Tap Score EPA 1633 PFAS Water Test
Tap Score PFAs Water Test
Tap Score GenX and PFAS Water Test
Looking for the best way to accurately test for PFAS in your drinking water?
Here, we’ve shared our top recommended PFAS drinking water tests, based on the quality of testing, comprehensiveness of test results, and value for money.
Table of Contents
- 🥇 Best Water PFAS Test Kit
- 📊 Comparison Chart of at Home PFAS Water Test Kits
- ⭐ Reviews – PFAS Water Quality Test Kit 2023
- 🧾 PFAS Test for Drinking Water Buyer’s Guide
- 🙋♀️ Who This Guide is For
- 🧫 How To Test Your Water For PFAS
- 📝 Things to Consider Before You Buy a PFAS Test Kit
- 🧪 How We Tested
- 🧠 Best PFAS Test Kits: FAQs
🥇 Best Water PFAS Test Kit
- Best Overall: Tap Score EPA 1633 PFAS Water Test
- Runner up: Tap Score PFAs Water Test
- Also great: Tap Score GenX and PFAS Water Test
- Budget Option: Cyclopure Water Test Kit PFAS
📊 Comparison Chart of at Home PFAS Water Test Kits
| Product |  |  Tap Score PFAs Test |  Tap Score GenX and PFAS Test |  Cyclopure Water Test Kit PFAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| Ratings | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $$$ | $ |
| Type | Lab Test | Lab Test | Lab Test | Lab Test |
| Test Kit For | City/Well Water | City/Well Water | City/Well Water | City/Well Water |
| Analytes Tested | 40 | 14 | 25 | 55 |
| Turnaround Time | 15 days | 10 days | 12 days | 10 days |
| Free Shipping | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
⭐ Reviews – PFAS Water Quality Test Kit 2023
Tap Score EPA 1633 PFAS Water Test
In our opinion, the EPA 1633 PFAS Water Test is the best overall PFAS water test kit. This EPA-compliant test kit provides a comprehensive and specialized analysis of 40 PFAS compounds – that’s more PFAS chemicals than you’ll see in most tests.
Key Features:
- Tests for 40 PFAS – The Tap Score EPA 1633 PFAS Water Test has got you covered if you want to test for as many different PFAS compounds as possible. This kit tests for PFOA, PFOS, and all the most common PFAS compounds, as well as lesser-known PFAS like 5:3 FTCA, NMeFOSAA, and Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid.
- EPA-compliant – This PFAS testing kit uses EPA Method 1633: the best and most comprehensive testing method available today for PFAS detection.
- Comes with everything needed for sample collection – This test kit includes a container and sample vials, a guide on how to collect your sample, and a pre-paid shipping label.
Best For:
Anyone who lives in a region near a military base, anyone who’s served by a water utility with known contamination issues, or anyone who wants to test the PFAS levels in their water with the most comprehensive test kit.
Pros:
- We think it’s incredibly reassuring that this test kit uses an official EPA testing method for detecting PFAS. It’s good to know that this method of testing is trusted and used by one of the biggest organizations responsible for human health and safety in the country.
- We’re impressed by the report that Tap Score provides for this PFAS test. You’ll receive detailed test results that list the concentrations of each PFAS compound tested for. The report also highlights the potential risks of these contaminants in drinking water.
- The turnaround time of 15 days is pretty good considering the level of depth and complexity that goes into testing for 40 different types of forever chemicals. You’ll get your results via email, so no need to wait an extra few days for delivery by mail.
Cons:
- The test is very expensive (around $750 at the time of writing this review), so we only recommend it if you have serious concerns about PFAS in your drinking water.
- You won’t get instant results from this test. Most people will wait around two weeks before receiving their test results via email.
Tap Score PFAs Water Test
If you’re just looking to test for the most common PFAS compounds in your drinking water, we think the Tap Score PFASs Water Test can’t be beaten. This test is less than half the price of our top recommended test kit, so it’s better for smaller budgets, while still providing the reliability of comprehensive laboratory testing.
Key Features:
- Detects 14 different PFAS compounds – All the most common forever chemicals are tested by the Tap Score PFAs Water Test, including NEtFOSAA, PFNA, PFCA, PFHxA, PFOS, and PFOA.
- Industry compliant – This Tap Score test complies with industry standards and is offered by a certified laboratory, so you can trust your results to be accurate.
- Includes all sample equipment – Again, you’ll receive everything you need to take a water sample in your sampling kit, including collection vials, instructions, and a free shipping label.
