In order to evaluate the best light meter on the market, we analyzed a number of them and Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance emerged the clear winner.
Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance – The Best Light Meter for All-Round Use
The Dr. Meter Light Meter is one of the most popular light meters on the market today and a close look at it easily explains why it is.
Apart from its very high accuracy and rapid response, it comes with an Auto Zeroing feature as well as an over-range indication tool that helps make operation easier.
Unlike a number of other light meters, Dr. Meter Light Meter can be used at home and in the professional sphere as well.
Key Features
- Comes with Auto Zeroing feature that helps to reduce errors in values determination
- Over-range indication feature that helps to confine measurement within the range
- A display screen that shows both units and signs
- 0-200,000 Lux Luxmeter
Having a knowledge of the amount of light falling on a particular surface is an essential requirement for certain fields of professionalism such as construction and inspection photography. Light meters simply determine the level of luminance in a particular area.
Luminance refers to “the density of the luminous flux incident on a surface” or in other words, the amount of light that falls on a surface as mentioned earlier is referred to as Luminance.
Top 5 Light Meters Comparison Table
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice | Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance
| Check Price |
Large Measuring Range  | Extech LT45 Light Meter
| Check Price |
 | HOLDPEAK 881C Light Meter
| Check Price |
Pocket Size  | URCERI Light Meter
| Check Price |
 | Leaton Digital Luxmeter
| Check Price |
Best Light Meters Detailed Review
Selecting the best light meters on the market could be a pretty tasking business especially when you don’t have prior experience. This section focuses on detailing the features and other important information there is to know about our top 5 light meters. As a plus and to make for an easy read, each aspect of the products are broken down explicitly.
1. Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance – Top digital Luxmeter for Most Fields of Use
Dr. Meter Light Meter is one of the most popular digital lux meter available on the market today. This is mainly due to its unique combination of beautiful design and amazing features. It is often classified as one of the most advanced light meters on the market in terms of the technology used in its manufacture.
As a plus, Dr. Meter Light Meter can be used in both the general lighting field and in professional sectors that require measurement of luminance as well. It is one that has a whole lot of uses and comes with a guarantee of durability.
Key Features
- Comes with Auto Zeroing feature that helps to reduce errors in values determination
- Over-range indication feature that helps to confine measurement within the range
- A display screen that shows both units and signs
- The battery life of about 200 hours
- Provides up to 4-range exposure measurements
- Responds very rapidly when being used
- Highly accurate readings are guaranteed thanks to the Auto Zeroing feature
- Low power consumption feature makes for an extended battery life
- Some buyers have claimed that the manual wasn’t very insightful
- Some users claim that their light meters required recalibration after a short while
- Budget materials
Verdict
For a light meter that comes with a whole lot of impressive features, Dr. Meter Light Meter does live up to expectations. It is suitable for use in a number of fields and for various purposes as well. Silicon photodiode is great for its high accuracy. Thanks to its features, it can be used by both professionals and DIY enthusiasts, making it a great purchase choice indeed.
2. Extech LT45 Light Meter – Top Choice for Professional Photography Use
The Extech LT45 Light Meter is the very definition of a reasonable compromise between quality and price. Useful in a wide range of environments including manufacturing plants, office buildings, and universities, it makes for a multi-functional light meter.
Similarly, it comes with an Auto Power Off feature and Min/Max Average making it a great choice in comparison to the price tag attached. It also comes with some other special features which are mainly useful for other specialized purposes, especially in professional fields.
Key Features
- Manually stores/recalls up to 99 readings
- Min/Max average and Auto Power Off feature
- 4000 count LCD display for easy reading
- Cosine and color corrected measurements
- Useful for a wide range of purposes
- Recalls readings making it easy to refer to readings previously taken
- An auto power-off feature that helps to save battery
- The LCD display type is easy to read
- Some buyers have complained that they received faulty meters and have to replace them
- Few buyers also claim that the light meter arrived without any official certifications
Verdict
Going by the price tag of the Extech LT45 Light Meter, it is apparent that it might just be the best purchase choice that you might have made in a while. Apart from the fact that it comes with some very amazing features, it is also suitable for use in a wide range of light density measurement cases.
If you are looking for a light meter which you can make use of in both professional settings and at home, this might just be what you need.
3. HOLDPEAK 881C Light Meter – Best Choice for Accuracy
For one, the HOLDPEAK 881C Light Meter is not a generic light meter, instead, it is one of the best HOLDPEAK products on the market. Compared to other light meters on the market, this light meter comes with a larger measuring range and is great at taking very accurate values.
Similarly, a clear LCD display and an over-range indication feature make it one of the best light meters to work with. In addition to this, it comes with a low battery prompt and an Auto Zeroing feature.
