Review: Mid Range / Priced Multimeter Shootout / Buyers Guide 

It's been 7 years, is it possible for you to do an updated review on the newer model multimeters, especially automotive application multimeters.

your overview was excellent and i plan to bu the bryman 257 model keep up the good work. thanks from a old tech that believes its time to get back to the basics again

Probably the most useful multimeter comparison I've come across. Thanks

Very well done. You've gain a subscriber. I do have one request. There are many of us who have some hearing loss, particularly in the high ranges. We would love to hear the continuity tones reviewed so we can choose a meter that we can actually hear. If you could include that in a review, we would be pleased. Thank you.

Nice and very fair review ----- I like Uni-T meters for automotive diagnostics a UT203 being my main tool because it has a DC current clamp but recently added an Owon B35T to my toll box it has soreally me nice features.

Thank you for the great video! I really appreciated all the information you shared. It definitely helped me to focus on the multi-meter's features that are important for my application (hobbyist).

Thanks Martin, Its for bench electronics and i'm a hobbyist so ill go with the Uni-t

Thanks Martin. I have both the Uni-T and the Brymen, and they are both very nice meters. Useful and quite nice for doing work with.

According to the long manual, not quick-start guide, you can enable a mA range in settings on the Agilent. You just have to dig for it. Also using the u1177a, or u1117a Bluetooth adapter, the Agilent can output to IOS or Android devices via free aps. Within the aps, the data can be viewed and or logged/graphed.

I appreciate the input good man...food for thought! Thanks, Martin.

Again Martin, Another great video! I noted that at time mark 19:10 the UNI-T 61E OVERSHOT and displayed 22.374 Volts D.C. and the other meters did not, but moving back a few frames, a closer examination shows the decimal point moves to the right (causing the overshoot) and the numerical display updates after the point moves. If you are working in a range where the decimal point is not going to move the UNI-T UT61E would make a good “first meter” for someone starting out in electronics.

Super review thank you! A little 7-years-muted side-step.. At 18:01, to me it's the Fluke 17B which offers the fastest visual comprehension of the symbols as numbers (look over there... then you turn your head very fast over the multimeter, and feel how long it takes in nanos to locate, see and then understand your readings... Maybe a matter of *_contrast,_* or just mere personal "cognitive taste" I don't know).. It'd be subjective.

Only if the common person knew how much time and money can a multimeter can save them when trouble shooting. Great information...Thanks.

Once again very clear and informative as are all your vids, 2nd to none, many thanks

wow, what a fantastic review..thank you very kindly

thank you very much for this video, i've learned a lot from your lessons. please do a video about biasing transistors and such, i never get exacly what it means, and no one gets to the basics and the bottom of things like you do thank's again

Great review; very thorough. I would like to have known country of manufacture & warranty ihfo.

Very clear as well as excellent presentation. Thanks!

thank you for taking the time to put this together, very informative.

Thanks, valuable feedback.

The UNI-T UT61D has been used for years now, and I use it for my 100w of monocrystaline panels and my two Drok buck converter, cc-cv 5A buck converters,mini360 buck converters, and new to the family, the D3806 CC/CV DC-DC 10-40V to DC 0-38V Step Up/Step Down Boost/Buck Converter to charge 3s4p and 3s 8p 18650 packs for years now. It has never failed me. Best $50 ever spent. The DMM is a MUST HAVE for anyone considering getting into anything electrical. etc. etc. Over at a friends house, and they have a bunch of AA batteries, but don't know the voltages to see what batteries would work in the remote for the new tv you got, and to save yourself a trip to the store or how about if you have no money .. Use the DMM to check the batteries you have in the house. DMM's are priceless. The UT61D is an excellent choice. imho. +1

Hi, great video as always, quick question, does the brymen have audible beep in diode mode like the fluke 115

Great video very informative. Any chance you will be reviewing Klein multimeters I'd be interested in the MM2300. Thanks again for all your videos.

Thank you for the informative review.

Can't find Brymen TBM251 anywhere in the UK :( Is it available under a different brand name? Thx

That's a really nice review. Good breakdown of the features, pluses and minuses. You didn't include the Fluke 12E, but that's a critter that is not really open market. In fact any warranty is void if the meter is sold outside of China. But this a good review. Edit, Oh Thumbs up :)

Gotta love the 20k count, rs-232 cable and price of the UT61E :)

Excellent review again, thank you.

Have a question, if i need to read peak voltage on crankshaft position sensor what produce around 0.5V which one will do job the best? Or any of this will be good for this?

Awesome analysis. Thank You.

Thanks for showing you finds.

