Digital Multimeter to Measure Voltage: 5 Picks Compared

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If you need a digital multimeter to measure voltage, the first decision is the voltage range and the safety rating you need. A multimeter with a higher rating is built for more demanding work, and a rating that is too low for the circuit is a safety risk. This guide compares five digital multimeters sold for voltage measurement. It shows what each listing states about voltage range, safety category, counts, warranty and included parts, and where a listing leaves a detail out. It does not tell you how to work on any circuit, so follow the instrument manual and local electrical rules.

Quick answer

For most home voltage checks, choose a meter whose listing states a CAT III rating and a voltage range that covers your circuit. The Fluke 17B+ listing gives a CAT III 600 volt rating, with AC and DC voltage up to 1000 volts. The UNI-T UT133A and DEASOMIYE listings also state CAT III ratings. The AstroAI listing gives IEC 61010 compliance and a three-year warranty, but it does not state a CAT category. The SNAKOL pen-type meter gives no safety category at all. Read the rating on the listing before you buy, and follow the manual for the circuit you test.

What to check in a digital multimeter for voltage

Four details decide which meter suits your work. Each one can rule a product in or out.

1. The safety category. Measurement category, or CAT, is a method the International Electrotechnical Commission uses to classify live circuits used in measurement. The source describes CAT II as measurements on circuits directly connected to the low-voltage installation, and CAT IV as measurements at the source of the high-voltage installation. A meter rated for a higher category suits more demanding circuits. The Fluke, UNI-T and DEASOMIYE listings state CAT ratings. The AstroAI listing states IEC 61010, and the SNAKOL listing states none.

2. Voltage range. The ranges differ. The Fluke listing measures AC and DC voltage up to 1000 volts and current up to 10 amps. The UNI-T listing gives 600 volts AC and DC, and 10 amps for both AC and DC current. The DEASOMIYE listing gives 1000 volts AC and DC, with 20 amps current. The SNAKOL listing gives 2 volts to 600 volts. The AstroAI listing gives a voltage range in its bullets, and it counts 2000 counts on the display.

3. Display counts. The counts describe the display’s resolution. The UNI-T listing gives 6000 counts and auto ranging, and the AstroAI listing gives 2000 counts. Higher counts mean finer steps on the display, but the listing does not state the accuracy for each count. For meters that switch ranges on their own, the auto ranging digital multimeter guide covers that feature.

4. Warranty and parts. The AstroAI listing gives a three-year warranty, and the Fluke listing names a manufacturer warranty. The UNI-T listing includes a K-type thermocouple, according to the included components. The SNAKOL included-components field reads no, which is a field error. Check the box contents on the product page before you buy.

Use these rules to choose:

• Choose the Fluke 17B+ if you want a CAT III 600 volt rating, a 1000 volt voltage range and a manufacturer warranty.
• Choose the UNI-T UT133A if you want auto ranging, 6000 counts and a thermocouple.
• Choose the DEASOMIYE meter if you want the highest current range in this group, with a stated CAT II and CAT III rating.
• Choose the AstroAI meter if you want a three-year warranty and a standard 2000-count display, and you do not need a CAT rating.
• Choose the SNAKOL pen only if you need a simple voltage pen, and you accept that the listing states no safety category.

The five meters in detail

Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter

The Fluke 17B+ is a CAT III 600 volt meter, according to the specs and bullets. It measures AC and DC voltage up to 1000 volts, and current up to 10 amps. It also measures resistance, continuity, diode and capacitance. The included components are the meter, a TL75 test lead set and a K-type probe. The item weighs 470 grams and is battery powered. The listing gives a manufacturer warranty.

This meter fits a reader who wants a recognized brand, a stated CAT III rating and a voltage range that reaches 1000 volts. The manufacturer warranty is stated in the listing.

The limits are these. The listing gives the CAT III rating as 600 volts, while the voltage range is 1000 volts. The category and the voltage range are different figures, and both are stated, so read the manual for the category that applies to your circuit. The listing does not state a warranty length. Skip this meter if you need a warranty term, or a lighter meter.

UNI-T UT133A Digital Multimeter

The UNI-T UT133A is a palm-sized meter with auto ranging and 6000 counts. The listing gives AC and DC voltage up to 600 volts, and AC and DC current up to 10 amps. It measures capacitance, frequency and temperature, and it includes a K-type thermocouple. The specs list an item weight of 16 ounces and a safety specification of IEC. The bullets say the meter is IEC rated CAT III 600 volts, and it gives an overload alarm and a low battery indicator.

This meter fits a reader who wants auto ranging, a high count display and a thermocouple for temperature readings. The CAT III rating is stated in the bullets.

The limits are practical. The listing gives 600 volts for voltage, which is lower than the Fluke and DEASOMIYE ranges. The specs list the number of items as six, while the included components list fewer pieces, so check the box contents. The listing does not state a warranty term. Skip this meter if you need a voltage range above 600 volts, or a stated warranty.

DEASOMIYE True RMS Digital Multimeter with NCV

The DEASOMIYE meter is a true RMS multimeter with auto ranging. The listing gives 1000 volts AC and DC voltage, 20 amps AC and DC current, and 60 megohms of resistance. It includes non-contact voltage testing and live wire detection. The specs list CAT II and CAT III ratings. The item weighs 1.3 pounds, and it is battery powered. The included components are the test leads.

This meter fits a reader who wants the highest current range in this group, a true RMS reading and a non-contact voltage check. The stated CAT II and CAT III ratings are a clear safety category.

