Best Handheld Soil Testing Devices 2025 | Compare 7 In-Field Solutions
Compare 7 handheld soil testing devices for in-field analysis. Get lab-quality results in minutes instead of weeks, enable high-density sampling, and make immediate fertilizer decisions in the field.
7
Devices Compared
37
Max Parameters
2 sec-60 min
Test Speed Range
$5k-24k
3-Year Cost Range
Top Picks
Best Overall
🚀
Best for Nitrogen
🌽
360 SOILSCAN
360 Yield Center
5/5
Key Strengths:
Lab accuracy in field (98% ALP certified)
Best Value
🧪
Harvesto Digital Kit
Harvesto (W.S. Telematics Pvt. Ltd.)
4.5/5
Key Strengths:
Most comprehensive testing (14 parameters in one kit)
Full Comparison
Best Overall
🚀
#1
ChrysaLabs Probe
ChrysaLabs Inc.
5
🇨🇦 Canada
💰 Premium
Type
AI-Powered Triple-Sensor Probe
Technology
Vis-NIR + Capacitance + ATR-IR Spectroscopy with cloud-based machine learning
Parameters Measured
37 properties: Nitrate-N, Available P/K, pH, Organic Matter, Soil Texture, CEC, micronutrients, SOC
Measurement Speed
<60 seconds per sample point
Accuracy
Lab-level within agronomic ranges, continuous ML improvement
Connectivity
Built-in cellular (SIM) + GPS, Bluetooth to smartphone
Offline Mode
Yes (syncs later)
Output
Real-time mobile app + web dashboard with georeferenced maps
Pricing
Hardware: $5,000-7,000/year
Subscription: Included (subscription model)
3-Year Total: ~$15,000-20,000
Strengths
Ultra-fast real-time results; unlimited sampling density; AI-driven continuous improvement; comprehensive 37-parameter nutrient suite; carbon credit capable with SOC measurement; deployed on 40,000+ farms globally; georeferenced spatial mapping
Limitations
High subscription cost limits accessibility for small farms; internet required for real-time analysis; relatively new technology with limited long-term track record; accuracy can vary in edge-case soil types outside calibration range
Best For
Precision ag services, carbon credit projects, high-density soil mapping
Released: 2021 (current, 2025)
Best for Nitrogen
🌽
#2
360 SOILSCAN
360 Yield Center
5
🇺🇸 USA
💰 Low
Type
Field Nitrate Testing System
Technology
Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) for nitrate + pH measurement
Parameters Measured
Nitrate-N (NO₃), pH
Measurement Speed
~5 minutes per test
Accuracy
Lab-grade (98% ALP proficiency certified), ±few ppm for nitrate
Connectivity
Wired connection to iPad, 12V DC power (vehicle-based)
Offline Mode
Yes (fully offline operation)
Output
iPad app with instant results + N fertilizer recommendations
Pricing
Hardware: ~$4,000-5,000
Subscription: None
3-Year Total: ~$6,000 (including consumables)
Strengths
Lab accuracy in field (98% ALP certified); enables same-day N sidedress decisions; proven ROI with 20% fertilizer savings reported; durable and field-tested since 2014; no subscription fees; includes N recommendation calculator; highly trusted by corn growers
Limitations
Limited to nitrate and pH only (no P/K/micronutrients); requires manual sample prep and mixing with extractant; stationary use (vehicle-based, not handheld for walking); daily electrode calibration needed with standard solutions
Best For
In-season nitrogen management for corn and row crops
Released: 2014 (current, 2025)
🥇
#3
Stenon FarmLab
Stenon GmbH
4.5
🇩🇪 Germany
💰 Premium
Type
AI-Powered Multi-Sensor Soil Probe
Technology
Vis-NIR Spectroscopy + Electrical Impedance/Capacitance sensors in handheld probe
Parameters Measured
N (NO₃, Nmin), P, K, Mg, pH, Soil Moisture, Temperature, Organic Carbon, Soil Texture
Measurement Speed
Real-time (2-3 minutes per sample)
Accuracy
DLG certified for nitrate-N, total Nmin, moisture. P/K/Mg calibrations improving via cloud updates
Connectivity
Built-in cellular (SIM) + GPS, real-time cloud sync
Offline Mode
Partial (stores ~1000 samples, uploads when connected)
Output
3.5" touchscreen on device + cloud web app with VRA maps and fertilizer recommendations
Pricing
Hardware: ~€800/month
Subscription: €2,400 per 3-month term (rental only)
3-Year Total: ~€24,000
Strengths
Instant comprehensive multi-parameter results; cloud-based AI with continuous calibration improvements; DLG validated for N accuracy; enables ultra-high-density sampling (1000+ points per field); generates variable-rate application maps; 20% fertilizer savings reported by users; Gold medal DLG AgTech Innovation 2021
Limitations
Subscription-only model (cannot purchase); P/K/Mg accuracy still maturing (early tests showed deviations); requires internet connectivity for full functionality; not accepted for official regulatory soil reports; high ongoing cost barrier for small farms
