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Last updated: February 22, 2026

Mail-in lab tests are the only way to get accurate, quantitative results for PFAS, arsenic, VOCs, and lead at low concentrations. At-home strips are a screening step. A certified lab gives you numbers you can actually act on.

We evaluated six labs on price, test panel breadth, certification, turnaround, and report readability.

What to Look for in a Lab

NELAP certification (or state equivalent). The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program is the standard. A state-certified lab for your state is equivalent.

EPA-approved methods. For PFAS, look specifically for Method 533 or 537.1. These are the most comprehensive PFAS methods currently available. Older methods (Method 537) miss several compounds.

Clear report format. Lab reports vary from single-page results tables to comprehensive PDFs with historical comparisons and plain-language explanations. The best reports show your result, the MCL, and the MCLG side by side.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Tap Score (SimpleWater)

Best for: City water and well water; easiest report to read

Panel options: City water basic ($90), city water advanced ($180), well water comprehensive ($280), PFAS add-on (~$100)

PFAS method: EPA Method 533 (30+ PFAS compounds)

Turnaround: 5–7 business days standard, 2–3 days rush

Certification: NELAP-certified partner labs; lab matched to your zip code

What stands out: Tap Score has the best consumer-facing reporting. Each contaminant comes with a plain-language explanation, a health context note, and a comparison to your state average if available. You don’t need a chemistry degree to read the results.

The city water advanced panel covers 111 parameters. The PFAS add-on is worth it if you’re near a military base or industrial site.

Cons: Cost adds up if you need multiple panels. The PFAS add-on is separate from most bundles.

Check price — Tap Score (affiliate link)

Best for Well Water: National Testing Laboratories (NTL)

Best for: Well owners who need a comprehensive baseline

Panel options: WaterCheck ($140), WaterCheck with pesticides ($200), well water deluxe ($280)

PFAS method: Available as add-on (Method 537.1)

Turnaround: 7–10 business days

Certification: ISO 17025 and state certifications in most states

What stands out: NTL’s WaterCheck Deluxe covers 151 parameters — one of the broadest panels available for well water at that price. Includes coliform bacteria, nitrate, metals, VOCs, and inorganic chemistry.

Cons: Reports are more technical than Tap Score’s. Less hand-holding on what results mean. PFAS requires a separate add-on order.

Check price — National Testing Labs (affiliate link)

Best for PFAS Testing: TestAmerica / Eurofins PFAS Panel

Best for: Anyone who specifically needs PFAS results

Panel: 30+ PFAS compounds using EPA Method 533

Price: ~$200–$250 for the PFAS panel

Turnaround: 5–7 business days standard

Certification: Eurofins (which acquired TestAmerica) is one of the largest environmental testing networks in the US; NELAP certified

What stands out: If your sole concern is PFAS, this gets you the most comprehensive PFAS data. Method 533 detects shorter-chain PFAS that Method 537 misses, including some compounds that are particularly important near manufacturing sites.

Cons: PFAS only — you’d need a separate test for other contaminants. More expensive per parameter than bundled panels.

Check price — Eurofins PFAS panel (affiliate link)

What Your Results Mean

Lab reports show each contaminant’s measured concentration alongside the EPA’s MCL and MCLG.

“ND” (not detected) means the concentration was below the lab’s reporting limit. That’s not the same as zero — it means the value is too low for that method to quantify.

Any result above the MCL is an action flag. Results between the MCLG and MCL (like lead between 1 ppb and 15 ppb) are legally compliant but may warrant a filter, especially for households with children.

If your results show PFAS or lead at levels you’re concerned about, see:

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a certified lab and an uncertified one?
A NELAP-certified lab follows EPA-approved analytical methods, maintains documented quality control, and undergoes external audits. Results from a certified lab are legally defensible. Uncertified labs may use the same methods but lack independent verification. For any result you might act on — installing a filter, contacting your utility — use a certified lab.
How do I collect a water sample correctly?
Follow the lab's specific instructions — they vary by test type. For lead: collect a 'first draw' sample after water has sat in pipes for at least 6 hours. For bacteria: use the sterile bottle provided, collect directly from the tap without touching the faucet interior, and mail same-day. For general chemistry: flush the tap for 2 minutes first.
How long do mail-in tests take?
Standard turnaround is 5–10 business days after the lab receives the sample. Rush options at most labs reduce this to 2–3 days for an added fee. Bacteria tests require 24–48 hours of incubation regardless of rush status.
Does my well water need a different test than city water?
Yes. Well water testing should include coliform bacteria and E. coli, which city water customers don't need to worry about (utilities treat for bacteria). Well water also more commonly contains iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and arsenic. City water customers typically test for lead, PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and chloramines.