The Best Digital Multimeter Of 2023 – Reviews And Comparisons

Last Update January 9, 2023 A digital multimeter, or DMM for short is one tool that you absolutely do not want to cut corners on.

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Below are the top multimeters on the market, based on reviews, features, budget and quality.

The continuity tester in this meter is loud and fast, which is great for troubleshooting in a noisy industrial environment.

This model comes standard with the ability to make ambient temperature measurement, and you’ll be glad to find it also comes with a temperature probe to take surface measurements as well. 

Any Fluke model of multimeter is a great purchase, and this one is ideal for field use. You’ll quickly find that it becomes a vital part of your tool kit. It really is almost a gold standard for a meter that’ll be in heavy use.  

It’s a bit smaller than its more expensive cousin as well, meaning you’ll be able to more easily manoeuvre it if you find yourself in small spaces quite often.

It still measures capacitance and the like, so you’re sure to be pleased with the functionality of the meter as you use it in your daily work or hobby activities.

It does only come with a three year warranty unfortunately, but its smaller size and lower cost means that if the unit meets your voltage range needs you should be more than happy with it for a long time to come.

That isn’t to say that it’s a bad choice, just that for those whose lives might depend on their meter, it would be highly recommended to make a bit heftier investment to ensure your safety.

For ultra-precision uses it also doesn’t come highly recommended, but the accuracy range is within pretty good parameters for most uses you might have for it. 

For the home repair handyman or amateur working with electronic devices this will make a great entry-piece into the world of multimeters however, and despite it’s lack of the features of some of the higher end models on this list you’ll be pleased with the great price and a useful, functioning tool to help you diagnose and repair around the house.

You use up to three of these at the same time with the same instance from the application, allowing you to save time as you check multiple connections at once while you troubleshoot whatever you may be working on.

This modular multimeter does have a bit of a low tolerance for high amperage however, which is the only real flaw in its design. If you’re considering a fluke and frequently work in areas where your personal safety may be of concern, you’ll definitely want to consider adding this device to your arsenal.

You may even want a few in order to take advantage of the software’s full capabilities. The unique capabilities of this meter make for a great product, and one you’re sure to be happy with.

This makes for a great level of utilitarian use in the field as you can measure the amp-draw of a line easily and be absolutely sure that you’re on the correct line. It also features the ability to easily measure the temperature, making for a great cheap meter for most HVAC applications.

It certainly isn’t the most accurate or sturdiest meter on the market, but if you’re on a tight budget and need a tool for residential or commercial applications this one may be the best to immediately service your needs.

You’ll find the additional tools that come without having to spend any money on accessories is a great deal. This meter’s additional features and low costs certainly make it a tempting buy.

A true RMS (root mean square) multimeter is a multimeter that calculates waveforms that are not sinusoidal (waveforms that aren't shaped like sine-waves) - or distorted waveforms so that you can get a more accurate reading of the voltage that you're measuring.

These types of distorted waveforms can be present in many types of electronics and if you do not use a true RMS multimeter, your measurements can be out by as much as 40%. 

If you can be sure that your waveforms are pure sine-waves, then an averaging multimeter will be fine to use instead.  

An autoranging digital multimeter is a multimeter that automatically finds the correct range that your multimeter should be in for the reading.

For example, if you wish to measure current, you simply select the 'current' setting and the multimeter will find the right range - you don't need to select 'low current' or 'high current'. 

A ghost voltage, also called a phantom reading is when a circuit or device is not connected to any power source, yet the multimeter still detects a voltage. 

To overcome these ghost voltages, Fluke recommends choosing a digital multimeter that has low input impedance. 

A multimeter is a device used to measure various functions of electricity, whether you need to measure raw voltage, resistance, or even things like capacitance you’ll need one to get the job done. In the field you’ll often use them to test if a wire or circuit is live as well as being able to test the individual components of a machine in order to diagnose and correctly fix it.

They’ll vary in the amount of features they have and your preference will dictate which device you decide to purchase for your uses, so let’s take a look at some of the major deciding factors on which meter you’ll be adding to your tool box.

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When you’re in the market for a multimeter, there’s a wide range of attributes you’ll need to keep track of in order to ensure you only buy the very best. We’ll give you a quick break-down of the most important features in order to ensure that you make a great, and informed purchase for your first buy.

You need to keep yourself protected from over-voltage. Multimeters are rated at different CAT levels so you can quickly discover if it is safe for the range you’ll be using it in. It’s not just the main voltage you’ll need to concern yourself with though, you’ll find that you might also be dealing with transient voltage. These sudden impulses of current can occur in some systems, and you may have your meter damaged if it exceeds your meter’s rating. The secondary part of the CAT category will inform you of how high of voltage it can handle transients in. For practical applications, CAT categories work as follows:

CAT rated meters are designed to prevent electrical arcing and keep you safe. You’ll still need to make sure that the voltage range of your chosen meter is appropriate for what you’re working with in order to get an accurate reading for diagnosis and testing purposes.

