When it comes to multimeters, Fluke is the best name to choose. Even if you have your heart set on a Fluke meter though, there are still quite a few choices you will need to make. Both the Fluke 87 and 88 are similar meters, so knowing which one to choose can be very difficult. This Fluke 87 vs 88 guide aims to help assist you to make the best choice and choose the meter which is ideally suited to your needs.
As with all genuine Fluke meters, they are designed and made in the USA to very high standards. Both the Flue 87 and 88 have very similar features. That said, the Fluke 88 is designed specifically for automotive use, this means that it has a few additional features to make life easier for automotive electricians. Both meters feature a thermometer which can be useful, and can measure current, voltage, resistance and capacitance.
These are very safe meters and have undergone safety testing required to use them on mains voltages in homes. There are also several accessory kits which can be purchased for both the 87 and 88. These are tried and tested multimeter models and very unlikely to become obsolete. They are designed to last and normally if you buy a fluke meter, you won’t need to buy another one. The Fluke 88 has a backlight so that it’s easier to read in low light levels and can measure the RPM of an electric motor which can be useful when working on cars.
Fluke 87 Vs 88
| Fluke 87 | Fluke 88 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fluke | Fluke |
| Key features | - Auto and manual ranging for maximum flexibility - Analog bar graph for fast changing or unstable signals - Selectable filter for accurate voltage - Input Alert provides audible warning against wrong use of input jacks | - Maximum Resistance of 50 M - Measures to 1000V AC and DC - Withstands hazardous 8,000 volt spikes - Temperature measurment of -200.0°C - 1090°C (-328.0°F - 1994.0°F, 1.0% excluding probe) - Maximum Duty Cycle or 99.9 % within 2% per KHz +0.1% |
| Price | ||
| Customer Rating | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 5.0 out of 5 stars |
| Best Offer | save 8%
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Conclusion
Which one you choose depends entirely on your preferences. If you are an automotive technician then the 88 might be better suited. However, bear in mind that the 87 can do almost everything the 88 can do, although sometimes it might require the user to do a few more calculations. If you are after a general purpose multimeter then the 87 will be perfect because you won’t need the additional automotive features. If however you plan on working on cars with it, then you might prefer to spend a bit more to buy the 88.