Last updated: October 2026

The best multimeter for most electricians in 2026 is the Fluke 117 (about $305 at Fluke): it is true-RMS, rated CAT III 600 V, and adds LoZ mode and built-in non-contact voltage detection. If you also work at service entrances or need CAT IV, the Fluke 87V (about $580) or the Klein MM720 (CAT IV 600 V, CAT III 1000 V) are the step up. Whatever you buy, match the meter’s published CAT rating to the highest category you might work in.

How we picked: compiled from manufacturer specifications, published prices and owner feedback patterns. We have not tested these tools ourselves. Our method.

Scope: this is a buying guide. It explains ratings and features as the makers publish them. It does not teach live-circuit measurement. Working on energized electrical systems is for qualified, licensed people following their employer’s safety procedures and the meter maker’s manual.

Quick picks

  • Best overall for electricians: Fluke 117. True-RMS, LoZ, non-contact voltage, CAT III 600 V.
  • Best for CAT IV and industrial work: Fluke 87V. CAT III 1000 V and CAT IV 600 V, high-resolution mode, temperature.
  • Best for harsh sites: Fluke 87V MAX. Same CAT ratings as the 87V with an IP67 dustproof shell.
  • Best CAT IV alternative to Fluke: Klein MM720. CAT IV 600 V, CAT III 1000 V, LoZ, true-RMS.
  • Best value true-RMS Fluke without LoZ: Fluke 115.

CAT ratings, explained as Fluke publishes them

CAT (measurement category) ratings describe where in an electrical system a meter is designed to be used safely. Higher categories sit closer to the utility supply, where available fault energy is higher. Fluke’s multimeter safety guide describes them like this:

CategoryWhere Fluke says it appliesExamples Fluke givesShort-circuit current (per Fluke)
CAT IISingle-phase receptacle-connected loadsHousehold appliances, portable tools, outletsUnder 10 kA
CAT IIIThree-phase distribution, including single-phase commercial lightingDistribution panels, industrial plants, larger building lightingUnder 50 kA
CAT IVThree-phase at the utility connection, any outdoor conductorsService entrances, electricity meters, overhead lines to detached buildingsOver 50 kA

How to read a rating. A rating pairs a category with a voltage, such as CAT III 600 V. Fluke’s advice is to “always choose a tool rated for the highest category you could potentially use it in” and a voltage rating that matches or exceeds the situation. Fluke’s example: a 480 V panel requires at least CAT III 600 V, so a CAT III 1000 V or CAT IV 600 V meter would also work.

Look for independent certification. Fluke’s guide says to check for “independent verification symbols” so you know the meter was tested by an independent lab, not just labelled by the seller. If a listing shows a CAT rating but no recognized testing lab’s mark, treat the claim as unverified.

Features electricians look for

True-RMS

Fluke describes true-RMS as “the only one that can accurately measure both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal ac waveforms.” Average-responding meters assume a clean sine wave; on distorted waveforms Fluke says they can read “up to 40% low or 10% high.” Fluke lists nonlinear loads such as variable-speed motor drives, electronic ballasts, computers and HVAC systems as the places this matters. Every pick on this page is true-RMS.

LoZ (low impedance) mode

Fluke’s article on dual-impedance meters explains that ghost voltages come from energized and non-energized wiring running close together, such as in the same conduit, and can read as a large share of the real voltage on a standard high-impedance meter. Fluke’s Auto-V/LoZ function uses an input impedance of about 3 kΩ, which lets those coupled voltages dissipate so the meter reads near zero when no real voltage is present. Fluke also notes that the normal high-impedance positions (over 1 MΩ) remain the right choice for sensitive electronic or control circuits, which is why “dual impedance” meters offer both.

Non-contact voltage (NCV)

Fluke describes the VoltAlert feature on the 117 as detecting the presence of AC voltage and producing a tone and a red LED, with two sensitivity modes. NCV is a quick indicator, not a measurement. Follow your employer’s verification procedures and the maker’s manual.

Other useful specs

  • Display counts: more counts means finer resolution on a given range. The picks here are 6,000-count meters; the 87V adds a 19,999-count high-resolution mode.
  • Current input: all picks list 10 A AC/DC current.
  • Durability: Klein publishes a 2 m (6.6 ft) drop rating and IP42 for the MM720; Fluke lists IP67 for the 87V MAX.

