The 8 Best Illuminance meters (2023 reviews)

If you are looking to buy an all-around great meter for your daily purpose, btmeter illuminance meter is the right option. This light meter features MAX/MIN function, so it can log the maximum and minimum lumen. It can take accurate lumen reading for led lights, grow lights, and sun light. It measures lux but does give a good indication of the light intensity. This meter measures accurately up to well beyond 10000 lux which is a damaging level. It comes with a zippered fabric storage bag for you to measure the light level around, in your green house, bedroom, and outdoor activities.

This lux meter can help you record 33 sets of readings, temp testing, and the relative measuring mode will show you the difference between current and recorded data. It is ideal to use at home, garden, aquarium, plants, school, office, state, led lights, indoor and outdoor.

Why We Like This:

Accurate easy readings and great customer service
Makes settings lights at the exact distance from plants very simple
Good for measuring low light levels
Recommended indoor lighting levels range from around 100 to 1000 lux

Best For available Light Photography: Leaton Illuminance Meter

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate meter. The leaton illuminance meter is exactly that - it's a simple meter that hits all the right notes. The meter has several ranges, and should be able to handle most any situation, from nighttime conditions to bright sunlight. It is perfect for making unbiased quantitative measurements for comparison. The light sensor is located at the front of the device, and is protected by a plastic cover. When the lux meter is first turned on, it is set automatically to auto mode, where it automatically sets the range, and multiplier for the measurements. It also makes it lousy for measuring aquarium/ grow lights, since plants use mostly blue and red, while lux measures mostly green.

The meter is very responsive, and reacts to light almost instantaneously. It is easy to use and to get a precision reading. This is good enough to get a good idea about the level of lighting in that spot.

Why We Like This:

Works great for available light photography and video film
Delivers what they promise

Best For grow Light: Smartsensor Illuminance Meter

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Next on the list, we've got yet another meter that manages to win our hearts. It's the smartsensor illuminance meter and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient meter you can buy. This low cost light and temperature meter in both FC and Lux, F/C is simple to use gets the job done. It measures light as perceived by the human eye. It can be used in scenic design, research teaching, metallurgy building, industry inspection as well as agriculture researching and illumination control. It is used to measure intensities of illumination in lux or footcandles, including all visible lights such as led and fluorescent. It fits hand perfectly, providing a comfortable grip feeling.

The Lux meter has its own temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the environment in real time. It comes with a large LCD display and backlight, so it’s much easier to read the data. It is lightweight and portable hand-held design and small size make the meter easy to carry.

Why We Like This:

Must have for distancing lights from plant canopy
Delivers what they promise

Best For plant: AIOMEST Illuminance Meter

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The digital illuminance meter is a very useful tool for insuring that all of your indoor plants are getting equal amounts of light. This light meter takes quick samples 23 times per second, storing up to 33 sets of data records. The distance of the light is a variable that gives different results. The MIN/MAX and Lux/Fc are self-explanatory and so is °C/°F and HOLD function. The light sensitive component used in the meter is a very stable, long life silicon diode.

Operation is very straightforward with large buttons and the rotatable head means you can take readings without needing to contort your body to look at the face. This meter is small enough to fit in your pocket and large enough to be easy to hold and use. The meter itself is well made, easy to use and comes with a handy carrying case.

Why We Like This:

Comes with a fairly nice carrying case
A simple light meter that is easy to use
Provides a consistent reading while holding still, it varies when being moved
Excellent tool to help manage grow environment

Best For camera work: PROSTER Illuminance Meter

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention proster illuminance meter for regular usage. If you need a basic light meter without extras like usb or temperature, this one is perfect for your camera work. It is simple and easy to operate, with 4 ranges to be switchable. It is easy to use and has a convenient foot candle conversion. The Incandescent lights put out half their energy in heat. It is good for camera work. It can be used in electrical testing, electrical industry, laboratory, home, etc. The quality of the product is outstanding.

Why We Like This:

Lot of satisfied buyers
Delivers what they promise

Best For Measuring Light: Beslands Illuminance Meter

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The beslands illuminance meter's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This Lux meter is a complex and delicate instrument, its ruggedness will allow many years of use if proper operation techniques are developed. It allows user to take measurements at an optimum position. It provides high reliability and durability.

The Separate LIGHT SENSOR allows user to take measurements at an optimum position. They work well out of the box and have a very nice storage case. It is easy to use for checking the area for the proper light for indoor plants.

Why We Like This:

Permits a wide rang of light measurements
Work well and nice storage case
Very accurate reading and bright display

Best For Android: unit Illuminance Meter

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Unit makes beautiful and great meter with classic and smartly choosen materials. Every light meter device measures LUX differently so it needs to be compared to a real PAR meter. It can be used in lightening enterprise, agriculture and animal husbandry, mining enterprise, laboratory, office, household, street lights construction, camera & studios, photography, etc. It runs on 3 AAA batteries (included), and you do not need a screwdriver to change the batteries. It would also be very useful for photography as this would allow you to check and record the light level so that you can keep track of different settings that you might want for different levels of light.

There's an on/off button, another to change the units, a super useful hold button and another for measure max/min readings. It is easy to operate via the silicone buttons. It would also be very useful for photography as this would allow you to keep track of different settings that you might want for different levels of light.

Why We Like This:

Easy to use and comes with batteries
Compact (2” wide, 1-1/8” thick and 6-1/4” tall ) and weighs just 3.8 ounces
Backlight, works instantly, simple to use
Great, low cost lux meter to approximate par

Best For Iphone: Vabira Illuminance Meter

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The vabira illuminance meter's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The app can control more than one sensor puck. It measures almost 3" x 3" and.75" high, with an auto off or side mounted on/off button. The app displays light levels and auto change as the puck is moved. It can see the data directly even if the lux is higher than 200, 000lx when using the light meter.

The light meter can test the kelvin (CCT) range up past. It includes a waterproof resealable clear pouch. The app is easy to install and with a few clicks it is connected to the app.

Why We Like This:

Made temperature balancing easy for a terrarium
Lot of satisfied buyers