Best Manometer – Digital, Fluid and Mercury Manometers for Measuring Air and Gas Pressure

A manometer is a device for gauging the pressure exerted in a fluid column. It is typically a U-shaped cylindrical device in which any variation in the pressure acting on the two straight arms of the tube makes the liquid move up to different levels in those two arms. This instrument is used heavily by professionals in the HVAC, testing and measurement industries, although most have switched over to digital manometers.

Today, there are many companies specializing in making different kinds of manometers and this alone can make buying the right manometer tough for both novice and professional users. We have therefore taken time to do extensive research and reviewed some of the best manometer brands in the market. We have focused on just one manometer from each of them, but you are also free to look up others from these brands (we included links within each review to make it easy).

Before we get to our featured products, we want to first make sure you are in the right place. For those of you looking for an aneroid manometer, also known as a sphygmomanometer, please go to our review for blood pressure monitors. Or, if you were looking for an automotive manometer, aka a tire pressure gauge, we have a separate review for those. Additionally, if you are here on a quest for measuring air pressure for weather purposes, you will want to check out our barometer reviews and weather station reviews.

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Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Accuracy

Display

Power

Size/Weight

Our Top Choice

Fieldpiece Dual Port Manometer

Fieldpiece has one mission: to provide instruments that HVACR professionals can daily trust to help them do more.

You can read the input gas pressure and the manifold pressure simultaneously. No need to disconnect from one side of the gas valve and reconnect to the other when troubleshooting.

However, it is larger than it needs to be and requires a light and magnet.

Dual-port

±0.01inWC or 0.01mBar

LCD

9V battery / installed

2.5 x 1.2 x 7.2 inches, 1.2 lbs.

Best Value

Testo Differential Pressure Manometer

Backed by more than 50 years of engineering experience in the field of measurement, Testo’s mission is to provide top-class quality, service, and value in the industry.

Measurements made with this manometer can be immediately saved as PDF or Excel files and the App generates custom reports which can be saved and/or shared by email.

No con has been reported at the time of writing this review.

Wireless

±0.02 InH₂O / ±0.05 hPa

IPS LCD

3 x AAA batteries / included

6 x 4 x 10 inches ; 0.46 lb.

Extech Differential Pressure Manometer

Extech has become famous as one of the largest makers and suppliers of innovative and quality handheld test, measurement, and inspection gears.

This manometer is reliable, remains accurate, and has very useful recording and min/max/averaging features.

They turn on too easily. You may have to remove the batteries to keep them from running down.

Dual port

±0.5 InH₂O / ±0.5 hPa

LCD

9V battery / included

2.9 x 1.9 x 8.2 inches, 2.9 lbs.

TPI Single Input Digital Manometer

Since 1997, TPI has been making concerted efforts towards offering the latest technology to those seeking value-based test and measurement instruments.

This manometer comes complete with required accessories and a built-in hanging hook for easy storage.

No con has been reported so far.

Single input

±0.1 InH₂O / ±0.6 hPa

LCD

9V battery / included

Not specified, 0.8 lbs.

Dwyer Slack Tube® Fluid & Mercury Manometer

Dwyer makes use of cutting-edge computer modeling to simulate real world situations, producing more precise measurement techniques in its products.

This manometer rolls up compactly, making it very portable. It also comes with all necessary tubing. Air and gas pressure manometer.

The manual is not very detailed.

Roll up

Not specified

Analog

Not specified

8.5 x 7 x 3.15 inches, 0.85 lbs.

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What Is the Best Air and Gas Pressure Tester? Read Our Manometer Reviews to Find the One You Need!

For a professional or Do-It-Yourself user, getting the right liquid or gas pressure measurement is largely dependent on the manometer available to you. Our buying guide enumerates the factors you would need to focus on when choosing the best manometer for your needs. Take time to study these in detail and be well-informed as you proceed with our individual reviews.

Related: How to Test a Capacitor with a Multimeter or Capacitor Tester

Our Top Choice

Need a manometer that allows you to read and input gas pressure and manifold pressure simultaneously? Then we recommend the Fieldpiece Dual Port Manometer. In addition to simultaneous reading, it comes with a zero-adjust button, a magnet on the back for hanging, and a strong rubber boot. For a manometer with even more advanced features, check out Fieldpiece SDMN6 Pressure Switch Tester with backlit dual-display, rugged rubber boot, and magnetic hanger.

