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Why Should You Buy An EMF Detector?
Here at WaveWall, we’ve devoted a fair amount of time to cataloguing the various dangers and risks posed by EMF radiation. We’ve looked at everything from WiFi routers to Cell Phones, and while each device comes with its own unique challenges, it’s also good to have a more general-purpose way of assessing risks.
Today we’re going to look at some of the best items available on the market for measuring the EMF and RF of any device in your home. But before we do, let’s quickly go over some terminology.
What’s The Difference Between EMF and RF?
If you’re looking to limit your exposure to dangerous electromagnetic radiation, then it’s important to make sure that you understand the terminology involved. In particular, you’ll want to know the difference between the terms EMF and RF.
Any reputable meter or detector will make a distinction between these two terms because although they are both forms of electromagnetic radiation that you might encounter in your everyday life, they require different methods of detection and pose different hazard levels.
Electromagnetic Field Radiation (EMF) generally refers to the low-frequency magnetic field created by the flow of AC current through wiring. Significant levels of EMF radiation are often – though not always – the result of poor wiring which is also a major fire hazard. There is also evidence that EMF exposure can have a variety of negative health impacts which is why many people look to limit their exposure to it in the first place.
RF radiation, on the other hand, refers to the higher frequency radio waves emitted by wireless equipment such as cell phones, laptops, Bluetooth devices, or anything with an internet connection.
Technically speaking, the term ‘radio wave’ refers to long waveform radiation below a frequency of 300GHz. For reference, AC current has a frequency of 60Hz while FM Radio in the US begins at around 88MHz.
All in all, EMF is a more general term while RF refers to the specific radio frequencies you’ll get from most wireless devices. While EMF detectors can be useful, if you’re concerned about the potential effects of mobile devices on your health, then you’ll really want one that can specifically detect RF frequencies.
Some EMF detectors (such as the Trifield) also make a distinction between electric fields and magnetic fields, but for our purposes, both fall under the heading of EMF.
What To Look Out for?
Before we get into our main list, we also want to take a moment to give some general advice about what to look out for when purchasing an EMF meter/detector.
As far as we’re concerned, the most important thing when it comes to these devices is to follow the three Rs:
- Readability
- Reliability
- Respectability
These three requirements really are the be-all and end-all of what we’re here to talk about today so let’s tackle them each in turn.
Readability:
This means that your device needs to be clear and easy to comprehend. If it has a screen, the screen should be crisp enough that you can easily make out the numbers, and large enough that there’s no risk of an accidental false reading.
It should also be well-labelled so that you know exactly what you’re looking at. More information is generally a good thing, but you don’t want to mix up your device’s output with its battery level because of a poorly labelled display.
Reliability:
A scientific tool needs to be consistent. It should always give accurate readings and its results should be repeatable. Put simply, if this isn’t the case then you’ve got yourself a problem.
If you already own an EMF reader and you’d like to test this yourself, then placing it near a common source of EMF should give a strong reading. If it doesn’t then something is wrong.
Respectability:
In some ways, this last one is both the least and the most important factor. Obviously what really matters is that you have a functioning tool that’s consistent and easy to use, but, in many respects, the best way to achieve that is to look at a device’s reputation.
Here at WaveWall, we’re not just interested in recommending you a short-term spend but one that is community tested and will last you for years to come. For that reason, we’ve made sure to take account of brand image and customer reviews in each of the following entries.
With all that out of the way, let’s get on to the list!
The Best EMF Detectors and Meters On The Market In 2023
GQ EMF 390
Current RRP: £149.00
In many ways, one of the most advanced EMF Detectors available on the market, the EMF 390 from GQ Electronics has skyrocketed on amazon in recent months due to its excellent functionality and detailed interface.
The EMF 390 has a large screen that can display a breathtaking amount of information in one go. It measures both RF and EMF radiation with the ability to store data on an in-built flash drive.
As if all that wasn’t enough, you can also transfer that data to your computer which is really useful if you’re looking to put together detailed research/reports. In fact, you probably won’t find a more detailed source of EMF information at a lower price point anywhere on the market.
Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, although some did report difficulty in taking a measurement due to the sheer quantity of information on display.
Readability: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Respectability: 8/10
Latnex HF-B3G
Current RRP: £189.00
Now first things first, it’s worth saying that, for what it is, the Latnex HF-B3G is a decent RF meter and if your main concern is high-frequency devices using wireless/Bluetooth functionality then, for this price point, you couldn’t do much better.
Not only are Latnex an established brand with a wide range of accessible products, but the HF-B3G has received a fair number of decent customer reviews.
In terms of functionality, the HF-B3G is relatively easy to use and has a nice simple display, so if you were concerned by the complexity of the GQ EMF 390, then the HF-B3G could be exactly what you’re looking for.
