ANENG SZ18 CHEAP-O Multimeter Review & Teardown!

[@GadgetReviewVideos]

Nice review. Did anyone else happen to catch the backwards moment @ 2:07 ? Heck, I would love to find some 71 inch probes with low resistance across them and would still be flexible.

[@halrhoads6194]

Tempted to acquire just for the color scheme! But rating this higher than my Uni-t UT123!? Waaaaaa! All kidding aside, this review was, as expected, well done, entertaining, and informative. Always look forward to new reviews. Thanks.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Your UNI-T 123 is safe for now..still an awesome little multimeter at a great price!

[@TheRadiogeek]

It’s got a Keysight vibe going on with those colors. Nice review as always. Keep testing.

[@niwivan3793]

Almost perfect multimeter (leaving out the stand). It just lacks the serious input protection and safety fuses. Do you think you can upgrade with PTC, MOV's and serious fuses?

[@KeepOnTesting]

I wouldn't advise, perhaps upgrading the fuses but I wouldn't change the input protection circuit by adding PTC or MOVs.

[@electronone5219]

Almost 4k subscribers. Nice review- a few surprises, but it might also be a misprint in the manual 10mil vs 100mils. No micro-fuses.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yes indeed, almost 4K Subs! Phew..Thank gosh those Micro fuses didn't show up..😀👍btw, there was a few typos in the manual, so its entirely possible 😅

[@hameedullah6633]

Hello. Which one is the best brand and multimeter for everything. (Home, professional, electrical and electrician user)

[@pault6533]

24:05 NCV antenna missing. There is a provision for one to be installed, they just didn't bother. Shame, they are already installing two battery springs, a third one would probably work just fine as an antenna, soldered to the "I" pad.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yup..dunno why some companies do that..Aneng dropped the ball here!

[@mjrawesome3430]

I have a really hard time deciding between ANENG SZ18 and HT118A. I really like the display on the ANENG SZ18. Individual ranges go up to 99(9) which is very intuitive, since we use the decimal system every day. The total ranges per function are also higher than on the HT118A, which is even more important. However, I know that the TPE/rubberized orange part is going to become a sticky mess in the future. I've seen it happen too many times before. Only option then is to remove it with alcohol and the device doesn't look very pretty afterwards, to say the least. From what I read, this is either due to heat or natural oils from hands breaking down TPE. Very disappointed to see it here...

[@KeepOnTesting]

Well if it's any consolation, I've used it alot since the review.. outside and indoors...still looks like new and accurate as ever. I say take the chance..you might be pleasantly surprised 😮

[@numerical_error]

Mr. Walker, do you still plan to do a video on shielding? I've been having difficulties with EM interference from the monitors and a laptop on my bench. I wan't to try to use a simple aluminum foil just to see if there will be any difference. Should I ground it to the COM port or should it cover the backside without any connection to the PCB?

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yes I will, hopefully sometime in December! I've just been backlogged with Multimeters to review, hang in there !

[@numerical_error]

@@KeepOnTesting I think we all enjoy the reviews and look forward to the new ones. Especially to the upcoming UNI-T. Thank you for your time and the hard work you're putting in the videos. It's nice to hear that there is no shortage of multimeters to review.

[@nepas3628]

congrats great review, I'm wondering if you have had the chance to check out the SZ17 offline. Beside the reversed screen and the 6000 counts, they are very similar, I guess

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yes similar indeed...The 17 Also lacks the VFC functionality which may be a deal breaker for some..Keep On Testing! 😅👍

[@nepas3628]

@@KeepOnTesting thanks for your reply, I really don't know how useful VFC is in real life, maybe in the future you could do a video about that. I like the SZ18, but I'm not so sure about the reverse display, that's why I was thinking about the SZ17 that has a regular one.

[@KeepOnTesting]

SZ17 should work out nicely for you , let us know how you like it!

[@iantcroft]

Please could you do a low current test on this meter, mA & uA would like to know how accurate it is. Thanks, love the tests on all these meters!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Will do, I will report back here with the results.

[@iantcroft]

@@KeepOnTesting superstar!!

[@radius.indrawan]

17:02 wait a minute.. diode&beep indicators displayed at the same time.. do they work in the same mode (without have to press "select" button to switch between them)? it's rather unusual for an auto-ranging meter, but it doesn't mean bad. in fact, i kinda like it.

