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Best ph meter 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated March 1, 2023
Looking for ways to bring your ph meter to the next level? Then you’ve come to the right place. I’m Brayden Diaz. After more than 39 hours of research and testing, which included using 15 different ph meter in five cities and interviewing product teams at five major companies, I made a list of the best ph meter of 2018
Eventually, I found something that would suit my needs but it occurred to me that I wasn’t the only one who might be having the same problems I did. So, you will find reviews on some models of ph meter that impressed me (and a good many other people), and you will find a few informational pages as well.
Best ph meter of 2018
On that note, I review the three best ph meter of 2018 to help you get value for your money. The best ph meter will make your fairytale dreams come true!
The table below summarizes features, and below you’ll find more detailed reviews of each good. Before you spend your money on ph meter, start by familiarizing yourself with the various types.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Design |
4 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Versatility |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Durability |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Quality |
5 points
|
4 points
|
5 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the ph meter by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Digital PH Meter
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this ph meter win the first place?
The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. The rear part fits perfectly! It is mounted really tight and reliable.
4
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
№2 – Rozway Premium Pocket Size pH Meter Digital Water Quality Tester for Household Drinking Water
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this ph meter come in second place?
The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money.
4
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№3 – VANTAKOOL Digital PH Meter
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this ph meter take third place?
A very convenient model. It is affordable and made of high-quality materials. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new.
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
ph meter Buyer’s Guide
What are the different ways of testing soil pH
There are few different ways gardeners can perform soil pH test.
Here is a good video that shows how to property measure the soil pH.
Things to consider when looking for the best soil pH tester for you.
Additional features: Always look for an additional features in your soil pH tester. Most of the products available in the market usually features different sensors to measure soil parameters such as, soil moisture, pH level, temperature and lighting level. These gadgets are very cheap and spending few dollars more on these additional features is always a wise option considering the future.
Cost: never spend more than 1dollars for an analog soil pH meter and 30 dollars for a digital soil pH tester.
Accuracy: pH soil testers are quick and efficient way for testing soil pH. However, they have metallic electrodes that limits its ability to measure an average reading which is more preferred over a localized one. To solve this you either can repeat the reading at few different places or use soil pH test kit with solution indicators or test stripes.
Brand: There are few established brands in this market. You will see few major brand names will come up frequently when looking for best soil pH testers. It’s always recommend to go for a good brand because they provide better documentation and help if something goes wrong.
Product features
Help you to control Ph level in soil, acidic or alkaline is suitable for your plants You will never plant your lovely flowers into high-acid or Extreme alkalinity soil. Help you to determine if plant getting adequate light. Let you know when to water. Dry and needs water or wet and could use a day to dry out. You will never over/under water your plants again. This Soil Meter helps you to know your soil more clearly.
Liquid tests
These are probably the most well known and are based on the colour change of the indicator caused by the level of hydrogen ion concentration of the water. The resulting colour is then compared to a standard colour chart corresponding to a known pH. Some of the drop tests can measure a broad pH range (e.g. 3–or 4–10), but I found them quite inaccurate in acidic conditions. You could get better results with tests in the range 6–7.or 7.4–9.
Dip tests
These can give you a quick, albeit often less accurate result. Just dip the test strip in the water and match the colour on the reference chart or use your camera phone to take the readings for you. The test strips are sensitive to high humidity and can age quickly, so always keep the tub closed.
Electronic tests
Using a handheld or built-in electronic pH meters eliminates the use of indicators and also gives you an option to quickly check the pH in several tanks or monitor it in a permanent way. The most frequently used probes have a glass electrode and a reference electrode. They determine the pH of the water by measuring the voltage (potential) between them. The results strongly depend on the sensitivity and the quality of the probe, so it’s worth investing a bit more in a reliable meter to ensure you have accurate results. Some will even control and maintain the pre-set pH for you. Another issue that can have a strong influence on accuracy is calibration. Electronic pH probes must be calibrated regularly. The cheaper versions use only a one-point calibration (at pH7), but the better ones have two- or three-point (at pH4, pHand pH10) calibration. Check the manual as to whether your probe requires dry or wet storage, as the dried out electrode will deliver false results.
Things That Affect Soil pH
Temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and seasonal weather changes all influence the soil pH. High precipitation, for example, will wash essential nutrients out of the soil. Many nutrients, such as calcium carbonates, are basic so as these nutrients leave the soil, it becomes more acidic.
Water coming into contact with decaying material in the soil (like leaves, for example) can also cause the pH to drop, because decaying matter releases carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide mixes with water, acids can form.
Drier climates or regions going through a drought will have a more alkaline soil pH. Because there isn’t as much water moving through the soil, minerals and salts become concentrated, increasing the pH.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing soil is very important to get the best crop yields. Because pH will affect how easily available nutrients are to plants, it’s important to check soil pH before and after adding any type of fertilizer. By knowing your pH you can decide how much and what type of fertilizer you need.
Artificial nitrogen fertilizers tend to lower pH the most in soils. Organic fertilizer will acidify the soil once they come in contact with water, because of the soluble organic acids they contain.