I just bought the Fluke 115 and for people who are contemplating getting this meter, be aware that the display is unreadable when viewed from above. The meter has to be at eye level or higher in order for its display to be read. So if the meter is in front of you on a table or bench, standing on its back rest, and your eyes are higher up than the DMM, you won't be able to read the display. You'll have to place the meter flat on its back on the table or bench in order to read the display. The backlight emphasizes this flaw. I find it annoying, especially on a meter at this price point.

Hi mjlorton, what do you think about the uni-t ut139s? i was wondering wich buy between 139 and 61e, what you think?

Going through your multimeter playlist, I wonder why there ain't more portable multimeters made, say no bigger than the display itself, with wire connectors on the side and small knobs for the modes. Are there any such?

Hello, I was hoping you may have some insight of the accuracy differences of different ac line splitters. I have read reviews where some people say the 10x and 1x are off on some models when in theory they should be the same reading but just need a decimal place shift for the 10x vs 1x. Any thoughts on which models may be more accurate ?

What are your thoughts about the Hioki 3801-50. What are the pros and cons and can you use fluke test leads on it

Thank you for userful info!

Thanks to this review, I just purchased BRYMEN BM257s

which would be a better choice. an old fluke 25 or a kewtch kt116

Hi. I would like a Brymen TBM 251 in the UK. How would I get one?

Thank you sir for all the details. My question is can I use this Multimetres for a car as well?

Hi, the tester.co.uk links are broken. Just to let you know! Thanks for the excellent reviews and data!

guys, my budget for multimeter is low just about under $50, which is better between fluke 101 vs Uni-t ut61a? I've search for the versus and comparison between those two but not found it. or maybe you guys have other recommendation? thank you very much

Hi, Would you happen to have reviewed the Extech EX355? Also, would be able to say what the Brymen model the EX355 actually is? Thanks. Pete

Great review. Can you say anything about reliability and long life?

Tried to order a Fluke 289 from your site but you do not ship to Canada...

Which one is the best multimeter for everything. ( home, industrial, electricians and for electrical users)

Just replaced a Fluke 107. It generates random numbers when you measure capacitors.

Could you tell me what is the best mid range multi meter that will all test capacitors that I can buy? Thanks

Hello, I would like to purchase the Brymen TBM 257 as you mentioned in your video.But I don't find it on your site or in your shop. Where can I purchase this.

Any chance for a new comparison with more recent models?

Brother , Nice explanation.... Thanks

Hi, Interesting information. I come from just have a basic mulitmeter. What would you do with the pc connectivity? Can you show what you use it for. Plus my meter has a Cx with two lines going to two thin slots on it but have no idea what those are for. Cx is also labled in another place pointing to the mA and COM port so I guess something for current. Hrm thinking about it as I type, Maybe its showing the fuse?

I think the accuracy of the meters in uA and mV range (against a calibrated standard) is more important than the display quality etc in your review.

What are your thoughts on the EEV Blog BM235 ?

I'll stick to my snap on manual ranging meter. For 180 bucks it's damn good for parasitic draw tests etc

I owned the Fluke 116 Hvac meter and it worked fine my main complaint was the lcd screen, the numbers tend to disappear if you are looking down on it at a slight angle, it bothered me so much I actually sold it. I ended up buying a Fieldpeice sc440 and it’s a good meter I’m just concerned when it comes to testing 3ph 480v If you could review one of the newer Fieldpeice voltage clamp meters that would be so awesome

Hey mate, damn what a jungle, thx for the this walkthrue, ewen thow it got some years on the back, but it certainly aint easy for an noob like me to get an up-to-date ovrview on this subject... just happy that i havent purchased along with these weeks of DMM-evolving-knowledge, since i cant count how many times i finally reach an conclusion about an model i wanted for a day or two later realizing that it was good not to jump on that and finding an obvius better alternative... sofare Im left with two maybe threee models, and since i like the choice to interact with an pc,, and its an possiblelity in budget area to get these features for relative cost.. these two, as i reckon here as of 2q 2016 are my main alternatives after skimming the market as an noob & amateur on the subject.. (UNI-T UT61B) or (Digitek DT-4000ZC / TekPower TP4000ZC) the UNI-T will here in Scandinavia Denmark cost me 30US shipped and the 4000ZC around 38US shipped) what you reckon?? are my presumptions totally off when these two models stands out with there relative price/feature in mind .. also wondered about the wireless-features, and going all the way,with an fellow like the bluetooth multimeter (OWON 3(5/6) full B35T T-RMS) that cost 65US shipped. the 55US TekPower TP9605BT with also bluettoth aint an choice for me here in scandinavia since amazon aint active here and the uk amazon-version aint got that model, and on Ebay it ejaculates to massive 100US with shipping and ebay-tax system. anybody that are familiar with the multimeter-market, here these years and got an view if there is another alternative that would make more sense for the general user that enjoy the posssiblelities to measure big and small.

