TDS meter recommendations?

[pjg250]

Hey y’all, I’m looking for some TDS meter recommendations. Don’t really have much more to say, but I’m in the US, so it’d be a plus to be available here.

 

[Apistoguy52]

Take your pick of the $12-15 options on Amazon. Most I’ve used have been reasonable accurate, and priced where the accidental swim in the aging/mixing tank doesn’t make you cry.

 

[MacZ]

Take your pick of the $12-15 options on Amazon. Most I’ve used have been reasonable accurate, and priced where the accidental swim in the aging/mixing tank doesn’t make you cry.

I'd go maybe for the price tag above around 20-25,-.
And a word of warning: Don't get a pH-Meter in that category. With pH-meters you either go high quality or leave it.

 

[Mike Wise]

Personally, if it doesn't come with calibration reagents it's not very accurate and not worth using. I use a much more expensive Hanna pH/µS/TDS/°F/°C meter that allows calibration.

 

[MacZ]

Personally, if it doesn't come with calibration reagents it's not very accurate and not worth using.

In comparison with professionally calibrated devices my TDS meter is at mostly off by 1-5 points. I can only second that statement for pH-meters, though.

 

[pjg250]

Thanks! This is super helpful.

I assume pH meters are more accurate than trying to read colors in a vial lol.

@Mike Wise do you have the Hanna HI98129 or HI9813-6N?

 

[MacZ]

I assume pH meters are more accurate than trying to read colors in a vial lol.

Provided you have a good sensor and sufficiently high conductivity. Even the best and priciest models need an EC of 75-100µS/cm minimum to correctly work.

 

[Mike Wise]

I use the Hanna HI98129 and calibrate it monthly. I'm on my 2nd pH probe for the same meter. It's nice to have such an interchangeable part.