PoolWaterLAB digital photometer for pool & spa water testing

Digital pool & spa water testing

PoolWaterLAB V2.0 Digital Pool Water Tester

Digital readings for chlorine, pH, alkalinity, CYA, and more. Prepare each test with its specified reagents and read the result on the device. No phone or Wi-Fi is required for testing.

 Shop PoolWaterLAB V2.0 Watch how it works

Digital readings for informed pool care

PoolWaterLAB V2.0 uses reagent-based photometry to provide digital pool and spa water test results. Prepare the sample using the method-specific reagents; the instrument measures the optical change, so you do not need to match colors by eye.

The reference library lists 32 parameters and results, including separate low- and high-range methods and calculated results. Some procedures use several reagents. Follow the complete instructions for sample volume, reagent mode, quantities, mixing, and reaction time.

Published laboratory tolerances are up to ±10% of the actual value, with ±0.10 pH units for pH. These include instrument-, reagent-, and user-related variation under laboratory conditions. Review the stated tolerances, limitations, and L1 comparison.

Photometric Water Analysis

Reagent-based measurement

Test-specific reagents produce an optical change in the sample. The photometer measures the prepared sample and uses the selected method to calculate a digital result.

A repeatable testing routine

Use the specified sample volume, complete ZERO, and follow every preparation and timing step in the user manual. Consistent technique helps make results more repeatable.

Use it on its own or connect

Read results directly on the photometer. Optional LabCOM app and cloud features let you save and review measurements.

How PoolWaterLAB Photometer Works

How to Test Your Pool Water

  1. Prepare the sample. Rinse the cuvette with the water to be tested, fill all three chambers to the top, and use the water leveler to leave exactly 10 mL in each chamber.
  2. Complete ZERO. Fit the light protection cap and run ZERO before selecting the test and adding reagents.
  3. Select and prepare the test. Choose the parameter in the appropriate chamber. Follow the specified reagent mode, quantities, and addition order. Crush tablets before stirring them to full dissolution; stir liquid and powder reagents as directed.
  4. Run the measurement. Replace the cap and follow the method-specific device prompts and reaction time. Read the digital result in the reporting units specified for that parameter; pH uses pH units.
  5. Clean after testing. Rinse the cuvette and stirring stick and remove reagent residue before the next measurement.

This is the general sequence, not a complete procedure for every test. Some methods require additional reagents, equipment, or preparation. See How PoolWaterLAB Works and follow the user manual exactly for your selected parameter.

Intended Users

Pool and Spa Owners

For pool and spa owners who want numerical readings and are comfortable preparing samples, adding reagents and following a testing routine.

Pool Service Professionals

For service technicians who need on-device readings during site visits, with optional app and cloud tools for recording water test results.

What Accurate Testing Changes

Read a number

See a digital result instead of choosing the closest color on a comparison chart.

Check the relevant parameters

Measure free chlorine and CYA separately, alongside pH and other water balance parameters.

Keep a testing history

Record readings and review changes over time to support your pool maintenance decisions.
Explore the PoolWaterLAB Photometer

What PoolWaterLAB V2.0 Measures — 32 Parameters and Results

Explore 32 parameters and results, grouped by their main application. The list includes separate low- and high-range methods and calculated results. It does not mean 32 tests run at once. Choose the exact method for your water type and treatment system.

For your pool

Start with free and total chlorine, pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness. Check CYA for an outdoor chlorine pool, including a saltwater pool.

Add phosphate, iron or copper when investigating algae nutrients, discoloration or staining.

For your spa or hot tub

Choose chlorine or bromine tests to match your sanitizer system, alongside pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness.

The active oxygen method is for compatible MPS-based treatments; it is not a dissolved-oxygen test. Combined chlorine is calculated from the prescribed free- and total-chlorine readings.

For tap and fill water

Check total hardness, chlorine residuals, iron and copper. Nitrate, nitrite and ammonia offer additional chemical checks when relevant to your water source.

Use the specified method and range. These readings do not establish whether water is safe to drink.

