Handheld vs benchtop multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: timwolf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 05:13:22 pm
content: Hello everyone,I'm looking to buy a new multi-meter for my bench-top, and since it's not going to be going very far from the bench, I'm wondering if it would be a better bang for the buck to get a bench-top multi-meter, are they any better than a handheld multi-meter, my budget is under >$500.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 06:26:16 pm
content: The handheld and benchtop DMMs have different strengths, at least as a general tendency. So it depends on the use, which is better. One should consider a bench type DMM if one needs things like:4 Wire ohmsa PC interface (though also found with some hand helds)faster reading (especially to read to the PC)mains power (no battery change for longer use)high resolution (e.g. > 50000 counts) / high accuracya large displayhigher than 10 M input impedanceAs a downside of bench DMMs often have limited protection (low CAT rating) and they tend to be more expensive. The CAT rating may not reflect the actual level of protection though. There is a more limited choice of bench meters.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 06:27:56 pm
content: What DMMs do you already have?

author: NaxFM
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 06:29:21 pm
content: It depends on what are your needs.With much less than 100$ you could buy the uni-T ut61e which is a very capable handheld multimeter, great for general work. If you want a new bench multimeter there's the siglent sdm series. If I were you, i'd buy a used agilent 34401A for around 350- 400$, which is basically the best you can get for this budget.Of course bench meters are usually much more capable than handheld, but again it depends on what you need. Do you need 6 1/2 digits and accuracy down to tens of microvolts or you can do your work with less digits and uncertainty of few millivolts?

author: timwolf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 06:56:56 pm
content: Currently have an ANENG AN8008, looking between "Fluke 289 True-RMS Stand Alone Logging Multimeter" and "Siglent Technologies SDM3045X" I am however looking for other suggestions, and a pick between these two.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 06:58:39 pm
content: The 'advantage' depends a lot on how you use your meter. If you sit at the bench all day then the bench meter has the advantage of no battery anxiety and/or annoying auto-power-off to deal with. The downside is that they can take up a lot of space. Some people put them on shelves but then you're constantly looking uo and down.There's small-footprint semi-benchtops though, eg. this seems to be getting positive reviews:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-xdm1041-the-unknown-multimeter/

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 07:03:10 pm
content: There is no fixed answer on that.A real benchtop multimeter has some advantages (and disadvantages) compared to a handheld.Also be aware that many cheap benchtop meters are glorified handheld meters, that do not make them bad, but means you will miss some of the benchtop advantages (Like 4-terminal ohms and remote control of ranges).For most measurements any meter will work.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 07:05:16 pm
content: Quote from: timwolf on February 04, 2022, 06:56:56 pmAlmost anything would be a big step up.Quote from: timwolf on February 04, 2022, 06:56:56 pmA Fluke 289 will break your budget by quite a large margin unless you're looking for a used one.It looks like you're in the USA so you might be able to find a used 289 for a decent price. You could have that plus that Owon and between the two of them you'll have quite a setup... one to leave on all day long and the other for the most critical measurements.(nb. I'm not implying there's anything wrong with the Owon measurements)Or... if you have a big bench you could get the Siglent. It's down to your personal preference, neither setup has massive advantages unless you regularly need to measure tiny resistances in which case the Siglent's 4-wire function will save you from doing a divide on your calculator.Two meters isalwaysbetter than one though, no matter how good the one meter is

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 07:39:41 pm
content: The 287 can be found for a bit cheaper than the 289. As far as accuracy goes the 287/289 deserves some respect from what I've experienced. However, it's not overly friendly as a bench meter. Battery life, UI, LCD display and speed are less than ideal.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 07:49:18 pm
content: I don't like the 289 as a bench meter at all. I much rather use the 8050a for bench meter. So if I were the OP I believe a good used bench meter from Agilent or HP would be a good choice.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 07:52:06 pm
content: Quote from: timwolf on February 04, 2022, 06:56:56 pmThe F289 is an excellent high-end meter, but is also a battery-eating complex pain-in-the-ass to use until you've learned the menus. It is also huge. I've gotten used to mine, but it isn't the first thing I typically grab. You can read about the Siglent DMMs here on EEVBlog, I think the reviews on that model are a bit mixed. I don't have one and won't comment.Do you need the extra functions and PC connectivity of a modern DMM? Or do you just want a good basic Volt & Ohms meter that is easy to see and can stay on all the time?I would suggest looking at the used market, but prices have gone up quite a bit lately so there's a lot less to pick from that makes sense. You still might want to have a look.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 07:58:02 pm
content: Quote from: Kleinstein on February 04, 2022, 06:26:16 pmNo, no, no and no. Sorry but this is just BS. A benchtop meter doesn't have to be better or different compared to a handheld. The only real difference between a handheld and bench DMM is that a handheld is portable and runs on batteries where a bench meter sits on a bench (stackable!) and runs from mains. Thats it! I don't get why bench DMMs need to have special features. That line of thinking is insaneThere are oodles of not so expensive bench meters out there. My personal favorite is the Vici VC8145 which has been on the market for over a decade already.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 08:09:02 pm
content: in general benchtop equipment with a horizontal control face should, IMO have the grip of rubber feet and or weight holding it in place or sit facing upright at an angle with a folding handle to stop it slipping and a sliding across the benchwhen using it one handed.my own experiences with equipment ergonomics

