The colorimeter can help you decipher the wavelengths that are reflected by a material and the ones that get absorbed. Accordingly, it can help you detect the color as well. However, when you try to buy a colorimeter, you will realize that they often cost you thousands of dollars. That brings up the question, are there any affordable ones out there?
Yes, there are a few cheap accurate colorimeters available. We will today share with you the top 10 options and also a buying guide to help you pick the right one.
List of Top Best Cheap Accurate Colorimeter Color Meter in 2024
#10. Color Muse device for color matching paint
With this device, you can scan colors and then match it up with a mobile application. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, which ensures that you can easily detect the colors. Also, it has a share feature as well, which means that you can share the palettes with clients, friends as well as anyone else. It also helps you in making choices according to the matched color palette. Due to the sharing feature and Bluetooth connectivity on offer, it is a perfect choice.
- Bluetooth connectivity on offer
- Compatible mobile application
- Color palette sharing options
- Provides excellent hexadecimal levels
- Compact unit
- Easy to use
- Provides precise values
#9. Datacolor SpyderX Pro Monitor Calibration
You can now effectively calibrate your monitor for simple achieving of your ideal precision color when you get this machine. It has been considered the fastest spyder ever that you can rely on for top-notch functions. Besides this, the machine is very intuitive, which makes it a breeze to operate without being a color expert. That said, it also got a simple easy single-click calibration plus a wizard workflow equipped with 12 calibration predefined targets.
Moreover, this product will perfectly monitor all technological changes and enhance over time. Because of this, it guarantees better support for different latest screen types, gamuts, and recent resolutions.
- 12 predefined calibration targets
- Easy and quick single-click calibration
- Automatic profile changing system
- Room light monitoring
- The fastest spyder ever
#8. BELEY Digital Precise Portable Color Colorimeter with Color Screen Display
In case you need the ultimate color colorimeter, here is a special piece you may try out. This high-precision professional colorimeter has an ergonomic handheld design for simple easy hold. It also features both stability and precision for better functionality. That said, this product is highly versatile and convenient since you can apply it for color difference control, sampling testing, color difference analysis, and color quality control among others.
This makes it excellent for use in most fields including clothing, footwear, leather, chemicals, textile, printing, and dyeing among others. It has a large color display screen for simple reading of the values.
- High-precision professional colorimeter
- Simple handheld portable design
- Wide range of uses
- A large color screen display
- 3-year warranty
#7. AMTAST Colorimeter
The Amtast colorimeter which we are highlighting now is suitable for the printing industry, coating industry as well as for testing various objects. Also, the testing port diameter is 8 MM, which means that it can detect colors more easily. You can store ten sets of standards sample. In each set, the capacity is up to 100 samples. It means that detection is quite accurate. With the help of an LED light source, getting a precise output is quite easy.
You can connect it to a printer using a USB port, which is another advantage. It also features display indicators for built-in colors. Thus, if you need to measure a lot of colors, this is a reliable option.
- Capacity to store a higher number of samples
- USB connectivity on offer
- The diameter is 8 MM
- Suitable for various industries
- Processing chip comes from USA
#6. SJ-Spectrophotometer Precise 8mm Portable Colorimeter
The advantage of this colorimeter is that it consists of a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen. It means that you can view the output quite easily. With the help of unparalleled accuracy and adherence to various industry standards, you can be sure to get precise output.
It offers you two observer angles, which is another advantage. The stable test performance of this colorimeter is another reason to go for it. It can also store data of 10000 tests, which makes it easy for you to use it on a massive scale. Thus, if you’re looking for a colorimeter that is easy to operate, you cannot miss this one.
- Capacitive touchscreen of 3.5 inches
- Can store large sample data
- Stable test performance
- Satisfies various industry standards
- High accuracy
- Easy to operate
- Consist of a touchscreen display
#5. Datacolor ColorReader EZ
Here is a reliable professional color reader you will find the ideal for your needs. This product is highly effective since it operates by scanning any color to easily coordinate and match the paint. Besides this, it offers you with top 3 paint color that will suit a wide range of most popular brands. Moreover, the piece is excellent for saving the color matches, creating color palettes, coordinating colors, and sharing with family and friends. Still, the unit will define its color matches in HEX, RG B, and CIELAB color values. This allows for simple integration into the digital design.
Additionally, the product has a high level of color accuracy thanks to the single-colored surface nets. You should not that the color accuracy may get affected by metallic surfaces, textured, or high screen surfaces.
