April 05, 2019 by Sam Holland
Buying the right digital multimeter should never be a trade-off between efficiency and cost. That's why we have compiled a list of some of the most accurate, yet affordable products on the market.
When choosing a multimeter for personal or professional use, the most essential factors to consider are the sensitivity and durability of the product. A faulty multimeter will fail to diagnose problems in circuits by giving inaccurate measurements, and a fragile device is a bad investment in the long run, so, it is crucial to choose sturdy, high-precision devices that work well and fall within your budget.
The Mastech MS8268 digital multimeter ensures high-reliability measurements at some of the most reasonable prices when compared to other brands online. But, it’s not just a cheap multimeter—the MS8268 is well suited to the task.
It can measure AC/DC voltages up to 1000V, frequencies up to 200uF, resistances up to 40 Mohm, and capacitance up to 200µF with LED backlight and auto power off, sound warning for incorrect operation, a sampling rate of three times per second for digital data, transistor hFE 0 ~ 1000, and automatic/manual ranges with relative measurement, save for frequency.
Image courtesy of Mastech.
The Mastech MS8268 digital multimeter is an excellent choice for personal and professional use. It can perform basic measurements in all kinds of simple and complex circuits. You can also purchase spare probes or alligator clips to complement your order.
The MS8268 multimeter turns off automatically every 15 minutes to conserve battery power when in idle mode.
Those who need to run tests for an extended period of time may find it annoying to have to restart their multimeters frequently. Many users also noted that the device takes a few seconds before providing a result.
The AstroAI WH5000A 6000-count TRMS is a high-precision multimeter suited to personal and professional use for testing a wide range of parameters including voltage, resistance, current, frequency, capacitance, continuity, diodes, transistors, and temperature.
Image courtesy of AstroAI.
The AstroAI WH5000A digital multimeter is an inexpensive alternative to other high-end multimeters with multi-functionality for testing all kinds of circuit parameters.
The rugged build of the product makes it ideal for use in all kinds of industrial environments with high resistance to static and dynamic EMF, excellent temperature resistance, and high-accuracy measurements. The WH5000A comes with a 3-year warranty from AstroAI.
Capacitance testing on the AstroAI WH5000A is limited. Many users also remark that the probes could be better quality, like the overall build of the meter itself.
The B35 Bluetooth multimeter from Owon Technology Inc. offers 3-in-1 functionality as a data logger, multimeter, and temperature meter.
The Bluetooth functionality allows users to take real-time measurements on Android and iOS smartphones with compatible OS versions. Other features include smart voice reading, 3/5/6-digit full-scale reading for high accuracy, and a smart power off function during idle mode to extend battery life.
Image courtesy of Owon.
The B35 Owon Bluetooth multimeter is an inexpensive multimeter which stands up to other leading comparative products offering the same accuracy and reliability. The Bluetooth functionality allows you to connect with your Android/iOS devices and the smart voice reading feature is a valuable addition for hands-free operation.
Some users report experiencing a faulty device-to-device connection using the Bluetooth pairing. The quality of the probes and alligator clips could also be improved.
The Mastech MS8229 is a portable digital multimeter with a large dual LCD display and 5-in-1 functionality: sound level, light, ambient temperature, and humidity detection. Other basic measurements include AC/DC voltages, resistance, current, frequency, diode, duty cycle, and continuity.
Image courtesy of Mastech.
The Mastech MS8229 multimeter offers the same level of precision and durability as most other products from leading manufacturers at a fraction of the cost. The 5-in-1 functionality makes it ideal for testing for a variety of parameters in industrial settings.
The MS8229 measures most parameters accurately with no significant disadvantage. However, some users have noted that the multimeter did not work correctly using replacement probes.
Digital multimeters are an essential piece of equipment for electrical engineers working in all kinds of industries. Accurate measurements are critical for fault finding and testing in electrical circuits. Choosing the right multimeter comes down to the accuracy of the product and pricing. Fortunately, you don’t need to burn a hole in your pocket to get a good product for your projects.
The reviewed products are our top five picks and represent the most accurate multimeters for engineers/makers who are on a budget.
Some additional tips for buying digital multimeters include selecting meters with easy-to-read displays, clearly defined icons for the selection knobs, and reasonably sturdy builds.
