Best Voltage Tester Reviews 2018

Most of the differences between voltage testers are likely to be aesthetics like the shape and design or it might be in the number of indicators present. These slight variations also mean there’s likely to be slight variations in prices of such products, from brand to brand.

Voltage testers are generally affordable and can easily be purchased without causing a dent in your pocket. This doesn’t mean there aren’t high-end voltage testers but there are limits to how much one should pay.

The voltage testers we featured in this review are all reliable and from trusted brands. They range in price from about $7 to $30 and will certainly give you value. Although we came across cheap voltage testers, they looked flimsy so we decided to feature only trusted brands with top notch products for safety and reliability.

To get the best performance out of your voltage tester, there are some factors or features you need to take note of when making your choice.
These factors are:

• Type
• Design
• Functionality
• Range
• Indicator system
• Extra features

Let’s take a look at these features in more detail.

There are two main types of voltage testers – the contact voltage tester and non-contact voltage tester. The main difference between the two types is in the tip. The contact voltage tester has a metal tip which needs to make contact with the metal part of the object under investigation to determine the presence or absence of voltage or current while the non-contact voltage tester has an insulated tip and unlike the contact voltage tester, doesn’t need to touch any metal component for it to function.

The non-contact voltage tester makes use of the magnetic field created by a current-carrying conductor or object to determine the presence of current or voltage. This means you absolutely don’t need to dismantle whatever it is you’re working on in other to test for voltage, and also you can use the non-contact voltage tester to locate faulty wiring, even if it’s in a wall or (with some models) underwater. If it’s a socket you’re working on, all you need to do is stick the tip of the tester into the socket and see if you get a reading. It’s highly recommended you go for the non-contact voltage tester as they’re safer, more versatile and easier to use.

Almost all voltage testers function by the press of a button to turn the tool on. Once the tool is powered, which is often indicated by the glow of an indicator light, it’s ready to start detecting. You have to press the tip against the surface that you’re working on to try to determine if there’s voltage present or not. This feature helps to conserve the battery life and also to increase the durability of the voltage tester itself. It wouldn’t help to have a tool that is perpetually powered on or maybe you’d have to get the batteries out each time you’re through with it.

Voltage testers have different operation ranges. The range here refers to the amount of voltage that it can measure. An average voltage tester can easily measure between 90 volts and about 1000 volts which is quite a reasonable range covering most household and professional uses. A few others, like the NCVT-3 Non-Contact Voltage Tester featured in our product review section can detect voltage as low as 12 volts, thus having a wider user range.

All voltage testers are battery operated. Some of them use small watch batteries while others are designed to use AAA-size batteries. You should note that the type of battery will definitely affect the weight of the tester so you should bear that in mind when making your choice.

Voltage testers are simple, handy tools that are quite easy and straightforward to use. They do not require too much maintenance. Just ensure the battery doesn’t stay too long past its prime, especially if it’s an AAA battery, to avoid the battery leaking and damaging the tool.

A voltage tester is designed to be compact and lightweight so it can easily fit in your pocket. They’re usually made from thick plastics which makes them highly durable and some of them are even drop-proof.The pen shape makes them super easy to use and the insulated tip usually comes in sizes to fits most sockets.

The electric lamp component of the voltage tester serves as the indicator. The indicator light comes on once voltage is detected and some voltage testers have the added advantage of different light intensities indicating the strength of the voltage detected. The indicator light could come on an LCD or LED screen panel and the NCVT-3 Non-Contact Voltage Tester features a special LED bar graph indicator that lights up in proportion to the voltage detected.

The tester indicator may also be in a buzzer form that gives out a buzzing or alarm sound when it senses voltage. Most voltage testers combine light signal with sound for better performance so you can always have a backup even if one indicator fails to work.

Voltage testers usually come equipped with a tight clip at the end for safely and firmly attaching it to your pocket or a slot in your gadget bag to ensure you don’t lose it easily. Some of them have flashlights that work independently of the voltage tester and can come in handy in emergency situations or dark areas when you need a portable flashlight.

Most voltage testers feature a battery checking system controlled by a microprocessor to ensure the battery and equipment are in perfect working condition.Some brands incorporate a battery life indicator on the LED screen so you’re kept informed about the health of the battery.