Objective The sensitivity of the four culture methods for bacteria detection in dialysis water was compared to find out the most sensitive one. Methods A total of 85 samples of dialysis water from a blood purification center in Beijing were collected and detected for bacteria by the four culture methods: method A: Columbia blood agar plate incubated at 37℃ for 48 hours, method B: TSA incubated at 37℃ for 48 hours, method C: R2A incubated at 37℃ for 48 hours, and method D: R2A incubated at 20℃ for 7 days. Tap water was used as positive control and water for injection was used as negative control. Results Among the four methods, the number of bacterial colonies was highest by method D and followed by method C. The results from method C were closely consistent with those from method D. Conclusions Method D is the best method for bacteria detection in dialysis water, which is identical to the method recommended by European Best Practice Guideline. Method C can also be used with similar efficiency.