Rating of the best breathalyzers 2021: price review, reviews

Drivers often find themselves in a situation where, in the midst of a celebration or a relaxing break in the company of a glass of alcohol, they need to get behind the wheel. Traffic rules prohibit driving while intoxicated; the permissible limit is 0.16 ‰ (ppm). The best breathalyzers for personal use in 2020-2021 will help you determine whether you can go or whether you should wait.

Rating of the TOP 15 best breathalyzers of 2021

Place	Name	Price
TOP 4 best breathalyzers for personal use by price/quality for 2021
1	Inspector AT750	Find out the price
2	Inspector AT850	Find out the price
3	Inspector AT550	Find out the price
4	Infracar AT-101	Find out the price
TOP 4 best semi-professional breathalyzers
1	ALCOSCAN AL-1100	Find out the price
2	DRIVESAFE II	Find out the price
3	Dingo E-010	Find out the price
4	Dingo SCREEN	Find out the price
TOP 4 best professional breathalyzers
1	AlcoHunter Professional +	Find out the price
2	META STSI 01	Find out the price
3	AlcoHunter Professional X	Find out the price
4	Breathalyzer Mark V	Find out the price
TOP 3 best inexpensive breathalyzers
1	Inspector AT500	Find out the price
2	Inspector AT100	Find out the price
3	Delta AT-550	Find out the price

Which breathalyzer is better to buy?

This rating presents 7 models of breathalyzers, when choosing which you should take into account the purpose of their use. If you are a lover of beer or other alcoholic beverages, then it is enough to have a device with you for personal use. Those who work in the traffic police cannot do without professional breathalyzers. The same breathalyzers must be used for pre-trip inspections. It is desirable that they can work with printers, which will allow them to print the results.

Here are the criteria for choosing a good breathalyzer:

View . Breathalyzers can be semiconductor (burn alcohol vapor), electrochemical (work based on the interaction of a reagent with alcohol) and photometric. The latter are rare and involve the absorption of alcohol vapor by infrared radiation.
Accuracy . The most reliable information is provided by products with a mouthpiece through which inhalation is carried out and inserted into the oral cavity. The optimal error should not exceed 25%; the lower it is, the more accurate the data.
Output of the result . It is shown on the display, mostly backlit, in % BAC, mg and ppm based on alcohol concentration.
Metering range . It is possible to determine the alcohol content in the range from 0.00 to 5.00 mg/l. Some models do not capture low dosages that are harmless to the driver.
Weight . Typically the device weighs from 70 to 120 g; the lighter it is, the more convenient it is to hold it in your hand.

Professional devices are known as breathalyzers, and they are the most accurate in readings. Therefore, if possible, it is best to buy them. With a limited budget, the driver will be helped out by the best breathalyzers for personal use presented in the rating.

How to choose a breathalyzer?

The first thing you should consider is the price: devices costing up to 3,000 rubles usually show results with a large error.

The most accurate indicators will be provided by breathalyzers costing around 10 thousand rubles and more.

You should also pay attention to the following parameters:

measurement accuracy (error);
time to prepare the device for operation;
response time;
range of indicators;
operating temperature (if you plan to use the device outside the home);
number of measurements per battery charge;
presence of light indication of charge;
presence or absence of a mouthpiece;
guarantee period;
Availability of self-testing and self-cleaning systems.

TOP 4 best breathalyzers for personal use by price/quality for 2021

In 2021, a home breathalyzer is not that uncommon. It is purchased to check troubled teenagers, monitor the recovery of people with alcohol addiction, and make sure that the next morning after a party you can already drive.

Inspector AT750

A compact breathalyzer from a Korean manufacturer with a stylish body, lightweight and neat, suitable as a gift.

It’s easy to understand the controls: the instructions in Russian contain clear recommendations.

The menu, power and display buttons are backlit . The display also shows a battery charge indicator. For normal operation of the device, two “little finger” batteries (AAA) and 15 seconds of time are required, and it will take only 5 seconds to blow through the breathalyzer before the next measurement.

Measurement range - 0 - 1.12 ppm . The device is equipped with sound and light indication, as well as an automatic shutdown function. Includes 6 mouthpieces.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 15 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
step: 0.01 ppm;
operating temperature: 5 - 40 °C.

pros

high accuracy;
build quality;
Ease of Management;
fast warm-up;
affordable price.

