Looking for a new digital calipers? Look no further! We put together the 5 best digital calipers for engineers, spanning all price points. Hope we can guide you on your way to measuring more accurately!

What Is A Digital Caliper?

Digital calipers are instruments used for measuring and are typically used in manufacturing settings (among others) to give an accurate measurement of a certain object. They consist of a set of jaws at the end of a long beam that has a scale marked along its edge, this is used to take outside, inside, and step measurements. It also features a depth probe that slides along the beam, this is generally used for measuring depth.

How Does It Work?

The two jaws are moved apart and towards each other with gearless precision in order to take the measurement of the object between the jaws. One jaw moves up and down the beam while the other is fixed to the end of the scale. With digital calipers, the reading between the jaws is generated electronically and shown on a high-resolution, digital screen. As opposed to this, measurements must be taken manually with Vernier calipers. Digital calipers can also tke differential measurements, as they can zero their display at any place on the scale.

While there are many other factors that determine the quality and features of the various digital calipers out there, lets dive into each model and differentiate between them there. Then we can explain the actual differences instead of discussing them in theory!

Neiko 01407A 6″ Electronic Digital Caliper

Whether you are a professional in your industry (engineer, architect, etc.) or just an enthusiast or hobbyist that likes to do things that require accurate measuring, rest assured that you now have the absolute best option for a digital caliper at a great price! The Neiko 01407A 6″ Electronic Digital Caliper has more than enough features for any job at hand without having to part with an inordinate amount of money. Some experts have even gone on to say that despite its affordable price, it can compete with any digital caliper out there, even ones that are much more expensive!

The smallest distance that this Neiko Digital Caliper can measure is 0.0005 inches, and it has 0.0001 inch accuracy along with that. Simply put, it measures accurately, consistently, and can go down to very small measurements. These features have made it very popular among professionals in their field, specifically woodworkers. Like other calipers it can measure the external and internal dimensions of items, however it has great step and depth functions that set it apart. It has a separate depth rod, and its head makes step measurements a breeze.

Other great features are its solid construction, and large screen where units can be changed from inches to millimeters to fractions at the press of a button. We absolutely could not leave this out of our list for the 5 best digital calipers for engineers!

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 6″ AOS Absolute Scale Digital Caliper

Usually tools that cost more, require more care to maintain their accuracy and quality of operation, not the Mitutoyo 500-196-30 6″ AOS Absolute Scale Digital Caliper. What this digital caliper prides itself on is the Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) which is a state-of-the-art electromagnetic inductive sensor that is made to withstand water, dirt, oil, water, and pretty much anything else you can subject it to. You can bring it to that job site that is covered in mud or dirt, and use it in the rain (if you have to), and you can have peace of mind that it will stay working as consistently as the day you bought it.

Similar to the previous model, it has an LCD display that can show you metric or imperial measurements in any lighting. It can measure external, internal, depth and step measurements all with an accuracy of 0.0001 inches. Mitutoyo has established their name as a manufacturer of quality, high-precision tools like this caliper. It has a zero key, absolute encoder technology, and because of these premium features users have stated that it is worth the extra money to get your hands on this premium instrument.

EAGems 6″ Stainless Steel Digital Caliper

Another digital calipers that you can rough-up is the EAGems 6″ Stainless Steel Digital Caliper. It features an IP54 rating, it can easily deal with water splashes and dust, perfect for any job site you bring it to. It is built to last and has a consistent measuring movement.

The one thing that separates this digital calipers from other maybe more well known models is that it has an automated on and off switch. Essentially this just means that it will turn itself off if you haven’t been using it for a while. In turn, this makes it a very energy efficient device, not needing frequent battery changes like some other models.

It has the standard features that most digital calipers have, with the ability to measure external, internal, step, and depth dimensions, and can switch fractions, millimeters and inches on its display. What also separates it from other models is that is has a lock for precise positioning and a zero switch for differential measurements.

iGaging Absolute Origin 6″ Digital Electronic Caliper

Keeping the rough-and-ready theme going, take a look at this iGaging Absolute Origin 6″ Digital Electronic Caliper. It really is one of the best digital calipers out there with an IP54 rating, which makes it resistant to dust and water. Along with its robust construction, it also utilizes precise absolute memory technology. Once it records the original position that it was set at, it will display the actual sensor position on the display, removing the need to set it back to zero.

It has a regular USB output, allowing you to connect the iGaging digital caliper to your computer, and transfer/process the recorded data immediately. If you are concerned with certifications, this model passes the ISO 9001 and DIN 862 standards.

Adoric 6″ Digital Micrometer Caliper

As the most affordable option on this list of the 5 best digital calipers for engineers, the Adoric 6″ Digital Micrometer Caliper might be the most accurate or have the highest resolution, but it is the model that anyone can buy. It measures down to 0.01 inches, which is rated to be accurate enough for tasks around the house, making this a perfect choice for those who are DIY-ers or hobbyists. 3D-printing enthusiasts have also been very impressed by this digital caliper for the price.

It’s also very lightweight, making it very portable (2 ounces) so you’ll barely notice you have it with you! It is made out of carbon fiber composite, which means that its sturdy and corrosion-resistant. It is also designed to keep your other object scratch free if it comes into contact with them, and while you’re measuring the external, internal, step, and depth. Its large LCD screen displays measurements in millimeters or inches, and it comes with an automatic on and off feature and turns off after five minutes of inactivity.

Thank you very much for being here – we appreciate you taking the time to read our content. What do you think about these options for the 5 best digital calipers for engineers? Do you own any of these models or will you be picking up any of these in the future? We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! And sign up to our newsletter for more of the same content!

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