Best Breathalyzer

Choosing the best breathalyzer for your needs is easy when you have a basic understanding of how various breathalyzer devices differ and of how owning one can benefit you or someone you care about.

The best breathalyzer is of course a professional breathalyzer. These are used by law enforcement and other legal representatives such as probation officers. They’re also utilized in substance abuse clinics and other professional environments. The difference between a professional and a personal breathalyzer is the engineering. The professional models use a fuel cell technology which is more accurate, precise and dependable than the alternative: semiconductor technology. Another reason professional designs are considered to be the best breathalyzer option is because they’re able to perform multiple tests and need no recalibration for up to a thousand tests. They’re precise and normally give a 4 digit reading up to the thousandth decimal point.

The semiconductor, or personal breathalyzer is less reliable in that it can sometimes give a false positive in cases of individuals who are diabetic or are on a low calorie diet. The reason for this is the extra alkaline that is detected in these individuals. Also, the mid-range priced personal breathalyzer (usually around $80 – $100) usually gives a reading to the third or hundredth decimal point. With that said, they’re quite good for personal testing on a regular basis or for parties, family get-togethers, dinners out or an evening at happy hour. They’re reliable enough, when used as directed, to reveal the blood alcohol content of an individual who is testing to see if they are above the legal limit to drive. Of course, they can’t stop individuals from drinking and driving; they can only show the BAC and the rest is up to the responsible individual. Lower priced personal breathalyzers ($50 and below) are usually only reliable to detect alcohol rather than give a precise reading. While they’re fun at parties, they shouldn’t be relied upon for exact BAC testing.

While the best breathalyzer is a professional grade one, (and there are professional breathalyzers that are made available for public purchase) there are many quality personal breathalyzers that are perfect for college students and others who want to get a better understanding of the effects of alcohol on their physical and mental abilities. By testing regularly, under different sets of circumstances with various types of alcohol, individuals can learn what types of alcohol raise their BAC and under what conditions the BAC is higher such as on an empty stomach. Having this knowledge is powerful and can aid in more responsible drinking behaviors. Read up on breathalyzer reviews in order to learn which type is the best one for you.