Themisto TH-M98 Digital Multimeter Review: Best Budget Pick for Home & Auto Use in India?

If you’ve ever tried to track down a wiring fault in your car at midnight, or figure out why a circuit breaker keeps tripping at home, you already know how indispensable a good multimeter is. The problem? Decent multimeters in India often cost upward of ₹1,500–₹3,000, and budget options can feel flimsy or inaccurate.

That’s where the Themisto TH-M98 Digital Multimeter enters the picture.

I picked one up after going through the options available under ₹1,000 in India, and I’ve been using it regularly for over 18 months now — for automotive diagnostics, home wiring checks, and general electronics tinkering. In this review, I’ll share everything I’ve learned: the good, the not-so-good, and whether it’s worth your money in 2026.

⚡ Quick Answer:The Themisto TH-M98 is a reliable, feature-packed manual-ranging digital multimeter priced around ₹759–₹999 in India. It measures DC/AC voltage, DC current, resistance, continuity, diode, duty cycle, and includes NCV detection, backlit LCD, and double ceramic fuse protection. It’s ideal for home electricians, car enthusiasts, and students who need a dependable budget multimeter — but lacks auto-ranging, which is worth knowing before you buy.

Product Overview

The Themisto TH-M98 is a 2000-count manual-ranging digital multimeter from Themisto, an Indian brand (manufactured by JIPVI Ecommerce Pvt. Ltd., Delhi) that has built a solid reputation in the budget tools segment. It’s sold on Amazon, Flipkart, and directly through the brand’s website.

👉 View the Themisto TH-M98 on Amazon

It sits firmly in the sub-₹1,000 category — currently available at a very competitive price on Themisto’s website and on marketplaces — but punches well above its weight in terms of features and build quality.

👉 Check the latest price of the Themisto TH-M98 on Flipkart

Key Specifications

Design and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the TH-M98 makes a reasonable first impression. It doesn’t look or feel like a cheap toy.

The body is wrapped in a rubber anti-drop sleeve that gives a firm, comfortable grip — important when you’re working in cramped spaces or awkward angles. The rubber also acts as shock protection if you accidentally set it down too hard on a workbench.

The rotary selector dial is well-defined with clear markings. Switching between measurement modes feels tactile and precise — no guessing whether you’ve clicked into the right setting.

A built-in kickstand lets you prop the meter up hands-free on a flat surface, which is genuinely useful when you need both hands on the probes. There’s also a small hook/bracket at the back that can hold the test probes when not in use — a minor but thoughtful touch.

At this price, I was not expecting the build quality to be this solid. The two-layer injection moulding construction adds rigidity, and it doesn’t feel hollow when you hold it.

One thing to note: this is not a slim, pocket-sized meter. It’s a full-sized handheld unit, which is actually better for extended use since the display and controls are easier to read and operate.

Display and Readability

The large LCD screen is one of the TH-M98’s strengths. The digits are big enough to read comfortably without squinting, and the backlit screen kicks in when you press the backlight button, staying on for about 15 seconds before turning off to save battery.

The backlight is genuinely useful — not just a gimmick. When you’re checking wiring under a dashboard or inside a dim electrical panel, that backlight is the difference between guessing and knowing.

The built-in LED flashlight is a bonus feature you don’t often see at this price point. A small 3mm LED on the top of the meter doubles as a work light in dark environments. It’s not a powerhouse torch, but in a pinch it’s helpful.

Performance and Measurement Accuracy

This is where it matters most, and the TH-M98 doesn’t disappoint.

DC Voltage readings are stable and accurate. Checking a fully charged 12V car battery consistently shows values in the expected 12.4V–12.8V range. When the engine is running and the alternator is charging, the reading jumps to 13.8V–14.4V exactly as expected — no drifting, no weird spikes.

Continuity testing is fast. The buzzer responds quickly (within a fraction of a second), so testing long wire runs doesn’t become a waiting game.

AC Voltage accuracy is good for household use. Testing a standard Indian 230V supply gives stable, consistent readings.

Resistance measurements are reliable across low and mid ranges. At very high resistance values (in the MΩ range), there’s some natural variation — but that’s common even in more expensive meters.

The NCV (Non-Contact Voltage) detector is a standout safety feature. Hold the meter near a live wire without touching it, and it beeps and lights up. I’ve used this multiple times to quickly check whether a wire in the wall is live before cutting — it’s a fast, no-contact safety check that I genuinely rely on.

Duty cycle and frequency measurement work well for basic automotive diagnostics (checking alternators, sensors, etc.).

The 2000-count resolution means readings up to 1999, which is adequate for most home and automotive tasks. For professional-grade electronics work requiring very fine resolution, you’d need something with 4000+ counts — but for the target audience of this meter, 2000 counts is perfectly sufficient.

Safety Features

For a sub-₹1,000 meter, the TH-M98 takes safety seriously — and that’s worth calling out.

Double ceramic fuses protect the internal circuitry from overloads. Ceramic fuses are more reliable and explosion-proof compared to the standard glass fuses found in many cheap competitors. If you accidentally put the probes in the wrong ports while testing current, the fuse takes the hit instead of the meter — or worse, you.

