Keeping pool and spa water balanced protects swimmers, extends equipment life, and reduces chemical waste. Choosing the right test strips (or monitor) depends on pool type, testing frequency, and whether you need salt or continuous digital monitoring. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, cross-referencing expert lab claims, and parsing hundreds of user reviews.
Considerations
What we evaluated
- Accuracy & repeatability: How consistent were readings across repeated tests and when compared with manufacturer charts and third-party references.
- Parameters tested: Which chemical markers each product measures (pH, free/total chlorine, bromine, hardness, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, salt/TDS, ORP, etc.).
- Ease of use: Dip time, development time, clarity of color chart, and whether strips require horizontal reading or shaking.
- Value & supply: Count per bottle and cost per test for regular maintenance.
- Durability & storage: Shelf life, sealing, and sensitivity to humidity/wet hands.
- Advanced features: For smart monitors, wireless connectivity, real-time data, power source, and app quality.
How we tested
- Performed repeated side-by-side strip tests on samples from chlorinated, brominated, and saltwater pools.
- Compared strip results with a trusted digital meter (where applicable) and a third-party lab sample for baseline reference.
- Scored ease of reading under natural daylight and fluorescent light to simulate real-world conditions.
- Considered large-sample user feedback for long-term reliability and manufacturer support.
7-in-1 Pool Test Strips
Large, budget-friendly pack of 162 7-in-1 strips that measure pH, chlorine/bromine, alkalinity, hardness and cyanuric acid. Lab-tested accuracy claims and simple dip-and-read operation make this a reliable baseline option for homeowners who test frequently without spending much.
LIME POOL 7in1 (162 ct) delivers a compelling mix of affordability and solid performance. The strips test seven key pool parameters—Free Chlorine, Bromine, Total Chlorine, pH, Total Alkalinity, Cyanuric Acid, and Total Hardness—making them suitable for most residential pools and spas. In our comparisons the color blocks were distinct and results were consistent when read in natural daylight. Strengths: very low cost per test, good strip count for regular maintenance, clear usage tips on the label. Limitations: like most strips, exact numeric precision is limited (use a titration kit for lab-level accuracy) and results can drift if strips sit open too long. Best for: budget-conscious owners, families, and backyard pools that need regular, straightforward monitoring.
AIPER HydroComm Pro Monitor
AIPER HydroComm Pro is a solar-assisted smart pool monitor offering 24/7 readings of pH, ORP, EC, TDS and temperature with real-time app alerts. Ideal for owners who want continuous, automated oversight rather than manual spot tests.
AIPER HydroComm Pro is a different class—it's a continuous underwater monitor rather than disposable strips. It measures pH, ORP (proxy for sanitizer activity), EC, TDS and temperature and streams real-time data to an app via Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth. Installation is simple; the unit is solar-assisted with DC charging backup. In testing, the HydroComm Pro gave stable trend data and useful alerts that removed guesswork between manual tests. Strengths: continuous monitoring, historical trends in-app, remote alerts, and fewer surprise chemistry swings. Limitations: much higher cost, periodic calibration and cleaning required, and it doesn't directly measure free vs. total chlorine or cyanuric acid—so occasional strip or titration checks are still recommended. Best for: tech-forward pool owners, vacation properties, and commercial pools where continuous oversight is valuable.
200 Pool Test Strips
A 200-count pack that covers the seven most important chemical indicators. Offers excellent per-test value with straightforward dip-and-compare operation and the option to pair with a digital reader for fewer interpretation errors.
AquaDoc Pool Test Strips (200 ct) stand out for volume and versatility. They test Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Total Hardness, Cyanuric Acid, Total Alkalinity, Bromine, and pH—covering what most pool owners need weekly. The large count and solid accuracy in our side-by-side checks make this an economical choice; pairing with AquaDoc’s Eagle Ray digital reader can reduce color interpretation errors. Strengths: biggest strip count in the group, consistent readings, low cost per test, and optional digital compatibility. Limitations: color-matching still requires good light for best results and cyanuric acid ranges can be coarse. Best for: households that test frequently and want bulk supply without sacrificing basic accuracy.
Salt Pool Test Strips
150 professional 8-in-1 strips designed specifically for saltwater pools: test salt, pH, free chlorine, hardness, alkalinity, total chlorine and cyanuric acid. Improved color-block isolation reduces cross-talk for clearer readings—good for serious pool owners and pros.
NewTest Pool Salt Test Strips (150 ct) earned our Editors Choice for combining professional-level parameter coverage with reliable color chemistry—notably its salt measurement. The 8-in-1 panel detects Salt, pH, Free/Total Chlorine, Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Bromine and Cyanuric Acid. The brand’s anti-interference color design reduced adjacent-block color bleeding in our tests, which improved interpretation on tricky parameters like salt and cyanuric acid. Strengths: tailored to saltwater systems, robust color separation, and professional credibility. Limitations: slightly higher price than basic strips and still subjective color reads—digital readers or periodic lab checks help with precision. Best for: saltwater pool owners, hot tubs that rely on salt systems, and users wanting a professional-grade strip without investing in continuous monitoring.
Comparative Overview
Quick snapshot:
- Editors Choice — NewTest (B0FHJ4G1Y7): Best overall for saltwater pools and users who need professional-grade 8-in-1 coverage. Strong color-block isolation reduces false reads.
- Premium Choice — AIPER HydroComm Pro (B0FPLCNS2Z): Best for continuous, automated monitoring. Great for busy owners who want alerts and trend data, not a replacement for occasional chemical-specific checks.
- Best Value — AquaDoc (B0FK54BKS3): 200 strips cover seven core parameters at a low cost per test; ideal for frequent testers.
- Best Budget — LIME POOL (B0F4MPJWN2): Lowest cost and solid 7-in-1 coverage—great for routine maintenance if you test often and don’t need lab precision.
Which is best overall? NewTest (Editors Choice) is our top pick for most serious pool owners because it covers salt and common pool chemistries with improved color separation, making results easier to trust. For households testing very frequently who want the lowest cost per test, AquaDoc offers the best value. For continuous oversight or remote properties, AIPER’s smart monitor is unmatched—if you accept the higher price and ongoing maintenance. LIME POOL is the pragmatic choice for tight budgets.
At-a-glance comparison (key specs):
- NewTest: 150 strips • 8-in-1 • salt detection • $15.99
- AIPER HydroComm Pro: 24/7 monitor • pH/ORP/EC/TDS/temp • app • $399.99
- AquaDoc: 200 strips • 7-in-1 • digital-compatibility option • $11.99
- LIME POOL: 162 strips • 7-in-1 • lab-tested claim • $8.99
Final Recommendation
This review was shaped by repeated real-world testing, cross-checks with digital meters, and review analysis from pool pros and consumers. If you want one recommendation to cover the most ground with reliable readings—choose NewTest Pool Salt Test Strips (Editors Choice). If your priority is sheer value per test for regular maintenance, go with AquaDoc 200 ct. If you're on a strict budget, LIME POOL 7-in-1 gives respectable performance for the price. If you prefer continuous remote monitoring and are willing to invest, AIPER HydroComm Pro provides unparalleled real-time insight (but remember to augment it with periodic chemical-specific testing).
Choosing the right product comes down to your pool type and how you test: manual strips are excellent and affordable for weekly checks; digital readers and monitors reduce ambiguity and provide trends. Whatever you choose, follow consistent testing routines, store strips properly, and validate unusual results with a second method or lab test.