Best For:
Anyone who has the same concerns as mentioned for our top recommended Tap Score test but just wants to test for all the most common PFAS compounds or doesn’t have the budget to buy the most comprehensive test.
Pros:
- We appreciate that this kit is a more affordable option offered by Tap Score. You still get the reassurance and reliability of testing by a certified laboratory, without the expense of the costlier EPA 1633 PFAS Water Test.
- Like all Tap Score test kits, we found this PFAS test easy to use. You don’t have to do any of the hard work yourself – just take a sample of your water and ship it back (for free) to the laboratory.
- The 10-day turnaround time (5 days faster than our top recommended Tap Score Test) is better if you want to receive your results as quickly as possible.
Cons:
- The Tap Score PFASs Water Test doesn’t test for as many PFAS, so there’s a possibility that your water might still contain other types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that you’d be unaware of.
- $300 is still pricey for a single water test.
Tap Score GenX and PFAS Water Test
Neither of Tap Score’s dedicated PFAS water test kits can detect GenX. If you want to test for PFAS and GenX in your drinking water, we think you can’t go wrong with the Tap Score GenX and PFAS Water Test. This test detects 25 different PFAS compounds, including GenX, which became well known after the chemical spill at North Carolina’s Chemours Fayetteville Works.
Key Features:
- Tests for PFAS and GenZ – The Tap Score GenX and PFAS Water Test detects PFAS compounds and GenX, giving it an additional capability compared to the other Tap Score PFAS test kits we’ve reviewed so far.
- 25 analytes tested – This PFAS and GenX test detects 25 different analytes, including several forever chemicals that aren’t detected in the Tap Score PFASs Water Test (11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, and more).
- 12-day TAT – Within 12 days of sending off the samples to the laboratory, you’ll receive a test report from Tap Score via email, which lists the detected percentage of all the tested-for PFAS in your drinking water.
Best For:
Anyone who has a specific reason to be concerned about GenX in their water and wants to test for this compound alongside tens of other common PFAS contaminants.
Pros:
- The obvious advantage of this test is its ability to detect GenX. If you live anywhere with local water supplies that might be contaminated with GenX – especially if you live near the Cape Fear River in North Carolina – you will benefit from testing your water with the Tap Score GenX and PFAS Water Test.
- We can rely on Tap Score for an easy testing process, and it’s no different with the GenX and PFAS Water Test. You get everything you need to quickly take a water sample at home, including collection bottles, a sample information card, and a prepaid shipping label.
- Again, we think the 12-day turnaround time is fair given the processes involved in testing for 25 different PFAS compounds.
Cons:
- The price goes up again for this test. It’s around $550 (but keep in mind that you don’t only get GenX testing – the kit also tests for several other PFAS that the standard Tap Score PFASs Water Test doesn’t detect.
- While the turnaround time is understandable, it’s still long.
Cyclopure Water Test Kit PFAS
If your budget is smaller but you’re still concerned about PFAS in your drinking water and want to test for as many forever chemicals as possible, we think the Cyclopure Water Test Kit PFAS is the ideal testing kit for you. This test costs under $100 and detects a total of 55 PFAS compounds – that’s more than any other test we’ve reviewed.
Key Features:
- Detects 55 PFAS – This water test kit detects 55 different PFAS, including all PFAS listed under EPA Methods 533, 537, and 1633.
- Easy water collection – The Cyclopure Water Test Kit PFAS comes with a collection cup, which you simply run water through before shipping off. No need to send water to the laboratory.
- 10-day TAT – You’ll receive your results via email within 10 days after the laboratory has given receipt of the sample collection.
Best For:
Anyone with a smaller budget who’s happy to use a non-certified laboratory test to detect tens of PFAS contaminants in their drinking water.
Pros:
- We think most people will be drawn to this Cyclopure PFAS test kit because of its cost. It’s around $80, so it’s a much more affordable alternative to any of the Tap Score tests.
- The price is even more impressive when you consider just how many PFAS this kit tests for (55).
- You get results within 10 days, so the TAT is shorter than many of the other PFAS tests we reviewed or found in our research.
Cons:
- Cyclopure doesn’t use certified laboratories for its testing. That means your information won’t be accepted by government agencies.
- We’re doubtful that you’ll receive the same comprehensive testing as with the Tap Score tests.
🧾 PFAS Test for Drinking Water Buyer’s Guide
Now you know which PFAS tests we recommend for detecting PFAS levels in your water, it’s time to read up on PFAS testing to support yourself in making a well-informed buying decision.
