Yeah, most are fairly simple and they do typically seem to last forever... however a lot of modern stuff doesn't seem to last long but multimeters seem to be one exception..
My budget is open, I am hoping to spend under $200 but I would spend $500 on something really good. But the problem is, the more you spend, the less return you get per dollar spent as you increase in valid which is why I suggested the under 200 as that seems to be ain a good ballpark of good feature-set, quality meters, without starting to increase the amount of money you have to spend for a tiny extra QOL feature, or something like that. While they may be cool, it may not be worth it.
As others have said, when you are looking at a combination of features
and safety you will be above the US$200 mark. IMHO the BM869S aggregates the most features and safety per buck, but to get warranty in the US you would need to spend considerably more for its local OEM Greenlee DM-860A. That puts it dangerously close to Keysight's U1272A/U1273A, the most uncompromised and closest to a perfect meter that I know (I have a U1273A). These two Keysight models are fast, accurate, safe and quite packed with features covering somee gaps of the BM869S/DM-860A (autohold, multiple logging triggers, LowZ, 300M ohms, 30mF, etc.).
Keysight has an even more accurate model (U1281A/U1282A) but it is a tad slow for my liking.
Also - the Fluke 17B+ - there is supposed to be an international version but aside from a single Youtube video, I can't really find anything about it. The Chinese version you don't get a warranty with it, but the international is supposed to come with one and also have slightly better specs ( but the fuses seem to look the same so probably just meh )....
If it is important to you, the Fluke 17B+ does not have True RMS and some folks reported it as being a bit slow despite feeling quite sturdy (I don't have one).
I was thinking that one as a mid-range throw in bag one which can be had for around $90 instead of the $25 to $30 Aneng 8008 or whatever it is. but it is only 4000 count so I may stick with the cheap aneng as the whatever meter and the other. But yeah, if I get the Fluke I'd still get another.... so a bag meter for < $100 probably and a really good one for $300, or whatever... It is an open budget.
If you want a throwaway on the bag only for electricity or work around the house but very safe, I would look at the Fluke 101 (also only with warranty in China) and a more expensive one for electronics (if you are looking for features and long term stability) or a cheaper but still quite featured alternative such as the AN870 or the UT61E. I have the three of them and, despite I find the 101 a bit lacking on features, you can't fault its sturdiness and very small size (I have the version with the magnetic hanger - highly recommended as it doubles as a stand). Between the AN870 and the UT61E, I tend to like the latter for its features (bargraph, ranges) but there are too many reports of it lacking long-term stability (mine is four years old and still going strong, but it may be a one-off). I only have the AN870 for a couple of months, but it is a decent meter with some compromises (the stupid weak tilting bail is the most annoying one).
I'm also a fan of Keysight meters, very well designed and made; better than Fluke IMHO.
There's a new U1233A listed on the Keysight eBay store right now for $211 but you'll have to add your state's tax to that. They usually have a 'make offer' option and I've found will accept a 90% bid. $211 is the list price for this meter on the Keysight website. I own 3 Keysight multimeters and have a 34461A as my main calibrated bench meter, they are all great meters.
I am a fan of the Keysight meters as well. I had a U1233A and it was quite well made and it had more features than the Fluke 179 - although the 179 is built like a tank like the 87V.
Any news? I really don't understand how you can have a batch of meters that's much slower.
(and did anybody else ever see this...?)
Brymen got back to me with a video recording in which the meter shows exactly the same slow reading. They say this is normal due to what they had to change in some of the circuit design going from 857a to 857s. There's nothing I can do.
Mine's an 857s, and it's fast.
Interesting development regarding the BM857. Mine is a bit of an off pre-production unit but it is quite fast in all ranges except capacitance.