8 best hydrometers

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.

In a modern car, technical fluids are used, the quality of which determines the serviceability of individual systems and the entire car as a whole. Therefore, the motorist's arsenal must have special instruments for measuring density. Densimeters are considered unique devices with a narrow measuring range. Those devices whose work is based on Archimedes' law are called hydrometers. When choosing a device, you should know the approximate density range in the test liquid. Recommendations from our experts will help you choose the right densimeter.

Selection recommendations

Varieties. All hydrometers used in car maintenance can be divided into two groups.

1. Antifreeze densimeters should measure the density of the coolant in the range of 1.05-1.10 g / cc. cm. It is in this range that an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol does not freeze at a temperature of -25 …- 50 ° C.
2. The power source in a passenger car is a lead-acid battery. If the organization operates electric vehicles, then you will have to deal with the maintenance of alkaline batteries. Battery electrolyte density meters must withstand exposure to an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid or alkali. The density range of acidic electrolyte is 1.27-1.29 g / cc. cm.

Materials. Several materials are used to make hydrometers.

1. Glass is considered the best material for making a transparent and durable bulb. The dose of liquid required for analysis is drawn into this small reservoir. Glass is highly resistant to organic compounds, acids and alkalis.
2. Plastic also withstands corrosive environments, but loses its transparency over time. Therefore, the measurement results may not be very accurate.
3. Rubber elements are also used in hydrometers. This is a pear, with the help of which liquid is sucked into the flask, and a hose, it is lowered into the cooling system or battery. In addition to resistance to chemical compounds, rubber must remain elastic over a wide temperature range.

Scale. Two types of scales are used to determine the density of a liquid.

1. The digital scale is used in precision densimeters, it is suitable for professionals who need to know the result with an accuracy of one hundredth.
2. The color scale is more suitable for novice motorists. It makes it easier to assess the performance of a technical fluid. The entire scale is divided into 2-3 sectors and painted in different colors.

We have selected 8 best hydrometers for review. All of them are sold in the trade network of our country. When allocating seats, the editorial board of the magazine relied on the opinion of the expert community, taking into account the reviews of Russian consumers.

Rating of the best hydrometers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best hydrometers for antifreeze	1	Jonnesway AR030002	RUB 550
	2	JTC 1040	360 RUB
	3	AV Steel AV-920097	282 r
Best hydrometers for battery electrolyte	1	Jonnesway AR030001	RUB 520
	2	Heyner PREMIUM 925 010	426 r
	3	AUTOPROFI battery BAT / TST-118	351 r
	4	JTC 1041	RUB 315
	5	Pennant AR-02 5002	132 RUB

The best hydrometers for antifreeze

The freezing point and boiling point of antifreeze depends on the density of the coolant. The optimum density range is 1.07-1.10 g / ml. But over time, the 'chiller' loses its properties. To prevent the liquid from freezing in cold winter, the density of the antifreeze should be measured in a timely manner. The experts liked the following hydrometers.

Jonnesway AR030002

Rating: 4.9

The Jonnesway AR030002 hydrometer is suitable for determining the quality of the coolant in a car. The Taiwanese manufacturer used a simple principle of operation based on Archimedes' law. As the vessel is filled with antifreeze, the float floats up. The experts drew attention to the wide functionality of the measuring device. One scale indicates the freezing point of the liquid, on the other the user can learn about the boiling point. The product should include a durable case, long service life, compact dimensions. The hydrometer is not afraid of exposure to acidic or alkaline environments.

Domestic motorists praise the device for its ease of use, accurate density results, and wide functionality. The downside is the high price.

Advantages

• simplicity;
• reliability;
• multifunctionality;
• compactness.

disadvantages

• high price.

JTC 1040

Rating: 4.8

You can monitor the operating parameters of the coolant in the car using the JTC 1040 hydrometer. The Chinese device is lightweight (111 g), compact in size and affordable. The experts drew attention to the presence of two scales, which can be used to determine the freezing point and boiling point. The model is supplied in a blister pack that ensures the integrity of the device. The principle of operation of the densimeter is based on Archimedes' law. The product becomes the silver medalist of our review.

Russian motorists prefer the Chinese hydrometer at an affordable price, beautiful design and ease of use. Among the disadvantages, there is a low resistance to aggressive environments.

Advantages

• lightness and compactness;
• blister packaging;
• affordable price;
• multifunctionality.

disadvantages

• low resistance to acids and alkalis.

AV Steel AV-920097

Rating: 4.7

The AV Steel AV-920097 hydrometer can become a reliable assistant to the car owner or mechanic. The Russian development is produced in China, which has a positive impact on the cost. The device is designed to determine the density of ethylene glycol solutions used in the cooling system of vehicles. For clarity, the device has two scales, thanks to which it is possible to determine the freezing point of the liquid and the boiling point. The manufacturer used the float density measurement method. Experts gave the product the bronze of our review for a low price and ease of use.

