5 Best LED Light Meters Review – Choose The Best For You

If you’re interested in filmmaking, you’re definitely going to want to invest in a light meter. This essential tool is vital for testing the dynamic range of your camera and it gives you the benefit of being able to play around with contrast ratios.

It seems that over the years, the value of a light meter has been swept under the rug. Instead of turning to the help of this traditional tool, people are turning to software on a computer screen to manipulate waveforms.

But when it comes to eliminating exposure issues, you can’t go wrong with a light meter. Even better is that it can save you time when dealing with exposure problems.

This is an important question that could not only help your project but also save you tons of money. The range of prices for light meters is quite wide, so you probably don’t need a $5,000 precise readout if you are growing plants inside. If you are in the business of photography and cinematography, however, you will probably need a light meter that is in a more expensive price range.

This is another important thing to consider, as light meters can be complex devices. Light itself is no easy thing to wrap one’s head around, and measuring it can be even more confusing. If you are new to using light meters, there are plenty that is affordable and offer decent enough readings.

Do you need to know the exact difference between the red and the green you are shooting to even them out or make one of them pop, or are you just trying to make sure your hydrangeas make it until summer? The answer to this will determine the exact kind of light meter you need.

As it appears, you’re already aware of the 13 best light meters in the market right now. However, you still need to choose which one is the best for you, among these products. But, how will you make this decision?

Don’t worry; we have included an exclusive buyers guide for you to acknowledge the different factors that altogether make a perfect light meter. And that’s why we’ve listed the various features that you must evaluate before you decide upon a single product.

In-camera/Handheld feature

First things first, are you looking for an in-camera exposure meter or a handheld meter? The in-camera systems are not quite efficient at taking incident/flash readings. These are good enough for tasks that do not require high accuracy. Nonetheless, handheld meters are additional accessories that guarantee you a higher range of accuracy. 

Incident metering

While you’re taking a still picture, incident light measuring is essential as it determines the amount of light that’s falling upon the key subject. These may not be as useful for those who are filming, as the item will be moving continuously. 

Spot metering

If you’re going for a handheld meter, the first thing you must check is whether it’s efficient at spot metering. Spot metering is vital in maintaining the balance between the subject and the background, which plays a significant role in photography.

Flash metering

As we all know, camera flashes are as quick as 1/1000th fraction of a second. Maintaining proper light balance during such a swift instance is very important in still photography. So if you’re buying a light meter, you’ve to make sure that it’s quite efficient at flash metering.

Dr.meter Professional LED Light Meter

• 【Professional LED Light Meter】: Whether you're a photographer, a set designer, or looking to set the mood, proper lighting is a must. The Dr.meter Digital LED Light Meter measures the brightness (up to 200,000 lux) of fluorescent, metal halide, incandescent, and high-pressure sodium lights, guaranteeing the perfect luminosity every time.


• 【Ultra Fast, Ultra Precise】: A split second is all it takes for an accurate reading. An advanced built-in calibration sensor measures the light levels at a super fast, twice per second speed.


• 【Easy and Intuitive】: Using this digital LED light meter couldn't be easier. Just turn it on, point it at the light source, and check out the reading on the display screen. There are 4 adjustable measuring ranges (200lux, 2,000lux, 20,000lux, 200,000lux). Preprogrammed settings like auto power off, data hold, unit adjustment, and more do the hard work for you.


• 【270 Degree Rotatable Detector】: Keep an eye on the light level anywhere in the room. The optical detector rotates a full 270 degree for muti-directional detection.


• 【Tripod Mountable】: Have your hands full? Don't sweat it. Thanks to the screw base design, this photography light meter can be placed on a tripod for hands-free use.

ECO Farm 1332B Professional LED Light Meter

• Whether you're a photographer, a set designer, or looking to set the mood, proper lighting is a must. The ECO Farm Digital LED Light Meter measures the brightness (up to 200,000 lux) of fluorescent, metal halide, incandescent, and high-pressure sodium lights, guaranteeing the perfect luminosity every time.


