Keeping the pH or acidity in your aquarium in the ideal range is very important for your fish, and this is what I am here to help with today. Let’s get to it and find the top five best pH meters for aquariums.
Best pH Meters for Aquariums
- YINMIK pH Meter
- Gain Express pH & Temperature Meter
- Danoplus Combo pH & Temperature Meter
- Embryant Digital pH Meter
- FUNSWTM 150PCS Aquarium Test Strips
Top 5 Best pH Meters for Aquariums: Reviews
Let’s take an in-depth look at each of the top five best pH meters for aquariums.
1. YINMIK pH Meter: Our Top Pick
- [Large Horizontal Screen Display] Tired of using yellow ones with small vertical reading display?...
- [Accurate pH Tester with Effective ATC] Built with stainless steel temperature sensor, YK-P01 pH...
This is a very simple pH meter that can be used for aquariums, koi ponds, indoor plants, and everything in between. Like most other models, it does need to be calibrated, but it features an instruction manual with easy automatic calibration. It also comes with the calibration solution included, so you don’t have to worry about mixing everything together.
This unit is extremely accurate at detecting the pH level in any water solution, and it can also measure the temperature, in case that is important to you. The temperature sensor here is made out of stainless steel, so it should also be very accurate. All in all, this might be one of the most accurate models available on the market.
It also features a large horizontal display that is very easy to read, so you never have to strain to see the results. It also comes with very simple controls, so it’s easy to operate as well. What I like about this model is that you don’t have to mount it on the side of the tank, and just take it out whenever you see fit, although it doesn’t perform constant monitoring.
Pros
- Easy to use and calibrate
- Fast and accurate results
- Easy to read display
- Affordable
- Calibration solution included
Cons
- Does not perform constant monitoring
If you want a very basic pH meter for your aquarium and all other purposes, this is the number one option I would recommend.
2. Gain Express pH & Temperature Meter
- 🌊 Accurately monitor pH and temperature of your fish tank or any type of water with this ph...
- 🌊 This PH meter with a permanent temperature probe and a replaceable pH probe for cost-effective...
Here we have a very interesting digital combination pH and temperature meter that is designed specifically for aquariums. It features its own dedicated display that tells you exactly what the pH level is like, and what the temperature is like.
It comes with two separate probes, both of which feature metal on the front, and both of which are easily able to accurately tell exactly what the pH level and temperature of the water is.
These probes sit directly in the water for the most accurate results. Furthermore, the display itself is also very large and easy to read, not to mention that it attaches directly to the wall of your aquarium. You can hang it on the wall of your aquarium, you can mount it on an actual wall in your home, or you can even mount it on a tripod beside the aquarium.
It also features multiple points of calibration complete with a one-touch calibration function with an automatic buffer recognition to avoid any errors from occurring. This is likely one of the most accurate instruments around, especially as far as both temperature and pH monitoring go. That said, it is significantly more expensive and the previous item reviewed.
Pros
- Simple and effective
- Temperature and pH
- Several mounting options
- Can be used for various purposes
- High-quality and accurate
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
If you want a pH monitor that you can permanently hang on the side of your fish tank, this is one I always recommend.
3. Danoplus Combo pH & Temperature Meter
- MEASURING RANGE: 0.00~14.00pH and 0~55°C (32~131°F) Temperature with ATC so temperature change...
- APPLICATIONS: Great for student, professional and even personal used in achieving the correct pH and...
Here we have another two-in-one pH meter and temperature monitor, with this one being very similar to the previous one I reviewed, even in terms of the price. This unit comes complete with its own dedicated display that allows for very easy reading of measurements.
It is able to measure both temperature and pH, and it can slate the temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. It comes complete with two separate sensors, both of which are specifically designed to be extremely accurate. All you have to do is hang this meter on the side of your aquarium and place the probes inside of the water.
The probes constantly measure the exact temperature and pH of the water and provide you with real time updates. This also happens to be one of the more accurate units on the market, and it’s all thanks to its high quality design. It even has automatic temperature compensation so it can gather very reliable readings. Of course, you can use it for aquariums and so much more.
Pros
- Fast and easy
- Accurate
- Good build quality
- Easy to read
- Hangs on the tank
Cons
- Doesn’t look overly appealing
Real time updates for both pH and temperature are what you need, then this is the option I’d go with.
4. Embryant Digital pH Meter
Going back to a more basic option, like the first product I reviewed, here we have a digital pH meter for water, one that can be used for aquariums, swimming pools, and everything in between. This is a very simple pH meter with a pH range of 0 to 14, and it very accurately displays this reading on a small display.
The display isn’t quite as large as with some of the other units on the list, so it may be a bit harder to read, but the tradeoff is that this item in general is very small and compact. It’s so small that you can easily fit it in your pocket, so it doesn’t take up much space at all.
Even though it doesn’t take up much space, and doesn’t cost much, it still has a very sensitive electrode sensor to get accurate pH readings.
For the low price it comes in at, this is certainly one of the more accurate models out there. It also works in a very wide temperature range, so you shouldn’t have to worry about that either. It does require calibration, but it has an automatic calibration button and even comes with calibration instructions.
Pros
- Simple
- Compact
- Affordable
- Accurate
- Durable
Cons
- Not ideal for constant monitoring
If you need something super basic for occasional pH testing of your aquarium, then this is the model I’d recommend over all others.
5. FUNSWTM 150PCS Aquarium Test Strips
- 7-WAY AQUARIUM TEST KIT FRESH WATER : FUNSWTM aquarium testing strips can accurately test 7...
- PREMIUM MATERIAL: Our fish tank test strips are crafted from high-quality fiber paper and feature a...
We know that not everybody wants to use digital items, which is exactly why I have included this aquarium water testing kit in the reviews. No, technically speaking, this is not a pH meter, but rather an aquarium water testing kit, physical strips that are also able to test for pH levels.
These are just simple paper strips that you dunk in the water for a couple of seconds and then wait for about a minute until you see the results.
Although this may not provide you with constant updates, and requires a bit of manual labor, this is an extremely accurate method. Realistically, it is likely that this method of PH testing is more accurate than any digital method out there.
There’s also the fact that these strips can also test for nitrite, nitrate non chlorine, carbonate hardness, and more, therefore providing you with a full picture of the water parameters that your tank currently features. It also doesn’t require any batteries, which is something that I personally love.
Pros
- Super accurate
- Fast results
- Affordable
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Not digital
- Not ideal for consistent real-time updates
If you just want some simple pH testing strips that come in at an affordable price, for occasional water testing, I’d recommend these over all others.
pH Meters for Aquariums Buyers Guide: What To Look Out For
Let’s quickly go over a few main considerations that you need to keep in mind when choosing a pH meter for aquariums.
Type
As you can see from above, there are three main types of pH meters I discussed today. These include basic handheld meters, permanent mounted units, and simple pH strips.
Handheld models are best for occasional testing, pH strips are the most cost effective, and the combination PH and temperature meters that you mount on the side of your claim are the best for constant real time updates.
Accuracy
Of course, the accuracy of the unit in question is one of the most important factors of all. If the unit is not accurate, then you are going to run into some serious issues.
Therefore, do some research in terms of specific products to see exactly how accurate they are, especially if you go outside of the product list that I have recommended here today.
Generally speaking, pH testing strips tend to be the most accurate, but if you’re going for something digital, make sure that it has high quality testing probes.
Display
Of course, you won’t get a display with pH testing strips, but if you go for a digital pH meter, you should go for one that has some backlighting to make the characters easy to read.
The larger the display, the easier it is to read. Although, if you’re going for a unit that is mounted on the aquarium, a large display may not look very nice.
