This cheap USB power meter is shockingly accurate – and I highly recommend it

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.

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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.

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.

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. 

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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.