10 best breathalyzers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The current situation on the roads increasingly requires prudence and quick reactions from drivers. Driving drunk in this state is fraught with serious consequences, especially for those around you. Even a slight excess of the alcohol concentration in the body can play a cruel joke: the likelihood of being stopped by law enforcement officers on the roads, paying a fine and losing your license is not worth an extra portion of a strong drink.

The editorial board of the magazine has compiled a special rating of the 10 best breathalyzers, dividing them by classes into 3 main categories. The following were selected as criteria for the compiled list:

1. user feedback on the use of devices;
2. expert opinions;
3. specifications;
4. quality indicators
5. cost indicators.

Rating of the best breathalyzers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best professional breathalyzers	1	Drager Alcotest 5510	34 900 rub.
	2	META 02 spectrophotometric	RUB 14,900
	3	AlcoHunter Professional X	RUB 10,990
The best semi-professional breathalyzers	1	Dingo E-010	RUB 8,900
	2	ALCOSCAN AL-1100	RUB 9,900
The best personal breathalyzers	1	Alcogran AG-100	RUB 5,200
	2	Dingo AT-1000	4 400 rub.
	3	Inspector AT550	RUB 3,150
	4	SITITEK PRO2	RUB 2,840
	5	Delta AT-600	RUB 1 955

The best professional breathalyzers

Professional breathalyzers are the most advanced devices for determining alcohol in the human body, used for services in special bodies and hospitals. They are equipped with the most powerful and sensitive sensors and can be connected to personal computers for diagnostics and transmission of the received data. Such breathalyzers are more expensive than all others, and are distinguished by their large overall dimensions.

Drager Alcotest 5510

Rating: 4.9

The leader in the category of professional breathalyzers is the Drager Alcotest 5510 device, which measures in the range of 0-4.44 ppm. Unlike META 02, the electrochemical method already known to us for determining the concentration of alcohol vapors in exhaled air is used here, which operates with a fairly high accuracy.

Drager Alcotest 5510 differs from its competitors in its convenient body and pleasant appearance, as well as in its relatively low weight: 0.2 kilograms. The time required to prepare the sensor for the first measurement is only 20 seconds, and to register the value, only 3-4 seconds of blowing is enough. In addition, the model is able to memorize the last 10 measurements. The only problem is that, all other things being equal and not the richest configuration, its cost is 34 thousand rubles. Too much pay in every respect.

Advantages

• ergonomic body, light weight;
• wide range of measurements;
• only 20 seconds to prepare the breathalyzer for the first measurement;
• works at temperatures up to -5 degrees Celsius.

disadvantages

• unreasonably high price.

META 02 spectrophotometric

Rating: 4.8

A special-purpose spectrophotometric alcometer with an extended configuration and the ability to connect to a computer to work with the data obtained. It has no restrictions on the number of measurements per day, since the method of obtaining results does not imply frequent calibration and a sharp decrease in the working life of the sensor.

META 02 measures the alcohol concentration in exhaled air in the range from 0 to 3 ppm with an accuracy of 0.001%. At the same time, the preparation time of the device for operation takes as much as 210 seconds – this is the worst indicator in the entire rating. Another drawback of the device can be considered 400 grams of weight with not the most convenient case. In general, the breathalyzer raises certain questions, but it copes with its main function perfectly.

Advantages

• high level of accuracy of the measured values;
• no restrictions on the number of measurements per day;
• can work at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius;
• 10 mouthpieces included.

disadvantages

• 400 grams of weight;
• Waiting 210 seconds before first use.

AlcoHunter Professional X

Rating: 4.7

It is a rare case when a professional breathalyzer costs less than semi-professional models. This is because AlcoHunter Professional X cannot connect to a computer or other system device. But with the technical indicators, everything is in order: the measurement range of alcohol concentration is 0 – 5 ppm with a step of one hundredth. The device supports up to 140 measurements per day, due to which it can be used by special services.

