Looking for the best value when purchasing a multimeter? It is important to select a meter that will give you the features, accuracy, and reliability that you need at a price point you can afford.
No Fluke meter? No problem.
If money were no object, the team here at MM Expert would generally recommend Fluke Multimeters all day long.
After all, they are the market leader in the Diagnostic and Tester tools arena and for good reason – they generally produce high quality products that are both highly accurate and very reliable.
They’ve also been around for a long time and they stand behind their products – Fluke provides a limited lifetime warranty on all of their Industrial Products.
Unfortunately, Fluke products also carry a premium price tag. Fluke meters have a reputation for being the choice of professionals and you definitely pay a bit extra when you buy one because of that fact.
Thus, we will not be considering Fluke meters in this article. Don’t misunderstand – it’s not that Fluke products aren’t worth the price. But if you’ve stumbled across this page, you are obviously looking to get the best value in a multimeter.
We define value as getting a quality/reliable tool with the features you need at the best price possible. The markup you pay for the Fluke name diminishes this value.
So with that in mind, we’ve looked high and low to find a product that is well made, reliable, accurate, feature-rich, and not too pricey.
Our recommendation – Best Multimeter for the Money: Innova 3340
Innova 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter
- Professional Automotive Multimeter designed to help pinpoint engine problems - UL Certified Product
- Tests alternator diodes, duty cycle, solenoids, breaker points, wiring, switches, and more
- Temperature probe, inductive RPM clamp and carrying case included
- Features auto-ranging, auto shut-off and over-load protection
- Includes test lead holders for hands-free protection
Read our full review of this meter here.
Selection Criteria
We used the following selection criteria in chosing the Innova 3340.
- Construction Quality – Is it built to last with quality components?
- Innova Meters are highly regarded as being well-built with ruggedized construction to withstand abuse.
- Sampling customer reviews reveals a very low failure rate.
- Reviews/Ratings – Are people who’ve bought this Multimeter happy with it?
- Exceptional ratings and reviews by a large number of users on Amazon shows that others agree with our evaluation of this meter.
- Features – Does this meter support a large number of features?
- The 3340 boasts a long list of features that will appease novice to professional, and everyone in between.
- This meter also features additional automotive-related features such as inductive RPM and temperature measurement. It is an appropriate choice for DIY electronics hobbyists, homeowners, auto mechanics, HVAC/electrical technicians, and beginners alike.
- See the Innova Website for a full list of features supported by the 3340.
- Safety Rating – Is this meter certified in any way?
- The Innova 3340 is a Category II device as defined by the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) 1010 standards.
- Support from the Manufacturer – Does the manufacturer stand behind the product?
- Innova includes a 1-year warranty on the Multimeter and also provides a lot of helpful product documentation and FAQ’s on their website.
- They also provide web-based and phone-based support as needed.
Innova 3340 Features and common tasks that you can accomplish with it
- Test household batteries to see if they are still good or if it’s time to replace them.
- Checking to see if an outlet is live.
- Test a Car Battery.
- Check for continuity on a circuit or on phone/network wiring.
- Checking voltage, current, or resistance.
- Testing old extension cords.
- Testing old light bulbs.
Great Value: A quality, accurate meter at a good price
Although it retails for about $150, the Innova 3340 is usually available on Amazon for much less than that. Check the link below to see the current price (it fluctuates, so we don’t publish it here). The price point on Amazon is usually roughly half of what a simiarly equipped Fluke meter would cost.
Innova 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter
- Professional Automotive Multimeter designed to help pinpoint engine problems - UL Certified Product
- Tests alternator diodes, duty cycle, solenoids, breaker points, wiring, switches, and more
- Temperature probe, inductive RPM clamp and carrying case included
- Features auto-ranging, auto shut-off and over-load protection
- Includes test lead holders for hands-free protection
Again, if you wish to check out our full review of the Innova 3340, click here.
