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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- At $12, this is the cheapest quality USB meter I’ve tested.
- It’s as accurate as meters that cost ten times as much.
- The display is on the small side, but it’s still completely readable.
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This $12 USB-C Power Meter<!–> has quickly become one of my absolute must-have tools. These little dongles are used to measure voltage, current, power capacity, and other metrics. I use them for all kinds of tasks; everything from checking if a USB port is working, to testing the power capacity of devices like power banks and smartphones.
They’re one of those tools I rely on to get my work done, and I’ve probably collected close to two dozen of them over the years. When USB-A started transitioning to USB-C, I had to upgrade my toolkit, and as USB-C power transfer capacities have grown, I’ve had to buy newer, more advanced power meters to keep up.
Also: The best portable power stations you can buy
Every time I write about these meters, I inevitably get questions from readers asking where they can pick one up. But the excitement usually fades when they find out I’m recommending meters that cost $50, $100, or even more.
But that’s finally changed. For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing the TKXEC USB-C power meter–>, and let me tell you, it’s just perfect for enthusiasts. This little gem is packed with features, has a color OLED screen, and, best of all, costs just $12.
The power meter supports voltages between 3 and 30 volts, currents between 0 and 12 amps, and power up to 360 watts. It even includes a logging feature, a graphing feature, and can test just about every fast-charging protocol out there.
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The meter is housed in an aluminum case and is dust and drop proof. It also comes with a little silicone cover for the connector, but I typically don’t bother using it.
I’ve put it head-to-head with meters costing ten or twenty times as much, and I’ve found no issues with its accuracy or performance. I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical about the meter’s 1.06-inch color OLED screen. It sounded a bit small for my aging eyes. But I’m happy to report that it’s pin-sharp and manages to pack an impressive amount of information into such a tiny space.
The tiny display is so sharp it can display a power chart.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried testing cheaper meters in the past, but they’ve always fallen short. I have a rule — I only recommend tools I’ve personally tested and would use myself. Unfortunately, “cheap” and “good” rarely go hand in hand.
Also: The best power banks you can buy
Most of the budget-friendly meters I’ve tested have been wildly inaccurate, couldn’t handle the high voltages or currents they claimed to support, or worse: died after just a few uses. I’m happy to say that this device avoids all of those pitfalls.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The bottom line is that if a tool doesn’t meet my standards, it’s never going to get a recommendation from me. The KWS-2303C USB-C power meter<!–> doesn’t just meet my standards, it exceeds them.
This one is perfect for the beginner techie or the grizzled pro. And considering the amount of features that you get for $12, it’s a steal.
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