Top 5 Breathalyzers in 2023
According to the statistics, there have been over 47,000 drunk driving accidents in Canada in recent years. The shocking fact is that every fourth traffic fatality in Canada is related to intoxication.
It’s always smart idea to carry breathalyzer with you or in your car, so you and your close ones can stay safe on the road.
However, all breathalyzers aren’t made the same.
We’ve researched over 21 different breathalyzers and looked for something with high-grade accuracy, precise BAC levels, reusable mouthpiece, and many other important features.
Here are this year’s top 5 picks:
Penny M - Research Specialist
With over 15 years of researching and inspecting helpful gadgets and tech devices, Penny gained an admirable knowledge. Check out her world-class knowledge and expertise in our Top 5 Reviews series.
Overall Grade
A+
Rating
9.8/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Osmo Breathalyzer is by far our favorite choice on the market.
The first thing that makes it special is high-grade accuracy which shows accurate readings and lets you know if you’re able to drive or not.
If you’re intoxicated and not able to drive, you’ll receive an alert and warning to stay away from the road – very helpful reminder.
You get a reusable mouthpiece that you put on the breathalyzer before blowing in for about 7-8 seconds.
The results are very fast and take a few seconds to appear on the LCD screen.
What makes this breathalyzer the most unique is its size. You can literally put it in your pocket and test it while having fun with your friends.
You just need to hold down the button when you blow – it’s that simple.
It also comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can even try it for three months and still get a refund if you’re not happy with it.
Pros
High-grade accuracy
The results are displayed after 5 seconds
Precise BAC levels
Pocket-sized design
Reusable mouthpiece
Easy to use
Cordless
LCD display
One touch operation
Built-in alert
Free shipping in Canada
14-day money back guarantee
Cons
Often runs out of stock due to high demand
Often runs out of stock due to high demand
WRAP-UP
Osmo Breathalyzer is fairly priced for a market-leading breathalyzer with high-grade accuracy and innovative technology. Take advantage of this limited-time discount while supplies last.
Osmo offers a 14-day money-back guarantee and free shipping. Osmo was unanimously voted the best breathalyzer of 2023.
Overall Grade
B+
Rating
8.8/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Third-party tests showed that the BACtrack Trace provides measurements as accurate as the more expensive high-accuracy devices.
It takes about 11 seconds to get ready to use when you turn it on, and it also produces results in seconds, so you don’t have to stare at the screen for long. At $100, it’s a great value for the price.
The only real downside is that the meter needs to be calibrated every six to twelve months to maintain accuracy, depending on how often you use it, but that’s pretty much the case with all breathalyzers, so we can’t discount it because of that.
Pros
Great technology
LCD Display
Carrying case
Solid accuracy
Nice design
Free shipping
Easy to adjust
Cons
Poor battery
Results sometimes aren't accurate
Overall Grade
B
Rating
8.3/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
AlchoHAWK describes this model – the most expensive – as highly accurate and many seem to agree. The S80 has received rave reviews from customers and publications, and it has also proven its reliability and accuracy in a number of tests.
If you are interested in having a breathalyzer available for a casual afternoon wine tasting or dinner party, this is the one to get. However, it has some minor drawbacks:
The device takes a minute to warm up between tests, which some may find a little annoying if you’re testing multiple people. The results displayed on the red LED screen are also rounded up to decimals, which means that the reading will not be as accurate as on other machines.
But you don’t need a third decimal place to determine whether or not you’re sober enough to drive. And we love that it rounds up instead of down and that it’s gentle.
Pros
Advanced features
Easy to use
Quiet operation
BAC levels
Small design
Water-resistant
Lightweight
Cons
Not so accurate
Should be used an hour after drinking
Only 7-day money back guarantee
Overall Grade
B
Ratings
7.8/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
BACtrack describes this model – the most expensive – as “police gear”, and all sources seem to agree. The S80 has received rave reviews from customers and publications, and it has also proven its reliability and accuracy in our own tests.
If you use a breathalyzer as a parent or school administrator, this is the one you should invest in to be as fair as possible.
In addition, it is fast: the device heats up in less than 15 seconds and gives you your measurement within 3 seconds, which can be useful if you are testing several people.
Pros
LCD display
Reusable mouthpiece
Great technology
Free shipping in the US
Positive reviews
30-day money back guarantee
Cons
No money-back guarantee
Could be more accurate
No alerts
Overall Grade
c+
Rating
7.5/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Osser is a rechargeable alcohol meter. This makes it a great device for those who don’t want to change the battery every now and then.
It comes with four nozzles right out of the box, which is a handy addition.
The product sounds an alarm and also flashes to warn you when you exceed the legal limit of 0.08%. This is a good extra safety mechanism – if it sounds like it, there’s no doubt about it, you have no business getting behind that wheel.
It’s also compact and lightweight, making it a great tool to pop in your pocket before heading out.
Pros
Pocket-size design
Great technology
Simple to use
LCD display
Free shipping
Cons
Not so accurate
Poor quality
They upsell you with additional items
Mixed reviews
WHAT IS BREATHALYZER?
Advantages of BREATHALYZER
- You can carry it anywhere
- Keeps you safe on the road
- Comes with reusable mouthpiece
- You know whether you're able to drive
- Fast results
- Wireless
- One touch operation
- Affordable
Things To Consider WHEN CHOOSING THE BEST Bug Camera Detector
Accuracy
Accuracy is the most important feature when looking for a breathalyzer. Buying the one that gives the same result (every time) is the one you should aim for.
Reusable mouthpiece
Although some breathalyzers come with multiple nozzles, it is important that the nozzle is reusable, so you can just wash it and use it again an unlimited number of times. This is also good because you can let your friends use it too
Fast results
No one wants to wait five minutes to get results. The most advanced breathalyzers give results in less than 10 seconds after blowing into the mouthpiece.
BAC Level
Most breathalyzers are adjusted to the US legal BAC limit, but the best option should be Canadian's BAC levels.
Warranty
If the brand doesn't offer a money-back guarantee or warranty on their breathalyzer, you should stay away from it. Always look for something you can try out and receive a full refund if you don't find it useful.
What To Avoid When Choosing Breathalyzer
Large size
If a breathalyzer is over 10inches long, we don’t think they are that useful. You want something you can keep in the car or even put in your pocket when you go out to the bar with your friends.
Bad software
When the breathalyzer uses outdated software, it will not be accurate, it will take minutes to show results, and it may even freeze for a couple of days – definitely avoid bad software.
Cheap knockoffs
There are a ton of cheap products (even on Amazon) that are just pure garbage. They aren’t even tested and they’ll just waste your time and money. In my opinion, anything below $70 can’t be functional.
Penny M - Research Specialist
With over 15 years of researching and inspecting helpful gadgets and tech devices, Penny gained an admirable knowledge. Check out her world-class knowledge and expertise in our Top 5 Reviews series.