Comparison table

MeterCAT rating (maker)True-RMSLoZNon-contact voltageCountsCurrentPrice (Oct 2026)
Fluke 117CAT III 600 VYesYes (Auto-V/LoZ)Yes (VoltAlert)6,00010 AAbout $304.99 at Fluke
Fluke 115CAT III 600 VYesNoNo6,00010 A (20 A for 30 s)About $279.99 at Fluke
Fluke 87VCAT III 1000 V, CAT IV 600 VYesNot listedNot listed6,000; 19,999 high-res10 A (20 A for 30 s max)About $579.99 at Fluke
Fluke 87V MAXCAT III 1000 V, CAT IV 600 VYesNot listedNot listedSee Fluke spec sheetSee spec sheetNot shown on the page we checked
Klein MM720CAT IV 600 V, CAT III 1000 VYesYesNot listed6,00010 ANot shown on Klein’s page

Fluke 117: best overall for electricians

Fluke sells the 117 under the name “Electrician’s Multimeter with Non-Contact Voltage”, and its spec sheet includes IEC 61010-2-033 CAT III 600 V, true-RMS AC voltage and current, selectable LoZ, built-in VoltAlert non-contact voltage, a 6,000-count display with a 33-segment bar graph, AutoVolt automatic AC/DC selection, 10 A current and a backlight. Fluke’s US store listed it at $304.99 in October 2026.

Who it fits: residential and commercial electricians working mainly at CAT III and below who want LoZ and NCV in one tool.

Limit: it is not CAT IV rated. If your work includes service entrances or outdoor conductors, look at the 87V or MM720.

Fluke 115: best value true-RMS Fluke

The 115 shares the 117’s CAT III 600 V rating, true-RMS and 6,000-count display, and measures AC and DC current to 10 A (20 A for 30 seconds). Fluke’s 115 page shows it lacks LoZ and non-contact voltage, which are the 117’s main additions. Fluke listed it at $279.99.

Who it fits: technicians who want a true-RMS Fluke and already carry a separate voltage detector.

Fluke 87V: best for CAT IV and industrial work

The 87V is rated “1000 V CAT III, 600V CAT IV” per Fluke’s spec page. It adds a 19,999-count high-resolution mode, a low-pass filter for AC voltage, temperature measurement from -200 to 1090 °C, and CE, CSA and RCM marks. Fluke lists a lifetime warranty and a price of $579.99.

Who it fits: industrial electricians and technicians who need CAT IV, finer resolution and AC filtering in one meter.

Limit: Fluke’s 87V spec page does not list LoZ mode.

Fluke 87V MAX: best for harsh sites

Fluke lists the 87V MAX at CAT IV 600 V / CAT III 1000 V with an IP67 dustproof outer shell and measurement up to 1000 V AC and DC. The page we checked did not show a price or full count specifications, so confirm details on Fluke’s spec sheet before buying.

Klein MM720: best CAT IV alternative to Fluke

Klein’s MM720 page lists CAT IV 600 V and CAT III 1000 V, auto-ranging true-RMS, LoZ mode for ghost voltages, a 6,000-count display, 10 A AC/DC current, 60 MΩ resistance, IP42 and a 2 m drop rating. Klein lists the MM720 as the replacement for its discontinued MM700 and MM600. Klein’s page did not show a price, so check a major retailer.

Who it fits: electricians who want CAT IV and LoZ in one meter and prefer Klein’s ecosystem.

How to choose

  1. Find your highest category. Use Fluke’s table above. Buy for the worst case you might meet, not the average day.
  2. Confirm the certification mark. A printed CAT rating without an independent lab mark is a claim, not a verification.
  3. Pick features for your work. LoZ helps in conduit-heavy commercial work; NCV saves carrying a separate tester; high-resolution and low-pass filtering matter more in industrial settings.
  4. Match the leads. If you replace the leads, check their published CAT rating and keep it at or above the meter’s.

For bench electronics rather than electrical work, see the electronics multimeter guide and the multimeter spec table.

FAQ

Is CAT IV better than CAT III? It covers a higher-energy location. Fluke’s example shows a CAT IV 600 V meter can also serve where CAT III 600 V is required. Pick based on where you work.

Do electricians need true-RMS? Fluke says average-responding meters can read up to 40% low or 10% high on distorted waveforms, which are common with modern nonlinear loads. All picks here are true-RMS.

What is LoZ for? Per Fluke, LoZ’s roughly 3 kΩ input lets ghost voltages dissipate so they do not show as false readings. Use the standard high-impedance setting for sensitive electronics.

Can I trust the CAT rating on a cheap meter? Fluke advises checking for independent verification symbols. Without a recognized lab’s mark, the rating is unverified.

Does this guide show how to test a panel or outlet? No. It is a buying guide only. Live-circuit work belongs to qualified electricians following the maker’s manual and their workplace safety rules.

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