The limits are these. The included-components field lists only test leads, so check whether the meter, the batteries and the manual are in the box. The listing gives no warranty term. The non-contact function is a check for live wires, not a measurement, so the meter’s voltage reading still needs its leads. Skip this meter if you want a lighter tool or a stated warranty.

AstroAI Digital Multimeter with 2000 Counts

The AstroAI meter is a 2000-count multimeter with AC and DC voltage, DC current, resistance and diode functions. The specs give IEC 61010 as the specification met, and a three-year warranty by AstroAI. The included components are the meter and a 9-volt battery. The item weighs 0.15 kilograms. The bullets describe a backlit LCD and a sampling speed of two times per second.

This meter fits a reader who wants a three-year warranty, a standard 2000-count display and the battery included in the box. The IEC rating is the standard the listing names.

The limits are the gaps. The listing does not state a CAT category, so you cannot check the meter’s safety rating for a specific circuit from the listing. The voltage range is not given as a single figure in the specs. The bullets describe the meter as accurate, which is the maker’s statement. Skip this meter if you need a CAT rating stated on the listing, or a voltage range printed in the specs.

SNAKOL Pen-Type Digital Multimeter Voltage Tester with NCV

The SNAKOL listing is a pen-type voltage tester that the title calls a digital multimeter. The bullets say it works as a multimeter and as a voltage test pen. It measures AC and DC voltage from 2 volts to 600 volts, and resistance from 4 kilohms to 40 megohms. It includes a continuity buzzer and non-contact voltage detection, which the bullets say shows an analog bar when the tip is near a live conductor. The item is battery powered.

This pen fits a reader who wants a simple voltage check and a non-contact indication in one small tool. Its voltage range is stated as 2 to 600 volts.

The limits are real. The listing states no CAT rating and no IEC rating, so the safety category cannot be checked from the listing. The included-components field reads no, which is a field error, so check the box contents. A pen is not a substitute for a full meter with leads for a circuit measurement. Skip this pen if you need a CAT rating or a stated warranty.

Worked example: how far the rating sits above the circuit voltage

Compare that voltage with the listed voltage range of two meters, so you can see the margin each one gives.

• Fluke 17B+ voltage range: 1000 volts. 1000 minus 240 = 760 volts of range above the circuit voltage.
• UNI-T UT133A voltage range: 600 volts. 600 minus 240 = 360 volts of range above the circuit voltage.

Check each step again. 1000 minus 240 is 760. 600 minus 240 is 360.

The example shows that both meters cover 240 volts with room to spare, but the margin is not the same. The voltage range is only part of the choice. The CAT category tells you what kind of circuit the meter is rated for, and that is a separate figure. Read the category on the listing, and check the manual before you measure any circuit.

Five common mistakes

1. Choosing by voltage range alone. The CAT category is a separate rating, and the Fluke listing states both.
2. Assuming a rating is stated when it is not. The AstroAI and SNAKOL listings give no CAT category.
3. Trusting the included components field. The SNAKOL field reads no, and the DEASOMIYE field lists only test leads.
4. Confusing counts with accuracy. The UNI-T counts are 6000, but the listing does not state the accuracy for each count.
5. Treating non-contact detection as a measurement. The NCV function indicates a live wire, and it does not give a voltage reading.

Safety and the source

The source explains CAT categories as a method for classifying live circuits used in measurement. It describes CAT II as circuits directly connected to the low-voltage installation, and CAT IV as the source of the high-voltage installation. Those descriptions help you match a meter’s rating to the circuit you measure, but they do not replace the instrument manual.

This site does not present these meters as a substitute for a licensed electrician. For a home-use choice, the digital multimeter for home use guide compares that case, and the hand-held digital multimeter guide covers handheld models. Follow the instrument manual and your local electrical rules. If a circuit is outside your experience, ask a licensed electrician before you measure it.

FAQ

What does CAT III mean on a multimeter?

CAT III is a measurement category. The source describes the categories as a way to classify live circuits used in measurement, with higher categories for circuits closer to the source of the installation. Check the listing and the manual for the category that applies to your circuit.

Which meter has the highest voltage range?

The Fluke 17B+ and the DEASOMIYE meter both list 1000 volts. The UNI-T lists 600 volts, and the SNAKOL pen lists 600 volts.

Do these meters come with batteries?

The AstroAI listing includes a 9-volt battery. The other listings name batteries less clearly, so check the box contents on the product page.

Which meter has a warranty?

Warranty terms differ across the set: AstroAI states three years, Fluke names only a manufacturer warranty, and the other listings give no term.

Can I use the pen to measure voltage?

The SNAKOL pen measures voltage from 2 to 600 volts, and it has non-contact detection. A pen is a simpler tool than a full meter with leads, and the listing states no safety category. Follow the manual before you use it on a circuit.

What does non-contact detection do?

The listings describe non-contact voltage detection as a check for a live wire, not a measurement. Use it as an indication, and use the meter’s leads for a reading.

Bottom line

For a voltage check with a stated CAT III rating and a brand-name meter, the Fluke 17B+ is the clearest choice in this group. The UNI-T UT133A suits a reader who wants auto ranging and 6000 counts. The DEASOMIYE meter suits a reader who wants a high current range with CAT II and CAT III ratings. The AstroAI meter suits a reader who wants a three-year warranty but does not need a CAT rating. The SNAKOL pen suits a simple check only. Before measuring any circuit, read the CAT rating on the listing, follow the manual, and follow your local electrical rules.

Sources

• Measurement category, Wikipedia: the IEC classification of live circuits, CAT II for circuits connected to the low-voltage installation, and CAT IV for the source of the high-voltage installation.