Best Lab pH Meters of 2025

"I recently bought the Apera Instruments AI209 PH20 pH tester kit, and it has truly revolutionized my home gardening and aquarium upkeep. The product arrived promptly in excellent condition, including all promised items: the pH meter, calibration solutions, storage solution, and a detailed manual. The tester feels solid and well-made right out of the box. I found it extremely easy to set up and calibrate, and the readings have been perfectly accurate every time."

"Having used cheaper pH testers previously, I was eager to verify their accuracy with a higher-end model. The Apera tester has proven to be reliable and generally spot on with its readings. However, I did find the calibration procedure to be a bit cumbersome, mainly due to the poorly written instructions. Despite this, I believe the Apera model is higher quality than my previous devices."

"I bought this tester to replace cheaper options and finally get accurate and reliable pH measurements for my pool. It works exceptionally well, and the included case protects the device nicely. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and can confidently recommend it to anyone looking for quality."

"I found the VIVOSUN Digital pH and TDS Meter Kit to be a must-have for managing my hydroponics. Both meters are lightweight, easy to use, and provide accurate readings for pH, TDS, EC, and temperature. The 0.01 pH accuracy is excellent, and calibration was straightforward. Overall, it makes water testing effortless!"

"I bought this set to track and adjust the pH and EC of my nutrient solutions. The TDS/EC Meter was surprisingly accurate right out of the box, and I was pretty happy with it. However, I faced issues with the pH Meter; it lost calibration after one use, which was quite frustrating. I think I need to calibrate it every time I start using it, which feels excessive."

"This tester has become essential for me. I use it several times a day to fine-tune my nutrients. I invested in EC fluid for calibration, and it gives me peace of mind knowing my readings are accurate. I appreciate the bonus pH tester as well, and I ended up buying two more sets as backups. I can’t imagine working without these!"

"I had been eyeing this PH meter for a while. The cheap meter I was using for my home brewing and charcuterie just wasn't cutting it. When the price of the PH60S dropped, I jumped on it. The quality was evident right out of the box. It came with a protective case, calibration solutions, and clear instructions that made set-up a breeze. The back-lit screen is fantastic for easy reading. I feel confident in this purchase and appreciate the accessible support contact information."

"I wanted to verify the accuracy of my pool's pH sensor. I don't like using color-coded strips, as they can be inaccurate depending on temperature. After some research, I found this meter highly recommended. It came in a well-organized kit and was easy to use, automatically adjusting for temperature. The design, allowing for storage solution to stand, is a thoughtful detail. While I haven't tested it against lab-grade equipment, it seems accurate enough for home use, and the replaceable sensor adds to its longevity."

"After extensive research, I opted for the Apera PH60 for my water testing needs. I realized that cheaper options would lead to inaccurate results, so spending a bit more felt justified. The kit was a great value, and I was lucky to purchase it before the price increase. The calibration was straightforward, and I appreciate the included buffering solution to keep the probe hydrated. This model stands out for its accuracy and durability, making it a worthy investment."

"I’ve had my Bluelab pen for two years and it’s been awesome for my growing. The accuracy is fantastic and it has really helped me elevate my skills. Yes, it requires a bit of effort to maintain, but it’s worth it for how important pH is to me. I’ll definitely buy another when this one stops working!"

"I'm really impressed with the quality of Bluelab products. This pen delivers consistent results and I love that it’s waterproof. Just remember to use the storage solution to keep the probes in good shape!"

"Initially, I was disappointed with the pen, but the customer service was fantastic. They sent me a replacement right away, and now it works perfectly. I appreciate the quick response and the pen's performance after the replacement."

"I found the pH meter to be quite accurate. It was easy to set up and I was measuring within 15 minutes. The electrode calibrated easily and stayed stable during use. Very pleased so far!"

"I was really disappointed with this product. Despite recommendations, it turned out to be wildly inaccurate. The readings jumped all over the place, and I went through several probes without fixing the issue. DO NOT BUY THIS METER!"

"Using this meter in my scientific laboratory has been a breeze. The calibration is quick and simple, and the results are always precise. I would definitely recommend this instrument to others."

“After trying several cheaper pH meters, I decided to splurge on this one and couldn't be happier. The ease of use and accuracy are outstanding. My results are almost exactly the same as a friend's super fancy wine analyzer machine, and I only calibrated the meter once several months ago. I just keep the cover of the probe filled with storage solution and have had no issues.”

“We have a saying in my house, 'You don't always get what you paid for, but you never get what you didn't pay for.' I initially looked at the portable $10 to $20 meters, but the one I purchased would not even calibrate. After resuming my search and triangulating between reviews, prices, and my own experience, I landed on this one. I use it in my spa weekly, and so far it has held calibration and works reliably. I also bought the storage solution. The cap over the end of the probe is a bit tight but does slide off with focused effort. I keep a quarter inch of storage solution in the cap and always store it with the cap on, tip immersed. My father's advice on tools was to invest in quality and take care of them. If you do, they will last and be cheaper in the long run, and you get the satisfaction of handling a quality tool. For my needs, this one hits the sweet spot.”

"I decided to invest in a more accurate pH meter after having multiple cheap ones that were inaccurate. This one feels much more solid and so far, it's worth the extra cost for better accuracy."

"Once calibrated, this meter is a breeze to use. I've been using it daily for four months now, and I haven't encountered any problems. Highly reliable!"

"I was pleasantly surprised by this pH meter after having trouble with a more expensive brand. It's very accurate and has better usability. Thanks to Mr. Canuck for bringing AC Infinity to my attention!"

“As someone with sensitive skin, I always need to check the pH of my water to avoid dryness. This meter helps me ensure the safety of my refrigerator filter water as well.”

“I found this meter to be super easy to use and read. I tested both my tap and filtered water, and they were within the normal drinking range. It's so convenient that I now want to carry it everywhere to test water before drinking!”

“I bought this for my travel needs. It's compact and fits easily in my suitcase. The probe is simple to clean, and it accurately tests water hardness and drinkability. I even tried it on distilled beverages to compare purity with regular water.”

"I was a bit hesitant due to the negative reviews, but this is the second PH meter I've purchased. My first one calibrated easily and provided accurate readings. After a week of use, I decided to order a second one for my other fish tank location. They do vary a bit, with a 0.10 point difference, but I’m quite satisfied with both."

"This meter really helped me achieve the pH levels I wanted for my plants. I appreciate the construction quality and the illuminated display. However, it only stays lit for a few seconds, which can be inconvenient during use."

"I had high hopes for this pH meter, but after using it a few times, I found it to be inaccurate unless recalibrated daily. It’s a hassle that I wasn't willing to deal with, so I returned it and went back to my reliable droplet test kit."

"I found the setup for this pH meter incredibly simple. The clear instructions made calibration a breeze, and once calibrated, my results were spot on. I used it for my college chemistry course, and it worked beautifully."

"This 3-in-1 pH/TDS/Temperature meter has truly exceeded my expectations! Its 0.01 resolution is perfect for my aquarium maintenance and wine-making experiments. The automatic temperature compensation ensures that readings are consistent, and it’s very easy to calibrate."

"I was excited to replace my old bromothymol blue drops with this digital pH meter. However, the pH value tends to jump around quite a bit, which can be annoying. While it does eventually stabilize, it takes a long time—over 3 minutes. I really appreciate the wide range of pH values it can measure, though!"