Best For
Large farms needing real-time fertility mapping and VRA prescription generation
Released: 2019 (current: FarmLab 2.0, 2025)
🌍
#4
AgroCares Scanner
AgroCares B.V. (formerly SoilCares)
4
🇳🇱 Netherlands
💰 Mid-High
Type
Handheld NIR Multi-Purpose Scanner
Technology
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR 740-2500nm) with global cloud calibration database
Parameters Measured
pH, EC, Organic Matter, Total N/P/K, Clay %, CEC. Also: feed and plant tissue (with license)
Measurement Speed
2-10 minutes per sample (scan + cloud analysis)
Accuracy
90% of pH predictions within ±0.5, good for OM and total N. Measures total nutrients (not available fractions)
Connectivity
Bluetooth to smartphone, internet via phone (cellular/Wi-Fi)
Offline Mode
Partial (queues scans, uploads when connected)
Output
Mobile app (iOS/Android) with PDF Soil Health Card reports and fertilizer recommendations
Pricing
Hardware: €6,695
Subscription: €1,950/year (mandatory license)
3-Year Total: ~€12,550
Strengths
Multi-purpose versatility (soil + animal feed + plant tissue with one device); ultra-portable at 0.5kg; global calibration database covering 50+ countries; no chemical reagents needed; used by major ag organizations worldwide; continuous model improvements
Limitations
Requires annual subscription (device unusable without active license); accuracy varies by soil type and calibration coverage; measures total nutrients rather than plant-available fractions; internet dependent for analysis; total cost adds up over time
Best For
Agronomists and consultants needing versatile multi-sample testing across different matrices
Released: 2018 (current: Scanner F-Series, 2023)
Best Value
🧪
#5
Harvesto Digital Kit
Harvesto (W.S. Telematics Pvt. Ltd.)
4.5
🇮🇳 India
💰 Low
Type
Portable Colorimetric Soil Lab
Technology
Colorimetric chemical analysis with digital photometer + electronic pH/EC sensors
Parameters Measured
14 parameters: pH, EC, Organic Carbon, Available N/P/K, micronutrients (Zn/Fe/Cu/Mn/B/S), Lime/Gypsum requirement
Measurement Speed
30-45 minutes for all 14 tests (15 min for NPK+pH alone)
Accuracy
98% correlation to lab (ICAR certified), meets India Soil Health Card standards
Connectivity
USB to PC (optional), works fully offline with battery/solar power
Offline Mode
Yes (fully offline, battery + solar capable)
Output
Built-in thermal printer for instant Soil Health Card + fertilizer recommendations for 100+ crops
Pricing
Hardware: ₹410,000 (~$5,000)
Subscription: None (reagents only)
3-Year Total: ~$7,000 (including reagents for 1000 samples)
Strengths
Most comprehensive testing (14 parameters in one kit); built-in crop recommendations for 100+ crops; works completely offline (battery/solar); ICAR certified accuracy; affordable per-test cost (~$2-4 in reagents); enables rural entrepreneurship (soil testing services); thermal printer for instant farmer reports; 1000+ units deployed successfully
Limitations
Manual chemical handling required (reagent prep, timing); throughput limited compared to spectroscopy; reagent supply chain dependency; operational complexity requires training; primarily calibrated for Indian soils; not as portable (suitcase format, not pocket-sized)
Best For
Rural soil testing services, government soil health programs, smallholder farm advisory
Released: 2017 (current, actively used 2025)
⚛️
#6
TrueX 700 XRF
LANScientific / Drawell
4
🇨🇳 China
💰 Premium
Type
Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer
Technology
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy with Si-PIN/SDD detector
Parameters Measured
34 elements (Mg-U): Heavy metals, micronutrients (Zn/Cu/Fe/Mn), total K/P/Ca, Sulfur. Cannot detect Nitrogen
Measurement Speed
Ultra-fast (2 seconds identify, 10-30 seconds precision analysis)
Accuracy
Lab-comparable for metals (low ppm detection), lower accuracy for light elements like P
Connectivity
USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. GPS accessory available. Battery-operated (4-6 hours)
Offline Mode
Yes (fully independent, 32GB internal storage)
Output
Touchscreen display with instant results, GPS tagging, USB/Bluetooth export to PC
Pricing
Hardware: ~$16,900
Subscription: None
3-Year Total: ~$17,000 (minimal maintenance)
Strengths
Extensive elemental coverage (34 elements); instant results (2-30 seconds); no chemical reagents or sample prep; rugged field-ready design; excellent for heavy metal contamination screening and environmental monitoring; high precision for micronutrients; fully independent operation; auto air-pressure compensation improves accuracy
