Best Breathalyzers in the UK

The AlcoSense Excel alcohol breath test kit identifies the amount of breath you exhale (it shouldn't be less than 1 litre) and takes a reading only after that to ensure accurate readings. In order to deliver even more precise results, the device fine-tunes the readings in accordance with the ambient temperature. So, no matter where you are, in sunny Spain or in snowy Norway, this tester will show the most accurate alcohol readings possible.

The full graphical intuitive interface gives clear and easy to understand measurements so that everyone can use the appliance effortlessly. The snow-white housing makes this alcohol breath tester look modern and elegant. It is also pretty compact, so if you are going to keep it in the car's glove compartment, the device will not take up much room there. In addition, there is a special slide mechanism which will protect the blow tube hole and prevent dirt from entering.

If you are looking for the device that will provide the most accurate BAC results, opt for the BACtrack S80 breathalyser. That's the most reliable breath tester, no wonder BACtrack breathalysers are used by the police and medical associations alike. Utilizing the platinum-based Xtend Fuel Cell Sensor, the unit measures alcohol in your breath from 0.000 to 0.400% BAC, while the accuracy is +/- 0.010% BAC. Believe it or not, the breathalyser also uses a miniature air pump that grabs more breath air for the most accurate results.

Though accurate and innovative, this model is pretty basic, and you don't need to connect it to any gadgets—the breathalyser has its own LCD screen where all the information is displayed. The device is equally good for individual and professional use, but there are only 6 plastic mouthpieces included in the box. If you need to test the alcohol levels of other people, you might need to buy an additional set of mouthpieces.

This BACtrack S80 boasts long-term reliability against other similar testers. The time spans between recalibrations are pretty large—up to 200 tests. The device shows an accurate alcohol level within several seconds. The battery can last up to 1500 tests, however, in case of heavy use, you might need to change the battery more often.

Generally speaking, there are affordable breathalysers and then there are quality breathalysers. These two categories seldom overlap. The AlcoSense Lite 2 is an excellent exception to this rule though. As far as we're concerned, the price makes more than enough sense considering how good this device is across the board.

To start things off, the product's semi-conductor sensor delivers high accuracy and reliability levels, arguably too high for an entry-level item. The readings will be clearly displayed on the screen to one decimal place (e.g. 0.2‰BAC). You'll always be able to make sense of these readings because the 28-millimetre LCD screen makes them more than noticeable. When you're near or over the set drink-drive limit, the "don't drive symbol will be displayed, telling you that you should probably avoid driving in this state.

Of course, different places have different restrictions. That's not an issue here. You can flick the switch and easily change the alert limits to any of the three limits in place in the United Kingdom (including Scotland) and Ireland. In other words, you won't have to send back this device or re-calibrate to change the limit.

Having said that, all breathalysers require occasional calibration, don't trust the ones that claim otherwise. To maintain its accuracy, this device will remind you to re-calibrate the alcohol breath tester after 300 tests or 12 months, so you won't have to do that all too often.

The BLO-UK Alcohol Breathalyser appears almost futuristic, which is not necessarily the most critical breathalysers' aspect but we won't complain when the device looks good as long as its primary objective is not compromised. Needless to say, the primary objective of these breath testers is delivering fast and accurate test results, which the subject model is quite good at. But, back to the appearance part, this device has a sleek, glossy, all-white finish that presents a more expensive front than you would presume based on its price tag. The tube is easy to pull out and push back in. The single button that the model comes equipped with makes controls pretty easy as well.

The breathalyser's display is where things get a little dicey though. On the one hand, the screen provides colour-coded test results, so you can tell what's going on and whether or not you should get behind the steering wheel simply by 'studying' the numbers. On the other hand, as convenient as it is, the screen is also very small and, from time to time, you will need the exact numbers. And, because the screen is not very large, the numbers on it are also not that huge, so you'll have to stare at them up close and personal, so to speak.

On the bright side, the semiconductor sensor system that is inside this device is extra-sensitive, delivering accurate results without you smothering the test tube or wasting more time than necessary. As it is usually the case (unless we're discussing low-end breathalysers), the model can detect alcohol levels between 0.000 and 2.00‰ BAC, ranging from nonexistent to trace amounts to absurd levels.

Designed to ensure drinking and driving safety, this portable alcohol tester combines ergonomics and precision. Unlike conventional testers that use mouthpieces or blow tubes, this unit measures the alcohol concentration in the breath you exhale. Hence, it is more sanitary and safer to use compared to the former ones. This functional device can be used up to 300 times per hour.

The appliance will ensure accurate test results thanks to its ultra-sensitive semiconductor sensor system. Moreover, you will obtain the results in just a few seconds (just keep blowing evenly during 3-5 seconds) to make the decision on whether it is safe to drive. This user-friendly alcohol tester breathalyser has a large backlit LCD screen allowing you to clearly see the measurement result.

The unit has a 0.00-0.13% BAC (0.1-1.3g/l) testing range and it is fitted with 3 indicator lights allowing you to see at once if it is safe to drive. For example, if the value is lower than 0.00% BAC or 0.0g/l, the green light will appear. If it is higher than 0.01% BAC or 0.1g/l yet lower than 0.08% BAC or 0.8g/l, the yellow light will shine. In case the alcohol content is higher than 0.08% BAC or 0.8g/l, the red light will appear indicating drunk driving risk.