author: MadScientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 08:34:00 pm
content: I use the xdm1040 bench unit. It’s no better then a portable DMM it has a nice big display , mains power and a vertical display face. I like it.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 08:36:46 pm
content: Once you use a very fast VFD bench meter you'll never want anything less.Units with front/rear connectors can be nice for quickly switching between a 2-wire voltage measurement and a 4-wire Ohms measurement without having to change leads.The 34401A plus an LCR meter like the DE-5000 is my vote for a great setup around $500.

author: NaxFM
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 08:47:03 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on February 04, 2022, 08:36:46 pmThat of leaving the 4 wire clips on the rear connectors is such a simple but yet useful idea! Thank you! To me the rear connectors were almost non existent, never used them.I don't suppose there is problem of noise pickup from the connected leads, right? Aren't they physically disconnected when switching from back to front terminals?

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 08:54:46 pm
content: I have a bunch of DMMs ranging from Fluke 189 through both EEVblog meters down to Harbor Freight $5. The one I reach for: The Aneng 8008 - it's just a handy little meter. Given that you need at least 3 meters, two of them can be less expensive and the 8008 is one choice.I suppose one meter should have phenomenal specs like the Siglent SDM3055 (without the scanner option) and that seems near the limit of your budget.I bought a couple of bench meters from eBay: an HP3478A 5-1/2 digit - I don't like the display so I never use it. I also bought a GW Instech GDM 8251A 5-1/2 digit with a nice bright display. I don't use it very often (Aneng 8008 is handy) but it is a nice meter for about $200 on eBay.Just because you can measure to 6-1/2 digits doesn't mean you can ASJUST to that level. At some point, the meter is more accurate than the circuit. 10% resistors, 20% capacitors doesn't lead to 6-1/2 digits. "Close enough" is close enough.At some point, you may want to add a Simpson 260 V-O-M. They're pretty cheap on eBay. Pick one that hasn't been abused (if possible). A Triplett 630 is another good choice. These analog meters do NOT have the resolution of even the cheapest DMMs but they do have their place.One example: Our emergency generator wouldn't start but the battery voltage (static) was fine. When we measured the voltage with the starter engaged we could see it drop to near 0V. This isn't a quantitative measurement, it is qualitative. If the voltage drop from 14 to 12, no problem, dropping to near 0V is a big problem. We want to see the meter move, not wait on some slow DMM to eventually guess at what happened.There are a lot of places where the speed of a V-O-M outweighs the resolution of a DMM. Not every day, of course, but every once in awhile.ETA: Watch w2aew videos. He quite often has a Simpson 260 measuring one of the parameters. I don't imagine he has run out of DMMs but he is making a point.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 09:00:25 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 04, 2022, 08:54:46 pmYou should get aZoyi VC17B+You wont use the 8008 ever again.(same as Aneng 860B+ but Aneng don't seem to do it any more)

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 09:12:18 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on February 04, 2022, 09:00:25 pmWhy not? Looks like a nice little meter and the price is good.I don't want to order from China so unless Amazon carries it, I won't bother. BTW, they don't seem to have it. I'm much too old to have an attention span.