Pool & spa water balance

pH

Measuring range: 6.50–8.40 pH units

Published laboratory tolerance: ±0.10 pH units

What it helps you check: Check acidity or alkalinity in pool and spa water. Follow the method’s alkalinity requirements.
Total alkalinity

Measuring range: 0–200 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check buffering capacity when pool or spa pH is difficult to keep stable.
Calcium hardness

Measuring range: 0–500 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Assess calcium levels when managing pool and spa water balance and scale.
Cyanuric acid (CYA)

Measuring range: 0–100 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check chlorine stabilizer in outdoor chlorine pools, including saltwater pools.

Disinfection — match your treatment system

Free chlorine

Measuring range: 0.00–6.00 ppm fCl₂

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check free-chlorine residual using the specified method. The range shown is for the tablet method.
Total chlorine

Measuring range: 0.00–6.00 ppm tCl₂

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Measure total chlorine using the full prescribed reagent sequence; it is not calculated from free chlorine alone.
Combined chlorine (chloramines)

Measuring range: 0.00–6.00 ppm cCl₂

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Calculate combined chlorine by subtracting free chlorine from total chlorine, following the complete method.
Monochloramine

Measuring range: 0.00–8.70 ppm NH₂Cl

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Use the monochloramine method for a separate chloramine result and follow the complete reagent sequence.
Dichloramine

Measuring range: 0.00–14.50 ppm NHCl₂

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Use the dichloramine method and its required measurements and calculation. This is separate from the combined-chlorine result.
Bromine

Measuring range: 0.00–13.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check sanitizer residual in pools, spas and hot tubs that use bromine.
Active oxygen (MPS)

Measuring range: 0.00–20.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: For a compatible MPS-based pool or spa treatment; select the active oxygen method.
Chlorine (high range)

Measuring range: 5–200 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: For high chlorine concentrations in treatment or disinfection work; use the dedicated high-range method.
Chlorine dioxide

Measuring range: 0.00–11.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check residual only in water treated with chlorine dioxide. This is a separate test from chlorine.
Hydrogen peroxide (low range)

Measuring range: 0.00–2.40 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Measure a low peroxide residual where hydrogen peroxide is part of the treatment system.
Hydrogen peroxide (high range)

Measuring range: 0–180 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Measure higher peroxide concentrations using the dedicated high-range method.
Ozone

Measuring range: 0.00–4.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check an ozone residual in a compatible ozone-treated water system.
PHMB

Measuring range: 5–60 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: For pools using a PHMB-based sanitizer; this is a separate method from chlorine and bromine.

Nutrients & organic load — pools, spas & source water

Phosphate (low range)

Measuring range: 0.00–4.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Investigate nutrient input to pool water or source water. This measures phosphate, not algae.
Phosphate (high range)

Measuring range: 0–80 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Use the high-range method when phosphate concentrations exceed the low-range method.
Ammonia

Measuring range: 0.00–1.20 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Investigate a nitrogen compound in source water or treated water that can contribute to chlorine demand.
Nitrate

Measuring range: 1–50 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Investigate nitrate in tap or fill water and nutrient input to pools.
Nitrite (low range)

Measuring range: 0.00–1.50 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check nitrite separately from nitrate when investigating source-water or treatment chemistry.
Urea

Measuring range: 0.10–2.50 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Investigate urea in pool and spa water as part of an assessment of bather-related contamination.

Metals & minerals — tap/fill water & troubleshooting

Total hardness

Measuring range: 0–500 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check combined calcium and magnesium hardness in tap or fill water, including before and after a water softener.
Iron (low range)

Measuring range: 0.00–1.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Investigate iron-related discoloration or staining in pool, spa, tap or fill water.
Free copper

Measuring range: 0.00–5.00 ppm fCu

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Measure free copper using the specified reagent method when investigating source water, staining, or copper-based treatments.
Total copper

Measuring range: 0.00–5.00 ppm tCu

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Measure total copper using the additional preparation and reagents specified by the complete method.
Combined copper

Measuring range: 0.00–5.00 ppm cCu

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Obtain the combined-copper result from the measurements and calculation prescribed by the copper method.
Aluminum

Measuring range: 0.00–0.30 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check aluminum when investigating source water or an aluminum-based treatment process.
Zinc

Measuring range: 0.00–1.00 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check zinc when investigating metals in source water or a treatment system.
Potassium

Measuring range: 0.70–12.0 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Measure potassium for a specific source-water or treatment investigation.
Sulfate

Measuring range: 5–100 ppm

Published laboratory tolerance: ±10%

What it helps you check: Check sulfate as part of a source-water or pool-water chemistry investigation.