Which multimeter would you recommend for automotive use?

Thanks for another great review. All the meters appeared pretty even in their accuracy considering their price differences. The Fluke 17B stood up pretty well given that its 4000 count and no true RMS.

Kinda like the Fluke 115 for overall - - only drawback is the display Fluke is a Known GREAT meter

With fluke you pay for reliability it’s a professional meter that keeps on going.

Not having to press a separate button for continuity beeper wins it for me. 115. I hate it when I haven't noticed its not actually in continuity mode when switching between functions I have a cheap meter which quickly sleeps, resetting it back to diode mode from continuity. PITA

Does that extra digit of UNI-T UT61E have any real meaning?

Hi Martin, Dave from the eevblog recommends the EXTECH EX330 for beginners, I was thinking of getting one in the near future. Since watching this video im thinking of getting the UNI-T UT61E Instead. What do you think of the EXTECH EX330?

For the those prices would it make sense to purchase a second hand 87 III?

witch is best: UNI-T UT61D or FLUKE 17B+

Is a Equus 3320 a good one for beginner?

Hello. How about japonese meters like Yokogawa

u have a video review of sanwa cd800a?

why those 2 flukes shows the most disagreement? Fluke guys?

hello. Hioki review perhaps? thanks

I am awaiting testing with multimeters Brazilians. Minipa, Icel, Hikari, Instrutherm.

Thanks, I'll make a note to check...

I need a multimeter for electronics for working in receivers, cassette decks etc what is a good one in a reasonable price range anyone know? I would like it to have capacitance, diode check, hz, etcThank you

Thanks.. nice review..

IT is hold light on the new Uni-t ut 61D

Hi Martin. Regarding the Agilent U1232A and burden voltage and also regarding the gap between uA and mA amps.Your 1232A can't be functioning correctly.Put it in mA mode,measure across the test leads with another meter. Should be ~ 100 ohms. It will be mostly open circuit. I saw the DMMCheck output voltage on 1mA test was over 2 volts. This CANNOT be if the device was functioning correctly. Either the shunt resistor is bad, or some other fault exists. Mark Zacharias "The Multimeter Junkie"

whats your thoughts on the Fluke 12 meter.

Thank you for this really excellent and informative video!

I would say if you are doing electrical work, go with the EX330...bench electronics, go with the UT61E..at the price point with PC data logging etc...difficult to beat. Just bear in mind the display update speed. If the EX330 is faster and that's important...that might move you back to the EX330. Hope that helps. Cheers, Martin.

Excellent video. I learned much from you. I would like to get the Greenlee DM510A. However, the Uni-T UT61E is more into fitting my needs and would likely do me just fine since I am a Home/Auto and an all around fixer-upper of small appliances/hobbyist.

yes i like what you said.

Hi, I have the EX330 and I have to say that I am not that happy with it. Yeah, for the price it is OK but not great. I sort of agree with Martin that it is probably better for electrical work rather than electronics. Honestly, I would go for the something else. Lastly since you asked, it has kinda a slow response time. Hope this helps. Ken

I vote for a video on this also!!!

Thank You..

So what is the winner

So 257 is the winner?

I find the tbn251 listed @ $350.00 ??????????

an update would be nice...

is fluke 179 good ?

Which model would work best for parasitic draw tests in the automotive field and would double as an occasional electrician's tool for home use and not commercial electrical use? Thanks for the great info as well. :)

Solo una cosa podría poner subtítulos en español gracias

Agilent and Fluke are more than double the price of the Uni-T and Brymen so I don't see them in same category.

...Main menu's could be (Home - Forum - Buyer's guide - My RU-vid Channel - Amazon Store - Contact). I don't know how much time, energy and money is put into this new website, but since you're working on it, why not make the most of it. Just an idea of course. Nice video review as we're already used to receive from you. :-)

The agilent costs 200€ in germany.

Do any of these meters support thermocouples? I work with robotics and it would be nice to monitor the temperatures of motor drivers and voltage regulators.

You fail to mention that some of the multimeters that you selected are for a specified purpose. The Fluke 115 is an electricians multimeter that why mA are not found. Also the ability to rotate the wheel with one hand is only found on two models. This feature can be very important if using out in the field. Finally the Brymen is not available in the US.

hi what is your view on the TENMA 72-1055 thanks

can you inform me which meter is best to test the iPhone motherboard