Bluelab Combo Meter for pH, Temperature & Conductivity in Water - Easy Calibration, Digital EC/TDS/PPM Tester for Hydroponics & Indoor Plants (METCOM)

The BlueLab METCOM is a nearly perfect instrument (at least in the short term). It does what it's expected to, within it's limitations. BlueLab doesn't claim it to be any more or less than it delivers. PH seems very accurate. I calibrate often and it never seems to need it, despite the fact the probes are in a nutrient tank 24/7 (I do give the probe a day a week or so in Kcl solution to hopefully keep it healthy). The TDS meter is fine for it's intended use - nutrient solution maintenance, but isn't precise enough to gauge the quality of raw/RO/DI water, you'll want a cheap pen for that, I use a Membrane Solutions TDS pen and it seems quite accurate down in the sub teen TDS levels (less than 20 bucks and comes with a nice magnetic case). The Thermometer is slow to respond (built into the TDS probe and has high mass) and ok as a very rough idea, but mine is about 3 degrees F high and it only reads full degrees (no tenths). Here my goto is the VEE GEE Scientific 83110 which is a great thermometer (see my review on that). The BlueLab thermometer is plenty accurate and repeatable to tell if you have a chiller problem or such. I don't like not having a comparison/backup for everything, so I just ordered a "2 in 1 Temperature pH Monitor" (Amazon of course) for about forty bucks (20 less than a probe from BlueLab), review in a month or so. (it's 7/21) This unit lets you check in on your Hydro system anytime you wish with the press of a button per reading, 3 hits and I've got PH, TDS and Temp, and I know it's all OK or if I need to look into a problem. No rinsing, opening tanks, checking calibration or any of that pen stuff, and zero risk you'll drop the pen in. The whole PH pen thing is just a PIA and discourages frequent checks. The pens are less precise in general unless you spend almost as much as you will for this handy device, and the probes are often not replaceable. Ph probes by design have a limited life. Always keep litmus paper or a dropper kit on hand, JIC. BlueLab products are moderately priced, very reliable and fairly accurate (but highly repeatable). That fits the needs of a lot of users. If you are a fit, this is a great solution, I am, and I will be using BlueLab instruments in the future.

I was not having any luck finding a decent & reliable ph meter. I wanted to wait a while before writing a review to make sure. The probe arrived with a little solution but it looked like the storage cap was not tightened enough but at least it did not arrive dry. The calibration solution was included in 20ml package, enough for one calibration but if you have a an empty bottle and you use distilled water when calibrating you can use the same solution a few times. It calibrated easily, probably one of the easiest calibrations compared to others I had, all you do is put the probe in 7.0 solution and press and hold CAL, thats it & the same for the 4.0 solution. After the first week the ph started drifting a bit but I was using it several times a day due to switching to different brand of nutrients for my peppers, I was learning a new routine and this ph meter made it so easy. I calibrated it again on day 6 and I'm thinking it was due to being new; it's held the calibration for about 24 days before it started drifting ( +.1 ) that was with me using it once a day and twice a day every 7 days when I change my water. It reads the ph fast and stays stable regardless of how long it stays in the solution. It also checks the temperature but I'm consistently in the sweet spot so don't use that feature much. The attached TDS/EC nutrient meter is a bonus, it reads all of them. I prefer using the 500ppm scale, but if you prefer EC, it's there too. It's convenient in my Aerogardens, fits in the holes perfect which is why I love it even more. I got a cheap bag to carry it around, I recommended something with a lanyard or strap so that you don't drop it if you have to carry the meter with the probe in water. I wash the probes in tap water after every use and change the storage solution after every 3-5 uses. I've never used distilled water although I'm sure it's better to rinse in distilled water instructions say tap water is perfectly fine. I recommend you get KCL storage solution and calibration solution 4 and 7 while your at it. If you don't have KCL solution you can use the 4.0 solution to store the ph probe while you get the KCL storing solution. If you have access to a hydroponic or grow store buy the calibration solution there it may be cheaper by a lot. This is overkill for what I have growing, definitely commercial quality but I love that it works, and it does what it does perfectly. I no longer double check the ph with other meters I trust these readings. I highly recommend this meter & Bluelab.

There are several types of combo Ph meters out there, and this one is definitely one of the better ones. A lot of people have problems keeping calibration and accuracy in check, but as long as you clean and store the probes properly, those problems will not arise. Make sure to follow the directions and to read the description, there are several ways you can read nutrient PPM, so make sure whatever your nutrients say they are calibrated to, that this meter covers that and is set to that specific setting. These can go on sale for a very good price from time to time, so it's worth keeping an eye out for deals, and definitely jump on them when they happen.

This is my second Bluelab combo meter. The first one functioned great for almost 2 years, then stopped registering voltage changes on the pH sensor. Purchased multiple replacement pH sensors and still refused to change readings despite going into both calibration solutions. Purchased a new combo meter in October 2024 and it worked fine until today where the same exact issue happened again. Tried using 2 other brand new sensors and no change in readings. Ofcourse it happened right after return window. This is far too expensive of a sensor to be failing this early. I have 10 year old Hanna stick pens that still work and cost a fraction of the price. Will not be buying again. Do better.

