10 Best Digital Calipers (Review) In 2021

Features To Look For In Digital Calipers

Type – There are a number of different types of calipers. Some can be used to take only one type of measurement, and others can be used for multiple readings. Most calipers can measure outside, inside, depth, and step with amazing accuracy. You can take these readings using a Vernier caliper or a digital caliper. The digital caliper will save you time because the readings are more accurate and instant.

Construction – When you consider where your digital caliper will be used the most, you want the construction of the caliper to be strong and sturdy. Building and construction sites are messy and tools get dropped quite frequently. Stainless steel construction ensures sturdiness and reliability and these calipers are less likely to break, bend or warp. Stainless steel has the added bonus of being easy to keep clean.

Length – You may be tempted to go for the biggest digital caliper, but size doesn’t always matter when it comes to this precision measuring tool. As an example, the average home handyman usually only works on small construction jobs around the house so a longer caliper isn’t really necessary. On the other hand, if the caliper will be used for larger construction projects, then a longer caliper may be more beneficial. However, if you’re a frequent user and plan on using your digital caliper at home and work, then to save getting multiple calipers, you may find it easier, and cheaper, to get one of the larger models.

Battery Life – If you’re a busy construction worker, the last thing you want to happen is for your digital caliper’s battery to fail you right in the middle of an important project. Some calipers can be charged by solar power and also feature a backup battery. However, the best digital caliper won’t need its battery to be replaced for a few years, even if you use them several times a day. It is also recommended that you remove the batteries from your calipers if you only use them occasionally. The batteries can leak and damage the entire electrical and digital component.

Automatic Off – One of the best ways to preserve the battery life of your digital calipers is to not have them turned on when you’re not using them. However, when your day gets busy it’s easy to forget to turn off your calipers. An automatic on/off function is something most newer model digital calipers will feature and it’s one you will appreciate. The digital display will automatically turn off when the calipers are sitting idle for a set period. This will go a long way in extending the life of the batteries and ensure you can keep working uninterrupted for longer periods at work.

Ergonomics – Taking measurements with one hand and recording the readings with the other can feel like a juggling act. The actual metal parts of the shaft, or ruler may not be very flexible and they’re definitely not moveable. However, ergonomics play an important part in how you can operate the display. The buttons around the display should be easy to use with a simple motion of the fingers so you can change the modes as needed.

Ease In Use – The entire purpose of the digital revolution has been to make our lives easier. Digital technology has definitely come into many aspects of our lives and many old devices and tools now feature this technology.  An ordinary dial or Vernier caliper is still a great measuring tool, but it can be complicated to use. The best digital Vernier caliper is simple to use and as you can change the different modes with the touch of a button, you can take different measurements quite effortlessly.

Display – Part of what makes the best digital Vernier caliper such a great measuring tool is the display. The display gives you the readings you need, no matter what you are measuring. The display itself doesn’t need to be overly large, and one that is too big may interfere with your ability to use it. However, as long as the readings are large enough, you will still be able to properly view the data relating to what you are measuring.

Digital Vs. Dial Calipers – Both digital and dial calipers can help you with accurate measurements, however, digital calipers generally offer more accuracy and are a lot easier to read. They also tend to be simpler to use than the older dial calipers. The main drawback to digital calipers is you may be forced to take a break or stop work when you run out of battery power. Some can still be used as dial calipers but that would require you to know how to use dial calipers. As with many pieces of digital equipment, it may be a good idea to learn on the “old-school” versions, in this case dial calipers. Once you understand how to take accurate measurements with dial calipers, using digital ones will be a lot easier and you’ll fully understand the readings you see on the display.

Uses Of Digital Calipers – Digital calipers are all about taking precision measurements. They are used for measuring the internal, external, depth and step dimensions of whatever you are working with. Digital calipers are popular to use in the fields of science and engineering. However, they can be used in many other areas as well.

Digital Caliper Care & Maintenance – Calipers are only good if they can be accurate. Both dial and digital calipers will work better for you if you keep them clean. Digital calipers require more care and cleaning because dirt, dust and other impurities can negatively affect the electronic caliper readings. If you’re working in any dirty environment or where wet materials are used, make sure to clean your digital calipers after each use. Storage is also crucial so always store your digital calipers in a sturdy case when you’re not using them. A drop of oil on the sliding scale from time to time will also keep your calipers working smoothly.

Using Tips & Tricks

The basic rules of using calipers are simple.

• Bring the two points or jaws together prior to each use to get a zero value. An electronic Vernier caliper tends to reset to zero after each use making your job simpler.
• Only use your caliper for its intended purpose. If you use it as a ruler, knife or any other tool, you may damage it and destroy its ability to be accurate.
• Always check the mode of your caliper before you start measuring.
• Make sure the object you are measuring sits neatly inside or outside the jaws. Preferably do this on a flat surface.
• The item you are measuring should always be flush with the jaws.

Digital Caliper FAQ

Q: Why use calipers instead of a ruler?

A: Quite simply, a caliper is always going to be more accurate than a ruler when you are measuring. Digital calipers are even more accurate than ordinary calipers and can give you an accuracy reading up to one hundredth of a millimeter, or one thousandth of an inch.

Q: Are digital calipers accurate?

A: If you’ve been wondering about the accuracy of digital calipers, you can rest assured that these will offer you the most accurate measurements possible. The ratio for error is less than a tiny fraction or a millimeter which is pretty near perfect.

Q: My caliper has returned inaccurate readings, what could be the issue?

A: There is nothing worse than going through the trouble of carefully measuring the materials you are working with and realizing your measurements are wrong. You would expect digital calipers to be accurate all the time, but as with a lot of digital equipment, things can go wrong.

You did not zero out your calipers – Bring the jaws together and separate them until the display reads zero, then measure again.

There could be an accumulation of dirt and debris – Make sure your calipers are clean. Check in and around the sliding scale. You should also check inside the battery casing. Dirt can also interfere the power supply the battery is sending out.

The battery may not be strong enough – Once the battery is no longer working at full strength, it may affect how well your digital caliper works and displays readings. Change the battery and try again.

There could be a problem with the electronics – Like any piece of digital equipment, it does have an expiry date. If you use yours frequently and you’ve had it for a while, you may need to consider getting a new one.

You may have dropped your digital calipers – Accidents happen in the workplace and sometimes we drop our tools. A serious jolt or bump may have messed up the way the caliper works.

Your digital calipers may need to be calibrated – Most digital calipers come with a factory default calibration for each type of measuring. If you did not come calibrated, you may need to do this yourself.