10 Best Multimeters – Reviews and Buyers Guide

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If you love functionality and versatility in tools, you must already be familiar with multimeters. Also, if you also take electronics seriously, then you know that this is a must-have tool. This is an electronic measuring tool that combines several measurement functions in one unit.

You can use multimeters to measure voltage, resistance, and current, or use it to test continuity between two points in an electrical circuit. Therefore, instead of buying three different measuring tools, you can get a multimeter, and you will be good to go. 

This tool’s multi functionalities make it an electronic technician’s and engineer’s best friend. It is handheld and comes with a positive and negative needle indicator over a numeric LCD digital display.

Some of the uses include testing batteries, checking the wiring in the house, testing power supplies, and electric motors.

There are three types of multimeters. That is, digital, analog, and fluke. You can choose the one you want depending on what you like, ease of use, and the purpose you need multimeters for.

In this article, we will guide you on all the factors to be on the lookout for before purchasing one. There are so many brands available in the market that you can be lured into picking just any tool on the counter without giving it a second thought. 

However, by doing so, you will be compromising on quality and may end up with a multimeter that is not functional or even harmful.


10 Best Multimeters – Comparison Table:

 

 

Best multimeters reviewed:

 

AstroAI Digital Multimeter AM33D

  • The AM33D is a multimeter Ohm Volt Amp and Diode Voltage Tester Meter. This very reasonably priced meter comes with many features, including dual fused for anti-burn.
  • The meter measures AC/DC Voltage, DC Current (Not AC Current), Resistance, Continuity, Diodes, and more.
  • The meter is suitable for both automotive and household electrical issues and comes with overload protection on all ranges. The unit comes with a handy LCD backlit display which is ideal for those darker areas that you’re working in. There is a sampling speed of 2x per second
  • We liked the fact this meter comes with some handy features such as a built-in kickstand for hands-free use which is ideal for longer jobs as you can use it without having to hold it all the time. There are also protective rubber corner guards in case the unit is accidentally dropped.
  • The AM33D also has a data hold function so you don’t have to keep stopping and writing things down this is good for more precise measurements One downside of this meter does not measure AC current.
  • The multimeter comes ready to go and the pack includes 1 x AstroAI AM33D Digital Multimeter 1 x 9V 6F22 Battery 2 x Test Leads 1 x User Manual & 1-year warranty
  • Safety-wise AM33D compliance IEC61010 CAT.I 600V, CAT.II 300V, double insulation
  • Overall this is a good multimeter for the price, it’s at the basic entry-level as far as meters go but is suitable for household and automotive troubleshooting however there have been reported issues of the unit not reading well and not accurate enough in some situations. It does not read AC current either but for the low price it is adequate and does the job
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Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

KAIWEETS HT113B Digital Multimeter 

  • The Kaiweets HT113B is a digital multimeter which accurately measures AC/DC voltage up to 600V and AC/DC current up to 10A and resistance up to 40MΩ
  • When we tested the HT113B we liked the fact it has 4000 counts TRMS auto-ranging so it can be used for Ohmmeter/Voltmeter Diode 1.5v/9v and is a real-time battery tester with NCV function. The device is ideal for continuity tests, diode test, and battery testing which includes 1.5V and 9V so you can test a wide range of batteries.
  • Some great features we noticed when testing the HT113B. It comes with NCV which is Non-Contact Voltage Detection. Low battery prompt and a very useful feature of auto power off after 15 minutes of inactivity so no more drained batteries!
  • Safety-wise it’s rated Safety level: EN61010-2-030 EN61010-2-033 CAT III 600V. It comes with a silicone protective case that protects against drops and a 10A fuse for overload protection. It also comes with a handy data hold function so you don’t have to keep stopping to find a pen to write data down you’ll see below it even has a pen holder!
  • When you’re doing electrical work you want the machine to be user friendly and we loved the clear LCD screen, LED flashlight on the back and even a pen holder and kickstand all included in the price which is under $30!!
  • The Kaiweets HT113B also comes with a great aftersales package and technical help The Kaiweets HT113B comes ready to use and has everything in the box so it’s unpack and get started!
  • Package Content: 1 x Digital Multimeter 1 x Test Leads 2 x AAA Battery 1 x User Manual
  • The only downside we noticed during our test was on some occasions the probes were loose and you had to make contact 4 times to get a reading On the whole, for the price this is a great piece of kit for the money and comes with some useful features which will make your life easier when using it.
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Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

