The Best Automotive Multimeters
Whether you spin wrenches for a living or only occasionally handle maintenance chores on your personal vehicles, a good multimeter is a must-have tool. Multimeters are useful for household electrical work too.
Multimeters combine different electrical testing capabilities into one unit—hence the name. At a minimum, a basic multimeter measures voltage, current, and resistance, while some offer many more functions. Analog multimeters use a needle indicator and scale to show readings, while digital multimeters (the dominant style today) show numeric readings on an LCD, LED, or other electronic display.
Multimeters can be as cheap as $10.00 but go up to thousands for professional, laboratory-quality ones. You can buy an excellent multimeter of sufficiently tough build quality and functionality for home garage use for well under $100.00.
When looking for a multimeter, you’ll want to take note of its accuracy. We prefer models that users can recalibrate to ensure they remain accurate. You should pay attention to a multimeter’s fit and finish, ease of use, safety, and the number of test functions it can perform.
Don’t forget working with electricity can be dangerous; even the 12 volts of an automotive electrical system can cause burns or other injuries. Learn to recognize electrical hazards and control them.
Here are some of the best digital multimeters you can buy. We’ve picked models with good end-user ratings and market penetration.
Table of contents
- 1. Editor's Pick: Fluke 101 Basic Digital Multimeter
- 2. Innova 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter (10 MegOhm/UL)
- 3. AstroAI Digital Multimeter with Ohm Volt Amp and Diode Voltage Tester Meter
- 4. Fluke 117 Electrician's True RMS Multimeter
- 5. Mastech MS8268 Digital AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter
- 6. Fluke 77-IV Digital Multimeter
- 7. ESI 585K Deluxe Automotive DMM
- 8. REED Instruments R5001 Passive Component LCR Meter
- 9. Tacklife DM01M Advanced Digital Multimeter
- Recent Updates:
1. Editor's Pick: Fluke 101 Basic Digital Multimeter
Fluke’s products are featured many times on this list, as the company is definitely an industry leader. It has products on both ends of the price spectrum, but its 101 Basic Digital Multimeter is a great product for most people’s automotive and household needs and at a price that fits a reasonable budget. It’s designed for basic electrical tests, so if you’re a professional, you might want to look at a multimeter with more functionality and accessories.
Its accuracy is rated at 0.5%, 600V Cat III safety rated, and it’s small and lightweight enough for one-handed use and to fit in your tool bag. It requires 2 AAA batteries to use (batteries not included) and has automatic shutdown. Users loved this multimeter’s ease of use and reported accurate readings.
It’s important to note, however, that the screen isn’t backlit, so you will have to work in a well-lit area to use it, and it has no amp measurement.
Pros | Lightweight, compact, accurate, brand has a great reputation, easy to use, great entry-level meter |
Cons | Screen is not backlit, no amp measurement, continuity feature can be slow, lacks accessories |
Bottom Line | Editor's Pick - This is a great entry-level multimeter |
2. Innova 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter (10 MegOhm/UL)
Although this multimeter is tailored for the automotive market, it performs well on standard electrical measurements such as AC and DC voltage, DC amps, continuity, and resistance, among others. It covers almost all the necessary basics of vehicle electronics, including alternator diodes, solenoids, wiring, switches, duty cycle, and breaker points.
The moment you start this multimeter, it starts the record-keeping process immediately. This will be handy, so you won’t need to perform unnecessary re-testing in case of an interruption. It has an auto-ranging feature that gauges the extent of your vehicle’s electrical issue to help pinpoint the problem.
The Innova 3340 is made to guard against any reverse polarity, minimizing any shock on your vehicle or any other electrical outlet. It runs on two AA batteries, comes with a pouch for storage, and has a one-year warranty.
You don’t need to be a very experienced mechanic to use the Innova 3340, as its streamlined procedures are easy to follow. However, ensure to read all the instructions carefully.
Pros | Straightforward to operate, offers a wide variety of functions, affordable, versatile, hands-free modes, offers multi-lingual directions, light and easy to transport |
Cons | Users report RPM and probe feature are inconsistent |
Bottom Line | A great product for automotive uses, a secondary Editor's Pick |
3. AstroAI Digital Multimeter with Ohm Volt Amp and Diode Voltage Tester Meter
This multimeter is engineered for accurate troubleshooting in automotive and household electrical applications. It is user-friendly, and its manufacturer highlights its operating safety. Apart from measuring voltage, current, and continuity, you can also use this multimeter to test your transistors and diodes.
The multimeter also comes with a kickstand, so you don’t have to hold it while you’re testing. It also features a low battery indicator, overload protection, and a buzzer. Its hold button lets you freeze the data being displayed.
Its digital display is quite large and has a backlit LCD to enable visibility even in areas with faint light. Its sampling speed increases to two times per second and comes with one year warranty. This multimeter got great reviews on Amazon, 4.6 out of 5 stars with more than 1,200 reviews, and users report the company has good customer service.
