If you require a quick answer, the best breathalyzer is the AlcoSense Pro, which is an award winning device that uses a genuine police fuel cell alcohol sensor. It even features advanced breath flow, pressure and volume sensors for additional accuracy. However, if you require a single use alternative for keeping inside the car, the AlcoSense NF is the best.
In order to rate the breathalyzers within this article, we based our recommendations upon thorough testing, plenty of research and a number of factors. The factors that we considered included their ease of use, accuracy, alerts, provided mouth pieces, display, certifications, warranty and value for money.
Table of Contents
Breathalyzer Comparison
| Breathalyzer | Type | Mouthpieces |
|---|---|---|
| AlcoSense Excel | Digital | 25 |
| AlcoSense Lite 2 | Digital | 25 |
| Drivaid Portable | Digital | 16 |
| Oasser Tester | Digital | 24 |
| AlcoSense NF Kit | Disposable | 2 |
| Simplex Health Pack | Disposable | 2 |
Whether you opt for a digital device or disposable breathalyzers, both will provide results in less than a minute. You can also purchase additional mouthpieces for your digital device in case you run out too.
Below is a list of the best breathalyzers that are easy to use and provide accurate results for complete peace of mind.
The Best Breathalyzer
1. AlcoSense Pro Breathalyzer
AlcoSense dominate the market for breathalyzers in the UK and the “Pro” device is the brand’s flagship model that includes additional sensors. This particular model even allows you to pre-select the country’s drink drive limit you want to compare your results against which isn’t possible with the brand’s alternative devices.
In terms of the sensor used within the Pro device, it’s a 121mm2 fuel cell sensor that the brand states is exactly the same as the sensor used by the police.
Other features of the AlcoSense Pro include:
- Made in the UK
- Genuine police fuel cell alcohol sensor
- Breath flow, pressure and volume sensors
- Advanced temperature compensation
- Selectable country drink drive limits
- Manufactured under ISO13485
- Clear TFT colour screen
- Supports multiple languages
Overall, the AlcoSense Pro is the ultimate breathalyzer that’s built by an industry leading brand for complete peace of mind. It’s an excellent bit of kit that’s accurate, easy to use and well worth the investment.
2. BACtrack S80 Breathalyzer
Another premium breathalyzer and the main competitor to the AlcoSense Pro is the BACtrack S80. According to the brand, it provides professional grade accuracy thanks to its “platinum-based Xtend” fuel cell sensor.
In terms of using the device, it’s a simple one button operation that allows you to begin testing your breath and view the results in a matter of 10 seconds.
Other features of the BACtrack S80 include:
- DOT/NHTSA approved
- Uses police grade technology
- Simple four digit display
- Powered by two AA batteries
- Temperature compensation
- Backed by a 1 year warranty
Overall, the BACtrack S80 is a high quality breathalyzer that’s used all over the world for accurate and consistent results. However, when compared to similar priced devices such as the AlcoSense Pro, it does lack certain features.
3. AlcoSense Excel Breathalyzer
Another highly rated AlcoSense breathalyzer is the Excel model, which also features a genuine police specification sensor. This particular device reads up to 2 decimal place using its 64mm2 fuel cell sensor. In terms of the differences when compared to the brand’s “Pro” model, it lacks the additional sensors and country specific drink drive limits.
Other features of the AlcoSense Excel include:
- Made in the UK
- Full graphical user interface
- Accurate to 2 decimal places
- Manufactured under ISO13485
- Easy to use and read from the display
- Adjustable drive alert
Although the AlcoSense Excel lacks the extra features when compared to the Pro Model, it’s still an excellent bit of kit. It’s easy to use and provides accurate results via the 64mm2 fuel cell sensor for complete peace of mind.
4. AlcoSense Lite 2 Breathalyzer
If the “Pro” and “Excel” models are too pricey, the AlcoSense brand have an affordable alternative that’s known as the Lite 2 breathalyzer. As the model name suggests, it’s the successor of the previous Lite model and it carries the same desirable qualities that include an easy to use interface and superior accuracy to one decimal place.
