Decent benchtop multimeter for beginner?

[Fungus]

In that case there is no need to pay for an expensive bench meter, sounds like even a 4.5 digit benchtop will do the job.

I think the requirement is for something that runs on mains with fast autoranging.

All the talk of traceable calibration is a red herring.

[Fungus]

I get it, you want fast continuity. I just have an Uni-t 61E on my desk, that I grab most of the time to take quick measurements, not the desktop one.

If you want fast continuity get a $7 Aneng DT9205A.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005221439318.html

It also has a really bright continuity LED on the front, bright enough to be useful, and it's as fast as anything else I own even with the supplied probes.

nb. There's another meter with the same model number. The one I have is square with colored side panels, not colored top/bottom.

(I should maybe get on of the others to see if it's the same)

[bdunham7]

I think the requirement is for something that runs on mains with fast autoranging.

OK, then I guess he wants a Fluke 8842A set to the "M" reading rate...

[Aldo22]

If you want fast continuity get a $7 Aneng DT9205A.

Or ut123.

https://youtu.be/s8mRZVx4m6k?t=630

[nctnico]

I get it, you want fast continuity. I just have an Uni-t 61E on my desk, that I grab most of the time to take quick measurements, not the desktop one.

If you want fast continuity get a $7 Aneng DT9205A.

Both suggestions completely ignore what the OP is looking for 

[uargo]

If you find the OWON XDM3041 for less than 350€ it can be a good option (be careful not to find the XDM2041)
The XDM3041 4.5 digits, precision 0.02, AC voltage to 100khz, AC current to 10khz, Bar meter, histogram, trend chart, Max. Min. value, average value, standard deviation,
DB / DBm, Pass / Fail
external trigger, 4-wire measurements, RJ45.

For 400€ the Siglent SDM3045X is better

For 400€ you also have the Rigol DM858E 5.5 digits precision 0.06, AC voltage and current only 8khz, only measures up to 3 A, I see it cut down but it does have a huge touch screen

and for a little more the SDM3055 is the best

[J-R]

The Rigol DM800 series still has major unresolved bugs, some in hardware, so should not be a recommendation.

[corey]

Question, related but doesn't help the OP: I see a whole lot of 2nd hand Keysight/HP benchtop DMMs on Ebay for ~AU$1000-1500 (incl postage), such as the 34401A, U3402A, etc. Why would anyone buy one of those (old) units when one could buy a SDM3055 for ~AU$730? I haven't compared the specs but is it just in the accuracy/tracking?

[KungFuJosh]

Question, related but doesn't help the OP: I see a whole lot of 2nd hand Keysight/HP benchtop DMMs on Ebay for ~AU$1000-1500 (incl postage), such as the 34401A, U3402A, etc. Why would anyone buy one of those (old) units when one could buy a SDM3055 for ~AU$730? I haven't compared the specs but is it just in the accuracy/tracking?

Mostly just eBay insanity. I would never spend that much for old used and abused gear with less going for them.

You could buy a new SDM3065X or a new DMM6500 for what people are asking for lesser old gear.

[Fungus]

Both suggestions completely ignore what the OP is looking for 

I wasn't replying to OP, I was replying to "I keep a UT61E around for continuity testing" guy.

[CaptainBucko]

The OWON XDM1041 is very good value for money overall, but it has several things:
...
Don't get me wrong, for that price it offers great value for money. But it is not on par with the SDM3055.

I own an Owon 1041. Yes the auto range speed is a bit annoying, so I mostly leave it in fast update mode.
I bought it because of its small form factor (I wanted a DMM to be permanently mounted on the wall board of my work bench), and easy to read display.
The Owon 1401 was $159 AUD from Amazon. The Siglent is $726 AUD. So it's a bit of a Fiat vs Ferrari decision.

[J-R]

Question, related but doesn't help the OP: I see a whole lot of 2nd hand Keysight/HP benchtop DMMs on Ebay for ~AU$1000-1500 (incl postage), such as the 34401A, U3402A, etc. Why would anyone buy one of those (old) units when one could buy a SDM3055 for ~AU$730? I haven't compared the specs but is it just in the accuracy/tracking?

It's not unusual for an item no longer made to increase in value, whether it's test equipment, cars or whatever.  The 34401A has a long history, is discussed on the forums quite a bit, and there are valid reasons why someone would be willing to pay a bit more for one, primarily accuracy and stability due to aging, but also maybe just nostalgia.  Common prices are $350-$500 USD.  Higher prices could be due to a recent calibration or a model in good condition, and of course in the case of eBay there are always listings that are inflated for the common go-to reasons you can read about online.