It takes 190 seconds to prepare AlcoHunter Professional X … however, this is not the worst indicator in the ranking. But with the duration of the blowing, not everything is so unambiguous: to obtain an accurate result, it is necessary to blow into the mouthpiece for 9 seconds (!), And even with a constant intensity. Included with the breathalyzer are 5 mouthpieces and 2 AAA batteries – this is where the add-on base is exhausted.

Advantages

• reasonable price for a professional breathalyzer;
• up to 140 measurements during the day;
• low measurement error.

disadvantages

• requires 9 seconds of purging to obtain results;
• 190 seconds of preparing the sensor for the first measurement;
• lack of ports for connecting to a PC.

The best semi-professional breathalyzers

Semi-professional breathalyzers are an intermediate link between personal and professional devices, which takes advantage of each type. Such devices are more compact, cost less and give results faster than pro-breathalyzers. However, the measurement accuracy and complexity of the assessment in them is much higher than in individual breathalyzers.

Dingo E-010

Rating: 4.9

Unlike ALCOSCAN AL-1100, the Dingo E-010 breathalyzer provides the ability to control values ​​in numbers thanks to the built-in display. Measurements are carried out in the range from 0 to 4 ppm with an accuracy of hundredths at a temperature of 0 – 40 degrees Celsius. But this is not the main thing: for the first time among the products under consideration, we have one that connects to computers or phones.

Dingo E-010 is made in a pleasant, ergonomic body, easy to grip with one hand. Its weight is only 100 grams, and its dimensions are not too different from personal breathalyzers. The set contains as many as 5 mouthpieces, and power is provided by 2 AAA-type batteries.

Advantages

• the ability to connect to a PC and phone;
• lightweight and comfortable body;
• high measurement accuracy (up to 0.01 ppm);
• electrochemical analysis method;
• 5 mouthpieces included.

disadvantages

• high price.

ALCOSCAN AL-1100

Rating: 4.8

Semi-professional semiconductor breathalyzer for special purposes, working with analog signals. Its peculiarity lies in the absence of a digital display, which was replaced by 3 signal lights. Therefore, it will not be possible to determine the exact amount of alcohol in the blood with ALCOSCAN AL-1100. If there is no alcohol in the tested person's blood, the green light under the Zero mark will light up. If alcohol is present but within acceptable limits, the Low light will turn on. If the concentrations reach forbidden values, then the red High indicator will signal this.

The preparation time of ALCOSCAN AL-1100 for the first measurement is 120 seconds, and this is not the best indicator among their own kind. But the blowing time is limited to only 2 seconds, during which the sensor has time to give an adequate estimate. In terms of quality, the device is not bad, but the cost does not match the layout and the number of elementary functions.

Advantages

• visual indication based on 3 diodes;
• minimum time for purging and submitting the result;
• simple and reliable design;
• 10 seconds pause before rerun.

disadvantages

• high price;
• the inability to accurately assess the degree of concentration of alcohol in the blood;
• 120 seconds of preparation for the first measurement.

The best personal breathalyzers

Personal breathalyzers are inexpensive and compact devices for personal use that can instantly determine the concentration of alcohol in the blood. Their system works on semiconductor sensors and provides a sufficiently high accuracy of measurements (however, not more accurate than professional devices). Such devices are cheaper and are available in any major hardware store.

Alcogran AG-100

Rating: 4.9

Alcogran AG-100 is the most accurate breathalyzer among all the options on the market. In terms of measurement error, it is practically comparable to professional devices, however, the complexity of the assessment and the number of working functions does not allow it to go beyond personal breathalyzers.

The measurement range of Alcogran AG-100 is extremely small – only from 0 to 1 ppm, but the accuracy reaches a thousandth of a unit. In general, even this range will be enough to determine the degree of intoxication and the ability to get behind the wheel. Preparation for the first measurement takes only 10 seconds, while a repeat run can be done in 1 minute. Of the additional functions, there is nothing special to highlight here, with the exception of the auto shutdown on duty and battery charge indication.