Minuses

Few mouthpieces included.

Inspector AT850

Another lightweight Korean alcohol meter with an interesting design . The device shows results close to the truth with high accuracy: the measurement, including preparation for the test, takes no more than a minute.

For normal operation of the device, you need 2 AA batteries. The uniqueness of the breathalyzer is the unit of measurement mg/l, as well as a wide measurement range - 0 - 4 ppm.

The kit includes the device itself, 3 mouthpieces and clear instructions in Russian.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 35 s.;
operating temperature: 5 - 40 °C.

pros

inexpensive;
wide measurement range;
easy to use;
speed of measurements.

Minuses

only 3 mouthpieces included;
no backlight.

Inspector AT550

Convenient, small and very light (51 g) device, powered by two AAA batteries, audio and visual indication, battery charge indicator and self-shut-off function.

Using the breathalyzer requires 35 seconds of preparation, and after a 6-second purge, you need to wait 2 minutes before the next test.

The device has a wide measurement range - 0 - 4.4 ppm . Measurements are accurate and expressed in mg/l.

The device is very simple and clear: the display has 3 light indicators, one of which shows that it is ready for use, the other warns that the battery charge is low, and the third that the indicators have been exceeded and you cannot drive.

Below the indicators there is a power button.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 35-120 s.;
blowing time: 6 s.;
operating temperature: 5 - 40 °C.

pros

build quality;
light indication;
Ease of Management;
high testing accuracy;
low price.

Minuses

few replaceable mouthpieces included;
After 500 tests, calibration is required.

Infracar AT-101

Personal breathalyzer of domestic production in a durable metal case with memory effect: the device is capable of remembering the last 48 measurements.

The device shows the test result in ppm and mg/l, is equipped with audio and visual indications, a battery charge indicator and an auto shut-off function.

The measurement range is 0 - 4 ppm, and it can be used within the ambient temperature range from 0 to 40 degrees.

The breathalyzer takes only 10 seconds to prepare for the first measurement, and preparation for each subsequent measurement takes 45 seconds.

The device not only displays hard numbers on the display, but also tells you how much sleep you need before getting behind the wheel.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 10-45 s.;
step: 0.001 ppm;
operating temperature: 0 - 40 °C.

pros

holds a charge well;
voice notification;
accuracy of measurements;
high accuracy;
memory effect.

Minuses

high price;
One button for all actions.

Is it possible to fool a breathalyzer and how to do it?

The most reliable way to achieve an acceptable reading on a breathalyzer is to not drink alcohol. Nevertheless, people come up with ways to fool the breathalyzer or speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body. In fact, almost all manipulations have no special effect. But if you drank a hundred grams of wine or took a couple sips of beer, you can protect yourself in the following ways:

Engage in intense physical exercise or visit a sauna. Both options involve accelerating metabolism and, accordingly, quickly removing alcohol from the blood. There is some truth in this method, but for a very small dose of alcoholic beverages.
Take absorbents. Polysorb or activated carbon will not remove all alcohol from the blood, but they will partially get rid of it. The exposure time of the drugs is from 2-3 hours. Again, suitable if you have taken very little alcohol.
Take many deep breaths and breaths. This manipulation will ventilate the lungs. The method is dubious, but some drivers claim that it is effective.

All other methods that you hear or read about are completely useless: chewing gum, lollipops, hangover remedies, brushing your teeth, drinking plenty of fluids. Aromatic substances will only mask the smell of alcohol, water will not have time to remove alcohol from the body, and hangover remedies relieve symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause.

An attempt to deceive can have bad consequences. If you just took a sip of wine and are worried that you will meet a traffic inspector, then try these methods on yourself. If you are experiencing even a slight degree of intoxication, then you should not get behind the wheel, endangering yourself and others.

TOP 4 best semi-professional breathalyzers

Semi-professional breathalyzers are also suitable for home use. They can be had, for example, by those whose work involves driving a car, but you need to understand that such devices are much more expensive.

ALCOSCAN AL-1100

Among analogues, this device can be called budget . Its weight is 180 g, it looks quite large, but cute.

For ease of use, a lanyard is attached to the case for wearing on the wrist.

