trying to find a good multimeter any recomendations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: bobsarenotit
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 08:25:15 pm
content: I was hoping someone could recommend me a multi meter I was wondering if anyone had any recommendation im cheap so was thinking of buying used , I found some listing for thees at some good prices the Greenlee DM-210A ,centech p98674, Crenova MS8233D, or klein mm720, mm400 or if you have any that you think would good. I would want a good capacitance tester, good continuity and good beeper and micro ampere,and automatic. It will primary be used for small electronic repair stuff video game consoles.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 09:35:23 pm
content: Welcome, and as you are here:why not the EEVBlog Brymen BM786?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 09:43:56 pm
content: Or 235

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 09:54:26 pm
content: What's your budget?

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 09:55:29 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on June 09, 2025, 09:43:56 pmYep, forgot that one, sorry.

author: Peabody
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2025, 09:59:25 pm
content: All my gear is old, so I don't know what to recommend. But I would suggest you be clear on where you will find replacement fuses for whatever you decide on, and perhaps buy some spare fuses along with your meter. This is less important if your meter makes it nearly impossible to be trying to measure voltage when you're actually configured to measure current. But even then, a spare fuse or two is not a bad thing. Fuse replacement can be a notorious challenge on some meters.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2025, 09:12:44 am
content: Quote from: Benta on June 09, 2025, 09:55:29 pmThe Greenlee DM-210A, that the OP has on his list, is (apparently) the same or a very similar device.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2025, 09:22:25 am
content: I have used the Klein MM700 and found it's OK for a budget meter. I see the OP mentioned the MM720 and checking it out, it has reverse backlit LCD which could cause short battery life.

author: geralds
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 12:16:57 am
content: From a newbie (who was looking for a first DMM some months ago):A few weeks ago I got a Zoyi ZT-225, for some electronics repairs. I generally like it, it seems to be a decent meter for that purpose, sufficiently accurate and high resolution (25k counts), though I am not an expert and am not in any position to test accuracy etc. properly. Just in case, the included test probes are for the bin, and I use some other cheap silicone ones with gold plated tips (around EUR 3 on Aliexpress).I then had to check some mains wiring in the house to check some electrician's work (I have no intention to do this regularly... and I will post on this separately in the coming days). So I decided to also get a BM2257 because of its input protection and LoZ measurement. My first impression is that the Brymen is a proper, solid meter, super fast continuity, excellent silicone test leads included. There may be some minor points that could be further improved from a purely practical perspective (keep backlight on when (quickly) switching between LoZ and ACV, cover for the PC Connection, possibly have the option to turn the backstand (close to) 180° so that it can be used to hook up the meter with the need for an extra hanger - just some practical points). And now I am wondering what the even better Brymen's (789, 859, 869) are like - even though they are probably over the top for my personal use case.Well, I probably should have bought the BM2257 (instead of the ZT-225) from the beginning, but let's see whether I do need the resolution that the ZT-225 offers. And if it is only for electronics where no proper input protection is required then I assume ZT-225/SZ20 or other cheapos like the AN870/ZT-219 are sufficient.Both are discussed (at some length) elsewhere on this forum, as well as the question of test leads/probes.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 01:32:13 am
content: Came here to say the same thing, if you're planning to spend anything more than as little as possible and ever need to use it off the workbench then get one with LoZ mode, there's nothing worse than trying to track down a problem somewhere with phantom voltages all over the place.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 07:38:55 am
content: Quote from: geralds on June 12, 2025, 12:16:57 amI wouldn't see it as either-or.Having two DMMs is certainly not a luxury and the two complement each other very well.The BM2257 for mains (input protection), LoZ and other great features and the ZT-225 for more precision (4.5 digits), the 20A input, the simultaneous display of DC and AC components, DC+AC, AC and Hz, etc.The ZT-225 costs three or four times less. I don't think you can seriously regret buying it.

author: geralds
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 04:11:49 pm
content: I agree that they complement each other, and if it is to be used only for lower V electronics then probably the ZT-225 or some other cheap DMM will be good enough. Whether 2 DMMs are a luxury or not is probably for the user to determine, for me personally one would have been enough (but I can live with two...).

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 04:23:13 pm
content: Quote2 are handy if yow want to see both the current and voltage in a circuit whilst you tweak it and youll find 3 or 4 become useful when your diving into dual rail stuff.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 07:04:38 pm
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on June 12, 2025, 01:32:13 amI used the Fluke 289 on low Z to measure 480VAC and it scared me because it caused a spark. I don't use lo Z for anything more than 120VAC and for low voltage there is no need for low Z. I don't have ghost voltage with 12 or 24V circuit. In fact I use lo Z only to check the output of an SSR without a load.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 08:55:36 am
content: I've had ghost voltages on low voltage DC-powered devices where the power was fed through lines running alongside 240VAC circuits. So a quick NCV check (to avoid having to disassemble things to get at the wiring inside) reported it was being powered and presumably the lack of response was due to some other fault. I seem to remember that even disassembling it to get access still gave an apparent voltage that was close enough to ( expected_voltage - voltage_drop_from_wiring ) that it wasn't immediately obvious as a ghost voltage.That was just before I finally got a LoZ meter.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 02:32:39 am
content: I have a Klein mm400 for field use and like it for that. For the bench, an Agilent U1241A, but new Agilents (if you can find one) and Keysights are pretty expensive. I’ve found the Klein capacitance measurements not very accurate but good enough for checking motor caps. Kleins are designed for electricians, so the default mode is AC. This is a minor annoyance if one does much DC bench work. Would not recommend Kleins as a bench DMM for a beginner. Brymens sound like a good choice.Definitely would get some parrot-type probes. Dave uses them a lot in his videos.Mike

author: JustMeHere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 04:10:10 am
content: The very first pinned post on this forum.

author: ahsrabrifat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2025, 02:00:50 pm
content: I think you will find these eev videos helpful.