Top 10 Best Breathalyser 2023

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Model	Features
AlcoSense Lite 0.8 Read Our Review	Will give your readout to an accuracy of plus or minus 0.25% It will display a ‘Do Not Drive’ message if your reading is close to or over the limit Powered by three AAA batteries
One Step Breath Tester Kit Read Our Review	Does not need batteries Disposable Good for use across Europe
AlcoSense Elite Read Our Review	This one is very accurate Has different limit settings
AlcoSense Excel Fuel Cell Breathalyser Read Our Review	Police standard accuracy Powered by batteries Gives you the handy ‘don’t drive’ alert if you are over the limit
SimplexHealth Disposable Kit Read Our Review	Does not need batteries Disposable Good for use across Europe

Ever since cars became the predominant form of road transport, accidents have been a part of driving. Some are due to the weather, others simply to very poor and careless driving, and those that are the most problematic are caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol. In some countries there is a zero limit on drinking and driving – that’s no alcohol allowed – while in the UK there are set limits. The problem is some people are unaware of what these limits mean, and believe they are within them when, quite simply, they are not.

So, what is the safe limit for driving when having had a drink? There are two ways to answer this: one is to say there is no safe limit, and that you should refrain from drinking if you intend to drive. Many people adhere to this and, when out in a group, have a designated driver who stays away from alcohol. The limit in the UK is measured in three ways: 80mg of alcohol per 100millilitres of blood; 35microgrammes per 100ml of breath, or 107mg per 100ml of urine. Bear in mind this differs in Scotland, where the limits are lower.

What does all this mean? Basically, it means you should be very careful if you intend to drink and to drive shortly afterwards. The effect it will have on you depends on your age, weight, metabolism and more. Many will advise that an average man can drink two pints of beer and still be under the limit, and a woman a large glass of wine, but this is not advice that should be taken strictly. The best thing to do is buy yourself a portable breathalyser, and that’s what we are looking at here.

Before we tell you more about the top 10 best breathalysers, let’s have a look at what they are, how they work and why you need one.

Best Breathalyser

1: AlcoSense Lite 0.8

In many ways, this is ideal breathalyser for checking if you are safe to drive home, or even if you are safe to drive the morning after. The latter is an often-overlooked problem as many people do not realise how long alcohol can stay in the system, and tales of people being caught over the limit on the way to work are not unusual. This is a compact, easy to use machine from one of the leading names, and it is one of their basic models.

This is a fixed reading device – it measures to 80mg as required in the UK (there is a Scottish version so make sure you get the right one) and will give your readout to an accuracy of plus or minus 0.25%. The reading is your blood alcohol level. It will display a ‘Do Not Drive’ message if your reading is close to or over the limit, so you are aware you should not drive. Powered by three AAA batteries, it needs calibrating once a year and is decent value.

2: One Step Breath Tester Kit

While we are reviewing electronic breath testing kits, we also looked at the likes of this one, which is a disposable breath testing kit that is very cheap and very handy. You get two testers – for the price, you really can’t go wrong as it’s less than the cost of a pint – and it’s very simple to use. It needs to be used 15 minutes after you last had a drink; all you do is open the plastic tube and breathe into it, and it will give you a measurement.

Now, this is worth bearing in mind: this one is EU certified, so is suitable for use on the continent, but the problem is that there are different levels of blood alcohol limits across Europe (and indeed the world). So, you have to be aware of the limit for where you are. Also, in France there is a grey area as to whether or not you are required to carry a breathalyser, so if you are travelling to France we recommend you at least shell out the few pounds one of these cheap little kits will cost you.

3: AlcoSense Elite

The AlcoSense Elite – another from one of the leading brands in the business – is essentially the bigger, more sophisticated version of the first one we listed, and as such is a very impressive piece of kit that is certainly worth looking at. This one is not a fixed limit, so you can choose your limit according to wherever you may be and what the local laws are, and it is very simple to use.

You slide it open to start it, and it gives you a 15 second countdown while it sets; then you simply blow into it for five seconds – it will tell you if you are blowing too hard or not hard enough – and it tells you the blood alcohol content, and whether you are over or under the limit. It’s battery powered, simple to use, and has won awards from motoring magazines. Not the cheapest on the list, but worth a look if you are travelling.

