Take a look around you. How many electrical devices do you see? Electric lights, appliances, and electronic devices surround us everywhere we go. How many of us really understand how these marvelous gadgets work? Do they have any effect on us beyond the convenience they provide?
We know that an electrical current flows through wires and provides power to lights, air conditioners, indoor appliances, and our laptops. But did you know that, even though the wires and electrical devices have insulation to prevent electrocution, everything electric generates a field consisting of both electrical and magnetic particles? This field is called the electromagnetic field, or EMF.
Any weakness in the insulation or shielding in these common devices can cause a stronger EMF, which could eventually affect your health. An EMF meter is used to detect high EMF levels so that issues can be identified and corrected.
So what are the best and most popular choices of EMF meters or detectors on the market today? Here are the top five according to multiple reviews.
1. Trifield 100X EMF Meter
The Trifield 100X is the only EMF meter to combine three functions in one. It operates as an AC gaussmeter, AC electric field meter, or as radio power density meter. It has an easy-to-read LED display with an adjustable backlight to make readings easier to see in dim light. The meter also emits an audio signal to help locate EMF sources.
The Trifield 100X is able to measure various types of fields around your home or even in your own body with its new “weighted mode.” It will give you instantaneously, reliable readouts in several modes. The meter is quick, accurate, and easy to use anywhere, anytime.
Features:
Brand: Trifield–Made in the USA by AlphaLab, Inc.
Model number: TF2
Type: Tri-axis magnetic/Single axis for electric, RF, and microwave readings
Accuracy: +/- 4% @ 50/60 Hz for magnetic, +/-5% @ 50/60 Hz for electric, +/- 20% for RF and microwave
Power: 12+ hours with 1 9V battery
The Trifield 100X can measure EMFs from almost any source, from cell tower RF signals to laptop and TV fields to wiring emissions in your home or office. Even if you’ve never used an EMF meter before, this one will be easy to operate.
There seem to be two cons for this meter. First, the backlight on and off buttons can only be accessed by removing the battery cover. And second, the weighted mode can be confusing for beginners. This mode is more useful for professionals and not really needed for the rest of us, so you can ignore it and still get your money’s worth from this high-quality meter.
2. KII EMF Meter
The KII (or K2) meter travels anywhere easily, is well-made and powerful, and is super simple to use. The meter’s quick response time makes this a popular tool for ghost hunters everywhere. Its consistency and reliability have put it at the top of the market.
The KII Meter features a multi-color, multi-segmented LED display. The meter’s almost instantaneous responses are easy and fun to read. Its popularity is evident, as it can be found on almost any paranormal television show. The meter keeps functioning through bad weather or rough handling without losing its accuracy or responsiveness.
The KII is not just for ghost hunters. The meter is great for beginners. It can help you identify high EMF levels in appliances or other sources either indoors or outdoors. You will then be able to decide how to limit exposure to unwanted EMF fields.
Features:
Brand: KII
Model number: K-II-DELUX
Type: Single axis
Accuracy: +/-5% at 50-60 Hz
Power: 1 9V battery lasts up to a year with normal use
The popular K2 meter is a tough, lightweight meter that will maintain the high performance for years to come. Its a great choice for beginners who want to ensure there are no potentially dangerous EMF levels in their home or office. Or if you decide to set out on a spooky adventure, the K2 can increase your chances of finding and communicating with those restless spirits.
Of course, the one downside to the K2 is that its single-axis design limits the accuracy of its readings to general field levels. But for beginners, this is enough to identify areas of high EMF activity so that appropriate actions may be taken to protect the residents or workers from exposure to harmful levels of electromagnetic currents.
3. Meterk EMF Meter
The Meterk EMF Meter is a budget-friendly EMF meter that is also a good choice for beginners. The meter is lightweight and easy to use. It has a bright, readable display and simple buttons for operation choices. The green backlighting in the screen turns red in the presence of high EMF levels, and an optional audible alarm sounds if the levels get dangerously high.
The Meterk has a data hold feature, which will save your highest reading for future reference. This meter is especially effective for reading signal interference which may occur between your wireless devices. You can use it to test the electric and electronic field radiation from all your home appliances, such as the refrigerator, TV, or computer, as well as in the wiring.
