Tools & Home Improvement

Check Your Electric Devices With the 10 Best Multimeters

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Lea Kuscer Avatar
Lea Kuscer
29 February, 2024 • Updated 11 days ago
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Multimeters are used to calculate resistance, voltage, current, frequency, and transistors. Some advanced multimeters also measure conductance, inductance, capacitance, temperature, and the continuity of a circuit.

A professional electrician uses multimeters for various tasks. Instead of buying, all the measuring instruments separately, it is a wise decision to go for a multimeter that offers many good features.

Multimeters are designed for the professionals and students who want to test the measurements of the circuit. Most Engineering students prefer to buy an affordable and high-quality multimeter that fulfills their requirements.

IN A HURRY? CHECK OUT OUR EDITOR’S CHOICE
Fluke 117

The functionality and accuracy of the meters should be great. Otherwise, it is nothing but junk. People prefer to buy the meter that has the option for the continuity test so you don’t need to look at the multimeter all the time.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned electrician, we compiled the list of the best multimeters you can buy right now.

Things to Consider

Before going out to bu a multimeter, you should know what you’re looking for in such a device. Naturally, if you’re an electrician or had previous experience with multimeters, you know what to check before the purchase. But if you’re new to all this, it’s best to see what parameters to cross off your list when you’re shopping.

1. Accuracy

First, there’s the accuracy parameter. Most budget meters come with +/- 2% up to +/- 5% of accuracy. Up to +/- 2% is on a more professional scale, so if you’re looking to buy a higher quality multimeter, check for those with anywhere from +/- 2 to +/- 0.5%.

2. Safety

If your aim is to test circuits bigger than 30V, you should think about safety. Did you ever see the label CAT on the multimeter? It is the measurement category rating. From CAT l to CAT lV, they show you which location the CAT secures on the device.

Also, when buying a multimeter, make sure to see if there is enough input protection and if the banana plugs on the probes are shrouded. 

3. Features

Are you looking to check the frequency, the duty cycle, the capacitance, or the temperature? Make sure the device has all of the mentioned features before you purchase one. You wouldn’t want to get back home only to find out the meter doesn’t have the features you need.

4. Battery time

If you use a multimeter often, you would want to look for a stronger battery. The good battery time is around 1000 hours. Anything below that would simply be useless.

5. Price

Last, there’s the price factor. You can find good multimeters below the three-digit price range, but bear in mind that they will also have a higher accuracy fail.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best Multimeters


Products Features
EDITOR’S PICK
4.8
1,065+
1065+
Fluke 117
Fluke 117Fluke 117
  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $200
  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $200
Check price
at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED
4.5
3,030+
3030+
Etekcity MSR-R500
Etekcity MSR-R500Etekcity MSR-R500
  • Highly affordable measurement instrument
  • Large and clear display
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $25
  • Highly affordable measurement instrument
  • Large and clear display
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $25
Check price
at Amazon
TOP PICK
4.7
100+
100+
Fluke 179
Fluke 179Fluke 179
  • top-notch quality
  • easy-to-use equipment
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $300
  • top-notch quality
  • easy-to-use equipment
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $300
Check price
at Amazon
BUDGET PICK
4.3
20+
20+
Tekpower TP8268
Tekpower TP8268Tekpower TP8268
  • gives accurate result
  • easy to operate in a quick manner
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $50
  • gives accurate result
  • easy to operate in a quick manner
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $50
Check price
at Amazon
BUDGET PICK
4.1
690+
690+
Mastech MS8264
Mastech MS8264Mastech MS8264
  • 30 range full featured Digital multimeter
  • Conform to the iec1010-1 standard
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $30
  • 30 range full featured Digital multimeter
  • Conform to the iec1010-1 standard
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $30
Check price
at Amazon
EDITOR’S PICK
Fluke 117
Reliable and accurate

After reviewing a couple of dozen multimeters on the market, we decided that the Fluke 117 Electricians True RMS Multimeter is the best one. It’s the perfect ratio features and price you can get.

