Top 10 Best SPL Meters
for June 2023

The SPL Meter is an essential tool in every studio, live venue and home recording environment. It's a professional audio measurement tool used to measure and record sound pressure levels — a signal measurement that tells you how loud sound is. The SPL Meter allows you to determine peak sound pressure levels, measure and monitor sound levels in live environments, and record sound pressure levels in a studio setting.

Whether you're a professional engineer or a music enthusiast, a quality SPL meter is a must-have. With more than 70 models on the market, choosing the best SPL meter can be challenging. We test various models in Different Guide's Lab, rating their features, performance and value. Here are the 10 best SPL meters of 2022, according to testing and user reviews.

Different Guide editors independently choose recommendations. Purchases made through our links may earn us commissions.

1
9.9
SCORE
Professional Decibel Meter, Digital Sound Level Meter with Backlight Display High Accuracy

Gain Express Professional Decibel Meter

by Gain Express Holdings
What We like

The Aluratek digital sound level meter is the best priced digital sound level meter, which consistently reads between 0 and 130 decibels, and is waterproof.

2
9.8
SCORE
Digital Sound Level Meter, Decibel Meter with Backlight Portable Sound Pressure Level Meter (SPL)30~130 dBA, Sound Noise Meter Audio Volume Monitoring Instrument Meter for Home Office (Beige-White)

RZ Digital Sound Level Meter

by RZ
What We like

This portable sound meter with backlit alarm is as versatile as it is inexpensive. The noise meters convenient size makes it ideal for measuring noise levels in your workplace or home.

3
9.5
SCORE
Cadrim Decibel Meter - Digital Sound Level Meter, Self-Calibration Decibel Reader, Noise Meter with LCD Display Measurement Range 40-130 dB spl Meter (Battery Included)…

Cadrim Decibel Meter

by Cadrim
What We like

The Cadrim decibel meter features a digital lcd display and auto power off. The max and min decibel meter functions allow you to easily take readings of noise levels, while the hold function freezes the reading on the display.

4
9.4
SCORE
Decibel Meter, Tadeto Digital Sound Level Meter Portable Sound Meter 30dB to 130dB MAX Data Hold with LCD Display Backlight A/C Weighted for Home Factories

Tadeto Decibel Meter

by Tadeto
What We like

This sound level meter is inexpensive, portable, and more accurate than 60dB models we tested. It records data up to 130dB per second, and has a backlight for nighttime use.

5
8.8
SCORE
High Accuracy Data Hold Logger CD Software Decibel Sound Level Meter Monitor Indicator LCD Backlight MAX/MIN Display Audio Noise Measure 30dB~130dB Instrument Compact Professional

TEKCOPLUS High Accuracy Data Hold Logger CD Software Decibel Sound Level Meter Monitor Indicator LCD Backlight MAX/MIN Display Audio Noise Measure 30dB~130dB Instrument Compact Professional

by TekcoPlus Ltd
What We like

The instrument provides a high precision measurement for research and quality control in laboratories, shops, offices, etc. Sound level meter with data hold function, can accumulate up to 99 reading into memory, and can set the memory automatically at 5 second intervals for continuously recording, and combine the measurement result with elapsed time, which is a powerful data displaying tool and convenient for analyzing data.

6
8.7
SCORE
OXV Decibel Meter/Sound Pressure Level SPL Reader, Handheld Digital Measure Gauge, Measurement Range 30-130 dB(A Weighted), Accuracy 1.5dB, MAX/MIN and Data Hold Function

OXV Decibel Meter/Sound Pressure Level SPL Reader

by OXV
What We like

This decibel meter is a handheld sound level meter used for measuring sound pressure level, with 30Hz - 8KHz frequency range and 1.5dB accuracy. Its features include 1/2 second sound level data storage, 0.1 dB resolution, and 3.0A maximum current supply.

7
8.5
SCORE
Protmex PT6708 Sound Level Meter Digital Sound Level Meter Reader Measurement Range 30-130 dBA Accuracy 1.5dB Noise Meter with Large LCD Screen Display Fast and Slow Selection

Protmex PT6708 Sound Level Meter Digital Sound Level Meter Reader Measurement Range 30-130 dBA Accuracy 1.5dB Noise Meter with Large LCD Screen Display Fast and Slow Selection

by PROTMEX
What We like

A solid, reliable sound meter that does what is says it does. The lightweight design makes it handy to use on construction sites, houses, or in the office.

8
7.1
SCORE
UNI-T UT351 Decibel Meter, Digital Sound Level Meter SPL Meter with 31.5Hz~8,000Hz A and C Frequency Weighting, 30~130dB Audio Noise Volume Measure Device, Max/Min Fast/Slow Data Hold LCD Backlight

UNI-T UT351 Decibel Meter

by UNI-T
What We like

Ideal for monitoring noise in the workplace or measuring sound levels around your house, the UT351 noise meter is an easy-to-use device with high accuracy. It has an easy-to-read display, a backlight, a maximum and minimum data hold, and a one-year warranty.

