Best Soil pH Tester in the UK | Accurate & Reliable Soil Testing Kits. 2022 Comparison, Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Any gardener knows that maintaining healthy soil is crucial for the plants and crops growing there. First of all, you should know your soil’s pH, which is a unit of measure showing the degree of acidity or alkalinity. This knowledge is particularly essential when buying a new plant because most of them grow well only in neutral, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. You can call a professional to measure the pH of your soil in a lab in order to get results as accurate as possible. But generally, you don’t need that level of precision unless you are going to change your soil’s pH. In the latter case, even a minor change in pH numbers results in a significant change in acidity.

Soil pH Testers Compared

Soil pH testers are available in three types: pH test strips, electronic meters, and chemical dyes. Test strips are the easiest and most popular method of measurement among amateur gardeners. Each strip in the set has multiple colour spots. After you dip the strip in the solution, some or all spots will change the colour in a matter of seconds. Match these colours with the chart that comes with the product and you will learn the pH level of your soil.

We recommend test strips manufactured by Garden Tutor, a company that offers garden courses and soil testing tools. The Garden Tutor Soil pH Test Strips Kit will provide you with fast and accurate results.

One pack includes enough strips for as many as a hundred soil pH tests and a testing handbook with charts. The strips are calibrated for soil pH testing with a broad range from 3.5 to 9.0, something that makes them suitable for all types of garden soil. Customers rate this product 4.1 out of 5 stars and highlight the ease of use as the major advantage. “Well they are easy to use and makes it easier to find out why seeds have been hard to germinate, so I know what's going on in the soil,” one of the buyers wrote.

Electronic pH Meters

Unlike test strips, electronic pH meters can be inserted directly into the soil. However, it is advisable to make a water solution containing different samples of soils. An electronic meter is made with a metal probe and a display where you can read the pH.

A good example is the Fosmon Soil pH Tester, that can also measure the amount of moisture and light in the soil. The third option, chemical dyes, needs to be mixed with the solution and then you just check the colour against the chart included in the kit.

If You Want to Garden Like a PRO

If you want to garden like a pro, opt for the Bluelab pH soil testers. The product is made by a trustworthy manufacturer Bluelab, headquartered in New Zealand. The company has 30 years of experience in the production of equipment for measuring pH, temperature, conductivity, and nutrient levels.

The Bluelab PENSOILPH measures pH with close to laboratory precision. The product features an LCD screen, a low battery indicator, an auto-off function, and units for temperature. It is completely waterproof and can be used in any weather. The device has automatic temperature compensation and is easy to calibrate.

How Does a Soil pH Tester Work?

In most situations, it is sufficient to use a portable soil pH tester. Once you get the device, you need to dig holes in different areas of your garden and take samples of the soil. Mix these samples together and then mix 8 tbsp of the solution with an equal amount of water. Some testers come with a special solution for measuring that can be used instead of water. Now, let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes and mix it once again before testing. What the tester does is analyze the water with soil particles. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a value of 7.0 representing neutrality. PHs less than 7 are considered acidic and pHs above 7 are alkaline.

Best-Selling Soil pH Testers in the UK | Comparison Table