Product Categories
Getting accurate soil pH readings starts with using the right probe, and spear tip pH probes are a top choice for the job. Unlike standard glass-bulb electrodes, spear tip probes can directly measure pH in natural, uneven, or semi-solid materials – think soil, compost, sediments, and even plant tissue. Their sharp, durable design allows them to easily penetrate these materials, providing fast, reliable readings without the hassle of extensive sample prep or liquid extraction.
That’s why they’re perfect for fieldwork, where portability, toughness, and quick measurements matter most. With consistent, real-time monitoring of soil and water interfaces, spear tip probes give farmers, scientists, and environmental professionals the insights they need to evaluate ecosystem health, nutrient availability, and pollution levels more effectively.
But with so many options on the market, how do you pick the right spear tip pH probe for your needs? In this article, we’ll take a close look at five of the most popular models, comparing their features, performance, and suitability for different applications.
We’ll examine what each model brings to the table, who will benefit most, and how they stack up against one another.
The Atlas Scientific Spear Tip / Soil pH Probe is a top-tier choice for measuring pH in soil, food, and semi-solid materials. It offers exceptional precision with ±0.002 pH accuracy and a ±0.001 pH resolution, making it ideal for applications where accurate readings are critical. Its fast response time of just 1 second ensures quick, reliable measurements in dynamic environments.
| Measurement Range | 0 – 14 pH |
| Resolution | ±0.001 pH |
| Accuracy | ±0.002 pH |
| Response Time | ~1 second (95% reading) |
| Temperature Range | −5 °C to 110 °C |
| Pressure Rating | 100 PSI |
| Depth Rating | Up to 70 m (230 ft) |
| Body Material | ABS |
| Junction Type | Internal double junction |
| Connector Options | Male SMA or BNC |
| Cable Length | 1 m (3.2 ft) |
| Time before recalibration | ~1 Year |
| Life expectancy | ~2.5 Years + |
Built for durability, the ENV-45 features a solid glass spear tip and is constructed with food-safe materials compliant with NSF/ANSI Standard 51. It can handle a wide temperature range (-5°C to 110°C) and pressure up to 100 PSI, allowing it to perform well in both laboratory and field conditions.
Designed for flexibility, the probe uses SMA or BNC connectors to integrate easily with meters, microcontrollers, or data loggers. With a long lifespan of over 2.5 years and yearly calibration intervals, the ENV-45 provides reliable, consistent performance, making it a dependable and professional-grade choice for accurate pH measurement.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe stacks up against the competition in terms of accuracy, durability, response time, and long-term reliability. Whether you’re monitoring a single soil patch or a fully automated farming system. Skip the guesswork; Reliable pH means healthier crops and consistent results every time.
| Atlas Scientific (ENV-45-pH) | Hanna Spear Tip pH Electrode | |
|---|---|---|
| pH range | 0 – 14 | 0 – 12 |
| Resolution | ±0.001 | Not specified |
| Accuracy | ±0.002 | Not specified |
| Response time | 95% in 1 second | Not specified |
| Temperature range | −5 °C to 110 °C | −5 °C to 70 °C |
| Pressure / Depth | 100 PSI / ~70 m | 1.4 PSI |
| Connector | Male SMA or BNC | BNC |
| Durability | Glass Spear Tip ABS body | Glass |
| Calibration & Lifespan | ~1 yr recalibration ~2–2.5 yr life | Not specified |
| Price | $170 USD | $255 USD |
The Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe is perfect if you need lab-grade accuracy, the fastest possible response, broad temperature and pressure tolerance, and easy integration into automated systems or controllers, making it ideal for precision control, research, and demanding field conditions. In contrast, the Hanna HI2031B is best suited for work with dairy, emulsions, and semi-solid food samples, and repeated use in cooler, food-industry environments with repeated use.
