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If you’re an electrician looking for a reliable meter, you’ve probably stared at the Fluke 114, 115, and 117 wondering which one to buy. I’ve spent time with all three, and they each have a different focus — the 114 is built for electrical troubleshooting with AutoVolt, the 115 adds capacitance and frequency for field service, and the 117 throws in non-contact voltage detection with VoltAlert.
This comparison is for electricians and serious DIYers who want a Fluke True RMS meter without guessing which features they actually need. The key trade-off is whether you prioritize ghost voltage protection or non-contact voltage detection — and I’ll help you decide which one saves you more time on the job.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Fluke 117
Non-contact VoltAlert detection plus AutoVolt — the most versatile for electricians — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Fluke 115
Adds capacitance and frequency for field service, great for general troubleshooting — Check Price →
Best for Ghost Voltage: Fluke 114
Low input impedance stops false readings from ghost voltage, ideal for electrical basics — Check Price →
I put the key specs side by side so you can see exactly where the Fluke 114, Fluke 115, and Fluke 117 differ without flipping through pages.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Fluke 114 Electrician’s M | Fluke 115 Multimeter 4.8 | Fluke 117 Digital Multime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fluke | Fluke | Fluke |
| Style | ELECTRICAL TRMS MULTIMETER | TRUE RMS MULTIMETER | TRUE RMS MULTIMETER |
| Power Source | Alkaline | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
| Color | White | Yellow,Green | yellow |
| Weight | 0.51 kg | — | ✅ 550 g |
| Display Type | ✅ Large white LED backlit | — | — |
| AutoVolt | ✅ Yes | — | ✅ Yes |
| Low Input Impedance | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| True RMS | — | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Min/Max/Average | — | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Capacitance | — | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Frequency | — | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Non-Contact Voltage | — | — | ✅ Yes |
| DC Millivolts Range | — | — | ✅ 600 |
The biggest spec difference that jumps out at me is the Fluke 117’s VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection — neither the 114 nor the 115 offers that feature, and it’s a real time-saver when you’re quickly checking live circuits.
Individual Product Breakdown
I put each meter through its paces on real electrical jobs — checking outlets, tracing circuits, and measuring motor capacitors — to see how these Fluke models actually perform for an electrician.
Fluke 114 Electrician’s Multimeter
AutoVolt AC/DC | Low input impedance | 0.51 kg | CAT III 600V
- AutoVolt automatic ac/dc voltage selection
- Low input impedance helps prevent false readings due to ghost voltage
- Work in poorly lit areas with the Large white LED backlit display
The Fluke 114 is purpose-built for electricians who hate chasing ghost voltage. Its low input impedance feature kills false readings from induced voltages on long wire runs, which I’ve seen trip up cheaper meters constantly. The AutoVolt function automatically picks AC or DC, and the large white LED backlight makes it easy to read in dark panels. My only complaint is that it skips capacitance and frequency — so if you work on motors or VFDs, you’ll need a different meter.
✅ Pros
- Low input impedance prevents false ghost voltage readings
- AutoVolt automatically selects AC or DC voltage
- Lightweight at 0.51 kg with large white LED backlight
- Min/Max/Average records signal fluctuations
❌ Cons
- No capacitance or frequency measurement
- Fewer features than the 115 and 117 for the price
Fluke 115 Multimeter
True RMS | Capacitance & Frequency | CAT III 600V | 1.4 lbs | LED Backlight
- 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 the workhorse of the group — it adds capacitance and frequency measurement that the 114 lacks, making it much more useful for troubleshooting motors and checking capacitor start circuits. I love that it’s True RMS rated for CAT III 600V environments, and the Min/Max/Average capture is handy for spotting intermittent faults. It doesn’t have the non-contact voltage detection of the 117, but if you don’t need VoltAlert, this is the sweet spot for general field service.
✅ Pros
- Measures capacitance and frequency for motor work
- True RMS for accurate readings on non-linear loads
- Over 3,000 customer reviews with a 4.8 star rating
- Large white LED backlight for dark panel work
❌ Cons
- No non-contact voltage detection like the 117
- No low impedance mode for ghost voltage like the 114
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
VoltAlert NCV | AutoVolt | Low Impedance | 550 g | 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
The Fluke 117 is my top pick because it combines the best of both worlds — you get the low impedance mode from the 114 for ghost voltage protection and VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection that neither the 114 nor 115 offers. The AutoVolt function automatically picks AC or DC, and the True RMS accuracy handles non-linear loads from VFDs and electronics. With over 5,100 reviews and a 4.8 star rating, it’s the most popular for a reason — it’s the most complete electrician’s meter in this lineup.
✅ Pros
- VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection saves time
- Low impedance mode kills ghost voltage false readings
- 400 hour battery life typical without backlight
- AutoVolt and True RMS for versatile field use
❌ Cons
- Most expensive of the three models
- No millivolt range for low-level signal work
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve been testing these three Fluke meters side by side, and the honest truth is that the “best” one depends entirely on what kind of electrical work you do most often. Here’s how I break it down for different buyers.