PTC thermistor protection circuits guard against damage from incorrect measurement inputs, adding another layer of protection.

The NCV detector with buzzer means you can verify whether a wire, socket, or appliance is live without ever making contact — a potentially life-saving feature for anyone who’s not a trained electrician.

The rubber insulation on the body and the probe insulation design further reduce shock risk during use.

My 18-Month Experience

I’ve used the TH-M98 across a wide variety of tasks:

In the car: Checking the battery voltage before a long drive, testing the alternator output, diagnosing a faulty interior light circuit, verifying fuse continuity after electrical gremlins.

At home: Checking socket voltage, identifying wiring polarity, testing if a wire to an old fan was live, measuring resistance of motor windings on a mixer-grinder, checking continuity on extension cords.

For hobby electronics: Testing resistors, checking circuit board continuity, verifying battery levels.

The meter has been knocked off workbenches a few times (the rubber sleeve earns its keep), left in a tool bag in summer heat, and used in dusty conditions — and it keeps working reliably.

The only thing I wish it had is auto-ranging. With manual ranging, you have to estimate the range before measuring. If you’re new to multimeters, you might accidentally measure 230V AC on a low-range setting — though the overload protection should handle this safely.

Auto-ranging meters do this automatically, which is more beginner-friendly. It’s a real trade-off to consider at this price point.

Battery life has been excellent. Running on 3 AAA batteries with the auto power-off feature, I’ve gone months between battery changes with regular use.

In this regard, I’d like to point out that if you pay a little more, the Themisto TH-M100 will come with an auto-ranging capability which is also available on Amazon.

Pros and Cons

Comparison with Competitors

Takeaway: The TH-M98 stands out in the budget segment primarily because of its NCV detector and LED flashlight — features competitors at this price usually skip. The ASTROAI AM33D is a worthy alternative if warranty length matters more to you. The Themisto TH-M100 is a step up in build reputation but costs slightly more with auto ranging feature.

Best Alternatives

If the TH-M98 doesn’t fit your needs, consider:

• ASTROAI AM33D (View on Amazon) — Another popular multimeter designed to safely and accurately diagnose a range of automotive and household electrical and electronic problems.
• HTC Mas 830L (View on Amazon) — Slightly better brand reputation, capacitance and temperature measurement available on some variants.
• Themisto TH-M100 (View on Amazon) — The TH-M98’s bigger sibling, 6000 counts with auto-ranging; worth it if you frequently work with electronics and need higher resolution.
• KAIWEETS HT118A (View on Amazon) — A value-for-money multimeter with good build quality, precise readings, and wide functionalities like true RMS capability, temperature measurement, etc.
• Fluke 101 (View on Amazon) — The gold standard for accuracy and reliability, but the price difference is significant for casual home use.

Related: Best Multimeters in India

Who Should Buy the Themisto TH-M98?

This multimeter is a great fit for you if:

• You’re a homeowner who wants to check sockets, test appliances, and verify wiring safety without hiring an electrician for every small task.
• You’re a car owner or auto enthusiast who does basic self-maintenance like checking battery voltage, testing fuses, or diagnosing electrical faults.
• You’re an engineering student who needs a reliable meter for lab work and project use.
• You’re a beginner or hobbyist getting into basic electronics — the TH-M98 covers all fundamental measurements.
• You want a backup multimeter for the toolbox without spending on a premium tool.

Who Should Skip It?

The TH-M98 may not be the right choice if:

• You do professional electronics work and need 4000+ counts or True RMS measurement for accurate AC readings.
• You want auto-ranging for convenience, especially as a complete beginner unfamiliar with range selection.
• You need temperature measurement or capacitance testing — this meter doesn’t support either.
• You need a longer warranty — 6 months is shorter than what brands like ASTROAI and HTC typically offer.
• You’re working with industrial or high-voltage systems above 600V AC.

Related: Clamp Meter vs Multimeter

Is It Worth Buying in 2026?

At ₹759–₹999, the Themisto TH-M98 delivers more than you’d expect for the price. The NCV detector alone — a feature that could prevent a serious shock — is reason enough to prefer it over stripped-down budget meters. Add in the solid build, backlit display, ceramic fuse protection, and LED flashlight, and it’s genuinely good value.

The manual ranging is the most significant limitation, but it’s also the norm at this price point. If you’re willing to spend a bit more time learning how to use a manual-ranging meter (it takes minutes, not hours), the TH-M98 will serve you reliably for years.

Verdict: Highly recommended for home users, car owners, students, and hobbyists in India who need a dependable, feature-rich budget multimeter.

Final Verdict

The Themisto TH-M98 has earned a permanent spot in my toolbox, and not just because it’s affordable. In 18 months of regular use across automotive and household tasks, it has proven itself accurate, durable, and safe.

For most Indians looking for a first or everyday multimeter under ₹1,000, this is one of the best options available right now. The NCV detector and double ceramic fuses provide real safety assurance — not just marketing claims. The build quality is surprisingly good, and the feature set covers everything an average user will ever need.

The lack of auto-ranging keeps it out of the “perfect for everyone” category, but for anyone who knows how to use a multimeter — or is willing to spend ten minutes learning — the TH-M98 is an excellent, sensibly priced tool.

Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5

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