| Atlas Scientific (ENV-45-pH) | Oakton pHTestr® 5S (WD-35634-52) | |
|---|---|---|
| pH range | 0 – 14 | −2 – 16 |
| Resolution | ±0.001 | ±0.01 |
| Accuracy | ±0.002 | ±0.01 |
| Response time | 95% in 1 second | Not specified |
| Temperature range | −5 °C to 110 °C | 0 – 50 °C |
| Pressure / Depth | 100 PSI / ~70 m | Not intended for deep immersion |
| Connector | Male SMA or BNC | Built into handheld |
| Durability | Glass Spear Tip ABS body | Glass Spear Tip |
| Calibration & Lifespan | ~1 yr recalibration ~2–2.5 yr life | Not specified |
| Price | $170 USD | $331 USD |
Choose the Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe if you need higher precision, ultra-fast response, and easy integration into custom hardware such as EZO circuits, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or lab meters. It’s perfect for research, automation, and hydroponic systems. In contrast, the Oakton pHTestr 5S is ideal if you prefer a portable, waterproof, plug-and-play handheld meter that’s easy to calibrate in the field and ready to use right out of the box without additional hardware.
| Atlas Scientific (ENV-45-pH) | Sper Scientific (840049) | |
|---|---|---|
| pH range | 0 – 14 | 1 – 13 |
| Resolution | ±0.001 | 0.01 |
| Accuracy | ±0.002 | ±(0.02 + 2d) |
| Response time | 95% in 1 second) | ≤ 2 minutes |
| Temperature range | −5 °C to 110 °C | 5 to 60°C |
| Pressure / Depth | 100 PSI / ~70 m | Not specified |
| Connector | Male SMA or BNC | BNC |
| Durability | Glass Spear Tip ABS body | Glass Spear Tip Epoxy Body |
| Calibration & Lifespan | ~1 yr recalibration ~2–2.5 yr life | Not specified |
| Price | $170 USD | $105 USD |
Choose the Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe if you need fast, repeatable, high-precision readings for research, hydroponics, or food testing where NSF compliance and tight pH control are critical, and you’re comfortable pairing it with your own meter or interface. Opt for the Atlas Scientific spear-tip probe if you want a more affordable, rugged option for routine food or solid sample checks, or as a replacement for handheld meters, and can accept slower, less precise readings in exchange for durability and value.
| Atlas Scientific (ENV-45-pH) | Apera PH60S (AI313) | |
|---|---|---|
| pH range | 0 – 14 | −2 – 16 |
| Resolution | ±0.001 | 0.01 |
| Accuracy | ±0.002 | ±0.01 |
| Response time | 95% in 1 second) | Not specified |
| Temperature range | −5 °C to 110 °C | 0 to 50°C |
| Pressure / Depth | 100 PSI / ~70 m | Not specified |
| Connector | Male SMA or BNC | Built into a handheld |
| Durability | Glass Spear Tip ABS body | Glass Spear Tip Epoxy Body |
| Calibration & Lifespan | ~1 yr recalibration ~2–2.5 yr life | Not specified |
| Price | $170 USD | $250 USD |
Choose the Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe if you need the fastest, most precise spear-tip probe for integration with a controller, data logger, EZO/Arduino/Raspberry Pi setup, or benchtop meter, making it ideal for research, hydroponic systems, or applications where small pH changes matter. In contrast, the Apera PH60S is best if you want a ready-to-use pocket meter with a spear sensor for routine soil, food, or solid sampling, featuring automatic temperature compensation and a waterproof handheld design for simple, all-in-one field use.
When it comes to soil and environmental pH testing, the Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe (ENV-45-pH) is the clear winner. Designed for professionals who demand accuracy and reliability, this probe delivers lab-grade precision in the field. With ultra-fine resolution (±0.001 pH), lightning-fast response time, and rock-solid durability, it’s built to handle anything, from dense soil and compost to high-pressure, high-temperature environments. The Atlas probe doesn’t just take readings; it provides instant, trustworthy data that helps you make smarter, faster decisions.
What truly sets it apart is its versatility and longevity. The ENV-45 easily integrates with controllers, data loggers, and DIY systems like Arduino or Raspberry Pi, making it perfect for both research and automated applications. It’s tough enough for industrial use yet refined enough for precision agriculture or hydroponics. Add in its long lifespan, minimal maintenance, and food-safe construction, and you’ve got a probe that outlasts and outperforms the rest. Yes, it costs a bit more, but if you care about accuracy, reliability, and results, the Atlas Scientific Spear Tip pH Probe isn’t just the best choice; It’s the only choice
The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a hydroponic growing method that circulates a thin, nutrient-rich film of water over plant roots, providing constant access to
Maintaining stable pH is one of the biggest challenges in hydroponics, and one of the most overlooked. While many growers treat pH control as a