In the central zone there is a testing area, below it there are three light indicators that display the level of alcohol vapor in the exhaled air.

Due to the semiconductor measurement system, the device can also react to other compounds, such as ketones.

The device takes 120 seconds to prepare for the first test, but for subsequent tests it takes only 10.

Very fast blowing (2 sec.) and the number of measurements per day (up to 50) are the main advantages of the breathalyzer. It is also easy to use even without reading the instructions.

Specifications:

sensor: semiconductor;
mouthpiece: no;
preparation time for measurement: 10-120 s.;
blowing time: 2 s.;
operating temperature: 0 - 50 °C.

pros

fast blowing;
minimum break between adjacent measurements;
high accuracy;
sound and light indication.

Minuses

no mouthpiece;
semiconductor sensor.

DRIVESAFE II

Breathalyzer with 5% accuracy, easy to use and short intervals between measurements.

The device is miniature and lightweight, runs on two AA batteries, and quickly “recharges” for repeated testing.

The device operates in the range of 0 - 9.99 ppm and allows up to 50 measurements per day.

Test results are reported in light and visual formats. There is also an auto shut-off and battery charge indicator.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 30-60 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
operating temperature: 0 - 50 °C.

pros

high accuracy;
measurements in ppm and mg/l;
fast blowing;
stock up to 50 measurements per day.

Minuses

high price.

Dingo E-010

A reliable, small-format device with an interesting design, ease of control and use.

On the central panel at the top there is a large display that displays test results and indications that the device is ready for measurements (for example, Wait).

The breathalyzer is charged using 2 AAA batteries . After turning on, you need to wait 60 seconds to start measuring. It only takes 4 seconds to blow through.

Up to 40 measurements can be taken per day.

The advantages of the device are a wide measurement range (0 - 4 ppm), sound and light indication, as well as the ability to connect to a smartphone or computer using a USB cable.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 60 s.;
blowing time: 4 s.;
operating temperature: 0 - 40 °C.

pros

accuracy of measurements;
unusual design;
ease of management and use;
ability to connect to a smartphone or PC;
light weight.

Minuses

underestimates the indicators.

Dingo SCREEN

A modern compact breathalyzer based on an electrochemical sensor with a highly sensitive sensor, according to the manufacturer.

The device is equipped with a multicolor color indicator: the test result depends on the color of the indication.

In addition to light sensors, there is a power button and a window for exhaling air. After switching on, it takes 2 minutes to prepare, after which the device is ready for operation indicator will light up.

Blowing lasts only 2 seconds, and a repeat test can be carried out after 20 seconds.

Among the additional functions, the device only has a battery charge indicator.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: no;
preparation time for measurement: 2-120 s.;
blowing time: 2 s.;
operating temperature: 0 - 50 °C.

pros

easy to operate;
minimum blowing time;
a short break between adjacent measurements;
long battery charge.

Minuses

does not turn off by itself.

The best breathalyzers for pre-trip inspection of drivers

Such devices are used in medical offices before drivers of public or freight transport, for example, truckers, are allowed to work. Among them, one best breathalyzer was identified.

AlcoHunter Economy

This is a simplified professional model of a breathalyzer; in its production, the company saved a little on functions, but did not disappoint with quality. Thanks to the use of a semiconductor sensor, several well-ventilated mouthpieces included and an accurate analyzer, the results are obtained with a reliability of at least 75%. The device does not capture ultra-low doses of alcohol vapor, so it does not distract attention. The device has a test counter that allows for timely calibration, after approximately 1000 measurements.

Advantages

Warning about readiness for use;
5 mouthpieces included;
Blows out in 5 seconds;
Prepares for the first measurement in one minute;
Weighs 120 g.

Flaws

The mouthpiece does not adhere very tightly to the device.

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TOP 4 best professional breathalyzers

Professional breathalyzers are designed to provide the most accurate readings. It is these devices that are used by traffic police officers and other organizations where testing of employees is required (for example, in taxis, in medical institutions, etc.).

AlcoHunter Professional +

An inexpensive device for professional use with an error of 10% . The model is small, easy to use, lightweight and runs on 2 AAA batteries.

Test results are displayed on the display in ppm, BAC, mg/l.

