The 5 Best Gas Leak Detectors [Ranked]
Gas leak detectors are devices that enable engineers and other professional service personnel the ability to identify combustible gas leaks that occur in residential and commercial areas (Wikipedia).
They include semiconductor sensors that can rapidly and specifically determine the exact area of even tiny leaks.
These detectors are equipped to detect a variety of different combustible and noncombustible toxic gases, including benzene, ethylene oxide, gasoline, industrial solvents, jet fuel, lacquer, acetone, alcohol, hydrogen sulfide, propane, refrigerants and many others.
Typically these instruments have two main uses: identifying a leak and then also ensuring that there are no leaks.
Our Top Pick: Amprobe GSD600 Gas Leak Detector
- The Amprobe is able to detect gas leaks in closed piping systems
- A semiconductor sensor is equipped to detect propane & methane gas
- Includes a flexible stainless steel probe that lets you access those difficult spots
- A buzzer will sound and an LED display panel will light up to indicate the concentration and presence of of the detected gas
- Also provides automatic calibration when it boots up, helping to keep it accurate
Video Overview: The Amprobe
Let's compare some of the bets options:
Contents
| Gas Leak Detectors | Our Rating (1-5) | |
|---|---|---|
 | The UEi Test Instruments Combustible Gas Leak Detector | 4.2 |
 | The Amprobe GSD600 Gas Leak Detector | 4.8 |
 | The Inficon 718-202-G1 Gas Mate Gas Leak Detector | 4.7 |
 | The MASTECH MS6310 Combustible Gas Leak Detector | 3.2 |
Our Five Favorite Gas Leak Detectors
1. The UEi Test Instruments Combustible Gas Leak Detector
Featuring a quick response sensor and a long 18“gooseneck, this gas leak detector easily reaches hard to reach places.
The tip light in the sensor cap illuminates the search area, making this gas leak detector perfect for small business and home use. It can detect a number of combustible, non-combustible and toxic gases including: benzene, acetone, methane, propane, natural gas, gasoline etc.
Many customers we spoke with endorsed this gas leak detector because it is lightweight and really easy to use- helpful when you are in tight spaces trying to detect dangerous gases.
2. The Amprobe GSD600 Gas Leak Detector
Featuring robust automatic calibration at start-up and a highly sensitive semiconductor sensor, the Amprobe GSD600 gas leak detector is extremely accurate.
A flexible stainless steel probe provide access to hard to reach areas and an audible buzzer and LED panel indicate the presence and concentration of gas.
This product is shipped in a box including a solid carrying case, instructions, and four 1.5V AA alkaline batteries. If you’re searching for a long-term solution the Amprobe GSD600 is the gas leak detector you are probably looking for.
3. The Inficon 718-202-G1 Gas Mate Gas Leak Detector
Weighing only 2 pounds and being twice as sensitive as other gas leak detectors in the same price range, the Inficon Gas-mate is a great value buy.
It can detect natural gas, propane, butane, ethanol, isobutene, ammonia, ethane, and cyclopentane. Auto-zeroing default gas levels in the leak test area provide additional accuracy and make it ideal for pinpointing gas leaks in heating systems, gas valves, and pipelines.
In order to prove that Gas-Mate has the performance and durability for the job, the manufacturer offers a 3 year over-the-counter warranty.
4. The MASTECH MS6310 Combustible Gas Leak Detector
The Mastech MS6310 is portable, easy to use and quickly detects gas leaks with its high sensitivity sensors. It detects a huge variety of gases including but not limited to gasoline, jet fuel, methane, ethane, propane, butane, carbon monoxide etc.
Featuring an alarm system that sounds when detected gas level is at 10% to 40% make it extremely useful and safe. Customers have left mixed reviews and only a tepid rating. For most users, it worked perfectly, but some had issues like unresponsive, bad readings and an unresponsive main knob, which was likely damaged in shipping.
Considering it’s probably the cheapest gas detector on the market, certain problems are expected to happen. The manufacturer recommends a thorough reading of the instruction manual before using this device in order to prevent any issues.
5.The Factory-Outlet MS6310 Digital Detector Tester
The Factory Outlet MS6310 is a pretty simple gas leak detector capable of quickly identifying and pinpointing gas leaks.
The main regulation wheel adjusts sensitivity and can be reached with one finger while holding the device which is really useful while working in tight and inaccessible areas. In order to properly work, 7 minute calibration in pure air is required which makes it a bit inefficient.
The Factory Outlet MS6310 comes with a comprehensive user manual and free shipping. If you’re low on budget and looking for a temporary solution for home use, this cheap gas leak detector is the one for you.
What Customers Are Saying
- Cost-efficient: some builders report that instead of hiring a plumber or another service professional to spot check for gas leaks, they purchased a gas leak detector and they were able to make an assessment themselves, saving them a good deal of money over the long-term.
- The integrated light that comes included with many gas leak detectors is especially handy for when you are on all fours hunting around in a dark corner of basement trying to detect a leak. The light enables you to see where you were going, so to speak.
- Many users also report that the included owners manual is especially important for devices like this. It can sometimes take some additional calibration and fiddling before you become completely comfortable with utilizing it to identify gas leaks, particularly if you’ve never used one before.
- Many people might think that you can just use the ‘soap-and-water’ method and you that don’t need such a highly technical device, but what is not commonly understood is that that method is not appropriate for use on items that should not be sprayed with water like thermostatic valves or other electronic gas valves. As well, this method will not be effective on the really tiny gas leaks, where the emission of gas is too small for this method to really be relied on.
- These devices are not always so ruggedly designed, especially since they are so finely calibrated – so be careful when using and transporting them that you don’t unintentionally break them.
Features to Consider When Purchasing a Gas Leak Detector
- Does your gas leak detector come with integrated light? Is it a red light or is it a white light – and which would you prefer?
- Probe length & flexibility: the length of the included probe is also another thing that you might need to consider, though they are typically of a relatively standard length for the detectors that we have listed above.
- Parts per million sensitivity: make sure that you thoroughly evaluate the specs of the detector prior to purchase to ensure that you are getting a detector that has the requisite sensitivity for your particular needs. The sensitivity of the detector depends on the type of sensor at the tip of the wand.
- Automatic calibration: this helps to ensure the device is relatively ready to go right out of the box, and immediately capable of performing effective leak detection.
- Audio and visual warning systems: these detectors often come with mutable buzzers and visual displays that help you to identify a leak as you get closer to it – they also want to include the headphone jack for when you were working in areas where you wish to be silent.
- Auto power-off: gas leak detectors also have a feature that turns off the device after a set period of time, usually around 10 minutes so that the battery is conserved while on a work site.
- Warranty: before making a purchase, check with the company to ensure that they have a comprehensive warranty. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, it’s usually a great convenience to have a warranty in place to help you to either get a refund or a replacement.
How Gas Leak Detectors Work