Limitations
Measures total elemental content (not nutrient availability for agronomy); cannot detect Nitrogen at all (critical gap); high upfront cost; radiation safety device (requires training/certification in some regions); agronomic interpretation can be challenging; best for contamination/geological analysis rather than fertility management
Best For
Environmental monitoring, heavy metal contamination testing, micronutrient mapping
Released: 2017-2018 (current model: TrueX 700/760, 2025)
🔬
#7
iMETOS MobiLab
Pessl Instruments (METOS)
4
🇦🇹 Austria
💰 Low-Mid
Type
Lab-on-Chip Nitrogen Analyzer
Technology
Capillary Electrophoresis (microfluidic lab-on-chip) for wet chemistry analysis
Parameters Measured
Nitrate-N, Ammonium-N, pH (for both soil and plant sap)
Measurement Speed
30-60 minutes per batch (5-8 samples per session)
Accuracy
Lab-grade for NO₃/NH₄ (±5-10% of lab), low ppm detection limits
Connectivity
USB to PC, optional GPS, AC/12V DC/battery power
Offline Mode
Yes (local PC analysis, cloud sync optional)
Output
Windows software + FieldClimate cloud integration, results on PC screen
Pricing
Hardware: ~$5,000 (kit)
Subscription: Optional FieldClimate (if using METOS ecosystem)
3-Year Total: ~$5,500-6,000 (including consumables)
Strengths
True lab-grade accuracy for nitrogen (±5-10%); measures both nitrate and ammonium; integrates with METOS FieldClimate weather stations for decision support; suitable for remote areas (battery/solar); won Macfrut 2019 Gold Award; can also test plant sap nitrogen (crop N status)
Limitations
Limited scope (only N and pH, no P/K/micronutrients); labor-intensive sample prep (extraction, shaking); complex multi-component setup; discontinued by Pessl in 2023 (support available, new units scarce); slower than spectroscopy methods; chemical reagents and microchips required
Best For
In-season N management where lab-grade accuracy is critical (if units available)
Released: 2019 (Status: Retired 2023, existing units supported)
Feature Matrix
| Device | Nitrogen | P & K | Micronutrients | Offline | Speed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚀 ChrysaLabs Probe Canada | <1 min | 5 | ||||
| 🌽 360 SOILSCAN USA | 5 min | 5 | ||||
| 🥇 Stenon FarmLab Germany | 2-3 min | 4.5 | ||||
| 🌍 AgroCares Scanner Netherlands | 2-10 min | 4 | ||||
| 🧪 Harvesto Digital Kit India | 30-45 min | 4.5 | ||||
| ⚛️ TrueX 700 XRF China | 2-30 sec | 4 | ||||
| 🔬 iMETOS MobiLab Austria | 30-60 min | 4 |
How to Choose the Right Handheld Soil Testing Device
🎯
Define Your Primary Need
Start by identifying your main use case: In-season nitrogen management? Choose 360 SOILSCAN or iMETOS MobiLab. Comprehensive soil mapping? ChrysaLabs Probe or Stenon FarmLab excel with rapid multi-parameter testing. Heavy metal contamination? Only TrueX 700 XRF can measure that. Rural advisory services? Harvesto's 14-parameter kit with built-in recommendations is purpose-built for this.
- Nitrogen-focused: 360 SOILSCAN, iMETOS MobiLab
- Comprehensive mapping: ChrysaLabs, Stenon FarmLab
- Full fertility suite: Harvesto, AgroCares
- Contamination screening: TrueX 700 XRF
💰
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership
Look beyond hardware price. Factor in subscriptions, reagents, and per-test costs. Low-cost champions like 360 SOILSCAN (~$6k/3yr) and Harvesto (~$7k/3yr) offer excellent value. Premium subscriptions like ChrysaLabs ($18k/3yr) justify cost with unlimited sampling. One-time purchases like TrueX 700 ($17k) have no recurring fees but limited parameters.
Budget-Friendly $5-7k/3yr
Mid-Range $12-17k/3yr
Premium $18-24k/3yr
📶
Connectivity Requirements
Internet access is critical for cloud-AI devices. Cloud-dependent: ChrysaLabs, Stenon, AgroCares require connectivity for analysis. Fully offline: 360 SOILSCAN, Harvesto, TrueX 700 work anywhere with no internet. Hybrid: Some store data locally and sync later when connected.
- Internet: ChrysaLabs, Stenon, AgroCares
- Offline: 360 SOILSCAN, Harvesto, TrueX 700
- Hybrid: iMETOS MobiLab (optional cloud)
🔧
Accuracy vs Speed Trade-off
Lab-grade accuracy: 360 SOILSCAN and iMETOS MobiLab offer the highest accuracy for N (98% ALP certified) but take 5-60 minutes. Ultra-fast: TrueX 700 (2 sec) and ChrysaLabs (<60 sec) provide instant results with good accuracy for screening. Balanced: Stenon (2-3 min) and AgroCares (2-10 min) offer a middle ground.
Choose based on your priority: precision or throughput
Need Help Choosing the Right Device?
Not sure which handheld soil testing device fits your operation? We can help you evaluate your needs and choose the perfect solution.