author: timwolf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 09:30:35 pm
content: @rstofer What would be the main difference between the Siglent SDM3055 and the Siglent SDM3045X other than the extra digit of accuracy, i'd like to justify the price difference of $120 to jump up to the better model.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 09:32:49 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 04, 2022, 07:58:02 pmIn reality, common hand-held meters do not have 4-terminal ohms, and few have > 10 megohm input impedance. If these features are important, then one should look at bench meters.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 09:37:22 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 04, 2022, 07:58:02 pmI don't see how you're saying anything different from Kleinstein? The vast majority of bench meters is 4.5 digits or up. The vast majority of handheld meters are 4.5 digits or less. Are there 5.5 digit handhelds and 3.5 digit bench meters, yes. But the probability of a DMM having more than 4.5 digits conditional on it being a bench meter is much higher than the probability of a DMM having more than 4.5 digits conditional on it being a handheld meter. Same with having a reading speed more than a few readings/second, having a PC interface, etc. Your statement that there are counter examples does not conflict with this.To me the higher contrast display, unlike the reflective LCD with a backlight that turns off every 30s or so, ability to leave it monitoring a circuit without it turning off at just the wrong time, and the higher update speed are the usual reason to use a bench meter. Also, my bench has very little horizontal surface area and much more vertical space, so a bench DMM that I can stack a power supply on is much more convenient than if I'd have to fit three handhelds on my bench.The quick measurement and ability to move it away from my bench is the usual reason to grab a handheld. Is a bench meter necessary for most electronics work, absolutely not. It's just a nice item to have.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 09:44:40 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on February 04, 2022, 09:32:49 pmYes, but that is coming from a proper requirements driven view instead of from some kind of fantasy.Quote from: alm on February 04, 2022, 09:37:22 pmThat is because you snipped all the seemingly must-haves Kleinstein listed as minimum requirements for a bench meter. And then you also get stuck in seemingly must-haves. First get the requirements in order and then see what fits best. The most basic requirement for a DMM is needing portability or not. That goes before anything else. In the end you can buy a good handheld for the same price as a good bench meter. So why buy a handheld if a bench meter is a better fit? Why is a bench meter suddenly a 'nice to have'? It isn't! Why do people have the idea that bench meters are expensive devices that are supposed to be superior to a handheld?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 10:24:53 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 04, 2022, 09:12:18 pmWhy not? Aliexpress claims and returns are just as easy as Amazon's.What's the big risk anyway? It's $25.

author: PushUp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 10:30:49 pm
content: As you probably already have a DC power supply you can do your own mOhm measurement quite precisely:Well, considering my quick and dirty test installation with different quality-test-leads: 1 mOhm difference is not that bad...come on!From all handheld DMMs I still own and recently sold, the Fluke 289 is the one and only I will keep for ever, despite display-contrast and battery-usage, as it does everything perfectly fine and is able to log via USB-IR-Interface also to a PC, in case the internal memory is not enough - even with Linux on a RaspberryPi via TestController by HKJ. In this case the one and only disadvantage of the Fluke 289 not seeing the curve while logging, in contrast to your "Siglent SDM3045X" alternative, is also gone!You can save any measurement you did with a perfect max-min-average overview and view it any time you like:You have a perfect overview of the measurement itself with a perfect sinus-peak-measurement within 250µS and may use this feature also for inrush current:...and you are flexible enough to move it around where it is needed. Furthermore you don't need anything else to check a mainboard, as you can measure everything and even caps up to 100mF (the same as Rigol DM3068 and Siglent SDM3065X) in contrast to 10mF of the Siglent SDM3045X, which could be problematic, when caps might be soldered in parallel. My HMC8012-G does only up to 500µF, but the biggest joke is the Keysight 34465A, which only does up to 100µF!When you buy a used Fluke 289 pay attention to the SN, to get one with the newest FW, not having the "light-IR-issue" and one after the "leaking-cap-problematic".Oh, I forgot the best thing: You will never ever need a "recovery tool", when you stuck on boot screen with a Siglent SDM!...ha ha ha - just kidding...! Not really, as my Siglent SDS1202X-E is useless with the newest FW!...but I guess you will end up with buying a Brymen 869s, being annoyed about the backlight time-issue and the disgusting rotary knob...but perfectly fine to start with, saving some money for the next buy...as we all know: you never have enough equipment and the next buy is always the most desired one... ;-)Cheers!