Fieldpiece Dual Port Digital Manometer with 9 Volt Battery - Measures Gas Pressure, Static Pressure and Pressure Differential

Features

Fieldpiece has, for more than 20 years, continued to deliver to HVACR professionals all over the world tools and equipment that help them do more. It achieves this by always listening to these professionals in the field and then forging tools that meet their needs. Fieldpiece has also invested heavily in the training of HVACR professionals across the globe.

The Fieldpiece Dual Port Manometer (Selling for $123.91 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a portable, rugged dual-port manometer forged especially for HVACR field service technicians. It measures gas and static pressures, and differences in pressure. This manometer comes with a zero-adjust button on the face of the meter, a magnet on the back for hanging the meter during service, a strong rubber boot, and the Auto Power-Off function which saves battery life.
Its other features include the following:

Measures pressure between -60inWC and 60inWC (inches of water column) and -150.0 to 150.0 mBar
Measures P1 or P2 pressure readings and calculates the difference between P1 and P2
Takes static pressure measurements using the resolution mode of 0.01inWC or 0.01mBar
Includes 3/16” to 5/16” adapter for measuring gas inlet and outlet pressures
Measures duct pressures to balance air flow

The SDMN5 makes the HVACR field service easier and faster, with much less fatigue than other non-SDMN5 users.

See other manometers by Fieldpiece if you haven’t found what you’re looking for.

Best Value

The Testo Differential Pressure Manometer, from a distance, reads measurements from up to six Smart Probes and records the results. The measurements can be immediately saved as PDF or Excel files. . For a manometer with LED display, check out the testo 510 Digital Manometer gas pressure meter. It is a dual-port differential pressure meter for air conditioning systems and ventilation ducts.

Testo 0560 1510 510I Differential Pressure Digital Manometer Smart and Wireless Probe - Measures Static Pressure, Air Flow, and Volume Flow

Features

Founded in 1957 in Germany, TESTO, INC. has become a global leader in the design, development, and creation of portable test and measurement instrumentation. It is now made up of 32 businesses and more than 60 agents across the globe. Testo’s mission is to provide the best quality service and value in the industry. Testo is also a trail blazer in the building of portable combustion efficiency and air emission analyzers.

The Testo Differential Pressure Manometer (Selling for $91.80 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a powerful and easy-to-use tool which permits you to remotely read measurements from up to six (6) Smart Probes and effortlessly document/report the results. Automatic calculations make it spontaneous! All data derived from measurements is displayed as instrument readings, tables, or graphs. The measurements can be immediately saved as PDF or Excel files. The App generates custom reports that can be saved and/or shared by email. All your data can be stored and fetched back saving you hours of time.
Here are more interesting features of this manometer:

It measures static pressure, air flow, and volume flow (pitot tube not incl.)
Takes measurements of pressure drops across filters and coils including manifold pressure
Has measurement menu in App that includes pressure drop alarms
Easy configuration and calculations for volume flow. (You can enter pitot tube factor and dimensions easily)
Magnetic back holds instrument for hands-free operation

You can check out other Testo manometers if the featured one isn’t right for you.

The Extech Differential Pressure Manometer has a large LCD display with backlighting and comes in a heavy-duty, double-molded housing. It is available with or without NIST certification. Do you need to be able to store data? Consider the Extech SDL710 Differential Pressure Manometer and Datalogger. It has a 2.9Psi range, 10 units of measure and stores 99 readings with date and time stamp.

Extech HD755 Differential Pressure Digital Manometer – ±0.5 psi Range and 11 Units of Measure, Available with Certificate of Traceability

Features

Since 1971, Extech Instruments has concentrated on test and measurement tools forged for professionals, tradespersons, and DIYers. Its single-source strategy has made it the brand to turn to when it comes to tools that help prevent, identify, and troubleshoot problems in a lot of applications; from electrical, mechanical, maintenance, safety, and to environmental applications, its products are trusted by professionals and are deployed every day.