🙋♀️ Who This Guide is For
This guide is for:
- Folks who have a specific reason to be concerned about PFAS in their drinking water. Perhaps you live near a site that uses a lot of firefighting foam, or there’s a known threat of PFAS contamination from industrial waste and spillages in your area.
- Anyone looking for multiple different PFAS testing options, with some tests detecting 40+ PFAS, and others detecting the most common PFAS.
- People with flexible budgets. Most of the tests on this list are expensive (ranging from $300 to around $750), but we’ve shared a budget-friendly option, too.
- Anyone who’s keen to spend more money upfront for the accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing. We’ve only shared tests from reputable laboratories.
🧫 How To Test Your Water For PFAS
There’s only one way to test your water for PFAS at home, and that is to pay for a PFAS lab analysis.
Laboratory testing for PFAS requires that you collect a water sample at home, then send this sample to the laboratory for analysis.
Here are the steps to follow when testing your water with a lab test kit:
- Order your test and wait for the sampling kit to be delivered to your home.
- Once you receive the kit, follow the steps in the instructions booklet to properly collect a sample of your water in the included vial.
- Seal the sample vial and send it back to the laboratory (most labs provide a free postage label).
- Wait for your results to be emailed with you. PFAS testing usually delivers results within 10-15 days.
Pros and Cons of Lab Testing
There are a few advantages and disadvantages of laboratory testing to be aware of:
Pros:
- State-certified labs are reliable
- You don’t have to test the water yourself
- Test reports are accurate and comprehensive
Cons:
- Doesn’t deliver immediate results
- Certified lab tests cost hundreds of dollars
📝 Things to Consider Before You Buy a PFAS Test Kit
Before you buy a PFAS water test, make sure to consider the following things:
Accuracy & Sensitivity
Start by ensuring that the laboratory you’re considering uses a testing process that’s accurate and sensitive enough to detect a range of PFAS, even if they’re only present in low concentrations.
The lower the detection limit, the better, as PFAS can be found in water at trace levels – and may still be harmful even in barely detectable quantities.
Analytical Method
Different laboratories use different analytical methods to detect PFAS. For instance, our top recommended Tap Score PFAS test uses EPA Method 1633 to detect PFAS, while the budget-friendly Cyclopure PFAS test uses isotope dilution methods. Other testing methods include EPA Method 537.1, EPA Method 537, and ASTM D7979.
A laboratory should ideally be upfront about the type of testing method used to detect PFAS. That means you can go ahead and research this method and learn about its reliability and the PFAS that the method can detect. If the lab doesn’t share its testing method, contact customer service and ask for this information.
Certifications And Accreditations
A laboratory that’s certified or accredited by various governing bodies is one that you can rely on to deliver accurate testing results from legitimate analytical processes.
There are numerous accreditations that a laboratory can apply for, including ISO/IEC 17025, which ensures the lab meets international standards for testing and calibration. Simple Lab, which produces the Tap Score test kits that we’ve reviewed in this guide, uses laboratories that are EPA certified and have various other certifications (view the full list here).
Of course, accredited laboratories have higher prices for their test kits than non-accredited labs, but you get the extra reassurance of accuracy, and government agencies will take your test results seriously.
Number Of PFAS Detected
How many PFAS in your water are you concerned about? And how many do you want to detect with a water test? This will determine the type of test you should choose, and how much money you should spend.
Your situation will likely help you to decide how many PFAS you want to test for. For instance, if you live in a region with nearby industrial contamination or firefighting foam use, there have been reports of chemical spills in your area, or you have any reason to be concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, you’ll probably want to choose a kit that can detect as many different types of PFAS as possible.
The most capable PFAS testing kits can detect 30-60 PFAS, while other tests detect a range of the most common and well-known PFAS.
👨🔧 Continue reading: Identifying the Common Household Items With PFAS
Sampling Method
Since the only effective way to test for PFAS in your tap water is with a laboratory test, the sampling method is pretty consistent regardless of the test you choose.
The best PFAS tests simply require you to collect a sample of your water in a sealable container (provided in the sampling package, then ship this sample to the laboratory (a free shipping label is usually required).
Some tests have slightly different sampling methods. For instance, the Cyclopure test we’ve reviewed in this guide requires you to run water through the sampling container – you don’t have to send water to the laboratory.
Make sure you’re comfortable with the sampling method and happy to put in the small amount of work to take a sample of your water before you buy the test.