The alcohol meter is sensitive to readings in the range of 0 - 5 ppm . The step is 0.01 ppm.

Up to 140 measurements can be taken per day, which makes it possible to use a breathalyzer in organizations for testing employees.

For convenience and speed of operation, the device is equipped with light and sound indication, battery charge indicator and auto shutdown function.

Specifications:

sensor: semiconductor;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 15-50 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
operating temperature: -5 – 70 °C.

pros

wide measurement range;
suitable for testing in different weather conditions;
high accuracy;
small dimensions.

Minuses

takes a long time to warm up before the first measurement;
the mouthpiece falls out.

META STSI 01

A budget model for making up to 50 measurements per day, each of which can have an error of 20%, which is quite a lot for a breathalyzer.

The weight of the device is 500 g, and the preparation time for the first measurement is 3-4 minutes.

All these indicators are disadvantages of the device, but there are also advantages: simplicity and ease of use and low price.

The test result is shown on the display and accompanied by an audible signal . There is also a battery charge indicator.

Specifications:

sensor: semiconductor;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 15-210 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
operating temperature: 1 - 40 °C.

pros

inexpensive;
10 mouthpieces included;
allows you to perform up to 50 tests per day.

Minuses

measurement inaccuracy;
long warm-up.

AlcoHunter Professional X

Easy to use and relatively inexpensive Russian-made device with a scale of 0.01 ppm.

The device runs on two AAA batteries, has sound and light indications, a battery charge indicator and an auto shut-off function.

Externally, the device looks interesting, and it is also easy to operate..

The set includes 5 comfortable, firmly fixed mouthpieces. Measurement results with an error of 10% are displayed in ppm, BAC, mg/l.

Specifications:

sensor: semiconductor;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 50-190 s.;
blowing time: 9 sec.;
operating temperature: -5 - 40 °C.

pros

allows you to make up to 140 measurements per day;
compact;
works even at sub-zero temperatures;
affordable price.

Minuses

low accuracy;
takes a long time to warm up.

Breathalyzer Mark V

Professional compact breathalyzer with keychain and an impressive set of mouthpieces - 5 pieces included.

The device can store 2000 measurements in memory, which are expressed on the display in mg/l.

After switching on, the first test can be performed in 17 seconds. A minute passes between adjacent measurements.

The range of acceptable values is 0 - 4.4 ppm, the error is only 10%.

To operate you will need 4 AAA batteries and positive ambient temperature: at temperatures below 15 degrees the device does not work.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 17-60 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
operating temperature: 15 - 35 °C.

pros

can store up to 2000 measurements in memory;
equipped with a key fob;
105 mouthpieces included;
can be connected to a smartphone or PC;
speed of work.

Minuses

Requires 4 batteries to operate;
does not work at temperatures below 15 degrees.

Which brand of breathalyzer is better to choose?

This rating will examine the advantages and disadvantages of products from the 6 best brands on the breathalyzer market. Here are the companies we are talking about:

Inspector – the name of the company fully corresponds to its product range. She has reliable video recorders, radar detectors, car alarms, and breathalyzers. There are models with both an electrochemical sensor and a semiconductor one. Several “original” mouthpieces are usually sold in a kit. The error in readings most often does not exceed +/-0.1% BAC.
Dingo - previously this brand was called AL, and now, under an improved brand, air alcohol analyzers are produced for professional and individual use by amateur drivers or chauffeurs. It has several types of devices - electrochemical and semiconductor. The products are distinguished by a good sensor, accuracy at the level of traffic police measurements and fast operation.
Ifo-Technology - the manufacturer is very popular in the breathalyzer market, in particular, due to the AlcoHunter Professional model. He gives a guarantee for his products for up to 12 months. Its devices are universal, some of them can operate even at sub-zero temperatures and on a battery. With their help, you can conduct more than 50 tests per day.
Drivesafe is a manufacturer that produces devices for determining the concentration of ethanol vapor in the driver’s exhaled air. Its products are often used for pre-trip inspections. Its devices are partially included in the State Register of Measuring Instruments of the Russian Federation, which allows them to be officially used by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.
Ritmix is a Korean brand of automotive equipment and accessories for cars, the scope of its interests has expanded to the production of good breathalyzers for personal and professional use. Its lineup includes more semiconductor offerings than electrochemical ones. The company's devices measure alcohol vapor in exhaled air with an accuracy of +/- 0.01% BAC.
Supra - the products of this company are regularly awarded the title of the best in the CIS market, including Russia. This is facilitated by the functionality of the brand’s devices and its use of high-quality materials, ease of use and reliability of the information provided.

