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A clamp meter is a versatile device that combines a basic digital multimeter with a current sensor.
A suitable clamp meter gives you accurate voltage and current measurements, can check diodes and continuity, gives high protection rating and long battery life. This results in quick, hassle-free work.
On the other hand, a poorly made clamp meter will be frequently faulty; the battery will run out and may even show you the wrong text. Not fun.
To assist you find the best clamp meter for your needs – we’ve reviewed the top ten clamp meters for 2021 regardless of your budget – we’ve got the meter for you.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Clamp Meter
Fluke digital Clamp Meter – Best Overall
Our popular clamp meter on this list is the Fluke 323 Clamp Meter, a special meter with roughly one-ton cooling properties.
It is one of the safest clamp meters on the market, with a safety rating of CAT IV up to 300V and CAT III up to 600V. It meets the ICC protection standard 61010-1. The fluke digital clamp meter can measure AC current up to 400 amps and it can measure both AC and DC voltage up to 600V. This model can also measure resistance levels up to 4 kHz.
To ensure that you have durable and accurate results, the fluke clamp meter takes True RMS AC voltage and current readings. The meter gives you a 30mm clearance so you can measure the current without pressing the device against the conductor or interrupting the flow of electricity.
This clamp meter is additionally designed to be as compact as possible and is thin enough to slide into the pocket when in use. The fluke clamp meter also has a continuity sensor that will beep to let you know that a circuit is conducting electricity, up to a resistance of 70 ohms. Our only problem with this meter is that the ports are located below, putting pressure on the plugs and making the clamp meter run harder.
Aside from this insignificant gripe, the Fluke 323 is a special clamp meter and a great addition to any electronic equipment list. If you require any more information, you can read our full depth Fluke 323 review (or Fluke 325 review for the same price).
We recommend the Fluke 323 clamp meter for those looking for a high-end, well-priced clamp meter.
What We Like
- Great size and ergonomics
- True RMS AC voltage and current readings
- Measures resistance up to 4 kΩ
- CAT IV 300V / CAT III 600 V protection rating
- 600V AC and DC voltage measurement
What We Don’t Like
- Poorly-positioned ports
Kyoritsu Clamp Meter – Premium Choice
For customers who want to expand their budget a bit more, this meter from Kiritsu is one of the best in the market. Like Fluke’s previous model, the Kiritsu is equipped with a True RMS sensing meter that ensures that you get accurate readings without fluctuations.
This model’s clamp also opens slightly forward compared to the previous product with a maximum 33mm extension of the jaw opening. Kayaritsu won another place with its highest reading. This model can measure AC and DC up to 600 ACPS as well as AC / DC input up to 600V.
The Kioritsu clamp meter can display levels of up to 4000 microfarads, resistance up to 60 MHz and frequency capacitance up to 10 kHz. This model also has an impressive protection rating, with Cat Ivy protection ratings for installations up to 600V.
The Quiritsu Clamp Meter is powered by AAA batteries and has a helpful auto-shutdown feature to make sure it doesn’t die if you forget to turn it off.
The only downside to this meter is its value point – at a slightly higher price than the competition (as premium products often do). Even after this high price, we would argue that the Kiritsu clamp meter is a professional electrician who needs a long-lasting clamp meter that is capable of dealing with a wide range of electrical measurements.
What We Like
- Auto power-off feature
- Most read higher than competing models.
- Meets IEC safety standards 61010-1, 61010-031, and 61010-2-032 and is rated up to 600V for Cat IV
- Impressive build quality
- The peak hold function captures the maximum reading of the inrush current at the motors’ start (and other inflammatory loads).
Mastech Clamp Meter
If you are on a budget and don’t need to spend a lot of money on your next clamp meter, you’ll be glad to hear that the True RMS Digital Meter at Mastek MS2109 has been able to compete with the best. While this model leaves a few features for a lower price, it makes it better than other budget clamp meters.
Because of this improved build quality, you can rest assured that this model of Mastek is reliable enough for your longevity, even in a busy work environment where it may be worn or discarded. The clamp meter’s jaws extend up to about 26 mm, it is not as wide as some high-end models, but for most conductors, it is still a sufficient amount of clearance.
This model is also equipped to work in the dark, as it has a compact work light that will let you see in the dark and the display is also backlit. It has a low battery indicator and an auto-shutdown feature so you can monitor the device’s power usage.
Unfortunately, being a cheap device, this model is a bit slow to read compared to the few Prairie models we’ve gotten so far. Nonetheless, the Mastek clamp meter has many great features and is the best cheap clamp meter on the market.
What We Like
- Diode check and continuity test
- Great value for money
- Low battery indicator auto power-off
- Work light and backlight display
- Built-in non-contact voltage detector
Hioki Clamp Meter
If you require a professional-grade meter and are willing to pay for it, then a Hioki clamp meter is probably what you are looking for. Note that this is a more specialized product than the few other clamp meters we have seen, as it is more focused on measuring AC leakage.
This model can detect leaks from AC conductors ranging from 10 mA to 200 mA. The device can also measure frequencies up to 1000Hz. To ensure all your readings are as accurate as possible, the Hioki clamp meter features a real RMS sensing meter that will work with both linear and non-linear loads.