FLUKE-106 Palm-Sized Digital Multimeter

  • Fluke 106 is a palm-sized digital multimeter and when we tested the device it does fit nicely in the palm of your hand and is lightweight at 7.1 ounces. The Fluke 106 is more expensive than reviews 1 and 2 and again is more suited for home/auto testing than hardcore electrical work.
  • It measures Voltage 600V, resistance 40 MΩ, continuity, capacitance, AC/DC current up to 10A
  • The Fluke 106 also has a data hold function.
  • For the price, we were a little disappointed this didn’t come with a soft case and does not have as many useful features as some of it’s cheaper competitors, however it works well for home use
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Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Crenova MS8233D

  • The Crenova MS8233D is a digital multimeter that is well priced and packed with features. It accurately measures AC/DC voltage 600V, AC/DC current 10A, resistance, frequency, continuity, diode
  • It is designed to meet IEC61010-1 & CAT II 600V and is double insulated has a built-in double fuse and overload protection on all ranges
  • Ease of use wise it comes with data hold and max data hold, LCD backlit display, and auto power-off functions. We liked the stand for hands-free use, it makes jobs so much easier!
  • We loved the fact the Crenova MS8233D comes ready to use and even has its own protective carry bag included in the price which in our opinion is great value for money!
  • Pack includes MS8233D Multimeter Carrying Bag Test Leads Alligator Clips 9V Battery
  • We found on some of the tests the display couldn’t be read very well if at a different angle but to be honest this wasn’t a major problem and the multimeter performed well overall
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

AstroAI Digital Multimeter DM6000AR (Best Overall)

Best Overall
  • The DM6000AR multimeter is a digital meter packed with tons of features for a very reasonable price. It covers a wide range of tests including current, voltage, resistance, capacity, and more!
  • This is a professional piece of kit, we liked the fact it is sturdy and has a durable feel to it. Safety-wise it’s Built-in F400mA/600V and F10A/600V explosion-proof ceramic fuse tubes coupled with its double protection and overload protection on all ranges give you peace of mind.
  • THe DM6000AR comes with a decent size LCD backlit screen, data hold function and auto shut off to save battery power. We loved the ease of use with the added hanging magnet and kickstand for hands-free use
  • The pack includes 1 x AstroAI DM6000AR True RMS Digital Multimeter 1 x Test Leads (Pair) 1 x K-Type Thermocouple 1 x Multi-Function Socket 1 x User Manual
  • One downside we noted was the leads can be too short for some outlets but on the whole, for the price, this is a nifty device!
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Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter

  • The MM400 is an auto-ranging digital meter for testing voltage, current, temperature, capacity, and more.
  • The device measures 600V AC/DC voltage, 10A AC/DC current, and 40 M resistance and safety-wise as CAT III 600V safety rating. The MM400 has a fairly sturdy feel to it and is in the slightly higher price bracket. It is built to withstand a 1-meter drop. It can be used for business, home, and light commercial use.
  • The MM400 has a built-in stand for ease of use, low battery indicator, and easy to read display. For the price, we would have liked to have seen a hanging magnet function and maybe a pen holder?
  • The pack includes: Test leads, thermocouple with adapter and batteries
  • A good multimeter but for the price, we’d like a carry case included again for ease of use and protection.
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Neoteck Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter

  • The Neoteck 8233D is an auto-ranging digital multimeter that measures current, voltage, resistance. It also does maximum reading over time and has a continuity buzzer. This also comes with a nice large backlit LCD display which has a backlight built-in for darker working areas.
  • The 8233D has built-in overload protection and is designed to safely troubleshoot both automotive and household electrical issues.
  • We liked the fact the case is made of nonslip orange plastic which is designed to withstand drops. Another handy feature is the built-in stand which places the unit at a 45-degree angle making the screen easy to read.
  • The pack includes: 1x 8233D PRO Multimeter 1 x 9V 6F22 Battery 1x Test Leads 1x Banana Plug to Alligator Clip Cable 1x User Manual
  • The downside we found while testing is the readings on the capacitor were not accurate however this is a very reasonably priced unit and comes ready to use out of the box!
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

AmazonCommercial 6000 Count Digital Multimeter

  • The Amazon 90DM610 is a 6000 count true RMS digital multimeter. This handheld unit measures voltage and frequency and has a built-in thermometer for easy temperature readings.
  • The 90DM610 is Amazon’s own making and has a backlit LCD display and measurement saving function
  • The unit weighs 9 ounces and comes with a stand for hands-free use. It is multi-functional and as well as doing the basics it also has a low pass filter VFD function and type K temperature measurement.
  • The pack includes: Test leads, 9V battery, carrying case, Type K temperature probe, waterproof plug for jack, user manual.
  • This multimeter is more expensive than some other brands however it comes with everything you need including a case! We were very pleased with the results when tested and it performed as expected.
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Fluke 117  (Best Premium)

