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Last updated on July 30th, 2023.
The best SWR meters have a wideband frequency range, a high ohmic resistance, and are small and lightweight.
On the other hand—a bad SWR meter has a tiny power range and is big and clunky.
So to help you separate the good from the junk— we review the Top 6 SWR Meters for CB & Ham Radios in 2023.
Buy with the confidence that you’re getting one of the best SWR meters for CB & HAM radios available.
Let’s dive straight into the reviews.
| Preview | Product | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall  | DAIWA CN-501H 1.8-150 MHz Cross-Needle SWR/Power Meter W/ SO239s | CHECK PRICE | |
| Premium Choice  | MFJ-874 RF Power & SWR Meter for 1.8-525Mhz - HF/VHF/UHF 200W |
| CHECK PRICE |
| Excellent Value  | Astatic 302-01768 PDC7 Compact SWR Meter, Black |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | SWR METER for CB Radio Antennas with 3' Jumper cable - Workman SWR2T & CX-3-PL-PL |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Gam3Gear Surecom SW-102S SO239 Connector Digital VHF UHF 125-525Mhz Power & SWR Meter |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Driver's Product SWR Meter for CB Radio Antennas Heavy Duty Metal with SO-239 Input and Output... |
| CHECK PRICE |
Top 6 Best SWR Meters for CB & HAM Radios
Daiwa HAM Radio SWR Meter
One of the best devices on the market for CB radios is Daiwa’s CN-501H, which features a frequency range from 1.8 to 150MHz and an easy cross needle configuration that allows you to monitor SWR, reflected power, and forward power all at once without having different calibrations needed with each measurement set – making it one of today’s most high performing multifunctional meters.
This power meter has a wide range of different features that will suit any type of fishing you might encounter. It can be switched to provide 20 watts or 200 watts depending on your needs, and the frequency ranges from 15-1.5 kilowatts, making it highly accurate compared with its competitors’ meters at this price point!
The Daiwa is perfect for anyone who wants to carry their meters around. The rubber on the side of it makes sure that nothing slips out of your hands, no matter where you are or what kind of surface you’re using it from. There’s a standard female UHF connector with this model, and all VHF/UHF bands commonly used in CB & HAM radios will be compatible so as not to worry about compatibility problems when searching for one device!
You’ll find this CB radio SWR power meter will be a perfect fit for your needs! Compared with other meters, it was simple to read and very accurate. For the cost of today’s market, there are few better choices you can get than our selection–especially when comparing value for money!
CHECK PRICE- Compact & easy to carry
- Strong tolerance & dependability
- High 50-ohm impedance
- Wideband frequency range
- Plain interface & design
MFJ Ham Radio SWR Meter
- For Amateur / Ham Radio, Commercial, Marine, AIR & CB Two-Way Radios.
- Reads Power & SWR up to 200 Watts. 5 Watt, 20 or 200W power ranges.
- Frequency Range of 1.8 to 525Mhz covers, HF, VHF & UHF!
The MFJ Enterprises RF Power and SWR Meter is the perfect tool for any serious amateur radio operator. It has a wide range of sensitivities, so you can accurately measure readings on all sorts of modern communication equipment. You’ll get accurate measurements out to 1.8 GHz without trouble – this meter does it all!
It even goes as far back in the frequency spectrum at 525 MHz, which means that if your current antenna setup or transmission line needs adjusting, you’ll know exactly what to do once you’ve taken some correct readings with your new multi-purpose power meter from MFJ Enterprises!
The design of this meter makes making measurements easy. The front panel layout lets the operator select power ranges or make SWR readings intuitively and also features a rugged injection-moulded black surface that matches any transceiver, as well as gold plated centre pins designed to provide superior performance above 525 MHz.
The Precision Luminous Field Strength Indicator (FSAI) gives you all the information that you need to keep your antenna and transmitter at top performance. The FSAI provides a bright, easy-to-read display of power levels in real-time so that whether it’s an amateur or professional radio operator, they can adjust their settings on the fly for maximum efficiency with the minimum effort invested.
The MFJ Ham Radio SWR Meter is easily one of the most accurate power meters on the market. It’s easy to read, with an antenna that can fit any radio and has a frequency meter for added convenience. If you’re looking for a product that will last through wear-and-tear or even high humidity situations, this is your best option by far!
CHECK PRICE- Backlit display
- Wide frequency range in HF, VHF, & UHF
- Huge power & SWR range
- Effective for both amateur & professional use
- High-end price
Astatic Compact SWR Meter
- Compact 3 Function Test Meter
- Indicates the Condition of Any 52 Ohm Antenna and Coax
- Designed to be Used for Base Operations or Mobile Operations
The Astatic PDC7 Compact SWR Meter is a great product that can be used for both base and mobile operations. It tests the strength of your signal or field as well as how much power you are transmitting, so it’s perfect to have in either situation! The meter has two outlets: one from your radio with another outlet on top to connect an antenna. As long as this device is plugged into something, then it will work, which makes its size ideal for carrying around anywhere without worrying about anything else getting disconnected.
We all know the importance of measuring electrical current. But what does this meter actually do? It’s a simple yet powerful device that will help you measure currents from 26-30 Mhtz to 50 ohms (that most standard loads can handle). The one downside is, if you set your dial wrong, then it results in erratic readings and nonzero measurements until you unhook and reset the base station again.
A poorly configured SWR meter can result in a sporadic indication of signal strength when a radio transmitter is present, thereby confusing the receiver as to what spectrum conditions are happening. But with careful attention and some precision tuning from its manual controls, this versatile tool will help you get your frequency on point every time!
