The Best Pool Test Strips

Finding the perfect test strips for your swimming pool can be a complicated process. That is because you need to ensure that the model works, and they are hundreds of brands.  

But what are the best pool test strips? The article below reviews the top 10 models you can get on the market today. 

We have also given you a buying guide to help you when choosing your strip.

Top 10 Pool Test Strips Reviews

Which are the top 10 test strips that can help you to maintain your pool balanced? Here are their reviews:

1. Poolmaster 22211 Smart Test 4-Way Test Strips 

With up to 50 counts per pack, the Poolmaster 22211 is the perfect test kit to last you all summer. The strips can help you to maintain a healthy pool that you can swim in without worrying. 

You can analyze four variables using the strips, which are pH, Alkalinity, Bromine, and chlorine. The best part is you only need to dip the strips in your pool to get the reading. 

One feature that makes them superb is the absence of bleed pads, and that provides an accurate color reading. The strips come inside a tightly sealed container that is easy to store. 

Key Highlights 

• Up to 50 counts 
• Maintain a healthy pool 
• Easy to use 
• Accurate color reading 
• Well-sealed container 

2. AquaChek 551236 7-Way 100 Count Pool Water Test Strips 

The 7-way strip tests for Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, pH, Cyanuric Acid, and Bromine. It does all that to give you a well-maintained pool. 

You only need to dip the strips in water for about 15 seconds, and you get the results. The package comes with a reusable color chart that helps you to compare the test results with the color. 

Another great thing is you get up to 100 counts to last you all summer. They are also economical and can provide you value for your bucks.

Key Highlights

• Up to 100 count
• Get results within 15 seconds 
• 7-way test kits 
• Comes with a color chart
• Easy to use and store 
• For above ground pool 

3. AquaChek Yellow Test Strips 

Here you get 50 counts of strips that can last you for a while and remove the need to revisit the market. They are easy to use and will not cause any mess that can occur with most test kits. 

The strips were designed to provide you with the most accurate result possible. You can easily use them even if you are not a professional who maintains swimming pools. 

The strips are also fast in that they give you the readings within 30 seconds. You only need to dip them in water to measure the pool chemicals. 

The product is ideal for determining the levels of pH, Free Chlorine, Stabilizer, and Total Alkalinity.

Key Highlights 

• Up to 50 count
• Give reading within 30 seconds 
• No messes 
• For home use

4. Poolmaster 22212 Smart Test 6-Way Test Strips

The package includes 50 counts of test strips that are handy for maintaining a swimming pool. You can manage your pool water with the strips, and they are also perfect for the spa.  

It is a 6-way product that allows you to analyze up to six factors, which are Alkalinity, Bromine, Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Total Hardness, and pH. They ensure that you get a sanitized pool that is free of contaminants.

Another great thing is you can use the strips without any issue as you only need to dip them in water. Then you get the readings within 15 minutes, which is quite fast.

The strips come with an easy to store container.

Key Highlights:

• Up to 50 count 
• Easy to use 
• Easy to store container 
• Measures different variables 
• Can keep the pool sanitized 

5. AquaChek 541640A Select Refills Test Strips

The strips let you test for pH, Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, Hardness, Cyanuric Acid, and Total Alkalinity. It is the perfect package for people with AquaChek Select Kit who only require strips.

The bottle comes with up to 50 strips to last you long and gives value for money. Another great thing is the ease of use, as you do not need to assemble anything when using the strips.

You simply dip them in water and get the result within 15 seconds. They are one of the best test strips you can find on the market today.

Key Highlights

• No assembly 
• Up to 50 count 
• Test results in seconds 
• Last for long 

6. AquaChek TruTest Test Strips 

With no visual color matching, you can have an easy time when using the above test strips. You get up to 50 counts to last you all summer and continue swimming in a safe facility.

The strips are easy to use as you only need to dip them in water and get the result within 15 seconds. One great thing is they give you accurate results and can test for most variables.

The strips help to measure Total Alkalinity, pH, Bromine, and Free Chlorine levels. You can eliminate any doubt when you choose these refill strips to measure your pool’s chemicals.

Key Highlights 

• No visual color matching 
• Provide results within 15 seconds 
• Accurate results 
• Refill container 
• No more guesswork 

7. Clorox Pool & Spa 70050CLX 6-Way Test Strips

The product helps to test for Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, pH, Total Hardness, Stabilizer, and Total Alkalinity. It is the perfect solution to most pool problems and can maintain an excellent facility.

You get up to 50 counts of strips to last you all summer and ensure you have a safe pool. Another great thing is the ease of use – you only need to dip the test strips in the water to get a reading.

The strips provide the reading within 15 seconds to leave you with more time for swimming.  You get value for your hard-earned money when you choose this product by Clorox.

