Bluelab Combo Plus Meter – Probe Included

The Bluelab Combo Plus Meter is a battery-powered, handheld instrument that measures pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature from a single device. It ships with the Bluelab Leap™ pH probe — a detachable, spear-tipped electrode that reads pH directly in the root zone of soil, rockwool, coco coir, and potting mixes without requiring a slurry extraction. A 2 m / 6.5 ft cable gives reach into deep reservoirs or raised growing beds, and the backlit screen keeps readings legible in dim grow-room conditions.

Bluelab Combo Plus Meter Specifications

The table below lists the technical specifications drawn from the canonical product data and manufacturer description. Weight is from the product attributes record; all other values are sourced from the product description text.

Specification	Value
Brand	Bluelab
Parameters Measured	pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature
Included Probe	Bluelab Leap™ pH probe (detachable, toughened spear-tip)
Probe Cable Length	2 m / 6.5 ft
Compatible Growing Media	Soil, rockwool, coco coir, potting mixes, nutrient solution
Power Source	Battery (portable)
Display	Backlit LCD — readable in low-light environments
Unit Weight	1.1 lb (approx. 0.5 kg)

Why Choose the Bluelab Combo Plus Meter

Most growers need to monitor pH, EC, and temperature consistently throughout a crop cycle. Carrying three separate instruments — one for each parameter — adds cost, requires multiple calibrations, and means more opportunities for a misread. The Bluelab Combo Plus Meter consolidates all three measurements into a single, battery-powered device you can carry between plants, reservoirs, and test stations without running cable or finding an outlet.

What separates this unit from entry-level combo meters is the included Bluelab Leap™ pH probe. Most pH electrodes require you to mix a media slurry before taking a reading — a process that adds time, dilutes the sample, and can introduce measurement error. The Leap™ probe’s toughened spear-tip pushes directly into rockwool, coco coir, soil, and other substrates for a direct root-zone pH reading. That means faster results and a more representative picture of the pH your plant roots are actually experiencing, not an averaged slurry reading taken in a cup.

The backlit display is a practical feature for indoor grow rooms, where overhead LEDs or HPS fixtures can create glare on unlit screens while leaving adjacent areas dim. Push-button parameter switching means you cycle through pH, EC, and temperature readings without navigating menus. For a grower checking dozens of containers or reservoir ports on a single walkthrough, the reduced handling time adds up.

• Three parameters, one device: pH, EC, and temperature readings without swapping instruments or recalibrating multiple meters mid-walkthrough.
• Leap™ probe reads directly in media: No pH slurry or extraction mix needed — insert the spear-tip directly into rockwool, coco, or soil for a root-zone reading.
• Battery-powered portability: Use anywhere in the grow space without requiring a nearby outlet or extension cord.
• Backlit screen for dim environments: Legible readings in low-light grow rooms without additional lighting.
• 2 m / 6.5 ft probe cable: Enough reach to dip into deep reservoirs or check growing beds without leaning over the setup.

Best Uses for the Bluelab Combo Plus Meter

This meter is designed for growers who need frequent, accurate readings across multiple parameters and multiple growing environments. It is particularly suited to the following situations:

• Hydroponic reservoir monitoring: Dip the probe into a nutrient reservoir to check EC and pH before and after topping off or adjusting. The 2 m cable reaches into most reservoir setups without removing lids entirely.
• Soil and coco coir grows: Push the Leap™ spear-tip directly into the substrate near the root zone to read pH without preparing a slurry. This is useful for container growers running organic or amended soils where pH can drift between waterings.
• Rockwool slab and cube checking: Check the pH and EC of runoff or the slab itself during a drain-to-waste or recirculating NFT run. The probe tip is durable enough for repeated insertion into rockwool without damage.
• Multi-system grows: A grower running both a hydroponic system and soil containers can use one meter across both environments, reducing the number of instruments to calibrate and maintain.
• EC calibration cross-checks: Use the EC function alongside a dedicated replacement EC electrode or a standalone EC pen to cross-verify readings when troubleshooting nutrient lockout or salt buildup in the substrate.
• Spot-checking during plant inspections: Battery operation means you can carry the meter through the canopy, taking temperature and EC spot checks at multiple points without returning to a fixed monitoring station.

Bluelab Combo Plus Meter vs Similar Products

The Bluelab Combo Plus Meter competes with other multi-parameter handheld meters in the pH/EC/temperature category. The main differentiator for this product is the Leap™ probe. Many competing combo meters in this price range include a standard pH electrode designed for liquid immersion only. To test substrate pH with those meters, the grower must collect a sample, add distilled water in a defined ratio, wait for the slurry to stabilize, then test and correct for dilution — a process that adds 10–20 minutes per test point and introduces variability based on the water-to-media ratio used.