The Astatic Compact SWR Meter is a versatile tool, despite its manual controls being tricky. The dial can be fine-tuned to the frequency you need with some careful attention and detail.
The SWR power meter is a must-have for anyone who wants to enhance their HAM radio or CB radios. With the right settings, it can help you make sure that your transmitter and receiver are aligned as they should be in order to deliver an optimal signal.
CHECK PRICE- Great for tight budgets
- Small & lightweight
- High resistance handles most standard loads
- Mountable for permanent use or mobile transportation
- Sensitive dial is hard to fine-tune
- Fewer features than higher-end SWR meters
Workman SWR2T SWR Meter for CB Radio Antennas
- SWR Test Meter CB Radio Frequency Range 27 MHZ
- SWR 1:1 to 1:3 / 52 ohm impedance
- SO-239 Input and Output Connectors W/ Heavy Duty Metal Case
The Workman SWR2T Meter is designed to be used with CB radio antennas, including the SWR2T and CX-3. This meter has a unique dual-frequency internal design that automatically switches from 27 MHz to 50 MHz when you connect an antenna of the right impedance for each band. The high visibility LCD display displays both frequencies at once, which makes it easy for users – no matter what they’re trying to do, change their power settings or see if there’s any interference on one channel while transmitting on another!
The included 3-foot coax is one of the best perks of this meter for CB radios, as it makes it easy to use right out of the box. If your CB does not include this feature (which most inexpensive and some expensive versions do), you will likely fry your radio and get crappy reception. The SWR meter is a very easy-to-use tool, although instructions could use some work; there are many howtos online that help illustrate its simple user interface making using these tools an easier task than ever before!
An SWR meter is a small device that measures the strength or weakness of an antenna. It also can be used in amateur radio or to make DX transmissions more accurate. A good one will have soft arcs, well-calibrated knobs and frames which are not so great looking but still strong enough for this price point!
With the Workman SWR2T S W R meter, you have a device that will get your job done. But if this is for amateur radio or CB/HAM station, then maybe be looking at other options because it lacks user support and has cheap build quality.
CHECK PRICE- Low price point
- Includes coax cable
- Automatically tunes into common frequencies in each band
- Durability concerns
- Poor instructions & end-user support
Surecom Ham Radio SWR Meter
- VSWR. Forward and reflected power direct digital readout, without any calibration. NOTE: DOES NOT compatible with Digital Radio.
- Maximum measurable power range up to 120W
- Low insertion loss (0.3 decibels or less) structure allows it to be permanently connected
The Surecom SW-102S SO239 Connector Digital VHF UHF 125-525Mhz Power & SWR Meter with Ground Plate is a high-performance transmitter power meter. This unit reads both direct and reflected power as well as VSWR for all frequencies up to 600MHz. The compact, rugged design makes it ideal for portable use while providing accurate measurements over the entire range of frequency ranges possible with this device!
It’s easy to see why the SureCome SWR meter is such a popular choice among amateur radio enthusiasts. With all the functionality of your traditional two-meter meters, this powerful and well-built device has many additional features not found in other similar devices on the market today, including frequency indication for field strength power use as well as transmitted power with every transmission!
The backlit LCD screen displays even more excellent information, which makes it extremely user-friendly while also being very attractive – so much so that you’ll want one just because they’re cool looking too!
The back-lit LCD display on the unit is easy to read with a thoughtful UI. You can immediately test the strength of your signal in a variety of situations, such as when you’re going out for camping or fishing trips and need precise data about how well your equipment will work.
The frequency readout provides accurate readings that are virtually noise-free, so it’s not hard to determine what range settings would be good for any given situation – all without having excessive additional components weighing down your pack!
CHECK PRICE- Accurate readings in all ranges
- Compact & durable
- Reads all VHF & UHF frequencies
- Low battery life
- Simple & feature-bare
Driver’s Product SWR Meter for CB Radio Antennas
- EASY TO INSTALL! Compatible with all CB radios that have standard SO-239 connection, handheld models included
- Works on the CB frequency range of 27 MHz
- SWR readings ranging from 1:1 to 1:3 and has a 52 ohm impedance rating
The SWR meter is a must for any CB radio operator. It allows you to easily measure the strength of your CB signal and adjust your antenna accordingly so that you can transmit at optimum power levels!
This Driver’s Product SWR Meter has an LED display with a battery voltage indicator which shows frequency mode and RF output when pressed. The easy-to-read screen makes it great on those long drives or in heavy traffic where visibility may be limited!
When it comes to the right tool for any job, you can’t go wrong with this multi-meter. It easily switches between AM/FM/SSB/FRS frequencies with one simple push of the button. You can use it on both VHF and UHF bands to check any CB radio or HAM radio, even if they’re in different kinds of the spectrum!
Plus, you don’t have to worry about its accuracy – our meter’s SWR feature helps measure your output perfectly from here to space without fail, so all that stands between you and a successful project is making sure everything else checks out too!
It’s no surprise we recommend the Driver’s Product SWR power meter as one of the best pieces for CB radio enthusiasts. Some consumers have been having problems with old-type meters and jamming signals, but this is a newer model that has heavy-duty construction — even in its small size! Power testing will yield more helpful information on product suitability, so don’t hesitate to give it a try if you’re looking for an upgrade or replacement unit.
Buyers have been thrilled about this new and improved SWR meter that can offer crystal clear accuracies between 1:1 and 5:1 with the user’s choice of measuring frequency. Although it lacks a little bit of important measurement information, it still measures up to Daiwa or MJF power meters.
CHECK PRICE- Allows quick adjustments on-the-fly
- Portable & easy to use
- Reads multiple frequency bands including VHF & UHF
- High price for low functionality
- Doesn't test power output