4: AlcoSense Excel Fuel Cell Breathalyser

We make no excuses for including another model from AlcoSense – this is the third one we have featured – as they do get the thumbs up from motoring organisations and publications across the board. This is one of their top-end models – indeed it’s not far short of a hundred quid if you want one, but we’ll tell you why that doesn’t matter in a moment – and it is typically easy to use, compact and accurate.

In fact, the reason we recommend this one – even at the higher price – is that it uses the same fuel cell measuring system that you will find in the professional and police breathalyser units. Hence, it does not get more accurate than this. It can be adjusted to any worldwide limit, gives you a nice clear readout and is battery powered, plus it gives you the handy ‘don’t drive’ alert if you are over the limit. If you want guarantees, this one is the one to look at, and it’s worth the price to save your licence – or your life.

5: SimplexHealth Disposable Kit

This is the second of the disposable type of testing kit that we have featured, and we really do suggest you pick up one of these – whether this one or similar - next time you see it on the shelf. You get two testers – for the price, you really can’t go wrong as it’s less than the cost of a pint – and it’s very simple to use. It needs to be used 15 minutes after you last had a drink; all you do is open the plastic tube and breathe into it, and it will give you a measurement.

Now, this is worth bearing in mind: this one is EU certified, so is suitable for use on the continent, but the problem is that there are different levels of blood alcohol limits across Europe (and indeed the world). So, you have to be aware of the limit for where you are. Also, in France there is a grey area as to whether or not you are required to carry a breathalyser, so if you are travelling to France we recommend you at least shell out the few pounds one of these cheap little kits will cost you.

6: Victsing Alcohol Tester

Where electronic breath testers are concerned, there is a simple and set design ideal that they all adhere to, and with good reason. This one is not from the leading brand, but is a very similar model in that it does what you would expect; it has the clear readout, is hand-held and easy to use, works from batteries and is very cheap in comparison to some. However, it does have a couple of oddities that we should mention.

The alarm on this one is set to warn you when your blood alcohol content exceeds 50 – which is the Scottish level and short of the rest of the UK which is 80 – so that’s worth bearing in mind (it’s no bad thing, of course, as it means you will always be under the limit) and it comes with 20 spare mouthpieces. It’s cheap, it’s simple and it’s accurate, and it does the job so may be worth looking at if you want one to sit in your glove compartment.

7: JSC Accessories Key Chain Breathalyser

If you are serious about using a breathalyser – and there are many reasons why you should be – we would seriously recommend that you err towards the more serious, and we should add costlier, models as this is something that could make a big difference in terms of your wellbeing and that of others, let alone the status of your drivers licence. That’s not to say that cheap, simple devices such as this one are not worth looking at, as it would make a great gift.

This one is designed with a keyring attachment, which is a neat touch, it measures whether you are over the 50 limit, and it has a readable screen. It’s easy to use – set for ten seconds then breathe into it – and it is sensibly accurate, but we just feel that with change from a tenner – really, it is that cheap – you’re putting your trust in something that is very, very cheap for an issue that is very, very serious.

8: AlcoSense French Certified Disposable

The disposable kits – we have featured two so far – are important as they comply with the laws in France regarding carrying a breathalyser at all times. Now, as we said before there is a grey area here as it seems to be that there was a regulation about this, but there no longer is! However, there have been too many tales of UK motorists being fined for not carrying a breathalyser, and when you’re in a foreign county, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

This kit is from AlcoSense, and it is officially certified as legal and recognised in France so is certainly something to pack in your glove box when travelling through the country. You get two tests, they are the simple plastic tube version that is disposable, and they read to the accuracy and level required. These are, notably, as used by French police – and you really want to keep them on your side! For not much more than a fiver, and from the leading brand, this is almost a must if you are heading to France.

9: AlcoSense Pro Fuel Cell Breathalyser

This is the top of the range breathalyser from AlcoSense, and is worth looking at if you need to use one of these regularly as the battery life gives you 400 tests. This is not a cheap item, but when we are talking about drinking and driving, and the consequences of such, cost really should not come into it. This one has bee awarded top marks and accolades by the leading motoring organisations and publications, so has very fine credentials.

