I compared a $250 multimeter with a $25 alternative, and the results changed my mind

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If you make a living with your tools, you need them to handle day-to-day usage. The problem is, pro-grade, high-end tools are pricey and can be out of the reach of the amateur DIYer. As far as multimeters go, I like the Pokit Pro meter. It’s a compact pen-type multimeter that connects to a smartphone and does everything that I need from a multimeter.

But, it’s $250. That’s a lot of cash for a tool that might get used a few times a year. 

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This is why I’ve been on the lookout for a cheap yet decent multimeter. One with all the features and is accurate enough for the DIYer, and something that’s not going to stop working or blow up. That’s not as easy as it sounds, because I’ve tested a handful of them, and most of them just never made the grade. 

But one did: the Neoteck TS20D 3-in-1 pen-type multimeter. 

This is a compact multimeter that handles all the basics — AC/DC voltages, resistance, diode test, non-contact voltage testing, and capacitance — as well as a few advanced features such as ambient temperature, AC frequency, and live and phase sequence identification. 

The unit is a 6,000-count, so it offers a higher level of resolution than cheaper 3,000- or 4,000-count units, allowing it to show values to three decimal places at 6V, as opposed to two. 

Accuracy for the unit is listed as ±1% for AC voltages and ±0.8% for DC voltage, which is more than accurate enough for most people’s needs. I rarely need greater accuracy than this, and if I do, I’ll switch to my oscilloscope. 

About the only thing it doesn’t do is handle amperage readings, and for this task, I prefer a clamp-type meter than a probe because that eliminates the chances of blowing up the meter.  

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The unit is marked CAT II rated to 600V, so it can handle the mains voltage found in domestic environments. UK mains voltage is 230V average (which means a peak voltage in the region of 325V), and it had no problem handling this. 

The prongs on the TS20D have a variety of insulators that you can use to limit the possibility of inadvertent exposure to live voltages.

There are three controls on the side of the TS20D for switching between the settings, and the relevant information is displayed on a high-contrast LCD panel. The numbers on this panel are large and clear, but some of the test is on the small side, so if your eyes are a little old, it might leave you squinting a bit.

On the front, there’s a built-in LED to illuminate the way and help you avoid probing the wrong thing or inadvertently probing something live with your finger. 

The TS20D comes with a few accessories, including clips and fine probes, and a carry pouch to keep everything together. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries (supplied), but you’ll need a tiny crosspoint screwdriver to open the battery compartment (and be mindful not to lose that tiny screw, since it’s not captive and can fall out). 

ZDNET’s buying advice

For around $25, the Neoteck TS20D is a fully-featured, well-made, and decently accurate tool that will handle most multimeter-related tasks. It’s small enough to drop into a pocket or toolbox, durable enough to handle household tasks, and the batteries will last a good year. 

I like my Pokit Pro, especially how it connects to my smartphone, but the TS20D does pretty much everything I need a multimeter to do, all for a price that’s a mere fraction of the Pokit. Putting the two side-by-side, I’d grab the Neoteck more often than the price gap would suggest.

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