The Best Refrigerant Leak Detectors (Review) in 2023 | Autance

One of the most popular refrigerant leak detectors on the market, the Fieldpiece SRL8 detects all types of leaks, including all CFCs, HFCs and HCFsc, as well as blends. This heated diode detector is highly accurate and fast, and equally important to some, fully rechargeable (15-hour recharge). One a single charge, it lasts around two workdays, meaning even if you spent two entire days hunting leaks, this trusty little tool would still not let you down.

The Fieldpiece leak detector has a filter system that protects the sensor from moisture and other damaging contaminants. Speaking of the sensor, it’s connected to the body at the other end of the snout. It has three sensitivity levels – from 6.6 oz/yr to 0.1 oz/yr – so it’s definitely extremely sensitive, although more to some refrigerants than others. After every two seconds, the tool will automatically go to zero until a leak is found, but if you feel the need to set it to zero yourself, that’s possible too.

Affordable, simple but reliable, the LotFancy Freon leak detector is extremely easy to use. The simple design and ease of use, coupled with the ability to detect all halogenated refrigerants, makes LotFancy one of the top-recommended tools.

This AC leak detector can sniff out all kinds of halogen refrigerants. It has the maximum sensitivity of 6 g/yr, so it’s pretty sensitive and accurate, although certainly less than the Fieldpiece detector. Nevertheless, this budget-friendly tool has real-time sensitivity and can automatically adjust to the best optimum state for detecting a leak, saving you time and effort. When you turn it on, it will beep regularly at a slow frequency (2 beeps per second), but when it detects a leak, it will beep at a higher frequency (10 beeps per second). Using 4 AAA batteries, the detector has a tri-color screen that displays battery percentage.

Another budget-friendly and simple to use leak detector, Signstek is a must-have tool for all handymen, and an excellent back-up detector for HVAC technicians. Using the heated diode method for refrigerant detection, this small, lightweight tool collects air and heats it so that chlorine and fluoride ions are separated.

When Signstek detects a leak, the LED display flashes out and lets you know how severe the leak is across six different levels. Its maximum sensitivity is 0.1 oz/yr, or 3 g/rg, so it’s highly accurate. It has two working modes, which are continuous, and no limi with instant reaction time and 2 seconds of resetting time. Using 2 C alkaline batteries, this tool is not rechargeable, which is understandable considering the price. However, there is a battery indicator, a tri-color display which lets you know when it’s time to change the batteries.

Looking for an ultra-sensitive electronic leak detector? Check out Yellow Jacket’s Accuprobe UV leak detector which uses UV tech or an electrolyte sensor (or both at the same time!) to find HFC, HCFC and HFO refrigerants, as well as SNAP blends.

This highly sensitive and durable device is made in the U.S.A., which guarantees safety and quality for years to come. As mentioned, it uses electrolyte sensor, UV tech or both to sniff out all kinds of refrigerants, even the most difficult to detect, including R-134a, R-404A, R-407C, R-410A and 1234yf.  This type of technology reduces heat, which should give the sensor longer life than is the case with more traditional heated diode detectors. The Smart Alarm LED shows you how serious a leak is using a scale of one to nine, where 1-3 is less than 0.1 oz/yr, 4-6 is 0.1 to 0.5 oz/yr, and 7-9 is more than 0. oz/yr. Other features include instantaneous response time, automatic calibration and reset to the given environment, microcontroller technology and battery indicator.

Another highly sensitive and reliable leak detector, the Inficon D-TEK Select uses innovative technologies to deliver enhanced accuracy and long life. This next-generation tool utilizes infrared technology, or rather infrared absorption sensing cell, to detect all kinds of refrigerants, including the newer blends. Equally impressive, the device’s sensing cell lasts approximately 1000 hours, which is around 10 times longer than the company’s previous model, D-TEK sensor.

