Taylor K2005 High Range Swimming Pool Total and Free Chlorin

The Verdict

If you’ve ever stared at a pool test strip trying to decide if that pink square is really a 3 or a 5 ppm chlorine reading, you already know why the Taylor K2005 exists. This is the test kit that pool service professionals actually use — and with 229 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, it’s clearly earning its keep in residential hands too. The question is whether you need lab-grade accuracy or if strips are good enough for your backyard.

What You Actually Get

The K2005 is a FAS-DPD titration kit, which is a fancy way of saying you count drops instead of matching colors. Inside the box you’ll find:

• R-0870 DPD indicator powder (free chlorine reagent)
• R-0871 titrating reagent (the drops you count)
• R-0002 acid/base indicator for total chlorine
• R-0013 cyanuric acid reagent
• R-0014 alkalinity indicator
• Two clear viewing tubes with caps
• A laminated instruction card (worth keeping — you’ll reference it)

The 0.75 oz bottles are smaller than the professional K2006 kit, but for a typical residential pool, they’ll last a season of weekly testing. The comparator block is solid, not flimsy plastic.

Performance and Real-World Use

Here’s where the K2005 separates itself from every test strip on the shelf. The FAS-DPD method uses a powdered reagent that turns your water sample pink, then you add drops until it turns clear. Each drop equals 0.2 ppm of chlorine. That precision matters — especially if you’re dealing with a green pool or trying to maintain a salt system at exact levels.

The critical advantage is measuring free chlorine separately from total chlorine. The difference between those two numbers is combined chlorine — chloramines — the stuff that makes your pool smell like bleach and burns your eyes. Test strips can’t show you this. One Amazon reviewer put it plainly: “I thought my pool was fine based on strips. This kit showed I had a chloramine problem I’d been fighting for weeks.”

The process takes about 5 minutes for a full panel of tests. You’ll need to count drops carefully — this isn’t a kit you can use while distracted by kids jumping in the pool. But the accuracy is worth the extra minute.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Reviewers across the board highlight three things:

1. Accuracy they can trust — “Night and day difference from test strips. I finally know what’s actually in my water.”
2. The powder reagent doesn’t degrade — Liquid reagents have a shelf life; the DPD powder stays fresh longer.
3. Easy to read results — No more squinting at color charts. Clear endpoints, every time.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the tradeoffs. There’s no pH test in this kit. For a complete picture, you’ll need the Taylor K1004 or a separate pH test. That’s a notable omission for a kit at this price point.

The drop-counting method requires steady hands and good eyes. If you’re testing at dusk or in bright sun, reading the exact moment the color changes can be tricky. One reviewer noted, “My wife can’t use this — she has trouble seeing the color change and worries she’s adding too many drops.”

And here’s the long-term cost reality: replacement reagent bottles (R-0870 and R-0871) run about $25-$30 for a set. Over two seasons, you’ll spend more on reagents than the kit itself.

Who Should Buy This

• Pool owners fighting persistent algae or cloudy water — you need the accuracy to make informed shock decisions
• Saltwater pool owners who need to verify their chlorine generator is actually producing
• Anyone who’s ever doubted a test strip reading — that doubt is your signal to upgrade

Skip it if you have a small above-ground pool you treat casually, or if you want one kit that does everything including pH.

FAQ

Q: How often do the reagents need replacing? A: The 0.75 oz bottles typically last 1-2 seasons with weekly testing. The DPD powder (R-0870) has a longer shelf life than liquid reagents — store it in a cool, dry place.

Q: Can I use this for a spa or hot tub? A: Yes, but the high-range chlorine test works best for pools. For hot tubs with higher chlorine demands, consider the Taylor K-2006 which has larger bottles.

Q: Why does my pool smell like chlorine even though my free chlorine reading is fine? A: That smell is chloramines — combined chlorine. The K2005’s total chlorine test will reveal this. If total chlorine is 0.5 ppm or more above free chlorine, you need to shock.

The Verdict

Buy it if you’re serious about pool chemistry and tired of guessing with test strips. Skip it if you want a single all-in-one kit that includes pH testing.

The Taylor K2005 is the standard for a reason. It’s accurate, reliable, and built to last — and the 4.6-star rating from 229 buyers reflects that. You’ll need to add a pH test separately, and the drop-counting takes practice, but for anyone who’s fought a green pool or persistent eye irritation, this kit pays for itself the first time you correctly identify a chloramine problem.

Rating: 4.6/5 — Accurate, dependable, and worth every penny for pool owners who demand precision.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.