Key Highlights 

• Up to 50 count 
• Easy to use
• Give results within 15 seconds 
• Maintain a healthy pool 

8. HTH 1071 Multipurpose 6-Way Test Strip

You get up to 30 strips to last you for a month if you wish to check the chemicals daily. The strips help to measure pH, Total Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Chlorine, Bromine, and Cyanuric Acid.

One thing that makes them ideal is the convenience they bring when testing your pool. You only need to dip them in water, and you get the results within 15 seconds.

The strips can ensure that you have a well-balanced pool or spa you can swim in without any worry. You can also count on their accuracy – they give precise results.

Key Highlights

• Give precise results 
• Up to 30 count 
• Convenient to use 
• Results within 15 minutes 
• Some of the affordable 
• Highly dependable strips

9. AquaChek 561140A Salt Water Swimming Pool Test Strips 

The strips were designed for salt water pool and can ensure you have a well-maintained facility. It comes with all the instructions you would need to use the test strips the right way. 

The bottle contains up to 10 strips that let you test your pool for about one week or so. It is the perfect product to check for sodium chloride or salt. 

You do not need to assemble anything when using the strips, making them easy to use. The strips are made to provide results within 15 seconds to ensure you do not wait for long. 

Key Highlights 

• For measuring sodium chloride 
• Up to 10 test strips 
• Get results within 15 seconds 
• Easy to use 

10. LaMotte Insta-Test 4 Plus 

LaMotte Insta-Test strip can test for up to four variables, including Total Hardness, pH, Bromine, Alkalinity, and Chlorine. The strip boasts of a one-dip design that makes it easy to use. 

One great thing is the package comes with English, Spanish, and French instructions. You can follow the instructions through your preferred language. 

The bottle comes with a desiccant liner that protects the strips from UV light and moisture. You can store them and have confidence they remain in good condition for long. 

Key Highlights

• Multilanguage instructions 
• Comes with a desiccant liner 
• Offers easy drip design 
• Up to 50 count 

Pool Test Strips: Buyer’s Guide 

When choosing your test strips, you need to consider two things:

• Read the product reviews and customer testimonials. 
• Keep all the essential features of the strips in mind.

Since we have looked at product reviews and highlighted the critical features, you are in a better position to pick your pool strips now. There are other factors to consider, which are:

1. Ease of Use

The perfect pool strips should be easy to use. They should allow you to test your pool by dipping them in your pool and getting the results within 15 seconds or less. 

The strips should also have a color scale for matching the results. You might assume that it is easy to interpret every test strip, but that not right.

Some models come with dull color codes, which is impossible to compare with, especially for men. Other people might find it hard to compare too many test variables. 

2. The Accuracy 

It is the most critical feature you should watch out for when choosing your strips. You might get an easy-to-use product, but that will not matter unless it provides accurate results. 

You should have confidence in the pool strips you buy and know they will keep your facility well-balanced. That is the only way you can have a good pool. 

3. Consistent Results 

Consistent results mean that the strips provide the same reading even if another person checks the pool, or you check it multiple times. These results should not change when you do the test with a different brand’s strips. 

4. Suitability of the Strips 

Pool test strips offer an easy and quick way to test your pool’s water chemicals. These products provide ranges of the test to meet all your testing needs. 

You can get a 4-way, 6-way, and 7-way test strip. That is why you should consider the factors you want to test before you buy your test strips.

5. The Design 

You should also check how the strips are designed to ensure that you get quality products. For instance, ensure you choose large models that you can grip comfortably while conducting the test. 

The bottle that houses the strips should be protected from the sun and moisture to prevent degradation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let us look at the FAQs about pool test strips.

Q: How to Read Pool Test Strips?

A: Follow these steps:

• Submerge your strip about six inches in the water for two seconds
• Ensure the pads face up when removing it
• Shake to get rid of excess water
• Place you strip against a color legend
• Read the results immediately starting with chlorine, alkalinity, ph, and calcium

Q: How Long Do Pool Test Strips Last?

A: The reagents used to check the pool’s chemicals lasts for 12-24 months. Old test strips and reagents can give inaccurate readings – you should replace them before they experience. 

Q: What Do Pool Test Strips Test For?

A: The strips can test for calcium hardness, total alkalinity, pH, free chlorine, total chlorine, and other pool chemicals. They can also check for salt in the swimming pool. 

The test strips are developed to test for all pool chemicals. 

Q: How to Use Pool Test Strips?

A: To use these strips, dip the equipment into your swimming pool and remove it after two seconds. Hold it level for about 15-second, and then you will notice the color appearing for the various chemical values. 

Compare the colors with the given chart on the bottle. 

In Conclusion

Every pool owner should have the best swimming pool test strips to ensure that they test the pool regularly. These kits help to balance the water chemistry and make it easier to maintain a safe pool.

Regular testing of your pool is critical, and the simplicity of test strips encourages the testing. They also make it simpler to follow the desired pool maintenance schedule.