by Malcolm Woods
Having an outlet tester can help you in more ways than you can imagine, and this is why we highly recommend purchasing one of these. It doesn't matter whether you're a contractor, electrician, real-estate agent, homeowner, or tenant. Having an outlet tester will help you live a safer life.
Buying the best wall outlet tester can be a bit challenging. There are tons of testers out there, and not all of them provide the results they promise. As these are safety devices, you shouldn't compromise their quality.
To help you with that, we're going to share our top 5 picks for the best GFCI testers the market has to offer.
Contents
Do you want to choose a product very quickly? Just Follow This Table
| Product Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
 | Sperry GFI6302 | 4.5 / 5.0 | Price Check |
 | KAIWEETS Outlet Tester | 4.7 / 5.0 | Price Check |
 | Klein Tools RT210 | 4.8 / 5.0 | Price Check |
 | Amprobe ST-102B | 4.7 / 5.0 | Price Check |
 | Gardner Bender GFI-3501 | 4.6 / 5.0 | Price Check |
GFCI is the abbreviation of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. You'll find GFCI outlets in your bathroom and, in some cases, in your kitchen as well. These are special outlets, and you can recognize them immediately from the 'Test' and 'Reset' buttons on them. Here are some benefits of using them.
These mainly serve as protective devices. There are three holes in the GFCI outlets. These are- neutral, hot, and ground holes. If there's a sudden change in the electrical flow, the outlet will stop providing electricity immediately.
How does this benefit you? Suppose you're using an electronic appliance in your bathroom, and it accidentally falls onto the bathtub full of water. The electricity flow will spread, and there's a chance that you might get electrocuted.
The GFCI outlet is capable of determining this sudden change in electricity flow, and it can stop providing electricity instantly, saving you from getting electrocuted.
GFCI testers are made especially for testing the GFCI outlets. As these are security devices that are capable of saving you from a fatal accident on a daily basis, it's important to test them occasionally to make sure they're fully functional.
The best outlet testers aren't necessarily expensive. You can get great products at an affordable price, all the more reason for getting them.
In this guide, we'll take a look at some amazing GFCI testers that you can get your hands on right now. These products were chosen through a great deal of market research, and we assure you that you'll find only the best products here.
The Sperry GFI6302 is the first product that we'll review, as it's our favorite for the best GFCI tester title. This one is relatively a bit more expensive than most other electric socket testers out there, but it provides features that make it worth buying.
It comes with high-quality ABS housing that's covered by molded rubber. The sides of the rubber are textured to provide a better grip, and there are three LEDs at the bottom.
There's an indicator chart on the device itself, and this explains what each LED light pattern means. You'll be able to detect whether the circuit is okay or not, and if not, what's the exact problem with it following this chart.
The lights on this device are extremely bright, and they are color-coded. No matter how you're holding the device, you'll always be able to get a perfect reading from it.
It comes with a CAT rating of III 300V, and even a 10-foot drop or 250lb pressure won't damage it. These are compatible with any standard GFCI outlets that usually come with a 3-pin connection and are 120Volt AC outlets.
The design of this tool is very ergonomic, and due to that, it's very easy to use and hold. If you're a person who suffers from sweaty hands, then these will be the perfect ones for you.
Hig hlighted Features
If you're looking for an electrical receptacle tester that offers every feature that you can get from these devices, then the one from KAIWEETS will suit you best. Unlike most other testing devices, this device will show you every possible parameter, which is rare to find in a budget device.
The tester comes with an off/on button that makes the process safer and much more intuitive. There are three bright LED red lights on top of the device, and these will help you determine the condition of the circuit.
Just below the LEDs, there's an LCD display screen that will show the voltage. These are tested to be accurate, which is a relief. Just beneath the display panel, you'll find an entire chart dedicated to explaining what the LED light patterns mean.
This will help you understand the LED indications much easily. The display panel is quite bright, so you won't face any problem using this device in the dark, which makes it even more suitable.
The operating voltage of this device spans from 48V to 250V, and the variable frequency ranges from 45Hz to 65Hz. It can operate in any condition between 0-degree to 40-degree temperature, and it can be stored between 10-degree to 50-degree Celsius temperature.
Overall, it's one of the best outlet testers out there, and we highly recommend it if the digital display is something you'd like to have.
Highlighted Features
The Klein Tools RT210 is a decent GFCI tester, and it comes at a reasonable price. Now the selling point of this device is that it doesn't come at a crazy price point, and it doesn't fail to provide the very basic features that everyone looks for.