The DMM6500 goes for $1,600 USD, so not sure how that would be a reasonable comparison.
SDM3065X is $745 USD, but it's known that Siglent uses an un-aged LM399 so there could be some drift over time.  This is probably fine if you pay for yearly calibrations, but it probably defeats the purpose of those digits if you don't (or have a way to verify it).

There are a wide range of forum users here, and not everyone is looking for the same thing.  Which can lead to some unnecessary back and forth, so it's important to list out priorities when asking for purchasing advice.

[EEVblog]

I'll just drop this here 

[ledtester]

Is Ali express legit?
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806417536519.html?src=google&aff_fcid=552b5cb0b38c429d8292f81a744a1dc7-1721577183452-07993-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=552b5cb0b38c429d8292f81a744a1dc7-1721577183452-07993-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=dc38be48f2bf4b389ee4a2ebb6d24988&afSmartRedirect=n&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

AliExpress is legit, personally had no problems myself. But it's really up to the individual seller.

AliExpress is legit but if the unit is defective the best you are going to get is financial compensation - which might be 100% (probably doesn't include shipping) but that's really up to the vendor. And don't expect to be able to return it just because you don't like it.

[tszaboo]

Question, related but doesn't help the OP: I see a whole lot of 2nd hand Keysight/HP benchtop DMMs on Ebay for ~AU$1000-1500 (incl postage), such as the 34401A, U3402A, etc. Why would anyone buy one of those (old) units when one could buy a SDM3055 for ~AU$730? I haven't compared the specs but is it just in the accuracy/tracking?

They have two targets. One is looking for a perfect condition calibrated gear to replace a failed one in a test setup. They are willing to pay more because writing test scripts changing cables is expensive.
The other is people who want to have a decent DMM at home to take measurements. These are sold for ~400 EUR.

[J-R]

Some other new options under $500:

GW Instek GDM-8341 and GDM-8342
https://www.gwinstek.com/en-US/products/detail/GDM-8342_GDM-8341
https://www.tequipment.net/InstekGDM-8341.html
https://www.tequipment.net/InstekGDM-8342.html

B&K Precision Model 2831E:
https://www.bkprecision.com/products/multimeters/2831E
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/b-k-precision/2831E/2280305

[Phil1977]

Question, related but doesn't help the OP: I see a whole lot of 2nd hand Keysight/HP benchtop DMMs on Ebay for ~AU$1000-1500 (incl postage), such as the 34401A, U3402A, etc. Why would anyone buy one of those (old) units when one could buy a SDM3055 for ~AU$730? I haven't compared the specs but is it just in the accuracy/tracking?

They have two targets. One is looking for a perfect condition calibrated gear to replace a failed one in a test setup. They are willing to pay more because writing test scripts changing cables is expensive.
The other is people who want to have a decent DMM at home to take measurements. These are sold for ~400 EUR.

And many customers just want you to use certain type of measuring equipment. If you say you did some qualification tests with e.g. a Siglent then your results are automatically doubted. Some people trust names more than calibration certificates.

[coromonadalix]

you had Micronta bench meters, you had 2 version of them,  compact bench meters and useful

and can be purchased for low prices outside the vintage effect plaguing many sites

https://www.ebay.com/itm/315655169172?

or unless you're driven mad getting more digits ??

3468 3478 ... 3478 with enhanced functions ... thread here ...


but as soon you get outside 4.5 digits, you'll see price rise pretty fast ... unless  you stick  for the uni-t  vichy victor  kinda cheap ones  ...

establish your needs, and save money to get yourself a good one ...  but keep in mind there is no perfect meter with all functions

but if you need calibrated stuff,  you'll need to go with known brands $$    but repair side is another story

[maralb]

GW-Instek GDM-8245 might be another option.

https://www.gwinstek.com/en-US/products/detail/GDM-8245

[KungFuJosh]

Why do companies still make bench DMMs with those terrible screens? I hate that. Information display is terrible.

How about the ability to track statistics?

Or take screenshots?

Or connect to a program like TestController and track data over time remotely?

[KungFuJosh]

Really I’d like the Siglent 3065x

That's an excellent choice. I've been very happy with mine, and the stability/accuracy are excellent.