Are you trying to find photographic light meters among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling photographic light meters on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 19 hours of research and did 60 photographic light meters tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best photographic light meters you can buy today
- Exposures accurate down to a tenth-of-a-stop for both ambient and electronic flash light readings in full-stop mode.
- At ISO 100 the ambient EV range is 0 to 19.9 flash f/stops range from f/1.0 to f/90.9 with a shutter-speed span of 60-seconds to 1/8000th-of-a-second (1 sec to 1/500th for flash).
- Photo Mode: for still image photographers featuring shutter or aperture priority display of a full range of ambient and flash functions including cord and cordless flash measurement
- HD Cine Mode: perfect for DSLR and mirrorless videographers who need to take exposure readings and control light using shutter speeds and frame rates
- Cine Mode: designed for use with cinema grade cameras, allows users to select from the most useful frame rates and shutter angles for exposure control with one-tenth stop accuracy.
- 4-Range Settings: This high-quality digital illuminance/light meter has 4-range settings, 0/200/2,000/20,000/200,000 Lux, for a dynamic metering ability
- High Accuracy: With auto zeroing capabilities, you can be sure you'll always get a reading with pinpoint accuracy, and it will always be fast
- EZ-Read Display: Clearly readable info lets you read Units and Signs easily, and stay informed with the over-range indicator
- Convenient Switches: Get better control over your readings with Data Hold & Peak Data hold for when you're recording information. You'll also benefit from its lower power consumption and short rise and fall times
- Bring Anywhere: From squeezing into tight places to keeping your load light, you can bring the Dr.Meter Digital Illuminance/light meter wherever you need to. Fits easily into a work bag or large pocket and barely adds any weight. It's the ultimate in light-metering convenience
- Test LUX and CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) accurately.
- Show the light spectrum of white LED which is generated by the 450nm chip excited by the phosphor luminescence. The spectrum test function is not suitable for white light excited by 420nm chips, nor is it suitable for LED grow lights containing 660nm LED, HPS, CMH, halogen lamps, and fluorescent lamps.
- The Blue Light Percentage Test Function in the white light can help to judge if the light is healthy for eyes.
- Record LUX distribution to assist in better lighting setup. The datas can be exported as an CSV file.
- Simple and safe APP. Only 3 steps to complete the test.
- 180° Rotating Probe and 2.25" Backlit LCD: TopTes TS-710 Light meter with 180-degree rotating sensor ensures precise light measurements from multiple angles. The fast-responding sensor samples every 0.5 seconds, providing continuous measurement data. The backlit 2.25-inch LCD screen allows easy reading even in low-light conditions
- LUX/FC Measurement Units: TopTes TS-710 Luxmeter with Wide range: 0.1 to 200,000 lux and 0.1 to 20,000 foot candles, 3%rdg+5dgt accuracy. Optimize your plant's growth with our light meter for plants to find the suitable lighting area
- Versatile Applications: TS-710 lumen meter measures various visible light sources like LED grow room lighting, fluorescent lamps, metal halides, high-pressure sodium lamps, and incandescent bulbs. Ideal for homes, schools, offices, workshops, stages, farms, and factories. With the light meter foot candles, you can easily diagnose and fix issues such as dim car headlights or uneven LED bulbs in your home
- Multi-Functional Design: TS-710 foot candle light meter measures ambient ℃/℉ temperature and humidity, with the temperature sensor adapting to new environments over time. Features MAX/MIN value recording and data-hold for extensive data logging. Auto shut-off after 10 minutes of inactivity. Low-battery indicator for timely battery replacement
- Package Contents: A TS-710 digital light meter with sensor cover, a soft case, three AAA batteries, and a user manual
- Flash Duration Measurements - Understanding flash duration is the first step in freezing fast-moving subjects.