Advantages

• accuracy up to 0.001 ppm;
• supports up to 7 measurements per day;
• can measure in dimensions BAC and mg / l;
• 5 mouthpieces included.

disadvantages

• high price.

Dingo AT-1000

Rating: 4.8

Electrochemical breathalyzer with a mouthpiece for measurements, with an original appearance and a convenient display with a backlight function. It measures alcohol levels in the range from 0 to 4 ppm with an accuracy of one hundredth of a unit, for which it is naturally considered one of the best in the segment of personal devices.

Preparation before the first measurement for the Dingo AT-1000 is 35 seconds, and the result (taking into account the blowing time) occurs 22 seconds after the start of the procedure. One of the features of the device is the “anti-cheating” function, which offers to repeat the measurement if the test person is not exhaling strongly enough. The number of tests without recharging can reach 1000, however, the device requires verification every 500 runs.

Advantages

• measurement accuracy up to 0.01 ppm;
• 3 years warranty service;
• pleasant, ergonomic body and backlit display;
• anti-cheat function that allows you to receive only correct data.

disadvantages

• quite high price.

Inspector AT550

Rating: 4.7

More powerful breathalyzer for personal use, which uses an electrochemical sensor instead of a semiconductor one. This factor practically did not affect the price of the product, but significantly expanded its capabilities. The amount of detectable alcohol in the blood ranges from 0 to 4.4 ppm, which is more than 2 times higher than those of its predecessors.

The Inspector AT550 has become a little heavier (51 grams) and received 2 AAA batteries as batteries. The time to prepare the sensor for the first measurement was 35 seconds, and the waiting time between checks increased to 120 seconds. But there are no unnecessary functions in the firmware of the device, only sound and visual indication, and auto shutdown with a battery charge indicator.

Advantages

• high-precision electrochemical method of sample analysis;
• measurements up to 4.4 ppm;
• convenient conversion of the indicator into mg / l;
• the presence of sound indication and auto-off function.

disadvantages

• requires mandatory calibration at the service center after 500 measurements.

SITITEK PRO2

Rating: 4.6

Breathalyzer of the well-known company SITITEK, which has a lot of additional functions. Its program includes not only standby features such as auto shutdown and battery discharge indication, but a timer and clock with a full alarm clock. The semiconductor device measures alcohol levels up to 1.9 ppm in 0.1 increments and can convert measurements to BAC. Notifies about the end of the test only visually, displaying the measurement results.

As for the overall dimensions of the SITITEK PRO2, the weight of an “empty” breathalyzer is only 45 grams. It uses 2 AAA-type batteries as batteries. The first measurement can be carried out immediately after switching on by blowing the sensor for 5 seconds. And in order to make the next measurement, you must wait at least 60 seconds so that the circuit has time to clear the remaining air inside.

Advantages

• fairly accurate determination of the level of alcohol in the human body;
• an abundance of additional functions: alarm clock, timer, clock;
• relatively low price;
• the first measurement can be performed immediately after switching on.

disadvantages

• absence of sound indicator of the end of measurement.

Delta AT-600

Rating: 4.5

A standard semiconductor breathalyzer for personal use that measures the concentration of alcohol in breath in the range from 0 to 2 ppm. It operates at a temperature of 0 – 40 degrees Celsius and can store up to 10 measurement results in memory.

The Delta AT-600 uses a sound signal and visual indication as a warning system – the result of the test is displayed on a small display. In order to start measuring, the device needs more than 20 seconds, and to obtain a reliable result, it is necessary to breathe on the sensor continuously for 5 seconds. The breathalyzer has a body that is comfortable to grip and weighs no more than 40 grams. This is a great choice, recommended by hundreds of drivers.

Advantages

• low price;
• the presence of an auto power off function;
• there is a battery discharge indicator;
• 4 purge mouthpieces included;
• fits comfortably in the hand thanks to its special shape

disadvantages

• short USB cable included.

---

Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.