Are cheap dmm's junk?

[Babykinns 10+ year member]

I'm just wondering if cheap digital multi meters are junk because I was considering getting a cheap 5 or 10 dollar one off ebay when I get some extra money.

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[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

Crapshoot. Some are really close, and some are way off. I saw a craftsman dmm at Sears a few weeks ago for $23. I would do that before buying a super cheap one that might not be correct.

 

[negolien]

Crapshoot. Some are really close, and some are way off. I saw a craftsman dmm at Sears a few weeks ago for $23. I would do that before buying a super cheap one that might not be correct.

Depends what the brand is it. It could just be a more expensive $5 harbor freight DMM.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

i bought a cheap one once at walmart and it lasted for years before the display crapped out. The cheaper ones are mainly just less durable. I own a Fluke now.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

I bought a harbor freight one for a backup and the leads didn't even fit it...

My craftsman and walmart dmm work good.

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

My harbor frieght one is good all i use it for is to check coltage though so idk anout the rest of the stuff

 

[Cloud77]

bought one on ebay for 3.00 from china and the battery blew up first time using. But bought a clamp meter from china for about 30.00 and it was a very good meter.

 

[Hosted]

I've got 2 of the $5 ones from Harbor Freight. One isn't bad and the other one is pretty far off. I also have one of the $20 from there and it is spot on with my $120 Fluke.