5 Best HVAC Multimeters

Whether you’re a professional electrician or someone who loves to have their garages well stocked with all the necessary tools and equipment, you could be looking for a good HVAC multimeter to complete your collection. Back in the old days, there were various tools available on the market that were suitable for this job, such as voltmeters or ammeters. Choosing the right multimeter is crucial for HVAC professionals and enthusiasts, as it can greatly impact their ability to diagnose and troubleshoot heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems effectively. Not all HVAC multimeters are well-designed, It is important to get a multimeter that is reliable and accurate. Alternatively, you may find them to be less helpful and more frustrating. In this post, we’ll assist you in doing exactly that with a series of reviews and a thorough buyer’s guide.

In this article, we’ll explore the top five HVAC multimeters available on the market, considering factors like accuracy, durability, functionality, and affordability. Whether you’re a seasoned HVAC technician or just starting in the field, this guide will help you make an informed decision and ensure you have the right tool for the job.

Choosing The Right Multimeter

There are many different types of multimeters available on the market based on their applications. There are a few things to remember when using applications that relate to HVAC.

Safety precautions

One of the most essential things you must keep in mind while using electrical products and appliances is safety. If a device is unsafe to use, it may result in serious incidents that harm the user’s life. So, before buying a multimeter, you should first check the safety requirements and safety circuits that are available.

Features

One of the main reasons to buy a multimeter over other alternatives like a voltmeter or an ohmmeter is the wide range of features that are available only on a multimeter. The gadget becomes more adaptable in terms of application when you choose various options since you will obtain a new collection of functions. Premium options are available for business use.

Accuracy

Although any multimeter available on the market may provide you with output for your test, there are a few possibilities that can provide you with accurate and exact results. Your multimeter is not very useful in terms of application if it is not accurate

Best HVAC Multimeter 2023

It is difficult to say which multimeter is best for HVAC systems, we may analyze this by comparing the features and performance of various meters. We can check all multimeters one by one, and the process may take hours or days.

Our top choice for the best HVAC multimeter is the Fluke 116/323 Multimeter and Clamp Meter due to its wide range of feature sets and accessible features. The Fluke 116/323 Multimeter and Clamp Meter, in contrast to many other solutions, is an all-in-one HVAC combination set with support for almost all types of measurements you would require. Moreover, it has an integrated thermometer that provides a broad temperature range for measuring.

In addition, the Fluke 116/323 Multimeter and Clamp Meter has a unique function called microamps that enables you to test flame sensors. On the other side, the low input impedance prevents inaccurate readings, providing you with the precise and accurate results required for professional applications. This device can measure DC voltage, AC voltage up to 600 VAC, and AC current up to 400 A.

Best Features

• This device is capable of measuring up to 400 A of AC current and 600 VAC of DC voltage.
• Battery-powered HVAC multimeter
• Offers up to 600 Volts voltage range
• Up to 40 MΩ resistance can be measured
• All necessary accessories are included
• Built-in thermometer for HVAC applications.
• Micro amps to test flame sensors.
• Low input impedance helps prevent false readings due to ghost voltage.
• Large white LED backlight to work in poorly lit areas.
• Resistance, continuity, frequency, and capacitance.

Fieldpiece is also one of the most trusted brands for electronic devices including multimeters, vacuum gauges, HVAC charge and air kits, and many other items.

Therefore, we have included this great option from Fieldpiece on this list. The Fieldpiece Small HVACR Clamp Multimeter SC260 is placed 2nd. As the name implies, this is a more portable, small, and cost-effective multimeter with a wide range of uses. This is a true RMS clamp meter with features for measuring capacitance and temperature. The Fieldpiece Small HVACR Clamp Multimeter SC260 was created especially for HVAC systems and performs well in both hot and cold climates.

Your task will be much easier with the Fieldpiece Compact HVACR Clamp Multimeter SC260 since it has the ability to recognize whether resistance or capacitance measurements are being made.

Best Features

• Battery-powered HVAC multimeter
• Offers up to 600 Volts voltage range
• Up to 40 MΩ resistance can be measured
• One of the highly compact and portable options
• The SC260 compact clamp meter is designed for electrical HVACR service in heat and cold.
• Strong clamp meter with temperature, capacitance, True RMS, greater accuracy VAC & AAC measurements, and backlight.

This UEI clamp multimeter is a good option if you’re looking for a multimeter that can only do tasks relating to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It will give accurate readings and reliability at such a low price.