4.8
1,065+
1065+
  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • 6.57 x 3.31 x 1.81 inches
  • Batteries included
  • 3-year warranty
  • Accurate
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $200

Under $25

Etekcity Digital Multimeter

Etekcity Digital Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 1000V/10A, AC 750V/10A
  • 5.1 x 2.9 x 1.4 inches

The highly affordable measurement instrument is perfect to calculate accurate voltage, current, continuity, and resistance. It is designed for the needs of everyone from a novice to professionals. The backlit LCD provides a large and clear display even in dim areas.

It has the ability to display the results quickly and also include a 9-volt battery. The Etekcity Digital Multimeter comes with a user manual that guide about the function and its use. It is a portable device with a weight of 6.3oz. It has a continuity buzzer, low battery indicator, and overload protection.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • 2-year warranty
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Difficult to change the batteries
  • The leads are made cheaply

Under $50

Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter

Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 1000V/20A, AC 750V/20A
  • 8 x 4 x 1.5 inches

If you are looking for an affordable instrument for household chores and professional task that gives accurate result and proffers great features.

The Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter is an upgradable version of MS8268 that has a new feature called new contact voltage detection.It is a portable device that allows you to take it with you.

The weight of this measuring instrument is 14.4 ounces. All the buttons and functions are easy to operate in a quick manner.

Pros
  • 1-year warranty
  • Accurate
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Awful manual
  • Display is slow

Mastech MS8264 Digital Multimeter

Mastech MS8264 Digital Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 1000V/10A, AC 750V/10A
  • 7.68 x 2.17 x 3.62 inches

Mastech MS8264 30-Range Digital Multimeter is a durable instrument that is far better than many other devices available in the market. This is a portable, lightweight, and affordable multimeter that has the capability to measure temperature, frequency, capacitance, resistance, current, and voltage.

It is an effective device engineered for hobbyists as well as professionals. The LCD screen allows you to see the result in large digits. The total weight of this instrument is 12 ounces.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • 1-year warranty
  • Accurate
Cons
  • Not made to be durable

Under $75

Extech EX330 Autoranging Mini Multimeter

Extech EX330 Autoranging Mini Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • 5.7 x 1.6 x 2.9 inches

If you’re looking for a multimeter that can measure the AC from the power outlet with the non-contact AC voltage detector and features temperature probe, then Extech EX330 is the product for you. It has an easy-read LED display, a red LED indicator, an audible beeper, and a low battery indicator.

This little device measures voltage up to 600V, which is a little less than the previous on the list could, but the 12 other functions make it up for that. The EX330 measures the duty cycle, frequency, temperature, capacitance, and other. The temperature probe reads in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.

The package comes with an impact-resistant rubber holster, batteries, and user manual.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • 1-year warranty
  • Accurate
Cons
  • Fragile clipping battery connector
  • Slippery holster

Mastech MS8229 Auto-Range 5-in-1 Multi-functional Digital Multimeter

Mastech MS8229 Auto-Range 5-in-1 Multi-functional Digital Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 1000V/10A, AC 750V/10A
  • 7.68 x 3.62 x 2.17 inches

It is invented after the success of Mastech MS8209 with improved and advanced features that make it a better multimeter as it includes other measurements such as humidity meter, luxmeter, thermometer, and sound level meter.

Besides these calculations, the multimeter permits you to check the basic measurements like current, frequency, resistance, voltage, and capacitance. The Mastech MS8229 Auto-Range 5-in-1 Multi-functional Digital Multimeter user guide, test leads, and K-type probe.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • A lot of functions
  • Accurate
Cons
  • Not made to be durable

Under $100

Amprobe AM-530 TRMS Electrical Contractor Multimeter

Amprobe AM-530 TRMS Electrical Contractor Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • 7.68 x 3.62 x 2.17 inches

The outstanding features of this instrument attract you towards it. It has the capability to calculate the true RPM that is free from any fluctuations. Plus, it has an audio tone that beeps when the circuit has a perfect continuity and you don’t need to check the meter all the time.