- Radio Control Modules for Wireless Triggering - The L-858 Speedmaster Pro expands upon ground-breaking innovation by adding functionality for Elinchrom Skyport and Phottix Strato II/ Ares II users
- Increased Light Sensitivity - An additional 3-stops of light sensitivity for incident light, 2-stops, for reflected light (spot), and an ability to capture a reading down 0.1 lx of Illuminance
- HSS Flash Measurements - Finally, photographers now have an accurate way of measuring their lights when they want to overpower the sun or achieve a very shallow depth of field through using HSS
- Flash Analyzing Function - Measures ambient and flash simultaneously and automatically indicates the percentage of flash in the total exposure
- UNI-T professional digital illuminance meter UT383. Effectively measures light intensity and display results in units of Lux or FC. Range: 0 to 199,900 Lux / 0 to 18,500 Fc. High accuracy of +/-(4 %+8)
- Compact & easy to use. Large 4 digital LCD screen with backlight. 0.5 s sampling time. Overload indication. Max/Min. Data hold. Low battery indicator. Auto shutdown for power saving
- Portable value pack. What you get: 1 x UT383 mini light meter, 1 x packaging box, 1 x paper manual, 1 x e Manual (free download)
- Effective & Versatile. Widely used in lightening enterprise, agriculture and animal husbandry, mining enterprise, laboratory, office, household, street lights construction, camera & studios, photography, etc
- Easy access to UNI-T 7/24 1 to 1 user support. If you encounter any problems during use, please contact us first (via e-mail) and our customer service team will deal with your problem as soon as it is received
- ☀【HIGH ACCURACY】+/- 4% of readings for 10000 Lux, 1000 FC; +/- 5% of readings +/- 10 digits for 400000 Lux, 40000FC
- ☀【0.4 SECOND RESPONSE】2~3 times sampling per second, Instantly to measure out how much luminosity intensity you’re getting, No more guessing
- ☀【WIDE MEASURE RANGE】 This light meter can measure luminance at 0.01~400,000 Lumens, (0.01~40,000 Foot Candles), Which is much wider than the others. Resolution 0.01
- ☀【EASY TO USE】The light sensor can be rotated 270º, so you don’t need to turn around the light meter to measure luminosity intensity from different angles. Just rotate the sensor, and you can still read the illuminance at front
- ☀【MEMORIZE THE LIGHT READINGS】This Lux Meter can help you record 33 sets of readings,Temp Testing, The RELATIVE measuring mode will show you the difference between current / recorded data. Ideal lux meter to measure light intensity for LED grow lights,garden, plants, school, office, state, LED lights, indoor and outdoor
- The instruction manual is in both English and Chinese versions. 【Widely used】 Measurement visible brightness, measurement range is wide.Can be widely used in such as schools, hospitals, factories, airports, families and other occasions of brightness measurement.
- 【Unit switch】llumination:200000LUX,1FC=10.76LUX;Unit:LUX、FC.Press MODE key to convert illuminance unit( LUX/FC ).
- 【Measurement time】S
- 【MAX/MIN】Press the RANGE key to measure the MAX ,MIN；
- 【Data HOLD】Press the HOLD key to enable/disable data retention；
- 【Backlight function】Press the backlight button to turn on/off the backlight;
- 【Auto Power Off】The meter will automatically shut down 5 minutes after starting to save power;
- 【Low-battery indicator】When the battery voltage decreases to a certain level, the battery symbol in the upper right corner of the display lights up, and the battery should be replaced
- Compact and Vintage: Lightweight and portable, weighing only 34g. Its retro appearance design perfectly matches with old-school cameras, adding a touch of elegance to your setup.
- Optimize Design: The dial has been optimized and upgraded to a clickable design, and the shutter speed has been increased from 12 to 23 gears. The IRIS gear has also been expanded simultaneously, with a simple and user-friendly design that allows for parameter adjustments based on indicator lights, resulting in more accurate exposure.
- Adjustable Cold Shoe Mount: The cold shoe mounting position can be adjusted according to needs, making it compatible with more old-style cameras.
- Two colors available: The TTartisan light meter II is available in silver or black colors, matching well with your camera equipment and accessories.
- Backlight for readings in low light levels
- Large LCD display with analog bargraph
- Utilizes precision photo diode and color correction filter
- Remote light sensor on 12" coiled cable - expandable to 24"
- Relative and peak modes
- UNI-T professional digital illuminance meter UT383BT. Effectively measures light intensity and display results in units of Lux or FC. Range: 0 - 199,900 Lux / 0 - 18,500 Fc. High accuracy of +/-(4 %+8)
- IOS/Android APP & Free download. Breeze through data recording, export, storage and analysis. Measurement data is transfered through Bluetooth to iENV App
- Compact & easy to use. Large 4 digital LCD screen with backlight. 0.5 s sampling time. Overload indication. Max/Min. Data hold. Low battery indicator. Auto shutdown for power saving
- Effective & Versatile. Widely used in lightening enterprise, agriculture and animal husbandry, mining enterprise, laboratory, office, household, street lights construction, camera & studios, photography, etc
- Portable value pack. What you get: 1 x UT383BT mini light meter, 1 x App, 1 x paper manual, 1 x e Manual (free download)
- Easy access to UNI-T 7/24 1 to 1 user support. If you encounter any problems during use, please contact us first (via e-mail) and our customer service team will deal with your problem as soon as it is received
- Instantly familiar and comfortable to use. Make settings by touching icons or sliding a finger on the screen. The large color LCD displays ambient, flash, cine and other information in a clear and understandable way.
- The L-478-Series meters are especially useful when using flash to lighten shadows or reduce background detail. That's because they measure ambient and flash simultaneously and automatically indicate the percentage of flash in the total exposure.
