We tested some of the market’s top kits so that you don’t have to play chemist every time you check your pool.

Test strips usually test for free chlorine, bromine, pH, and alkalinity. Test kits usually include two polyethylene containers and a number of small bottles filled with reagents (testing chemicals).

Keeping the chemicals in your pool at the right level is a delicate balancing act. If not properly maintained, your pool can be home to insects, bacteria, or even harsh chemical smells. The only way ...