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Hydrometers, refractometers and meters

Triple-scale hydrometers and test jars, refractometers, wireless digital hydrometers, pH meters, thermometers and scales, by listed range and accuracy.

Best hydrometersHydrometer vs refractometerTilt vs RAPT PillBest pH metersABV calculator
A handheld refractometer and pipette in its foam-lined case
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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ABV calculatorHydrometer and refractometer modes, temperature correction.Printable brew-day log and recipe sheetFree brew-day log: record recipe, water and salts, mash, gravities, yeast, fermentation temperatures,…

Which brewing hydrometer or meter do you need?

Every brewer needs a hydrometer: it tells you when fermentation is done and, with an original and final reading, how strong the beer is. A triple-scale glass hydrometer and a test jar cover beer, wine, cider and mead. A refractometer reads a few drops of wort on brew day; after fermentation it needs an alcohol correction. Wireless digital hydrometers float in the fermenter and log gravity and temperature to your phone.

Listed range and accuracy

ToolExampleRangeAccuracy
Triple-scale hydrometerFastRackSG 0.990–1.170Not listed
Optical refractometerTiaoyeer ATCBrix 0–32%, SG 1.000–1.130±0.2% Brix
Wireless hydrometerTilt (original)SG 0.990–1.120±0.002 SG per Tilt
Wireless hydrometerRAPT PillNot listed on this listingNot listed
pH meterMilwaukee MW102−2.00 to 16.00 pH±0.02 pH
pH meterApera PH60S−2.00 to 16.00 pH±0.01 pH

Source: Product listings and maker specs

Reading gravity correctly

  1. Sample, don't dunk

    Pull a sample with a sanitized thief into the test jar; don't return it to the fermenter.

  2. Read at eye level

    Read the bottom of the meniscus and note the sample temperature.

  3. Correct for temperature

    Most hydrometers are calibrated at 60°F (15.6°C), some at 68°F (20°C). The ABV calculator corrects your reading.

  4. Confirm a stable final gravity

    The same reading 2–3 days in a row means fermentation is finished and it is safe to bottle.

ABV calculatorOG and FG to ABV, with hydrometer temperature correction and a refractometer mode.

pH meters and thermometers

Mash pH and kombucha acidity both call for a calibrated pH meter, not just strips. Calibrate with fresh buffer before each session. For kombucha, Virginia Tech advises confirming pH 4.2 or lower with a calibrated meter. An instant-read thermometer such as the ThermoWorks Classic Thermapen (listed ±0.7°F) speeds up strike-water checks.

Who should choose what

  • Every brewer: a glass triple-scale hydrometer and test jar, plus a spare.
  • All-grain brewers: a refractometer for quick brew-day readings and a pH meter for the mash.
  • Lager and pressure brewers: a wireless hydrometer to watch fermentation without opening the vessel.
  • Wine and cider makers: an acid test kit and, for sulfite work, a free SO2 test kit.

Related reading: Tilt wireless hydrometer review, best digital hydrometers and best refractometers for brewing.

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Hydrometers & meters: questions

What is the best hydrometer for homebrewing?
A triple-scale glass hydrometer (SG, Brix or Balling, potential alcohol) with a test jar. It covers beer, wine, cider and mead and needs no batteries. Add a spare: they break.
Is a refractometer accurate after fermentation?
Not on its own. Alcohol skews the reading, so you need a correction formula such as Terrill's, built into our ABV calculator. Even corrected, a hydrometer is the better final check.
How accurate is a Tilt hydrometer?
Tilt lists ±0.002 SG over 0.990–1.120 for the original model. The Tilt Pro lists a finer resolution. Check readings against a glass hydrometer at the start and end of a batch.
Do I need a pH meter for brewing?
Not for extract kits. It becomes useful once you adjust mash water for all-grain, and it is the safety check for homemade kombucha (pH 4.2 or lower per Virginia Tech).
At what temperature should I read a hydrometer?
At the temperature printed on it, usually 60°F (15.6°C) or 68°F (20°C). Otherwise correct the reading; the ABV calculator does it for you.