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The best multimeters will also have a fuse to cut-out if the amperage reaches an unsafe level, this will protect both you and your meter. Some meters may cut out after being exposed to higher amperage for an extended period, and you’ll be glad for this lifesaving feature.

Apart from the safety aspects of your meter, most are rated for a specific range of voltage and current. You’ll want to match this to your needs, especially if you’re shopping for a bargain. If you’re working with small energy circuits at home, your needs will be quite different from someone working with a house’s main or a big industrial circuit.

Most high-end meters will be able to cover a wide variety of uses, from measuring mV to working with a power main - which can be up to 400 volts in some homes and businesses. You should also take note of the fact that the range of measuring capability may vary between AC and DC power sources, meaning that there are two different specifications you’ll want to check on.

If you’re working with particularly precise measurements it’s important to make sure that your purchase has the highest accuracy available. The accuracy ranges can get incredibly precise, so you’ll be sure to find one to fit your needs even if you’re working with the most delicate of circuits.

The size and ruggedness of your tool is a prime consideration, especially for those who work in the field. Anyone who hasn’t had a tool drop from a bag on a ladder or some other mishap involving misplacing or mishandling something is either magnificently careful or just hasn’t been in the field long enough for it to happen to them. You’ll want a rugged meter with a lot of protection for most applications away from a work bench because sooner or later your multimeter is sure to take a fall or otherwise be abused a little bit.

Another important consideration that often goes hand-in-hand with the durability of a meter is the size. If you find you’re often working in tight spaces, you’ll likely want to go with a smaller meter to make sure that it can fit easily into where you’re working. If you have too massive of a meter to fit into the space you’re going, you’ll find you may as well not have one at all.

See the best deals on our number 1 multimeter here.

Multimeters can typically be utilized for a variety of functions, with some of the more advanced ones even being able to read capacitance and temperature in addition to the usual features. You can add even more to either practical functionality or expanding your meter’s uses with the correct multimeter accessories.

The most commonly used of these add-ons will probably be your leads. You’ll want to find the right test leads for your purposes. The most common of these are simple tapered pieces of metal that will require you to make contact manually with both at the same time in order to get your reading. There are also alligator clips style leads, so that you can leave one or both hands free while you take your measurements.

Among the other major accessories you’ll find temperature probes. These are especially useful in the HVAC field, as you can take temperature measurements without having to carry an additional device. These temperature reading DMMs have an inbuilt thermocouple, so you won't need to purchase any extra gear - just use the probes that it comes with.

Another majorly useful add-on that’s relatively easy to find are amperage clamps. These handy devices will read the amperage in a line for you easily without the need for physical contact, simply open the ending claw and pass it over and allow it to shut.

One thing to keep in mind always though is to make sure that any additional supplies you purchase for your uses are compatible with your current meter. Most manufacturers will have this information readily available so you don’t have to waste your time and money. Although not really considered an accessory, always have spare batteries on hand - you don't want to be stuck with a dead meter whilst in the middle of an important job. 

It’s important to make sure that your investment is properly guarded against accidental failures. Make sure that whatever you purchase you find a multimeter with a great warranty, the peace of mind you’ll gain from doing so is worth it.

There is sometime a range of options available from the manufacturer, and most multimeters will be covered for at least a year from time of purchase. You obviously can’t just abuse your meter, but you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that if it suffers from a manufacturing defect you’ll be able to get the issue resolved speedily.

The last thing you’ll need to take into account is the overall purchase price. There is a precise balancing factor here, as long as the safety features are in place and you have your desired functions you may wish to go with something a bit cheaper. You’ll want to be careful about going to cheap with your meter however, especially if you’re dealing with dangerous currents as a shoddily made multimeter may malfunction in the field which can be disastrous for the operator.

When you’re picking out a multimeter, be sure to keep in mind all the information we’ve covered here. Really the matter of picking one depends most on what you’re going to be doing with it, and some are undoubtedly more suitable than others for different applications - some people won't need diode testing or frequency readings at all, while others will require the most accurate AC Voltage or Impedance readings. 

Remember that cost should be the last consideration for these devices if you’re using one in the field. You want only the absolute best multimeter you can find for work applications and when you’re working with higher currents and amperage. The Fluke series cannot be recommended enough for heavy field use, they’re simply some of the greatest multimeters.

Not everyone requires a meter for field use however, and some may be just working around the house or play with electronics as a hobby. In that case, you may want to save your wallet a little bit and take a look into the highly functional Amprobe brand meters detailed above. They’ll serve you well and last for a long time for small electronic and residential applications.

Majority of DMMs will come with a 9v battery right out the box, so you'll be up and troubleshooting as soon as you've read the ​instruction manual!

Once you have a great, functional instrument in your hands and you learn how to use it, you’ll be amazed at the utilitarian use of it and with a proper first choice for your individual application you’re sure to be pleased with these highly functional instruments for a long time to come.

See the best deals on our number 1 multimeter here.