Larry
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025
This is just a basic TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter. There are just 2 buttons, a power and a hold. This meter does not measure temperature, like some do. But the reason most folks purchase a TDS meter Is their concern with how “Hard” their water is, or to check and see how well a water softener, reverse osmosis filter or a distiller, is working. I can tell you that this meter does that job perfectly. I tested it against another meter I have and I used various water sources to evaluate how well it worked. Untreated water from my kitchen sink gave a reading of 236ppm (Parts Per Million) the EPA notes that drinking water should have no more than 500ppm. So if you had a total of a million equal amounts of drinking water, 995,500 of them would be H2O and the other 500 parts could be minerals etc. and if it is ober 1,000 ppm it is deemed unsafe for consumption. However, there is more to it than just total solids, it is also broken down by substance. But for a quick rule of thumb, if the water out of your faucet show 500ppm or less it’s OK to consume. OK the science lesson is over!I compared the readings between this meter and another one that I’ve had, and they read within a couple of PPMs, which would seem perfectly fine, and well within the accuracy range of +/- 2%.To further give this new meter a thorough testing, I used water from my distiller and some commercially distilled bottled water. Today’s tap water gave me a reading of 151ppm, my water I distilled 0ppm and 0ppm for the bottle of distilled water. This would make me think that this meter is functioning within the documented accuracy range, but it also tells me that the distilled water that I am making at home, in my 1.1 gallon electric distiller is also operating as desired. Btw, making your own distilled water, will save you money in the long run. Especially if you are using it in a CPAP machine, a coffee maker, tea kettle, or even a humidifier/vaporizer, you can avoid having to clean all the mineral build up on these devices. Much better way to protect your investments in these items.The 2 AG13 button cell batteries are easy to change, in the top cap of the meter. Just be sure to locate the +/- signs in the battery holder, it was a little difficult for my old eyes, but I did manage to see that the (+) side of the battery goes to the right. Using the currently include coupon makes this meter a great deal.
A.Ray
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
If you're looking for a reliable and easy-to-use water quality tester, this TDS meter is a solid choice. Here’s my experience after testing it on different water sources:Ease of Use: Straightforward & Hassle-FreeThe meter is incredibly simple to operate. It has just two buttons.. One for power and one for locking the reading. The lock function is a great feature because it lets you secure the reading even if you can’t see the screen while testing.Accuracy & Reliability: Readings Seem Spot OnI tested it on different water sources, and the results were exactly what I expected:• Tap water: 129ppm• Filtered water: 00ppm• Dirty water (from filter flush): 258ppmI don’t have another meter to compare it with, but the readings make sense based on the source.Display & Readability: No Issues HereThe LCD screen is clear and easy to read. The numbers display well, even in different lighting conditions.Build Quality & Portability: Feels DurableThe device feels sturdy, not flimsy. It's lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around. The only thing to keep in mind is the cap.. It’s small, so make sure not to misplace it.Battery & Power: Ready to GoEven though the listing says batteries aren’t included, mine came pre-installed. I just pressed the power button, and it turned on immediately. No hassle there.The Good:- Simple, user-friendly operation- Lock function makes it easy to record readings- Compact and sturdy design- Comes with pre-installed batteriesMinor Considerations:- The cap is small and may be easy to misplace- No way to verify calibration without another testerFinal Thoughts: A Reliable Water Quality TesterOverall, I’d recommend this TDS meter to anyone who wants a quick and effective way to monitor water quality. Whether for drinking water for me or my pets, it does the job well!
Tracy
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
I’ve been questioning the quality of the water in my home since I moved in 3 years ago so, I have a water filter in my fridge, in my showers, extra filtration in my fish tank and I also have a filtered water pitcher for my dogs water dish. I was excited to see if this handy little gadget would give me reassurance and confirm whether or not all of my attempts and money to provide better water for my family has been working. Although, I can’t confirm accuracy of the tester I did test each source of water twice and have come to the unfortunate conclusion that my water filters don’t seem to be doing much as you can see in pics/readings I provided (tap vs fridge filter) (tap vs shower filter). I was curious so I also tested Hot Tap water and Cold Tap water. I’m not sure why but the hot tap water had 45 PPM more than the cold… interesting…I found the TDS Tester to be very simple to use. I like that it’s small so I can carry it in my purse or keep it in my car. My only recommendation for ease of use would be to have the PPM reference ranges laminated/applied on the tester itself (like a meat thermometer) because, I lose the box I’m in trouble.