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 10:45:41 pm
content: Quote from: PushUp on February 04, 2022, 10:30:49 pmJust to clarify, if you have the USB cable the early F289s with the light issue can be updated with FW that fixes this, although it is not the same version as the newer models. The supercap issue is annoying but easy enough to fix if Fluke doesn't do it for free--which they almost always will AFAIK.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2022, 11:34:26 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 04, 2022, 09:44:40 pmI assume the OP was wondering about the difference between hand-held and bench metersthat he can actually buy from a real vendor, instead of designing his own to include the features he needs. Both Kleinstein and I are trying to summarize what can be purchased off-the-shelf, in order to see which type will better suit his requirements.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 12:23:15 am
content: How do you get to 'designing his own'? Where are the goal posts this time?Low cost bench DMMs can be bought from many vendors (including Amazon) so if people don't like to buy from Ebay or Aliexpress then there are many other options.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 01:23:07 am
content: You have missed the main point. The OP is asking about the advantages and features of hand-held vs. bench meters. I discussed what is normally commercially available on each type, and that he should make a choice depending on his requirements.

author: mansaxel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 07:14:49 am
content: Add one vote for a wiggly meter, for all the reasons mentioned. An interesting combination is the  427a which is an analog electronic VOM benchtop. Or you could get a true VTVM, which from sheer weight will be a benchtop, even if it comes with a handle. The  410b is my favourite. 120MΩ input impedance, and AC volts to 700MHz. Do note that the ground pole on those instruments is connected to mains earth. Like on a scope.Those wigglies are all active, meaning they will load the DUT like (or less than) a modern DMM. The Simpson 260 recommendation, which for Europe is a recommendation for an Avometer or an Unigor, is for a passive electromechanical meter, with a much higher loading. This is a bit of both; sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes a curse. Most power circuit measurements are fine, and you can count on higher interference immunity. Small signal measurement is another thing; so much that the inherent loading in a 10KΩ/V instrument was assumed and compensated for in the nominal values in service manuals back in the day before the Fluke 8020. (You know when there actually WERE service manuals...)I would not, however, rely only on wigglies alone. The DMM, bench or portable, is in many ways a much better instrument and as has been noted, 2 are always better than one. And 3 are better than 2. (4 is better than 3, and so on.)/Måns; Fluke 10, 123, 8060a, 8021, 8022, 27CE. Gossen MetraHit 14, 25.  400H, 410b, 427a, 974a, 3438. Avometer 8. H&B Elavi 4. Unigor 6e. Grundig RV55. Marconi TF1041b.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 11:19:50 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 04, 2022, 09:44:40 pmI think your reading skills failed when you were reading his post. He did NOT say a bench meter has to have those features. What he said is that IF you need one of these features, then you should look at a bench meter. (And he even prefaced the whole thing with “as a general tendency”, meaning exceptions can exist.) It’s precisely the “proper requirements-driven view” you’re falsely claiming he didn’t use. Re-read it here:Quote from: Kleinstein on February 04, 2022, 06:26:16 pmSee? Not a wish list (never mind minimum requirements), but a catalog of features that a user can evaluate to steer them the right way.Quote from: nctnico on February 04, 2022, 07:58:02 pmAnd additionally, it’s not “insane” for bench meters to “need” special features, for the simple reason that basic bench meters have largely died out as handheld meters gained their capabilities. I’m not aware of any big-name meter manufacturer that makes a basic bench DMM. (It’s 100% cheapo brands like Vici, and there certainly aren’t “oodles” of them.) So what’s left for the bench meter market is largely features thatrequirebeing mains-powered, like fast, high-resolution measurement, which works because the meter’s internals are synced to the mains AC so it can know how to reduce mains-induced noise.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 11:45:55 am
content: Quote from: timwolf on February 04, 2022, 09:30:35 pmIn short, only a Caddock precision divider.3045X uses SMD resistor strings instead.We’ve recently discovered 3045X = China only model 3055X-E and they can be cross flashed back and forth.Hunt for recent threads on SDM3045X.Known benefits are no fan and measurement ranges now match 3055 and 3065X.And finally it seems FW versions that put the boot freezes behind us for those that actually take the time to update their instruments.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 12:08:32 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on February 05, 2022, 11:19:50 amMy reading skills are just fine.One should consider a bench type DMM if one needs things likemeans that you should only consider a bench meter if you need the following features.It would be different if Kleinstein wrote: 'besides portability, higher end bench meters offer features like below which typically aren't found on handhelds.'. But Kleinstein didn't make that distinction. Maybe not on purpose but in the end the text is the text.QuoteNo, the A-brands pulled out of the low end market because the Chinese stepped in. This is true for all kinds of test equipment! It is not like there is no market at all for low end bench DMMs.In the end my point is: don't get hung up on the idea that a bench DMM has to be an expensive fancy piece of test equipment.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 12:33:11 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 05, 2022, 12:08:32 pmI don’t think it means the exclusivity that you suggest.Either way, it’s kinda crazy how much this topic has your knickers in a twist…Quote from: nctnico on February 05, 2022, 12:08:32 pmSo how come the A-brands haven’t pulled out of the handheld DMM market, then? The Chinese certainly stepped into that market, too.It’s fairly easy to see what happened by looking at the history of the DMM market: DMMs were originallyallbench meters, and had only basic features by today’s standards. Then they started making handheld meters, and for a while, they sold basic DMMs in both bench and handheld formats, as well as bench models with more advanced features. This, to me, is when bench meters forked into basic and advanced models. The basic bench DMMs didn’t stick around for long, strongly suggesting that much of the basic meter market bought handhelds, even for bench use. So what was left was basic DMMs (all handheld) and advanced DMMs (all bench). Over the years, handheld meters gained some of the advanced features, while bench meters gained new features.Additionally, as others have mentioned, handheld meters developed more in the direction of robustness for industrial use. Bench meters evolved more in the direction of laboratory use, with high accuracy and precision. Different use cases, different features.Personally, I don’t see much point in a bench meter that is nothing more than handheld meter guts in a benchtop box. If there were a big market for such things, they’d be everywhere. But they’re not. Not even top-tier Chinese brands, like Brymen, make them. If there were money to be made, you know full well that they’d be making them, too. (UNI-T is the “highest” brand I’m aware of that makes basic bench DMMs that really are just handheld meter guts in another case. Not that I consider UNI-T to be a particularly good brand.)

