---
product_id: 2698640
title: "Milwaukee Salinity Digital Refractometer for Saltwater Aquariums - MA887"
brand: "milwaukee instruments"
price: "$324.56"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Milwaukee Instruments"
url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/2698640-milwaukee-salinity-digital-refractometer-for-saltwater-aquariums-ma887
store_origin: US
region: United States of America
---

# 1.5s ultra-fast response 3 precise salinity units Auto temperature compensation Milwaukee Salinity Digital Refractometer for Saltwater Aquariums - MA887

**Brand:** milwaukee instruments
**Price:** $324.56
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🌊 Nail your reef’s perfect salinity—fast, flawless, and fuss-free!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Milwaukee Salinity Digital Refractometer for Saltwater Aquariums - MA887 by milwaukee instruments
- **How much does it cost?** $324.56 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/2698640-milwaukee-salinity-digital-refractometer-for-saltwater-aquariums-ma887)

## Best For

- milwaukee instruments enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted milwaukee instruments brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Portable Powerhouse:** Compact and rugged design with included 9V battery—perfect for on-the-go aquarium pros.
- • **Speed That Keeps Up:** Instant results in just 1.5 seconds—no more waiting, no more guessing.
- • **Temperature? No Problem:** Automatic temperature compensation ensures every reading is spot-on, regardless of conditions.
- • **Precision at Your Fingertips:** Get accurate salinity readings in PSU, ppt, or specific gravity with lab-grade reliability.
- • **Built to Last & Easy to Clean:** Sealed flint glass prism and stainless steel well wipe clean effortlessly for continuous use.

## Overview

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer is a rugged, portable device designed for saltwater aquarium enthusiasts and reef keepers. It delivers highly accurate salinity measurements in three units (PSU, ppt, specific gravity) with automatic temperature compensation and a rapid 1.5-second response time. Featuring a sealed flint glass prism and stainless steel well, it’s easy to clean and built for durability. Powered by a 9V battery, it’s the professional’s choice for precise, hassle-free salinity monitoring.

## Description

Milwaukee Salinity Digital Refractometer for Saltwater Aquariums - MA887: Science Lab Refractometers: desertcart.com: Industrial & Scientific

Review: Accurate, Easy to Use, and Reliable - The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer is excellent! It's fast, accurate, and very easy to use. The automatic temperature compensation is a great feature, and the digital readout is clear and reliable. Perfect for keeping my aquarium salinity exactly where it needs to be. Highly recommend for anyone who wants precise and hassle-free readings.
Review: This thing is amazing! - I struggled with small cheap plastic hydrometers for many years and I've always doubted their accuracy, mainly because of air bubbles and degradation of the plastic as it ages. I've seen people use the optical ones but they are always pointing them at the room light to try to get a reading. It's nice to have something really accurate for a change that you can read in any light, I especially like that it takes into account the temperature! I'm amazed at the low price, this could easliy sell for $300 or more. It's really fast and easy to use. If there was one thing I could change it would be that I wish it had one more decimal place so you can tell if it's between for instance 1.023 and 1.024. If it read 1.0235 that would be awesome, but realistically the small changes in salinity between numbers won't have an effect on your aquarium. For those new at changing water I can share my method. I have a 14 gallon nano cube and I change 2 gallons twice a week. I measure out my water in gallon water jugs, similar to milk jugs only they had distilled water in them. I fill them with RODI water for my salt mix. Then I weight out 293 grams of Kent Marine Reef Salt Mix using a gram scale. That brings the salinity to 1.024 (263 grams will bring it to 1.021). Then I pour one gallon of water in a five gallon plastic jug, pour in the salt, cap and invert to mix several times. Then I pour in the last gallon rinsing out my salt container in the process, cap and invert to mix again. This initial mixing puts most of the salt into solution. Then I add a small powerhead and aquarium heater for a few hours and everything goes into solution without any further mixing. Then using two other gallon jugs I empty out exactly two gallons and pour in the fresh saltwater. Works like a charm!