[@icsp2]

Yes, it works in the same mode without pressing select button.

[@radius.indrawan]

@@icsp2 thank you. :)

[@rinqucosta2422]

I like beep in diode range and extra leads provided with the multimeter

[@KeepOnTesting]

Spot on! That diode beep rocks..love all the Xtra attachments Aneng includes too..some spare fuses would have been incredible!

[@pyromen321]

I personally love aneng’s tiny test leads! It’s nice to have some variety in size choices in my little lab

[@KeepOnTesting]

I'm in total agreement, ultimately the test lead size is a personal preference..

[@JakirHossain-EEE]

HT118a or sz 18 which one will you recommend? I am very much confused about these to which one to pick. please recommend one for me. my concern is accurate reading and long lasting @ Darren Walker

[@KeepOnTesting]

HT118A ! That was easy...😀👍

[@JakirHossain-EEE]

@@KeepOnTesting Thank you very much 😀😀😀

[@derektodd4126]

Thanks Darren, I have the Q1 somewhere. Must dig it out and give it some love'in.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Funny, I never did a review of the Q1 but it's definitely a decent piece of kit.

[@rogerwilco5187]

I just received mine today. It's smaller than I'd realised but that's ok. I'm impressed with the display and all functions I've tested seem to work ok and are surprisingly accurate. The one thing that I'm very disappointed with is the readability of the main functions around the dial, especially the blue and red. On the pictures and videos they don't look too bad but in reality they're pretty poor. I really wish they'd have just been plain white. Overall I do like it but they've gone up about 20% in price since I bought mine and I wouldn't have paid that much for one.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Great points.. sorry for the late reply.. I agree the dial color contrast isn't the greatest.. give us an update anytime 😊

[@DON_JBL]

Can I ask what is the difference of aneng sz17 and sz18

[@iantcroft]

No test on the mA & uA range?

[@dimz1a]

What's the difference between sz18 and q10?

[@KeepOnTesting]

Honestly besides the colored rotary selection on the SZ18 , there's no discerning difference...a real headscratcher as specs are identical!

[@saarike]

Excellent review! My humble thanks.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thanks my friend! Keep On Testing!

[@saarike]

@@KeepOnTesting That's great!

[@bhushan9066]

I think the NCV can be improved by placing a long metal strip in there and soldering it to that on board print. They did bad in the default test leads production too here, poor internal resistance! It punched above it's limits in capacitance though. It definitely looks like it was made for Halloween 🎃 ... all in all, looking good 😁👍.

[@KeepOnTesting]

I'm surprised by how poor the NCV is on some of these multimeters. You would think by now they would have it down to a science !! 🤔

[@bhushan9066]

@@KeepOnTesting 🤓 Dr. Walker you can try it and inform us how an extra metal strip can change the game!

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@bhushan9066 I shall Bhushan..👍

[@kmkashif]

great next time clean the test probes with alcohol before testing it makes a lot of a difference

[@yambo59]

Not bad, not too bad overall - but not enough to make me spend $40 for it. I do like some things about it, but its a new kid on the block so when thats the case I often watch for later revisions and possible improvements, this ones good but for the money could be better and there are better options at even less money, the HT118A comes to mind. On this one I would forego the almost always mediocre NCV and take better continuity or other improved features instead.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Definitely 👍 Biggest caveat for me was the lack of anything new or earth shattering. Its a nice performing, well laid out multimeter with great ergonomics but still lacking the "wow" I was hoping for.

[@ggj666]

Last meter I had with a reverse screen was awful, almost impossible to read unless you were straight in front of it, and outside in daylight it was useless. Binned it in the end

[@Boz1211111]

Bought pen multimeter with inverse screen without thinking much and im so impressed with it im looking into this only for the screen. This one or an9002 ? 9002 should be fine because it has permanent backlight. Hate timeout backl

[@Mr_Foresight]

The reverse screen means the battery will only last a few weeks

[@maiconnubling]

Which is better, SZ18, SZ19 or Q10? Thanks

[@KeepOnTesting]

SZ18 !! 😃 👍

[@maiconnubling]

@@KeepOnTesting Thanks!!! I'll buy the SZ18 then 👍

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's an awesome multimeter! Let us know how you like it 😀 👍

[@Boz1211111]

Hey darren id be so happy if you could share your opinion, sz18 or an9002? I started looking at sz18 for inverse display thats beautiful, but you said 9002 has permanent backlight so its okay as well... So need expert recomendation Voltage and current measurement acuracy is what i need, barely use other options

[@KeepOnTesting]

Hey Boz, SZ18 is a better buy. More accurate and it has that current alarm in any of the current modes (slow beep every 10 sec) higher accuracy Voltage, especially mV.

