- Tom Green
Knowing the pH of your mash is vital to ensure consistent and good quality homebrew. With so many pH meters on the market, choosing the correct device can be overwhelming.
Follow our guide to find the best meter for you. We’ve rounded up the most popular homebrewing pH meters to figure out who’s on top!
What Is the Best pH Meter for Homebrewing?The best pH meter for homebrewing is the Milwaukee 102. Easy to use, reliable, and built like a tank. The readings are fast and accurate. You can remove the pH probe which makes it easy to clean and replace, if needed. It also has a separate temperature probe which comes in handy throughout the brew day.
There are plenty of other great options, like the Omega 7011-PHH and Apera AI311. You’ll definitely get reliable readings and no-fuss operation with those devices.
Even for very low budgets, we’ll recommend you a few stable options that will get the job done in a pinch!
1. Milwaukee 102Our Pick
Best pH Meter For Home Brewers Milwaukee Instruments MW102 PH and Temperature Meter The ideal pH meter for anyone working on a low budget but still requiring fast and reliable measurements.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. For a great value, exceptional performance, and high reliability, look no further than the Milwaukee 102. It’s super functional and precise, and it’s a breeze to maintain.
The unit comes with a separate temperature probe, which has lots of other great uses throughout the brew day. The read-out is easy to read. The wired connections make the pH and temperature probes hassle-free to manipulate, unlike some of the “pen” style meters.
This probe needs to be stored in Milwaukee brand storage solution, which is a bit of a negative as other solutions aren’t recommended. Like all meters, you’ll need to calibrate it before each use.
Features:
- Easy 2-point calibration
- Detachable testing probes
- Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
- ±0.02 pH accuracy
- High quality and long lasting construction
pH MeterVerdict?pH AccuracyATC?
Replaceable electrode?CalibrationMilwaukee 102Our top pick ±0.02 Yes Yes point Omega 7011-PHHBest pen type meter ±0.01 Yes Yes 2 point Apera Instruments AI311Great bet ±0.01 Yes Yes 2 point Apera Instruments AI3711Best pH meter for data geeks and techies ±0.01 Yes Yes 2 point Apera Instruments AI209Great mid-range option ±0.1 Yes No 2 point Hach Pocket Pro+ Best mid-range ±0.1 Yes Yes 2 point Dr. Meter PH-100Respectable lower end meter ±0.02 Yes No 3 point VIVOSUN pH MeterNot recommended ±0.05 Yes No 2 point 2. Omega 7011-PHHFor the best compact pen-type pH meter, the Omega 7011-PHH takes the cake. Reliable and super easy to use, it’s ready to go right out of the box. The calibration solutions are included, and that process is very quick and straightforward with this device.
It’s got great resolution and accuracy. It’s also waterproof so you know you don’t have to worry about spilling a bit of wort or water on it.
Features:
- Easy to use and very sturdy design
- Calibration and storage solutions included
- ATC
- Replaceable electrode
- ±0.01 pH accuracy
3. Apera Instruments AI311 Premium Series PH60 Apera Instruments AI311 Premium Series PH60 Apera AI311 Premium Series PH60 Pocket pH Tester Kit is designed for professional pH measurements in general water applications.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. Another good choice for a compact pH meter, the Apera AI311 is very similar to the Omega 7011-PHH in features and function. We have to give the edge to the Omega, however, because this Apera device has a few known quality issues.
It should work well for the most part, but a slightly sub-par build quality may cause some frustration down the line. It’s still a great device that offers fast and reliable pH and temperature readings.
Features:
- Calibration and storage solutions included
- ATC
- Replaceable electrode
- ±0.01 pH accuracy
4. Apera Instruments AI3711 PH60-Z Apera Instruments AI3711 PH60-Z Bluetooth Smart pH Tester The Apera PH60-Z Smart pH Pocket Tester powered by ZenTest is designed for seamless pH measurement of general water solutions like wort.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. This is an interesting pH meter, especially for data-nerds and gear heads! It links up with a smartphone which allows you to record, manage, and share your test data. Other than that, it’s mainly identical to the lower-tech AI311 in the way it functions.
If having smartphone connectivity isn’t important for you, there’s no real reason to opt for this meter.
