test your water and take steps to purify it for the safety of your health.
With the help of this best drinking water test kit, you can get results instantly and effortlessly. It will let you know that your water is safe without contacting any laboratory. This tap water test kit comes with an instruction manual.
There is also a color chart, which makes it easy to justify. It is made in USA products, so you can judge the product’s standard and don’t need to take the risk of international testing kits. The best part of this drinking water test kit is that it follows EPA standards.
After testing water, compare the results with EPA communications and guidelines to check whether the water is safe to use or not. EPA standards make this water test kit a professional water test kit.
- Easy to use & no lab required.
- Gives accurate results by following instructions.
- Very inexpensive to test water at home.
- Excellent general testing range with Quick results.
- Calibrated to EPA standard.
- Complaints about inaccuracy.
- Fails if you test hot water.
8. 14-in-1 Drinking Water Test Kit by Baldwin Meadows for Well Water and Tap Water
If you are looking for more than ten tests of impurities in water, here you can get that. With this water test kit, you can test Alkalinity, pH of water, Iron, Copper, the hardness of water, fluoride, Mercury, Nitrate, Nitrite, Bromine, Chromium, Chlorine, and sulfate. You can test for all these contaminants by just simply dipping the strip in water. It is too quick and gives you results in seconds. Its improved sensitivity can detect impurities in water even if they are the lowest in quantity.
The great thing is that this product comes in a pack of 100. It means you can use it for a long time. Moreover, it includes easy-to-read color charts from which you can compare the results of the water test. Also, it detects harmful impurities reliably.
This best drinking water test kit is manufactured by Baldwin Meadows which is a well-known and trusted brand. While some people were happy with the overall use of the test. For some people, it didn’t work. As it did not determine if the lead levels exceeded EPA standards.
- Accurate and instant results.
- Tubes are there for collecting water samples.
- Very easy to use.
- Reasonable price.
- Can check bacteria presence.
- Some Complaints about failure test of nitrate.
- Accuracy problem.
9. Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit – World’s Most Sensitive Lead Test
This DIY test kit is great for testing the most common impurities like nitrite, nitrate, chlorine, lead, pesticides, copper, etc. This water test kit also tells you about the pH of water and hardiness. This water hardness test kit is perfect for testing well water as EPA does not regulate private wells, so water impurities can easily harm your water source. You can test well water through this kit and find peace of mind.
This best home test kit is a complete test kit containing everything needed for a complete water test to detect contaminants. This water test kit has a detailed guide to use and complete details to interpret the results. That’s why it is a complete DIY test kit. According to experts, this kit is simple, uncomplicated, and gives you laboratory-level results at home. However, those who compared their test results to laboratory results found the values from the Watersafe kit to be in line with the lab’s findings, adding to the reliability of this kit. Watersafe is a trusted brand that has been selling products for 25 years. It is USA USA-based water kit and completely fulfills EPA standards.
- Reasonable price.
- Provides laboratory-grade results at home.
- Easy to use.
- Detect multiple impurities.
- Complaints about missing items
10. Lead Iron Copper and Mercury – Home Water Test Kit for Well Tap and Drinking Water
If you are searching for a quick and easy water testing kit to know the basic levels of common impurities, this health metric kit is best for it. You can check the presence of common contaminants like lead, iron, copper, and mercury in your home. It takes up to 15 minutes to test all four impurities that can harm your health. The kit contains a lead test and two tests for mercury, copper, and iron. Like other water testing kits, you will get a set of guidelines that will tell you how to test and interpret results.
This Health Metric water testing kit detects contaminants even if they have a low-level presence in your water. It gives more accurate results than other kits available in the market, whether you test in your well, tap, or even filtered water. The EPA has set a limit of 15 ppb for lead in municipal water supplies and this testing kit will indicate whether your water contains lead above or below the 15 ppb threshold. According to users, the test kit is easy to use and provides peace of mind if your lead is below the EPA limit.
This home water hardness test kit gives you individual results of each contaminant instead of giving cumulative results. It is made in USA products and follows EPA standards. It means you can rely on the results.
- Comes with a complete user guide
- Follows EPA standards.
- Detect the minor amount of metals.
- Super easy to use.
- Affordable price.
- Tests only for four contaminants.
- Some complaints about unclear instructions in the user guide.
How to Choose the Best Water Test Kit?
If there are many products available in the market you will have a look at them all and choose one which is best for you. Before buying, it is essential to sort out which type of product you want. We have described the best water test kit reviews, and now we’ll guide how to choose the best water test kit in 2024. Just keep the following factors in mind and go for the best water test kit.