Users are satisfied with the affordable price, reliability and build quality. Of the shortcomings, the small print on the scale is mentioned, they consider the graduation in Fahrenheit superfluous.

Advantages

• low price;
• ease of use;
• simplicity and reliability;
• multifunctionality.

disadvantages

• small font.

Best hydrometers for battery electrolyte

Car batteries use electrolyte, the density of which determines the battery charge level. The optimal range is 1.27-1.29 g / cc. see Experts have paid attention to several models of cordless hydrometers.

Jonnesway AR030001

Rating: 4.9

The hydrometer for the battery electrolyte Jonnesway AR030001 finds a wide scope of application. The device is bought by motorists to determine the state of charge of acid batteries, it is also suitable for measuring the density in alkaline batteries of forklifts. The Taiwanese development has a simple design, based on the most important law of hydrostatics. The float takes a certain position in the liquid, depending on its density. The scale has three multi-colored sectors, thanks to which even a novice car enthusiast will find it easy to understand the charge level. The device becomes the winner of our review.

Russian motorists praise the hydrometer for its tightness, resistance to aggressive media, light weight (118 g), and effective protection against burns. The disadvantages include the high price.

Advantages

• versatility;
• light weight;
• multi-colored scale;
• durability.

disadvantages

• high price.

Heyner PREMIUM 925 010

Rating: 4.8

A minimum amount of electrolyte is required for density determination using a Heyner PREMIUM 925 010 hydrometer. The device consists of a 14 ml plastic case, which is marked with a scale from 1.1 to 1.3 g / cc. see It is in this range that the density of an acidic electrolyte most often falls. The experts gave the device the Silver of our review for the ability to carry out measurements in batteries with a small volume. The float-type hydrometer weighs only 0.054 kg and is highly accurate. High build quality should be added to the asset.

But domestic motorists have found some disadvantages of the device. They are unhappy with a thin spout, an unreliable fixation system, and the lack of a cover or case.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• plastic case;
• ease;
• a small volume of electrolyte is required.

disadvantages

• no case or case;
• unreliable fixation.

AUTOPROFI battery BAT / TST-118

Rating: 4.7

The AUTOPROFI hydrometer of the BAT / TST-118 battery is designed to measure the density in lead-acid batteries. The Russian design weighs only 140 g and is easy to use. On the body of the hydrometer, the manufacturer put a color scale on which, in addition to digital divisions from 1.1 to 1.3 g / cu. cm there are three sectors with a different shade. This approach simplifies the task for novice motorists, depending on the position of the float, you can quickly draw a conclusion about the battery charge level. The device comes with a pear and an acid-resistant hose, and experts consider the price acceptable.

Domestic users praise the hydrometer for its simplicity and affordability, a clear scale. But the measurement accuracy leaves much to be desired.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• ease of use;
• understandable scale;
• durability.

disadvantages

• narrow scope of application;
• inaccurate measurement results.

JTC 1041

Rating: 4.6

The simple Taiwan JTC 1041 hydrometer is a useful measuring device for car enthusiasts and battery technicians. Thanks to this low-cost device, you can quickly and accurately determine the density of the electrolyte, and therefore the state of charge of the battery. The scope of the hydrometer is limited to lead acid batteries. The float-type model is equipped with a color scale divided into three sectors (charged, needs attention, uncharged). The experts liked the lightness (140 g) and compactness of the device. The asset should include a strong case and a long service life.

In the reviews, motorists praise the hydrometer for its accuracy, the transparency of the flask, and a high-quality pear. The disadvantages include the sticking of the float to the flask and the lack of a storage case.

Advantages

• low price;
• quality materials;
• lightness and compactness;
• accuracy.

disadvantages

• the float sticks to the flask;
• no case.

Pennant AR-02 5002

Rating: 4.4

The most popular hydrometer among domestic motorists is the Vympel AR-02 5002 device. Experts consider the low price to be one of the reasons. However, the device has a number of other advantages. The use of glass for making the flask deserves praise. The glass does not become cloudy, which makes it possible to accurately determine the density after many years. The pear sits hermetically on the flask, so no air is sucked in when the electrolyte is taken. The thin spout is convenient for taking samples even in small batteries with small holes. The device weighs only 120 g. The operating temperature range is -30 … + 40 ° C. The model closes our review.

The hydrometer did not manage to bypass competitors due to short-lived rubber. In addition, the device is quite long (307 mm); it is not safe to store it without a case or case.

Advantages

• low price;
• glass flask;
• ease;
• tightness.

disadvantages

• no case or case;
• fragile rubber.

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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.