Finding the best pH meter is quite a chore. In fact, hydroponic gardening, in general, can feel a lot like an undergraduate-level science class at times!
Unlike soil-based gardening, growers need to keep track of every little detail. Your water quality, and especially the pH level of your nutrient solution, is vital to track. Failing to properly monitor your nutrient solution can result in sickly plants and a healthy dose of frustration.。
Why is pH important in hydroponics?
pH is a measure of acidity. The pH of your garden matters to your plants because it determines how well your plants will be able to absorb nutrients from your hydroponic nutrient solution. Nutrients react with the molecules in your water differently at various pH levels, becoming more or less available to your plants for absorption. Most of the nutrients your plants will need are most available at roughly the same pH level, which gives you your ideal pH range for the water you input into your farm. This is usually between 5.5 and 6.5.
Though all of these hydroponic pH meters strive for similar goals (properly detecting and displaying pH levels), they offer different functions and conveniences. We have a list of questions to ask yourself to help narrow down your choices to help you find the ideal pH meter to care for your hydroponic systems:
Are you looking for a meter that just measures the pH of your water, or are you also in the market for a meter that can maintain your system and automatically adjust the temperature in addition to a pH check? – Every single one of the digital pH meters on our list as the ability to accurately check pH levels, but only two have the option to manage a system that can help maintain temperature and pH levels. If you are looking to create a self-maintaining system of pH (1) management, this is a feature to consider.
How mobile does your pH meter need to be? – You could have the most accurate pH system in the world, but if you need to take it to different sites regularly, it may be frustrating to have to uninstall and reinstall a complicated system. Likewise, if you are only going to be measuring the pH level of one specific system, a simple, handheld unit might not quite do the job you need it to. Consider convenience and mobility before purchasing a pH meter.
How accurate would you like your pH meter to be? – All of the pH meters on our list are accurate, but not all have the same level of precision as the others. Some are able to be as accurate down to the 1/100th unit of pH, whereas others only down to a 1/10th unit. Depending on your preferred level of accuracy, this can easily narrow down your choices to a final one a bit faster.
What’s your price range? – A simple question can quickly narrow down your options. The range of choices on our list can be hundreds of dollars apart so the top meter for hydroponics might end up being out of your price range. Consider how much you can or want to spend before getting your heart set on a pH meter.
Do you already have a certain family of products that may be compatible with one specific pH meter brands- If you otherwise can’t narrow down your options for the ideal pH meter (2), consider if you’ve already invested in a line of products from a certain brand. If you’ve begun constructing a hydroponic system with a particular brand, considering buying a compatible pH meter to complement it.
If you are wanting to test the dissolved solids in solutions you will need to look at something like an EC tester.
Running a hydroponic system can be a complicated, tedious task, and there are so many factors to consider when building and maintaining the ideal system. The perfect pH meter can help you care for your system by determining if the plant is in need of more water, an adjustment in your nutrient solution or temperature. We’ve done a chunk of the work for you to help narrow down your choices for the top hydroponic pH meters around, but the final choice is up to you. Any of the meters on our list will last a lifetime if you take proper care of them. Make sure you consider your specific needs so that you end up with an optimal product, and always handle the probe with care. The last thing you want is to struggle with properly maintaining your hydroponic system.
Pros
Come with an array of tools, like buffer solution carrying case and lanyard
Stable values system
Auto-recognition
Exceptional battery life
Premium quality pH sensor
Cons
It may be a bit difficult to calibrate
Pros
Readings in a snap using one hand
Auto calibrated
Comes with buffer powders
Portable and convenient
Cons
Not as durable as some other pH meters
Pros
Inexpensive
Ideal for hydroponics, aquarium, and pool
Easy to use
Accurate and practical
Cons
You need to keep holding down the button
Only reads in Celsius
Pros
No need to use batteries
Has a carrier case
Easy to carry and compact
Blends three functions into one reading
Cons
The readings are sometimes inaccurate
The first thing you should do when you get your new pH meter is to read the instructions that come with it!
These are the general ways to take care of your new tool;
Familiarize yourself with the instructions
Keep it calibrated
Lightly swirl your meter in solution to get rid of air bubbles
Keep away from heat and humidity
Handle with care
Don’t touch the reference cell or sensor electrode
We understand that most of you are looking for a reliable and durable PH Meter.
There are so many options available to you; you just need to select the one that fulfills your requirements.
By now, with the availability of so many options, it must be confusing to select the best pH meter for hydroponics.
We have made things easier for you by listing five of the best pH testers.