Is the Cheapest Fluke Still Worth It? - Fluke 101 Multimeter Review
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Looking for a genuine Fluke multimeter that won’t drain your wallet? The Fluke 101 is the most affordable model in the Fluke lineup. Available now for $52.89 with fast shipping from our Ontario, CA warehouse, it's a compact, durable, and surprisingly capable little meter.
But is it just a stripped-down version of its bigger siblings, or a quality tool worth considering? Let’s break it down with a detailed look—including real-world testing and teardown insights—to help you make a smart buying decision.
👉 Get the Fluke 101 for $52.89 – Ships from Ontario, CA
A Tiny Genuine Fluke for Under $60?
The Fluke 101 has been around since 2013 and remains one of the most compact and minimalist models in Fluke’s lineup. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, yet sturdy enough to survive real-world use.
First thing you notice? It’s tiny. But it’s not a toy—this thing is solid. You can tell from the first touch: high-quality plastic, stiff casing, no flex, no creaking, and a range switch that feels better than meters three times the price.
It’s made in China, just like many modern Fluke products, but still designed and tested to meet Fluke’s rigorous standards. In fact, Fluke’s first China-built model was the Fluke 19 from the late '90s—a flop at the time—but the 101 is built to succeed.
What You Get
In the box, you’ll find:
- Fluke 101 multimeter
- TL75 PVC test leads (genuine Fluke)
- Two AAA batteries pre-installed
- Quick start leaflet
The probes are Fluke’s entry-level TL75s—PVC, not silicone—but still a step up from generic bundled leads.
Size and Display
This meter is small, about the size of a typical pocket meter. It’s similar in size to the ANENG AN8008 and other compact multimeters. The display is clear but not huge—12mm digits, reflective screen, no backlight.
The digits could be larger, and it’s not the brightest display, but it's readable and practical for everyday use.
Build Quality
This is where the Fluke 101 shines. It feels like a proper Fluke:
- The body is rigid and durable
- Rotary switch has solid tactile feedback
- The battery compartment has a twist-to-open design (nice touch)
- Everything fits together tightly—no rattles, no weak spots
You can drop it, throw it in a toolbox, or take it on site. It’s built like a brick.
Functions and Limitations
Here’s what the Fluke 101 can do:
- AC voltage (average responding)
- DC voltage
- Resistance
- Continuity (latched, reasonably loud)
- Diode test
- Capacitance
- Frequency
And here’s what it can’t do:
- No current measurement (AC or DC)
- No true RMS
- No backlight
- No manual ranging
- No relative mode
- No temperature or min/max features
That might sound like a lot of missing features—but it’s not pretending to be a lab meter. This is a simple, reliable, safe tool for basic jobs.
Performance Testing
Continuity tester? Pretty good. Not the fastest out there, but it’s latched and audible.
Voltage accuracy? Excellent. Even under 240V and 600V tests, it stayed spot on—within one least significant digit.
Capacitance? Accurate, though a little slow on high-value caps (e.g., 1000μF takes a few seconds to settle).
Overload protection? We pushed it to 1200V AC—it survived just fine. That’s the Fluke safety engineering at work.
RFI resistance? No common mode problems even under a 150MHz sweep.
Battery Life and Power Use
Fluke claims 200 hours of battery life, but real-world tests show it can go 800–1000+ hours on a good set of AAA batteries. Power draw is extremely low—even when left on, standby mode draws only about 15μA.
It also works fine with lithium batteries, and doesn’t freak out at voltages over 3V.
Teardown: Inside the Fluke 101
We cracked it open to see what’s under the hood. Highlights:
- Single-chip architecture (efficient, clean layout)
- Proper creepage and clearance distances
- Isolation slots, MOVs, PTCs, fusible resistors—real safety engineering
- Solid banana jack mounts integrated into the case
- No cut corners—even the PCB is high-quality FR4 material
No fancy hybrid resistor arrays here, but that's expected at this price.
A Few Downsides
No auto hold. No DC millivolts. No backlight. These are missed opportunities, especially since Fluke has excellent touch-hold technology in its higher-end models.
The bottom is curved with no tilt stand, so it doesn’t sit flat on a bench. You can buy an optional magnetic hanger or DIY a stand if needed.
Who Is the Fluke 101 For?
This isn’t a full-featured electrician’s meter—but it’s perfect for:
- Students and beginners
- Hobbyists and makers
- Technicians needing a backup or glovebox meter
- Anyone who wants a genuine Fluke without paying $100+
If you don’t need current measurement or True RMS, the Fluke 101 is a smart buy. It’s a high-quality, ultra-durable multimeter that covers the basics with confidence.
Final Verdict: A Genuine Fluke at a Bargain Price
At just $52.89, the Fluke 101 is a great entry-level multimeter with exceptional build quality. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but what it does, it does very well—and it’ll probably still be working in 20 years.
Want something with more features? You’ll need to look at higher-end Fluke models or feature-rich brands like Zotek or ANENG—but you’ll be sacrificing Fluke’s legendary build and safety.
If you just need volts, ohms, and confidence, the Fluke 101 is worth every penny.
