Best SPL Meter For Home Theater

Were you ever planning on getting an audio studio set up in your home? Or are you in any way involved with one of those professional audio studios? Then you might be familiar with the SPL meter! An SPL meter, abbreviated as the Sound Pressure Level meters, are devices that are capable of measuring the noise level in your environment using the pressure fluctuations caused by the audio system.

best SPL meter

However, the usage scope of the SPL meter (also called a decibel meter) is not limited to just the studio setup. It is also used in industries and aviation to keep the noise level in check. So, this SPL meter has wide usage in several industries, and hence choosing one for any reason is crucial.

Choosing the best one out of the bunch of SPL meters available in the market is a tiresome job. However, I found out the best SPL meters based on several factors and am listing them out for you here. I hope it helps.

LIST OF BEST SPL METER 

IMAGE

BRAND

DETAILS


BAFX - best spl meter
  • 30-130dBA
  • Powered by 1-9V
  • 3.2 ounces
Risepro - best SPL meter
  • 30-130 dB
  • 1 9V batteries required
  • 3.77 ounces
Meterk - best SPL meter
  • 30-130dB(A)
  • 3 * 1.5V AAA Batteries
  • 8 ounces
Tacklife
  • 30-130dB(A)
  • 1 9V batteries required. 
  • 6 ounces
Vlike
  • 30-130dB(A)
  • 4 AAA batteries
  • 12 ounces

10 BEST SPL METER REVIEW

1. BAFX PRODUCTS - BEST BUDGET SPL METER FOR HOME THEATER

BAFX - best spl meter

If you are new to using a Decibel meter and still need one with the best qualities that are not too complicated to use, then this Decibel Meter from BAFX products is just the perfect buy for you. No matter what your use is, this one is capable of measuring and giving you the accurate results you need.

I love how the range of this one is defined from the lowest possible setting to a louder noise setting that covers the range of all possible scenarios where one might need a Decibel meter, thus making it professionally versatile. The design of the SPL meter is small and compact, with an amazing automatic backlit feature.

It also keeps in mind the power consumption which is the concern of most users and switches off automatically after eleven minutes of inactivity, thus ensuring your valuable power is conserved. However, the SPL meter comes with a Duracell battery, thus giving you a kickstart on the power, letting you use it as soon as it reaches your hands.

With all these features available at an affordable price, I do not see any reason not to choose this decibel meter in my list for the best SPL meter available in the market.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Compact
  • Automatic backlit display
  • Automatic power off
  • Versatile range
  • Comes with a manufacturer warranty
  • Comes with an extra power source

Pros

  • Easy-to-use
  • Great size
  • Accurate data
  • Easy-to-understand
  • Power optimization

Cons

  • Cannot disable the automatic power-off feature

2. RISEPRO - BEST SPL METER FOR HOME STUDIO

Risepro - best SPL meter

The decibel meter from RisePro is one that I regret not having heard of when I needed a Decibel meter. It is available at an affordable price range while delivering the most accurate outputs that have only the least possible error. I loved the way how it was packaged and came with a black pouch that made it easier to carry around.

This decibel meter seems to be perfect for measuring in a wide range of places like schools, workshops, offices, roads, or airports. In short, it can pick up small noises as well as larger noises like that from the industries. You can also use it in the dark now with the automatic backlit feature that turns on when the lighting is low.

You might also find the data hold feature of the decibel meter helpful at times. It can also be mounted on a tripod if you want it to stay static at a position. There is a feature that can also display the maximum and minimum noise that was recorded by your device, which might also come in handy when you are keeping track of the noise level your system generates.

So, in every way, this decibel meter from RISEPRO is just a perfect buy which is why I call it the best SPL meter available in the market.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Compact design
  • Transport-friendly
  • 30-130 dB range
  • Measures Time weighting and Frequency weighting
  • Data hold, Max, and min output recorded

Pros

  • Almost accurate readings
  • Supports a tripod stand
  • Wide range
  • Easy-to-use

Cons

  • Does not pick up minute noises

3. METERK - BEST SPL METER FOR OUTDOOR

Meterk - best SPL meter

This one from Meterk is a perfect one for you if you are not sure about whether your usage of the SPL meter is going to be indoor or outdoor. This is because the Meterk Digital Sound Pressure Level meter supports both indoor and outdoor measurements.

