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Wallace
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2025
I have tested several different swab-type lead tests before and they are often disappointing, giving false negatives on known samples containing lead. This one actually works! I also like that these are compatible with vinegar, which helps to bring lead out of the surface you are testing.I first tested these against a test card I have that contains a small concentration of lead nitrate. Although the test swab instructions say to rub for at least 30 seconds, the color changed to a deep red right away. Pass! I then tested this on a ceramic dish I have that is known to contain lead. It took a bit more rubbing, but the swab definitely turned a dark orange after about 10 seconds. Another pass!The only thing I would be careful about is that the swab only changed color where you've rubbed it on the test surface. Make sure you check the side of the swab that actually touched the test sample. Also be aware that these have an expiration date. Mine expire in about two years.I would definitely recommend these as they work and are a great value at $15 for several hundred.
Me
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2025
These are both awesome and a bit scary at the same time!Well, to clarify- the results are scary (or they can be!), but the kit itself is pretty awesome!The kit arrived SUPER fast.The resealable, foil bag has very clear and easy directions printed on the front of the bag. The back of the bag has a good amount of information about the tests including how to rule out false positives, info on testing ceramics a lot # and an expiration date (11/2027). The very bottom of the bag has the company information, which is in New York.The entire top of the bag shows a color gradient that is labeled with the lead + side and lead - side, making it beyond easy to check the color of your swab.Inside the bag, hundreds of wooden sticks sit with the testing side down (in the bag/protected). The test sticks are a total of 2.75" with the testing area (that looks like a gray cotton swab) is about .25" in length. The swabs are very sturdy, easy to handle and not easily broken.The test/swab (which is treated with Sodium Rhodizonate) is activated with vinegar- NOT water. I have been doing A LOT of reading and I I've read over and over again that the water activated tests are no where near as accurate as the vinegar tests. I have used water activated swabs before and I concur that these are WAY more accurate. THESE are the way to go!The tests are beyond easy to use and even though they recommend rubbing the surface for 30 seconds, I can tell you that if there is lead present (even just a little bit), you don't have to wait for these to turn because they will change immediately.More proof that these are the real deal-IF you do get a positive, they recommend letting the swab sit in lemon juice for 10 minutes. If it turns white, then that means NO lead, but if it stays colored- you have lead. The lousy water tests have no way to 'double check' or rule out this false positive- further proof that these are THE REAL DEAL and the superior tests!As far as value goes-You can't really put a price on piece of mind/knowledge.But, if you want to lets look at it this way...a 300 pack of water tests (that are not always accurate and have no way to rule out a false positive) are $14-$15. These are the same price and way better, so I know what I will buy again!While these are made for paint, I have been going crazy testing my entire house!Paint, faucets (but not water), fixtures, electronic surfaces- basically everything we use/touch! These are amazing and addicting!
Lex Rex
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2025
This test is different from those I have used in the past because it is activated with white vinegar rather than water. Don’t be alarmed if, immediately after activation, the cotton swab turns light brown or cinnamon-colored—it should quickly lighten and become yellowish, which means it is ready for testing. Vinegar is used to increase the sensitivity of the swabs on solid surfaces by helping dissolve any lead that might be present. The obvious drawback is that if you want to test something in the field (such as at a shooting range or work site), you need to have vinegar with you.I thought that activating swabs with water would reduce their sensitivity while still keeping them functional, but from what I’ve seen, water-activated swabs are completely useless—even when rubbed on a lead ingot. This makes me think that the baseline sensitivity of these swabs is probably lower than that of the water-activated tests. This may not be important, though, because if you use the test as directed, it works quite well.This kit offers another new feature that I haven’t seen before: to rule out false positive results, the instructions urge you to let the test swab “sit in lemon juice for approximately 10 minutes” after testing. Frankly, I was taken aback by the added complexity of the process. Do I really need to have lemon juice handy?I think there are two ways to look at this:• The test is very demanding, and this intricacy makes it much less appealing.• The test is advanced, and it comes with extra requirements.I have my thoughts, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions.Last but not least, many tests come in plastic containers. The screw cap keeps the swabs relatively safe from moisture in the air, which can reduce the shelf life of the test. At the same time, the container makes it very easy to store and retrieve swabs for testing. Here, we have 300 swabs—a very generous amount, I might add—but they come in a resealable foil bag, which offers a great protection from moisture, but much less convenient compared to a container.All things considered, I rate it four stars.
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