The Extech Differential Pressure Manometer (Selling for $163.45 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) offers 11 selectable units of measure. The HD755 Differential Pressure Manometer can be used as a low range/high-resolution Gauge or deliver differential pressure up to 0 to 13.85 in. H2O (inches of water). Its other features include:

Max/Min/Avg recording and Relative time stamp
Data Hold, Auto power off and Zero function
Large LCD display with backlighting
Heavy-duty, double-molded housing
Built-in USB port (Windows® compatible PC software and cable included)
Has a ±0.5 psi range

Not sure on this one? You can check out other manometers from Extech here.

Do you need a manometer that comes with an auto off functionality which conserves battery power? Then you can’t go wrong with the TPI Single Input Digital Manometer. It also has a built-in hanging hook and back magnets for easy storage. If you are looking for a dual-differential input manometer, then check out PI 621 Dual Differential Input Manometer, It has 5 Digit LCD, +/-0.5 percent Accuracy, 0.01" H2O Resolution and +/-120" H2O Range.

TPI 608 Single Input Digital Manometer — +/- 60" H2O Measuring Range, +/- 1% Accuracy, 0.01" H2O Resolution, Battery Operated

Features

TPI’s mission is to become a leader as an independent manufacturer and supplier of affordable high-performance industrial instrumentation. With its headquarters in the heart of the “Silicon Forest” in Beaverton, Oregon, TPI merges innovation, performance, customer service, and high value in products which include combustion, vibration, temperature, pressure (manometers), combustible gas, clamp meters, digital multimeters, IAQ, specialty test and measurement instruments, and other accessories.

The TPI Single Input Digital Manometer (Selling for $109.95 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a single-input manometer with +/-60in H2O range and has bundled with it the following accessories: 608 Instruments, Instruction Manual, 9V Alkaline Battery. Other optional accessories include: A606 Soft Carrying Pouch, A602 30″ vinyl tube, 1/4″ ID with brass fitting, A605 1/4″ Brass T Fitting, A611 5.5″ gas valve pressure adapter, A615 72″ stainless steel braided hose and A617 100′ silicone tubing. Its other features include:

Four units of measure (inH2O, mbar, KPa, PSI and mmH20)
Display: Display – 4 digits with backlight
Auto Off: Conserve battery power
Built-in hanging hook and back magnets

If you haven’t made up your mind yet, you can check out other manometers by TPI.

The Dwyer Slack Tube® Manometers measure a wide range of pressure readings from 4-0-4 inches to 60-0-60 inches and it is designed to roll up neatly for easy carrying. If you are looking for a model with curved inclined-vertical tube, then check out Dwyer Series Mark II 25 Molded Plastic Manometer with built-in zero level.

Dwyer Slack Tube Series Handy Roll-Up Manometer - Measures Static, Vacuum, and Differential Pressure of Air And Gas, Multiple Size Options

Features

Since its founding, Dwyer has been committed to the innovative design of measurement tools. These designs have led to its winning of ACHR Dealer Design Awards in the Testing and Monitoring category for 2014 and 2015. It uses innovative computer modeling application to simulate real world situations, thus producing more precise measurement techniques in its products. Dwyer has financed state-of-the-art research and development facilities for top-class product testing and verification.

The Dwyer Slack Tube® Manometers (Selling for $54.80 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) are as accurate as the premium laboratory “U” gages, but are fashioned to roll up neatly for easy carrying. These manometers measure a wide range of pressure readings from 4-0-4 inches to 60-0-60 inches. They are sold together with connection fittings for checking gas pressures in virtually all gas appliances, carrying case, and all necessary tubing.
Other features of these manometers include:

Has a plastic carrying case, 8-1/2" x 7" x 3-1/8"
Comes with 1-ounce bottle of green color fluorescein concentrate with wetting agent
A rubber tubing adapter which fits a standard 7/16-inch diameter spud
Has over-pressure safety traps which prevent loss of fluid caused by over-range pressures or surges in pressure
1/8-inch to 1/4-inch pipe thread bushing

In case you were wondering, Dwyer also makes digital manometers and pressure testers.

