Breathalyzer reviews and comparisons in plain English
We read each maker's published specifications on sensors, stated accuracy and calibration. Then we help you pick the tester that fits how you will really use it.
Find your breathalyzer in four questions
Question 1 of 4 Question 2 of 4 Question 3 of 4 Question 4 of 4No models match all of your answers. Try a broader answer or see the full ranking.
Your breathalyzer match
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Spec-based reviews. No paid placements. We earn a small commission from Amazon.
What every verdict is built on
Three rows we fill in from the maker's paperwork for each model, and the two sensor types every reading comes down to.
- Source
- Maker's manual
- Sensor
- Fuel cell or semiconductor
- Calibration
- Send-in service, 6 to 12 months
Pick a breathalyzer by use case
Each page below is a short lesson for one kind of buyer, with the models that fit it.
- 01Personal breathalyzerFor adults who want their own check before deciding how to get home.
- 02Best home breathalyzerFor parents of teen drivers and households that want a reliable shared tester.
- 03Keychain breathalyzerSmall units that go everywhere, and what their sensors can and cannot do.
- 04Smartphone breathalyzerTesters that pair with an app to log readings and estimate time to zero.
- 05Professional breathalyzerFor employers, safety managers and sober living homes that test often.
- 06Disposable breathalyzerSingle-use tubes for events and rare checks, with their honest limits.
The five formats behind these lessons
Per se driving limits in the US, % BAC
How we review breathalyzers, spec by spec
We never claim lab results we do not have. Every verdict rests on three habits you can check yourself.
Published specs only. Every figure on a review page comes from the maker's own product pages, manuals or official filings, with the source named. When a maker publishes no number, we say so.
Sensor and calibration first. We sort testers by what decides their accuracy over time: fuel cell or semiconductor, a stated tolerance, and how the unit is recalibrated.
Plain-English verdicts. Each model gets a short note on who it suits and what to know, including the limits a listing tends to skip.
Top breathalyzer picks at a glance
Read the full ranking| Model | Sensor | Stated accuracy | Calibration | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BACtrack S80 Pro | Fuel cell, Pro Grade | +/- 0.005 at 0.100% BAC | Send-in service, yearly suggested | Best overall personal tester | Check price on Amazon |
| BACtrack Trace Pro | Fuel cell, Pro Grade | +/- 0.005 at 0.050% BAC | Send-in service, yearly suggested | Pocket carry | Check price on Amazon |
| BACtrack Mobile Pro | Fuel cell with pump | +/- 0.005 at 0.050% BAC | Send-in service, 6 to 12 months | App logging | Check price on Amazon |
| BACtrack C6 | Fuel cell | Not published by the maker | Send-in service | Keychain with a fuel cell | Check price on Amazon |
| AlcoMate Revo | Fuel cell, replaceable module | +/- 0.005 at 0.10% BAC | Owner swaps module, 1,000 tests or yearly | Heavy and shared use | Check price on Amazon |
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Estimate your blood alcohol in seconds
A quick Widmark estimate, worked out in your browser. The full version on the bac calculator page adds several drink rows and a time to zero curve.
A calculator only estimates. A fuel cell breathalyzer measures your actual breath.
This is an estimate. It cannot tell you whether you are safe or legal to drive. If you have been drinking, do not drive.
Guides and legal basics
Short, careful explainers on the rules and the science behind a reading. General information, not legal advice.
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Legal alcohol limit
The thresholds that apply to most drivers, commercial drivers and drivers under 21.
Read the guide -
BAC legal limit by state
A state by state overview with pointers to each official DMV source.
Read the guide -
How long does alcohol stay in your system
How the body clears alcohol and why breath, blood and urine tests differ.
Read the guide -
Ignition interlock device
What an interlock does, who is ordered to install one and how it differs from a personal tester.
Read the guide
Get the buyer's checklist and calibration reminders
One short checklist for choosing a breathalyzer that fits your use, plus calibration reminders timed to your sensor type.
Breathalyzer questions answered
Are personal breathalyzers accurate?
What is the difference between a fuel cell and a semiconductor breathalyzer?
How long should I wait after drinking before I use a breathalyzer?
Does a breathalyzer tell me if I can drive?
How often should a breathalyzer be calibrated?
Why are there no prices on this site?
How does Breathalyzer make money?
Ready to choose your breathalyzer
Answer four questions for a short list, or go straight to the full ranking by use case.