The structure of the growing medium ensures good porosity and superior root growth. The next important aspect of your growing medium is soil pH and how it affects your marijuana plants.
In itself, pH value is simply the measure of the number of hydrogen ions in any substance. As far as weed is concerned, the acidity, neutrality, and alkalinity of the soil affect nutrient solution availability.
There are many pH meters that flood the market, but not all of them are suitable for a marijuana grower.
After detailed research, we found the Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil pH Meter to be the best option for your cannabis plant care.
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Popular pH Meters for Growing Cannabis
1. Sonkir 3-in-1 Soil pH Meter
If you want a model that is versatile, but still easy to understand, then the Sonkir Soil pH Meter is a great choice for your weed plant care. It is a well-built device with a very simple-to-read interface that clearly displays the pH down and up range, moisture range, and light intensity.
Knowing the ideal pH for your cannabis plants has been made easy. This unit will let you know the acidity level of the soil, allowing you to prepare for any amendments if needed.
Your weed will not stay without sufficient hydroponics anymore because the probe informs you when the soil needs more tap water.
That’s not all, the Sonkir pH meter tests light intensity your plants receive. There is an advanced light-sensing receiver for enhanced sensitivity.
Unlike ordinary units, this upgraded Sonkir model comes with high-performance double sensors. The advanced probes/sensors are more sensitive to pH and moisture changes.
Things We Like:
- Three-in-one functions eliminate the need for more than one device
- Expanded readout scale improves reading and accuracy
- Battery-free and ready to operate without an external power source
- Features upgraded double sensors for superior pH and moisture detection
- Lightweight design is suitable for indoor and outdoor cannabis plants
Things We Didn’t Like:
- May fail to work in dry soil
2. Atree Soil pH Meter
Make your dream weed garden come true with the Atree Soil pH Meter. This is a three-in-one soli meter with pH, light, and moisture test ph functions.
You’ve got an easy readout scale. The calibrations on the scale are simple to decipher. The pH in the red part (3.5-7) is acidic and green part (7-8) is alkaline.
Moisture readings in the red part (1-3) indicates the soil is dry, green part (4-7) indicates the soil is moist, and blue part (8-10) indicates the soil is wet.
There is a light sensor that determines whether your weed plants are getting enough light. The relative light intensity ranges from 0 to 2000 LUX.
It is probably the easiest unit to use. All you have to do is stick the probe about 2 to 4 inches into the soil. Then, adjust PH and its position until the pointer swings.
Wait for a few minutes, and then adjust the switch to note the soil pH, moisture and light. Remove the probe from the soil and wipe it clean after use.
Things We Like:
- It is a 3-in-1 pH meter
- Easy readout scale with simple to decipher calibrations
- Doesn’t need special skills to use, just insert into the soil
- No electricity or batteries are needed for operation
- A very sensitive probe that gives correct PH readings
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Light sensor may not be useful
3. Hofun Soil pH Meter
Do you want a pH kit that helps to improve plant care? Look no further than the Hofun Soil pH Meter. This is a 3-in-1 probe for testing pH, light, and moisture.
You will love it on your garden and farm. It is particularly great in the house in your potted weed plants. It comes with a detail readout scale that is simple to decipher. The pH scale ranges from 3.8 to 8, the moisture scale ranges from 1 to 10, and the light scale ranges from 0 to 2000 LUX.
The unit comes with three sensors. The light sensor is located just below the scale, which helps you to establish whether your weed plants are getting sufficient light.
The moisture sensor on the left let you know when you need to water your weed whether manually or with a hydroponic system, while the pH sensor on the right helps bring the levels of your pH up and down to you know when to amend the soil.
Unlike ordinary soil testers, the Hofun uses double needle detection technology that improves the accuracy and speed of detecting as well as analyzing pH acidity and soil moisture.
Things We Like:
- Three-in-one soil meter for pH, moisture, and light
- Easy to decipher readout scale
- pH sensor helps you control soil pH acidity
- Moisture sensor alerts you when to water the weed plants
- Enhanced detection/analyzing accuracy and speed
- No electricity or batteries are required
Things We Didn’t Like:
- May fail to find the usefulness of the light sensor
4. Goksu Soil pH and Moisture Meter
The Goksu Soil pH and Moisture Meter is ready to use out of the box. It is a handheld device that is extremely easy to use. The unit has a heavy-duty body that can take a beating. The metal probe goes deep into the soil for enhanced moisture, pure water and pH detection.
The metal probe is equipped with a metal sensing electrode for accurate detection. However, the electrode does not detect light.
The meter has a durable and simple readout scale that measures 50 mm in diameter. The pH scale ranges from 3 to 8, while the moisture scale reads 1 to 8.
You don’t need any external power source, such as batteries or electricity. It is the perfect houseplant tool alkaline/acidic PH indicator.