[@Boz1211111]

Thank you! Sz18 and q10 look almost the same, think i will go with q10

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@Boz1211111Great choice !

[@Boz1211111]

Found an870 which should have superior acuracy after my q10 order shipped :( is there any advantage to q10 so i dont feel too bad? Really wanted sth acurate because this is my 3rd multimeter, have ac/dc clamp meter and pen style multimeter. Needed another and measure precision current and voltage

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@Boz1211111 I prefer the Q10, less resolution than the 870 but faster and overall better 😉 multimeter experience. That's my story and I'm sticking to it !

[@lucasrocha4329]

Which is the difference between aneng sz18 and aneng a10?

[@KeepOnTesting]

SZ18 and Aneng Q10 are identical.

[@dilansankalana4858]

SZ18 DIGITAL MULTIMETER ANENG good or bad 🙄sir your idea in now ?

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's still a great multimeter...definitely 👍reccommend!

[@danielhurtado7517]

I have bought one and when I put the scale of amps, milliamps or microamps, every 3 seconds or so a beep sounds that is very annoying. I haven't found a way to remove it and the manual doesn't say anything either. Does it happen to yours too?

[@KeepOnTesting]

Yes that's a current aware safety feature. It basically beeps to tell you that you are in current mode. I forgot to mention that during the review. I actually don't mind the sound but I can see how some would find it annoying. 👍

[@thanhvo8548]

NCV con này kém thật phải không bạn ... người bạn của tôi tôi rất thích cách bạn mổ bụng từng con máy để xem nội thất bên trong.... thật tuyệt.

[@fasteagle58]

How would you rank for home use ?uni-t 139C , aneng sz18 , aneng q1 , proskit mt-1236,Ht112b , Ht118A

[@KeepOnTesting]

No difference really, all are capable multimeters for home. My preference Sz18

[@fasteagle58]

@@KeepOnTesting thank you for our suggestion

[@fasteagle58]

@@KeepOnTesting so, does the brand make a difference in the ht118a model? Habotest, Kaiweets

[@arthurrae7904]

Any insight on how to disable the neep in A & mA ranges? Really annoying!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Unfortunately not..I'm trying to find a solution..stay tubed..

[@thehitman5007]

Hey buddy does this have the beep sound on both continuity and diode mode??? If it does that would be great.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Negative, No audible beep in diode mode.

[@thehitman5007]

@@KeepOnTesting ah dayummmmmm. Im disappointed.

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@thehitman5007 u n me both 😔

[@thehitman5007]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJevhn6vpK-hl9k Check out this link. It does have a beep mode on diode function. See the diode mode testing. Weird yours doesn't???? 😵

[@thehitman5007]

Wait a minute. I just noticed in your video that there is a beep. You set it on diode mode and checking continuity. The buzzer and diode symbol was there. Its at 17:01 marking. So that means this does have a diode buzzer mode.

[@TheDIMONART]

Hello!!! So, Richmeters RM409b or this RM777/ ANENG Q10 (They are all Zotek/ZOYI)?? Which one You can recommend?

[@KeepOnTesting]

The Q10 without a doubt..👍

[@TheDIMONART]

@@KeepOnTesting Thanks!!! But now i`m watching your another review of UNI-T UT89X, so that model from UNI-T will be better than ANENG Q10?

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@TheDIMONART It's 2 different models completely.. 89XD is a manual ranging..albeit a great digital multimeter. The ANENG Q10 is automatic but not as feature packed. So really they cater to different segments..general around the house I'd choose the Q10, for bench electronics specifically, the UNI-T 89XD.

[@engr.hossain]

Yeah, these are indeed rebadged zoyi/zotek DMM. Aneg Q1 = Zoyi ZT-X Aneng SZ18 = Zoyi ZT-Y One thing I dislike is the steel cased thermocouple bundled with these meters. They may provide the tiny bead type thermocouple for better sensitivity and usefulness, especially for electronics work.

