Portable Water Quality Meters — pH, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen and Multiparameter

Portable water quality meters are handheld field instruments designed to measure one or more parameters directly in a water sample — without returning to a laboratory. They are the standard tool for environmental field surveys, water treatment plant monitoring, groundwater assessment, aquaculture management, and industrial process control where real-time, on-site results are required.

Australian Scientific supplies portable water quality meters from HORIBA, all from the LAQUA instrument range. Four categories are available — pH and ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and multiparameter — with single-channel meters for dedicated parameter measurement and multi-channel meters for simultaneous measurement from a single instrument. All LAQUA portable meters are IP67 rated with data logging and GLP data management.

Australian Scientific is the authorised Australian agent for HORIBA water quality instruments. Contact us for advice on selecting the right meter for your application.

Choose Your Portable Meter by Parameter

HORIBA LAQUA Portable Meters — Key Features

IP67 Waterproof and Shock-Resistant Housing
All LAQUA portable meters are rated IP67 for protection against temporary immersion, with shock and scratch-resistant polycarbonate housings designed for on-site field use. The meters are designed for one-handed operation, leaving the other hand free for sample handling.

Automatic Sensor Recognition (ASR) — WQ-300 Series
The LAQUA WQ-300 Series multiparameter meters use Automatic Sensor Recognition: when a sensor is connected, the meter reads the electrode type, calibration data, and measurement settings stored on the sensor head automatically. Electrodes can be moved between meters without recalibration, and any sensor can be connected to any channel on dual and triple-channel models.

Data Logging and GLP Data Management
All LAQUA portable meters include data logging with date and time stamping and USB connectivity for PC transfer. The WQ-300 Series stores up to 10,000 data sets with wireless transfer via Flash Air card or standard micro-USB. GLP data — including calibration date, standards used, and electrode slope — is stored and reviewable on the meter display at any time.

Replaceable Sensor Cartridges — WQ-300 Series
For the WQ-300 Series, pH, conductivity, dissolved Oxygen sensors use a detachable cartridge design. The cartridge is replaced at end of service life without replacing the sensor head or cable, significantly reducing ongoing consumable costs.

Single-Parameter vs Multiparameter — Which Do You Need?

Single-parameter meters — the LAQUA 200 Series — are the right choice when only one parameter needs to be measured routinely. A dedicated pH meter or conductivity meter is simpler to operate, lower in cost, and easier to maintain. They are also a practical choice as a dedicated backup instrument to a multiparameter system.

Multiparameter Meters – the LAQUA 200 Series offers a more cost-effective and simplified solution for users who require routine measurement of two key water quality parameters without the need for a fully configurable multiparameter system. Models such as the PC210 and PC200-K (pH/conductivity), along with the PD210 and PD220-K (pH/dissolved oxygen), provide reliable dual-parameter capability in a compact, easy-to-use format. While less advanced than the WQ-300 Series, the 200 Series delivers dependable performance, straightforward operation, and lower overall cost, making it an ideal choice for routine testing, smaller operations, or as a practical backup to more advanced multiparameter instruments.

Multiparameter Meters Advanced— the LAQUA WQ-300 Series — are appropriate when two or more parameters are required from a single field visit. The WQ-310 (single channel), WQ-320 (dual channel), and WQ-330 (triple channel) allow any combination of pH, ORP, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen to be measured simultaneously from a single meter. Electrode kits are purchased separately, allowing users to configure the instrument to their specific parameter requirements.

For applications requiring more than four parameters simultaneously — including turbidity, depth, and GPS logging — see the HORIBA U-50 Series submersible multiparameter meters.

Applications for Portable Water Quality Meters

Environmental Monitoring and Field Surveys
Environmental consultants, government agencies, and water authorities routinely use portable pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen meters for river, creek, lake, and wetland assessments. The ability to log data with date, time, and site name at point of measurement enables faster reporting and more representative results than sample collection and laboratory turnaround.

Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution
pH measurement is critical at multiple points in the drinking water treatment process — coagulation, disinfection, and distribution system compliance. ORP measurement verifies disinfectant residual. Conductivity provides a rapid assessment of total dissolved solids and water purity. Portable meters allow treatment plant operators to test at the point of interest rather than relying solely on fixed online monitors.

Aquaculture and Hatcheries
Dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity/salinity are the three parameters most critical to aquaculture health management. Portable meters allow operators to check multiple ponds, tanks, or cages rapidly and respond to deteriorating conditions before stock health is affected.

Groundwater Assessment
pH and ORP are standard parameters for characterising groundwater chemistry in contaminated site investigations, mining monitoring, and bore water assessments. For applications requiring measurement at depth from bores and wells with cables up to 30m, the HORIBA U-50 Series submersible probe is the preferred solution.

Industrial Process Water
Conductivity monitoring is standard practice in food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, power generation, and chemical processing. Portable conductivity meters provide rapid in-process checks of water quality, rinse water effectiveness, and cleaning validation without laboratory analysis.

Wastewater Compliance
pH and dissolved oxygen are standard parameters in wastewater treatment monitoring. ORP measurement controls aeration and anoxic zones in biological treatment. Conductivity provides an indication of total dissolved solids in effluent prior to discharge.

Related Products and Support

All LAQUA portable meters require periodic calibration to maintain measurement accuracy. HORIBA buffer solutions, conductivity standards, and dissolved oxygen calibration equipment are available from Australian Scientific. See our full range of calibration solutions and standards.

For rapid screening of pH and other parameters from very small sample volumes, the HORIBA LAQUAtwin pocket meters measure from a single drop of sample using a flat sensor — suitable for plant sap, food, aquaculture spot checks, and applications where sample volume is limited.

For comprehensive multi-parameter field monitoring including turbidity, depth, and GPS-referenced logging, see the HORIBA U-50 Series submersible multi-parameter meters.

Also available from Australian Scientific:

• Turbidity meters — HORIBA TB220-K, Apera TN400, TN480, TN500
• Calibration solutions and buffer standards
• Instrument manuals and brochures
• Application notes for HORIBA water quality instruments
• Contact Australian Scientific for technical support or volume pricing