How to Choose Between Handheld and Benchtop Multimeters
Digital multimeters are versatile electronic measuring instruments available in a wider variety of shapes and specifications than almost any other instrument category. The most common types are handheld and benchtop multimeters. So, how do you choose between a handheld and a benchtop multimeter when selecting a model? Today, Antai Testing will share some insights:
Handheld digital multimeters are primarily used in field environments where portability and battery power are critical. In such settings, users can quickly and easily perform basic voltage, current, and resistance measurements while moving from one location to another. For these applications, features like resolution, accuracy, measurement speed, or PC connectivity are less important than battery life, durability, and size.
Benchtop multimeters, on the other hand, are larger than handheld models and are designed for use on designers' workbenches or in automated system test racks. Users include engineering educators, researchers, product designers, and test engineers of all types. For these professionals, sensitivity, accuracy, wide measurement ranges, advanced functionality, high measurement speed, and PC connectivity are more critical.
Benchtop digital multimeters offer all these features, with resolutions ranging from 5½ to 8½ digits-far higher than the typical 3½ to 4½ digits of handheld models. Benchtop multimeters can achieve minimum sensitivities as low as 100nV, 0.1µΩ, and 1pA, compared to the 10µV, 0.1Ω, and 0.01µA sensitivities of high-end handheld multimeters. While excellent handheld multimeters may offer 0.05% DC voltage accuracy, benchtop multimeters can achieve 0.0025% DC voltage accuracy and better.
