Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
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A bench hardness tester is fine for samples that come to the lab. Field inspection - installed pipework, weld HAZ assessment, in-service plant components - needs a portable hardness tester. Two technologies dominate: Leeb rebound (for large or heavy parts) and UCI ultrasonic contact impedance (for thin sections and weld toes). This workshop will cover the best models available in the UK for 2026, ranging from budget options under £500 to high-end units over £3,000. We’ll focus on practical features such as durability, ease of use, and data logging capabilities that matter most in a real-world setting.
How we picked these
- Test method: Leeb rebound (D-probe most common) for parts >2kg / >5mm thick. UCI for thin sections, gear teeth, and weld HAZ.
- Accuracy: ±4 HL for Leeb (typical ±15 HB equivalent). UCI is more accurate on small parts (±5 HV).
- Conversion: must convert between HL → HB / HRC / HV / HRB. ASTM E140 conversion tables built in.
- Probe options: D (general), DC (confined space), DL (long), G (large cast iron), C (small parts) - match probe to part geometry.
- Calibration: traceable calibration block (HLD 760 ±15 typical) ships with the unit. Re-cal annually.
Reviewed picks
Phase II PHT-2500 (Leeb D-probe)
Price: £400-£550 | Best for: entry trade portable hardness tester
The PHT-2500 from LeeSpring is a reliable entry-level portable hardness tester for UK workshops, priced between £400 and £550. It features ASTM E140 conversion built-in, making it handy for quick on-site measurements with its Leeb D-probe. However, it lacks data export functionality and additional probes must be purchased separately.
| Method | Leeb rebound |
|---|
| Probe | D-type included |
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| Range | 170-960 HL (~80 HB to 70 HRC) |
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| Accuracy | ±4 HL |
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| Calibration block | Included |
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Pros
- Sub-£550 trade-grade
- ASTM E140 conversion built in
- US brand with UK distribution
Cons
- D-probe only - additional probes are extra
- No data export
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Check Phase II PHT-2500 (Leeb D-probe) on Amazon UK →
TIME 5310 (Leeb D-probe)
Price: £200-£300 | Best for: budget Leeb tester for occasional inspection
The TIME 5310 Leeb D-probe offers a budget-friendly option for occasional hardness testing with its sub-£300 price tag and ASTM E140 conversion feature. Weighing in at just over 200 grams, it fits snugly in your pocket. However, its ±6 HL accuracy might not satisfy those requiring higher precision, and the Chinese brand may raise eyebrows among UK trade buyers prioritising corporate trust.
| Method | Leeb rebound |
|---|
| Probe | D-type |
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| Range | 170-960 HL |
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| Accuracy | ±6 HL |
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| Calibration block | Included |
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Pros
- Sub-£300 entry
- ASTM E140 conversion
- Pocket-sized
Cons
- ±6 HL accuracy (vs Phase II ±4)
- Chinese brand, less corporate trust
Proceq Equotip Live D
Price: £2,800-£3,500 | Best for: professional metallurgy / weld QA
The Proceq Equotip Live D is a top-tier portable hardness tester using Leeb rebound method with ±2 HL accuracy and Bluetooth data transfer to cloud reports. Priced at £2,800-£3,500, it excels in professional metallurgy and weld quality assurance. As the original creator of the Leeb method, Proceq offers unmatched precision, though its premium cost and subscription-based cloud service are notable drawbacks.
| Method | Leeb rebound |
|---|
| Probe | D + multiple optional |
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| Range | Full Leeb |
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| Accuracy | ±2 HL |
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| Data | Bluetooth + cloud |
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Pros
- Proceq is the Leeb-method originator
- ±2 HL accuracy
- Bluetooth + cloud reports
Cons
- Premium price
- Cloud platform is subscription
Krautkramer Microdur MIC 10 (UCI)
Price: £3,500-£4,500 | Best for: weld HAZ and thin-section professional QA
The Krautkramer Microdur MIC 10 (UCI) is a top-tier portable hardness tester for professional quality assurance tasks in the UK, priced between £3,500 and £4,500. It excels with its UCI ultrasonic method, offering exceptional accuracy on thin sections like weld HAZ areas. However, users must employ precise probe technique to achieve reliable results.
