looking for a new multimeter

Mine is worn out and dances around all over the place; also one of the cables fell out.
I taped the cable back in and used it for another year but I’m tired of having to wait for it to settle down so I can get a correct? reading.
Are there any good ones that don’t cost a fortune? (around $30)
I mostly only use it for testing lion batteries and an occasional electrical household or automotive problem.

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$38.00
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z398YWF/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07Z398YWF&pd_rd_w=DRe8s&pf_rd_p=085568d9-3b13-4ac1-8ae4-24a26c00cb0c&pd_rd_wg=8czAA&pf_rd_r=WP6V0DY6RB4XNRXBVH2G&pd_rd_r=e4b2fa76-8c62-4ae0-b205-6330bd13408f&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFVU0c4RExMQjFNS04mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwNDE3NDhQVURRMkNSU01EQ1kmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDk1NDQ0OTJJR1pNVzNLRFg0S1Qmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
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$31.00
https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Multimeter-Resistance-Transistors-Temperature/dp/B071JL6LLL/ref=pd_di_sccai_5?pd_rd_w=OGtBq&pf_rd_p=c9443270-b914-4430-a90b-72e3e7e784e0&pf_rd_r=YD3XJ9F5VPG5KY6NEN6C&pd_rd_r=303fe02c-7117-402d-8c7b-c0b3b772a4eb&pd_rd_wg=2Pzsc&pd_rd_i=B071JL6LLL&psc=1
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CNJW2SF/

reviewlink:
https://lygte-info.dk/review/DMMWH5000A%20UK.html

Google for DT830B. I have one since decades and they are still being made. Precise, cheap, robust. Needs a 9V battery.

Too many on Amazon for 30 bucks. All the same until you get into the $150 Fluke’s.

Uni-T are a great price range DMM.

I’ve been pleased with my UNI-T UT61E but it’s priced a bit higher than your budget.

I needed a backup DMM and decided on the Aneng AN8009. I like it so far and it comes with a couple accessories including a temperature probe and a few different connectors that screw onto the ends of the stock leads.

Here’s a review. Price is $30 to $40 from different sellers.

BTW, I’m far from a ‘power user.’ I mostly use a DMM for reading resistance and DC voltage during basic troubleshooting of electronics and vehicles.

I usta get cheapcrap DMMs from GB for something like 7bux a pop, buying ’em like 3-4 at a time. Seriously, I lose more meters than have them break or “wear out”.

I’d measure them against others to make sure they were accurate, then once reasonably assured that they’re up to snuff, I use ’em ’til, well, I forget where I put ’em last.

Two years ago I purchased a $3.99 Harbor Freight DMM. It was probably dumped cheap by the manufacturer because the operating instructions were all wrong. Good enough for flashlight batteries. So if you do not need instructions….
I plan to upgrade someday, maybe ask for a $30 one for Father’s Day.

TKS all; put several on my wish list—-will decide??? :beer:

I would not go as cheap as $5 but in the $30 range there are many. I bought the KAIWEETS Digital Multimeter TRMS 6000 for $30 , works well.

It is a good thing to own nice tools, for sure. I decided to charge a 26650 battery just now. It read 3.59v on the Harbor Freight DMM and 3.58v on a Engineer Lii-500 Charger. And I dropped the meter again, darn it. When I get my nice meter, I will find out which is correct (if I don’t drop it first, lol). But for my purposes, it is not critical.
I want a better DMM and will get one. But I do not need one. Still, Cheap meters may not meet your needs, and I respect that. Enjoy whatever you choose!

Just ordered from amazon; $36.

I have the same meter, and it works great for my purposes. I also have one of their 2000 count models, and it’s handy as all get-out. I don’t have a power supply to test accuracy, but they essentially match each other. When measuring DCV, my Fluke 115 consistently shows around .050 volt lower readout than the AstroAI unit(s), so I’d say it’s pretty fair. Their customer service is top shelf, and they stand behind the product. Just a tip about deploying the kickstand on the back of the unit…push in on the top of the stand to get it started. That drove me nuts the first time I tried to to use it (LOL).

I use this one for quick simple testing. Fits in your pocket and smaller than a pen. Works for what it is. It's Mastercraft brand though so I think only sold in Canada. Just $15 CAD.