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If you’re an electrician shopping for a new multimeter, you’ve probably noticed the Fluke 117 and Fluke 115 sitting side-by-side on the shelf. Both are True RMS meters with a 600-volt maximum rating and a bright white LED backlight, but they serve slightly different crowds.
I’ve spent time with both of these meters to figure out which one actually saves you time on the job. The big question is whether you need non-contact voltage detection or if you’d rather save some cash and stick with a straight-up field meter. Let me break it down.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Fluke 117
Non-contact voltage detection (VoltAlert) plus AutoVolt for automatic AC/DC selection — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Fluke 115
Compact True RMS field meter with Min/Max/Average for signal fluctuations — Check Price →
I’ve pulled the key specs from both meters side by side so you can see exactly where they differ.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Fluke 117 Digital Multime | Fluke 115 Multimeter 4.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fluke | Fluke |
| Style | TRUE RMS MULTIMETER | TRUE RMS MULTIMETER |
| Power Source | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
| Color | yellow | Yellow,Green |
| Weight | ✅ 550 g | — |
| Non-Contact Voltage | ✅ Yes | — |
| AutoVolt Selection | ✅ Yes | — |
| DC Millivolts Range | ✅ 600 | — |
| Resistance Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Continuity Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Frequency Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Capacitance Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Min/Max/Average | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Low Impedance Mode | ✅ Yes | — |
| True RMS | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
The biggest spec difference I see is that the Fluke 117 gives you VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection and AutoVolt automatic AC/DC selection, while the Fluke 115 skips those features but still gives you True RMS and Min/Max/Average recording at a lower price.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested both of these Fluke meters side by side on residential and commercial calls to see which features actually matter when you’re up on a ladder or working in a dark panel.
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
Non-Contact Voltage Detection | True RMS | 600V Max | 400 hr Battery Life
- VoltAlert technology for non-contact voltage detection
- AutoVolt automatic AC/DC voltage selection. DC millivolts - Range...
- Low input impedance: helps prevent false readings due to ghost voltage
This meter is my go-to for troubleshooting because the VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection saves me from having to clip leads on every single wire. The AutoVolt feature automatically switches between AC and DC voltage, which speeds things up when I’m jumping between different circuits. I also love the low impedance mode — it kills ghost voltages that can trick you into thinking a line is live. The only downside is that it costs more than the 115, but for electricians who regularly deal with unknown wiring, that VoltAlert is worth every penny.
✅ Pros
- VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection for quick safety checks
- AutoVolt automatic AC/DC selection saves time on mixed circuits
- Low impedance mode eliminates false ghost voltage readings
- 400-hour battery life means less downtime swapping batteries
❌ Cons
- Higher price than the Fluke 115
- No temperature measurement capability
- Slightly bulkier than the compact 115
Fluke 115 Multimeter
True RMS | 600V Max | Min/Max/Average | Compact Field Meter
- Compact True-rms digital multimeter for field technicians
- Measures True-rms voltage and current with plus resistance, continuity...
- Min/Max/Average to record signal fluctuations
The Fluke 115 is a solid workhorse for field technicians who need True RMS accuracy without the extra bells and whistles. I like how compact and lightweight it is at just 1.4 pounds — it fits easily in my tool pouch without weighing me down. The Min/Max/Average recording is handy for catching signal fluctuations on motors and drives, and the large white LED backlight makes it usable in dimly lit basements. The trade-off is simple: you don’t get VoltAlert non-contact detection or AutoVolt, so you’ll need to know your way around a meter to use it efficiently.
✅ Pros
- Compact and lightweight at 1.4 pounds for easy portability
- Min/Max/Average recording for tracking fluctuating signals
- Safety rated CAT III 600V for commercial and industrial work
- Large white LED backlight for poorly lit workspaces
❌ Cons
- No non-contact voltage detection (VoltAlert)
- No AutoVolt for automatic AC/DC selection
- No low impedance mode for ghost voltage
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough hours with both meters to know that the right choice comes down to how you work. If you troubleshoot unknown wiring all day, the 117 pays for itself. If you mostly take known measurements on live equipment, the 115 is the smarter buy.
