Klein CL380 vs CL390: Hands-On Review

I work on HVAC and home wiring often. A good meter is a must-have tool. I tested the Klein CL380 and the new CL390. Here is what I found after weeks of use on the job.

Klein CL380 Review

I bought the CL380 as a backup tool. I needed it to test flame sensors on furnaces. It feels big and strong in my hand. It is heavier than some other meters. I like that because it feels tough.

I used this meter on a few repair calls. One day, I fixed a fan motor. The jaw on this meter is wide. It is 1.8 inches wide. It fit around the thick wires easily. I also tested it on a gas furnace. The readings were fast. The numbers stopped moving quickly.

But I had one big problem. It has no magnet slot on the back. I had to hold it with my knees. That was hard to do. The screen is also hard to see in the sun. The black screen looks cool inside. But outside, the sun washes it out.

Pros and Cons of Klein CL380

I used it for weeks. It is a strong tool. I dropped it twice from a ladder. It hit the concrete. It still works fine. The battery life is just okay. It uses three AAA batteries. They drained fast. I think the screen uses a lot of power. It is a good tool, but it feels old now.

Klein CL390 Review

I bought the CL390 next. It is the new version. It feels better to hold. It is a bit thinner. It fits my hand well. I bought it for one main reason. It works with a magnetic hanger.

I used the CL390 to swap a panel. I also did some attic work. I put the magnetic hanger on it right away. I stuck the meter to the panel door. This was great. I could use both hands to work. It saved me a lot of time.

I tested a few capacitors with it. It gave me a reading fast. It was faster than the 380. The voltage sensor is on the tip of the clamp. I like this feature. I can check for power in a box easily. I do not have to touch a wire. It feels safer to use.

Pros and Cons of Klein CL390

The jaw is a bit smaller. It is 1.6 inches. It was tight on a big service cable. I had to wiggle it to make it fit. But for most jobs, it was fine. The readings were very steady. It did not drift around. It feels like a pro tool.

Detailed Comparison for Klein CL380 vs CL390

Here is a real look at how they compare. I look at how they work on a real job.

Details Comparison for Klein CL380 vs CL390

The CL390 is the new version of the CL380. They look similar. But they feel different to use. The new one is much better to work with.

Accuracy (Most Important)

I tested both meters on the same circuit. The voltage readings were the same. They were both spot on. But the CL390 was faster. It showed the number right away. The CL380 took a split second longer. The beep for continuity is instant on the CL390. The CL380 has a tiny lag.

Design and Practical Use

This is the big difference. The CL380 is blocky. The CL390 has a slot for a magnet. This is a huge help. With the CL380, I had nowhere to put it. With the CL390, I stick it to the metal duct. The CL390 also holds the test lead on the side. This lets me use it with one hand.

Display / Interface and Usability

Both meters use a black screen with white numbers. It looks great inside a dark attic. It is very easy to read there. But outside, it is bad. If the sun hits the screen, you cannot see the numbers. The CL390 is a little bit better. But both are hard to read in the sun.

Build Quality

Both tools are tough. They have orange rubber on the sides. This helps with grip. It also protects them from drops. I shook both of them. Nothing rattled inside. The dial on the CL390 feels better. It clicks firmly. The dial on the CL380 felt a bit soft.

Battery Life and Power

The screens stay lit up all the time. This uses a lot of power. The CL380 killed three batteries in three weeks. I used it every day. The CL390 lasted about four weeks. That is a bit better. But both eat batteries fast. You should keep spare ones in your bag.

Final Practical Table

Conclusion

If you find a cheap CL380, buy it. It works well. But if you want a new one, get the Klein CL390. The magnet slot makes it much better to use. It is faster and feels nicer in your hand. It is worth the money.