Features:
Brand Name: Meterk
Model number: MK08
Type: Single-axis
Accuracy: +/- 5% @ 50-60 Hz
Power: 3 AAA batteries
The Meterk Meter can be used either indoors or outdoors to ensure that electric and magnetic field levels are within safe limits. It is great for beginners to learn how EMF meters work and what they can do for you without having to deal with too many bells and whistles. As an added plus, the meter shuts off automatically after 10 minutes when not in use, which helps to extend battery life.
There are some definite reasons why this is a lower-priced meter. This is a product of China and the materials are not as high quality as some similarly designed meters. This may have some effect on the accuracy of the readings, especially at lower levels. Also, the Meterk does not read radio frequency emissions, so you will find it does not work for taking readings from cell phones and other wireless items.
The Meterk is a single-axis EMF meter, so it will be easier to identify general EMFs than to track a particular field through an appliance or a wall. Still, the Meterk is a popular meter that will help to alleviate any worries you may have about dangerous EMF emissions from appliances, breaker boxes, or wiring in or near frequently used spaces.
4. Cornet ED78S
The EMRSS Cornet ED78S Plus Dual Mode Meter is the latest version of the ED78S. It is an RF/LF Electrosmog Field Strength Power Meter with a built-in LF Gauss Meter function, Sound Signature, and Datalogger. That’s a mouthful for this simple to use, versatile meter. You can change between modes with the touch of a button, and the backlit LCD display is easy to read even in dark areas. If the backlighting is not needed, it will switch off after 10-15 seconds of disuse.
This meter is high-tech with plenty of digital extras. It gives both general and specific readings, enabling you to detect levels at a specific point while evaluating exposure overall. The histometer keeps track of your last 30 readings to help track emissions to and from the source. Along with digital numeric and graphic readouts, there is a light spectrum display from green to red, alerting you to dangerous EMF or RF field levels obvious at a glance.
Features:
Brand name: Cornet, by EMR Shielding Solutions
Model number: ED78S
Type: Tri-axis
Accuracy: RF: +/- 3.5dBm, LF: 20%
Power: 1 9V battery
The compact Cornet ED78S meter is one of the more popular EMF meters, with cutting-edge technology in a comprehensible package. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’ll get a lot of information from this little unit.
You’ll be able to measure electric, magnetic, radio, or microwave field strength for anything from cell phones to nearby power lines.
The Cornet meter measures electric, magnetic, and radio emissions simultaneously, so it’s not always possible to isolate the specific type of field being generated.
Rather, you’ll have an overall view of EMF and RF fields in the area you are measuring. With many Cornet ED78S reviews, it has been called one of the most accurate meters on the market. It certainly has one of the widest ranges of sensing capabilities.
5. Lutron 822-A Fully Digital EMF Meter
The durable Lutron 822-A is a lightweight and efficient meter. It performs with high resolution over a wide range using a simple one-button operation. This meter is popular for both conventional and recreational uses. It features a bright, large-digit LCD readout that displays emissions in either milligauss or microtesla units.
The Lutron meter can supply reliable readings for any setting. As you are scanning with the meter properly oriented, it takes a new reading every 0.4 seconds for a continuous, accurate display over a wide range.
Features:
Brand name: Lutron
Model number: CECOMINOD036147
Type: Single axis
Accuracy: 4% @ 50-60 Hz
Power: 1 9V battery
The Lutron 822-A is an easy starter meter, simple in operation and dependable for creating an accurate picture of the EMF status in your home or workplace. Use it to detect general emissions from electrical power boxes or in rooms with multiple electronic devices to ensure safe emission levels.
This is also a single-axis meter with limitations thereof. The meter must be turned to align with any fields being generated in order to achieve the most accurate readings. However, economically, it is a highly reliable midrange meter that will be easy for anyone to use, with one of the most easy-to-see readouts on the market.
What Is An EMF Meter?
You may have seen EMF meters on your favorite ghost hunter show. Because these meters detect fluctuations in invisible electromagnetic fields, some believe they can detect the movements of trapped spirits hanging out in scary corners. Whether such claims are true or not we won’t try to determine here. But those handy EMF meters have practical uses we should certainly be aware of.
As mentioned above, EMF meters detect the electromagnetic fields generated by electrical currents. There are two main types of electrical currents, direct and alternating.
Direct currents do not fluctuate, so they do not generate a field that can be detected by an EMF meter. However, most electrical devices today are powered by alternating currents. EMF meters measure the electromagnetic field generated by an alternating current.