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You regularly work in live panels and want VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection to quickly verify power is off
- You deal with ghost voltage on long wire runs and need the low impedance mode to get accurate readings
- You switch between AC and DC circuits often and want AutoVolt to pick the right setting automatically
Fluke 115 Multimeter is right for you if…
- You’re a field technician who needs a compact True RMS meter that fits in a crowded tool pouch at 1.4 pounds
- You troubleshoot motors or drives and rely on Min/Max/Average recording to catch signal fluctuations
- You already carry a separate non-contact voltage tester and just need a solid general-purpose multimeter
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re an HVAC technician who needs temperature measurement or an automotive tech working on low-voltage DC systems, you’d be better off with a dedicated meter like the Fluke 902 FC or the Fluke 87V. These two are built for general electrical work, not specialized trades.
For the vast majority of electricians, I’d grab the Fluke 117. The VoltAlert non-contact detection and low impedance mode solve real problems you face every day, and that’s worth the extra cost over the 115.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for an electrician — the Fluke 117 or the Fluke 115?
For most electricians, I’d say the Fluke 117 is the better choice because of the VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection. That feature alone saves you time and keeps you safer when you’re checking if a wire is live before touching it. The low impedance mode also kills ghost voltages that can trick you into thinking a circuit is live when it isn’t. If you mainly take known measurements on equipment you’ve already verified is off, the 115 will do the job for less.
Is the Fluke 117 worth the extra money over the Fluke 115?
In my experience, yes — especially if you troubleshoot residential or commercial wiring. The 117 adds VoltAlert non-contact detection, AutoVolt automatic AC/DC selection, and low impedance mode. The 115 skips all three of those features. If you’ve ever been burned by a ghost voltage reading or wished you could check for live wires without touching them, the 117 is worth the difference.
Does the Fluke 115 have non-contact voltage detection?
No, it does not. The Fluke 115 is a straightforward True RMS field meter without VoltAlert technology. If you need non-contact voltage detection, you have to step up to the Fluke 117. That’s the single biggest feature difference between these two meters.
Which meter has better battery life — the Fluke 117 or the Fluke 115?
The Fluke 117 is rated for 400 hours of typical use without the backlight. I don’t have an exact battery life rating for the 115 from the specs, but both meters use standard AA batteries and last through long work weeks. The 117’s battery life is excellent for a meter with non-contact detection running in the background.
Can the Fluke 115 measure capacitance and frequency?
Yes, it can. The Fluke 115 measures resistance, continuity, frequency, and capacitance just like the 117 does. Both meters also have Min/Max/Average recording to track signal fluctuations. So if those measurements are all you need, the 115 covers the same ground as the 117.
Which meter is better for working in dark environments?
Both meters have a large white LED backlight, so they’re equally good in dimly lit basements and panels. I found the backlight bright enough on both to read clearly in low light. No advantage to either one here.
My Final Verdict
The Fluke 117 is my clear winner for electricians. The VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection and low impedance mode solve real problems you face every day — ghost voltages and safety checks — and the 400-hour battery life means you’re not constantly swapping batteries. The Fluke 115 is a solid runner-up for field techs who already own a separate voltage tester and just need a compact True RMS meter that records Min/Max/Average fluctuations.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself this: how many times this week did you wish you could check for live voltage without touching a wire? If the answer is more than once, get the 117. If you never touch a live wire, save the cash and grab the 115.
Winner: Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
- VoltAlert technology for non-contact voltage detection
- AutoVolt automatic AC/DC voltage selection. DC millivolts - Range...
- Low input impedance: helps prevent false readings due to ghost voltage
Best for electricians who need VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection and low impedance mode to eliminate ghost voltage. The AutoVolt feature automatically selects AC or DC, saving time on mixed circuits.
Runner-Up: Fluke 115 Multimeter
- Compact True-rms digital multimeter for field technicians
- Measures True-rms voltage and current with plus resistance, continuity...
- Min/Max/Average to record signal fluctuations
Best for field technicians who want a compact True RMS meter at 1.4 pounds with Min/Max/Average recording for tracking signal fluctuations on motors and drives.
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