Can this $25 multimeter hold its own against my $250 unit? I put it to the test

2 hours ago 5

Neoteck TS20D 3-in-1 pen-type multimeter

ZDNET's key takeaways

The Neoteck Pen Multimeter is available now for $22.79.
It handles all the functions you'd find in a full-sized multimeter, with a large LCD and a simple button-driven interface.
It doesn't handle amperage readings.

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If you make a living with your tools, you need them to handle day-to-day usage. The problem is, pro-grade, high-end tools are pricey and can be out of the reach of the amateur DIYer. As far as multimeters go, I like the Pokit Pro meter. It's a compact pen-type multimeter that connects to a smartphone and does everything that I need from a multimeter.

But, it's $250. That's a lot of cash for a tool that might get used a few times a year.

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This is why I've been on the lookout for a cheap yet decent multimeter. One with all the features and is accurate enough for the DIYer, and something that's not going to stop working or blow up. That's not as easy as it sounds, because I've tested a handful of them, and most of them just never made the grade.

But one did: the Neoteck TS20D 3-in-1 pen-type multimeter.

This is a compact multimeter that handles all the basics — AC/DC voltages, resistance, diode test, non-contact voltage testing, and capacitance -- as well as a few advanced features such as ambient temperature, AC frequency, and live and phase sequence identification.

The unit is a 6,000 count, so it offers a higher level of resolution compared to cheaper 3,000 or 4,000 count units, allowing it to show values to three decimal places down at 6V, as opposed to two.

The Neoteck TS20D next to the Pokit Pro.

Accuracy for the unit is listed as ±1% for AC voltages and ±0.8% for DC voltage, which is more than accurate enough for most people's needs. I rarely need greater accuracy than this, and if I do, I'll switch to my oscilloscope.

About the only thing it doesn't do is handle amperage readings, and for this task, I prefer a clamp-type meter than a probe because that eliminates the chances of blowing up the meter.

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The unit is marked up as being CAT II rated to 600V, so it can handle mains voltage found in domestic environments. UK mains voltage is 230V average (which means a peak voltage in the region of 325V), and it had no problem handling this.

The prong covers help eliminate contact with high voltage.

The prongs on the TS20D have a variety of insulators that you can use to limit the possibility of inadvertent exposure to live voltages.

There are three controls on the side of the TS20D for switching between the settings, and the relevant information is displayed on a high-contrast LCD panel. The numbers on this panel are large and clear, but some of the test is on the small side, so if your eyes are a little old, it might leave you squinting a bit.

Rated to 600V, so it's safe for mains voltages.

On the front, there's a built-in LED for illuminating the way and helping you make sure that you're not probing the wrong thing or inadvertently probing something live with your finger.

The TS20D comes with a few accessories in the way of clips and fine probes, and there's a carry pouch to keep everything together. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries (supplied), but you do need to find a tiny crosspoint screwdriver to open the battery compartment (and be mindful not to lose that tiny screw, because it's not captive and can fall out).

ZDNET's buying advice

For around $25, the Neoteck TS20D is a fully-featured, well-made, and decently accurate tool that will handle most multimeter-related tasks. It's small enough to drop into a pocket or toolbox, durable enough to handle household tasks, and the batteries will last a good year.

I like my Pokit Pro, especially the way that art connects to my smartphone, but the TS20D does pretty much everything I need a multimeter to do.

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