Published laboratory tolerances: percentages apply to the actual or reference value; pH uses pH units. The stated tolerances include instrument-, reagent-, and user-related variation under laboratory conditions. They are not an NSF certification or a blanket L1 classification for all 32 results. Results also depend on the method, sample, reagents, preparation, and timing. See Accuracy & Technology.

How to use the ranges: These are instrument measuring ranges, not recommended treatment targets or drinking-water limits. The listed range applies to the method shown; tablet, liquid, powder, low-range, and high-range methods are not automatically interchangeable. LR means low range and HR means high range. ppm means parts per million; pH uses pH units.

Read the complete reagent list. Some procedures need several reagents or additional equipment. Total chlorine requires its own measurement steps; combined chlorine is calculated from free and total chlorine. Follow the complete method for copper and other linked results, too. Extended-test reagents are sold separately.

Tap-water testing: PoolWaterLAB provides selected chemical readings. These do not establish whether water is safe to drink or replace drinking-water testing by a certified laboratory.

Review all measured parameters and required supplies · Check saltwater compatibility · Estimate reagent costs per test.

What comes in the kit?

PoolWaterLAB Photometer V2.0 digital pool and hot tub water tester

Instrument & accessories

  • 1 × PoolWaterLAB V2.0 photometer
  • 1 × Replaceable triple-chamber cuvette
  • 1 × Light protection cap
  • 3 × Stirring sticks
  • 1 × Water leveler
  • 3 × AA batteries
  • 1 × Blue bag
  • LabCOM app, software, cloud service, and digital user manual access

Starter reagent tablets

  • 20 × DPD No. 1 — free chlorine
  • 20 × Phenol Red — pH
  • 10 × DPD No. 3 — total / combined chlorine
  • 10 × CYA-Test — cyanuric acid
  • 10 × Alkalinity-M — total alkalinity

The kit includes 70 starter tablets for five core tests. Tablet count is not the number of complete multi-reagent procedures: total chlorine uses DPD No. 1 and DPD No. 3, and combined chlorine is calculated from the prescribed readings. Calcium hardness and other extended tests require reagents sold separately. See the full kit details and warranty information.

Already own the photometer?

Replenish the reagents for the tests you run, or replace an accessory. Choose the reagent specified in the manual for your parameter and method.

Tablet reagents · Liquid reagents · Powder reagents · Accessories & spares

Questions before you choose?

Start with the practical details below, or contact PoolWaterLAB support for help choosing a test method or reagent.
Do I need a phone, app or Wi-Fi?
No. You can perform tests and read the results on the photometer itself. LabCOM app and cloud connectivity are optional. See the connection instructions for setup and syncing.

connection instructions
Can I use it in a saltwater pool?
Yes, for the tests listed as compatible with saltwater. Suitability depends on the parameter and salt concentration; not every method is suitable for seawater. Check the saltwater compatibility table and pH notes before testing.

saltwater compatibility table and pH notes
How long does a test take?
Timing depends on the parameter and reagent method. Some measurements are immediate; others require a reaction period or additional preparation. Follow the complete method, device prompts, and timing in the user manual.

user manual
Are reagents included, and will I need refills?
The kit includes 70 starter tablets for free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, CYA, and alkalinity. Some procedures use more than one reagent, and combined chlorine is calculated from other readings. Reagents are consumed during testing and need replenishing; calcium hardness and other extended tests require reagents sold separately. Review reagent cost estimates and what they include.

Review reagent cost estimates and what they include
Can I measure three parameters at once?
The triple cuvette supports compatible multi-measurement combinations. Some methods use only the center chamber, so not every combination can be tested together. Follow the chamber and reagent instructions for each selected test.
How do I care for the measuring cuvette?
Keep the cuvette clean, use the correct sample volume and rinse promptly after each test. Do not leave reacted samples in the chambers. Follow the sample handling and care instructions.

sample handling and care instructions

How It Works · Accuracy & Technology · Measured Parameters · Saltwater Testing · Cost per Test

Pool Chemistry Guides · API & Integration Services · User Manual · Customer Support

FAQs · About Us · Contact Us

Before ordering, review the shipping policy and return eligibility, conditions, and exclusions.

 View the PoolWaterLAB V2.0 kit