Last Updated on November 2, 2022 by TODD FRANZEN
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to knowing what is in the water you drink. With hundreds of contaminants, it’s impossible to know what really is in your water. As technology has gotten better, the ease of use and simplicity of water testing kits has become more accessible to more Americans and people around the world.
There are a variety of water testing kits on the market, and it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. In this blog post, we will discuss the best water testing kits on the market as well as their pros and cons. The eight different water test kits that we will be discussing are…
Best Overall
Safehome Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These Ultimate Drinking Water Testing Kits is the consumer’s easiest way to get a water testing kits delivered to your door. The kit also includes a bonus bacteria test so you can see how clean your water really is.
The kit comes to you in a professionally packaged styrofoam container with an ice pack you freeze before you ship back. The testing is done at an EPA-certified lab in Madison Indiana and is manufactured in the USA.
They offer multiple different testing kits ranging from their Ultimate testing 200 different Analytes, Premium testing 50 different Analytes, and Select testing 15 different analytes with the price of $400, $199, and $149 respectively. There is also a heavy metals kit that tests aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, chromium, iron, lead, zinc, manganese, and sodium. This test sells for $130.
Their Ultimate tests run about $2.00/Analyte.
Safehome tests for just about everything. All the important contaminants like arsenic, lead, bacteria (coliform), cysts and viruses, chloramine, chlorine, chromium, fluoride, nitrates and nitrites, PFOA and PFOS, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Their 200 different testing parameters test for 7 In-Organics, 12 Physical Properties, 31 Metals, 20 Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds, 130 Volatile Organic Compounds. So if you are serious about treating your water correctly, this will help you choose the right filtration and purification system for your water!
This is where the value really is in the Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit and the number of analytes it tests. Even though it is one of the most expensive, it is also one of the most comprehensive water test kits on the market. And it can do well water testing as well.
Pros: screens over 200 contaminants, provides detailed digital results via email in about two weeks. Multiple kits to choose from
Cons: Not friendly for most budget-conscious people
Best Runner Up
National Testing Laboratories Water Deluxe Test Kit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NTL Water Testing Kits is the 3rd lab testing on this list. Located in Ypsilanti Michigan, this accredited lab has proudly maintained ISO 17025 accreditation since 2010.
They offer a number of different tests for both well and municipal water supplies. Their high-end offering The Deluxe tests 115 analytes for $285 or about $2.48/Analyte.
As with the other lab testing kits, this one comes with everything you need to get the results you need.
Something that I find interesting is they also have offerings for industry professionals like home inspections and realtors. A lot of local health departments don’t require that your water is tested for a home sale transaction. But is being required more and more often. Depending on the test, the turnaround time can be anywhere between 2-15 days. Something to think about for the largest purchase of your life!
Pros: Multiple options to choose from, quiz based test to narrow down what you need, can test for some unique contaminates Multiple kits to choose from
Cons: Expensive, Return shipping is not included
Second Runner Up
Simplelab Tap Water Test Kits ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This kit is a professional water lab founded by the University of California in Berkley. Their focus is on smaller clients that might get overlooked during the testing process. They are committed to “offering families, individuals, and small business customers the most useful, efficient and affordable water testing services available in the USA”.
SimpleLab offers 3 tests for Municaple water ranging in price from,
- Essential City Water test for $139 with 45 analytes or $3.09/analyte
- Advanced City Water Test for $229 with 108 analytes or $2.12/analyte
- Extended City Water Test for $599 with 118 analytes or $5.07/analyte.
Simply put, the higher the price, the more tests that are completed.
There are also 4 extra test kits that can be purchased. There is a comprehensive test offering that runs $2499. This includes everything you need to complete around 302 or $8.27/analytes and covers all materials and shipping. Petroleum, Mold and Fungus, and PFAS Tests that you can choose to do as well. These run $129, $185, and $289 respectively.
SimpleLab also does well water testing. With a similar approach as above.
- Essential Well for $169 and 51 Analytes-$3.31/analyte
- Advanced Well $249 and 111 Analytes-$2.24/analyte
- Extended Well for $729 and 182 Analytes-$4.00/analyte
Their results come in the form of a detailed interactive report making it easy to scroll through and make decisions on the type of filters and purifiers you might need to feel confident in your water!
SimpleLab really does a good job covering a lot of ground (or water) and is the reason we choose them as our BEST OVERALL!
Pros: Hundreds of Analytes, Specific to City or Well, multiple kits to choose from
Cons: Maybe a bit costly for smaller budgets
Best Budget
Varify 17-in-1 Premium Drinking Water Test Kits
For those of you that are on a budget, the Varify 17-in-1 premium drinking water test kits might be just what you are looking for. The 17 parameter kit covers the main contaminants you need to worry about. This Includes Lead, Bacteria (E. Coli Contamination), Fluoride, Mercury, Iron, Copper, Sulfate, Zinc, Hydrogen Sulfide, Total chlorine, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Total Alkalinity, Hardness, Sodium Chloride, and Manganese!
The Varify test kit may not be as accurate as the lab tests on this list, but the color-coded instructions will give you an accurate result.
The kit comes with 100 test strips and 2 bacteria tests that take 48 hours for results. And with 83% of the people giving this a 4+ star rating on Amazon, so rest is easy knowing that this system works. At $29.95, it is a good way to see what may be in your water.