9
7.1
SCORE
BAFX Products - Decibel Meter/Sound Pressure Level Reader (SPL) / 30-130dBA Range - 1 Year Warranty (Standard)

BAFX Products

by BAFX Products
What We like

Our testers found the BAFX sound meter to be the most user-friendly sound meter, with the least number of buttons, switches, and functions.

10
7.1
SCORE
Digital Handheld Sound Level Meter - Meter Automatic with A and C Frequency Weighting for Musicians and Sound Audio Professionals, 9V Battery Type - Pyle SPL25, Red/Black (PSPL25)

Pyle Digital Handheld Sound Level Meter

by Pyle
What We like

The SPL25 sound meter is great if you want a cheap decibel meter, but it lacks automatic zeroing out, and its battery life isn't among the longest.

10 Best SPL Meters - Sound Measurement Made Easy

For the sake of comparison, we have compiled a list consisting of 10 best SPL meters that are truly worth the price. Everyone wants to listen to music in the best possible quality, and the best way to do that is by using the best SPL meter. You can not only use these meters to measure and compare the levels of sound, but also use them to measure and analyze the frequency response of your system. For any musical enthusiast, these meters are a must-have, and here are a few reasons why.

What is an SPL meter?

The acronym SPL stands for Sound Pressure Level. This numerical measurement indicates how much sound is in a given space. Sound pressure is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the number, the louder the sound. To determine the SPL level of a given sound, you need to know two things:
1.The frequency at which the sound is emitted (e.g., 50 Hz or 5,000 Hz).
2.The distance traveled by the sound. Once you have those two pieces of information, you can calculate the SPL level. For a given sound, if you know the average range between the source and listener, you can calculate the SPL level by using the following equation:
$$ SPL = (50\ \text{Hz}\ \text{range}\ \text{in}\ \text{meters}) \times (60\ \text{dB}\ \text{per}\ \text{meter}\ \text{range}) = 50 \% \times 120 \% = 45 $$

What does an SPL meter measure?

A SPL meter is used to measure the sound pressure level (SPL) of the surrounding environment. A SPL meter operates by measuring the sound pressure level within a particular space. The meter then translates this measurement into an SPL reading, which is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the SPL number, the louder the sound will be. SPL meters come in a wide variety of types and brands, so it's important to find one that suits your needs. Some models are solar operated and can take measurements in any location. Other models are battery-powered and should only be used in indoor locations. Some models can measure both SPL and frequency; these are ideal for musicians or sound engineers who are recording at live events. These models can be used to record sound levels at specific frequencies and can be used to monitor the performance of sound equipment.

What are the different kinds of SPL meters?

A SPL meter is a testing device for measuring the loudness of sound. There are four main types of SPL meters:
The decibel meter The decibel meter is the most common type of SPL meter. It measures the sound level in decibels (dB). A decibel is a unit used to measure sound pressure, which indicates how loud a noise is.
The audio frequency meter An audio frequency meter measures the frequency or pitch of sounds. These meters typically range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but higher models can measure frequencies up to 100 kHz.
The power meter or energy meter The power meter measures the amount of electrical power in watts. These meters are often used in scientific studies rather than in everyday use.
The sound level meter A sound level meter measures the sound pressure level. These meters typically measure between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

Which SPL meter is best for my audio needs?

Many people use SPL meters to measure the amount of sound that is coming from different devices. Here is a short explanation about how SPL meters work, and the best models to suit different audio needs. SPL meters are used to measure sound intensity. The SPL meter has a probe which detects the resonance of sound waves; when the probe is touched to the speaker, the meter will measure the amount of sound that is coming from the speakers.

How to find the right SPL meter for your situation?

When you're shopping for a SPL meter, there are a few important things to consider:
What kind of sounds are you trying to measure? There are two main types of SPL meters (sound pressure level meters):
* _Microphones_ - These meters measure sound using a microphone.
* _Transducers_ - These meters measure sound using a small transducer. Both types of meters have applications in different fields. Microphone SPL meters are typically used by musicians, sound designers, and other audio professionals. Transducer SPL meters are typically used by audio technicians, engineers, and people who work in audio-related industries. Both types of SPL meters are used to measure sound.
How loud is the sound you're trying to measure? The level (number of decibels) of sound is measured in decibels (dB). Your SPL meter will show you the dB level of the sound you're measuring. Some SPL meters also give you readings in LKFS (loudness units), which is a scale that ranges from 0 to 100 (0 being quietest and 100 being loudest).
How long will you be using the meter? Most SPL meters use batteries, so it's important to consider the battery life of your meter. If you plan to use your meter frequently, consider purchasing rechargeable AA batteries or rechargeable batteries.
How often will you be using the meter? Some SPL meters are designed to only measure one sound at a time. Other meters let you measure multiple sounds at once. If you plan to use your meter multiple times throughout the day, consider a model that can simultaneously measure different types of sounds.
How long is the warranty on the meter? If you're planning on using your meter for a long time, make sure it has at least a 1-year warranty.
How much does the meter cost? SPL meters come in a wide range of prices, from $100 all the way up to around $2,000.

Conclusion

I hope this article helped you choose the perfect SPL meter for your needs. If you have any questions or want more information about a specific product, please let me know in the comments below - I'd love to hear from you!

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