5 Best pH Meters - Top Picks in 2020 (Reviews & Guide)

 Knowing the exact level of pH of your water or any other solution is important to maintain health and improve safety. For example, using acidic water in washing the car can lead to corrosion in the long run. Drinking alkaline water can provide a host of benefits for some people who need such a type of water. For most of us, however, drinking clean and fresh water at a neutral pH is enough. So, how do we know we have the right pH in our water? You will need a reliable pH meter. 

There are different types of pH meters available on the market today. To help you select the best one for your project, I have highlighted the different kinds of pH meters to choose from.

Although it requires both your hands to operate it, a handheld meter is still quite portable. For the most part, this pH meter type has greater functionality and features a bigger screen compared to its pen style counterpart.

The electrodes in these pH measurement devices are attached to the cable’s end.

Additionally, most handheld pH meter models are shockproof and waterproof.

Nothing beats the pen style meter when it comes to portability. Not only does it easily fit in your pocket and bag, but also they come with travel cases.

Furthermore, it features a convenient and easy single-hand operation. The pen style meter has an electrode trip, which is waterproof in some models.

These pH meters are mainly used for laboratory use, meaning they are pretty expensive compared to other types. Accuracy-wise, it is also the best among the pH types, especially since it uses a multitude of electrodes with some special functions.

They are, in general, easy to use, and they make it quite simple to record and read pH measurements.

When measuring solid materials, you will need other types of pH meters. Soil pH meter units are used to test oil, and surface pH meters test food like cheese.

There are many advantages of using a pH meter over a pH testing strip or some other form of measurement.

One of the main reasons is that a pH meter is much more accurate than a strip tester is. Once you calibrate your meter, it gives you a straightforward reading that’s understandable. There’s not really any room for doubt or confusion.

Using a pH meter is also just very objective compared to reading a color pH testing strip. These strips tend to vary by color and brand, so getting a reading depends on how you think the colors look.

A pH meter just gives you a simple number that’s easy to understand and the same across the board.

A pH meter also has the advantage of being reusable. You don’t have to throw it away after a single use like most pH measuring tools.

You can measure with a single meter as many times as you like, saving you money and convenience.

HM Digital pH/TDS/EC/Temp meter

The COM-300 is an advanced waterproof combo meter with superior accuracy. The meter measures four parameters: pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and temperature. Features include 2 different conductivity conversion factors to convert EC to TDS using the 0.5 (NaCl) or 0.7 (442TM), as well as selectable modes for measurements in the µS, mS and ppm scales. The meter incorporates automatic temperature compensation (ATC) to accommodate for discrepancies in temperature that would naturally occur, and also features digital calibration for easy and precise calibration that will yield better results.

Oakton Eco Tester TDS Low

• Very economical conductivity and TDS pocket meter


• Ergonomically designed display to view measurements easily


• Waterproof and dustproof housing


• Stainless steel electrodes


• Built-in belt/pocket clip

Apera Instruments AI209 pH Meter

With this Apera Instruments model, you get everything you need for a versatile and convenient pH meter. The kit includes a lanyard, a couple of batteries, 7pH, and 4 pH buffer solutions as well as a sturdy tester carrying case.

And, its accuracy is quite impressive and is as good as you get from any non-medical equipment. Even better, the AI209 will not be affected by the changes in the water’s temperatures, meaning you get accurate readings whenever you want to use it.

Milwaukee EC65 Waterproof Tester

• Automatic Temperature Compensation


• IP67 Waterproof Casing


• Replaceable Electrode


• Easy to Read LCD


• Easy to Use

ECO Farm 5 in 1 TDS/EC/Salt/S.G./Temperature Test Meter

• ECO Farm 5-in-1 water quality meter can measure TDS/EC/S.G/seawater specific gravity/temperature. The measurement range is large and wide and can measure freshwater salinity and sea salt.


• This product can detect the salinity of edible salt. At the same time, it can detect the salinity of seawater. Food salinity measuring range: 0.00-25.00%, seawater salinity measuring range: 10.1-200.0ppt.


• Conductivity: Portable TDS meters can be carried anywhere to measure water quality such as tap water, RO system water, aquarium, seawater, pool water.


• Measurement Range: 0 to 10000us/cm 10.01-19.99ms 20.1-400ms /cm, Resolution: 1us/cm, 0.1ms /cm. Accuracy: ±2% of the reading


• [TDS]: measurement range: 0-1000ppm, 1000ppm to 10000ppm, 10.1-200.0 PPT (automatic range selection), Resolution: 1ppm.