Features:

  • For maintaining proper water chemistry; tests for Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, and Total Alkalinity
  • Includes clear-view round test block with integrated color chips for accurate color matching
  • Includes 1oz. solutions of #1-#3 and 1/2 ounce solutions of #4 - #5; (Note: #2 Phenol Red is not the same as Phenol Red - DO NOT interchange)
  • #2 Phenol Red is for use with 5-Way Test Kits and Phenol Red is for use with 2 or 3-Way Test Kits
  • Note: The #1 solution is sealed to comply with transportation regulations. No other solutions in this kit require sealed caps.
The Clorox pool test strips were tried, but in the end, I just couldn't get consistent results.

Since the test strips didn't work out for us, we tried this 5-way kit and finally I'm getting consistent results! If you can read instructions and then follow them, you will like this kit. At first I thought it may be for a professional, but that's not the case. Just start on pg 1 and do the first test it tells you and simply follow the clearly written instructions. If your a novice to pool testing, don't be intimidated by this test kit, it works.

Satisfies the Chem major in me

This little kit satisfies the Chem major in me, and keeps the hot tub (old hot tub, but it's new to me) in safe working condition). You don't need to have a degree in Chemistry to use it, the kit is quite simple. I recommend keeping the quick direction card out where you can check it. If you are color blind, you may want to recruit a non-colorblind family or friend to do this for you, as the color changes are subtle. I mostly use it to keep both the pH and total alkalinity in check. I did use the chlorine thing at first, but once you know how much of a chlorine powder your spa takes, it would only change if you changed brands or formulas. Then you could science some more. Word to the wise, I ran out of solution 3 before the others with my over-zealous testing of TA. If it's over 12, stop putting more drops of 3, add the appropriate chemical at the recommended amount to your spa or pool and recheck in the recommended time. Also, if you're having difficulty getting the TA down but the pH is way down, it might be time for a full water change. Anyway, the kit does its job, is simple enough to use, accurate, reasonably priced, and you get to feel like you're doing science. You can't beat that.

Worth every penny...

New homeowner and I’m doing my best to figure out pool maintenance without breaking the bank. This is a very basic, user friendly way to measure the chemical composition of your pool. Within an hour of opening the box I was able to measure the chlorine content of the pool, the PH level, and alkalinity. Within a few days, my pool water was clear and we jumped in for the first time - granted I backwashed the pump, cleaned the filter, brushed the pool, and vacuumed the pool floor - this is work people, but totally worth it. Will buy again.

Great Product - Very Easy to Use

I have a 15,000 gal concrete in-ground pool that is about 5 yrs old. During the first 5 years I used test strips that I believed to work ok. After purchasing this test kit I realized just how simple this kit is to use and the more accurate answer I receive with this test kit. I can't imagine switching to a less valuable technique. Pros - great price, all key components (chlorine, pH, acid demand, alkalinity), very good instructions and reference on how to treat effectively, good quality test vials and color charts, good quality storage box, can buy replacement chemicals Cons - instructions were a bit sketchy on the alkalinity test, but worked thru it. Update after 4 years - well the old kit turned 4, ran out of chemicals and lost the caps, so went right back to the same product and bought a new one!! Solid product.

Great beginner kit

Really, really love this pool test kit. Recently purchased a 16'x48" pool and have been using this test kit almost daily to test and maintain my water. The kit is easy to use and the instructions provided are very clear. The results, compared against that of my local pool stores analysis, have been very similar. Yes, there are better, more expensive kits out there. But if you are just starting out or wanting to know more about your pool water chemistry then this is a great, inexpensive kit.

Has saved me literally hundreds of dollars in less than a year

I had been taking my pool water to a local pool and spa dealer every couple of weeks. Inevitably, I always walked out spending $60+ on chemicals. Ever since I got this test kit and have been managing the water on my own the pool has looked clearer than any time before. If you're taking your water to a local pool and spa shop I can almost guarantee you they're selling you stuff you don't need. Baking soda, muriatic acid, chlorine and bromine. That's about all you need to keep your pool well-balanced. Save yourself money get this kit it's very easy to use. My only complaint is it is difficult if you're color-blind. I have to get my daughter or wife to read the colors. Not sure anything could have been done differently but maybe a more drastic changing color would help those of us with colorblindness.

The Gold Standard

This is exactly the right test kit for the homeowner. I used to try to get two or three years out of a kit, but it's just not worth the stretch. Better to have the right thing in brand-new condition at the right time. In a matter of a minute or two you can keep your pool chemistry just right.

Easy and effective

This test is very simple to use and much easier to read than test strips. Do read the instruction booklet twice before using. If you do not have experience with a similar kit, I find the abbreviated instruction card to be a little confusing. It is a bit of a trick to measure the free chlorine as you have to compare the results instantly but you get the hang of it. I have been a pool owner for four months. I was losing my mind for the first couple of months trying to read test strips and consistently misdiagnosing my pool's chemical balance. Only after purchasing this kit do I feel I really have a handle on things.

A must have

This is a good set but I have one complaint the bottles are bigger then my basic ph/ chlorine test set but the drops are also bigger which means when I'm doing these basic tests it goes just as fast as the smaller test kit. With that being said the kit is great for keeping your pool clear in the summer..a must have and I will buy again. It has vary easy to read and follow instructions and a nice box to keep everything organized

Can't beat the value! Sufficient for most pool owners....

Okay, I've had this kit for about 7 months now, including through a summer season. Last spring I decided to fire the pool guy and start maintaining my inground pool myself. So ordered this kit (and various other needed pool maintenance accessories) from Amazon. Soon thereafter I discovered the "Trouble Free Pool" (TFP) method of pool care & maintenance. Anyone doing their own pool cleaning/maintenance should check out TFP. Anyways, back to the Poolmaster 5-way kit...... GREAT!! Easy to follow instructions. More than enough chemicals to last a busy pool season. Accurate.....how do I know this you ask? Well when I started following TFP I ended up also purchasing a highly recommended, more complete pool testing kit (TF-100). It includes several additional chem tests, including a more accurate test for chlorine (including levels above 5 ppm---the max on the Poolmaster kit). I checked my Poolmaster results against the TF-100 results and they were always virtually identical. Plus I took them to a local Leslie's Pool Supply to have them checked a few times and again........Poolmaster results matched the pool shops. I believe the 3 most important chemicals to monitor for your average pool owner are: (1) chlorine, (2) pH, and (3) Total Alkalinity. Keep those three in their proper ranges and you will likely have a safe and chemically stable pool. Now other pool owners are going to scream about other chem's you should be monitoring, such as calcium and cyanuric acid (CYA). Those should also be checked occasionally (in my opinion). But most pool supply stores will check your chemicals free of charge. So you can have those chems checked by them occasionally. Average pool owners should focus on regularly checking (and adjusting as needed) chlorine, pH and TA. This Poolmaster kit does well in all of those. Plus, it has an acid demand test for determining how much pool acid (MA) to add if your pH is low. All you need to know is approximately how many gallons your pool is. For less than $20 you can't go wrong with this Poolmaster kit. The amount of chemicals should last a full season, unless you are checking constantly. Some chems you use more and will likely run out of before others. I suppose you can re-order those, or just order a new kit every year. Plus that ensures your chem's are "fresh". They do have a shelf-life you know.......

Full Reviews