Amprobe AM-530 TRMS Electrical Contractor Multimeter has an inbuilt flash light and a powerful battery of 9-volts. You can also measure the capacitance of the capacitors, resistance, frequency, current, voltage, etc.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • Warranty included
  • Easy to use
  • Accurate
Cons
  • Probes aren’t very sharp

Under $150

INNOVA 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter

INNOVA 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • 12.5 x 4.5 x 6.5 inches

This instrument of Innova received a good rating from the users on Amazon. It allows you to calculate the voltage, resistance, current and test the switches, wirings, breaker points, solenoids, duty cycle, and alternator diodes. The accessories included in the box are carrying case, inductive RPM clamp, and temperature probes.

The INNOVA 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter features overload protections, automatic shutoff, and automatic ranging.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • 1-year warranty
  • Ideal for hobbyists
  • Accurate
Cons
  • Tachometer needs improvement
  • Does not come with batteries

Fluke 114 Electrical TRMS Multimeter

Fluke 114 Electrical TRMS Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • 10.7 x 6.3 x 3.7 inches

This instrument is manufactured in China to fulfill the needs of the professionals and engineers. It is a perdurable multimeter that offers a lot more than one can imagine. It only weighs 1-pound with a dimension of 10.7 x 6.3 x 3.7 inches.

The Fluke 114 Electrical TRMS Multimeter features an automatic voltage selection and LED backlit that allow you to see the readings even in the dark area. There are many meters that show wrong or false reading, but the Fluke 114 Electrical TRMS Multimeter is built with great technology that gives precise measurements all the time.

Pros
  • 3-year warranty
  • Reliable
  • Accurate
Cons
  • Does not come with batteries

Under $200

Fluke 117 Electricians True RMS Multimeter

Fluke 117 Electricians True RMS Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 600V/10A, AC 600V/10A
  • 6.57 x 3.31 x 1.81 inches

Fluke’s instruments are famous due to its high-quality performance and uninfluenced measurements. The Fluke 117 Electricians True RMS Multimeter is suitable for the maintenance tasks. Electricians, engineers, and scientist can also get benefits out of it as it has all the great features that make it a worth buying tool.

It permits you to measure the ranges of current, resistance, voltage, frequency, etc. If you look at the design of this portable instrument, it has a perfect design that also looks good in the hands of women electricians and professionals.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • 3-year warranty
  • Reliable
  • Accurate
Cons
  • LED display isn’t the best

Under $400

Fluke 179 ESFP True RMS Multimeter

Fluke 179 ESFP True RMS Multimeter

Features

  • Backlit LCD screen
  • Maximum DC 1000V/10A, AC 1000V/10A
  • 6.57 x 3.31 x 1.81 inches

Fluke 179 ESFP True RMS Multimeter is constructed in the USA and comes with a battery of 9-volts, 8BK temperature probe, instruction manual, and test leads. Being the most expensive device in the list, it also offers a top-notch quality.

It is easy-to-use equipment that shows the accurate readings and avoids the chance of errors. It is perfect to do the job even in noisy and high energy environments. It can measure the frequency, capacitance, temperature, circuit continuity, resistance, current, and voltage.

Pros
  • Batteries included
  • 3-year warranty
  • Protective Snug case
  • Reliable
  • Extremely accurate
Cons
  • Expensive
*All prices mentioned above are at the time of publishing.
Lea Kuscer Avatar
Written by
Lea Kuscer
Lea Kuscer is a nature admirer, ecological cosmetics and jewelry maker, avid traveler, language professor by trade, but above all, a marketing maniac who's enthusiastic about testing new products. Her mission is to share her passion with gadget lovers and those who would like to make their life more comfortable with the best products on the market. Let's get on an exploring adventure together!