In fact, the reason we recommend this one – even at the higher price – is that it uses the same fuel cell measuring system that you will find in the professional and police breathalyser units. Hence, it does not get more accurate than this. It can be adjusted to any worldwide limit, gives you a nice clear readout and is battery powered, plus it gives you the handy ‘don’t drive’ alert if you are over the limit. If you want guarantees, this one is the one to look at, and it’s worth the price to save your licence – or your life.

10: Ezy-Check Disposable

Our final entry is another of the disposable type, and this one is so cheap – indeed you will get change from a fiver and that’s delivered – that you really should give it a second look, especially if you’re travelling on the continent. You get two testers – for the price, you really can’t go wrong as it’s less than the cost of a pint – and it’s very simple to use. It needs to be used 15 minutes after you last had a drink; all you do is open the plastic tube and breathe into it, and it will give you a measurement.

Now, this is worth bearing in mind: this one is EU certified, so is suitable for use on the continent, but the problem is that there are different levels of blood alcohol limits across Europe (and indeed the world). So, you have to be aware of the limit for where you are. Also, in France there is a grey area as to whether or not you are required to carry a breathalyser, so if you are travelling to France we recommend you at least shell out the few pounds one of these cheap little kits will cost you.

Key Features – two tests, disposable, easy to use, great for Europe, very cheap

That’s our list of the top 10 best breathalysers, covering both the electric and disposable types, but which is for you? That depends upon what you want it for, so let’s have a look at a few of the key features before we give you our verdict.

How It Works

The idea behind a portable breathalyser is very simple. You have a small, hand-held device that is powered by its own batteries, it features a clear LCD screen that gives you the readout, you breathe into it and in seconds, it gives you the alcohol level on your breath. It’s simple, it’s a handy device to have around and – most important of all – it can tell you if you are safe to drive or not, and potentially save lives.

Now, while these are very useful and usually accurate devices – you will find they measure the breath alcohol level to a very close degree – we always comeback to that we mentioned earlier: it is always best not to drink when driving. If you live in a town, for example, you probably have no need to as you can use the public transport system, but if you should live in a rural setting, you may be tempted to go for lunch at a remote country pub, and have no way of getting home but by car – or taxi!

If you do want to have a glass of wine or beer with your lunch when in the car, keep to the one, and then check with your breathalyser that you are safe to drive! That’s why these things are so handy to have in your car all the time. So, let’s have a look at the top 10 best breathalysers, and see which one is right for you.

Important Features to Consider

When you are looking for the best breathalyser it is important to remember that you are not buying something that is frivolous, but an item that could well save your licence, or even your life and those of others. Drink driving is a serious problem, and offence, and of course you want to make sure you are safe to drive, so you either refrain from drinking at all, or keep it to one or two and then check with your breathalyser. What do you look for? Well, that depends on what you want one of these for.

As there are two distinct types of breathalyser in our list – the disposable and the electronic – we need to differentiate between them. Also, all of those on our list offer a similar level of accuracy and are easy to use, which again limits the differentiating factors. Let’s have a look:

Reusable or Disposable – if you are looking for a breathalyser that you can use after a couple of drinks in the pub before you drive home, or in the morning after a night out, and want to do on a regular basis, you need one of the electronic models. If you want a kit for one-off purposes, or are heading to France or the continent where they may be required – and never drink and drive at home – then buy one of the cheap disposable models.

That really is the main differentiating factor, bar of course the price. We would not normally include this as a factor, but when we are talking about such an important item, price should not be a factor, so make sure you buy the best you can afford.

Which is for you? Let’s wrap it up!

Let’s Wrap It Up!

Let’s start by looking at the electronic models, and we will say that if you can afford it, buy the top of the range AlcoSense model, number 9. If you can’t afford that one, look to that brand for an alternative, as they are the market leader and the brand recognised as the most accurate by the motoring organisations.

If you want a disposable kit for driving on the continent, then any of those listed will do the job at just a few pounds each, so take your pick – it’s worth it for the peace of mind.

That’s our review of the top 10 best breathalysers for you, so make sure you have one in your car at all times and remember, if in any doubt, don’t drive – you can always call a cab!