Whether you use it at your industries or studio, or to keep the noise level low for your baby to sleep, anywhere you want to use it, the Meterk delivers accurate and reliable measurements with only minimum error. With a fast-responding measurement, it can be really useful if you are looking to provide a peaceful sleep environment to your child/ elderly parents.

Anyways with the wind-resistant sponge ball that can be mounted on the microphone, the outdoor measurement can also be really smooth now. With a perfect design that can be adapted to both indoor and outdoor conditions, the Meterk Digital sound Pressure Level meter is definitely the best available in the market at this price.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Small and portable
  • 30-130 dB range
  • LCD disply
  • With wind-resistant sponge ball for outdoor
  • Min and max function with data hold

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Fast response
  • Indicates when the need for a battery change
  • Over warning sign for dangerous sound levels

Cons

  • Calibration error occurs at time

4. TACKLIFE - BEST DIGITAL SOUND LEVEL METER 

Tacklife - best SPL meter

One thing that I love the most about this Sound Pressure level meter from TACKLIFE is that this SPL meter has dual modes for different scenarios. When in need to measure noises with larger fluctuations, then it is better to use the slow-response mode, while to measure steady-state noises, we can use fast-response mode.

This is one of the major reasons why this SPL meter has been included in my list for the best SPL meter. Everything else about the SPL meter is pretty normal and available in every other decibel meter available in the market. 

However, the LCD of the TACKLIFE Decibel meter shows a simulated indicator that can pickup noises at that instant and displays it on to the screen. It also comes with a windscreen that helps you use it outdoors, although there may be a slight change in the values picked up outdoors even with the windscreen on.

Every other feature about this SPL meter is great, and it works perfectly fine, delivering exactly what we need, and since it serves all our purposes, this Decibel meter can be definitely named the best Sound Pressure Level meter available.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Easy-to-carry around
  • Dual modes for fast sensing
  • Min and Max locking
  • Data hold
  • 30-130dB range
  • Vivid simulated indication

Pros

  • Dual modes for optimized measuring
  • Vivid Simulated indication on LCD
  • Accurate
  • Overload indicator

Cons

  • Inconsistent

5. VLIKE DIGITAL AUDIO DECIBEL METER

Vlike - best SPL meter

The VLIKE digital Audio Decibel meter is just the perfect decibel meter for you if you are looking for one that can be used for wider applications ranging from perfectly personal ones to professional ones. So, in a way, the Vlike SPL meter is like an all-in-one SPL meter that can be used for all your needs.


One thing about this digital Decibel meter that impressed me the most is that the two modes in the SPL meter can be set depending upon the scope of usage.


Everything about the product comes with a choice; you can choose between whether you need to operate in fast or slow mode, or whether the scenario you measure noise is a mechanical environment or not, or whether or to use the SPL meter in manual or automatic mode.


With all these choices left to the users’ choice, this SPL meter surely seems to impress me and hence is definitely worthy of being placed on my list for the best SPL meter.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • A/C modes for different scenarios
  • 30-130dB for A and 35-130dB for C
  • LCD with both digital and analog screen
  • Data hold, Min/Max locking
  • Fast/Slow modes
  • Anti-slip design

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Easy-to-use
  • User-friendly

Cons

  • Inconsistent readings

6. GAIN EXPRESS - BEST SPL METER FOR STUDIO

Gain-Express - best SPL meter

What I like the most about this Decibel meter from Gain Express is that unlike all other SPL meters in the list, this one is capable of using the USB cable for power supply, thus enabling you to act better and optimize the power consumption of your Decibel meter.

With a design that looks professionally suited and that can accommodate a tripod stand, this one seems just perfect if you were to measure a static source of the sound. However, with this one, you will not be able to record the data but still, regarding the other functionalities of the decibel meter, it is definitely worth the buy.

