What to test ph with? Have a prob device, don't trust it

How does a noob on a budget test ph regularly? I got somethnig at the local hardware store's garden section that is a probe, but i don't trust it. What other choices do I have? A picture of my baby is a attached

you need a ph tester pen,I've never used onne and I know they aren't cheap. The probes are useless for an accurate read.

its a necessity and no use growing if you dont have the pH in balance and also think about a PPM meter as well for your nutes.
I bought each probe for around $40 from htg supply.