There are many other manometers by this award-winning brand and you can check them out here.

Best Air and Gas Manometer Guide — How to Choose Between a Fluid Mercury Manometer and a Digital Manometer for Testing Air and Gas Pressure

The measurement of pressure is almost as old as time. The manometer is one of the foremost means of measuring the pressure of a fluid and is still widely used due to its simplicity and precision. As a thermometer is to measuring temperature, so is the manometer to pressure. Gravity and the density of the liquid play a large role in the accurate detection of pressure using a manometer. By the way, in case you didn't know it, Galileo thermometers use liquid to measure temperature, based upon the principle that the density of liquids change depending upon the temperature.

A manometer functions by measuring the pressure of a fluid/gas by stabilizing it with a stream of liquid. A fluid with already known pressure is used at one end of the manometer to measure another fluid whose pressure is in doubt which is put in the other end. Using a liquid, it can measure the pressure inside a tube and its externals.

You can choose a manometer depending on the kind of fluid/gas you want to measure. If it’s liquid, you should ask yourself: is the liquid miscible with the measuring liquid or not? Is the liquid whose pressure is to be ascertained heavier than the manometric liquid? What is the distance between the two points for which pressure is to be measured? Is the pressure to be measured high or low? Once you get answers to these questions you won’t have a problem choosing the right manometer for your needs.

The widely pictured manometer is typically a U-shaped tube, with liquid that can be water or mercury. Mercury is preferred since it makes calculation easier due to its high density. The tube has slim hands on the two sides and is open at both ends, unlike the barometer, which is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Before choosing a manometer, you have to first consider what you need it for. Is it to be used for personal needs at home, for a school laboratory to take readings and educate students or for research, study and scientific findings? You should also be certain if you want a digital or analog manometer, depending on the purpose it is to serve. As a home user or a professional working with a weather station, a manometer is a priceless gadget; taking pressure readings with it is an easy task, as long as you have the correct one. When you have the right manometer, you just need to learn how to operate it and you are good to go.

Video: Measuring Pressure With Barometers and Manometers

How to Measure Pressure Using a Barometer and Manometer. | Courtesy of Professor Dave Explains

Price

Different types of manometers exist in the market and are available at different prices. The differences in their features and functionality may be responsible for the price range. These factors have to be considered if you are going to spend your hard-earned money getting a manometer.

In order to decide what should be the ideal price for a manometer, we have to eliminate the confusion in the minds of our customers regarding what to look out for. Our buying guide is properly detailed and would help you make the right decision. After much research and consideration, we found out that the best manometers are within the price range of $55 to $164. Yes, we found some rather cheap manometers, which were inadequate in some things like features and portability, so we ignored them (and so should you).

Features

Manometers may come in similar or slightly different designs due to the kind of work they are used for. If you want to pick a manometer, you would have to consider carefully some factors that would ensure you get maximum benefit out of the device. Here are the principal factors to consider:

Type (U-Tube, micro and inclined-tube manometers)
Indicator liquid
Functionality
Power Source
Memory
External casing
Extras

These features listed will enable you to know what to keep in mind as you make your choice of manometer. Kindly continue reading to further glean the implications these factors can have on a manometer.

Construction and Design

Recording pressure readings in the comfort of your home or office is totally achievable as long as you have the right manometer and are conversant with its usage. Generally, manometers are simple to operate. There are different kinds of manometers:

The U-Tube Manometer - This is the most common type of manometer made of a glass tube bent in a U-shape. It is partially filled with liquid with a higher specific gravity as compared to the test liquid’s own pressure. It has both its arms open to the atmosphere and is also used to measure suction pressure. As pressure is applied to one side of the tube, the liquid recedes in that arm and the level goes up in the other; this continues until the fluid weight and attendant pressure balance up. The U-tube manometer can also come as the differential kind or inverted form; the former is used for miscible liquids and the latter for light liquid as compared with the test fluid.
A Micro Manometer - This one features arm that has an increased surface area. It is used to measure high precision with minimal variations in pressure.
Inclined-Tube Manometer - Just as the name suggests, this particular one features an inclined tube, in which infused fluid can move a longer distance. It has a high sensitivity and accurately measures low pressures.