This device is capable of detecting the common problems that you may come across with your GFCI outlet circuit. The tester comes with a push-to-function button that makes the process much easier.
Its 3-pin plug is built on top of the device, and this will help you work with it easily as most GFCI outlets are built on the lower portion of a wall. However, if the outlet is built higher than you, then you'll face some problems using it as the device will face upwards.
Other than that, this device is perfect. It comes with a great build quality that will keep the device the same as new, even with a 6.6-foot drop. The operating temperature of this device is 0-40-degree Celsius which is considered standard.
Also, it's made for the standard GFCI outlets that come with a 3-pin construction. The nominal voltage of this device is 110-125 Volt, and the frequency ranges from 50 to 60Hz, which is a bit narrower than some.
Highlighted Features
The Amprobe ST-102B is a high-quality GFCI tester that comes with a higher price tag than some other devices. Despite being a bit more expensive than some other testers, this one's very affordable and won't break your bank.
You'll be able to check both standards as well as GFCI outlets with the help of this tester. It will check the wiring condition of the outlet and determine whether there's any problem with it or not. If there is a problem, you'll be informed of the LED indicators.
The device comes at a bright red finish and a standard design. There's a button at the very middle of this device, and this button will help you turn the device on and off.
There's a chart depicting the meanings of different LED light patterns, and this will help you determine the exact problem of the circuit. However, it must be mentioned that it will indicate only one problem at a time. If there are multiple, you'll only get to see the rest as soon as you fix the indicated one.
This item weighs only.8 ounces, making it one of the lightest testers out there. It's easy to use as you can plug it in the outlet like any other device. The device is quite light as well, and overall, it's one of the easiest to work with.
Highlighted Features
Last but not least, we have the Gardner Bender GFI-3501 tester. This one offers the same features as the other available ac receptacle testers, but it comes at a much lower price than the rest.
This is a compact device, and it's very suitable for those with smaller palms. The product comes with a bit flimsy yet functioning button. You'll find a label explaining different indicator patterns. With the help of this label, you'll be able to determine the exact problem that the GFCI outlet circuit is suffering from.
It also comes in two colors, and you'll be able to choose between red and black. Another great thing about this product is that it can be used with an extension cord. There are a lot of devices like this that struggle to reach tight spaces. This one can do that easily with the help of extensions.
The bottom of this device comes with three LED indicator lights. These indicators will help you understand what's wrong with the circuit, and they can detect a total of six problems. However, they will display the problems one at a time.
This tester is for those who want great features out of a cheap tester. It'll feel a bit cheap and flimsy, but the build quality is quite good, and it gets the job done.
Highlighted Features
Buying a GFCI tester isn't easy, as you'll need to consider a lot of things before choosing the right product for yourself. You'll find tons of products on the market, but you won't find many varieties; at least you won't be able to tell two products apart judging from their looks. This makes it even tougher.
In this section, we're going to discuss some of the factors that you'll need to consider for buying a decent electrical socket tester for yourself. Pay close attention as these can make a lot of difference!
Durability is one of the prime aspects that people usually consider while buying an outlet tester. You need an outlet tester that will last for years without any problem and get a tester that won't even get scratched from a drop is recommended.
There are testers that come with plastic bodies, and there are the ones that come with a layer of padding on them. We highly recommend getting the padded ones, as these come with greater durability and shock resistance.
Some of these padded testers are strong enough to withstand a 7-foot drop even. These will help you in the long run.
The voltage differs from region to region, which is why buying without considering the required voltage isn't recommended. Before you get one of these testers, we highly recommend you consider the voltage that'll be suitable for the outlets of your region.
It's been found that all GCFI outlet testers aren't universal, and they work differently with different types of outlets. These can hold you back, which is why we recommend getting testers that offer universal compatibility.
The operating temperature depends on the build quality of the tester. If you're going to buy one for regular usage, then getting any tester will suffice, as most of them are built to work perfectly in standard weather conditions.
However, if you're going to use them under extreme conditions, then we suggest you get a tester that offers an operating temperature range that satisfies the ambient temperature range of your workplace.
Electrical receptacle testers usually come with a single LED light that indicates whether anything is wrong with the circuit or not. Typically, the tester comes with an indicator chart pasted onto it, and this chart will help you understand the problem.
The better the chart is capable of explaining the problem, the better the tester is.
The design is one of the most crucial factors that you should consider while buying a tester. Many different aspects depend heavily on the design of the product.
At first, we have the grip. The better the design, the more compact the device will be. You won't want a bulky device as it will be challenging to work with. Then again, sometimes the outlets are in tight spaces. You'll need slim devices to reach those spaces.