| Method | UCI ultrasonic |
|---|
| Range | 20-1740 HV |
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| Accuracy | ±5 HV (HV1) |
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| Probes | 1N to 50N optional |
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| Data | USB + integrated printer |
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Pros
- UCI method - accurate on thin sections
- Krautkramer (Baker Hughes) trade reputation
- Multiple probe loads
Cons
- UCI requires careful probe technique
- Most expensive on the list
TIME 5350 (UCI portable)
Price: £600-£900 | Best for: budget UCI for thin-section work
The TIME 5350 (UCI portable) offers a budget-friendly UCI hardness testing solution for thin sections at £600 to £900. It integrates a keypad and display with USB export capability, making data transfer straightforward. However, its accuracy of ±8% is less precise than Krautkramer's ±5 HV, and it comes with only one probe load setting.
| Method | UCI ultrasonic |
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| Range | 20-1740 HV |
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| Accuracy | ±8% (HV) |
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| Probes | 10N standard |
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| Data | USB |
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Pros
- UCI capability at sub-£900
- Integrated keypad and display
- USB export
Cons
- ±8% accuracy vs Krautkramer ±5 HV
- Single probe load
Phase II PHT-1800 (D + DC probes)
Price: £900-£1,200 | Best for: professional Leeb with confined-space probe
The Phase II PHT-1800 offers professional Leeb hardness testing with D and DC probes included, covering a full range with ±4 HL accuracy. At £900 to £1,200, it features USB data logging for easy results transfer. While its probe kit is handy, the interface feels less slick compared to Proceq models.
| Method | Leeb rebound |
|---|
| Probes | D + DC included |
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| Range | Full Leeb |
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| Accuracy | ±4 HL |
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| Data | USB + memory |
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Pros
- D + DC probes in one kit
- USB data logging
- Phase II UK distribution
Cons
- Less polished UI than Proceq
- More to carry
Check Phase II PHT-1800 (D + DC probes) on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (Leeb) | Phase II PHT-2500 - entry trade Leeb tester at sub-£550 |
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| Best professional Leeb | Proceq Equotip Live D - ±2 HL accuracy, cloud reports |
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| Best UCI (thin section) | Krautkramer Microdur MIC 10 - weld HAZ and gear-tooth professional |
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| Best budget Leeb | TIME 5310 - sub-£300 for occasional inspection |
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| Best budget UCI | TIME 5350 - UCI capability at sub-£900 |
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| Best multi-probe Leeb | Phase II PHT-1800 - D + DC probes with USB logging |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
Leeb or UCI - which method do I need?
Leeb rebound (D-probe) is for parts >2kg and >5mm thick - installed pipework, structural steel, large castings. UCI ultrasonic is for thin sections, weld HAZ, gear teeth, and bearings. Most field inspectors carry both methods; if you only buy one start with Leeb D-probe (Phase II PHT-2500).
What's the minimum part size for Leeb hardness testing?
ASTM A956 requires the part to weigh at least 5kg or be clamped to a 5kg support block. Parts 2-5kg can be tested with care but readings are unreliable on thin sections (the impact rebounds off the steel beneath, not the surface). For 0.5-2mm parts use UCI instead.
Phase II or Proceq - is the £2,500 premium worth it?
For occasional weld QA / spot-check inspection - no, the Phase II PHT-2500 is plenty. For continuous QA work where the data feeds into MTC certificates, the Proceq Equotip Live D is the trade standard with ±2 HL accuracy and full audit trail through the cloud platform.
How accurate is conversion from HL to HRC or HB?
Conversion uses ASTM E140 tables - accuracy depends on the material. For carbon and low-alloy steels: ±2 HRC typical. For stainless or non-ferrous: conversion is less reliable, calibrate against a hardness block of the actual material grade.
Do I need calibration certificates for hardness reports?
For ISO 9001 / EN 10204 3.1 reports - yes. The tester ships with a NPL-traceable calibration block (typically 760 HLD ±15). Re-calibrate annually and after any drop. Proceq cloud platform auto-tracks calibration dates; standalone testers (Phase II, TIME) need a calibration log spreadsheet.
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