A good number of manometers can retain readings, with a ‘freeze’ screen function that enables you to save readings in the device memory. This is a great feature since a log of the pressure calculations you have done for a time period can be easily accessed. When the manometer memory is full, some of the data can be wiped off to make room for a fresh set of readings.

Most modern monometers come with cases, made of durable plastic in which they are carried. The case encloses the main parts of the manometer, preventing them from damage, water and the effects of harsh weather.

Video: Digital Vs Mercury Manometer

Difference Between a Digital and Liquid/Mercury Manometer. | Courtesy of loudhvx

Performance and Ease of Use

Indicator fluids are stabilizing liquids used in liquid manometers to measure the pressure of the liquid under consideration. Water and mercury are the most commonly used ones. Water is a light liquid and is suitable for measuring small and sometimes seemingly insignificant differences in pressure. Mercury on the other hand and other ‘heavier’ indicator fluids are more useful for calculating large variations in pressure. The heavier the indicator fluid is, the higher the range of pressure that the manometer can measure. Other indicator fluids like benzene, colored water and bromides also exist. Before deciding on an indicator fluid to use, you have to consider the prevalent temperature, flash point, vapor pressure and density among other things.

Manometers could be digital or analog. The analog type is one of the oldest forms of manometers. They are usually crafted from sturdy, durable, and pliable polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They offer precise measurement of the pressure of gases and liquids. With an analog device, some calculations are bound to be made after readings have already been taken, which can be tedious.

So here comes the more modern variation: the digital manometer!

Like a breath of fresh air, this device is refined and is a handheld device that is great for calculating differences in pressure and other interrelated factors. It is more specific, has a high reading accuracy and is convenient to handle. It is an incredible tool to have in the house and is useful for checking the propane level of your home appliances like barbecue ovens and indoor grills. They can also be used to detect faults in heat ventilating and air conditioning systems. Digital manometers can be hooked up to your computer. They are portable and suitable for field work, can be mounted on a base or put up on a panel.

Some manometers are available with batteries included, while for some others, you would need to buy them yourself. As soon as you purchase your device, it is advised that you fix in new batteries or replace the ones that the manometer was delivered with. Digital manometers require fresh batteries, as these are important for good calibration and precise readings. Most manometers have a battery-saving mechanism that causes them to go off if left unused for about 20 minutes. Re-illuminating the LED backlight display is just by a push of the power button.

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Get the Best Manometer of 2023!

Thank you for patiently going through our review of the best manometer brands. We are glad to have helped you discover what you need to make the right choice. Feel free to order your preferred manometer now (if you haven’t done so already).

Our Top Choice

Fieldpiece Dual Port Manometer

Best Value

Testo Differential Pressure Manometer

Extech Differential Pressure Manometer

TPI Single Input Digital Manometer

Dwyer Slack Tube® Fluid & Mercury Manometer

Manometer FAQs

What is a manometer?

A manometer is an instrument that measures pressure on a fluid column. It has a characteristic U-Shape and shows the difference in the pressure on the tube’s two arms. Thus, the liquid levels are always at two different levels. Check out our review on manometers for more details.

What does a manometer measure?

A manometer measures the absolute pressure in terms of inches of the water column. It determines the force gas or liquid exerts on another fluid dues to gravity.

How to use a manometer?

To use a manometer, connect its left side to a pressure test valve. You should only do a reading after the liquid has stopped moving inside the U-tube. Take the reading of the left tube and subtract it from that of the right tube. The difference between the two is a height change in the liquid. Now, the pressure is equal to density times acceleration due to gravity times the change in height. Take and use the density of the liquid in the tube.

How to read a manometer?

You can read a manometer by taking the difference between the height in the left and right tubes. That will give you the height difference, which you can use to calculate pressure.

How does a manometer work?

A manometer works using a U-shaped tube open at least on one end or both. If you have a closed manometer, you have to introduce gas on one end. The fluid used needs to have a known density so that you can use it to calculate the pressure. Pressure from the gas pushes the gas to rise to the other side until it balances.

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