8 Best Water Testing Kits of 2024 for Your Home

E.coli and other coliform bacteria can cause serious health issues—even death—if left unchecked in a water well. The Health Metric Bacteria Test quickly and accurately tests for such unwanted bacteria.

It’s extremely easy to use. Fill the provided bottle with water from your well, shake for 20 seconds, then wait 48 hours before examining the water color. Purple means no bacteria detected and yellow means bacteria exists.

“In light of the fact that you pay hundreds of dollars for an extensive test, I was happy to see that this inexpensive version did the trick to confirm I have coliform in my well water,” writes a reviewer on Amazon. “I did pay for the extensive test and already knew I had the bacteria in the well water, but I wanted to test our filtered water just to be extra safe.”

Pros

• Comes with one, two, three or four tests
• EPA-approved testing method
• Color-led results are extremely easy to read
• No need to send it to a lab

Cons

• Must wait 48 hours for results

Here’s the trouble with DIY well test kits: Once you get the results, you may not necessarily know what to do next. That’s the problem the Safe Home DIY Well Water Test aims to solve. Besides easy-to-use testing for various contaminants, this kit also comes with contact information for qualified water quality specialists.

“Loved this test kit,” writes a reviewer on Amazon. “Very accurate when comparing to other kits. Thorough instructions, very easy to read. The Safe Home staff was friendly, and very helpful with my questions. I would highly recommend.”

Pros

• Uses 22 different testing mechanisms
• 242 tests included
• A portion of every test kit sale goes to clean water initiatives
• Includes trilingual instructions

Cons

• Bacteria test needs time to incubate

Made in the U.S. following Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, this Health Metric Heavy Metals Test Kit accurately and quickly tests for lead, iron, copper and mercury in your well water. Excessive metals in water often lead to green sink residue and can affect health in high quantities. The kit comes with clear instructions, an easy-to-read color code system, and access to a team of experts to answer your questions.

“I used this kit to test my tap water for lead and mercury primarily,” writes a reviewer on Amazon. “The directions are easy to follow. The results were easy to read and it only took a few minutes. I liked that there were two tests available in the event I made an error or spilled the packets of powder.”

Pros

• Tests for four common heavy metals
• Works in under 15 minutes
• Calibrated to EPA standards
• Uses low-level detection methods

Cons

• For readings over 0ppm, it can be hard to judge an accurate range

What to Consider When Buying a Well Water Testing Kit

Nearly all home water test kits involve wetting strips of paper with a small water sample. The resulting color changes indicate certain chemicals in the water. Consider the following features as you research the best kit for your needs:

• What it tests for: There’s a long list of contaminants you don’t want in your well water. Learn which are most common in your area and choose your test kit accordingly.
• Bacterial testing component: Contamination from bacteria is one of the most serious dangers in well water. This should be on your list.
• Accuracy: Waterborne contaminants are usually measured in parts per million (PPM). Check the test kit increments and scour reviews for a sense of the product’s accuracy.

“First it is important to understand what contaminant the test kit is going to detect,” says Yeggy. “For example, sometimes hardware stores will offer free test kits for hardness. These tend to be very small vials that you fill with your tap water and then mail in. Often, they are only testing for hardness, and then someone from the store, or a vendor affiliated with the store, will contact the homeowner with the results.”

According to Yeggy, a useful and free resource for any consumers considering water treatment is the Water Treatment for Dummies booklet. It contains general information about treatment options and specific tips for homeowners who are either on municipal water or a private well.

Why You Should Trust Us

I am a writer, videographer, photographer and online strength coach based in Northern Ontario, Canada. I grew up on a rural self-sufficient homestead property where I learned the skills to build my own home from the ground up, do all my own vehicle repairs and work with wood, stone and metal to find practical DIY solutions to many everyday problems. Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece.

Way consulted Eric Yeggy, the Technical Affairs Director for the Water Quality Association (WQA) located in Lisle, Illinois. WQA is a nonprofit international trade association representing the residential, commercial and industrial water treatment industry. Eric joined the Water Quality Association (WQA) in 2009. He serves as a resource and advocate for the betterment of water quality by participating in numerous committees and task forces under American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), NSF International and other organizations. Eric plans and coordinates the activities of the WQA Water Sciences Think Tank. Before joining WQA, he began his career in the environmental testing industry where he gained a wide range of experience in analytical chemistry and managing quality systems. Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa.

How We Found the Best Well Water Test Kits

When looking for the best well water test kits, it’s important to consider all the different types of tests available. We spoke to a leading water specialist to determine the most common contaminants in well water before deciding upon our criteria for each pick.

Once we decided upon our eight categories, we looked through dozens of best-selling kits, from those that test for singular contaminants to those that offer a range of test results. We combed through user reviews, determining which kits are worth the price and ensured that each pick uses the most up-to-date testing standards. The result? We’re confident that each of the best well water testing kits on this list is top-quality.

FAQ

Are well water testing kits accurate?

While water testing kits are usually fairly accurate, Yeggy notes that these are often just the first step when dealing with contaminants. Some tests simply aren’t strong enough to test for particulates like lead.

“Home test kits for lead are also popular. But these kits only detect dissolved lead,” notes Yeggy. “When problems with lead do occur, most of the lead is often present in particulate form. No one has invented a home test kit yet that will reliably detect particulate lead.”

It’s also important to know what you’re testing for and what levels are dangerous. Some tests detect contaminants that won’t give you an accurate picture of the quality of your water.

“There are also inexpensive meters that homeowners can use to detect Total Dissolved Solids in their water or TDS. But most tap water contains TDS, and this is not necessarily a problem,” says Yeggy. “TDS is not a reliable indication of a health concern or even an aesthetic concern that will cause bad tastes or odors.”

If I test positive for contamination, what are the next steps?

According to Yeggy, DIYers can find products that are certified to remove specific contaminants through the WQA website. The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and NSF International also have certified drinking water treatment products listed on their websites.

An easier way is to contact a local water treatment professional through the WQA website and let them recommend the best solutions based on the test results.