The 8 Best Salt Meters
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in December of 2016. Testing and adjusting salinity levels is an important part of maintaining saltwater ponds, aquariums and some swimming pools and spas. If you're looking to ensure that your marine flora and fauna remain healthy and algae-free, pick up one of these salt meters, which will quickly and clearly inform you whether or not you need to correct the chemical makeup of the body of water in question. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Apera Instruments PC60
2. Myron L PT1
3. Aichose ATC
Editor's Notes
November 15, 2020:
Replaced the TekcoPlus SMKT-49 with the TekcoPlus SMKT-50, a newer model with higher ratings and an enormous active range. We also added the ESeasonGear SALT-3050, which comes pre-calibrated and can be used in a wide variety of temperatures.
One difficulty with purchasing a salt meter online is that many products marketed as salt meters really measure pH levels and TDS, or Total Dissolved Solids, in a solution. While these meters do detect salt, they also detect other non-salt particles and will not discriminate between the two, which means you won’t be able to use them to get an accurate measure of the salt in a body of water. To avoid this, we've made sure to include in our selection choices which either only measure salt or which can also measure pH or TDS without compromising on their ability to detect salt. If you're instead looking for a device that can measure pH levels and the amount of total dissolved solids in a body of water, take a look at the best TDS meters here.
May 02, 2019:
The most important aspect to consider when choosing a salinity meter is accuracy, which is why we searched through hundreds of reviews to determine which models offer the most precise readings. Other details under consideration were extra features such as calibration bottles, and lanyards and cases for portability. We also made sure to include products that are effective in freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water.
Due to availability concerns and low reviews, the LaMotte Swimming Pool, Aquascape KoiMedic, TekcoPlus Six In One, Oakton SaltTestr, and Hayward GLX have all been removed. Four products have been added to the list: the Aichose ATC, Myron L PT1, Apera Instruments PC60, and TekcoPlus SMTK-49, all of which are praised by users for their accuracy and durability.
4. Horiba Laquatwin
5. LaMotte 1749
6. TekcoPlus SMKT-50
7. Solaxx NP2064
8. ESeasonGear SALT-3050
Luke is a writer, director, and illustrator living in Massachusetts. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Literary Arts from Brown University, where he honed his skills as a writer and editor working for various campus newspapers, festivals, and film organizations. Upon graduating he traveled the world, eating scorpions in Thailand and hitchhiking across New Zealand before settling down in New England to write prose fiction. An autodidact and media sponge, he’s well-versed in topics such as literature, nonfiction, textbooks, film, television, recording equipment, video games, and art supplies. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, boxing, playing the piano, and translating complex subjects into plain language.