Pros: Easy to use, simple instructions
Cons: Some customers have had inaccurate results
Best Budget Runner Up
SJ Wave 16 in 1 Water Test Kit
This runner-up sits right at the $20 mark. You get 100 strips that will last up to two years in storage unopened. Each strip gives you 16 different tests.
The 16 different tests are Total Hardness, Free Chlorine, Iron, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, MPS, Total Chlorine, Fluoride, Cyanuric Acid, Ammonia Chloride, QAC, Total Alkalinity, Carbonate, and pH. Giving you the basics of what is in your water.
the nice thing about the test strips is you can test a number of different sources. From your city water, well water, pool and hot tub, and even your aquarium. They are CE certified for proven, reliable, and quick results in 2 minutes.
Pros: Budget-conscious, easy to use,
Cons: Some customers had inaccurate results
Best Well
Watersafe 10-in-1 Drinking Water Test Kit
Watersafe’s 10-in-1 Drinking Water Test Kit is unique to the water testing list. Its lead testing is backed by the EPA for accuracy and has been the go-to brand for Well testing for the last 25 years.
The one-off test looks for Bacteria, Lead, Pesticides, Nitrate and Nitrites, pH and Hardness, Chlorine, Copper, and Iron. All the basics that you need to know about in your well water.
There are 6 separate tests to detect contaminates, but unlike other testing systems, these can only be used once. Even though the tests and kit are designed for Well water, you can use it with your municipal supply as well.
Pros: Easy to use, Good lead results, Tests for the basic contaminates
Cons: Some users have reported inaccurate results, can only be used once
Best Heavy Metal
Safehome HEAVY METALS Test Kit
I want to get away from the strip testing for a minute. When it comes to heavy metals, I believe it’s important to get accurate results. And the Safehome Heavy Metals water testing tests are no exception.
At $130 dollars, it is not the cheapest test. At $13.00/analyte, it is the most expensive test on this list.
If you’re in the market for a new filter system, knowing where these levels are at will help you choose the right filters and give you a better quality of water. I like the safe home products as they are made in the USA and help support clean water initiatives.
Pros: Accurate results,
Cons: Expensive,
Runner Up
SaySummer 16-in-1 Drinking Water Test Kit
If you are on the Absolute Super Budget, SaySummer test strips are a good alternative way to go. This water testing kit sells for $17. You get 100 strips and will test the levels of Total Hardness, Free Chlorine, Iron, Copper, Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, MPS, Total Chlorine, Fluoride, Cyanuric Acid, Ammonia Chloride, Bromine, Total Alkalinity, Carbonate, pH in one dip.
It is because it covers quite a bit of contaminates and different factors, and its price is the most inexpensive is why it makes our list!
Excellent customer service will help answer any questions you might have. The strips can also be used in a number of different water sources like municipal and well water, pool, spa, hot tub, and aquarium water as well as check to make sure your water softener is working.
Pros: inexpensive, easy to use
Cons: some customers have reported inaccurate results
To wrap it up…
Water test kits are a valuable tool in ensuring the safety of your drinking water. They can help you detect contaminants and pollutants in your water so that you can take corrective action. In this blog post, we have reviewed 8 different water test kits, ranging from simple to more complex tests. We have also looked at the pros and cons of each kit, to help you make an informed decision about which kit is right for you.
Types of water testing kits:
Lab kits
Lab Kits are the most expensive kits on the market today. Which can be a big turn-off. But they are also the most accurate. But you also get what you pay for. Usually with a lot more information regarding your sample.
You want to look for a lab that has accreditation for your own peace of mind. All the labs discussed above are ones I recommend and trust. There is a little bit of work on your end, like filling sample containers and shipping the samples out.
Test strips
Strips are the most affordable ways to test your water. People have a love-hate relationship with them due to their accuracy. Most of them use a color-based Analysis and depending on the shade, can tell you the results. But sometimes, it is very hard to distinguish the shades. Leading to an ambiguous understanding of what or how contaminated your water is.
Digital Instruments
This option is non-disposable. Can be used multiple times. Your typical devices test pH and TDS (total dissolved solids).
PH is an indication of how alkaline or acidic your water is. If your water is more alkaline, 8.0 and above typically means you might have more minerals in it. This can also mean that you have harder water. If your water is more acidic, 6.5 or less, can mean a whole different set of contaminants in also prove that your water is more corrosive. Either way, this can have damaging effects on your home’s plumbing system and appliances that use water.
A TDS meter test for the quality of your water. It measures all the good and the bad stuff. The meter shouldn’t read above 300 ppm, and if it does, it could mean that there are more harmful contaminants in your water.
Both of these are handheld digital devices and can help measure important aspects of your water. But they will not tell you what is in your water! These are great tools to use to determine what type of test you might need to know specifically what is in your water.
FAQ
How accurate are these tests?
Lab testing is always going to be a lot more accurate and informative than the testing strips! Testing strips have their pros and cons but can give you a general idea of your water quality.
Should I test water from my water district?
Absolutely! All water should be tested to know what is in it at a current level. There are always going to be discrepancies between when the water was tested by your water district and when it comes out of your faucet. Remember it might go through miles of pipes before it reaches you!
How often should I test my private well?
The EPA recommends a minimum of once a year. I would recommend at least quarterly. Depending on where you live, how fast your groundwater recovers can determine the type of contaminants that are found in it.
***Just a reminder, myexcellentwaterfilter.com is an affiliate site. We may or may not make a commission on the products within the discussion above. The information here is solely to help inform you and provide access! Please leave any comments or questions you have below!