# Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester vs Bluelab pH Pen: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester (Apera Instruments) and Bluelab pH Pen (Bluelab) among ph meters. Bluelab pH Pen is the cheaper of the two at $99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester | Bluelab pH Pen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $110 | $99 |
| Brand | Apera Instruments | Bluelab |
| Ph range | -2.00 to 16.00 pH | 0.0 to 14.0 |
| Resolution ph | 0.01 / 0.1 pH (selectable) | 0.1 |
| Accuracy ph | ±0.01 pH ±1 digit | ±0.1 at 25°C/77°F |
| Calibration points | Automatic, 1 to 3 points; auto-recognizes buffers 1.68, 4.00, 7.00, 10.01, 12.46 | Two-point (pH 7.0 and pH 4.0 solutions), with a built-in 30-day calibration reminder |
| Atc | Automatic, 0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F) | Yes, fully temperature compensated |
| Electrode type | Replaceable single-junction ceramic pH probe, lead-free lithium-based glass bulb membrane, Ag/AgCl reference, KCl gel electrolyte | Double-junction pH probe |
| Waterproof rating | IP67, floats | Waterproof; floats in any solution |
| Battery type | 4 x AAA (DC3V), up to 2000 hours continuous use | 1 x AAA alkaline |

## Key differences

- Ph range: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester -2.00 to 16.00 pH vs Bluelab pH Pen 0.0 to 14.0
- Resolution ph: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester 0.01 / 0.1 pH (selectable) vs Bluelab pH Pen 0.1
- Accuracy ph: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester ±0.01 pH ±1 digit vs Bluelab pH Pen ±0.1 at 25°C/77°F
- Calibration points: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester Automatic, 1 to 3 points; auto-recognizes buffers 1.68, 4.00, 7.00, 10.01, 12.46 vs Bluelab pH Pen Two-point (pH 7.0 and pH 4.0 solutions), with a built-in 30-day calibration reminder
- Atc: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester Automatic, 0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F) vs Bluelab pH Pen Yes, fully temperature compensated
- Electrode type: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester Replaceable single-junction ceramic pH probe, lead-free lithium-based glass bulb membrane, Ag/AgCl reference, KCl gel electrolyte vs Bluelab pH Pen Double-junction pH probe
- Waterproof rating: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester IP67, floats vs Bluelab pH Pen Waterproof; floats in any solution
- Battery type: Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester 4 x AAA (DC3V), up to 2000 hours continuous use vs Bluelab pH Pen 1 x AAA alkaline

## Sources

- Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester: https://aperainst.com/ph60-premium-waterproof-ph-tester-ph-meter-with-replaceable-probe-and-blacklight-apera-instruments (aperainst.com, verified 2026-08-12)
- Bluelab pH Pen: https://www.bluelab.com/products/bluelab-ph-pen (bluelab.com, verified 2026-08-12)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/ph-meters/apera-ph60-vs-bluelab-ph-pen/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Series Waterproof Pocket pH Tester ($110) vs Bluelab pH Pen ($99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/ph-meters/apera-ph60-vs-bluelab-ph-pen/
License: CC BY 4.0.