The 9 Best portable RPM meters (2023 reviews)

The latest agptek portable rpm meter is an absolute beast in terms of its features, and rightfully takes the top spot with ease. It is an inexpensive, easy application device that provides the user reasonable feedback that could warrant the application of more complex measurement tools. It works well and is able to measure reliably over a good range of speeds. It comes with reflective tape that you put on whatever you want to check the speed on. It is an extremely useful tool to amplify your senses of the physical world.

This device measures the rpm of a physically rotating / spinning object. It is perfect for testing cnc router speeds.

Why We Like This:

Useful for measuring the angular velocity of a fidget spinner
A solidly built, easy to use product
Good brand reputation

Best For wood lathe: FITNATE portable RPM meter

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The fitnate portable rpm meter might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. It becomes handy when you are building your own ebike and need to know the speed of your motor hub without the load. It acts by shining a laser on a piece of reflective tape and counting the number of times the reflection passes through the beam. It comes with two batteries and a pair of screws to hold the battery door closed. It measures the time between each revolution and then calculates the rpm shown. There are reflect tape is included. It would be similar to reflective tape you would put on a bicycle, or jacket to be seen in the dark.

There are two batteries and a pair of screws to hold the battery door closed. It features auto-zero adjustment and additionally has a design for non-contact diagnostics and measurements. It comes with a decent amount of tape as a part of the kit.

Why We Like This:

Widely used in industry, machine tool, automobile, lathes and other industries
Kit with reflective tape and batteries really a plus
Inches reflective tape and 3 aaa batteries

Best For things: Reed instruments Reflective tape

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The reed instruments reflective tape is capable of outshining several other meter featured in this list in overall features for the price point. This tachometer is very easy to use and has a great measuring range. The laser from the device requires a reflective material in order to work. While you still need to use a reflective tape to allow for the reflection pickup, the laser is so much brighter than white light tachometers. This unit is powered by a single 9V Battery. It includes reflective tape, carrying case and battery.

This tachometer should detect the speed of any rotating device so long as it has a small piece of reflective tape on the rotating surface. It fits the lab supplied bottles. The main benefit of this tachometer is the laser output. This works great and is so easy to use.

Why We Like This:

Minimal drips & fits the lab supplied bottles
Makes quick work of setting idle rpm on mechanical diesels and small gas engines
A fine tachometer for laboratory use
R7050 compact photo tachometer, a good working tool

Best With phone: Reed instruments portable RPM meter

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The reed instruments portable rpm meter is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your regular usage. It comes with a range of attachments that can be used to measure speed on different kinds of rotary systems, which may include tips used for measuring shafts with a central hole or flat end surfaces, and rotary wheels for measuring conveyor belts. It includes reflective tape, large and small cone tip adapters, funnel adapter, wheel adapter, batteries and hard carrying case. It measures surface speed from 0.5 to 1, 999.9m/min. It has a QC (quality control) sticker that actually means something.

It features a built-in laser pointer to assist with identifying the target area. It measures height, the vertical distance from the lowest to highest point. It is autoranging, to display the most appropriate test result value automatically. It can be used in applications such as automobile maintenance, mechanical engineering, and maintenance of industrial equipment.

Why We Like This:

Simple to use and worked great out of the box
Large lcd display and low battery indicator
Works very well in both contact and optical mode

Best For motors: Jectse portable RPM meter

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Jectse makes beautiful and great meter with classic and smartly choosen materials. The contact measurement of this RPM gauge tachometer is. It is a compact high-speed integrated chip. This RPM tachometer adopts a backlit LCD screen for easy digital reading and a low battery reminder function. It is multifunctional, including max/min/avg, m/min m/sec ft/min ft/sec in/min unit selection, data logging and low battery indication functions. This is a contact tachometer with stable performance. It is suitable for motors, electric fans, paper making, plastics, chemical fiber, washing machines, automobiles, airplanes, ships, etc.

Why We Like This:

Ergonomic handheld design, compact and portable, convenient to use
Good brand reputation

Best With recall: Shimpo portable RPM meter

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The features department is where shimpo portable rpm meter truly manages to shine. It comes with a range of attachments that can be used to measure speed on different kinds of rotary systems, which may include tips used for measuring shafts with a central hole or flat end surfaces, and rotary wheels for measuring conveyor belts. It measures rotational speed, linear speed, surface speed, and total length, and provides 16 different measurement units for rate and speed. It provides durability in harsh environments, and the device can be tripod-mounted and locked to take continuous measurements.

It allows quick retrieval of stored data plus additional last, max. It allows quick retrieval of stored data plus allows usage in the strictest applications.

Why We Like This:

Measures rotational speed, linear speed, surface speed, and total length for flexibility of use
Compact, ergonomic design allows easy grip
Outstanding accuracy allows usage in the strictest applications

Best For RPM Measurement: Shimpo portable Contactnoncontact Tachometer

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The shimpo portable contactnoncontact tachometer is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily usage. It comes with a range of attachments that can be used to measure speed on different kinds of rotary systems, which may include tips used for measuring shafts with a central hole or flat end surfaces, and rotary wheels for measuring conveyor belts. It allows easy grip plus allows usage in the strictest applications. It measures rotational speed, linear speed, and total length for flexibility of use.

The tachometer conforms to nist standards for compliance with regulations, and the ce mark indicates compliance with applicable eu directives. It can be used in applications such as automobile maintenance, mechanical engineering, and maintenance of industrial equipment. It provides durability in harsh environments, and the device can be tripod-mounted and locked to take continuous measurements. It will only measure the current speed (RPM, FMP, MPM) or total.

Why We Like This:

Compact, ergonomic design allows easy grip
Outstanding accuracy allows usage in the strictest applications
Delivers what they promise

Best For Speed Measurement: Eujgoov portable RPM meter

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The eujgoov portable rpm meter should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This stroboscope is very easy to use. It is made from high-impact polymer and the lamp head (with 36 led emitters) is constructed from anodized aluminum. It improves the efficiency of measurement. The display screen under the film is crystal clear. It is a true stroboscope that emits flashes from the LED lamps at a rate of strobe controlled by the user / operator. The buttons are firm, and there are no, flimsy, loose or rattling parts. The build quality is high. The unit uses four AA batteries.

Why We Like This:

Forty thousand rpm, with fine and coarse adjust, easy to measure
One of the new comers and featured product

Best value For money: BAFX products portable RPM meter

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The bafx products portable rpm meter is capable of outshining several other meter featured in this list in overall features in its price range. Powerful yet portable, packed with features yet user-friendly, the bafx products non-contact tachometer makes your work much easier with its serving of pinpoint accuracy, convenience, and safety. It also makes it easy to review readings on the 5-digit digital display, has a backlight for reading clarity, a solid, rugged build for durability, and a low-battery indicator to help you always know when batteries are running out.

This means a tach meter that easily fits in your pocket or work apron. It takes a minute for the tachometer to stabilize its readings. It comes with a press of a button, the bafx products tachometer stores max, min, last & average readings from your most recent measuring session.

Why We Like This:

Take contactless readings of spinning objects from a safe distance
Great handheld tach to measure motor speeds
One of the new comers and featured product