Best Premium
  • The Fluke 117 is described as an electricians digital multimeter. This unit is at the more expensive end of the market and is geared towards commercial use such as hospitals, schools etc.
  • The 117 comes with VoltAlert technology for noncontact voltage detection, AutoVolt automatic AC/DC voltage selection It reads DC millivolts - Range : 600.0 mV, Resolution : 0.1 mV
  • It features a large LED backlight and comes with a stand.
  • On the downside we would have liked a case and pen included for the price. There have been some complaints about the display not being easy to read.
  • On the plus side, electricians rate the Fluke 117 as good value for money and has a 3-year warranty
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Etekcity Digital Multimeter (Best Value)

Best Value
  • The MSR-C600 measures AC/DC voltage and AC current, note this meter does not read DC current. It also measures diode, continuity, and resistance.
  • The unit comes with LCD display, data hold and max reading.
  • For the price the Etekcity comes with some great features including sleep mode after 15 minutes and a useful carrying pouch!
  • The pack includes 2 x Test Leads (a pair), 1 x Carrying Pouch, 1 x Etekcity Digital MSR-C600 Multimeter, 1 x User Manual, 2 x AAA 1.5V batteries (installed) Comes with a 1-year warranty which can be extended for a year and lifetime support from Etekcity.
  • On the downside, there have been some complaints regarding the clamps not working correctly and the unit breaking after a short period of time
  • For the price (which is comparably cheap) this is ideal for household and automotive use and comes ready to use plus has the added extra of a case that some more expensive brands don’t include.
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Multimeters Buyers Guide

 

Factors to consider before buying a multimeter 

As we mentioned before, there are several brands of multimeters available in the market. However, they differ in prices and even in terms of the features that you get. 

To ensure that you get value for your money, below are some of the essential features to look out for when buying a multimeter.

Price

As we stated earlier, the prices tagged on this tool varies depending on the brand. You can get the cheapest multimeter for as low as 2 dollars while the pricey ones may cost you even more than 100 dollars.

One thing to keep in mind is that cheap is always expensive. We are not suggesting that you go for the most expensive brand in the market, however, avoid going for the cheapest options in an attempt to save some money. You may get one for 2 dollars and have to replace it after a few days as it will break down or even stop functioning. 

We recommend that you look at the features that come with the tool that you want, compare the prices, and go for a fairly priced multimeter. If you are a beginner, there is no need to spend so much money on one. You can start with a simple one that will get the job done and upgrade with time.

Voltage measurement

We strongly recommend that you go for a tool that offers you a range of voltages to select from. You should ensure that it can measure at least 50mV. You can also go for one that allows you to measure both AC and DC voltages.

Current measurement

Before settling on what to buy, you should carefully consider the amount of current that you will be using the tool to read. For instance, please do not buy one that reads 120 volts to use it to read 1000 volts of current.

Likewise, do not purchase one that can read a lot of currents if you only intend to use it to read a small amount of current. This will help you to avoid spoiling the multimeter and also help you in getting accurate readings.

Measuring resistance/ohms

Measuring resistance may be excellent to help you check continuity. It is important to note that a multimeter that can test resistance may cost you a lot more compared to one that has a continuity test. 

However, the investment will be worth it as by measuring resistance, you can test network and SCSI terminators.

Temperature probe

This is not a mandatory requirement when you are purchasing multimeters. However, it will come in very handy, especially if you are working with computers (PCs). 

Having a tool with a temperature probe enables you to know how hot your multiprocessor is, thereby saving you a lot of trouble with your computer. It will also allow you to measure the temperature inside the case.

Auto as opposed to the Manual range

In many cases, the auto version is always the go-to device compared to the manual version. The same case applies when it comes to these tools. We recommend that you go for an auto-range product. This is because it is very simple and easy to use. All you will need to do is put it on, and it will give you the measurements you want when you use it.

On the other hand, manual range multimeters will require you to read the values written on it. It can be a bit challenging to get accurate values when using a manual range.

A multimeter that comes with an auto-range may cost you a bit more of your coins, but if you are looking for accuracy, then it will be worth your money. 

Battery life 

If you regularly use multimeters, you need to ensure that the one you settle on has great battery life. This will ensure that it will serve you long enough before you even think of getting another one and that it will not be a waste of your hard-earned money. 

We suggest that you go for a multimeter that has at least 1000 hours of battery life. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope that this review of the best multimeters has been insightful and helpful to you in some way. 

Of the 10 we tested we chose the AstroAI Digital Multimeter DM6000AR as our Best Overall pick.  Best Value had to be the Etekcity Digital Multimeter, and for the top-spec Best Premium award the Fluke 117 was the clear winner.

Getting a good multimeter can go a long way in helping you have an easier time in the lab. Get the wrong one, and everything will just fall apart. We hope that this article helps you settle on the right one that will serve you just right!

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Walter Snyder
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