Gardening is a popular pastime and one that can be very rewarding and therapeutic. Plants can be grown out in the garden, in a greenhouse, on a balcony, in your home, and basically wherever you can find a spot for them.
There is a lot more science that goes into gardening than one might presume. Soil treatments, cooling systems, and even greenhouse maintenance all require the right measurements and calculations to get just right. Luckily for all you seasonal or amateur gardeners, there are plenty of easy at-home kits and guides that can help you.
We will be looking at the best gardening soil testing kits that are easy to use and even easier to read. Here is a list of five kits, along with the reasons we think they are worth investing in highlighting their pros and cons.
Best Home Soil Test Kits
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Soil Savvy Soil Testing Kit |
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2. Altree Soil Tester Kit |
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3. Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil Tester |
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4. SoilKit Soil Test Kit |
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5. Environmental Concepts Professional Soil Test Kit |
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Our Best Soil Test Kits for Vegetable Gardens
1. Soil Savvy Soil Testing Kit
Product Highlights
The Soil Savvy Soil Testing kit will be able to display a fertilizer recommendation for your specific soil needs. It also analyzes the soil’s nutrients and pH levels.
Features
- 14 nutrient analysis
- pH level report
- Stops over-application of nutrients
- Easy to read instructions
- Full kit including all components
What We Like About Soil Savvy Soil Testing Kit
After mailing the soil sample, the results are sent back to you in a really short amount of time. The results are not overly scientific and come with recommendations on how to make the soil more fertile.
What We Don’t Like About Soil Savvy Soil Testing Kit
There is a bit of clear liquid in the testing jar. If the liquid is spilled before you put the soil sample in the jar, the results can come back inconclusive. Another nuisance is that the website you need to log onto to get the results can be temperamental.
PROS
- Results are available online
- Great improvement recommendations
- Get results within a week
- Easy to use
CONS
- Can’t access result history
- Results can take a while to come
2. Altree Soil Tester Kit
Product Highlights
3-in-1 soil tester with pH, soil moisture, and light analysis functions.
Features
- pH level test
- Measures light
- Tests soil moisture
- For use in soil
- No batteries needed
- Use indoors or outdoors
What We Like About Altree Soil Tester Kit
You can see results instantly on the meter, the moisture meter is a feature that can be used daily to ensure your plants are getting enough water. The pH meter gives a rough pH range instantly and saves time waiting for test results to come back from a laboratory.
What We Don’t Like About Altree Soil Tester Kit
The prongs are really long, using it on a lawn may be difficult and could bend or break the prongs if they hit a rock in the ground. The pH reading gives a rough estimate which isn’t always enough.
PROS
- Prevents overwatering
- Instant results
- Accurate
- Reusable
CONS
- Breaks easily
- Flimsy
3. Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil Tester
Product Highlights
Test soil moisture, pH, and light meter with instant, easy to read accurate results from Sonkir’s Soil Tester.
Features
- Analyzes pH levels in the soil
- Discloses soil moisture reading
- Light analysis
- Instant results
- Reusable
- Indoor and outdoor use
What We Like About Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil Tester
The meter doesn’t require batteries. It is made for multiple uses and gives results instantly. It is a useful tool that helps prevent overwatering drought-tolerant plants that would otherwise get distressed if their soil was too moist.
What We Don’t Like About Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil Tester
The pH meter doesn’t read below 3.5 and is sometimes temperamental. Light and moisture levels are accurate, but if you need precise pH readings, this meter isn’t for you.
PROS
- Instant results
- Easy to understand
- Reusable
- No batteries required
CONS
- pH is a rough estimate
- Temperamental
4. SoilKit Soil Test Kit
Product Highlights
Professional soil testing kit with accurate lab results processed by a professional.
Features
- Includes soil sample bag
- Prepaid lab processing fees
- Includes a return stamp envelope
- Receive professional recommendations
- Identifies problem areas
- Assesses plant health
What We Like About SoilKit Soil Test Kit
If you suspect a serious issue with your plants and you are unsure what the cause is, this test kit will most likely reveal the issue. The process is simple and there are detailed instructions to follow to avoid confusion. When you get your results back, you will be provided with a list of recommendations for improving your plant’s health.
What We Don’t Like About SoilKit Soil Test Kit
You will find yourself waiting a while for the results. If you don’t register your sample on the website before sending them off, the results may not get back to you.
PROS
- Accurate
- Gives detailed results
- Analyzed by professionals
- Easy to use
CONS
- 7 day turnaround time
- Can not see results instantly
5. Environmental Concepts Professional Soil Test Kit
Product Highlights
Environmental Concepts offers three test kits to choose from, each has either 20, 80, or 200 tests depending on the results you require
Features
- Comes with a case
- Tests pH, P, N and K
- pH reference list
- Gardening tips
- Soil condition altering tips
What We Like About Environmental Concepts Professional Soil Test Kit
The instructions are rather clear, results are instant and easy to compare to the guide provided. The kit has lots of tips and tricks for you to improve your plants in general.
What We Don’t Like About Environmental Concepts Professional Soil Test Kit
The pH test struggles with reading highly acidic soils. It can sometimes take a while to do all of the testings, especially if you have a number of soils to test.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Instant results
- Highly accurate
- Easy to understand
CONS
- Time-consuming
- The filter device is hard to function
Final Verdict
Environmental Concepts soil kit takes the crown today. It is very accurate and provides instant results, as well as giving general gardening advice on altering soil conditions. If you are looking for a reliable soil kit, this is a brilliant choice.
I’ve tried both of those meters and found them useless. The Environmental Concepts kit is the way to go.