It’s always nice when something does several jobs at once. In the desert PH and temperatures are always a struggle for fish tanks, ponds, etc. this makes it easy to keep track of both. Very well made, high quality. And that usually means longevity. It’s a bit pricey but it’s worth it in the long term. Easy to read digital display, it will take a practice to get the hang of it but not too long.

Bluelab seems to consistently put out quality products. To be honest I love this meter, I have had about 4 of them in the past couple years. Sometimes I mount one on the wall, and I always keep a back up just in case. When it's used once or twice a day, maintaining the cleanliness of the probes is ideal. Its key to be aware of how sensitive the ph probe is, even when storing with the solution, keep the probe verticle! They are simple to use, and simple to calibrate. If for some reason it doesn't calibrate purchase a new probe before a new unit and see if that was the problem. I highly recommend this meter.

I've always wanted to try a Bluelab meter after hearing good things for so many years. I also have a Hanna HI 9813-6N and I owned the old Hanna GroCheck Combo meter year ago. So far I'm significantly more impressed with the Bluelab meter. I prefer the one touch two point calibration with the built in reminder. It's superior to trim knobs as far as I'm concerned. It's just too likely a trim knob will get turned and Hanna did not see fit to have something like a lock or calibration mode to prevent that. On top of that the one touch is just easier. I prefer the BlueLab interface and screen over the Hanna's larger but mostly unused screen. The single probe of the Hanna is more convenient and allows for a cleaner work flow, less wires, less stuff to mess with. Just drop in one probe and toggle between PH and PPM. This is the primary reason I first bought the Hanna meter. I thought it would be easier to deal with one probe and wire. The Hanna is heavier and feels a bit more solid, probably looks a little sexier too and of course it's waterproof. The Bluelab meter is not. It has a simple slip on batter cover, no rubber seals. It may or may not survive a dunk. Of course that never happens to me since I don't measure large open containers of water, but it could happen to others. Now for the meat and potatoes. The PH probe. Anybody can make a decent long lasting EC/PPM probe. I got the Combo meter just for convenience, not because I need anything more than a cheapo PPM meter. Really though this thing is a PH meter primarily. That's what your paying for. The Bluelab PH probe just seems like a superior design in nearly every way. Since it's not a dual probe it's thinner and probably easier to break, but if you're smashing probe around like that then you probably going to mess up any PH meter. The fact it has more plastic around it doesn't really save it from shock that much. The Bluelab seems to read faster and it appears easier to maintain and clean. I believe Bluelab's choice of two probes shows it's focus on the PH probe quality, it's not compromising one probe for the convenience of two and it's also not compromising long term usability by making the PH probe more expensive than it has to be. This means users are more likely to replace their probes when necessary rather than riding out a bad probe until it winds up screwing you over with a batch of bad readings. And the single most important design difference.. the CAP! Bluelab's cap design is hands down superior and again it shows they are making a product that's meant for real world use with practical features like auto off and calibration reminders and a damn cap that actually design to keep the probe tip dry, which is only the single most important thing you need to do with a PH meter. I've come to realize that a lot of PH meters die young due to not being kept in liquid. Even being partially dry is bad for these things. A sponge is ok, but it's not good enough really. It's not rocket science to make a cap that suspends the tip in liquid. I'm surprised we don't see more screw on designs really. I think the current slip on cap design is a mistake and leads users to potentially have air pockets or pressure in the cap which can leave the tip suspended in air instead of liquid or the pressure of pushing the cap on can push the storage solution out of the tip. Sometimes you have to fiddle with these caps to get them on and purge the air out of the cap. I'm also not sure the pressure of putting that cap on over and over is good the probe junction. I think most PH meter owners might be better just storing their meter in liquid all the time rather than relying on most caps. The Bluelab is the best I've seen so far, but I would change some things. First off, still need a better cap which doesn't pressurize or cause air pockets, I think a screw on design makes the most sense and is least likely to disturb the probe tip. Secondly, for 200+ dollars they could have made this thing waterproof and a little bit bigger readout of the numbers wouldn't hurt. Like any PH meter the instructions could be better. Hanna gives you a case with their meter along with more packets of sample solutions. Bluelabs gives you a suction cup for mounting your PH probe and one packet of PH 7 and PH 4. I never use the Hanna case since I don't trust their cap to hold storage solution, especially laying on it's side. I only store it sitting straight up. The Hanna probe failed within the first 4 months and I was never very confident in the consistency of it's readings. Even when I got the probe the cap had been placed on with air pockets in it. Hanna replaced the probe free, free shipping and basically no questions asked other than my Amazon invoice. Still, I don't have time to wait around with no PH meter and the Bluelab platform seems like a better investment of my money with cheaper probe replacements, better probe design, calibration reminders, auto off, easier to change batteries, better display options and in my opinion a company that's more interested in making a longer lasting and more user friendly meter. If all the features don't convince you then then probe replacement costs should. Bluelab's probes cost about half as much at 57 dollars and are interchangeable with their continuous monitoring system and controllers. The Hanna combo meter probes are 100-120 dollars due to them being combo probes. I wouldn't mind the added cost for the convenience of a single probe, IF that single probe was designed a little better perhaps. I know how hard it is to find and trust PH meters so I will update this review with longevity information.

Works like it supposed to