The Smart Buyers Guide to PAT Testers in 2026

If you're only occasionally testing your own appliances or office equipment, you can get away with a simple, affordable test and tag machine.

But if you're offering test and tag services to clients, even on a small scale, you'll likely need RCD testing, reporting, data storage, and tag printing.

Who it's for:

• Own Gear: tradespeople, sole operators, in-house testing
• Service Provider: test and tag businesses/franchises, electricians, contractors

Just testing your own tools and don't need RCD?

If you answered "own tools", you can skip the more advanced sections. The Wavecom TNT EL and Seaward Primetest 125 EL are your best options - both are simple, affordable and fully compliant for basic testing and tagging.

RCDs (Residual Current Devices) are critical on construction sites, in schools, and in high-risk workplaces. Testing RCDs properly requires an appliance tester with an in-built isolation transformer - either in-built or available as an add-on accessory.

Who it's for:

Typically found at construction sites, workshops, warehouses, nursing homes, schools, or anywhere else, portable safety switches are used.

Why it matters:

• Without RCD testing, you could fail audits or site requirements, and you'll likely spend more later upgrading or replacing your tester if your needs change.
• Some cheaper appliance testers claim to do RCD testing but may require add-ons - or worse, don't comply with AS/NZS 3760.
• RCD functionality is often mandatory if you're working on high-risk sites - not having it could cause you to lose your contracts or compliance clearance.

What You Need:

• If You Answered YES:
  You'll need a PAT Tester that supports RCD testing. This typically starts from around $800 and up.
  Most testers in this range can be upgraded to include printing and data logging later.
• If You Answered NO:
  You're likely in a low-risk environment (e.g. small business or just testing your own gear), so you'll just need a basic model like the Wavecom TNT EL or Seaward Primetest 125 EL.

Basic PAT Testers that support RCD Testing

Wavecom TnT RCD is a no-fuss tester that gets the job done. It includes RCD testing as a standard feature and is ideal for sole operators or small businesses that need an affordable option. We typically find that most people using the TNT RCD are beginners or new to the industry.

Trisan S8 is a feature-packed appliance tester that generally offers more than other entry-level ones. It has a very durable and tough design (comes in a pelican case) and offers straightforward RCD testing with built-in flexibility.

Kyoritsu 6205 is great for industrial environments; this tester is compact but rugged, able to test fixed and portable RCDs reliably. It's a little bit more expensive than other comparable models, but does come with extra useful features.

Seaward PAC3760 DL is a very popular tester in schools and commercial settings. Includes RCD functionality and is known for reliability and ease of use.

Metrel DeltaPAT 3309 BT is one the most popular options, the DeltaPAT 3309 BT has a built-in isolation transformer, digital storage, and Bluetooth – so it essentially bridges the gap between entry and professional level testing, making it a strong all-rounder.

Note: Many other PAT Testers support RCD testing, especially in higher-end or upgradeable kits (like the TNP-500 Gen 6 or Delta Pro Print Pack). The models listed above are the minimum level testers with built-in or direct RCD functionality – ideal for users who need it out of the box.

If you're doing more than a handful of tests per week, storing your test results digitally will save you a massive amount of time. Manual record-keeping becomes tedious, error-prone, and complex to manage as volumes grow.

Who it's for:

• Test and tag business owners
• Anyone who tests more than 10-20 items a week
• People testing in batches across departments
• School maintenance staff (has lots of gear across multiple buildings and helps with retesting)
• Anyone working in industries where data logging is mandated, i.e. construction sites.

Why it matters:

• Manual record-keeping can quickly become a major bottleneck, especially if you're testing dozens or hundreds of items each month.
• Testers with digital memory make it easy to recall previous results, produce professional reports, and prove compliance - all without flicking through test and tag logbooks.
• If you're ever needing to demonstrate consistent testing, having organised digital records can be massively helpful.
• Some units allow direct USB or Bluetooth data transfer into software, which means test data can be exported onsite, sent back to the office, or handed to clients almost instantly.
• If you're testing at scale and running out of memory, mid-job means stopping, exporting data, and starting again. That's downtime you don't need.

In short, this option is fine to skip for basic, low-frequency jobs - but anything more, and you'll find yourself wishing you had storage after all.

What You Need:

• If You Answered YES:
  You'll want a tester with internal memory that can store hundreds or thousands of results.
  Larger memory is also essential if you're moving across multiple sites or sharing testers among a team – you won't need to clear memory between jobs, and test history stays intact.
• If You Answered NO:
  You'll need to manually write down test results manually, such as using a test and tag logbook. That might be manageable if you're only doing a few items every couple of weeks, but it becomes a hassle fast.
  Manual logging is more prone to errors, and if you lose the paperwork, you lose your proof of compliance. It also makes retesting slower since you can't recall previous data automatically.

Basic Testers with Digital Storage

These are your entry-level options that support digital storage but without automation or large memory.

Trisan S8 DL is ideal for users who want simple memory logging without a big learning curve. Can store up to 2000 test results.

Kyoritsu 6205 offers essential data logging functions in a tough, compact frame, which is excellent for industrial applications. It can store up to 999 test results.

Seaward PAC3760 DL is commonly used in schools and offices for data reporting, storing up to 999 test results. However, the stored data information is not very comprehensive and user-changeable or editable.

Premium Testers with Advanced Storage

These go beyond simple record-keeping and are ideal for anyone doing regular or large-scale testing.

Metrel DeltaPAT 3309 can internally store up to 1500 records. Each entry can include details like asset ID, make, model, location, serial number, and test result. You can then export the data to your PC using the included PATLink PRO software via USB or RS232, which allows for smooth record-keeping and easy and professional-looking report generation.

