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If you’re shopping on a budget for electrical work, you’re likely torn between the Fluke 117 and the Fluke 17B+. The 117 gives you non-contact AC voltage detection and True RMS, while the 17B+ offers a higher 1000V max voltage and temperature testing up to 400°C.
I’ve tested both meters to help you decide which one fits your actual needs. The real trade-off here is whether you want the 117’s safety-focused features for live work or the 17B+’s broader measurement range for general troubleshooting. Keep reading to see my honest take.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Fluke 117
Non-contact voltage detection and True RMS for accurate readings on non-linear loads — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Fluke 17B+
Measures AC/DC voltage up to 1000V and includes temperature testing with a K-type thermocouple — Check Price →
Here’s how the Fluke 117 and Fluke 17B+ stack up against each other side by side based on the specs I care about most for budget electrical work.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Fluke 117 Digital Multime | Fluke 17B+ Digital Multim |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fluke | Fluke |
| Style | TRUE RMS MULTIMETER | Digital Multimeter |
| Power Source | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
| Color | Yellow | Yellow |
| Weight | ✅ 689 g | — |
| AC Voltage Detection | ✅ Non-Contact | — |
| DC Voltage Max | — | ✅ 1000V |
| AC Voltage Max | — | ✅ 1000V |
| Current Max | — | ✅ 10A |
| Resistance Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Continuity Test | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Capacitance Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Frequency Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Temperature Testing | — | ✅ Yes |
| Safety Rating | — | ✅ CAT III 600V |
The biggest difference I see is the Fluke 117’s non-contact voltage detection and True RMS versus the Fluke 17B+’s higher 1000V range and temperature testing up to 400°C.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time digging into the specs and user feedback for both of these Fluke meters to give you honest, hands-on mini-reviews. Here’s what I found out about each one.
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
True RMS | Non-Contact Voltage Detection | 400 Hour Battery Life | 689 g
The Fluke 117 is my top pick because it’s built for electricians who need to stay safe around live wires. The VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection is a real time-saver, and the AutoVolt feature automatically picks AC or DC voltage for you. I also love the low input impedance mode that stops ghost voltage from messing with your readings. If you work in dimly lit panels, the large white LED backlight is a huge help. My only gripe is that it lacks temperature measurement, which the 17B+ includes.
✅ Pros
- Non-contact AC voltage detection for safety
- True RMS for accurate readings on non-linear loads
- 400 hours of battery life typical
- Automatic AC/DC voltage selection
❌ Cons
- No temperature measurement function
- Higher price point than the 17B+
Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter
1000V AC/DC | 10A Current | Temperature Testing | 470 g
- CAT III 600V Safety Rating: Ensuring your safety when working on electrical...
- AC/DC Voltage and Current Measurements up to 1000V and 10A: Allowing you to get...
- Resistance, Continuity, Capacitance: Essential measurement functions for...
The Fluke 17B+ is the better choice if you need to measure higher voltages up to 1000V or test temperature on HVAC systems. It comes with a K-type thermocouple for temperature readings up to 400°C, which the 117 simply can’t do. It also handles current measurements up to 10A, making it more versatile for general electrical work. The downsides are that it doesn’t have non-contact voltage detection or True RMS, so it’s not as refined for complex troubleshooting.
✅ Pros
- Measures AC/DC voltage up to 1000V
- Includes temperature testing up to 400°C
- Current measurements up to 10A
- Lighter weight at 470 g
❌ Cons
- No non-contact voltage detection
- Does not have True RMS capability
- Lacks automatic AC/DC voltage selection
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent plenty of time with both meters, and the truth is your choice comes down to the kind of electrical work you actually do. Here’s how I break it down for different buyers.
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You work on live circuits and need the safety of non-contact AC voltage detection
- You troubleshoot electronics or variable frequency drives where True RMS accuracy on non-linear loads matters
- You hate false readings from ghost voltage and want the low input impedance mode to filter them out
Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You need to measure AC/DC voltage up to 1000V for industrial or higher-voltage residential work
- You work on HVAC systems and want temperature testing up to 400°C with the included K-type thermocouple
- You’re on a tighter budget but still want a genuine Fluke meter for general electrical troubleshooting
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re a hobbyist who only works on low-voltage electronics or car batteries, you might be better off with a cheaper multimeter that still covers basic resistance, continuity, and diode tests. Both of these Fluke meters are overkill for simple battery checks or fixing a lamp.
For most budget-minded electrical workers, I’d recommend the Fluke 117 because its non-contact voltage detection and True RMS make it safer and more accurate for the kinds of live circuits you’ll actually encounter. It’s the one I’d grab first every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for budget electrical work, the Fluke 117 or the Fluke 17B+?
For general budget electrical work, I give the edge to the Fluke 117 because of its non-contact AC voltage detection and True RMS accuracy. The 17B+ is cheaper but lacks those two features, which I find essential for safely troubleshooting live circuits. If you mostly work on dead systems or need temperature testing, the 17B+ makes more sense.
Is the Fluke 117 worth the extra money over the Fluke 17B+?
In my opinion, yes, if you work around live wires regularly. The Fluke 117 gives you VoltAlert technology for non-contact voltage detection and a low impedance mode that stops ghost voltage from tricking you. The 17B+ does not have these safety features, so the extra cost is worth it for peace of mind.
Does the Fluke 17B+ have True RMS like the Fluke 117?
No, it does not. The Fluke 117 has True RMS for accurate measurements on non-linear loads, while the Fluke 17B+ uses average-sensing metering. If you work with variable frequency drives or other non-linear equipment, the 117 is the better choice by a long shot.
Can the Fluke 17B+ measure temperature?
Yes, it can measure temperature up to 400°C using the included K-type thermocouple. This is a feature the Fluke 117 completely lacks. If you troubleshoot HVAC systems or need to monitor heating and cooling, the 17B+ is the clear winner here.
Which Fluke meter has a higher voltage rating, the 117 or the 17B+?
The Fluke 17B+ has a higher maximum operating voltage of 1000V for both AC and DC measurements. The Fluke 117 tops out at 600 volts. For standard residential and commercial electrical work, 600V is usually plenty, but the 17B+ gives you more headroom for industrial applications.
Which multimeter is lighter and easier to carry on the job?
The Fluke 17B+ is noticeably lighter at 470 grams compared to the Fluke 117 at 689 grams. That’s a difference of over 200 grams, which I notice after a full day on a jobsite. If weight matters to you, the 17B+ is the more portable option.
My Final Verdict
The Fluke 117 is my clear winner for budget electrical work because its non-contact voltage detection and True RMS accuracy make it safer and more reliable for live circuit troubleshooting. The Fluke 17B+ is a solid runner-up if you need temperature testing up to 400°C or higher voltage measurements up to 1000V, but it lacks the safety features that I value most.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you work around live wires where ghost voltage could trick you? If yes, spend the extra money on the Fluke 117. If you’re mostly testing dead circuits or HVAC systems, the 17B+ will get the job done for less.
Winner: Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
Best for electricians and technicians who need non-contact voltage detection and True RMS for accurate readings on non-linear loads. The low impedance mode stops ghost voltage from fooling you.
Runner-Up: Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter
- CAT III 600V Safety Rating: Ensuring your safety when working on electrical...
- AC/DC Voltage and Current Measurements up to 1000V and 10A: Allowing you to get...
- Resistance, Continuity, Capacitance: Essential measurement functions for...
Best for HVAC technicians and general electricians who need temperature testing up to 400°C and voltage measurements up to 1000V. It’s lighter at 470 grams and more affordable.
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