Water Source:
Before buying a water hardness test kit, the first step is what type of water you want to test. Is the water from the public water supply or the well, or is it from the pool? Different water testing kits are formed for various types of water tests. Some kits can perform the test on every source of water. And some are specific like pools, wells public water supply, etc. This is done because the water you use contains different contaminants, and the water you swim in contains different. So, it’s natural that buy only that water testing kit that addresses your needs.
Testing Procedure:
Different testing kits contain different testing procedures. If you need a comprehensive test of your water, you go for a little pricy but accurate water testing kit. If you want a general test, then usually go for cheap testing kits that deliver quick results.
DIY Test:
In this test, you do all things by yourself from start to end. Generally, there are strips that you dip in the water, and it changes the color. Then you compare that color to a manual, which is also included in the kit. From this type of test, you get instant results in minutes.
Collecting Samples:
In this type of test, you have to collect samples in preserved vials and mail them to the company’s suggested labs. They will perform the comprehensive test and send a detailed report in your mail. Usually, it takes up to 7 to 10 days, but this will be a detailed analysis of your sample. If you can wait, then definitely go for this.
Contaminants:
Another thing is that you should keep in mind that every water test kit can’t detect the same type of impurities as the others. There are many water test kits available in the market. Some of them are cheap, and they usually perform basic tests to detect one or two types of impurities. You should go for a good water test kit for more common contaminants like copper, lead, chlorine, and iron. The more expensive and more complex kit will give you more contaminant-related information.
Ease of Use:
For DIY tests, the water testing kit must be easy to use. It is really important if you are testing for the first time. Also, there should be clear instructions on how you can proceed.
Accuracy:
You need to make sure that the testing kit you are buying gives accurate results. You can do it by exploring reviews and customer feedback. Every water testing kit company claims an accuracy of results but go for what you see well.
Check Out: Best Water Softener for Well Water with Iron
Do I need a water softener if I have City Water?
This is a huge misconception that most homeowners have since water softeners are commonly found in homes that have well water or groundwater. using groundwater from the well. It’s a common myth that well water is hard and city water is soft, but the reality is that both may need softening. City water is only as soft as its water supply, which is generally from rivers and lakes rather than wells. More than 85% of all homes in the US, Canada, and the UK have hard water including city water and well water resources. Every city has different water quality and hardness levels. The best way to determine if you have hard water or soft water is by using DIY testing kits.
Water is classified according to the hardness level (grains per gallon (gpg)) of dissolved calcium carbonate:
- 0–3: If your hard water test strip indicates that your water is between 0–3 grains per gallon, your water doesn’t require softening.
- 3–7: Water hardness between 3–7 gpg is moderately hard, causing spotty dishes, dry skin, and hair fall. You need to use a water softener system or an electronic descaler that can also work.
- 7–11: Hard water is packed with minerals at 7–11 gpg, and you likely deal with crusty faucets and pipes and possibly reddish rings due to excess iron. Then you should buy a water softener for iron removal.
- 11–15: Considered very hard, water at 11–15 gpg exhibits all the signs of hard water all the time.
- 15+: Extremely hard water is anything over 15 gpg.
Check Out: Best Efficient Water Softener System in 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are home water test kits accurate?
Yes, home water test kits are accurate. Tests done with home water test kits might not be performed in a lab by a chemist but they are still reliable. The kit will notify you whether or not the water is contaminated.
2. What are the 6 main indicators of water quality?
They include dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity, and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).
3. How do you know if water quality is good?
Scientists measure a variety of properties to determine water quality. These include temperature, acidity (pH), dissolved solids (specific conductance), particulate matter (turbidity), dissolved oxygen, hardness, and suspended sediment. Each reveals something different about the health of a water body.
4. Are DIY tests accurate?
Tests done by yourself are much cheaper than professional tests. They are quite accurate if you are not satisfied with one test, another, or read reviews for accurate testing kits.
5. Is it necessary to test the water?
Yes, it is important to test your drinking water at the tap and at the source. Testing both will help you determine if your treatment system is performing correctly and if the quality of your source water has changed. However, According to EPA, water should be tested once a year. If your water has harmful impurities, it could be dangerous for your health.
Check Out: Difference between Hardness and TDS of water
Final Verdict
Of course, everyone wants safe water for their house. The only way to know whether the water is safe or not is by testing it. According to the EPA, you should test your water once per year at least. Because of to changing environment, impurities are dissolving in water rapidly. Experts said the water should be it once in three months. Either you go for a water test or choose a lab test; you should know which water you are using in your daily routine. Is it harmful to your health, or still is it good enough to use? Test your water periodically for your peace of mind.
Steve Smith is a United State Licensed Plumber with over 18 years of plumbing experience. Steve has conducted residential and commercial plumbing jobs throughout the state and currently works for one of California’s largest plumbing companies. When he’s not working, Steve enjoys spending time with his daughter and son.