Whether you are an electrician or just simply doing home repairs, a non-contact voltage detector is an essential addition to your tool box. Non-contact voltage detectors are life-savers because with this device, methods of touching an appliance or wire is not necessary to detect voltage. Having this device will not require anyone to have direct contact to a material with voltage because doing so can lead to serious damage.
Best Non-contact Voltage Detector
Now, you may be wondering, what non-contact voltage detector should I use? Here are ten products that can satisfy your needs. These are not arranged from best to worst. The products are available on Amazon.
1. Fluke 1AC-A1-II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester
Fluke is well-recognized by electricians all over the world for its products and the models it produces, and deservingly so. The Fluke 1AC-A1-II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester is a sleeker and slimmer product in comparison with other devices, however, it provides a smaller range with 90V to 1000V as its main model (20V to 90V model also available). It doesn’t have a flashlight feature as well, but its battery can hold up for one year. Its features are not at par with the others, but, if you want a product that is significantly proven to do the job, the Fluke 1AC-A1-II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester is the one for you. View the product
2. Klein Tools NCVT-3
The first two versions of Klein Tools NCVT held up well, but NCVT-3 is definitely an upgrade. This product has dual voltage indicators and can detect low to high voltages (12V to 1000V). This detector has a feature of a led bar graph indicator where it lights up if either there is voltage present or if the source is close. This also features a flashlight that is essential when your work area has low visibility. The frequency of alarm depends on the sensed voltage. This tester is made from an IP67 panel, which means that it is dust and water resistant. If accidentally dropped, there will be no need to worry for it is tested to drop safely at around 6.6 feet. If you want a cheaper tool, the NCVT-1 and NCVT-2 are amazing products as well! View the product
3. Triplett Sniff-It-2
Reasonably priced, the Triplett Sniff-It-2 offers the lowest voltage detection at 5V. However, it can only detect up to 600V. Its light and beeper acts as indicators if either voltage is present, or approaching. This product also features an adjustable sensitivity (thumb wheel) which can be very convenient for electricians. Its materials are made for resistance against impacts and drops, so this should be safe in someone’s clumsy hands! View the product
4. Southwire 40150N
A slightly more expensive piece, this Southwire product, in comparison with other Southwire voltage detectors, detects a wider range of voltage; the Southwire 40150N detects voltage as low as 12V to as high as 1000V. This tester also has additional features such as two flashlights: one at the front and one at the rear, perfect for dark areas. This product is also IP67 rated to be water and dust resistant; so you won’t have to worry about it in harsh conditions. View the product
5. Neoteck Non-Contact Voltage Tester
An affordable equipment at $10.99, this device from Neoteck offers a wide range of detection, detecting from 12V to 1000V. This device will light up and beep as soon as voltage is detected and has an indicator whether the voltage is high or low. Furthermore, it can also act as an emergency flashlight. This is a great choice not only for electricians, but also to the common man. This is available in black, orange, and red orange. View the product
6. NAMEO Non-Contact Voltage Tester
A cheaper device that has the same features as the higher end products, the NAMEO Non-Contact Voltage Tester does the job well for as low as $11.99. It detects voltage from 12V to 1000V, has a sound and light indicator, and a flashlight feature for convenience. It also automatically selects one of the three levels of sensitivity: low, medium, or high. It garnered mostly positive reviews on Amazon, which would say a lot about its performance. View the product
7. Greenlee GT-16
For $23.00, this device is definitely worth what you paid for. The Greenlee GT-16 is an adjustable non-contact voltage detector to be able to safely detect power and low voltage equipment by adjusting the sensitivity of the device via a thumb wheel. Like others, this device can detect up to 1000V. This product may lack the features the other products provided, but the reviews from customers were generally positive, claiming that it was the “best tester to own”. View the product
8. FLIR VP50
Slightly on the higher end, the FLIR VP50 is a sleek device that could detect up to 1000V. With its black rubber reinforced case, the FLIR VP50 is impact resistant, and the likelihood of device drops would be significantly lowered because the case provides a better grip. A unique feature is its vibration, along with the LED indicator, that could easily solve the problem of a noisy environment. It also has a flashlight, and a high or low frequency options that you could adjust. View the product
9. DOTSOG Non-Contact Voltage Detector Pen
For $12.99, it is a good alternative to the higher end products. It has a flashlight feature, a test range of 12V to 1000V and a LED light and alarm indicator. It is also wear-resistant, so using it for a long time is surely not a problem. It may not be popular, but it can hold up on its own against the bigger products on this list. View the product
10. BeGrit Non-Contact Voltage Detector
If you are on a tight budget, this BeGrit Non-Contact Voltage detector is the one for you, pricing at $8.99. Like all of these products, this also features a sound and light indicator of voltage, and also a flashlight. However, being at the lower end, it has a smaller range of voltage detection than the others: from 90V to 1000V only. View the product