Are you an aspiring photographer on a budget? A light meter is a necessary piece of equipment to get accurate readings of a scene’s light. Unfortunately, most light meters can be quite expensive. Not to worry, though – you can still get a quality light meter without breaking the bank. In this article, I’ll be discussing the best light meters available for under $200.
Best Light Meter Under 200
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Extech EA30 Easy View Wide Range Light Meter (40 to 40,000 Foot Candles)
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Sekonic 401-208 Twin Mate Light Meter (Black/White)
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Extech 401025 Foot Candle/Lux Light Meter
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Extech LT300 Light Meter
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Extech 407026 Light Meter
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
REED Instruments SD-1128 SD Series Light Meter, Datalogger, 100,000 Lux / 10,000 Foot Candles (Fc), w/ Temperature
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Extech LT505 Pocket Light Meter
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Light Meter LM-50KL Measures Lux/Fc – LED/Fluorescent, Industrial, Household, and Photography – Calibration Certificate Included
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
REED Instruments R8140 LED Light Meter
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
UV340B Digital UV Luxmeter Handheld UV Light Meter UVA UVB Lighting Tester Intensity Measuring Tools
|
7. 2
|
1. Extech EA30 Easy View Wide Range Light Meter (40 to 40,000 Foot Candles)
I recently purchased the Extech EA30 Easy View Wide Range Light Meter and I’m so glad I did. This easy-to-use light meter is perfect for anyone looking to measure light intensity. It offers a wide range of 40 to 40,000 foot candles, so I was able to accurately measure the lighting in my home office. The meter has a large LCD screen that is easy to read, and it even has a backlight so I can easily take readings in the dark. The Extech EA30 is reliable and well-constructed, making it the perfect choice for any light measurement needs. Highly recommended!
- Wide range of measurement: 40 to 40,000 Foot Candles.
- Easy to read LCD display with backlight.
- Data Hold function to freeze current readings.
- Auto Power Off conserves battery life.
- MAX/MIN data hold feature.
- Built-in RS-232 interface for data collection and storage.
- IP67 rated dust and waterproof construction.
2. Sekonic 401-208 Twin Mate Light Meter (Black/White)
The Sekonic 401-208 Twin Mate Light Meter is an incredibly versatile and reliable light meter. I purchased this meter for my photography business and I have been thoroughly impressed with its performance and accuracy. This meter is capable of measuring both incident and reflective light with a range of 0.2 to 23,000 lux. It has a highly accurate digital readout and a large easy-to-read display. Additionally, it has a wide range of features including a custom display mode, incident light/reflected light memory, and a built-in calculator for calculating exposure values. The meter also has a rugged and durable construction, so it is sure to last you a long time. Overall, I highly recommend the Sekonic 401-208 Twin Mate Light Meter for any photographer looking for an accurate, reliable, and affordable light measuring tool.
- Easy-to-read digital display for quick and accurate light readings
- Measures both ambient and flash light with a single button operation
- Compatible with digital cameras and digital flash units
- Calibrated for both incident and reflected light readings
- Equipped with a built-in LED illuminator to aid in low-light situations
- Includes a cable release and tripod mount
3. Extech 401025 Foot Candle/Lux Light Meter
The Extech 401025 Foot Candle/Lux Light Meter is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and accurate light meter. It features a wide range of features such as a large LCD display, selectable foot candle or lux readings and easy-to-use controls. It is a great choice for use in photography and other lighting applications, and it is also very affordable. I have been using mine for over a year now and it has been working perfectly. The accuracy of the device is great, and it is very easy to use. It is also very durable and has a long battery life, making it a great choice for anyone looking for reliable and accurate lighting measurement. Highly recommended!
- Compact design for easy portability
- Wide measuring range from 0.1 to 50,000 Foot Candles (1 to 50,000 Lux)
- Max/Min/Hold/Data Hold functions
- Backlit LCD display
- Large LCD display with 0.5″ (12mm) digits
- Auto power off after 15 minutes of non-use
- Complete with 9V battery and hard carrying case
4. Extech LT300 Light Meter
I recently purchased the Extech LT300 Light Meter and I am very impressed. This versatile light meter is perfect for measuring light levels for a variety of applications. It is easy to use and has a large LCD display that is easy to read. It also has a wide range of measurement capabilities, such as lux and footcandles. The light meter is durable and well-constructed, making it reliable and accurate. I really like the capabilities of this light meter and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and accurate light meter.
/CSS
- Measures illuminance (lux) up to 20,000 lux
- Large LCD with dual display of Lux or Foot candles (FC)
- Min/Max readings with data hold to capture readings
- Fast 3-2/3 digit analog-bar graph display of light level
- Manual and automatic ranging
- Low battery indication and auto power off
5. Extech 407026 Light Meter
I recently purchased the Extech 407026 Light Meter and I am incredibly impressed with it. The meter is easy to use and very accurate. It has a wide range of features, so it can be used in a variety of applications. It is well constructed and made of durable materials. The display is very clear and easy to read. I have found the meter to be very accurate in measuring the light levels in my home and office. I would highly recommend the Extech 407026 Light Meter to anyone looking for an accurate and reliable light meter.
