Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
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A £20 multimeter from a high-street DIY rack reads voltage to within 5%, has no fuse, and lasts about a year. The Fluke 87V on the next bench is the industry reference instrument - and it costs twenty times as much for reasons that matter when you're measuring an industrial inverter. In this workshop, we'll look at multimeters ranging from basic models under £30 to high-end units over £500, focusing on accuracy, durability, and features like auto-ranging and data logging. Whether you need a reliable tool for everyday tasks or a precision instrument for complex diagnostics, understanding the differences between entry-level Fluke 11 series, mid-range Klein K-172, and top-tier models such as the Extech 380253 can save your workshop time and money in the long run.
How we picked these
- Safety category: trade picks must be CAT III 600V minimum, CAT IV 600V for switchgear work. CAT II is bench-only.
- True-RMS: required for measuring anything other than a perfect sine wave - VFDs, switch-mode supplies, dimmed lighting all need true-RMS to read accurately.
- Fuse: HRC-rated fuses on both current ranges. Cheap meters use ceramic body but glass element - these fail unsafely under fault.
- Burden voltage: meters with sub-100mV burden voltage on low current ranges (Fluke 117, Brymen BM235) don't disturb the circuit under test.
- Display: 6000-count minimum for trade use, 50,000-count for lab work.
- Calibration: UKAS option available on Fluke and Brymen, £45-£90 extra.
Reviewed picks
Fluke 87V (Industrial)
Price: £420-£540 | Best for: industrial maintenance, motor drives, switchgear
The Fluke 87V is a stalwart in industrial maintenance, priced at £420 to £540. Boasting CAT IV 600V safety and twenty-year build quality, it's a reference instrument for professionals dealing with motor drives and switchgear. However, its premium price tag makes it overkill for hobbyist electronics.
| Counts | 20,000 |
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| Safety | CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V |
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| Accuracy | ±0.05% DC V |
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| True-RMS | Yes |
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| Display | Digital + analogue bargraph |
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Pros
- Industry reference instrument
- CAT IV 600V safety
- Twenty-year build quality
- 0.05% DC accuracy
Cons
- Premium price
- Overkill for hobbyist electronics
Check Fluke 87V (Industrial) on Amazon UK →
Fluke 117 (Electrician)
Price: £220-£280 | Best for: domestic and commercial electrician daily driver
The Fluke 117 is a reliable choice for UK electricians at £220 to £280. It boasts an auto-ranging feature that eliminates AC/DC switching and includes a non-contact voltage detector. However, its 6,000 counts resolution may fall short for precise bench work, and it only meets CAT III safety standards, not the higher CAT IV.
| Counts | 6,000 |
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| Safety | CAT III 600V |
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| Accuracy | ±0.5% DC V |
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| True-RMS | Yes |
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| Display | Backlit LCD |
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Pros
- Non-contact voltage detector built-in
- AutoVolt - no AC/DC switching
- Trade-respected brand
Cons
- 6000 counts not enough for some bench work
- CAT III 600V not CAT IV
Check Fluke 117 (Electrician) on Amazon UK →
Klein Tools MM700 (Trade)
Price: £100-£140 | Best for: US-brand electrician at trade pricing
The Klein Tools MM700 (Trade) is a robust multimeter priced between £100 and £140, offering CAT IV 600V safety at half the cost of Fluke models. It features true-RMS readings and a drop-tested durability to 10 feet, plus a handy silicone holster. However, it lacks the extensive UK service network of Fluke and has a lower resale value.
| Counts | 6,000 |
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| Safety | CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V |
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| Accuracy | ±0.5% DC V |
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| True-RMS | Yes |
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| Display | Backlit |
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Pros
- CAT IV 600V at half the Fluke price
- Drop-tested to 10ft
- Robust silicone holster
Cons
- Less UK service network than Fluke
- Resale value lower
Check Klein Tools MM700 (Trade) on Amazon UK →
Brymen BM235 (Engineer)
Price: £130-£180 | Best for: EEVblog-recommended electronics engineer choice
The Brymen BM235 is a solid choice for electronics engineers, favoured by EEVblog for its precise 6,000-count readings and low burden voltage of just 1mV/μA. At £130 to £180, it offers robust build quality but comes with the caveat of being a lesser-known Taiwanese brand in UK workshops. Safety-wise, it’s CAT III 600V compliant, though some may prefer higher safety ratings.