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TOP 3 best inexpensive breathalyzers

Breathalyzers that are too cheap should not be completely trusted, but they can be kept at home to, for example, make sure that a teenager is behaving strangely due to hormonal fluctuations and not prohibited tests, or to choose who will drive after a holiday.

Inspector AT500

Budget household breathalyzer with a bright, clear display, accurate measurement in mg/l and a compact body weighing only 70 g.

Preparation for work takes only 15 seconds: in the future, the readings will be displayed on the display and stored in memory (up to 50 results).

The standard blowing procedure takes 10 seconds . After the results are displayed, you must wait 2 minutes before the next test.

The result is displayed on the screen and is also accompanied by lighting and a sound signal.

Specifications:

sensor: electrochemical;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 15-120 s.;
blowing time: 10 s.;
operating temperature: 10 - 40 °C.

pros

can store up to 40 measurements in memory;
inexpensive;
compact and lightweight;
wide measurement range;
high test accuracy.

Minuses

inconvenient to store mouthpieces;
long warm-up.

Inspector AT100

A compact device with a keychain and a durable body, only 6 cm in height . To start working, you need to insert one AA battery into the special compartment and wait 20 seconds: after this, the breathalyzer can be used for its intended purpose.

The pause between tests is 60 seconds.

Additional functions of the breathalyzer include a timer, auto shutdown and battery charge indication.

Units of measurement are ppm, BAC . For ease of movement and operation, the device is equipped with a key fob.

Specifications:

sensor: semiconductor;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 20-60 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
operating temperature: 10 - 40 °C.

pros

cheap;
lightweight and compact;
there is a timer;
speed of work.

Minuses

no case for attachments;
large error (step - 0.1 ppm).

Delta AT-550

Inexpensive domestically produced breathalyzer with an interesting design, small dimensions and weighing only 40 g.

For normal operation of the device, 3 AAA batteries are required, as well as 20 seconds of preparation: after this, you can conduct a test, the results of which are displayed on the LCD display in ppm, BAC.

The scale step is 0.01 ppm, and the measurement range is 0.1 - 2 ppm.

Both visual and audio indications will notify you of the measurement results. There is also an auto shutdown function.

Specifications:

sensor: semiconductor;
mouthpiece: yes;
preparation time for measurement: 20 s.;
blowing time: 5 s.;
operating temperature: 0 - 40 °C.

pros

spectacular appearance;
measurement speed;
accuracy of measurements;
compact size;
stores up to 10 measurements in memory.

Minuses

discharges quickly;
no battery charge indication.

Operating principle of a home breathalyzer

The operating principle of a home breath alcohol meter depends on the type of sensor device that is built into the device. This may be a semiconductor or electrochemical sensor.

In the first case, alcohol molecules are retained on the sensor . They change its conductivity, and the signal on the display is displayed taking into account the number of these same molecules.

More accurate electrochemical alcohol meters act differently: a special catalyst reacts to alcohol vapor, converting the measurement result into a digital signal.

Types of breathalyzers

All types of breathalyzers can be divided into 2 large groups: professional and household. The former are more expensive, give more accurate readings, are capable of making up to 100-150 measurements per charge and are equipped with a greater number of functions. For example, many of them can take photos of the test subject.

Household ones are cheaper and simpler, and also have a larger error. They typically take longer to recover from one measurement and are designed to take no more than 5 measurements per charge.

Depending on the type of sensor, there are semiconductor and electrochemical devices . The former are less accurate, sensitive to environmental conditions, cheaper and react not only to alcohol vapors, but also to similar compounds, for example, aldehydes and ketones.

Electrochemical alcohol meters are more expensive, more accurate, and give more realistic readings at low temperatures and high humidity.

Less popular types of breathalyzers include:

spectrophotometric;
personal;
special;
LED;
disposable;
laser;
automobile;
medical;
test strips;
mobile;
virtual.