Another well-known company is UEi Test Devices, which is well-known for its wide range of professional-grade electric testing equipment. However, the majority of the solutions designed by UEi Test Instruments are reasonably priced and come with a huge amount of high-end capabilities.

The UEi DL479 Digital Clamp Meter has a measurement range of up to 60M resistance, 2000A DC, 2000A DC current, and 99.99 kHz frequency.

Best Features

• Battery-powered HVAC multimeter
• Offers up to 1000 Volts voltage range
• Up to 60 MΩ resistance can be measured
• Comes with 2 years of warranty

Another all-inclusive choice we have for the finest HVAC multimeters is the Klein Tools CL320KIT HVAC Kit. For safer use, this multimeter has a dual-range non-contact voltage tester, a built-in thermometer, and a dual IR/probe design. Furthermore, supported by TRMS technology, the Klein Tools CL320KIT HVAC Kit can accurately monitor a wide range of variables, including resistance, frequency, duty cycle, continuity, AC current, NCVT, AC, and DC voltage, and many others.

Due to its supported temperature range of -40 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermocouple utilized with the Klein Tools CL320KIT HVAC Kit is particularly intriguing and a good fit for both home and commercial HVAC systems.

Best Features

• Battery-powered HVAC multimeter
• Offers up to 1000 Volts voltage range
• -40 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range
• Dual IR/Probe Thermometer

One of the more affordable selections on this list of the top HVAC multimeters is the Amprobe – 4018649 AM-520 HVAC Multimeter. The majority of users require non-contact voltage and temperature sensing, which this device also enables. You may use the equipment without any expert assistance, and it makes the procedure very simple and safe. The Amprobe – 4018649 AM-520 HVAC Multimeter has a testing range of up to 600 Volts and can measure resistance, frequency, AC or DC voltage, and current.

Moreover, support for microamps is available, allowing for the testing of flame sensors. The Amprobe – 4018649 AM-520 HVAC Multimeter also covers reliability testing for troubleshooting, such as duty cycle testing and diode testing. This multimeter’s display is also pretty big and is simple to see in strong light.

Best Features

• Multimeter for HVAC systems on a cord
• Offers a voltage range of up to 600 Volts.
• Resistance may be measured up to 40 M.
• Many test kinds are offered.

Buying Guide For The Best HVAC Multimeter

If you’re not familiar with these instruments or their features, purchasing a new multimeter might be a challenging procedure. Finding the finest HVAC multimeter within your price range may be difficult if you are not a licensed electrician since there are so many things to take into account before choosing one from the many options on the market.

 In this guide, we will talk about the most important features that you need to check out while purchasing an HVAC multimeter so that you can get the best deal within your budget.

1. The auto-ranging feature

If you’ve ever used a multimeter, you know that it may be a little complicated because most multimeters need to be calibrated before you can test a particular component of the circuit. Before connecting the multimeter to the circuit to take a measurement, you will frequently need to choose an estimated range of the current, voltage, or resistance. However, with more recent models, the auto range feature fully eliminates this work.

2. Added Probes and Equipment

While it is true that an HVAC multimeter may perform a variety of measurements and tests, it is only a display device that can calculate and display the results. The device also has probes that need to be attached to the circuit in order to do computations, with the exception of non-contact measurements. In order to provide a full setup, you will also receive a selection of cables and various extra accessories, in addition to an HVAC multimeter. Some producers additionally provide specialist probes that may identify extra circuit characteristics, such as capacitance, frequency, duty cycle, etc., that cannot be detected without the aforementioned issues and accessories.

3. Sensor for Temperature

Multimeters are extremely flexible electrical measuring tools, as we just discussed. According to their uses and compatibility with various types of circuits, multimeters come in a wide variety of varieties on the market. Choosing a multimeter with temperature sensor probes is crucial because we’re seeking models that work with HVAC systems. To properly evaluate the system and control its settings for greater output, you will need a multimeter that can measure temperatures up to a high value for any form of heating or air conditioning operation.

Read Also: 7 Best Multimeters Under $100

Conclusion

So that you won’t have to go through hundreds of possibilities and verify the specs of each option that fits within your price range, we have provided you with a list of the top HVAC multimeters currently on the market.

There is no need to question the accuracy or dependability of these solutions because they have been tried and tested by thousands of users. With the correct HVAC multimeter, you can quickly examine all of the important HVAC system parameters and adjust them to provide the desired results.