It may be helpful to note that while the word ‘radiation is often used when discussing electromagnetic fields and meters, this does not refer to nuclear radiation and EMF meters do not measure this type of radiation. In the case of EMFs, radiation simply refers to the way these fields “radiate” out from a source.
EMFs may be categorized as ionizing or non-ionizing. Ionizing refers to mid- to high-level radiation. This level of radiation has the potential to cause damage to cells and even DNA. These types of rays are emitted from X-ray machines, nuclear reactors, radon gas, or even from space. Your common EMF meter is not intended to detect these types of radiation.
Non-ionizing EMFs are found much closer to home. These are low- to mid-level emissions which are harmless so long as they are within acceptable ranges. Extremely low electromagnetic fields (ELFs) may be harmful, contributing to a variety of health issues. Identifying potentially high levels of ELFs is the goal of EMF meters.
Depending on the source, there are several different ELF EMF fields that may be detected. Some of the EMF fields which may cause adverse effects on your health are:
- Microwave radiation. Considered by some to be a type of electrical radiation, microwave fields may be generated by wireless devices such as cell phones. They are thought by some to increase the risk of brain cancer, though the theory is somewhat controversial.
- Magnetic fields. This type of field is generated by power lines and improper wiring in walls or appliances. These fields are not blocked by the most common building materials. They are considered the most dangerous and are believed to have numerous adverse health effects. These effects include weakening the immune system and even causing certain types of cancer, including childhood leukemia.
- Electrical fields–Wherever there are positive and negative charges present, there is an electrical field. Electrical emissions may originate from exposed wires or any electrical devices. It is believed high levels of these emissions can drain your energy and disturb sleep patterns.
- Dirty electricity. As another type of electrical radiation, dirty electricity originates from sources such as solar power inverters, fluorescent lights or dimmer switches. High levels are believed to contribute to such health issues as an increase in headaches, tinnitus, and sleep disorders.
What is an EMF meter, and how do they work to detect possibly dangerous levels of EMF fields? These meters may very well be an important tool for keeping you and your family healthy. By measuring the potential risk factor of any of the above EMFs, you can determine any repairs or changes that need to be made in your home.
How EMF Meters Work
Now that we know what they are and why they are important, we can ask how EMF meters work. These meters contain antennae and highly sensitive components which can detect and measure fluctuations in electric or magnetic energy.
These fluctuations are calculated and displayed with varying styles of indicators from flashing lights to LCD readouts. These devices help to make us aware of the strength of EMF fields in our living areas.
EMF meters are manufactured with either a single or tri-axis configuration. Single-axis meters are able to sense electrical currents moving in only one direction. So the meter itself must be turned to align with the current flow in order to obtain an accurate reading of any EMF being generated.
This can be simple for some electrical devices and difficult for others. It’s easy to move along an electrical wire, but not so easy to trace the current as it moves through your microwave or washing machine.
Although single-axis meters only give the most accurate reading when properly aligned along an EMF field, they are still useful for taking general readings.
You can use them for making a sweep through your living or working area in search of possible sources of high EMF. If such a source is located, further investigation may be necessary to pinpoint the source, if the field is high enough to affect the health of yourself or your family.
Tri-axis meters offer much more data without so much maneuvering but can be much more expensive. For simple day-to-day use, an economical single-axis reader will probably meet most needs.
However, for professional use or those who believe they may be more sensitive to the effects of EMF levels, a tri-axis model may be a better choice.
The tri-axis meter contains three sensors, all perpendicular to each other. When detecting an EMF field, the three readings from the sensors are combined for a more detailed and accurate reading.
However, it is not necessary to invest in this more advanced system when making a general sweep of your home unless you’re fairly certain there really is an issue.
If you are thinking about taking up the recreational pastime of ghost hunting, you may notice that most TV programs feature a single-axis meter.
However, some experienced ghost detectives believe these simpler meters may cause errors in detecting signals, as they may go in and out of alignment with any EMFs in the area.
Accurate readings with single-axis meters require turning the meter in various directions as an area is covered again and again.
Whichever meter you choose, the results can help you to rest easier knowing the spaces you and your family live and work in are safe from harmful EMF emissions. If harmful levels of emissions are identified, you may be able to easily rectify the situation yourself, or you can contact a professional for advice or assistance in making your home or office safe for anyone spending time there.