Best Automotive Multimeter — Buyers Guide, Review, and Comparison
Best Automotive Multimeter
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best for Automotive Professionals
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Best for Automotive Professionals
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Fluke 115 Review Fluke 115 Review | |
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Best for Temperature Testing
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Best for Temperature Testing
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Etekcity MSR-A1000 Review Etekcity MSR-A1000 Review | |
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Best for Casual Car Enthusiasts
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Best for Casual Car Enthusiasts
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Actron CP7677 Review Actron CP7677 Review | |
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Best Budget Automotive
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Best Budget Automotive
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Innova 3320 Review Innova 3320 Review | |
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Best for RPM Testing
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Best for RPM Testing
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Innova 3340 Review Innova 3340 Review | |
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Best Hands-Free Automotive
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Best Hands-Free Automotive
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Fluke 77-IV Review Fluke 77-IV Review | |
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Best Clamp Automotive
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Best Clamp Automotive
|
Features
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Check Price at Amazon Etekcity MSR-C600 Review Etekcity MSR-C600 Review |
Best Automotive Multimeter Buying Guide
Automotive multimeter machines are versatile devices — they allow you to effortlessly check things like capacitance, resistance, voltage, and current, as well as other factors on your car.
These auto multimeter tools are capable of showing multiple readings, and they’re easy to see and interpret, thanks to their large digital displays. Unlike their analog cousins, you don’t have to take a close look to see the numbers, which makes them great in poor lighting conditions or if you have less-than-perfect eyesight.
A multimeter for cars shows actual values and is capable of providing an output of up to five decimal places — making these devices highly accurate. Another feature worth mentioning is that they can also read negative values, particularly if we’re talking about voltage.
For the motor enthusiast, they’re essential diagnostic tools for the garage — as important as an impact wrench or tire iron.
When choosing your ideal multimeter for cars, consider:
- Number and types of measuring functions for your particular needs.
- Ease of use — especially for the novice user.
- Specialty diagnostics capabilities — such as temperature and RPM.
- Accuracy.
- Backlit LCD — crucial for dark garages, service pits, and engine bays.
- Included safety features.
- Reliability and durability — whether intermittent casual use or hardcore pro robustness.
Uses for Automotive Multimeters
The best automotive multimeters can rapidly solve a multitude of motor-related issues — without you having to dig deep into your pocket to pay a car professional.
Delivering rapid, accurate results — automotive multimeters are crucial for anyone who owns, leases, or uses a motor vehicle. And, with all automotive digital multimeters capable of checking voltage, current, frequency, resistance, and continuity — they double up as a home use unit. Meaning, you can check your household mains supply, white and brown goods, and consumer electronics too!
However, in your garage, the best automotive multimeter can help you with:
- Checking the battery charge.
- Investigating rusted terminals that cause a power drop.
- Checking for voltage leaks on battery covers.
- Exploring the efficiency and function of the alternator.
- Ensuring the fuel sensor is working properly.
- Checking all the ignition — including key block, coils, distributor, and plugs.
- Troubleshooting a broken car horn.
- Investigating relays and fuses.
- Diagnosing faulty wiring.
- Checking switches and sensors.
- Exploring the battery-charging system.
- Investigating temperatures across the car.
- Checking the RPM (revolutions per minute) of the engine.
How To Choose the Best Multimeter for Cars
Multimeter for Car Measuring Capabilities
Furthermore, specific multimeters for cars often include motor-focused capabilities of RPM and temperature measurement.
Accuracy of the Multimeter for Automotive Use
One important thing to know here is the fact that you might need to calibrate your model to keep it precise from the very first day. Models that show readings in more digits are typically considered the most accurate.
Safety of the Digital Multimeter Automotive Unit
The best multimeter for automotive enthusiasts will include safety fuses, preventing accidents from happening. These fuses are usually attached to the back of the devices and can be easily replaced. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider the acceptable limits of your model. The highest tolerable values of your particular device are generally listed in the manufacturer’s user manual.
If you’re planning to purchase a model with detachable probes, don’t forget to check if these probes have the correct placement. Due to safety considerations, multimeters often have color coding on the probes.
The best multimeter for automotive machines offer targeted safety for the car enthusiast, including:
- Resistance to motor and oil.
- Overload and surge protectors.
- Backlight for dark garages and engine bays.
- Auto-ranging to prevent unit damage.
- Long, insulated probes to reach effortlessly into confined spaces.
Build Quality of the Automotive DMM Tool
The best automotive multimeter units can handle the extremes of hardcore car repair — with many featuring drop-proof capability, backlit displays, protective cases, and detritus ingress resistance.