The Leap™ probe eliminates those steps for substrate testing. For growers running soil or coco, this is a meaningful workflow difference on a daily basis. For growers running fully hydroponic systems where the nutrient solution is the only thing being tested, a standard immersion electrode performs the same function and may be available at lower cost. The decision comes down to whether you need direct substrate pH reads regularly. If you do, the Leap™ probe makes the Combo Plus Meter the more practical choice. If you only test reservoir solution, a basic combo meter with a standard electrode may be sufficient.

The unit’s battery operation also gives it an advantage over benchtop or mains-powered meters for mobile use in large grow facilities, though growers who do all testing at a fixed station may prefer the continuous power and larger display of a bench-mounted controller. For portable, multi-environment testing, the Bluelab Combo Plus Meter covers the range that most hobby and small-commercial growers need.

Compatibility

The Bluelab Combo Plus Meter is compatible with the following growing environments and media types, as documented in the product description:

• Nutrient solution (hydroponic): Standard liquid immersion — suitable for DWC reservoirs, NFT channels, flood-and-drain systems, and drip systems. The Leap™ probe is described as lightning-fast in nutrient solution.
• Soil and potting mixes: Direct insertion with the Leap™ spear-tip probe. Works in both organic and conventional soil mixes.
• Rockwool: The toughened spear-tip is designed for repeated insertion into rockwool slabs, blocks, and cubes without electrode damage.
• Coco coir: Compatible with coco-based substrates for direct root-zone pH measurement.

The meter is battery-powered, so it does not require a mains connection or specific voltage compatibility. It can be used in any environment where the battery is charged. For growers using an EC calibration solution or pH calibration kit, standard Bluelab calibration solutions are used for electrode maintenance — confirm compatibility with the Bluelab calibration range when sourcing calibration supplies.

The detachable Leap™ pH probe connects to the meter unit via cable. Replacement probes are available separately from Bluelab if the electrode ages or is damaged. The 2 m / 6.5 ft cable length is fixed; extension cables are not mentioned in the product documentation and should be confirmed with Bluelab before use.

Usage Guidelines

The Bluelab Combo Plus Meter uses simple push-button operation to cycle between pH, EC, and temperature readings. The following guidelines reflect the product’s described operation and general best practices for handheld pH/EC meters in hydroponic and soil growing environments.

Before each session: Verify that the electrode is clean and properly connected. If the probe has been stored dry, allow it to rehydrate in pH 7 storage solution or deionized water for at least 15–30 minutes before taking measurements. Calibrate the pH electrode regularly — Bluelab recommends calibrating before each use or at minimum once per week during active crop cycles. Use pH 4 and pH 7 calibration solutions that match the expected measurement range of your nutrient solution or substrate.

For nutrient solution (hydroponic): Immerse the probe tip to the recommended depth in the solution. Allow the reading to stabilize before recording. Rinse the probe tip with deionized or distilled water between different solution samples to avoid carryover contamination. Check EC alongside pH to understand the full nutritional picture — a correct pH reading alongside an out-of-range EC often indicates the nutrient concentration itself needs adjustment rather than a pH correction.

For substrate (soil, coco, rockwool): Insert the Leap™ spear-tip probe directly into the substrate near the root zone. Push to the appropriate depth for the media being tested. Allow the reading to stabilize — substrate readings may take slightly longer to settle than liquid readings. Take multiple readings at different points in the container or slab to account for horizontal variation in pH or EC.

After each session: Rinse the probe tip with clean water. Store the probe in Bluelab probe care solution or a damp KCl storage solution cap if available. Do not store the electrode dry for extended periods, as this degrades the glass membrane and shortens probe life. Clean the EC sensor pins regularly to prevent salt buildup from affecting conductivity readings.

How to Set Up the Bluelab Combo Plus Meter

1. Unbox and inspect: Remove the meter, Leap™ pH probe, and all included accessories from packaging. Inspect the probe tip for damage before first use. Ensure the battery is installed or install per the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Connect the probe: Attach the Leap™ pH probe cable to the meter unit at the designated port. Ensure the connection is secure.
3. Hydrate the electrode: If the probe is new or has been stored dry, soak the tip in pH 7 calibration solution or deionized water for 15–30 minutes before the first calibration.
4. Calibrate pH: Power on the meter and enter calibration mode per the Bluelab user manual. Use fresh pH 4 and pH 7 calibration solutions. Rinse the probe with deionized water between calibration points. Confirm the calibration reading is within the acceptable tolerance range shown on the display.
5. Verify EC reading: Place the EC sensor into a known EC calibration solution and confirm the displayed reading falls within the expected range. Adjust per the Bluelab calibration procedure if needed.
6. Take your first reading: Immerse the probe in nutrient solution or insert the spear-tip into your growing substrate. Press the button to cycle to the desired parameter (pH, EC, or temperature). Wait for the reading to stabilize, then record.
7. Rinse and store: After use, rinse the probe with clean water and cap or store in probe care solution. Power off the meter to preserve battery life.

For full calibration procedures, electrode storage requirements, and troubleshooting steps, refer to the Bluelab user manual included with the meter or available on the Bluelab website.

Sources & Further Reading