Fluke 101 – Is It Worth It for an Electronics Student?

The Fluke 101 is a compact, pocket-sized multimeter. It’s known for delivering basic functions with Fluke’s trademark durability.

Value for Money (Home Use)

Absolutely – the Fluke 101 offers fantastic value if you need a reliable multimeter for home and hobby use. It’s basically a pocket Fluke designed for everyday electrical tests. According to one review, it’s great for “standard measurements – voltage, resistance and continuity”, which covers the typical tasks like checking outlet voltages, testing batteries, and finding broken wires around the house. In other words, it performs well for its price and purpose.

Despite being Fluke’s cheapest model, the build quality is solid. One user noted that “make no mistake, this is still a Fluke and it performs well… good grade and rugged enough to stand years of use.” It doesn’t feel like a flimsy no-name meter; it feels sturdy in your hand, and you can trust it not to fall apart. In fact, another owner commented that the 101 “is compact and has a quality feel to it” and that it met their needs for basic tasks. Many people are happy to pay around $40-50 for this unit because they know they’re getting Fluke’s accuracy and safety in a small package. Given the brand’s reputation for tools that last a lifetime, the 101 can be seen as a long-term household gadget. For casual use at home, it’s hard to beat the trustworthiness and convenience you get at this price point.

Pros and Cons of the Fluke 101

Like any tool, the Fluke 101 has its upsides and limitations. Here’s a quick rundown:

• 👍 Pros: For a budget model, the 101 is surprisingly well-made. It feels durable and solid (not toy-like at all). Its accuracy is great for everyday needs – you can confidently measure volts, ohms, and continuity and get correct readings. It’s also compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to handle with one hand or carry in a bag. The meter is very energy-efficient too (it has auto power-off and a long battery life), so you won’t be swapping batteries often. And of course, it’s affordable – you get a genuine Fluke for under $50, which is a steal considering the quality and safety ratings (CAT III 600V).
• 👎 Cons: The biggest drawback is that the Fluke 101 does not measure current (amps) at all. This means you cannot use it to check how much current a circuit or component is drawing – a limitation that could become frustrating as you work on more electronics projects. It also lacks some advanced functions found on higher-end multimeters. For example, there’s no dedicated current input, no temperature or capacitance range, and no True RMS capability for AC measurements. (It does basic frequency and capacitance in a pinch, but not with the breadth or precision you might eventually need.) Essentially, the 101 covers the essentials but skips things like a frequency counter, diode test, or micro-amp range that could be useful in electronics engineering labs. Another minor con is the minimal extras – there’s no backlight on the display and no kickstand to prop it up, features that more expensive meters include. These omissions aren’t deal-breakers for simple use, but they do remind you that the 101 is a stripped-down device.

In summary, the Fluke 101 is perfectly reliable for basic voltage, resistance, and continuity checks, but it won’t grow with you feature-wise. It’s awesome for what it is, yet those very limitations mean it’s geared more toward the casual user or beginner rather than someone who will need advanced measurement capabilities down the line.

Our Suggestion for EE Students

Since you mentioned you’re an electronics engineering (EE) student, it’s worth thinking a step ahead. The Fluke 101 will serve you well for now – it’s a great starter meter – but as your coursework gets more involved, you might want a multimeter with a broader feature set. If your budget allows, you might consider investing in a model that you won’t outgrow so quickly.

In the Fluke lineup, there are a few models that EE students frequently gravitate towards. A very popular choice is the Fluke 17B+. Many folks consider it the sweet spot for students and hobbyists, as it’s reasonably priced yet packed with features. Unlike the 101, the 17B+ can measure current (up to 10A) and also includes extras like a frequency counter, capacitance measurement, and even temperature readings with a thermocouple. These functions can be really handy in electronics labs (for example, measuring capacitor values or checking oscillator frequencies). The 17B+ isn’t a True RMS meter, but for general electronics work that usually isn’t a big issue. It’s basically a more full-featured multimeter that still keeps the cost relatively low. In fact, a lot of EE students go for the 17B+ as their first serious DMM because it balances price and capabilities so well.

Another option is the Fluke 18B+, which is like the 17B+’s slightly bigger brother. It has very similar capabilities, with a few additional touches (for instance, it may have a backlight and some extra ranges). The 18B+ also measures AC/DC current, voltage, resistance, frequency, capacitance, etc., so it’s equally suited for an engineering toolkit. The difference between 17B+ and 18B+ isn’t huge – they’re both part of Fluke’s China-market line – so either would be a massive step up from the 101 for an EE student. If you find a good price on one or the other during your trip, it could be worth the upgrade.

Lastly, there’s the Fluke 117, which you mentioned. The 117 is actually a higher-tier model aimed at electricians and professionals. It offers True RMS AC measurements and features like a low-input impedance mode (to avoid ghost voltages) and a built-in non-contact voltage sensor. It definitely has the ability to measure current (up to 10A like most standard DMMs). However, be aware that the Fluke 117 is designed more for electrical work than electronics labs. For example, it doesn’t have a microamp range for very low currents, whereas the Fluke 15B+/17B+ do include a 400 µA range for delicate electronics measurements. One experienced user pointed out that the 117 can’t measure small currents and very low voltages that an electronics engineer might need, and suggested the 15B+/17B+ series is more appropriate for electronics in that regard. The 117 is a superb meter for general usage (and it will certainly handle all the basics and then some), but if your focus is electronics engineering, you might get more utility from the 17B+ or 18B+ because of those extra functions tailored to circuit diagnostics.

So, what to do? If you can stretch your budget a bit on this US trip, I’d recommend going for the Fluke 17B+ (or 18B+ if available) instead of the 101. You’ll end up with a tool that not only covers your current needs but also has the features you’ll likely need as your courses and projects advance. The 17B+ in particular is often cited as “worth every penny to those starting off down the Fluke path” – it gives you a true Fluke meter with serious capabilities at a student-friendly price. It’s the kind of multimeter that can carry you through school and still be useful in your future career or projects.

That said, if your budget is really tight and the Fluke 101 is what you can afford, don’t feel bad about it at all. It is worth it for what it offers. The 101 will absolutely handle your basic labs (voltage, resistance, continuity checks) with the reliability you need. Many students start with a basic meter like that and then upgrade a year or two later. Since you’re already familiar with Fluke tools, you’ll appreciate the 101’s quality, and later on, you can keep it as a secondary meter even if you buy a more advanced one. For example, you could use the 101 at home or for field work, and have a 17B+/18B+ or higher model on your bench for bigger projects. Having two meters can be convenient in labs as well (measuring two things at once).

Bottom line: For casual/home use, the Fluke 101 is a great little multimeter and absolutely worth the investment for its price. It’s accurate, tough, and carries the Fluke pedigree of quality. Just be aware of its limitations. As an electronics engineering student, you’ll likely want to measure current and other parameters before long, so consider the scope of your upcoming needs. If you can afford it, grabbing a Fluke 17B+ (or a similar model with more features) might be the smarter long-term move – it’s the one many EE students end up choosing as their first serious tool. If not, the Fluke 101 will still serve you well for now. In either case, you’ll have a reliable meter in your kit. Good luck with your studies and happy measuring!