Best Digital Caliper

To determine the best digital caliper we looked at the following options: materials, accuracy, caliper length, battery life, and water resistance. For the best experience, you should prioritize a stainless steel design that is more durable. Most people will find that a caliper that measures zero to six inches should be more than sufficient. And they should focus on options that are at least accurate to within 0.001 inches. Additional features such as auto shut off and an IP54 water resistance rating also helps to preserve the life and quality of your digital caliper.

After considering all of the above, we nominated the Rexbeti 6-Inch Digital Caliper as our Top Pick. This digital caliper is constructed from stainless steel and features an IP54 rating. It’s accurate to within 0.001 inches, and can also provide measurements in inches, millimeters, and fractions. Keep reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks.

Top 5 Best Digital Caliper

 #1  REXBETI 6-Inch Digital Caliper – Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: A durable and water-resistant stainless steel digital caliper that makes it easy to measure exterior and interior lengths, depths and even offers a step feature along the back — all in imperial and metric readings.

Calipers are a must-have tool if you’re constantly measuring smaller objects. The Rexbeti 6-Inch Digital Caliper can measure from zero to six inches but can provide those digital readouts in inches, millimeters, and fractions for improved accuracy. The stainless steel construction has a polished finish for improved durability. The extra layer of protection on its stainless steel body makes it water resistant and dust resistant. Plus the IP54 rating gives you confidence that this tool can stand up to dirt, grime, and water exposure.

As is standard with calipers, you can measure external, internal and depth lengths. You’ll like that you’re guaranteed to have measurements that are within 0.001 inches of accuracy. The large digital readout is convenient, along with the buttons that easily switch between measurement systems, or reset to zero. The Rexbeti digital caliper comes with a carrying case and an extra battery. You may not use this tool as often as the best leaf blower, but when you need it, it is reliable.

 #2  Neiko 01407A Electronic Digital Caliper – Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: A sleek digital caliper constructed from stainless steel that comes with a carrying case and extra battery makes it a great addition to any woodworking shop.

While our Honorable Mention recommendation lacks an IP54 rating, there’s still a lot to love about this option. We think this is the best digital caliper ideal for woodworkers or people who know they won’t potentially come into contact with water while using this device. The Neiko 01407A Electronic Digital Caliper is still a competitive option as compared to the other digital calipers in our guide, with it’s large LCD digital display.

You’ll get plenty of standard features such as metric and imperial readings, as well as fractions. This option also measures from zero to six inches and also includes internal, external, and depth measuring capabilities. As is standard, this model comes with a carrying case to keep your tool protected between uses. You’ll also get precise measurements of accuracy within 0.001 inches and an extra-large LCD screen for easier use. The best magnifying glass can also help with small items.

 #3  VINCA DCLA-0605 Quality Electronic Digital Vernier Caliper – Best Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: A budget-friendly digital caliper with an auto-shutoff feature to help preserve battery life between uses.

As you’ve noticed from our guide, it’s possible to find an affordable digital caliper. But if your budget is very limited, our Best Budget recommendation is going to be ideal for you. Although it also lacks an IP54 rating (like our Honorable Mention), you’ll note that this model has an automatic shutoff feature. This is ideal for saving your caliper’s battery life and isn’t a common feature.

What also sets this model apart is the fact that it comes with a proprietary data cable to connect to your computer. This is important because you can’t use a traditional USB cable with this device. In terms of functionality, you can expect similar features as other digital calipers. This includes three measuring modes — inches, millimeters, and fractions — with accuracy within 0.001 inches and a measurement range of 0-6 inches. You’ll also have an extra-large screen, the ability to perform internal and external measurements as well as depth and step. You’ll also get a carrying case and an additional battery. This is great for measuring pipe before using the best pipe wrench.

 #4  iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6″ Digital Electronic Caliper – Easiest to Use

WHY WE LIKE IT: An easy to use digital caliper with IP54 water resistance and most importantly, a streamlined functionality that doesn’t require resetting to zero between different measurements.

A common complaint with digital calipers is that your measurements can become inaccurate over time if you don’t frequently reset to zero between readings. But the iGaging Absolute Origin 0 – 6” Digital Electronic Caliper is the best digital caliper for machinists because it makes life easier because resetting to zero isn’t necessary. As soon as you turn on the device, it’s ready to measure. Plus this device can be connected for data output, however, the cable is not included. And since it features ISO-certified manufacturing, this specific digital caliper is ideal for machinists.

Much like other models in our guide, this digital caliper is IP54 rated and provides accurate measurements to within 0.001 inches. You’ll also enjoy standard features such as three measuring modes (inches, millimeters, and fractions), easy measuring for internal, external, depth, and step measurements, and a carrying case. These calipers are just as handy as the best wire strippers are for electrical projects.