[@arthurrae7904]

SZ18 makes beeps every few seconds when in Amp & mA modes, which is really distracting & annoying.

[@Rudro2024]

Thank you for your review. It is a nice meter.

[@KeepOnTesting]

My pleasure! Thanks

[@ijs106]

Não gosto dos cabos ,são muito pequenos,e o consumo é alto ,mesmo com poucos componentes

[@numerical_error]

It goes for about $30 on Aliexpress. I would surely prefer sz18 to it's smart sibling. The NCV mode was a bit disappointing, but a nice current shunt and 20mm fuses is a step in the right direction. The 10mm fuses are the main reason I never went for Aneng. Just like the live mode, NCV is a luxury function. With a true cheapo you hold the black lead in your hand while putting the red one in the circuit to find a live wire. For NCV you use millivolt AC mode. The cheapos are designed without shielding on purpose to be sensitive to all the EM fields. In all seriousness, it's a nice cheapo. The light indicator on continuity is fast. The slow continuity can be fixed with a better set of leads. The ranges are good. The accuracy is typical for this price range. Inverted display with a bar graph and 9999 counts is a nice thing to have. It well deserves the 3.5 stars. Also congratulations on 4,000 subscribers!

[@KeepOnTesting]

Thx so much, soon will be 40,000 I hope 😃👍

[@lucasrocha4329]

Why not 10 mm fuse ? Do you know the difference between aneng a10 and aneng sz18 ?

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@lucasrocha4329 You mean the ANENG Q10? Absolutely no difference, same specs just a slightly different color chassis.

[@numerical_error]

@@lucasrocha4329 As far as I understand, SZ18 and Q10 are pretty much identical. They only differ in range printing design. As for the fuses, professional engineers and electricians would provide a much better answer. I pretty much do electrical repairs around the house, fix appliances, computers etc. Unfortunately Aneng has a history of cutting costs in input protection. Their specs are very competitive for the price, but safety-wise they are pretty… bad. Just look at AN8008 - a very popular model. 9999 count display. Rated for 1000VDC and 750VAC, but has tiny 10mm ceramic fuses. Now if you’re just using your meter on the bench for low voltage and low current that can be enough. But for the mains or any high voltages if I would to screw something up, I would prefer my fuses to blow, not the meter. If you look at some more expensive meters, they use big HRC fuses, MOVs, PTCs etc. to be sure it survives power surges and some human errors. So you know they are not one time use cheap toys. Of course, not everyone can afford a $300 Fluke or even a $100 UNI-T. I personally went for two cheap ones. One for general use and another for the electrical stuff.

[@lucasrocha4329]

@@numerical_error Thank you. What could you say about kkMoon 128 multimeter?

[@radius.indrawan]

is this rubberized thing the same material as Uni-T use? i have Uni-T UT210E clamp meter that its rubberized ring wheel starts getting sticky and becomes annoying when using it.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Slightly different, it's actually very nice. I am impressed with the feel of the boot and the tactile grip it convers, great job!

[@radius.indrawan]

@@KeepOnTesting cool then! now i get a hard time to decide which one to buy, this Aneng SZ18 or Zoyi ZT-102A.. 😅

[@wilsonluilui]

the orange color is very nice ,good look 👍

[@KeepOnTesting]

Personally, I prefer it over the red in this multimeter!

[@wilsonluilui]

yes,every one have his own lovely color.👍👍👍

[@radius.indrawan]

honestly i prefer yellow, but it is a forbidden color.. 🥴

[@duyphongnguyen88]

19:00 2 đo nhiệt: Q1 và SZ18 cho số liệu khác nhau

[@abzaman77]

whts the difference between this and the q10? TIA.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Same multimeter

[@abzaman77]

@@KeepOnTesting 24 vs 38usd for q10 in ali express. not sure why there is a price difference.

[@easywaycircuit9233]

hey bro you have a review of aneng an870 19,999 counts?

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's the same multimeter as the RICHMETERS RM219 I reviewed here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGa3lpycnraWaLc

[@lucasrocha4329]

Would you test kkmoon 128?

[@KeepOnTesting]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6nHqYKin65_Z7c Same multimeter

[@Mr_Foresight]

The CE mark is a rip off of the European CE kite mark. In Europe the CE mark is given to independently tested products to international standards. The Chinese have been using this mark for years.