Key Features
- 9V battery with an estimated battery life of about 200 hours
- A large LCD display with backlight
- Supports data hold and comes with low power usage feature
- Rapid response and Auto Zeroing feature for improved accuracy
- Larger measuring range for improved measurements
- Very rapid response when taking measurements
- Low battery prompt that helps to make sure that you do not lose data as a result of a flat battery
- Large LCD display for easy viewing
- Some users have complained about getting inaccurate results
- Some buyers also claim that the light meter panned out after a very short while
Verdict
HOLDPEAK light meter comes with a lot of great features which are typically found in light meters that have a much higher price tag than this. This makes it one of the best choices available on the market.
Similarly, it has a wide range of applications and is suitable for use by DIY enthusiasts as well. For the price tag attached, it does offer an immense amount of value making it a great purchase choice.
4. URCERI Light Meter – Budget Pick
The first noticeable characteristic of the URCERI light meter is its absolutely beautiful design. Although URCERI isn’t a household name in the market of light meters, it sure carves its own niche upon careful analysis.
It is decently made and comes with a price tag that is almost unbeatable in relation to the features that it sports. URCERI light meter also makes for one light meter that has a very wide range of uses or applications.
Key Features
- Measures luminosity from 0 to 200,000 Lux and ambient temperature
- Handheld design, lightweight and compact, easy to transport
- 4-digital color LCD screen for easy reading
- High accuracy of ±3% rdg ± 8 digits (10,000 Lux)
- Comes with a relatively cheap price tag
- Very lightweight making it very convenient to convey around
- Made from premium quality materials
- A 4-digital color LCD screen that makes it very easy to read
- Batteries do not have very large capacities and run out quickly
- There are few buyers have complained about difficulty figuring out how to operate it
- Some users have complained about the inability of the light meter to measure color temperature in Kelvin
Verdict
Although URCERI isn’t a household name in the market yet, the URCERI Light Meter rivals some other light meters from notable brands. Apart from its ease of use, it is also useful in a very wide range of cases both for professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Similarly, it has a relatively cheap price tag compared to other light meters that mirror the same exact features that it possesses. Therefore, going for this might just be a very great purchase choice.
5. Leaton Digital Luxmeter – Top Choice Light Meter for DIY Enthusiasts
Leaton Digital Luxmeter comes with an amazing range and is yet small enough to fit into any toolbox. It is also notable for its ability to carry out measurements very precisely and requires only very minimal effort to be used.
It comes with an Auto Power Off function that serves to ensure that the batteries last very long and it comes with a low battery detection feature as well. A large LCD screen guarantees that you can read the values very clearly.
Key Features
- Accuracy of up to 200,000 Lux +/- 5%
- An auto power-off feature that helps conserve battery life
- Large LCD characters display
- Comes with hold function, auto range, and manual range
- Very lightweight and portable
- Easy to use
- Relatively cheap compared to other light meters on the market
- The large LCD display makes it easy to read values
- Made from budget materials so it isn’t very strong
- Some claim that the size of this light meter makes it easy to lose
- Some users also claim that it isn’t very easy to operate
Verdict
Leaton Digital Luxmeter comes with a promise of durability and functionality alongside a number of great features. In terms of ease of use and its effectiveness, Leaton Digital Luxmeter easily stands out as one of the best you can find.
Thanks to the great features that it comes with, it is suitable for use in both professional work spheres such as offices and manufacturing industries and can also be used by DIY enthusiasts. If you are looking to get a light meter that could operate in both, you might have just hit the jackpot.
How to Choose the Best Light Meter – Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the best of any measuring tool might not be the easiest process especially if you have quite an amount from different brands to go through. If these products come with very similar features, then that only serves to literally make your task a lot more difficult.
However, given the right professional guidance and exposure, you would be surprised at how easy it would be to breeze through this selection process. This is exactly what this buyers guide is for; to guide you through all the steps that you need to take in order to select the best light meter on the market.
In order to make a wise choice, you need to be acquainted with certain factors. These factors are the major ones that you would need to consider in order to make the best purchase decision:
1. Price/Budget
Before going on to check the prices of various light meters on the market that you are likely to purchase, you need to have a price range in mind. This price is easily determined by your budget or in other words the range of the minimum and maximum amount that you intend to spend on a light meter.
Your budget effectively guides you in the right direction and helps you trim away a number of light meters which have price tags that are either below your minimum or above your maximum price range.
Once you have got this all figured out, you can easily go on to closely study the light meters with price tags that are within your price range and then select the best.
2. Features
The features of a light meter basically determine the light meter itself. In other words, it is the features that it possesses that makes it a light meter.
Going beyond this, the next step would be to check out the features of each light meter that you are considering. Some light meters have certain features which are a lot more advanced than others.
Depending on what you want to use your light meter for/ where you want to use it, you might need to ensure that certain features are very advanced since it would make it a lot easier to use.
3. Durability
The first port of call in checking for durability is to study the making of the light meter. Light meters are basically made from the same materials but vary in terms of durability. This variation is usually brought about by the design or the way it is coupled.
