Klein MM700 vs Fluke 117: Real World Test

Today we look at the Klein MM700 vs Fluke 117. I test tools every day on real job sites. I want to share my honest hands on view. Let us see how these two meters handle daily work.

Klein MM700 Review

I bought the Klein MM700 for hard jobs. The build is very tough. The thick case handles abuse well. I dropped it on a hard floor once. It fell from a tall ladder. It did not break at all. The outer shell takes the shock well. This keeps the tool safe on a busy site.

I use it on large home panels. I also test HVAC units with it. It reads up to 1000V safely. This keeps me safe on big jobs. You never know when a spike will hit. The low impedance mode is a great help. It finds false ghost voltage fast. Old wires often hold a fake charge. The true RMS numbers are quite stable. They do not jump around much. I tested the same bad breaker five times. It gave the exact same reading each time.

The main dial clicks into place well. It feels like a top tier tool. The fuses are very easy to reach. They sit right inside the back door. You do not have to take it apart. This saves a lot of time on a job. The screen is clear in the dark. But it is hard to read from the top angle.

The test leads feel a bit stiff. They are not soft silicone. Still, it gives great results. It saves you money. It acts like a very costly tool. I also use it to test furnace flame sensors. It reads microamps very well. This makes it a great choice for HVAC calls. It is a workhorse tool for a low price.

Fluke 117 Review

The Fluke 117 is my top daily tool. It is great for fast service calls. It fits right in my hand perfectly. The size is just right for me. It is very light to hold. I used it to wire new home loops. I used it for three weeks straight. It never let me down once. It is built for fast daily work.

The VoltAlert tool is the best part. It senses live power fast. You do not have to touch the bare wires. This saves a ton of time on site. You do not need a second test pen. I can check a crowded box in seconds. The numbers lock in right away. They do not drift or wander. I feel total trust when I use it. The true RMS readings are perfect.

The AutoVolt mode is very smart. It knows if you have AC or DC power. You just touch the wire with the lead. The meter does all the hard work. The screen changes fast. My one issue is the main screen size. It is a bit small from far away. The test leads are stiff in the cold air.

But the battery life is a huge win. It runs for 400 hours of real work. I rarely change the cheap 9V battery. It is worth the high cost. I can hold it and work with thick gloves on. The buttons are easy to press. It makes my work day much faster. It is a true pro tool.

Details Comparison for Klein MM700 vs Fluke 117

Let us look closer at how these tools perform side by side. I will share my real world results.

Core Capability Comparison

The Klein reads up to 1000V. This is great for big factory jobs. It reads microamps too. This is a must for HVAC work. The Fluke stops at 600V. It lacks a microamp test. But the Fluke has a hot wire alert. It also has AutoVolt. Both drop ghost voltage well. The Klein does more types of tests. The Fluke does fewer tests but does them faster.

Accuracy

This is where tests fail. You need a meter you can trust. Both give good true RMS numbers. But the Fluke is much faster. There is no delay. The screen updates right away. The Klein takes a bit longer. The Fluke never drifts. It stays the same every time. I tested the same outlet ten times. The Fluke gave the exact same number. The Klein is still good. But speed matters on the job. The Fluke wins here.

Design and Practical Use

Size matters on a long day. The Fluke is small and light. I can use one hand all day. My hand does not get tired. The Klein is big. It weighs more. It makes my hand tired fast. The Fluke fits in tight panel spots. The Klein needs more room. I can use the Fluke easily with thick work gloves. The Klein is a bit bulky to hold with gloves.

Safety Ratings

Safety is key for real work. You can not take bad risks. The Klein is CAT IV 600V. It handles big main lines. The Fluke is CAT III 600V. It is fine for home panels. The Klein guards you more. It is built for a rough site. Both are safe tools. Both feel good to use. But the Klein goes higher. It gives you more peace of mind on big jobs.

Battery Life and Power

I hate dead tools on a job. The Fluke uses one 9V battery. It runs for 400 hours. I change it once a year. The Klein uses two AAA cells. They drain much faster. You will change them more often. Both turn off on their own. This saves power if you forget the dial. The Fluke costs less to run over time. It saves you trips to the store.

Both tools do great work on the job site. The Fluke is the best tool for fast home wiring and easy use. The Klein gives you heavy duty power and more test modes for less cash.