| Counts | 6,000 |
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| Safety | CAT III 600V |
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| Accuracy | ±0.5% DC V |
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| True-RMS | Yes |
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| Display | Backlit + bargraph |
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Pros
- Low burden voltage (1mV/μA)
- Excellent build for the price
- Loved by electronics engineers
Cons
- Taiwan brand - less name recognition in trade
- CAT III only
Check Brymen BM235 (Engineer) on Amazon UK →
Keysight U1241C (Lab-Portable)
Price: £330-£430 | Best for: field engineer + lab calibration crossover
The Keysight U1241C is a solid choice for field engineers and lab techs needing precision in their work. With an OLED display visible even in bright sunlight and Bluetooth data logging, it stands out. At £330 to £430, it offers good value but can be tricky to its menu compared to more common UK trade models.
| Counts | 10,000 |
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| Safety | CAT III 600V |
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| Accuracy | ±0.09% DC V |
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| True-RMS | Yes |
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| Display | OLED |
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Pros
- OLED visible in sunlight
- Keysight (formerly HP/Agilent) heritage
- Bluetooth data logging
Cons
- Less common in UK electrical trade
- Slightly fiddly menu
Check Keysight U1241C (Lab-Portable) on Amazon UK →
Aneng AN8008 (Maker)
Price: £25-£40 | Best for: maker / hobbyist / spare bench meter
The Aneng AN8008 is a solid choice for makers and hobbyists on a budget, priced between £25 and £40. It boasts 9,999 counts and true-RMS functionality, making it handy for various projects. However, its safety rating hasn't been independently verified, and the cheap fuses should be swapped out before tackling mains work. Not suitable for trade certification tasks.
| Counts | 9,999 |
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| Safety | CAT III 600V (claimed) |
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| Accuracy | ±0.5% DC V |
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| True-RMS | Yes |
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| Display | Backlit |
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Pros
- £25 entry price
- 9999 counts at the price
- True-RMS
Cons
- Safety rating not independently verified
- Cheap fuses - replace before using on mains
- Not for trade certification work
Check Aneng AN8008 (Maker) on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (industrial) | Fluke 87V - the reference instrument for industrial maintenance |
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| Best electrician's daily driver | Fluke 117 - AutoVolt + non-contact detection, CAT III 600V |
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| Best engineer's value pick | Brymen BM235 - low burden voltage, electronics-engineer favourite |
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| Best US-brand alternative | Klein MM700 - CAT IV 600V at Fluke 117 money |
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| Best lab-portable | Keysight U1241C - 0.09% accuracy, OLED display |
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| Best budget / maker | Aneng AN8008 - £25, true-RMS, fine for bench work but never trade |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
Why does Fluke cost five times a generic multimeter?
The £400+ Fluke price reflects CAT IV 600V certified safety (HRC fuses, internal arc protection, certified test leads), 0.05% accuracy across the range, and a service life measured in decades. A £30 meter on a 415V supply that arcs internally can injure you. The Fluke is insurance as much as instrumentation.
Do I need true-RMS for AC measurements?
Yes if you're measuring anything that isn't a perfect 50Hz sine wave - VFD outputs, switch-mode power supply rails, dimmed lighting, anything with significant harmonics. Average-responding meters under-read these by 10-40%.
What does CAT III vs CAT IV mean?
Measurement category - the higher the number, the larger the available fault current. CAT II is wall-socket / appliance circuits. CAT III is distribution board / fixed installation. CAT IV is upstream of the meter / grid-side. CAT IV 600V is required for service-entrance switchgear work.
Is Fluke or Klein better for UK electricians?
Both are CAT IV 600V. Fluke has a longer UK trade history and better resale. Klein is newer to UK but offers similar specs at lower prices. Fluke 117 vs Klein MM700 at the same money - Fluke for resale, Klein for spec-per-pound.
Why is the Aneng AN8008 not for trade work?
Two reasons. First, its CAT III 600V rating isn't independently certified - internal fuse and lead quality may not survive a fault. Second, no insurance or building-control inspector will accept an Aneng-certified measurement. Fine for bench electronics, not for any work that needs to be signed off.
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