[@designnhj8445]

Very nice design & quality

[@KeepOnTesting]

Agreed, way underrated multimeter 👍

[@Jose-Ribeiro]

Please do a review on the Mestek DM100A.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Identical , kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-smZeoq5esoqM

[@Jose-Ribeiro]

@@KeepOnTesting I don't think so. That one its identical to the Mestek DM100C, not the DM100A. ;)

[@janebezerra6399]

Muito bom mesmo manda um pramim

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@Jose-Ribeiro You are correct my friend. Ok, I've just ordered one for review 😅

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@janebezerra6399 Obrigado meu amigo!😀

[@bhushan9066]

That GTA San Andreas music 🎶 do you play it too?, I play it even today, so old game though ♾️

[@KeepOnTesting]

Not anymore...the good old days 🤣

[@sot010174]

Slow bargraph (updates as fast as the counter) is a dealbreaker for me...

[@KeepOnTesting]

Personally, I didn't notice any slowness with the analog bargraph but YMMV 👍

[@sot010174]

Please connect them to the bench PSU and keep varying (a lot) the voltage. Compare the Anengs to the Sanwa which seem to update faster than the counter. The whole point of the bargraph is to simulate analog circuitry and detect quick variations in the signal. You can try comparing to the Flukes, Owons, heck even the lowly VC99 has a better bar than that. Anyway, thanks for your reply.

[@reniremigio5878]

qual diferença entre sz18 e o q 10 sou do Brasil

[@KeepOnTesting]

Pas difference.. simplement la couleur. Vraiment bizarre! Meme chose.

[@hrtech9925]

how long last for the battery

[@KeepOnTesting]

I'll run some tests over the W/E and report back.. 😁👍

[@johnames6430]

Why make fun of the meter as "cheap-o". The fluke is $180+ last time I checked and this one is holding up quite well. If you need it for professional reasons by all means invest in the fluke because that's who you derive your livelihood. This an excellent meter for the price.

[@KeepOnTesting]

CHEAP-O is not meant as a derogatory term..It's simply a baseline for all the expensive multimeters to meet. Its surprising how often the CHEAP-O Multimeters meet or best their expensive counterparts! 😎👍

[@numerical_error]

Cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad. We like cheap multimeters. :)

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@numerical_error So true!! Long live CHEAP-O Multimeters!

[@aldrinelectronics4283]

Wow😁

[@duyphongnguyen88]

15:00 Capacitance

[@domdom604]

😮

[@duyphongnguyen88]

17:50 không hiểu họ đo cái gi.

[@quangtan3162]

I like it

[@KeepOnTesting]

It's a great multimeter!

[@kedroboy]

Здравствуйте. Что лучше из этих двух?

[@KeepOnTesting]

Здравствуйте, SZ18!😃👍

[@kedroboy]

@@KeepOnTesting спасибо!!!! 👍👍👍

[@KeepOnTesting]

@@kedroboy пожалуйста! 😉

[@pakousta]

:))))))))))

[@josesantos503]

Marca de baixa qualidade

[@johnames6430]

You should review that very expensive Fluke meter and show how much of a piece of sh-t it is too for the price and also show all the things the fluke can't do. Let's make fun of the over-priced garbage too if we are going to trash the cheap stuff. 10yrs ago you would not have been able to find a meter that does all this for even close to this price.

[@KeepOnTesting]

Indeed all is fair in love and war! I will definitely be doing some $$$$ vs $ multimeter comparisons/reviews in the New Year. The Fluke in this segment was gifted by a viewer/friend and as such holds a special place. So true that today's multimeters are miles ahead of most instruments from the past at a fraction of the price ! Keep On Testing! 😀👍

[@icsp2]

The main difference between high end and low end priced models comes down to safety. If your happy testing up to 1000v with a cheap meter then fill your boots. One will keep you alive, the other won't.

[@Tonmoy0138]

I'm not impressed 🙄

[@jort93z]

Honestly, I don't feel like it is much better than the considerably cheaper an8008 I own. Have you tested that one before? The only reason I see to buy this one would be temperature and the 99.99mA range(the an 8008 skips that one, but in return you get ranges down to 0.1uA). And maybe the min and max function.