Our Picks of the Best Automotive Multimeter Units on the Market
I’ve done the research and come up with a list of the seven best automotive multimeter
machines that I believe currently offer the ultimate in value. Every device has several additional features and useful functions. These meters are very easy to use and suitable for both professionals and beginners.
Whether you’d like to measure voltage, current, capacitance, or even resistance, check out these auto multimeter reviews. Most of them can offer pretty much everything you need. Plus, all these meters have one thing in common — a focus on the motor user.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
In my opinion, the overall best car multimeter — with an impressive list of features and functions. You can test capacitance, continuity, frequency, and efficiency with high precision. A pair of test leads are included with the meter.
The True RMS function is what makes this multimeter worth checking out — allowing the meter to offer precise data by eliminating electrical noise in the environment. If you’re familiar with the True RMS concept, you know how useful it is, especially with older electrical devices and gadgets that emit a lot of electrical interference.
A large display and a bright LED backlight offer crystal-clear readings — ideal for poorly illuminated garages and service pits. One thing worth mentioning is that you can read the results from any angle, even from 45 degrees — not possible with many other models.
The design is neat, sturdy, and durable, which is a characteristic of almost every product made by Fluke. As far as precision and accuracy go, the Fluke 115 is near the top.
It’s great for fieldwork because of its compact build. It weighs only 1.3 pounds, and its small size means it will easily fit in your pocket. For the best experience, the Fluke 115 also offers auto-ranging to facilitate the use further. You don’t have to set the values manually — the unit will do that for you, which saves a lot of time and effort.
The meter is CAT III 600-volt safety rated — even beginners can use it without exposing themselves to risks. If you’re looking for a compact and lightweight tool for quick motor jobs of measuring and testing various current-related values, check out the Fluke 115 — it has everything you need in a car multimeter.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Our Rating: 4.5
And while a great all-around machine, for me, it’s the best multimeter for mechanics and hobbyists who demand a temperature function. With a massive heat checking range of -40 to 1832 degrees Fahrenheit — it’s perfect for investigating engine, coolant system, radiator, and exhaust temperature levels.
The multimeter is large enough to include all the necessary options, but small enough to be easy to transport and use. The MSR-A1000 arrives with features that make it simple to operate, such as a large LCD screen display. It also comes with a hook to clip the device out of the way — useful in a busy garage — and a rotary dial that makes setting selection straightforward.
The Etekcity MSR-A1000 was designed with safety in mind. Its non-contact voltage mode allows you to safely test potentially hot or live wires without direct contact. Furthermore, it incorporates an automatic shut-off to preserve the battery life.
This device also provides both reverse polarity protection and overload protection. Instead of a single ceramic tube fuse that many multimeters use, it has two.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
What does that mean for you? In addition to the usual tests you can perform with any multimeter, the Actron CP7677 can also be used for automotive-specific, on-bench troubleshooting. Examples include testing the tach or the dwell angle for points-type ignitions on older cars.
Actron has been producing quality automotive diagnostic tools and scanners since 1964. Its products are known to be simple enough for the do-it-yourself enthusiast, yet durable enough to be used by professionals.
The Actron CP7677 has a solid build quality, with a blue rubberized boot and stand, making it ideal for working in cramped areas, like engine compartments. Detailed instructions and safety features, like overload protection, means it targets the novice user.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Our Rating: 4.3
The first great thing about the Innova 3320 is the battery load test function. It’s used for checking whether your car battery (or any battery) is performing well.
It also has an auto-ranging function, which will help you to save some time and effort. It selects the proper range automatically — so you don’t have to. This feature is especially useful for those among us who aren’t experts when it comes to dealing with electricity, batteries, and multimeters in general.
The large digital display is also an important feature of the Innova 3320. Many multimeters have a small, almost illegible screen, which can be a burden in certain lighting conditions. The overall design is neat — it has a built-in stand and wrist wraps, which guarantee a firm grip. Because of the sturdiness of this unit, it can also withstand bumps and drops.
One thing that makes the Innova company stand out is customer support. Some manufacturers neglect their customers and provide poor after-sales service, but Innova has a team of people who are ready to answer your questions and help you with potential issues.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Coming complete with an inductive pick-up — measuring and checking the motor RPM is effortless. Furthermore, the heat probes can investigate engine running temperatures between -58 to 752 degrees Fahrenheit — with the display changeable to Celsius if required.
This multimeter provides a variety of functions and offers straightforward operation — for those who haven’t previously dealt with a digital multimeter before, to experts in the world of automotive repair. Should your engine be acting up, the Innova 3340’s sophisticated design will help you determine what’s wrong with it.
Just about everything under your vehicle’s hood can be tested by this device, from the alternator diodes to the breaker points and wiring. Best of all, you can transport it easily. The Innova 3340 is a handheld, modestly-sized digital multimeter, and comes with its own carrying case (which can fit easily inside your toolkit).