Optimal Soil pH Ranges
Plants that thrive in more acidic soil include apple trees (pH 5 – pH 6.5), potatoes (pH 4.– pH 6), and orchids (pH 4.– pH 5.5). Alkaline loving plants include acacia and walnut trees (they both like soil between pH – pH 8).
To figure out the best pH for your needs, the type of plants that you want to grow. Natural soil is typically between pH and pH If your soil’s pH doesn’t match the plants optimal range, you’ll need to treat your soil.
Slurry pH Testing
The slurry method allows you to get a representative sample and measurement of an entire area with just one test. Because soil pH can vary within a small area, be sure to take a representative sample. The soil should be taken from the same depth below the surface each time you test.
While this means a little extra work, you will get measurements that are more accurate since the amount of nutrients, types of soil, and moisture content can vary across a planted area.
All these things affect the pH of soil, so it’s important to track your pH at many points.
Soil pH Testing Options
Cons: Hard to read, loss of precision, hidden costs pH test strips (aka litmus paper) are paper strips that have been saturated with pH-sensitive dyes. When exposed to a damp substance, the strips will change color relative to that substance’s pH. This color change corresponds to a color chart provided with the test strips. This method for testing is quick, easy, and inexpensive, but it does have some disadvantages.
Tests strips will not give the most accurate test results either; they only have a resolution of 0.pH units. This means the closest your test results can get to your soil’s true pH would be 0.pH +/-. Being 0.pH units off means a greater cost to treat the soil. If the soil treatment is not accurate you can have low crop yield and dead plants.
Care & Maintenance of Your Soil pH Electrode
Proper care and maintenance of your pH electrode is essential. Appropriate care of electrodes will extend its useful life. Our maintenance motto will help you to remember the three main concepts in electrode maintenance: Clean Regularly, Calibrate Often, and Condition Always.
Condition Always
If the soil foams or bubbles then your soil is alkaline. If the soil does nothing, then test it for acidity.
Testing soil for Acidity! Take a new sample and clean the glass container before beginning this test.
Take a sample from 5-inches below ground in the place where you want to plant something. If your garden is small you can test your soil in all garden by mixing soil from different spots.
Remove from soil anything but the soil. Break up all large clumps.
Tube can be difficult to fill properly
We rated the pH Soil Meter, 3-in-Soil Tester Kit 5.0 out of stars, and is an excellent moisture meter, light, and pH acidity tester. Its responsive probe senses soil changes and displays accurate values to the user. No electricity or batteries are used by this product, making it environmentally friendly. Moisture is measured by inserting the probe completely into the soil to reach the root level. The correct moisture level will be displayed, and the user simply needs to refer to the included chart to find out watering needs.
Light is measured by holding the meter next to a plant and facing a light source (don’t touch the sensing element which is located underneath the gauge!). Check light level and refer to the included chart for correct light requirements. To test soil pH, insert the probe into the soil. A pH reading that’s less than is acidic, and readings greater than indicate an alkaline soil.
This quality dual soil pH and moisture meter is rated 4.out of stars (by us), and provides simple, accurate checking of soil moisture level and pH balance (alkalinity and acidity). Its extra long probe allows users to measure significantly below a plant’s root zone. This meter is perfect for commercial use (orchards, vineyards, lawn maintenance, and field production) and home use (planters, lawn maintenance, and gardens).
This product includes moisture and soil pH meter and instruction manual. It works as advertised, gives accurate pH level readings, and is good for either commercial or home use.
This 4-in-instrument is a light and temperature sensor (measures sunlight intensity and temperature using an in. (200mm) probe), and also tests moisture and pH balance. Readings are clearly displayed on a large LCD screen. This product also features an automatic power-off function and a low battery indicator.
Forward
The abbreviation EC refers to the Electrical Conductivity of the nutrient solution. In other words, it is the total amount of dissolved salts. While EC talks of the total concentration of all the nutrients present in a solution, it cannot give us the individual readings of each of the nutrients in isolation. However, that is not going to be a major concern for a hydroponic grower. Different kinds of hydroponic plants do well in different strengths of nutrient solution. The other names of EC (Electrical Conductivity) include CF (Conductive Factor), ppm (Parts per Million) and TDS (Total Dissolved Salts). Therefore, there are chances that different pieces of literature talk of the same thing by different names and therefore you must not be confused. Most EC meters present all these three kinds of readings on their sides.
Especially talking of a hydroponic garden, the pH levels of the nutrient solution is bound to fluctuate from time to time and therefore need a continuous monitoring. The pH can be tested in many ways starting from using the most economical pH papers or by using a sophisticated pH tester device.
Air stone
KKmoon Professional 3-in-Multi-parameter his is an all in one pH, EC and temperature tester. Electrode probes are replaceable. Automatic temperature compensation feature is available. The device is highly simple to use and easy to carry. The LCD is large and clear and provided with backlight. The device is very easy to read and is accurate to measure functions.
How to mix
The best ways to mix is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Different nutrient sold will have different formulas. And it’s better to mix it with the instruction you often see on the bottle, or on their website.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the ph meter by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your ph meter wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of ph meter
- №1 — Digital PH Meter
- №2 — Rozway Premium Pocket Size pH Meter Digital Water Quality Tester for Household Drinking Water
- №3 — VANTAKOOL Digital PH Meter
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about ph meter is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
