As an electrician or Diy electronics hobbyists during our routine jobs, we often feel the need for a smaller size multimeter. The best pocket multimeter can easily fit into your pocket and gives you accurate results for most vital basic parameters like voltage, resistance, current, and continuity.
Pocket multimeters are mainly the same as general size meters available in the market if your focus is to use them for general parameters. They have all the basic functions needed for electrical and electronics fault finding, household applications, DIY, hobbyist electronics, and solar or battery checking.
This could also be a great option for beginners as it’s so easy to understand and use for newbie users.
Best Pocket Multimeter Comparison Table
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Name
Ratings
Price
FLUKE-106 Palm-sized Digital Multimeter
CAT 3 600V AC/DC 600V AC/DC 10A R 40 MΩ F 100 kHz Cap. 1,000 µF
It’s somehow difficult to find a good quality pocket multimeter. Maybe you have previous experience with some toy like substandard pocket multimeter which you bought due to ease of smaller size, but it broke down or went out of order in no time.
So the reason behind our reviews for best pocket multimeter is to help you in finding good quality pocket meter that can serve you well for both professional and general routine tasks.
Fluke 106 is a standard premium quality portable multimeter. It was the most sturdy and reliable pocket multimeter we found while searching for best pocket multimeter. You can use this for heavy loads also, it is safety rated for CAT 3 up to 600V system.
This multimeter is electrician’s first choice, has an extremely robust body, it can survive through years and years of continuous careful use. It has almost all basic functions like voltage, current, resistance, continuity, and capacitance.
We found this pocket multimeter perfectly suitable for general home use. Any person with little electrical knowledge can use it to check the mains supply and currents drawn by ac and dc home appliances. You may also use it for professional purposes also, it will ideally fit into your work uniform pockets.
Functions
Data hold
At any instant, during test you can hold reading for record using purpose or monitoring. The wide yellow Hold button is placed just below multimeter’s lcd screen providing you the ease of freezing readings fastly.
Auto ranging
fluke 106 is an auto range multimeter. So you don’t need to adjust the selector wheel for different readings every time. All you need is to switch rotary switch to your desired function and start testing.
Auto ranging ability makes it a good choice for beginners or electronic DIY hobbyists. Also, a man with no electrical background can use it easily for checking battery health, ups voltage, rv applications, and for checking marine dc appliances also.
What we found in this multimeter
You can test ac and dc voltage, current, resistance, frequency, capacitance, diode or continuity, and most importantly duty cycle with this adorable palm size multimeter. With the help of duty cycle, circuit behavior can be analyzed easily.
It’s so lighter in weight while keeping it in your front or side pockets you will not notice extra burden of it. Despite its light weight, it has a hefty body that can bear accidental drops, shocks, wear and tear conditions, and humid environments.
Nice pair of test leads is quite lengthy in size, and helpful in taller panels or places where testing points are farther. Test probes come with protecting caps.
Extech is an america based company known for producing premium quality multimeters. Many people complained about u.s based company’s multimeters which are being manufactured in other countries are lower in quality than the meters manufactured in USA. So in this case you can trustfully pick this purely u.s based product.
This MN25 mini multimeter was one of the multimeters that impressed us a lot due to their facilitating interface and easy to understand operation with next level precise readings.
We set strict criteria for the selection of the best pocket multimeters in this list. We choose those meters that are smaller in size but not compromising on quality or features. Keeping in mind that pocket multimeters could be used anywhere whether for industrial tasks or commercial purposes same as other general multimeters, so they should also have brawny nature like them.
This multimeter offers testing of all vital parameters additionally with continuity and diode test ability. It has ISO certifications and overload protection so there is no need to worry about safety precautions, they have already done much in it.
Functions
Manual range
Extech MN25 is a manual range pocket multimeter, you don’t need to be pro for using a manual range multimeter. All you have to do is carefully adjust the desired parameter range with the help of a rotary switch.
For example, if you are going to test ac voltages under 200 so you have to switch the selector wheel to 200v AC and start testing it. Similarly for checking voltage under 400 switch to 400 AC first before the test.
Overload indication / Protection
Whenever anyone mistakenly tries to use this multimeter for higher loads like voltage above 600V it will give an indication for overload. Also, it has an overload protection safety system and 10A fuse protection. So there’s no need to panic about its accidental interaction with higher loads.
What we found in this multimeter
If you talk about the display of this multimeter, it has an average size lcd with very clear numbers and symbols visibility. Lcd has the capability to show readings up to 2000 counts. Although it does not have a backlight in lcd, this thing can be managed when you are getting a quality pocket multimeter in this range.
It comes with a rubber protective holster, much helpful in the prevention of damage during sudden drops or vibrations. A support stand is available on the backside of multimeter making its handsfree use possible.
Next on our list is a multimeter which can surprise you with its specifications. We might be wondering to see all these worthy features in a pocket size multimeter of this price range. What do we want from the best multimeters as electrical engineers or electricians? There are just two things according to us, pinpoint accuracy and durability with more features.
Luckily these all are present in this best pocket multimeter. It may be a surprise for you that this multimeter is equipped with state of the art true rms technology which is considered a vital feature for all general size standard best multimeters. But you’ll get trms in this pocket multimeter at an extraordinarily low price.
This multimeter is built up with respect to international level safety certifications and has overload and fuse protections. We noted that in comparison with all other pocket multimeters this meter has extra sampling speed which is 3 times per second precision sampling.
Functions
True RMS
If you want a multimeter for general household electronics, automotive troubleshooting, audio electronics, and other general uses then it’s ok to have a digital multimeter with no true rms. But when it comes to industrial use true RMS meter is really a blessing.
