3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Do cheap pH meters work?


I have seen $10-20 pH meters for testing soil in garden stores, home improvement/hardware stores. I was wondering do these give accurate readings? I am looking for a cheap and accurate way to test pH. Any suggestions even for other ph testing methods are appreciated. Thanks!

3 answers
Dec 7, 2010. 12:14 PMlemonie says:

I found an expensive one which looks good, but what you're really asking is "how accurate?"
I'd say "not very", if you want high-accuracy you'll need to spend much more.

L

Dec 7, 2010. 9:13 AMAndyGadget says:
Guessing a bit here, but I would think that the cheap soil pH meters work by measuring the conductivity of the soil rather than the pH. The conductivity will be higher with a lower pH i.e. more acid.
If it's soil you're testing, you may be better off with a litmus based test kit such as THIS which also tests for nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus which are instrumental to plant growth.
Dec 7, 2010. 7:53 AMNachoMahma says:
.  How accurate is accurate enough? What range are you measuring? What kinds of chemicals are involved?
.  Most of the cheapies I've seen worked well for their intended use, but definitely are not "laboratory grade" units.

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!