• A split second is all it takes for an accurate reading. An advanced built-in calibration sensor measures the light levels at a super fast, twice per second speed.


• Using this digital LED light meter couldn't be easier. Just turn it on, point it at the light source, and check out the reading on the display screen. There are 4 adjustable measuring ranges (200lux, 2,000lux, 20,000lux, 200,000lux). Preprogrammed settings like auto power off, data hold, unit adjustment, and more do the hard work for you.


• Keep an eye on the light level anywhere in the room. The optical detector rotates a full 270 degree for muti-directional detection.


• Have your hands full? Don't sweat it. Thanks to the screw base design, this photography light meter can be placed on a tripod for hands-free use.

HydroFarm Quantum Par Light Meter

• Measures PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) flux in wavelengths ranging from the 400 to 700 nm


• Fully portable handheld PAR meter with our highly accurate, integrated Quantum Sensor


• Measures up to 10,000 µmol compared with 2,000 µmol for other meters on the market


• Data logging capability using standard mini-USB cable and proprietary data logging software available at hydrofarm.com


• Low power consumption with built-in low battery power indication


• Constant linear response curve (as opposed to other meters' Gaussian response) yields higher accuracy independent of wavelength - perfect for measuring LED light output.


• Automatic sun or electric light calibration modes ensure accurate readings no matter the source.

Extech LT45 LED Light Meter

This model specifically measures the amount of LED light falling on a surface and also measures conventional light sources, but is more preferable for the former. You can measure the amount of light in lumens per square meter or in foot-candles upon your preference and the reading will be precise owing to the sensors that this model comes fitted with. This model additionally comes with a 9V battery, a hard case, a protective sensor cover, and a user manual.

Fluke 941 Light Meter

This model is compatible with four different sources of light namely high-pressure sodium, incandescent light sources, metal halide lamps and fluorescent lamps. The testers are immensely reliable and provide the precise measurement of the amount of light falling on a particular surface area. Also, with data retention and automatic shutdown feature, you will be able to save more battery and use it for longer periods of time. Weighing approximately 220 grams, this is one of the highly recommended light meters for people who are engaging in growing indoor-crops such as cannabis.

If you are reading this article, you are probably a professional grower looking to maximize your plant growth while minimizing cost. Everyone who has tried to set up a grow operation knows that one of the BIGGEST cost factors is electricity. Those old-school bulbs burn very hot and waste a LOT of energy, wasting your money. Not to mention, the traditional grow lights cause excessive heat, which then requires installing cooling fans in your grow room, which adds to the overall cost of your business! Stop the insanity! Time to get smart…

So why do you need to use a light meter in your grow operation? Well, so you can measure the light of course, duh! Seriously, just because you set up an LED light fixture, doesn’t mean that it will produce the same even light throughout your whole grow room. Undoubtedly there will be some dark zones and shadows caused by growing plants. So you cannot assume that the 2000 lumen lamp you used when your plants were young, will still work when your plants are mature.

The BEST thing to do is get yourself a handy dandy light meter, and periodically take light readings at different spots within your grow area. This will allow you to adjust the lighting accordingly in order to maximize your plant growth. Maybe you discover you need to put another light in that far corner of your room, or maybe there’s too much light in one area, etc. Of course, your plants will tell you if they’re not getting enough light, but you don’t want to leave things to chance! Man, this is a business, it’s about making money, so you have to approach your grow operation like a business, and optimize it and maximize your returns.

A light meter is a great investment, and in my opinion, it is one of the essential tools of a SERIOUS grower who is in business to make a profit. As such, I have reviewed what I consider to be the best 5 light meters for your growing business! Remember, stay away from cheap general-purpose LED light meters that may not give proper LED readings, and puts your whole crop at risk. But the best tools and equipment and this will help you produce the best results.