Price
Not all PFAS water tests are priced the same, but one thing is for certain: PFAS testing is comprehensive and therefore expensive.
The value you’ll receive from a PFAS test depends on your need to test your water. For instance, if you’re at a high risk of PFAS exposure due to industrial activity or spills from facilities operated by local chemical companies, spending $500+ on a PFAS water test may be completely worth it for the sake of your health.
If you’re just curious about PFAS but have no reason to believe your local water supply is contaminated with forever chemicals, you may not be able to justify the cost of a PFAS lab test, or you may prefer to spend less on testing by a non-certified laboratory.
Turnaround Time
PFAS testing has a typical turnaround time of 10-15 days. It takes longer to receive test results than when testing for other common contaminants because of the extra work that goes into testing for a variety of PFAS compounds in different sizes.
Make sure you’re happy with the expected turnaround time before you order your test. If you’re very concerned about recent PFAS contamination, switch to bottled water to avoid exposure to PFAS while you wait for your test results to be delivered.
Reporting & Interpretation
Your test results should clearly outline all the types of PFAS tested for, and the percentage or amount of each of these chemicals detected in your water.
The report should ideally also contain important information including the date of testing, your local water data (based on your provided address), and the laboratory’s recommendations of treatment methods (if PFAS are detected in your water).
The design and complexity of the report varies from one laboratory to the next. We’ve always had a great experience with the Tap Score reports because they’re clear, informative, and easily digestible.
Lab Reputation & Customer Support
It’s essential that you buy a PFAS test from a reputable laboratory with a history of good customer feedback and a great customer service team.
PFAS tests are expensive, so you want to make sure that you’re investing in a test from a laboratory you can rely on. Look for customer reviews on websites like Trustpilot to get an understanding of the customer experience with the lab before you spend your money.
Customer reviews also help you to understand the laboratory’s ability to provide adequate customer support and address any customer questions or concerns.
🧪 How We Tested
We tested the PFAS tests in this guide by using them all ourselves. This helped us to see beyond the general product information provided online to understand things we could only deduce from real-life experience, including ease of use, the simplicity and digestibility of results, and real turnaround times.
We combined our own testing experience with feedback from customers and other important factors (including whether the laboratory is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency). This enabled us to share the most accurate reviews based on these three factors.
🧠 Best PFAS Test Kits: FAQs
How do PFAS get into our water?
There are a few different ways that PFAS can enter our water supplies, including from nearby industrial contamination, one-off chemical spills, the use of firefighting foam and other flame retardants in the area, and the manufacture and use of various consumer products, including some textiles, water-repellant clothing, and non-stick products.
Does the EPA regulate PFAS?
No, there is currently no EPA regulation for PFAS. However, the EPA is proposing a national drinking water standard for six types of PFAS in drinking water, so some PFAS will soon be regulated.
Can I test my own water for PFAS?
No. From our research, we don’t think it’s currently possible to test your own water for PFAS. At the moment, the most accurate and reliable PFAS testing method is lab analysis. This involves collecting a sample of your water and skipping it to a laboratory for testing. You’ll then receive the reported results via email.
Should I test my well for PFAS?
You should only need to test your well for PFAS if there’s a known concern for any of these chemicals in the local groundwater. Contact your local authority for more information and advice.
How do I test my well for PFAS?
The best way to test your private well for PFAS is to order a laboratory water test. There are dedicated PFAS tests that detect a variety of common PFAS in tap water, including PFOA, GenX, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA. Make sure to choose a test that detects all the PFAS types you’re concerned about.
Are PFAS in all tap water?
No, PFAS aren’t found in all tap water supplies. These chemicals are most likely to contaminate surface water sources in regions where PFAS pollution is a known problem (e.g. as a result of industrial waste or the use of firefighting foam). Of course, PFAS can travel to another location via runoff and transportation in flowing water sources. If you have any reason to be concerned about PFAS in your water, get it tested.
How do I know if my drinking water has PFAS?
PFAS are invisible, and they don’t have an obvious taste or smell, which means the only way to tell if they’re in your drinking water is to test your water. Lab testing is currently the only method of detecting PFAS in contaminated water.
How can I remove PFAS from water?
The best way to remove PFAS from your water is with a reverse osmosis system. An activated carbon water filter can also reduce PFAS, especially when combined with an ion exchange resin. Make sure the filter is advertised to remove PFAS, and has testing and/or NSF certifications to support the manufacturer’s claims.