 #5  EAGems 6-Inch Digital Caliper – Best Quality

WHY WE LIKE IT: A highly accurate digital caliper that provides readings to within 0.005 inches, an IP54 rating, and an automatic shut off feature to preserve battery life.

No one buys a caliper because they don’t care about accuracy. If you’ve struggled with this issue from other calipers, our Best Quality recommendation may be the answer to your problems. The EAGems 6-Inch Digital Caliper with a large LCD display offers the best accuracy of all of our recommendations to within 0.005 inches. You’ll also like the automatic shut off feature to help preserve battery life, the included additional battery and the carrying case.

You’ll also note other similarities to the other digital calipers in our guide. This includes a zero to six-inch measuring capability, IP54 water resistance, measurements that can be displayed in inches, millimeters, and even fractions, as well as a large LCD screen. As is standard, you can measure internal, external, depth, and step measurements. And as with all of the other digital calipers in our guide, this one is also composed of a stainless steel body. The best torque wrench is another great tool when you need precision.

How We Decided

Digital calipers are a critical tool for a range of professions such as machinists or even woodworkers. To help narrow down our recommendations for the best digital calipers, we focused on the following features — materials, accuracy, caliper length, battery life, and water resistance.

As you go through our recommendations, you’ll note that many of them have similar qualifications. And where this occurred, we made a note of it. Specifically, all of our digital caliper recommendations are designed to measure between zero to six inches and are made from stainless steel. This is ideal for the average user, and stainless steel construction will be more durable. And all of our recommendations also come standard with a storage case.

Likewise, all of our calipers can measure in both metric and imperial lengths. And more importantly, they can all switch between inches, millimeters, and fractions. Likewise, they all feature a large LCD screen for easy reading, and the ability to gauge internal, external, depth, and step measurements.

In terms of accuracy, our Best Quality offered the highest accuracy to within 0.005 inches or 1/64 whereas the remainder are accurate to within 0.001 inches or 1/32. And water resistance is also a feature that isn’t always standard. While most of our recommendations offer an IP54 rating, our Honorable Mention and Best Budget do not. However, we did note that most of our recommendations came with an additional battery. But to preserve that battery, focus on our Best Budget and Best Quality recommendations since both of these models offer an auto shut off feature.

Digital Caliper Buying Guide

 

The Most Important Factors to Consider

1. Materials
   Digital calipers can be made from a range of materials such as stainless steel, plastic, composite material, and carbon fiber. Look for a digital caliper with sturdy and durable inside outside jaws. Although stainless steel tends to be the most expensive, it’s also the most durable option. And that means that even with a higher upfront cost, you’ll save money in the long term.
2. Accuracy
   The main point of using a digital caliper is to measure lengths. So you’ll need to consider whether your caliper is properly calibrated, and how accurate the measurements will be. For precise measurements, it needs to have an increment of 0.01mm or 0.0005”. A poorly calibrated caliper will give you inaccurate measurements. Look for digital calipers that have already been calibrated and can be used straight out of the box. Also, look for one that has a high-quality locking screw because the measuring jaws need to be well locked for accurate measurements.
3. Measurements
   Most digital calipers provide readings in imperial and metric readings. This is ideal so you can easily convert between the two systems rather than having to do the calculations yourself. But not all of them display measurements to the same decimal point. Depending on the objects being measured, this can be a deal-breaker if you need to measure to the 100th of a point, and your caliper can only provide accuracy within a 10th of a point.
4. Ease of Use
   By default, digital calipers are significantly easier to use than other types of calipers because of their digital readouts via the LCD screen. But even so, you still want a tool that’s easy for you to handle and to make adjustments. Look for options such as a sensitive thumbwheel and smooth jaw movement to make your projects easier to complete.
5. Caliper Length
   Calipers can come in a range of lengths, but most people should be fine with a digital caliper that has a measuring range  between four to 12 inches. But for the right tool for the job, always consider the length of what you’ll be measuring before you buy a digital caliper.
6. Battery Life
   Digital calipers are typically battery-powered. Consider models that offer an automatic shut off feature. This will help to preserve battery life between uses.
7. Water Resistance
   Although it’s not a requirement, a digital caliper with a water resistance rating can ensure that your tool lasts longer and can withstand exposure to water. If this is a feature that’s important to you, look for an IP54 or higher rating.

Digital Caliper FAQs

How accurate are digital calipers?

There’s only one type of caliper which is more accurate than a digital model, the vernier caliper. Digital calipers are known to provide an accuracy of 0.001 inches (0.02 millimeters) along with a resolution of 0.0005 inches (0.01 millimeters).

What does a digital caliper do?

Digital calipers are instruments used to measure internal and external distances with extreme accuracy. What makes them especially useful is the fact that you can often easily convert between imperial and metric readings.

Are digital calipers more accurate than dial calipers?

Yes, digital calipers provide better accuracy than dial calipers. However, this will also depend on how well-calibrated your caliper is.

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