Installing the meter is super easy. All you have to do is push it into the growing medium until all the metal rings are sunken. The depth is approximately 2 inches.
Things We Like:
- Comes with a highly sensitive metal electrode for accurate readings
- Features a one-button humidity/pH switch that is easy to toggle
- Easy readout with clearly defined calibrations
- Self-operating, no electricity or batteries necessary
- Helps maintain the ideal soil pH and improves overall plant care
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t penetrate deep enough into the soil
5. Veroyi Soil pH Meter
The Veroyi Soil pH Meter is a highly versatile soil tester that can be used indoors as well as outdoors to improve weed plant care. It features three functionalities in a single unit, including pH levels, moisture levels, and light intensity received by your plants.
What is truly impressive about this unit is the simple design. No batteries or electricity needed to operate it, just insert it into the soil and it will do the rest.
You can easily adjust ph levels and the settings by toggling the switch. This way, you are able to monitor the pH and moisture levels as well as light intensity.
Comes with a very simple to read display that clearly shows all the measurements for pH, moisture and light. Advanced double sensor design guarantees accurate detection and analysis. Plant care has been made easy with the Veroyi Soil pH Meter.
Things We Like:
- Easy readout offers accurate and reliable readings
- Simple design, no electricity/batteries required
- Lightweight and compact for indoor and outdoor use
- Long probes dig deep into the soil for superior detection
- Three-in-one function eliminates the need for separate tools
Things We Didn’t Like:
- May receive defective pH meter
What to look for in the best pH meter?
The best cannabis soil should be pH-tested regularly. Otherwise, your cannabis plants will have nutrient deficiency. Here are a few things that you can consider before you engage the market.
Types of pH Meters
For weed growers, there are three major types of pH meters that you can choose. You can buy a unit that only measures the pH, a unit that measures the pH and moisture, or a unit that measures the pH, moisture, and light. You can also choose from analog or digital ph meters.
According to our findings, the most popular type is a 3-in-1 unit that measures pH, moisture, and light. Unlike a standalone or a 2-in-1 pH meter, a 3-in-1 type makes plant care easier for you. You are able to monitor all the three parameters with a toggle of a switch.
You will know when the soil is too acidic when the weed plants need watering, and whether the plants are receiving sufficient light.
Readout Scale
The size and calibration of the readout scale are very important. You must be able to view the pointer and be able to decipher the readings.
A good pH meter for weed may have measurements ranging from 3.5 to 8. The red zone of the scale may cover 3.5 to 7 pH and the green zone may cover 7 to 8 pH points.
You should be able to know that every full point adjustment in pH indicates a tenfold increment or decrement in alkalinity or acidic soil.
For instance, soil with a pH of five is more acidic compared to soil with a pH of six. With a ten-fold difference between each point on the readout scale, accurate measurements and control are important to strong, healthy weed plants.
Weed grows best in soil with a pH that ranges from 6.5 to 7. This specific cannabis pH range allows your plants to properly absorb and process available nutrients most efficiently. The moisture and light scales are pretty much straight forward to understand.
Advanced Detection Technology
You can achieve quicker and more accurate readings if the pH meter you choose features advanced detection technology.
The pH and moisture detection sensors or electrodes must be high performing. The probes should feature sensitive material with low impedance.
The electrodes or sensors must have excellent thermal stability and fast response. This will guarantee you quick and accurate readings.
Ease of Use
Any quality pH meter for weed you buy should be easy to use. We prefer units that don’t need electricity or batteries for them to be operational.
A good quality meter would have long electrodes that can go deep into the soil for superior pH and moisture detection. The design of electrodes or sensors should allow you to stick the probe, 2 to 4 inches, into the soil for accurate readings.
Another important aspect of the design is the toggle switch. You should be able to switch from the pH to light and moisture without any pH problems.
How Accurate are pH Meters?
The major problem with most pH meters is that readings can become inaccurate if the meter is not regularly calibrated and the electrodes replaced once in a while. Calibration of these devices is necessary to check their accuracy by using solutions of known pH level.
Depending on the cost of the instrument, it may give pH readings to the nearest 0.1 or 0.01 pH unit, although the latter is unlikely to be required in most applications.
Most pH meter probes have a life of one to three years and need to be replaced. Otherwise, they may end up giving incorrect readings.
Final Words
Unless you’re using soilless plants, an extremely accurate pH meter for cannabis allows you to instantly know how alkaline or acidic your soil is, and whether the soil needs amending.
Cannabis plants require optimum pH levels in order to control how well they use the available nutrients to fast track their development.
Most of the magic depends on the sensors or electrodes. So, choose a proven and reliable pH meter like the Sonkir Soil pH Meter that features advanced detection technology for the best results.
Moisture and light sensors on 3-in-1 devices are important. These two features would help you know when to water the weed and whether the plants are getting enough light.
Caring for your cannabis plants can be as simple as inserting a probe in the soil to check the pH and moisture levels.
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