## Features

- The MA887 is a rugged, portable digital refractometer designed for the measurement of salinity of natural or artificial seawater used in saltwater aquariums and reef tanks.
- The MA887 displays results in three popular measurement units: Practical Salinity Units (PSU), salinity in parts per thousands (ppt) and specific gravity (S.G. (20/20)).
- The instrument’s high accuracy and simple operation gives reliable results each and every time. All readings are automatically compensated for temperature variations and displayed within a 1.5 second response time.
- The sealed flint glass prism and stainless steel well are easy to clean. Just wipe with a soft cloth in preparation for the next sample.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B007Z4ITWU |
| Batteries | 1 9V batteries required. (included) |
| Best Sellers Rank | #58,125 in Industrial & Scientific ( See Top 100 in Industrial & Scientific ) #28 in Lab Refractometers |
| Date First Available | June 24, 2004 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Weight | 14.9 ounces |
| Item model number | MA887 |
| Manufacturer | Milwaukee Instruments |
| Product Dimensions | 8 x 5 x 3 inches |

## Images

![Milwaukee Salinity Digital Refractometer for Saltwater Aquariums - MA887 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511xgemBw2L.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Why don't you carry the hard shell & padded case - Model #MA800**
A: We do.  It's just that they use the same UPC code for both and Amazon doesn't recognize the difference.  Give us a call for that one.

**Q: How do you clean it, after each use? Just rinse it out?**
A: I've always just dried it with a cloth or paper towel. Anything really. Been doing it for years

**Q: Is there a difference between the green or black version of the milwaukee ma887 digital salinity refractometer?**
A: No, the "black" version is the latest Milwaukee product cc 2021. Functionally they are exactly the same. Dittio for the other Milwaukee products too.

**Q: I've had my ma887 for year  now. seems to calculate 35ppt at 1.027 s.g. anyone else's unit do this?**
A: I have had the same problem and you can calibrate it with distilled water, but mine was still off by 2ppm regardless.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Accurate, Easy to Use, and Reliable
*by R***T on April 14, 2025*

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer is excellent! It's fast, accurate, and very easy to use. The automatic temperature compensation is a great feature, and the digital readout is clear and reliable. Perfect for keeping my aquarium salinity exactly where it needs to be. Highly recommend for anyone who wants precise and hassle-free readings.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This thing is amazing!
*by B***G on February 7, 2013*

I struggled with small cheap plastic hydrometers for many years and I've always doubted their accuracy, mainly because of air bubbles and degradation of the plastic as it ages. I've seen people use the optical ones but they are always pointing them at the room light to try to get a reading. It's nice to have something really accurate for a change that you can read in any light, I especially like that it takes into account the temperature! I'm amazed at the low price, this could easliy sell for $300 or more. It's really fast and easy to use. If there was one thing I could change it would be that I wish it had one more decimal place so you can tell if it's between for instance 1.023 and 1.024. If it read 1.0235 that would be awesome, but realistically the small changes in salinity between numbers won't have an effect on your aquarium. For those new at changing water I can share my method. I have a 14 gallon nano cube and I change 2 gallons twice a week. I measure out my water in gallon water jugs, similar to milk jugs only they had distilled water in them. I fill them with RODI water for my salt mix. Then I weight out 293 grams of Kent Marine Reef Salt Mix using a gram scale. That brings the salinity to 1.024 (263 grams will bring it to 1.021). Then I pour one gallon of water in a five gallon plastic jug, pour in the salt, cap and invert to mix several times. Then I pour in the last gallon rinsing out my salt container in the process, cap and invert to mix again. This initial mixing puts most of the salt into solution. Then I add a small powerhead and aquarium heater for a few hours and everything goes into solution without any further mixing. Then using two other gallon jugs I empty out exactly two gallons and pour in the fresh saltwater. Works like a charm!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Salinity tester
*by S***N on August 25, 2025*

This is the most accurate tester I have used. Great product.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer with Automatic Temperature Compensation, Yellow LED, 0 to 50 PSU, +/-2 PSU Accuracy, 1 PSU Resolution (color may vary)
- Continuum Reagents Refractometer Calibration Standard – Seawater Reference for Calibration of Density Measuring Equipment, 60 ml
- Salinity Refractometer for Seawater and Marine Fishkeeping Aquarium 0-100 PPT with Automatic Temperature Compensation

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.us/products/2698640-milwaukee-salinity-digital-refractometer-for-saltwater-aquariums-ma887](https://www.desertcart.us/products/2698640-milwaukee-salinity-digital-refractometer-for-saltwater-aquariums-ma887)

---

*Product available on Desertcart United States of America*
*Store origin: US*
*Last updated: 2026-02-23*