Other features of the AlcoSense Lite 2 include:
- Accurate to one decimal place
- Clear and easy to read interface
- Single button operation
- Semi-conductor sensor
- Made in the UK
- Recalibration reminder every 12 months
The AlcoSense Lite 2 is the perfect mid-range breathalyzer that ticks all the boxes and is more than suitable for the average driver. It’s also backed by the reputable AlcoSense brand for complete peace of mind.
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5. Drivaid Portable Breathalyzer
One of the cheapest breathalyzers that’s actually worth buying is the Drivaid device. It’s completely portable and comes with 12 mouthpieces and a range of intuitive features. Considering that its one of the cheapest, the fact that it features 4 pre-set unit settings, a rechargeable battery and a semi-conductor sensor is very impressive.
Other features of the Drivaid Portable Tester include:
- Two button operation
- Compact size (smaller than most smartphones)
- Built-in lithium battery
- Easy to read LCD display
- 4 pre-set units of measure
- Supplied with 12 mouthpieces
- Detailed instructions included
The Drivaid Portable Breathalyzer is the best value digital device on the market that’s accurate and easily storable in your car. Although it isn’t going to match the quality of the more expensive AlcoSense models, its certainly much cheaper.
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6. Oasser Digital Breathalyzer
Another cheap breathalyzer that’s able to challenge the more expensive devices is the Oasser Breathalyzer. It’s FDA approved and uses a semi-conductor sensor to provide accurate readings in a matter of seconds.
Other features of the Oasser Breathalyzer Tester include:
- Smart alarm system
- Supplied with 24 mouthpieces
- Clear LCD display
- Displays measurements in 3 units
- Powered by 3 x AAA batteries
Overall, the Oasser Breathalyzer is an excellent budget option that offers great value for the money and is perfect for keeping in your car. As it’s battery powered, you also don’t need to worry about charging it all the time, which is another great bonus.
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7. AlcoSense French Certified Breathalyzers
Although the French have recently scrapped the law regarding driving with breathalyzers, there were only a few options that were actually approved by the French authorities. The AlcoSense NF Breathalyzers are an example of what were approved. They are a single use breathalyzer that’s designed to prove that you are below the 0.5 French limit.
Other features of the AlcoSense NF Kit include:
- Approved for use in France
- Single use breathalyzer
- Pack of two
- Long expiry dates
- Used by French police
If you don’t wish to use a digital device and want reliable breathalyzers that you can trust, the AlcoSense NF kit is the best option. The fact that they are approved and used by the French police is a clear indication of their quality.
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8. Simplex Breathalyzer Test Kits
Another pack of disposable breathalyzers that produce results on the spot are by the Simplex Health brand. According to the brand, their single use breathalyzers are easy to use and also come with an impressive two year expiry date.
Other features of the Simplex Health Breathalyzers include:
- Single use and easy to use
- Pack of two breathalyzers
- European wide measurements
- UK and EU certified
- 2 year expiry
Overall, the Simplex Health Breathalyzers tick all the boxes in terms of value for money and accuracy. Although they aren’t French police approved, this law has recently been scrapped, which still makes them a viable option.
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How We Tested & Rated The Breathalyzers
After using a number of breathalyzers over the years, we have plenty of experience with a range of devices. This includes the budget options to the premium AlcoSense models that provide the most accuracy. As well as testing, we also based our recommendations upon plenty of research and multiple factors. The factors that we considered included their ease of use, accuracy, alerts, provided mouth pieces, display, certifications, warranty and value for money.
Below you can see a video of us testing the AlcoSense Pro that we rated as the best. As you can see, it’s very easy to use with the instructions on the screen and the results are displayed in seconds.
Conclusion
If you have been out the night before and want to have complete peace of mind before driving your car the next day, investing into a breathalyzer is highly advised. Within this article, we have listed some of the best options that are available as digital devices or single use alternatives. As you can see from the recommendations, AlcoSense dominate the market for breathalyzers in the UK and for good reason too. Although there are plenty of alternatives, we would highly recommend the AlcoSense devices where the brand offer a range of models to suit all budgets.