The rechargeable battery in the Hioki HiTaster 3283 features 40 hours of battery life, so you don’t have to recharge as often as other meters. This model’s main problem lies in its high cost combined with its relative lack of versatility as it is primarily designed to measure loops.
What We Don’t Like
- Too expensive
What We Like
- Excellent accuracy
- Well made
- Long battery life
Klein Clamp Meter
The Klein digital Clamp meter is similar to the Fluke model we reviewed earlier in that it is a mid-range model designed for a wide range of work. This clamp-on model allows you to measure both AC and DC currents, making it a bit more versatile than the Fluke model.
This model has a reverse contrast LCD, making it ideal for working in the dark, making it much easier to see in all light situations. One of the great things about clamp meters is that they don’t require annoying test leads (instead of electronic multimeters).
To ensure that this digital meter is as accurate as possible, designers integrate True Root Mean Squad technology. However, the Klein meter is shortened in a few critical cases, which is why we couldn’t rate it higher than the Fluke model.
For example, thermocol readings are not very accurate and it does not seem as durable as the Fluke 323 clamp meter. For this reason, although it’s a great clamp meter, you’re better off with the Fluke 323.
What We Like
- TRMS technology
- Reverse contrast LCD
- The clamp measures AC and DC currents.
What We Don’t Like
- Not durable enough
- Inaccurate thermocouple
Milwaukee Clamp Meter
Milwaukee’s clamp meter is another mid-range model and combined with ease of use with improved durability, making it the right choice for people buying their first clamp meter.
It can measure voltages across both AC and DC up to 600 SP, although it can only measure AC amperes up to 400 MP.
This clamp meter can withstand and measure up to 4000 ohms.
To ensure that all of these measures are taken as accurately as possible, the Milwaukee clamp meter contains TRMS. There is also a backlight that executes it very easy to see your results when working in the dark.
The rugged design of this meter helps you to minimize damage while you are at work. However, a few downsides took this model back to the top, its inability to measure DC amps, its lack of automatization, and its price a bit high.
What We Like
- Backlit display
- Easy to use
- Equipped with TRMS
What We Don’t Like
- No auto-calibration
- Can’t measure DC current
Ideal Clamp Meter
Next, we have the Perfect digital Meter, which was priced similar to the Kairitsu model that we reviewed earlier in our guide. This model has several features that help it stand out from the crowd, including a slightly higher current measurement of 660A instead of the 600 that the competition limited to.
One of the more advanced features of this digital meter is the tight sight view mounted below. If you have to read in a confined space and you can’t see the screen in that corner, you can look at the Tight site screen once to get your reading instead.
Both displays also have backlit, which helps you ensure your tasks even when there is no ambient light source. The main problem we had with the standard clamp meter was that it did not improve enough (almost double) compared to mid-range products to justify its price point. You’re probably better off with a fluke.
What We Like
- TightSight display
- The maximum current measurement of 660A
- Backlit screens
What We Don’t Like
- Not enough innovation
- Too expensive
Amprobe Clamp Meter
Going back to mid-range clamp meters, the Amprobe clamp meter features a cheap price point and a relatively versatile design. This model equipped with True RMS to ensure that it provides you with the most accurate measurements and also designed to run faster than the competition.
This model has 600V rated protection on CAT III, and it can measure both AC and DC voltages up to 600V. However, it cannot measure DC amps, although it can take readings up to 600A in AC. The frequency range is 5 to 999.9 Hz, and resistance can be measured up to 60 kHz.
Amprobe clamp meters can get measured a bit faster than competing products, but they are not large enough to make such a difference. This puts it at a loss compared to the Fluke model, which we chose as our best mid-range option.
What We Like
- TRMS
- Backlit LCD
- Quick processor
What We Don’t Like
- Reliability
- Not fast enough to make a notable difference
Extech Clamp Meter
Our next product is this digital meter from Extech, and it features accurate RMS for timely measurement. If you plan to work in the dark, this model will be equipped with a small work light and the display has backlighting so you can see your measures.
The addition of a low battery indicator and an auto-shutdown function helps ensure that your batteries will last as long as possible and when they need to be replaced. With a maximum width of 30 mm, the clamps spread far and wide in a way that allows you to measure without contact.
The Extech Clamp Meter is a comparatively standard clamp meter that does not really stand out compared to any other model. While there may be nothing wrong with this meter, there is nothing to distinguish it from influential products like Fluke.
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Worklight and backlight
- Auto-shutoff
What We Don’t Like
- No handle
- No impressive features
Craftsman Clamp Meter
The final product that we will review today is also the worst. The Craftsman Clamp meter is not only valuable for your money, especially when you look at all the other options. The first thing we regarded about this model is that the clamp has trouble opening and it seems to be poorly connected to the device.
This is the first of the signs of fun craftsmanship we noticed when we went over this meter. The dials and buttons sound loose and you can hear the sound of running a bit when you shake the device. It also mentions that it measures accuracy up to 1% but we had several occasions where the texts would fluctuate greatly.
The only good thing about this clamp meter is that it comes with a support belt holster that can be used with clamp meters of the same size, so buying it is not a complete waste.
What We Like
- The belt comes with a halter.
What We Don’t Like
- The clamp is hard to open.
- Inaccurate
- Poorly made
Fact Check
We strive for fairness and accuracy of the Best Clamp Meter review. If you observe something that doesn’t look right, contact us!