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 01:02:18 pm
content: The reason A-brands still sell (and thus make) handheld DMMs is because people buy them for ensurance no corners where cut where it comes to safety. Personally I don't want to use a lower end DMM on mains voltages. I have bought a Keysight handheld DMM specifically for that reason (it gets used once or twice a year).And ofcourse you are free to find bench DMMs which are handheld in a box unworthy (even though several A-brands used to make these as well) but it doesn't make much sense. I used to have a whole bunch of handhelds. When used in a test setup to measure several voltages and currents I found my bench was utterly cluttered, readings obscured by small displays / poor viewing angle, view of other test equipment obscured by the DMMs in front and needed to switch the handhelds back on several time a day. So I went looking for an alternative that didn't need a huge budget. The handheld-in-a-box bench DMMs are the perfect solution!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 01:18:12 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 05, 2022, 01:02:18 pmWhy spend that much money? That's what the Fluke 101 is for.

author: ferdieCX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 02:42:08 pm
content: I have a Fluke 179 and a 87V, both are good meters but they run only on batteries and have a LCD display, so they are a pain in the neck for bench work.Because of that and when task allows it, I prefer to use my Simpson 260.I would be very happy buying the equivalent of a Fluke 8010 or 8050 with a bright LED display, NO VFD. It also must be enough heavy and with rubber feet to allow operation with only one hand.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 02:58:05 pm
content: Quote from: ferdieCX on February 05, 2022, 02:42:08 pmYou may want to have a look at the Keithley 195A, but make sure the option 1950 is included so you've got AC and current ranges. These instruments are available for quite small money now and then.

author: ferdieCX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 03:21:39 pm
content: Thank you TurboTom, it looks very nice.The problem is, that it is almost impossible to find good quality used instruments in Uruguay.As a private person, you can only import parcels worth 200 USD including delivery, that would exclude foreign ebayI would have to buy a new instrument from a local dealer.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 03:38:51 pm
content: One thing I like about the ancient Keithley 195 and 196 series is the large (3/4"?) bright red LED display: far easier to read than modern dark LCDs.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 03:40:31 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on February 05, 2022, 03:38:51 pmWhat do you think of the screen on this?

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 04:29:11 pm
content: That looks like a good design on the display. The tilted front panel is also nice.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2022, 05:21:20 pm
content: One quite often needs more than just one reading and thus having at least 2 meters makes absolute sense. So one may opt. for a handheld and a bench DMM instead of one rather expensive one (high end portable, like Fluke 289 or similar or mid range bench meter like SDM3055).The form factor is one point, but more like a point where one can compromise if needed. With the display personal preferences (and conditions in the lab) are also quite different. Safety and the ability to measure a small signal at all can be a more stringent requirements. There may not be one meter to get you both - or it may at least be cheaper to have 2 separate meters. There are quite different meters available, especially if you include used bench meters. At least in the US there are quite some used bench meters available.