It also allows you to charge with a USB cable that is included in the pack. I would definitely recommend this SPL meter as the best one to anyone who is looking to buy a perfect decibel meter, especially for indoor use.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Simple design
  • Measurement range of 30-130dB
  • AC/DC modes
  • Auto-off function
  • Fast/Slow Time weighting modes
  • It has a LCD display

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Reliable
  • USB cable chargeable

Cons

  • Inconsistent
  • No Data hold feature

7. EXTECH 407730 DIGITAL SOUND LEVEL METER

Extech

Extech is a trusted brand among SPL meter manufacturers, and this is one of the major reasons to choose this one to be included in my list for the best SPL meter available. Apart from that, this completely digital sound Pressure Level meter is absolutely perfect for industry-based usage, while it can also be used indoors.

It records sound levels of a wide range; however the lower range is more favorable to industrial conditions than to residential conditions. The LCD display that shows an analog bar and a digital measure is calibrated to deliver the most accurate measurement you want in the fastest possible way. 

To say about the design of the decibel meter, it is compact and lightweight, so that it supports portability and easy usage in any scenario. It also comes with a one-year warranty, which assures you that this one is indeed a worthy buy.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Measuring range from 40 to 130dB
  • Fast responding
  • LCD with analog bar graph
  • Min/Max locking
  • Auto power off

Pros

  • Small and compact
  • Accurate
  • Easy-to-handle
  • Portable
  • Comes with a windscreen for outdoor use

Cons

  • No backlight
  • Auto power off cannot be controlled

8. CADRIM DECIBEL METER  

Cadrim

If you are looking for a small and compact Decibel meter that can be accurate and at the same time pick up the minute sounds, like for a recording studio, then this one is your choice.

The Cadrim decibel meter works just like every other decibel meter with all the necessary features, but what made me choose this among the other decibel meters is that it can be accurate while having a faster response time and display it on your LCD screen all available at a very affordable price. With these taken into consideration, this one can definitely be named as one of the best Decibel meters available.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Small, compact, and lightweight
  • Digital LCD display
  • Measuring range of 30-130dB
  • 0.5s response time

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Affordable
  • Easy-to-handle
  • Portable

Cons

  • Inconsistent
  • No way to control auto power off

9. PROTMEX MS6708 DIGITAL SOUND LEVEL METER

Protmex

This one is included in my list for its wide scope of applications in both residential and industrial scenarios. It can be named the best Decibel meter for its user-friendly settings that display the accurate results right on its display screen while the user can choose between all the existing modes.

It has a bigger screen with both analog and digital displays for people to read the accurate measurement out of the device. Although it can seem a bit overpriced, I would say it definitely worth the buy and can be trusted if your user experience is important for you.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Lightweight and compact
  • 30-130dB measuring range
  • A/C weighting, auto/manual ranging
  • Analog and digital LCDs
  • Anti-slip design

Pros

  • Anti-slip design
  • Accurate
  • User-friendly

Cons

  • No customer support

10. REED INSTRUMENTS R8060 SOUND LEVEL METER

Reed

The R8060 is again from a trusted manufacturer and has the most amazing feature for an SPL meter, which is why I named it the best SPL meter without a second thought. The design looks professional and great. The SPL meter is lightweight and can be carried around without any difficulty.

It offers you an accurate measure with a lot of user-friendly options to display the output on the LCD screen. With the Triple range measurement, which has never been incorporated in any device mentioned in the above list, the R8060 is indeed the best SPL meter.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Compact and professional design
  • Triple range measurement with a dynamic range of 60dB
  • Fast/Slow weighting and A/C weighting
  • Easy-to-read LCD
  • Comes with a Windshield ball, carrying case, and a battery

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Fast response
  • User-friendly
  • Trusted manufacturer
  • Durable battery.

Cons

  • Overpriced

CONCLUSION

This is the list of 10 best SPL meter that I found out to be the best ones available currently. This list is based on several factors but is not listed in a specific ranking or order. 

Feel free to choose from one of these based on your needs. However, keep in your mind that with a perfectly fine working SPL meter, you might be able to find and reduce the noise pollution you are creating, thus contributing your part to the environment.

Sara
 

Hi I am Sara. I am a cinematographer and a passionate blogger. My genre of interest is all about filmmaking gadgets. Well, I review all kinds of gadgets for filmmaking from the market. So I am here to help you choose the best filmmaking gadgets for you to get started.

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