- Top 3 color matches
- Single colored surfaces for most accurate colors
- RGB, HEX, and CIELAB color values
- Coordinate colors and save color matches
- Capture color inspiration anywhere
#4. Nix Pro Color Sensor
The USP of this color Sensor is that it can store thousands of samples. It can also cross-match any surface or any material. It means that if you’re looking for a color sensor for heavy-duty usage, you need not look any further.
You do not worry about calibration or any other complicated mechanism when planning to use this color sensor. Also, it can detect physical paints as well as various color combinations easily. It provides you with digital color values as well, which ensures that you can shortlist the right color options quite easily. With the help of careful calibration, you can ensure that the digital values which it provides are up to the mark. Keeping these factors in mind, it is a color sensor which you should consider buying.
- Can store thousands of color samples
- Cross-matching feature available
- Careful calibration
- Detects various color combinations
- Larger storage space
- Excellent detection capability
- Digital values of colors on offer
#3. NR200 Portable Colorimeter
The testing diameter of this colorimeter is 8 MM. That is why; detecting the colors with this color sensor is easy. The highly portable design means that if you want to move it around, you can do so.
With the help of fast response time, you can be sure that you will get the readings in no time. The One Touch measurement interface ensures that there is no learning curve. It comes with the PC software, which means that you can transfer the data to the computer and use it as you please. The USB cable comes with it, which allows you to connect it to the computer easily. Thus, when looking for a colorimeter which comes with its software, you should not ignore this one.
- Comes with its software
- One-Touch measurement interface
- Uses Silicon photodiode
- USB connectivity on offer
- Ergonomic design
- Easy to use
#2. FRU WF30 Accurate Colorimeter
With the TFT 2 color display screen of 2.8 inches, you can be sure that getting the output readings on this colorimeter is quite easy. It has a caliber size of 8 MM, which allows you to detect the color easily. With the help of high stability and high precision, getting quick output is possible. It has two color modes on offer as well, which makes it highly versatile.
One of the advantages of this colorimeter is that you can use it for plastic, leather, chemicals, clothing as well as a lot of different materials and surfaces. Moreover, with the help of excellent precision, you can use it for quality testing, as well. The compact design allows you to carry it around in the carrying case, which comes along with it. Thus, if you’re looking for a highly accurate colorimeter which comes along with its screen, you need not look any further.
- TFT screen of 2.8 inches
- 8 MM caliber version
- Suitable for various surfaces and materials
- Comes with a case
- Two different color modes on offer
- Easy to get digital readings
#1. X-Rite i1Basic Pro 2
The X-Rite colorimeter on top of our list can work with different measuring conditions. It means that you can customize its performance according to your requirements. It offers optical brightness compensation, which means that you can get the most accurate readings. With the help of the position detecting system, the scanning is quite quick. There is also a manual mode on offer if you want to control the operation of the device entirely.
The status LED lets you know when the color has been detected. It comes with various accessories like a calibration plate, light measurement head, monitor holder, scanning tool, USB cable, software, and so on. With the spectral measuring range between 380 nm to 730 nm, you can use this colorimeter for various applications. The versatility and accuracy of this colorimeter is the reason it is on top of our list.
- Includes accessories
- Offers different measuring standards
- Incorporates optical brightness compensation
- Efficient scanning mechanism
- Offers a status LED
- High spectral range
- Various modes on offer
What users should know before buying this product
The parameters which you should keep in check while buying a colorimeter are:
- Precision: Only when the device is precise, you can use it consistently. You have to look at the standard deviation and, after that, purchase the device.
- Display option: The device can either offer you to store the sample data and later on, you can connect it with the computer. You have to look at the display option and then take a call. It is up to you to decide if you prefer a digital interface that is a screen or if you want one to connect to the computer or the printer. There are a few colorimeters that offer both of these options, as well. That is why you have to look at the display option which you prefer and then choose the colorimeter.
- Storage: If the colorimeter provides a storage option as well, that is a definite advantage. You have to also look at the number of samples which it can store. Only once you look at the number of samples which it can store, you can make the right decision when it comes to the colorimeter.
- Portability: It is always essential to choose a highly portable colorimeter. It ensures that you can take it with you wherever you go. Only when the design is on the smaller side, you can do so.
Instead of choosing any colorimeter, you have to look at the dimensions \and the various other factors highlighted above. Once you compare the colorimeter on these factors, choosing the right one is quite easy. When you go through the top 10 list below, you can do the same and compare them on these four parameters to pick the right one.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for the cheapest and the most accurate colorimeters, these are the options that you should consider. When you choose any between them, you can be sure that you will get the most accurate outputs. That is why, instead of going with any substandard option, it is a better idea to choose between these ten options.