Features:
- Smartphone connectivity
- Calibration and storage solutions included
- ATC
- Replaceable electrode
- ±0.01 pH accuracy
5. Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Apera Instruments PH20 Value pH Tester Kit simply provides reliable and quick pH measurements for general water solutions like wort.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. For a low-budget and easy to use pH meter, we really like the Apera AI209 Value Series PH20. It’s similar in design to its bigger siblings (the AI311 and AI3711) but with a few distinct differences.
A lower accuracy and non-replaceable probe are major downsides, but for such an inexpensive meter, you can’t really expect much more. It’s a risk if the probe breaks – which it inevitably may – so keep that in mind. The lower accuracy, at ±0.1 pH is fine for most homebrewers but, understandably, not everyone.
Features:
- Calibration and storage solutions included
- ATC
- Non-Replaceable electrode
- ±0.1 pH accuracy
6. Hach Pocket Pro+ pH Tester with Replaceable Sensor Hach 9532700 Pocket Pro+ Hach Pocket Pro+ delivers accurate results with built-in Diagnostics, replaceable batteriesand sensor, and a large, easy-to-read LCD screen.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. A nice, affordable pen-style meter is the Hach Pocket Pro+. It’s quite easy to use and very portable. One great feature is that it doesn’t need to be stored in a storage solution. Simply a few drops of distilled water in the storage cap is all it needs to stay protected.
It’s a great budget option, but you’ll feel it in the build quality. The controls can be a little finicky and the thin plastic construction means you wouldn’t want to drop it… but overall, it’s a nice little device.
Features:
- 2 Buffer calibration
- ±0.1 pH accuracy
- ATC
- Replaceable sensor
- Super compact and portable
7. Dr. Meter PH-100 Dr.meter PH100-V The Dr.meter pH meter uses a 3-point calibration method, calibrating the electrode to solutions of pH 6.86, pH 4.00, and pH 9.18.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. Simple but effective, the Dr. Meter PH-100 is a no-nonsense pH meter that will work for most homebrewers. It’s got a respectable accuracy of ±0.02 pH.
It’s relatively straightforward to use, with a 3-point calibration method. The Dr. Meter is a bit more expensive than the Apera Instruments AI209 but definitely more reliable. The electrode is also non-replaceable, but that’s a common theme with these ultra-low budget models.
Features:
- ±0.02 pH accuracy
- ATC
- Non-replaceable electrode
- 3-point calibration
- Calibration and storage solutions included
8. VIVOSUN pH Meter VIVOSUN pH Meter Digital Pen pH Tester Ideal for residential or commercial use, water, pool, spas, liquid food, laboratory, aquaculture and hydroponics.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. Coming in as the most budget-friendly meter on our list, the VIVOSUN should be purchased with caution. It certainly won’t break the bank, but you may be in the market for a replacement within a few months. It works in a pinch, though. With quick readings and a relatively good accuracy at ±0.05 pH.
If you’re looking for quality and a long-lasting product, definitely spend more on one of the other meters we mentioned.
Features:
- ±0.05 pH accuracy
- 2-point calibration
- Calibration solutions included
- ATC
Final Recommendations for the Best pH MeterAs you can see, pH meters can range across many styles, prices, accuracy, and features.
The most important thing to remember about pH meters is that, in general, you pay for quality and accuracy. On top of that, the higher end meters require extra care when storing and cleaning.
That’s why we love the Milwaukee 102 and think it’s the best pH meter on the market for homebrewers. It’s easy to maintain, super reliable, and the probe can be replaced if needed. Going with the Milwaukee 102 is the best bet for a long-term pH meter.
No matter what meter you go for, you need to make sure to take good care of it. Always use the storage solution, keep it clean, and definitely calibrate the probe before each brew day.
Check out our water chemistry guide to get the most out of your new device and nail your next homebrew recipe!
Best pH Meter For Home Brewers Milwaukee Instruments MW102 PH and Temperature Meter The ideal pH meter for anyone working on a low budget but still requiring fast and reliable measurements.
Check Price Read Our Review Bison Brew is reader supported and may earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase. Latest ArticlesGet updated on the latest brewing techniques, recipes, and discounts on kick ass equipment with our monthly newsletter.
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