- Measures illuminance from 0 to 50000 lux (lumen/m2)
- Cosine and Color Correction Parameters
- Data Hold and Max/Min functions
- 4-digit LCD Display
- Auto Power Off after 15 minutes of inactivity
6. REED Instruments SD-1128 SD Series Light Meter, Datalogger, 100,000 Lux / 10,000 Foot Candles (Fc), w/ Temperature
I recently purchased the REED Instruments SD-1128 SD Series Light Meter, Datalogger and was very pleased with the performance and accuracy of the device. It is able to measure up to 100,000 lux or 10,000 foot candles (Fc) and also records temperature. The set-up was very easy and the data logging is accurate and reliable. The readings are easy to read and understand from the LCD screen and the device is very lightweight and easy to carry around. I would recommend this device to anyone needing to measure light levels and temperature in an easy and efficient way.
- Light Meter, Datalogger, 100,000 Lux / 10,000 Foot Candles (Fc) readings
- Built-in Temperature sensor with -20°C to +50°C temperature range
- CIE/JIS/DIN/ILLUM/ANSI compatible
- Integrated Data logger for up to 500 readings with time stamping
- USB interface for data transfer
- Auto power off and low battery indication
- Bright OLED display for clear readings
- Many user selectable options for customization
7. Extech LT505 Pocket Light Meter
I recently purchased the Extech LT505 Pocket Light Meter, and I couldn’t be happier with it. It is small, light-weight, and easy to use. It accurately measures light levels in lux or foot-candles, and is extremely easy to read and interpret. The battery life is also excellent; after several months of regular use, it’s still going strong. Overall, I highly recommend this light meter. It’s an excellent value for the money, and it’s very reliable.
- Measures luminous intensity (lux) of light sources
- Large, easy-to-read LCD display with backlight
- Data Hold, Auto Power Off and MAX/MIN modes
- Measurement range from 0.1 to 50,000 lux
- Photo detector with 42mm (1.7″) aperture
- High/Low selectable relative threshold alarms
- Complete with meter, photodetector, carrying case and battery
8. Light Meter LM-50KL Measures Lux/Fc – LED/Fluorescent, Industrial, Household, and Photography – Calibration Certificate Included
I recently purchased the Light Meter LM-50KL and it’s been a great addition to my photography gear. It’s easy to use and very accurate in measuring lux/FC from LED/Fluorescent, Industrial, Household and Photography sources. The calibration certificate that comes with it is a great bonus, and I haven’t had any issues with incorrect readings. The readings are consistent and I can use this meter in all my projects. I would highly recommend this light meter to anyone looking for an accurate, reliable way to measure light levels. It’s a great addition to my photography gear and I’m very happy with my purchase.
- Measures Lux/Fc for LED/Fluorescent, Industrial, Household, and Photography purposes
- Accurate readings with a high precision
- Lightweight, portable design
- Easy to use and set up
- Calibration Certificate Included
9. REED Instruments R8140 LED Light Meter
I recently purchased the REED Instruments R8140 LED Light Meter and I must say I am extremely impressed with the product. The device is extremely easy to use and provides accurate readings. I’m also very impressed with the build quality of the meter, as it is solid and well-made. The battery life is also excellent and the display is very clear and easy to read. The device also comes with a carrying case which makes it more convenient to carry around. Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend this product.
- High-precision LED light meter with a measuring range of 0 to 2,000 lux
- Designed to provide reliable and accurate readings for a wide range of illumination applications
- Equipped with a large LCD backlit display for clear, easy-to-read readings
- Features a data hold button, auto power-off, and low battery indication
- Includes a high-quality, detachable, light sensor with a measurement window of 0.5 in (1.2 cm)
- Includes a single 9V battery for operation
- Comes with a carrying case for convenient storage and portability
- Manufactured in accordance with internationally recognized safety standards
- Backed by a one-year warranty
10. UV340B Digital UV Luxmeter Handheld UV Light Meter UVA UVB Lighting Tester Intensity Measuring Tools
I recently purchased the UV340B Digital UV Luxmeter Handheld UV Light Meter and I am so pleased with my purchase. It is a great tool for measuring light intensity, and I have been using it to test the lighting in my home. It is a lightweight and compact meter that makes it easy to carry around. The LCD screen is clear and easy to read, and it has a wide range of measuring capabilities. The accuracy of the readings is excellent, and I have found it to be very reliable. I would highly recommend the UV340B Digital UV Luxmeter Handheld UV Light Meter to anyone looking for a cost-effective way to measure light intensity.
- Measures UVA and UVB levels with accuracy and precision
- Digital LCD display with back light for easy reading
- User-friendly and easy to use
- Comes with a calibration certificate for accuracy and reliability
- High precision UV sensor for reliable and accurate results
- Calibration range from 0-2000 W/cm2
- Data hold and auto power off functions
- Lightweight and portable design
- Battery operated for convenient use
- Widely used in laboratory, industrial, and home lighting inspection