Additionally, the Innova 3340 is for more than just your vehicle — it can also provide great service to you around the home. For instance, its ability to act as an electric multimeter/voltage meter means it can determine whether or not a wall socket is functioning properly.
Should you have any technical problems while using the Innova 3340, it comes with a one-year warranty, covering repairs or replacements.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Our Rating: 4.4
The ergonomic rubber housing offers protection from bumps, hits, and falls. You can also use it hands-free, with the help of its magnetic hanger — meaning you can attach it to the car hood, chassis, or sub-frame.
One of the greatest elements of this particular unit is its versatility. It can be used both by professional mechanics and home motor enthusiasts. Whether you want to check the electronics in your car or test some batteries in your home, the Fluke 77-IV won’t let you down. It’s designed both for field work and bench repairs.
The voltage resolution range is pretty wide — it goes from 1mV up to 1000V for AC and DC. The current range for both AC and DC is 10 amps. The capacitance and resistance ranges are also sufficiently generous to accommodate every need and demand.
A beeper is integrated into the unit — notifying the user of continuity and indicating diode function. One of the things that stand out is the device’s precision at 0.3 percent — it’s among the most accurate multimeters in this category.
Since it meets most of the requirements of a professional car technician, its affordable price is another thing worth mentioning. One would expect a higher price for a tool like this. And, the Fluke 77-IV is designed in the United States, while many others come from licensed factories on the Asian market.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
This unit stands out because it’s a multimeter with clamps. Digital clamp meters allow you to analyze without having to cut down the wires or strip down the cord — making it ideal for automotive troubleshooting.
The Etekcity MSR-C600 can be used both for car and home use because of its versatility and number of capabilities. This particular multimeter also comes with a pair of test leads — to use instead of the clamp — that allows you to measure AC and DC, continuity, and resistance with high precision.
Its data hold function is very useful when you don’t have a piece of paper to write down your results, or there are just too many decimals to remember. If you use the data hold function, it will store the last reading until you overwrite it or shut down the device.
The auto shutdown option is quite useful, especially if you have a habit of forgetting to turn off your devices after use. This feature alleviates the issue by shutting down the meter after 15 minutes of inactivity. Needless to say, it prolongs the battery life as well as saving money.
Furthermore, the auto-ranging feature is great for beginners and those who don’t want to bother with manual settings. You’ll also get an audible warning if you try to conduct a measurement under the wrong settings or circumstances.
While it might not be perfect for professionals, it’s a great tool for DIY enthusiasts and people who occasionally deal with electricity and car batteries. The display and markings are easy to see and read. It also comes in a neat case that lets you keep the meter and leads together without getting tangled up.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Conclusion
Whether you’re a trade mechanic or just a total car fanatic — an automotive multimeter is an essential part of your toolkit. And, while our top picks represent the most comprehensive examples available — in my opinion, the Fluke 115 is the Ferrari of motor testing.
Boasting a CAT III safety rating, this true RMS multimeter is ideal for on-site diagnostics — whether that’s checking battery power, ignition fault-finding, or investigating engine temperatures with its in-built heat probe.
A data hold feature, together with minimum, maximum, and average readings permits you to detect and solve circuit fluctuations, while a large LCD screen with a white LED backlight lets you use the unit in poorly illuminated areas — such as in engine bays or inspection pits.
Therefore, if you’re seeking a Formula One-grade automotive multimeter, I seriously suggest taking a look at the Fluke 115.
Automotive Car Multimeter FAQs
Q: What Can a Multimeter Be Used for Car?
Multimeters are crucial garage tools for the motor enthusiast — being capable of troubleshooting battery issues, investigating the ignition system, testing wiring continuity, and checking fuses.
Q: How Many Volts Is a Car Battery With a Multimeter?
Multimeters are crucial garage tools for the motor enthusiast — being capable of troubleshooting battery issues, investigating the ignition system, testing wiring continuity, and checking fuses.
Q: Can I Jump Start My Car With a Multimeter?
No. While your multimeter can detect ignition issues, it cannot start a dead battery. Instead, invest in a jump starter for your garage.
Q: What Is Special About a Car Multimeter?
Automotive multimeters boast features that make them suitable for car electrical testing and diagnostics. In most circumstances, the important features are frequency and/or RPM testing, temperature probes, backlit LCD for poor illumination areas, and the durability to withstand garage knocks and bumps.
Q: Can You Use a Multimeter on a Car Battery?
Yes! Ensure you set your automotive multimeter or clamp meter to DC Voltage (typically identified on the unit as DCV), and a range setting of 20 volts.