An LCR meter is a versatile electronic instrument that can measure inductance, capacitance, and resistance of electronics components and circuits. We have done the detailed research to bring you the best handheld LCR meters available in the market.
Quick Summary of our findings
| Product | Main Features |
| Editor’s Choice – B&K Precision 880 100 kHz Handheld LCR Meter | – Test frequency Up to 100kHz – Measures L,C,R,D,Q, theta, ESR, DCR – 40,000 count on primary display and 10,000 count on secondary display |
| Most Popular – DE-5000 Handheld LCR meter | – Test frequency of 100 Hz, 120 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz – Measures L, C, R, D, Q, theta, ESR – Dual display screen with 19,999 count backlit display available |
| Best Budget Pick – Proster LCR Meter | – Measures L, C, R – Affordable – Rotatable LCD display |
| Notable Mention – Extech 380193 Passive Component LCR Meter | – Test frequency of 1 kHz and 120 Hz – Measures L, C, R with D, Q – Backlight available – Simultaneous 20,000/10,000 count display |
Table of Contents
Editor’s Choice – B&K Precision 880 100 kHz Handheld LCR Meter
This handheld LCR meter is selected as top pick due to its high precision and availability of dual display with 40,000 counts resolution on primary display and 10,000 counts resolution on secondary display.
This handheld LCR meter can do primary measurements of inductance, capacitance, resistance, and impedance. You can also measure several secondary parameters such as dissipation factor (D), quality factor (Q), phase angle (Theta), ESR and DCR with this meter. This meter comes with an accuracy of up to 0.1% and selectable test frequencies up to 100 kHz. The B&K precision meter is designed for fast auto ranging for quick component measurements.
The B&K Precision 880 is a high quality LCR meter with features like four terminal configuration, selectable test signal levels and test frequencies up to 100kHz. The electronic tools need to be tested at frequency for which application will be used. Wide frequency range such as 100kHz offers this platform. This LCR meter with wide frequency range provides flexibility in matching frequency of measurement to frequency of the operating device under test (DUT). You can work with almost all electronic tools with maximum frequency of up to 100kHz.
This handheld meter offers capabilities only found in bench LCR meters like four terminal configuration. A four terminal kelvin connection is used for connecting the DUT. This connection has minimal measurement errors due to cabling and connection to DUT.
This device also comes with fast auto ranging, 0.1% measuring accuracy with availability of handy functions like data hold, min/max/average recording, tolerance sorting function to sort components within specified tolerance range(meaning?) and relative mode to compare measured values by allowing measurement of standard parts and then have subsequently measured parts displayed relative to standards value. You can transfer data to a PC via mini-USB interface either with data logging software or SCPI commands from custom program.
PROS
- High Resolution of 40,000 counts on primary display
- Highly accurate meter with accuracy of up to 0.1%
- Can do L, C, R, D, Q, Theta, ESR and DCR measurements
- High frequency range of 100kHz and Quick measurements
CONS
- Expensive
- Secondary display has only 10,000 counts
User Reviews
With 5.0 out of 5.0 star rating, mostly customers are happy with the performance of the B&K LCR meter and feel it’s worth the price. It is highly accurate, easy to use and handy for electronic repair and design. This LCR meter has the ability to do wide range of measurements quickly.
Most Popular – DE-5000 Handheld LCR meter
DE-5000 is a popular handheld LCR meter available in the market with many attractive features at an affordable price tag. This meter offers a wide range of frequencies. You can select any frequency in the range of 100 Hz, 120 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, and 100 kHz. You can measure different parameters of various electrical components at these frequencies. A display count of 19,999 is featured on both primary and secondary screens. It has a user-friendly control panel with many buttons to navigate to the settings for measuring different parameters.
This handheld LCR meter comes with backlight, auto ranging mode, auto serial or parallel mode and component sorting function. This LCR features auto selection of Ls/Lp/Cp/Rs/Rp, dissipation factor ‘D’, quality factor, phase angle and ESR. The kit includes alligator clip leads and SMD tweezers but leads are too short for alligator clips. It has a nice set of features for such price range and according to some reviews the quality and precision is quite good.
PROS
- Offer wide range of frequencies up to 100 kHz
- Offer many features at an affordable price range
- Comes with backlight and dual display
CONS
- No brightness control of backlight
- Poor customer service
- No USB adapter
User Reviews
With 4.6 out of 5.0 star rating, mostly users are satisfied with the overall working of this meter. It is a nice portable LCR meter with an affordable price. It is not a highly accurate LCR meter but comes with many features at a much lower price. DE-5000 LCR Meter is great for assessing self-wound coils and can also determine velocity factor. According to few customers, the working of this meter can be affected after few months while results in inaccurate readings. However, mostly users are satisfied with this affordable and easy to carry LCR meter.
