A soil pH tester is a great way to ensure that your plants get the nutrients they need. Soil pH is directly linked to healthy plant growth; therefore, having optimal levels is crucial.This is helpful for starting seeds indoors and directly sowing seeds into the garden.
So, what’s the best way to test your soil’s pH? I’m going to go over the 5 best soil pH testers for gardeners. Keep reading for more!
Our Top Picks – Soil pH
Best Multi-Purpose Meter
Sonkir Soil pH Meter
Best Comprehensive Soil Test:
MySoil Soil Test Kit
Best Test Strips:
Garden Tutor Soil pH Test Kit
Best Multi-Purpose Meter
Sonkir Soil pH Meter
The Sonkir Soil pH Meter is the best soil pH tester for multipurpose use. This Sonkir model is an analog probe tester with two probes attached.
While it has two probes, the reader will measure three things: pH, moisture, and sunlight. Since different plants have unique pH and sunlight requirements, this tester is perfect for determining where to plant something.
There’s no need to carry around multiple testers with this model because the Sonkir does it all!
Pros:
- Multi-purpose
- Great for new plants
- Doesn’t need batteries
Cons:
- Numbers are small
Budget Option
Kensizer Soil Tester
My top pick overall for the best soil pH tester is the Kensizer soil tester. It’s a simple analog model, and there aren’t any frills. But, it’s reliable and cost-friendly.
The Kensizer comes with two probe testers: one for moisture and one for pH.
The pH tester has a large, easy-to-read dial that measures pH from three to 10. Unlike the multi-purpose testers, there’s no need to squint and determine what you’re looking at.
Pros:
- Cost-friendly
- Easy to read
- Reusable
- No batteries are needed
Cons:
- Single-purpose testers
Best Comprehensive Soil Test
MySoil Soil Test Kit
Let the professionals test your soil for you. The MySoil Soil Test Kit is one of the best soil pH testers for reliability. Besides pH, your test results will cover all the different nutrient levels in your soil.
You’ll simply take samples from your garden area and send them off in the provided test cup.
Results take six to eight days to get back to you. But, you’ll have a digital copy of your soil analysis to refer to when amending your soil.
The results will even tell you how to properly amend your specific soil. If you’re new to gardening, this is very helpful to ensure your garden thrives.
Pros:
- Reliable results
- Tests several different nutrients
- Includes tips on how to amend your soil
Cons:
- Pricey
- Takes several days to get results
Budget Soil Test Kit
Luster Leaf Rapid Test Kit
The Luster Leaf test kit not only measures pH. It can also tell if your soil lacks nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. These comprehensive results make this kit one of the best soil pH testers.
Luster Leaf uses capsules instead of test strips. The powder within the capsule is combined with the soil and water sample. The solution will turn colors, indicating the soil’s pH.
This process is repeated to determine NPK levels. The kit only comes with 40 capsules, making it less budget-friendly than the strips. But, you’re getting to know more about your soil than pH.
Pros:
- Determines pH and NPK levels
- Easy to read
Cons:
- Pricier than test strips
Best Test Strips
Garden Tutor Soil pH Test Kit
The Garden Tutor test kit is the best soil pH tester for those who prefer chemical tests. The kit comes with 100 test strips, so you can perform several tests on different soil samples.
In a cup, mix your soil with equal parts water. Insert the strip into the solution, and wait for the strip to change colors. Line up your results with the provided color chart to determine your soil’s pH.
It’s a little more work than sticking a probe into the soil, but the results are usually clear and accurate.
Pros:
- Comes with many test strips
- Cost-friendly
Cons:
- More work than a probe tester
- Single-use strips
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soil pH tester for me?
The best soil pH tester for you will depend on your gardening habits. Are you regularly checking your soil’s pH throughout the season? A probe tester may save you money in the long run.
If you are just doing an initial test of one area, a chemical test kit may benefit you better. Professional send-off kits are also a great idea for this.
The way I see it: the more you plan on testing pH, the better a digital or analog probe tester would be. Probe testers also work well for testing houseplant soil and potted plants.
How deep should I read my soil?
Test your soil at about four to six inches deep. If your soil is especially tough, take a small trowel and break up the soil. This should allow you to access a sample at that depth.
Get the Best Soil pH Tester for Your Garden!
Take your garden’s success to the next level with one of these best soil pH testers. Your results allow you to tailor your soil to a specific plant’s growing needs.
Good soil pH is just one of the factors that help seedlings get established. Give your garden a jumpstart by visiting our Seed Starting page for more blog posts!