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Taylor K-2005 Complete Test Kit (DPD) review

Best value Taylor kit

8.3/10Editorial score · Updated 2026-07-03

The DPD-based sibling of the K-2006: the same five-parameter coverage using color-match chlorine instead of drop titration.

Quick verdict

A solid drop-based kit that's cheaper than the K-2006 — but if you can, get the K-2006's precision.

Ideal for

  • Owners wanting drop testing on a budget
  • Stepping up from strips

Not ideal for

  • Precision seekers (get the K-2006)

The full picture

The K-2005 covers the same water parameters as the pro-favorite K-2006 but uses the older DPD color-match method for chlorine instead of FAS-DPD titration. It's a bit cheaper and simpler to read, at the cost of precision — most serious owners still prefer the K-2006, but the K-2005 is a legitimate step up from strips.

Taylor K-2005 Complete Test Kit (DPD) at a glance

Type
Water test kit (drop-based, DPD)
Compatible pools
All pool types
How often
Test 1–3x weekly in season

Source: Compiled from Taylor Technologies documentation and retailer listings.

This is a research-based review — our analysis draws on manufacturer specifications, manuals, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback rather than our own hands-on testing, and we note where a detail couldn't be confirmed. How we review

Performance breakdown

Value for money8.3 · Very Good
Ease of use8.3 · Very Good
Durability outlook8.3 · Very Good
Features8.3 · Very Good
Owner sentiment8.3 · Very Good

Research-based editorial judgments from specs, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback — not lab measurements. How we score

Pros and cons

What works

  • Covers all five core parameters
  • Cheaper than the K-2006
  • More accurate than strips

What doesn't

  • DPD chlorine is less precise than FAS-DPD
  • Reagents need annual replacement

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