Best Ideal Amp Meter
Best Ideal Amp Meter: Three Ideal Clamp Meters Compared
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If you need an ideal amp meter, the three Ideal clamp meters in our catalog that measure current through the jaws are the 61-737, the 61-747 and the 61-757. The 61-737 is a 400 A AC true-RMS clamp with voltage and non-contact detection. The 61-747 is a TightSight clamp rated to 400 A with a CAT III 600 V rating. The 61-757 is the largest of the three, a 600 A TightSight clamp with a flashlight. All three are battery-powered and read the current without breaking the circuit.
How we chose
We searched our product list for Ideal clamp meters. Three items matched: the 61-737, the 61-747 and the 61-757. Other Ideal items in the list, such as the SureTrace ISC-950 inductive sensing clamp, are tracing tools rather than amp meters, so we left them out. The Ideal listings in our catalog do not include a current clamp under 400 A, so this guide covers only those three models.
For each model we read at least one retailer or Amazon page in full. The Amazon listings for the 61-737 and 61-757 and the gexpro page for the 61-747 gave us the current ranges, voltage ratings, CAT rating and feature lists. The gerrie page for the 61-757 gave us a second read on the same model. Where two sources disagree, we say so below. We left out prices, customer ratings and warranty length because those change often and are not needed to choose between these meters.
Quick answer
- Ideal 61-737: 400 A AC clamp, 600 V AC/DC, true RMS, non-contact voltage detection from 40 V to 600 V, a backlit display and a probe tip holder. The simplest of the three.
- Ideal 61-747: 400 A AC and DC clamp, 600 V AC and DC, CAT III 600 V, TightSight dual display with a built-in flashlight.
- Ideal 61-757: 600 A clamp with 1000 V test-lead ratings in the Amazon listing, CAT IV 600 V and CAT III 1000 V, TightSight display and a K-type temperature input.
Ideal 61-737: a compact 400 A AC clamp
The 61-737 is the model to consider if you mainly measure AC current on motors, feeders and branch circuits up to 400 A. The Amazon listing states that it measures up to 400 A AC, 600 V AC and DC, frequency, resistance, continuity, capacitance, diodes and temperature. It describes true-RMS readings for non-linear signals, which matter on variable-frequency drives and electronic loads.
The listing also describes non-contact voltage sensing with an LED and audible alert for voltages from 40 V to 600 V. The display is backlit, and the meter has a built-in probe tip holder and a hanging strap clip for one-handed work. The package includes test leads, a K-type thermocouple, AAA batteries and a storage pouch with a belt loop.
We did not confirm a CAT rating for the 61-737 on a page we read in full, so check the printed label on the meter before use.
Who the 61-737 suits
Choose the 61-737 for routine maintenance, service calls and checks on lighting or small equipment. It is the least expensive path to a true-RMS clamp that also detects voltage without contact.
Ideal 61-747: TightSight with AC and DC current
The 61-747 is a TightSight clamp that reads current in both AC and DC. The gexpro page lists 400 A AC and DC through the clamp head, and 600 V AC and DC for voltage through the test leads. It gives CAT III 600 V as its rating and describes non-contact voltage detection from 40 V to 600 V through a sensor in the right tip of the clamp.
The TightSight display puts a second reading at the bottom of the meter, so you can read it without bending the conductor or leaning toward the panel. Both displays are backlit, and the meter has a built-in flashlight for dark spaces. The gexpro page lists HOLD, MIN/MAX, relative, zero, range and auto power-off functions, and a probe tip holder for one-handed measurement.
The gexpro page conflicts with itself on the current range. Its overview says 400 A, while the page title and catalog text say 0 to 600 A. We state 400 A because it appears in the specification area, and we recommend confirming the rating in the printed manual before you buy for a high-current job.
Who the 61-747 suits
Choose the 61-747 if you measure DC current, such as on battery banks or DC drives, or if you often work in poor light and want the flashlight. The DC function is the main difference from the 61-737.
Ideal 61-757: the 600 A TightSight
The 61-757 is the top model in this group. The Amazon listing states that it measures 0 to 600 A AC and DC, 0 to 1000 V AC and DC, with UL certification at CAT IV 600 V and CAT III 1000 V. The gerrie page confirms the CAT IV 600 V and CAT III 1000 V rating and a 600 A AC rating, but it does not list a DC current rating. That is the main difference between the two sources: Amazon says AC and DC current, while gerrie lists AC only. Confirm the DC rating in the manual before using the meter for DC current.
The Amazon listing also describes a low impedance AC voltage mode (Lo Z) that reduces false readings from ghost voltages, a 6.6-foot (2 m) drop rating from the over-molded case, and a flashlight and dual backlit displays. It includes a soft case, test leads, batteries and a K-type thermocouple for temperature readings.
Who the 61-757 suits
Choose the 61-757 for high-current feeders, service entrances and larger motor loads where 400 A is not enough headroom. Its 1000 V rating on the CAT III side also suits work on higher-voltage equipment.
What we could not verify
- We did not find a full product datasheet for any of the three meters that we could open in our session. The figures above come from Amazon, gexpro and gerrie listings, and the manuals should be checked before you rely on them.
- The 61-747 current rating conflicts between its overview and title (400 A versus 600 A). We state 400 A and flag the conflict.
- The 61-757 DC current rating is listed on Amazon but not on the gerrie page.
- The CAT rating of the 61-737 was not confirmed on a page we fully read.
- Non-contact voltage thresholds are listed as 40 V to 600 V for all three models, which matches each source we read.
Tips before you buy
Check the jaw size against the conductor you measure, since the jaw opening is the main limit on which cables you can clamp. Read the CAT rating on the meter itself, use the correct test lead category for the circuit, and never clamp around a bare conductor on a live panel without the right training and PPE. Our guide on how a current clamp works explains why true-RMS matters on distorted waveforms, and our page on Klein non-contact voltage detectors covers a related tool for voltage checks.
FAQ
Is an ideal amp meter the same as a clamp meter?
Yes. People searching for an ideal amp meter usually mean an Ideal clamp meter, a tool that measures current by clamping around a conductor.
Which Ideal clamp meter reads DC current?
The 61-747 and the 61-757 both list DC current in their Amazon listings. The 61-747 gexpro page lists AC and DC current. The gerrie page for the 61-757 lists AC only, so confirm the DC rating for that model in the manual.
Do these meters detect voltage without contact?
All three list a non-contact voltage sensor that detects voltage from 40 V to 600 V.
What batteries do they use?
The Amazon listings show AAA batteries for these meters, and the listings say batteries are included. Check the battery compartment on your unit.
Sources
- Amazon listing, Ideal 61-737 Digital AC Clamp Meter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JY2D8S6 (opened 2026-10-29)
- Amazon listing, Ideal 61-757 TightSight Clamp Meter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H2JCXZP (opened 2026-10-29)
- gexpro listing, Ideal 61-747 400A AC/DC TightSight Clamp Meter: https://www.gexpro.com/p/1806709/ideal/400a-ac-dc-tightsight-clamp-meter/783250810260/61-747 (opened 2026-10-29)
- Gerrie listing, Ideal 61-757 TightSight Digital Clamp Meter: https://www.gerrie.com/Product/IDEAL-61-757 (opened 2026-10-29)
