Reagent Test Kits: What They Are, What They Catch, and What to Buy (2026)

The short answer: a reagent test kit is a set of dropper bottles of colour-changing chemicals. You put a small sample in a dish, add a drop, and the colour tells you which substance class is present. They answer identity (is this MDMA or PMA?) — they do not measure purity percentages and they cannot detect fentanyl, which is why fentanyl strips are a separate, non-optional purchase.

Start with three things: fentanyl strips, Marquis, and one reagent matched to what you actually use. That covers the overwhelming majority of real-world risk for under $40. Reagent Testing 101 walkthrough →

What Are Reagent Test Kits?

Reagent test kits contain chemical solutions that produce characteristic color changes when they contact specific compounds. Think of them as chemical fingerprinting, each substance leaves a unique color signature when exposed to different reagents. By running multiple reagents, you build a "color profile" that identifies the substance.

These tests are:

• Qualitative, they identify what a substance IS, not how much
• Presumptive, they strongly indicate but cannot 100% prove identity
• Destructive, the sample is consumed during testing (you only need 2-5mg)

The Major Reagents: A Complete Reference

Marquis Reagent

Detects: MDMA, MDA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, opiates, 2C-B, DXM

Color with MDMA: Deep purple/black (instant)

Use case: The most versatile single reagent. Every testing kit should include Marquis. It's the first-line test for stimulants and MDxx compounds. Get Marquis →

Ehrlich Reagent

Detects: LSD, DMT, psilocybin, psilocin, 5-MeO-DMT, other indoles

Color with LSD: Purple/pink (develops over 1-5 minutes)

Use case: Essential for psychedelic testing. Ehrlich specifically reacts with the indole ring structure. A negative Ehrlich on a tab sold as LSD is a major red flag for NBOMe compounds. Get Ehrlich →

Mecke Reagent

Detects: MDMA, heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone

Color with MDMA: Green to dark blue/black

Use case: Excellent secondary confirmation for MDMA and critical for opioid identification. Mecke produces distinctly different colors for different opioids. Get Mecke →

Morris Reagent

Detects: Ketamine, 2F-DCK, DCK, other arylcyclohexylamines

Color with Ketamine: Deep purple/blue (instant)

Use case: The gold standard for ketamine testing. Morris was specifically developed to detect ketamine and distinguish it from other dissociatives. Get Morris →

Simon's Reagent (Two-Part)

Detects: Secondary amines, MDMA vs MDA, methamphetamine vs amphetamine

Color with MDMA/meth: Bright blue

Color with MDA/amphetamine: No reaction

Use case: The only reagent that reliably distinguishes primary from secondary amines. Without Simon's, you can't tell MDMA from MDA. Get Simon's →

Froehde Reagent

Detects: MDMA, synthetic cathinones, synthetic opioids, aspirin

Color with MDMA: Greenish-black to blue-black

Use case: Excellent for detecting cathinone adulterants that Marquis might miss. Also useful for distinguishing MDMA variants. Get Froehde →

Hofmann Reagent

Detects: LSD, other lysergamides

Color with LSD: Blue/purple (slow, develops over 5-30 minutes)

Use case: Slower but more specific than Ehrlich for LSD. Used as secondary confirmation in comprehensive psychedelic testing. Get Hofmann →

Liebermann Reagent

Detects: Broad-spectrum, cocaine, MDMA, aspirin, paracetamol, sugar alcohols

Color: Varies widely by compound

Use case: Excellent first-line broad screening tool. Produces distinctive colors for many common adulterants and cutting agents. Get Liebermann →

Mandelin Reagent

Detects: Ketamine, cocaine, PMA, methamphetamine

Color with Ketamine: Deep orange/red

Use case: Secondary confirmation for ketamine. Also detects PMA/PMMA which can be missed by other reagents. Get Mandelin →

Folin Reagent

Detects: Piperazines (BZP, TFMPP, mCPP)

Color: Varies by piperazine compound

Use case: Specialized for detecting piperazines sold as MDMA or amphetamine substitutes. Important for comprehensive testing. Get Folin →

How Many Reagents Do You Need?

Building Your Testing Protocol

A proper testing sequence maximizes the information you get from each sample and minimizes wasted reagent.

Step 1: Visual Inspection

Before any chemical test, examine your substance. Is it the right color, texture, and form for what it's supposed to be? Pressed pills should have consistent edges and imprint quality. Powders should match expected consistency. Crystal should have expected clarity.

Step 2: Fentanyl Strip First

Run a fentanyl test strip before anything else. Fentanyl contamination can appear in any substance, stimulants, psychedelics, even cannabis. A fentanyl-positive result changes how you handle the sample entirely. Use the correct dilution: 1mg per 1mL of water for opioids, 10mg per 1mL for stimulants and other non-opioids.

Step 3: Primary Reagent (Marquis)

Start with Marquis, it's the broadest detector. A Marquis result narrows the possibilities significantly. Match the color against a fresh color chart within 30 seconds.

Step 4: Confirmatory Reagents

Based on what Marquis tells you, run 1-2 confirmatory reagents. If Marquis suggests MDMA, follow with Simon's (to distinguish MDMA from MDA) and Froehde (to check for cathinone adulterants). If Marquis suggests an opioid, follow with Mecke and Mandelin to narrow the type.

Step 5: Cross-Reference

Compare all color results against known reference charts. No single reagent is definitive, the pattern across multiple reagents is what identifies a substance. If results are ambiguous, send a sample to a drug checking service for mass spectrometry analysis.

Common Color Combination Patterns

Testing Station Setup

A proper testing station doesn't need much, but having the right tools makes the difference between clear results and guessing:

• White ceramic surface, a clean white plate or tile gives you a neutral background for reading colors. Avoid colored or patterned surfaces that can distort reagent colors.
• Fresh reagents, check the bottle before each use. Darkened liquid, crystallization, or precipitate are signs of expiration. Date your bottles when they arrive.
• Small sample, 2-5mg is enough for most tests. A grain of rice is roughly 5mg. More sample doesn't mean more accurate results.
• Consistent lighting, white light (daylight or LED) is essential. Warm yellow bulbs and fluorescent tubes distort color perception.
• Timer, some reactions, like Ehrlich with LSD, take up to 5 minutes to develop. Others, like Marquis with MDMA, are instant. Note the timing for each reagent.
• Color chart, keep a printed or digital reference of expected colors for each reagent. Human memory is unreliable for subtle color distinctions.

Common Testing Mistakes

1. Over-sampling, using too much substance wastes reagent and can produce muddy, unreadable colors. 2-5mg per test is sufficient.
2. Reading too late, colors shift and darken as the reaction ages. Read within 30-60 seconds for most reagents. Take a photo at the 30-second mark for reference.
3. Cross-contamination, one drop of reagent touching another reagent's residue on the testing surface can produce false colors. Clean your surface between tests.
4. Expired reagents, reagents darken and lose potency over time. Test on a known substance first if you're unsure about your reagent's condition.

Storage and Shelf Life

Reagent bottles stored properly in a cool, dark place (refrigerator is ideal) last 12-18 months. Signs of expiration: darkened liquid in the bottle, weak or muddy reactions, failure to produce expected color on known substances. Always test a known reference sample first if you're unsure about reagent condition.

Testing saves lives. No single test is perfect, always use multiple reagents, cross-reference results, and follow dosing safety practices.

Further reading: Reagent storage guide | Best test kit bundles | How to choose a kit | Marquis reagent complete guide | Ehrlich reagent guide | Counterfeit Adderall testing | Canadian festival guide*