Pros | Affordable, backlit, multi-functional and effortless to operate, advanced operating functions, precise, durable, good customer service |
Cons | Some users report cheap leads and a bad instruction manual |
4. Fluke 117 Electrician's True RMS Multimeter
It's well-built with top-notch circuit soldering and input overload protection. It can easily auto-detect AC or DC voltage without requiring a second tool. Its ability to measure electrical frequency and capacitance accurately; it's a powerful tool to have. It's also backlit, has a function that helps prevent false readings due to ghost voltage, and is CAT III 600V safety rated. It's also unique because it has non-contact voltage detection. It has a three-year warranty and runs on one AAA battery, which is included.
Pros | Backlit LED screen, non-contact reading, compact design, kickstand, battery included |
Cons | Some users say it's hard to read LED screen |
5. Mastech MS8268 Digital AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter
This multimeter has good category ratings of between 600 and 1000V. It has an LED and an audible warning if incorrect banana jacks are used relative to what setting it’s in. An auto-off feature can be disabled, and a blue backlit LED screen. It also has a data hold feature that lets you freeze the display while comparing the stored readings.
Mastech MS8268 measures AC voltage of up to 750V, frequency of up to 200KHz, and current of 10A. Its capacitance range is quite slim, however.
The dial selector has 11 positions and a centrally located OFF button. It runs on 3 AAA batteries that aren’t included and has a one-year warranty.
Pros | Rugged, affordable, backlit, lead input warning, good leads, accurate |
Cons | Its manual is poorly written, auto shutdown time is short, capacitance range is narrow, slow |
Bottom Line | Gets the job done, but not a fantastic pick |
6. Fluke 77-IV Digital Multimeter
Just like other meters made by Fluke, it has a sturdy design with a 6,000-count clear screen and an auto/manual option. It has a large, backlit display, and it is rated at 0.3% accuracy.
Fluke 77-IV has a data hold option that allows you to store your last reading. However, it does not have internal memory, and it can only store the latest reading. It is lightweight and compact, so it can easily fit in your toolkit. You can also buy an optional magnetic hanger for using it hands-free.
Users report that this easy-to-use multimeter is a big improvement over the one it replaces, with faster operation and many extra features you might never even use.
Pros | Precise and accurate, durable and attractive, compact, easy to understand manual, good reviews |
Cons | Rotary switch weakens after a while, pricey |
7. ESI 585K Deluxe Automotive DMM
Although this is not one of the most popular brands, this multimeter has some great features. It has 45 test ranges, 14 test functions, dual fuse protection, a built-in stand, auto-ranging, and an audible beep for continuity tests. It’s also able to read temperatures. As a bonus, it comes with a few accessories and a zippered storage pouch. It runs on a 9V battery, which is also included.
Although it’s not a true RMS like some Fluke products, users report that it works just as well and is packed with useful features. The build quality is good, the multimeter feels robust, and it’s reliable and accurate. Users also report that the company’s customer service is excellent.
Pros | Storage pouch, batteries included, accurate, robust build, reads temperature, good features |
Cons | Not a true-RMS meter |
8. REED Instruments R5001 Passive Component LCR Meter
This multimeter measures capacitance, resistance, and inductance. It has plus/minus 1.5% error and has an auto-ranging for both AC and DE resistance measurement. Its testing frequency is 10kHz, and a 100kHz in output frequency. It has high sensitivity, its screen is very responsive, and the probes are high quality.
It is a digital multimeter weighing 1.26 pounds and runs on batteries, which are included. It features an easy-to-read backlit display, a built-in stand and can hold data. Some users report that they cannot calibrate the unit but that it feels sturdy, is easy to read, and is responsive.
Pros | Sturdy, big screen, batteries included |
Cons | Not a True-RMS meter, capacitance rate is meager |
9. Tacklife DM01M Advanced Digital Multimeter
Are you considering a cheap multimeter that will simplify your test work with minimal mistakes? Tacklife DM01M stands out with its TRMS 6000 counts that does away with any need to select test ranges due to its full-range accurate measurement. You will hear a sound and a light any time the LED sensor goes below 40 ohms resistance. The red LED light will light up once the resistance falls between 40 and 60 degrees.
It has a large LCD with a backlight, doubles as a flashlight, and has a built-in stand. It has an automatic power off and will shut itself off 15 minutes before it is out of charge. It has double fuses with overload protection, data hold, and buzzer alarms. A 24-month warranty covers the meter. It runs on four AA batteries, which are included. Users report that it works great despite its low price, but the thermistor wasn’t accurate.
Pros | Affordable, accurate, large range measuring, built-in stand, 2-year warranty, batteries included |
Cons | Short probes, flashlight and screen can't be used independently |
Recent Updates:
December 20, 2022: Updated product links.
October 25, 2022: Updated product links and introduction.
August 2, 2022: Removed Fluke 87-V Digital multimeter.
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More by Avery Anderson
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