D-TEK Select is sensitive to all refrigerants, including all CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs, and R-22, R-134a, R-404a, R-410a, R-507 (AZ-50). Minimum sensitivity is 0.1 oz/yr, or 3 g/yr, making it one of the most accurate, albeit priciest, leak detectors on the market. The price is justified though – because the sensor lasts a very long time and maintains sensitivity over time for consistent and reliable performance, we believe it’s worth it, especially for HVAC technicians.

Made in the U.S.A. with quality materials and user-friendly control panel, the Yellow Jacket’s AccuProbe II leak detector is a good option if you’re looking for reliable, mid-price Freon sniffer. This device detects a number of refrigerants and comes with three sensitivity levels, as well as audible signals to help you pinpoint leaks easily and quickly.

The three levels are low, or 0.15 oz. (4.3 g)/y, normal or HCFC – 0.03 oz. (0.9 g)/y, and high, which is 0.06 oz. (1.7 g)/y. The sensor is conventional and has a service life over 300 hours, with minimal cleaning and no adjustments. The response time is instantaneous and, equally important, the device automatically calibrates and resets to the environment. As for batteries it uses, you’ll need 4 alkaline batteries which provide around 4.5 of continuous life. There is also a low battery indicator which shows when it’s the time to replace them.

Highly sensitive, accurate and reasonably priced, the Inficon Tek-Mate leak detector is the tool to have whether you’re an HVAC professional or a layman. Using a sensitive heated diode sensor, this device detects all kinds of refrigerants, including R22, R507, R32 CFCs, HFCs, as well as any blends.

The Inficon Tek-Mate is lightweight and portable, but also quite durable. Besides a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor, the device also sports a filter for protection, as well as a rugged flexible probe for those hard-to-reach areas. There are two sensitivity levels (low and high) and variable intensity audible signal, as well as flashing LED that helps locate leaks faster. Its minimum sensitivity is 0.25 oz/yr (4 g/yr), and the sensor has a whopping 1000 hours of use. It uses 2 D alkaline, rechargeable batteries.

If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable Freon sniffer, check out Robinair’s TIFRX-1A refrigerant leak detector. Using the new Microprocessor smart technology, this handy little tool accurately detects a wide variety of halogenated refrigerants.

The Microprocessor controlled circuitry along with digital signal processing monitor ensure the device senses leaks up to 2000 times per second. This makes finding refrigerant leaks fast and easy, which, coupled with the tool’s lightweight and ergonomic design, makes it perfect for carrying and working on inaccessible locations (the flexible stainless steel probe is 14” long). The features include variable frequency audible alarm, as well as constant power indication. As for sensitivity level, its maximum is a leak bigger than 0.4 oz/yr (11 g/yr). The tool operates on 2 C-cell batteries.

The Bacharach’s Informant 2 is a dual-purpose device that detects both refrigerants and combustible gases if you install the respective sensor. Thanks to its accuracy, versatility and lightweight design, it can be used for both residential and commercial purposes.

The Informant 2 has a long and flexible neck for detecting leaks in tricky areas, as well as sensors located at the tip for pinpoint accuracy. Its maximum sensitivity is 0.1 oz/yr or3 g/yr when held at leak source. With dual LED scales and internal speaker which can be muted, as well as instantaneous response time, this device is simple and quick to use. The detector uses 4 AA batteries and has a typical 4-5 hours run time.

Last but not least on our list is the refrigerant leak detector by ATD Tools. Made in the U.S.A. to meet the new SAE J2791 standard, this device is reliable and durable, designed to sniff out all HFC’s, HCFC’s and CFC’s refrigerants, including SNAP blends. It’s also very reasonably priced and comes with a 2-year warranty.

The tool uses a relatively long life heated sensor (300 hours) and has 3 adjustable sensitivity levels, so needless to say, it’s pretty accurate and dependable. Importantly, the response time is instantaneous and the device automatically calibrates and resets to ambient levels, so there is very little to do manually. Operating on 4 AA alkaline batteries, it provides around 8 hours of continuous use.