All that being said, although the HF-B3G will cover most of the frequencies you’re concerned about, it is constrained to only the RF portion of EMF radiation rather than covering the full range.
Readability: 10/10
Reliability: 6/10
Respectability: 7/10
Engindot EMF Meter
Current RRP: £54.70
So let’s start by talking about the elephant in the room – the price tag. How can any high-quality EMF meter be so affordable? Surely there’s some sort of catch?
Well yes and no.
The truth is that the Engindot is pretty impressive for what it is. Not only is it a relatively reliable EMF detector, but it also includes a temperature reading and a colour-coded warning light. These extra features go a long way to making it one of the more readable options available.
The only problem is that the Engindot is not an RF detector, meaning that for many people it simply won’t be all that worth the money.
The long and short of it is that while the Engindot is a good price and can alert you to the presence of EMF radiation if you want to feel truly safe in your house, then you should probably be looking at one of the other items on this list.
Readability: 8/10
Reliability: 4/10
Respectability: 6/10
Trifield TF2
Current RRP: £204.45
If you’re looking for something that’s multi-purpose and reasonably priced then the Trifield TF2 is probably the best place to start. With options for detecting magnetic fields, electric fields, and RF radiation, the TF2 will give you all the peace of mind you could ever need in one small, easy-to-use package.
With its handy dial and well-labelled interface, you shouldn’t have any trouble reading its output while customer reviews rave about its consistency.
As a general-purpose EMF detector at a reasonable price point, this one is probably the best on the list.
Readability: 10/10
Reliability: 8/10
Respectability: 8/10
Cornet ED-88T
Current RRP: £226.55
Coming in a little above the TF2 in terms of price, the Cornet ED-88T is another great choice of EMF detector with many of the same easy-to-use features.
It measures EMF and RF frequencies, gives consistent results, and has decent reviews on amazon. All in all, it really isn’t that different to the TF2.
That said, although the Cornet is great for what it is, the TF2 is slightly better in almost every respect. For one thing, the Cornet’s display is a little cramped, making it harder for to you take a reading. For another, Electrosmog (the Cornet’s manufacturer) are, on the whole, not as well known as Trifield meaning that they have far fewer customer reviews. It is therefore harder to get a sense of their consistency.
Readability: 5/10
Reliability: 7/10
Respectability: 6/10
Erickhill EMF Meter
Current RRP: £49.99
Yep, that’s right, there’s actually an even more affordable option than the Engindot. But how does this budget alternative hold up?
Pretty well, if customer reviews are anything to go by, with an average Amazon rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. In particular, customers praised its good price and simplicity, though some did also criticise its accuracy overall.
Unfortunately, the Erickhill, much like the Engindot, does not detect RF frequencies, making it of only limited use when it comes to household items. On the other hand, if your main concern is wiring and nearby powerlines, then the Erickhill should be able to give you most of the information you need.
Readability: 8/10
Reliability: 6/10
Respectability: 8/10
Acoustimeter
Current RRP: £355.20
Pricey? Yes, but the Acoustimeter is just about everything you could want from an EMF detector. Not only does it pick up both RF and the wider range of EMF frequencies, but it also comes with near-unanimous customer satisfaction.
Although the screen is relatively small, all useful information is easy to read, with a second visualiser below for extra clarity.
In fact, if the Acoustimeter has a problem, it’s that it’s too sensitive. This EMF detector will give you detailed, moment-to-moment readings which can make it hard for some users to get a more general sense of whether they have cause for concern.
At the end of the day, however, you probably won’t find a better tool out there for establishing the levels of EMF radiation within your house. If price isn’t a problem, then this is the one to go for.
Readability: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Respectability: 10/10
Final Thoughts
When you get right down to it, there are as many types of EMF meters and detectors as there are reasons to need them, but you should always do your research before making a purchase.
While every item on this list will be able to give you some peace of mind, if you want to cover the full range of dangerous EMF frequencies that could be emitted by devices in your house, then you’ll definitely be looking at spending triple digits.
Before we go, we’d like to leave you with one last note of caution.
When purchasing electronics online it’s always good to be careful. While large numbers of customer reviews are generally a sign of reliability, you should absolutely be concerned about the safety standards of ANY electrical item you purchase online. Although there are plenty of other choices for EMF detectors available out there, we would highly recommend going with one of the options on this list.
Bare in mind that these are not sponsorships, but endorsements. None of these companies have paid to be here, but rather they’ve made their way onto this list through the quality of their product and customer satisfaction. Not only are these curated to be the best possible choices, but they also come with our stamp of approval.
If you want to protect yourself from EMF radiation, then you’ll definitely want to buy yourself the right tool for the job. Here at WaveWall, we want to make sure you’re spending your money where it matters to keep you safe from EMF radiation.