In industry, we had to deal with both linear and non linear loads. This mix up of loads can deface multimeter’s reading and there is a chance that you get false results. But due to true rms your meter will give accurate real readings for both types of loads.
Auto/manual range
This pocket multimeter has an auto range function, through which it can automatically identify range for detecting voltage, current, and resistances. There,s a convenient option for you whether you want to run in auto or manual range.
Temperature measurements
Amazingly it comes with a temperature testing facility also which lacks in almost all pocket multimeters. Temperature probes come with the package, you can test temperatures from -20 to 1000 degrees centigrade with help of them. This feature made it also best for hvac use.
Temperature readings are available both in centigrade and Fahrenheit.
Auto power off
We like this function so much, that it should be included in all multimeters. Because sometimes during hectic work routines, we forget to power off the multimeter and it’s devastating for battery life.
What we found in this multimeter
If we talk about other features like lcd and body materials, believe us it will not disappoint you in any manner. It’s built with supreme quality abs plastic material. One thing we dislike about it is the lack of rubber guards around its body which may lead to some loss if it accidentally drops from height.
Lcd has a large wider display with a bright backlight. It can display up to 6000 counts.
This multimeter has something we were searching for best pocket multimeters. It,s fastly responsive on auto range, highly efficient for general use, has robust built material, a compact body, and user friendly interface.
It’s nearly equal with some difference to the size of an iPhone, but provides you all basic electrical troubleshooting parameters and some extraordinary functions as well. Professional electricians will love its accuracy level and ease of use in rough tough environments.
This improbe mini pocket multimeter is technically safe and sound for use on heavy loads. It has valid safety certifications of IEC and CE safety regulations awarded after rigorous testing and examination in state of the art labs.
Functions
Auto range / Autotect
Surprisingly this multimeter comes with auto range ability. It will automatically detect whether the testing voltage is dc or ac. These types of features are really worth a lot when it comes to pocket multimeters.
Non contact voltage detection
We were really excited to know that this Amprobe pocket multimeter has also NCVT function with other necessary parameters. Providing extreme safety during work, allows you to detect voltage in live circuits contactless.
It,s obviously a great facility in a multimeter of this category.
Loz (Low impedance)
Amprobe is reasonably concerned with providing us with supreme accuracy of readings. That’s why they add this next level beneficial feature in this best pocket multimeter. Due to its low input impedance ghost or stray voltage can’t deteriorate readings of multimeter.
Low impedance also ensures that the multimeter will not affect the performance of the circuit under test.
Auto power off
This is another advantageous function in this multimeter. Multimeter has the ability to power off automatically after 10 minutes of inactive position to ensure the wellbeing of battery health and enhancement of battery life.
What we found in this multimeter
We will surely appreciate amprobe here for providing 6000 counts large wide lcd in this multimeter which is absolutely above to usual capacity of these type of meters. Lcd display has large symbols and readings even easily visible from some distance.
We are also completely satisfied with its safety ratings which cover category 2 600v and 3 300v installations. It also meets IEC safety standard 61010.
It comes with a beautiful silicon holster, helpful in its safe storage or transportation. A carrying case is also included in the package.
This triplett multimeter comes in a hard case with built in space for test probes. We liked a lot its old mobiles like flip fold shape, due to which it’s more convenient to keep it anywhere without being worried about dirt and other environmental effects.
You can easily keep it in your work uniform or front pocket after folding its cover. Test leads are built in within the body and nonremovable, Also you have a proper default place for holding probes conveniently after work.
This type of unique body shape model identifies triplett innovative approach in the field of electric testers and other equipment. It’s a pleasurable thing for electricians when they get an easy to keep pocket multimeter with the same accuracy and reliability as standard multimeters.
We found this multimeter perfectly feasible to use for hvac, rv and marine applications, home theatre, security installation, residential applications, and commercial and building electric devices.
Functions
Auto/manual range
It was surprising for us that this mini pocket multimeter at such a price comes with auto range ability. Auto range button is present just under lcd screen. You can select your desired function by pressing this auto range button.
You also got the choice to run it in manual or auto range. Auto/man range can be selected through only one button press.
Data holding
In expensive multimeters, we have many worthy features like data recording of minimum, maximum and average readings. In that situation, we can check from the record the peak and low readings during the test. But in these low price pocket multimeters we can’t expect these types of functions.
Data hold option resolves this issue, anytime during test we can hold readings and note them for future record purposes. When we press the hold button to freeze display a “DH” sign will appear on the screen, you can press the button again to resume normal function of the display again also the DH sign will disappear.
Auto power off
It’s a very helpful feature to enhance battery life and health. This multimeter has the ability to power off automatically after some time of inactivity.
What we found in this multimeter
We liked a lot its abs plastic case material, which gives it extra drop protection, shock and vibration resistance, and longer shelf life. Flip folding cover of the multimeter can also work as back stand of the meter, providing you comfortable free handwork.
All the pocket multimeters we reviewed have the potential to correctly measure basic electrical parameters like voltage, current, resistance and frequency. If you inquire us about our one and only choice then it would be fluke 106 due to its brilliant performance.
These best pocket multimeters are also digital meters for the money due to their low price and equivalent efficiency when compared to other large size and fully decorated multi meters.
Leo Maxwell is basically an Electrical engineer and hobby tech writer, having 13 years of experience in the electronics and instrumentation industry. He has hands on experience working in various fields like Powerhouses, solar, automotive, and FMCG.
During his career, he has used many power tools and meters in electrical projects. Now his aim is to explain tools and troubleshooting in easy guides to help people. Other then it, leo loves traveling, reading books and DIY tasks.
