Top Pick
Dr.meter
Digital Illuminance Light Meter
- Highlights
- 1 year warranty, Up to 200000 lux, Handheld, Professional grade
8.6
Performance score
010
Where to buy
- AmazonSee price
Pros
- Readings cross-check reasonably well against reference numbers for general-purpose lux measurement.
- Built-in stand makes it easy to read the display hands-free during use.
- Durable over time; one person reported theirs still running on the original battery after 10+ years.
- Comes with a protective rubber bumper case.
Cons
- The manual is nearly useless; basic tasks like installing the 9V battery and operating the device require watching online videos or trial and error.
- Not designed for comparing light output across different spectrum types (e.g., LED grow lights vs. HPS), which catches some buyers off guard.
- Accuracy is hard to verify without a reference meter, and a few people reported inconsistent readings across range settings.
- Measures light intensity in lux using a silicon photodiode sensor, which is useful for checking whether houseplants are getting enough light, evaluating workspace lighting, or assessing light pollution at home.
- The sensor is on a separate unit connected by a flexible coil cable, so you can position it independently from the display. Most budget lux meters have a fixed or rotating sensor, which limits where you can take readings.
- Toggles between lux and foot-candles, so it works for both metric and imperial contexts without needing a conversion chart.
- As a non-toxic lux meters option, it runs on a single 9V battery and comes with a carrying case and protective cover for the sensor to keep dust and scratches off when not in use.
- Peak-data hold captures the highest reading from a brief flash of light, like a strobe or pulse, which you won't use every day but is hard to do without when you need it.