Best Budget Pick – Proster LCR Meter
This LCR meter is the best affordable option available in the market. It has capability of measuring inductance, capacitance and resistance.
This is an easy to operate digital instruments with high measuring accuracy. It has a rotatable LCD display that enable multi-angle adjustment for easy reading. It features auto-power off, data hold function, low power indication and zero Adj for capacitance. This is the best economical L, C and R measuring meter available in the market with LCR over range display.
This handheld LCR meter comes with crocodile clip/test leads/ mini alligator clips. It is a multi-function device with data hold function and low power indication. It is worth considering and quite easy to use.
PROS
- Highly affordable
- Can perform basic measurements
CONS
- Less durable
- Limited functionality
User Reviews
This LCR meter is worth considering due to its low price. Mostly customers are satisfied with the overall performance of this LCR meter considering its price. It is a great LCR meter and easy to use. But it lacks self-preservation feature. The meter lacks fuses on the input lines. Over voltage can destroy traces on circuit board leaving it useless. The meter is not an exceptionally durable and high-quality instrument but provides many capabilities at an affordable price range.
Notable Mention – Extech 380193 Passive Component LCR Meter
You can measure inductance, capacitance and resistance with this LCR meter. The secondary display of Q, dissipation and resistance is featured in this meter. You can also use max/min/avg functionality.
The averaging function provides true average of up to 3000 recorded values and min/max function indicates highest and lowest recorded values in perpetuity. A simultaneous 20,000/10,000 count display of L, C and R parameters is also available. The built-in test fixture or use external test leads with sort components using programmable Hi/Low values is featured by this LCR meter. This meter will provide you precise measurements.
PROS
- High quality LCR meter
- Precise measurements
- Built-in test fixture or use external test leads with sort components using programmable Hi/Low values
CONS
- Expensive
User Reviews
This is a professional grade tool. Majority of the users are satisfied with the performance of this LCR meter. Mostly users are happy with its functionality and ease of use. It is high quality handheld LCR meter that will provide accurate measurements. This LCR meter is not capable of circuit testing and backlighting is not extremely bright.
How We Selected The Best LCR Meter
A high quality LCR meter can provide you a lot more information about impedance, quality factor, phase angle and equivalent series resistance (ESR). You can watch (181) Instrument Basics: LCR Meter – Workbench Wednesdays – YouTube to learn more about LCR meters. The selection of best LCR meter depends upon your measurement requirements.A good LCR meter will eliminate the need for carrying multiple reading equipment and will show accurate measurements. Few important selection parameters should be considered before purchasing a handheld LCR meter which are as follow
Frequency selection
Mostly electronic devices run between frequency of 100Hz to 10kHz. An LCR meter with a frequency range between 100Hz to 100kHz is a good choice that can cover frequency of mostly electronic devices. You can test many electronic components with this broad range of frequency.
Additional measurements
A good LCR meter should be capable of providing additional measurements with resistance, capacitance and inductance. The dissipation factor, quality factor and equivalent series resistance are common additional measurements that a good LCR meter can provide you at an affordable price range.
Measurement Accuracy
The accuracy of digital LCR meter is much higher than analogue LCR meters. High measurement accuracy is an important consideration parameter for selecting best handheld LCR meters. The readings of digital meters are more precise than analog LCR meters.
Ease of use
Ease of use with good quality is an important consideration before purchasing a LCR meter. The best LCR meter should be handy and easy to carry with good build quality.
Additional Functions
Calibrations and frequency selection are few basic functions which you will get in majority LCR meters. Some LCR meter also come with additional capabilities like hold button, minimum and maximum, average and sorting parameter which are also considered for selecting best LCR meters in this list.
Cost
Affordability is an essential consideration parameter with the quality of the equipment before making a final decision for purchasing LCR meter
Summary
In this post we have reviewed the best handheld LCR meters available in the market. We used a specific set of criteria for selecting the best LCR meters like measurement accuracy, frequency selection and others.
We have selected B&K Precision 880 Handheld LCR Meter as our top pick due to its ability to perform a wide range of measurements, frequency coverage up to 100 kHz and many other high-quality features. We also reviewed other LCR meters. As a recap here are our top picks for best handheld LCR meter:
- Editor’s Choice – B&K Precision 880 100 kHz Handheld LCR Meter
- Most Popular – DE-5000 Handheld LCR meter
- Best Budget Pick – Proster LCR Meter
- Notable Mention – Extech 380193 Passive Component LCR Meter