Similarly, certain brands are popular for making very durable products, you should look out for these first. However, in case you intend to broaden your scope and go for other products, then a close up study could easily determine just how durable they are
Also, look out for the warranty if it comes with any, it is advisable to go for a light meter with a longer warranty than one with a short warranty.
4. Reviews and Ratings
It is common knowledge that manufacturers like to go a bit over the top when outlining the capabilities of their products. Therefore, in order to determine the real truth about any product, one easy having si to read the reviews that have been made about such products.
Since reviews typically come from people who have bought these products and used them, we could easily say that their opinions could be trusted.
Therefore, you should make sure that you check out the reviews of the light meet that you want to purchase. However, while doing this, you need to be pretty cautious since there have been cases of fake reviews.
5. Purpose of Purchase
Once you have decided that you need a light meter, you need to bear in mind exactly what you intend to use it for. There are light meters that are suited to only particular tasks. While there are others that work for all tasks.
However, purchasing one that is specifically designed to be used for the particular function that you have in mind is essential. For instance, a professional who deals with photography would definitely not go for a light meter that is useful only at home or in the manufacturing sphere.
In the same vein, if all you need a light meter for is the measurement of light intensity at home, then, you can literally go for anyone available on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Exactly Does a Light Meter Do?
A Light Meter is simply a device for measuring the light intensity or density. In other words, it merely determines the amount of light that is available in a particular place or space. All you have got to switch it on and after it has determined the amount of light in that space, a value would be displayed on the LCD screen.
Do You Need a Light Meter for Photography?
Light Meters make the general process of shooting a lot easier for photographers. They help to determine the amount of light which would give the photographer an inkling into which Ang is best for taking shots. Similarly, it is useful in the post-production process as well and makes it run a lot smoother.
How Do You Make Use of Light Meters?
In a number of other measurement devices that require some specialized process for taking measurements, light meters are very easy to handle and do not require much technical knowledge to operate. All you have to do is switch it on and place it in whichever space you want and watch it take the reading. This article will cover this topic.
Criteria We Used for Light Meters Review
The following are some of the major criteria that we used in determining the best light meters on the market:
1. Reviews
Reviews go a long way in helping any new buyer make up their minds about whether or not to buy a particular product. This because reviews are simply first-hand reports of experiences that other buyers have had using these products.
A review could either make or break a product and this is why we took them into consideration very strongly. In order to help you make the best choice, we analyzed what other buyers had been saying about these light meters. And then went on to carry out our research in order to confirm whether or not these reviews were indeed accurate.
After doing all of these, we came up with the top 5 light meters that we have.
2. Price/Budget
In order to cater to the needs of every prospective light meter buyer, we had to make sure that there were light meters that fit into various budget ranges. By doing this, it would ensure that every light meter user had something that would be very convenient to procure.
While doing this, we had to make sure that every buyer still got value for every cent that they were going to be spending on the device. Also, we made sure that they were pretty durable. And they had all the necessary features that were essential to guarantee their functionality.
Furthermore, we went on to make sure that the light meters were fairly priced too.
3. Ease of Use
Regardless of how any features a piece of equipment might possess, if it isn’t easy to use or operate, buyers would have a very hard time getting value for their money.
While selecting light meters based on the factors mentioned above, we also ensured that these light meters, despite their many great features would be very easy to use.
This was done by looking out for special features such as backlit displays, automatic ranging feature, as well as high accuracy levels. All these features make light meters very easy to operate and guarantee great user experience.
Also, improved ease of use easily implies a higher level of accuracy in terms of readings gotten since the user would be highly proficient.
4. Durability
Determining the durability of a light meter could be white tricky seeing that most of them are made from the same materials. However, in spite of this, it is pretty easy to point out flaws, especially if you have a measure of experience.
We studied the designs of the various light meters that we examined and checked for flaws in the coupling as well. Similarly, we worked very closely with the reviews got to make sure that we didn’t miss anything at all.
The warranty on the light meters also gave us an inkling into how much confidence manufacturers had in their products and of course determined the average lifespan thanks to those who already make use of them.
5. Features
Since the features of a light meter basically make it what it is, we were careful to make sure that each light meter we selected had all the right features. Similarly, we ensured that the light meters we selected had the best of these features and have a very wide range of applications.
Light meters come with the same basic features but they vary in terms of how advanced they are.
While some light meters are only suitable for basic measurements, others can be used Industrially or in professional spheres. This is why it is essential that you know the exact purpose you want to use your light meter for in order to select one that is suitable.
Conclusion
Light Meters just like every other measuring device are necessary for determination and measurement in order to strike a balance or achieve a particular light density. In order to get accurate results, you would need to make use of the best and this is what this article is about.
Apart from a compilation of the best light meters available on the market alongside the criteria, we used to select them. Also, a comprehensive buyer’s guide at your disposal is all you need to make a great choice yourself. Our choice is Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance light meter, but the final decision is up to you.
Given these, you can be certain that you would never again encounter any problems when it comes to choosing a light meter.