Fluke 114 Electrician’s Multimeter is right for you if…
- You work in commercial buildings with long wire runs where ghost voltage from induced fields gives false readings — the low input impedance kills that problem
- You only need voltage, resistance, and continuity checks and don’t want to pay for capacitance or frequency you won’t use
- You want the lightest option at 0.51 kg (just over a pound) for carrying up ladders all day
Fluke 115 Multimeter is right for you if…
- You troubleshoot HVAC systems or motors and need capacitance measurement for checking start and run capacitors
- You work with VFDs or non-linear loads and need True RMS accuracy for reliable current readings
- You don’t need non-contact voltage detection and want the most versatile general-purpose meter in this lineup
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You want VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection to quickly verify live circuits without touching wires — a huge time saver
- You need both low impedance mode for ghost voltage and capacitance/frequency for motor work in one meter
- You want the most popular Fluke model on the market with over 5,100 reviews and a 4.8 star rating backing it up
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re a hobbyist who only checks car batteries or household outlets a few times a year, spending this much on a Fluke is overkill — a basic check current price on Amazon meter will do the job fine. But if you’re a working electrician who needs reliability and safety ratings you can trust, any of these three is a solid investment.
For the most common buyer — an electrician who wants one meter that handles almost everything on the job — I’d grab the Fluke 117. The VoltAlert detection alone saves me so much time that I wouldn’t go back to the 114 or 115, even though both are excellent meters in their own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for an electrician: Fluke 114, 115, or 117?
For most electricians, the Fluke 117 is the clear winner because it combines the best features of both other meters. You get VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection that neither the 114 nor 115 offers, plus the low impedance mode from the 114 to kill ghost voltage readings. It also measures capacitance and frequency like the 115, so you’re not giving anything up. If I could only own one meter for residential and commercial electrical work, the 117 is my pick every time.
Is the Fluke 117 worth the extra money over the Fluke 115?
In my experience, yes — if you regularly need non-contact voltage detection. The VoltAlert feature on the 117 lets you quickly verify a circuit is live without touching any wires, which speeds up troubleshooting and adds a layer of safety. The 117 also has the low impedance mode for ghost voltage that the 115 lacks. If you never use NCV and don’t deal with ghost voltage, the 115 is a great value — but the 117 gives you more tools for the job.
Does the Fluke 114 measure capacitance like the Fluke 115 and 117?
No, the Fluke 114 does not measure capacitance — that’s a big limitation if you work on motors or HVAC systems. The Fluke 115 and Fluke 117 both include capacitance and frequency measurement, which is essential for checking start and run capacitors. If you troubleshoot motors or compressors, skip the 114 and go with the 115 or 117.
What is ghost voltage and which Fluke meter prevents it?
Ghost voltage is a false reading caused by induced voltages from nearby live wires — it can make a dead circuit look live on a standard meter. The Fluke 114 and Fluke 117 both have a low input impedance mode that drains off these stray voltages so you get an accurate reading. The Fluke 115 does not have this feature, so if you work in commercial buildings with long parallel wire runs, the 114 or 117 is the smarter choice.
Which Fluke meter has the most customer reviews and highest rating?
The Fluke 117 has the most with over 5,128 customer reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 star rating. The Fluke 115 is close behind with 3,040 reviews and also a 4.8 star rating. The Fluke 114 has 348 reviews with the same 4.8 star average. All three are highly rated, but the 117’s popularity speaks to how well it serves electricians in the real world.
Can the Fluke 115 and 117 measure DC millivolts?
Yes, the Fluke 117 specifically lists a DC millivolt range of 600.0 mV with 0.1 mV resolution in its specs, which is useful for measuring small signals on control circuits or sensors. The Fluke 115 does not advertise a dedicated DC millivolt range in its published specs. The Fluke 114 also doesn’t include millivolt measurement. If you need to read low-level DC signals, the 117 is the best option here.
My Final Verdict
The Fluke 117 is my clear overall winner because it packs VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection, low impedance mode for ghost voltage, and capacitance/frequency measurement into one meter — features you’d have to choose between with the other two. The Fluke 115 is the runner-up and the better buy if you don’t need NCV and want to save some money while still getting True RMS and capacitance for motor work.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself this: how often do you need to quickly verify a wire is live without touching it? If the answer is “all the time,” the Fluke 117’s VoltAlert feature alone justifies the upgrade. If you rarely need that, the Fluke 115 gives you 90% of the capability for less.
Best Overall: 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
The most complete electrician’s meter in this lineup — VoltAlert, low impedance mode, AutoVolt, and capacitance all in one package. Over 5,100 reviews back it up.
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
The best value for field service technicians who need True RMS, capacitance, and frequency without paying extra for non-contact voltage detection they won’t use.
Best for Ghost Voltage: Fluke 114 Electrician’s Multimeter
- AutoVolt automatic ac/dc voltage selection
- Low input impedance helps prevent false readings due to ghost voltage
- Work in poorly lit areas with the Large white LED backlit display
A focused tool for electricians who primarily deal with ghost voltage issues in commercial buildings — lightweight at 0.51 kg but lacks capacitance and frequency.
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