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I’ve spent a lot of time with both the Fluke 87V and the Fluke 117, and they serve different masters. The 87V is a beast built for industrial troubleshooting, measuring up to 1000 V AC/DC, while the 117 is a lighter, smarter meter for everyday commercial and residential work.
If you’re an electrician trying to decide between raw power and everyday convenience, this comparison is for you. The real trade-off here is advanced diagnostic capability versus ease-of-use features like non-contact voltage detection.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Fluke 87V
Top pick for industrial work with a low-pass filter for variable speed drives and 1000V max rating — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Fluke 117
Great for general electricians thanks to non-contact voltage detection and AutoVolt — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the key specs side-by-side so you can see exactly how the Fluke 87V and Fluke 117 stack up against each other.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Fluke 87V Industrial Digi | Fluke 117 Digital Multime |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fluke | Fluke |
| Style | INDUSTRIAL TRUE RMS MULTIMETER | TRUE RMS MULTIMETER |
| Power Source | Alkaline | Battery Powered |
| Color | yellow | yellow |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds | ✅ 689 g |
| Max Voltage AC/DC | ✅ 1000 V | — |
| Low Pass Filter | ✅ Yes | — |
| Peak Capture | ✅ 250 µS | — |
| Non-Contact Voltage | — | ✅ Yes |
| AutoVolt | — | ✅ Yes |
| Low Impedance Mode | — | ✅ Yes |
| Frequency Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Capacitance Measurement | — | ✅ Yes |
| Min Max Average | — | ✅ Yes |
The biggest difference I see is the 87V’s 1000V max rating and low-pass filter for industrial drives, while the 117 tops out at 600V but adds non-contact voltage detection.
Individual Product Breakdown
I put both meters through their paces, looking at build quality, real-world accuracy, and which features actually save you time on the job. Here’s what I found.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
1000V AC/DC | Low Pass Filter | Peak Min/Max | 1.3 lbs
The Fluke 87V is the gold standard for industrial troubleshooting, and after using it on variable speed drives, that low-pass filter is a lifesaver for accurate frequency readings. I love the switchable resolution that goes from 6000 to 20,000 counts, letting me spot tiny voltage changes. It’s a heavy-duty tool rated CAT III 1000V and CAT IV 600V, but it weighs 1.3 pounds which is noticeable on a belt. This is your meter if you work in factories or with motor drives, but it’s overkill for basic residential calls.
✅ Pros
- Measures up to 1000V AC/DC for high-voltage industrial gear
- Low-pass filter captures accurate readings on variable speed drives
- Peak capture catches intermittents as fast as 250 µS
- Comes with temperature probe, alligator clips, and TL75 leads
❌ Cons
- Heavier and bulkier than the 117 at 1.3 pounds
- No non-contact voltage detection for quick checks
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
600V Max | Non-Contact Voltage | AutoVolt | 689 g
The Fluke 117 is the meter I grab for daily service calls because the VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection saves me from pulling out leads for every quick check. The AutoVolt feature automatically picks AC or DC voltage, which is one less thing to think about when you’re in a rush. It has a low impedance mode that kills ghost voltages, a huge help in commercial buildings, and the white LED backlight works great in dark panels. It’s rated for 600V max, so it won’t handle the high-voltage industrial work the 87V does, but for residential and commercial electricians, this is the smarter everyday tool.
✅ Pros
- VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection for quick safety checks
- AutoVolt automatically selects AC or DC voltage
- Low impedance mode prevents false readings from ghost voltage
- Lightweight at 689 g with a large white LED backlight
❌ Cons
- Only rated for up to 600V, not for heavy industrial gear
- No low-pass filter for variable speed drive troubleshooting
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with both meters to know there’s no universal winner — it really comes down to what kind of electrical work you do every day. Let me break it down so you can pick the one that fits your actual job.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You troubleshoot variable speed drives and need the low-pass filter for accurate frequency readings
- You work around high-voltage industrial equipment up to 1000V AC/DC
- You need to capture fast intermittents as short as 250 µS with Peak Capture
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You do residential or commercial service calls and want VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection for quick checks
- You want AutoVolt to automatically select AC or DC voltage without twisting a dial
- You deal with ghost voltages in commercial buildings and need the low impedance mode
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re a hobbyist or only need a meter for occasional home repairs, both of these are more tool than you need. You’d be better served by a basic multimeter that costs a fraction of the price and still handles the essentials.
For most electricians doing commercial or residential work, I’d point you to the Fluke 117 every time — it’s lighter, faster to use, and the non-contact voltage detection is a genuine time-saver. But if you spend your days in industrial plants with motor drives and high-voltage gear, the Fluke 87V is the only real choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for an electrician, the Fluke 87V or the Fluke 117?
It depends on what kind of electrician you are. If you work in industrial plants with variable speed drives and high-voltage gear up to 1000V, the Fluke 87V is the better tool with its low-pass filter. If you do residential or commercial service calls, I think the Fluke 117 is actually better because the VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection and AutoVolt feature save you time every single day.
Is the Fluke 87V worth the extra money over the Fluke 117?
For industrial troubleshooting, yes — you’re paying for the low-pass filter, 20,000-count resolution, and the ability to capture 250 µS intermittents that the 117 simply can’t do. But for standard electrical work, I honestly don’t think the extra cost is justified, since the 117 handles 600V and gives you features like ghost voltage rejection that are more useful on a daily basis.
Does the Fluke 117 have non-contact voltage detection?
Yes, it does — that’s one of its best features. The Fluke 117 has VoltAlert technology for non-contact AC voltage detection, which lets you check if a wire is live without touching it. The Fluke 87V does not have this feature at all.
Which meter has a higher voltage rating, the 87V or the 117?
The Fluke 87V wins here with a maximum operating voltage of 1000V AC/DC, while the Fluke 117 tops out at 600V. The 87V is also rated CAT III 1000V and CAT IV 600V for safety in industrial environments. If you’re working on high-voltage industrial equipment, the 87V is the only safe choice between these two.
Can the Fluke 117 measure capacitance and frequency like the 87V?
Yes, the Fluke 117 does measure resistance, continuity, frequency, and capacitance, so it covers the basics well. However, the Fluke 87V has a dedicated low-pass filter for accurate frequency measurements on adjustable speed drives, which the 117 lacks. For standard frequency checks on household circuits, the 117 works fine.
Which multimeter is lighter and easier to carry on the job?
The Fluke 117 is significantly lighter at 689 grams compared to the 87V at 1.3 pounds, which is about 590 grams. The 117 is also smaller with dimensions of 6.67 x 3.31 x 1.82 inches versus the 87V’s 9.49 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches. If you’re carrying your meter all day, the 117 is much easier on your back and belt.
My Final Verdict
For most electricians, I’m picking the Fluke 117 as the overall winner. It’s lighter at 689 grams, has VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection for quick safety checks, and the AutoVolt feature saves time on every call. The Fluke 87V is the better tool if you work in industrial settings with 1000V gear and variable speed drives that need its low-pass filter.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you troubleshoot motor drives and high-voltage machinery, or do you do standard commercial and residential service calls? That answer will tell you which meter to buy, because buying the wrong one means either paying for features you don’t use or missing the ones you actually need.
Winner: Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
Best for residential and commercial electricians who want non-contact voltage detection and AutoVolt for faster daily work.
Runner-Up: Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Best for industrial electricians who need 1000V capability, a low-pass filter for motor drives, and 20,000-count resolution.
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