Wavecom TnT Titan is a larger step up in storage compared to the other Wavecom models, designed for high-volume users. Can store up to 5000 items (local storage).

Seaward Primetest Pro stores 10,000+ results with seamless upgrades for printing and scanning, allowing the recording of serial numbers, asset IDs, and other detailed information directly onto the unit.

Seaward Primetest Elite+ is one of the most advanced PAT testers available. It has a 50,000 record capacity and is fully programmable and report-ready. Similarly to the PT-Pro, record serial numbers, asset IDs and other information straight into the tester.

If you're testing and tagging more than a few items at a time, manually writing electrical test tags gets slow and messy. Automated printing not only saves time but also ensures all test tags are neat, consistent, and professional.

Who it's for:

• Test and tag business owners or franchises
• High-volume industrial testing
• Businesses needing logos, barcodes or consistent branding on test tags

Why it matters:

Some testers include built-in printers, while others connect to Bluetooth or USB tag printers, making your process quicker and more compliant.

• Handwritten tags can massively slow down your test and tag process, look unprofessional, and are more prone to fading or damage - especially on sites like construction or mining.
• Using a test and tag printer ensures every label looks sharp, includes the right compliance details (like logos, dates and barcodes), and can be scanned later for retesting.
• For anyone doing more than occasional testing, printing saves hours per week, improves professionalism, and helps avoid compliance issues caused by unreadable or inconsistent tags.

What You Need:

• If You Answered YES:
  Look for testers that either come with or can connect to a tag printer. Some kits are all-in-one with printers built-in (like the TNP-500), while others (like the Primetest Pro) let you choose your own printer.
  Bluetooth models are great if you want fewer cables on the job site. And if you want to brand your tags with your logo or QR code, make sure the tester and printer combo can handle custom layouts.
  Also, consider durability - thermal transfer tags hold up better in harsh environments than basic direct thermal ones.
  Read our quick guide on Direct Thermal vs Thermal Transfer Tags
• If You Answered NO:
  You'll need to write tags by hand. That can be fine for low-volume users or those testing in a fixed location.

Testers that Support Tag Printing:

Seaward PAC3760DL + Printer supports an external connection for basic tag printing. This kit is ideal for lower-volume setups if you want to avoid handwriting test tags.

TnP-500 Gen 6 has a built-in thermal transfer printer with up to 4 logo slots. It is designed for people doing a very high volume of testing and tagging, as each tag prints automatically in seconds. The Thermal Transfer Tags are extremely tough and designed for harsh environments, making them ideal for industrial and commercial settings.

Wavecom TnP Prime is another kit that supplies everything you need in a heavy-duty case. It includes a thermal printer that prints specific data onto the tags and custom logos. The main drawback is that it requires a subscription to WinPAT software, which adds an ongoing cost to your setup.

Delta Pro Print Pack offers a fully wireless setup, barcode scanning, and advanced tag customisation. Included in the kit is the Zebra ZQ521 Bluetooth printer - a compact, rugged unit that has the flexibility to print both - direct thermal and thermal transfer tags with clarity and durability.

DeltaPAT Godex Complete Kit is an alternative to the Delta Pro Print Pack, featuring the Godex printer available in both - wired and wireless configurations. The printer supports custom logos, barcodes, and QR codes. The main drawback is its larger size and heavier build, which makes it less portable than other options.

Seaward Primetest Pro (with accessories) offers add-on printer support, Bluetooth connectivity, and flexible layout control, making it an excellent choice, especially in harsh environments like construction and mining. It utilises the ProTag XL Printer, which is designed for high-speed tag printing.

Note: older printers like the Zebra P4T and QL420 are incompatible with the new Primetest Pro. Seaward XL Elite+ Kit seamlessly integrates with the ProTag XL Printer and scanner for a premium all-in-one experience.

3-phase testing is essential for working in industrial environments or for testing equipment like welders, commercial kitchen gear, HVAC systems or factory machinery. Not all testers support this out of the box.

Who it's for:

• People working on industrial or commercial sites
• Users testing 3-phase machinery, heavy equipment, or 15A gear

Why it matters:

• 3-phase power is used across many industries, and if your tester doesn't support it, you simply can't test those appliances.
• Some testers support 3-phase via add-ons, while others are ready to go with optional leads or accessories.
• Even if you're not testing 3-phase now, buying a compatible model could future-proof your setup - avoiding the need to upgrade later.

What You Need:

• If You Answered YES:
  Choose a kit with 3-phase capability, either built-in or available via accessories.
  Look for clear compatibility with 3-phase adapters or leads – not all testers support them.
• If You Answered NO:
  Sticking with a model without compatibility will suffice – there is no need to overcomplicate things if you're only testing single-phase appliances or common workshop gear.

Testers that Support 3-Phase Testing:

Seaward PAC3760 DL / PAC-TPL supports 3-phase with the PAC-TPL accessory - a widely used unit across industries with both - single- and 3-phase appliances.

Metrel DeltaPAT 3309 BT / Clamp Meter supports 3-phase testing with Metrel's dedicated Clamp Meter accessory, which will also work with the Delta Pro Print Pack and the Godex Complete Kit.

Seaward Primetest Pro Kit / PAC-TPL works with the PAC-TPL 3-phase accessory. Well-suited for growing businesses with industrial applications.

Seaward XL Elite Kit / PAC-TPL – Integrates with Seaward's 3-phase PAC-TPL accessory, offering advanced testing across standard and industrial appliances.

PAC-3P (Standalone Tester) is a dedicated 3-phase tester designed to complement your main single-phase PAT. It is ideal for keeping 3-phase and general testing separate.