- The L-478-series has two motion- capture modes to fit camera in use. Touch to set shutter speeds for HD SLR cameras or quickly select frame rates and shutter angles for Cine.
- Special effects and light sources can push standard camera settings to their limits That's why the L-478 also allows creating unique frame rates and shutter angles to .000 to enable precise exposure and lighting.
- Brightness measurement in Lux or FC and Cd/m2 or FL will make the L-478 a major player on movie sets around the world. Display brightness along with exposure measurements or simply by itself.Display Range Film Speed:ISO 3 to 409600 (in 1/3 steps)
- Instant reading of aperture /shutter combinations with dial ring
- Shoe Mounting on Camera
- One Hand Operation
- Selection of reflected or incident light measurement at one touch of sliding the lumisphere
- Great for street film photography
- The digital light meter will allow you to measure the lighting in an area
- The digital light meter uses a 9V battery(not included); Accurate up to 200,000Lux +/- 5%
- Resolution: 0.1Lux / 0.01Fc , Accuracy:±4%,Measurement speed: 2 times / second,Units: Lux & Fc
- Hold function, Auto range & Manual range,Auto Power OFF: After approx.15 minutes
- Low power of battery detecting,Operating Environment: 14 to 122℉(-10 to 50℃), 10%~90%RH
- Brand: Fluke
- Fluke 941 Light Meter Illuminance Meter Tester
- Measures light intensity from white LED light sources up to 40k Foot candles (400k Lux) as well as from fluorescent, metal halide, high‐pressure sodium, and incandescent sources
- Silicon photodiode sensor and filter
- Min/Max/Avg function recalls highest, lowest and average reading
- 9,999 count LCD display with Data Hold that freezes readings on the display
- Auto power off with disable
- Professional LED Light Meter: Whether you're a set designer, or looking to set the mood, proper lighting is a must. The Dr.meter Digital LED Light Meter measures the brightness (up to 200,000 lux) of fluorescent, metal halide, incandescent, and high-pressure sodium lights, guaranteeing the perfect luminosity every time
- Ultra Fast, Ultra Precise: A split second is all it takes for an accurate reading. An advanced built-in calibration sensor measures the light levels at a super fast, twice per second speed
- Easy and Intuitive: Using this digital LED light meter couldn't be easier. Just turn it on, point it at the light source, and check out the reading on the display screen. There are 4 adjustable measuring ranges (200lux, 2,000lux, 20,000lux, 200,000lux). Preprogrammed settings like auto power off, data hold, unit adjustment, and more do the hard work for you
- 270 Degree Rotatable Detector: Keep an eye on the light level anywhere in the room. The optical detector rotates a full 270 degree for muti-directional detection
- Tripod Mountable: Have your hands full? Don't sweat it. Thanks to the screw base design, this LED light meter can be placed on a tripod for hands-free use
- BETTER ACCURACY: This light meter is a kind of instrument that specializes in measuring luminosity and brightness. The product is equipped with imported silicon diode photosensitive components, which can accurately measure the light and brightness accurately, reduce the error, and make the illuminometer measure steady and reliable. Measuring range is 0-200,000 lux, measurement accuracy ±4%.
- POWERFUL FUNCTION: MAX / MIN data hold function, MAX MIN data can be saved during the measurement process, so that it would help user to record data easily. Low battery indicator function: It can help you charge in time to avoid accidents. Automatic power off function: It can help you save energy. 1S measurement response time: Accurate data can be obtained quickly. Lux/FC Unit Selection.Battery NOT Included.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE： The lux meter have a 180° rotation sensor（only one direction）, which is convenient for users to adjust. It also has soft function keys for a comfortable pressing experience. The outer casing is made of high-density polyethylene, which is non-slip and anti-drop.
- LED DISPLAY: This light tester has a large LED backlight screen that allows users to easily cope with harsh environments such as darkness, making it easy to read and free users from time and place constraints.
- WIDELY APPLICABLE: Widely used in agricultural research and lighting control in homes, office buildings, warehouses, production lies, farms, aquaculture, stage, stadiums, etc.
- AS803 Lux Light Meter is used to measure intensities of illumination in Lux or Footcandles, widely used in scenic design, research teaching, industry inspection as well as agriculture researching and illumination control.
- With the advanced built-in calibration sensor and twice per second frequency, it takes only a split second for an accurate reading. The rotatable head is beneficial to multi-directional detection.
- Large LCD display and backlight.
- Hand-held design and small size make the meter easy to carry.
- Measuring range: 0-200,000 Lux
How to choose a good photographic light meters
Does the idea of finding a fantastic photographic light meters make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in photographic light meters. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top photographic light meters products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top photographic light meters on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top photographic light meters brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top photographic light meters based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the photographic light meters were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good photographic light meters, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your photographic light meters.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting photographic light meters for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our photographic light meters. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what photographic light meters should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on photographic light meters.