Even if the device isn't slim, make sure that it's designed to work with extensions. In such cases, you can reach the outlets easily using the extensions.
If you get a standard Outlet tester, then testing will be extremely easy for you. Most of these testers are built like any other electronic device. Imagine plugging your mobile phone's charger in; plugging in a GFCI tester is as simple as that.
The first thing that you'll need to determine is which one's the hot cable. Turn the main power outlet of your home off and open the outlet you want to test.
Here, you'll find multiple cables of different colors. There's no need to complicate things by focusing on them. Rather, we recommend putting caps on all of them except one black cable. Usually, there will be two black-colored cables coming out of the outlet.
Now that that's done, you'll have to turn the main power back on again. Be very careful, as the next step can lead to an accident if you aren't cautious. Next up, you need to touch the metal part of the outlet with the black end of the power outlet tester and the exposed black cable with the red end of the tester.
If the exposed wire is the hot wire, then you'll get a reading. If you aren't getting a reading, cap the exposed one and test the other cable. The built-in LEDs will help you determine if anything is wrong with the circuit.
GFCI testers are essential for everyone. The GFCI outlets can be life-saving if they function properly, but there's no saying whether their circuit is intact or not. If the circuit is faulty, they won't be able to stop you from getting electrocuted.
This is why we highly recommend using a GFCI tester every once in a while. Doing so will help you keep your GFCI outlets intact and functioning.
It's not mandatory to have a digital panel on your tester. However, getting one of these can always make things easier for you. Plus, the voltage readers are usually very accurate, and some extra information might come in handy from time to time.
Not necessarily. The products listed above can be plugged directly into the outlets, and this makes them completely safe to work with. These also come with an on/off button, which makes the process even safer.
Absolutely not. These devices are designed to be user-friendly, and anyone with zero experience will be capable of using them without any harm. However, you'll still need some knowledge to understand the readings.
The products listed above are the best GFCI testers that you can find right now. If you find it tough to choose one among them, we strongly suggest you take help from the buying guide, as that covers every feature that you need to look for. The listed products are the best that you can find at this moment.
Hopefully, this article could provide the idea you were looking for, and you'll be able to choose the right product with its help.
Klein Tools RT250 GFCI Receptacle Tester with LCD Display, for Standard 3-Wire 120V - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Klein Tools RT210 Outlet Tester, Receptacle Tester for GFCI / Standard North American AC - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Klein Tools RT110 Receptacle Tester for North American AC Electrical Outlet Receptacles - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet / Receptacle Tester, Standard 120V AC Outlets, 7 - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Klein Tools ET300 Circuit Breaker Finder / Receptacle Tester Finds Electrical Circuit - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
Gardner Bender GFI-3501 Ground Fault Receptacle Tester & Circuit Analyzer, 110-125V AC, - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
GE 50542 Receptacle Tester, 3-Wire Light Improper Wiring Indicator, Gray/Yellow - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Bastex Socket Tester with GFCI check. Receptacle Tester for Standard AC Outlets. Includes - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Mr. Pen- Voltage Tester, Electrical Tester, Non Contact Voltage Tester, Tester Electric, - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
KAIWEETS Voltage Tester/Non-Contact Voltage Tester with Dual Range AC - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Fluke 1AC II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester & Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
Sperry Instruments STK001 Non-Contact Voltage Tester (VD6504) & GFCI Outlet / Receptacle - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
Klein Tools NCVT2PKIT Non-Contact Voltage Tester with Receptacle Tester, 12-48V AC or 48 - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Klein Tools ET310 AC Circuit Breaker Finder with Integrated GFCI Outlet Tester - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Klein Tools RT250KIT Non-Contact Voltage Tester and GFCI Receptacle Tester with LCD and - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Klein Tools ET45VP Voltage and GFCI Receptacle Tester, AC/DC Voltage Electrical Test Kit - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
Gardner Bender GRT-3500 Outlet Receptacle Tester & Circuit Analyzer, Indicates 5 Wiring - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
Klein Tools CL120KIT Electrical Tester/Auto-Ranging Digital Clamp Meter Kit, GFCI Tester, - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
Fluke 1AC-A1-II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
Fluke Voltage Detector, 1000V AC Voltage - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
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About Malcolm Woods
Malcolm Woods is a blogger who enjoys writing about technology and solar power. He has a passion for learning new things, and loves to share his knowledge with others. Malcolm is also an advocate for sustainable living, and believes that everyone has a responsibility to do their part in preserving our planet.
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