ZTS Inc. MBT-1 Multi-Battery Tester for More than 30 Different Battery Types

2022-08-16T09:48:37

I had the smaller version for a long time and finally upgraded to the larger MBT-1. Both are super simple to use and provide useful and accurate info about the remaining capacity in the tested battery. I love the MBT-1 because now I can test almost any kind of button cell, which are increasingy common in everything from bathroom scales to AirTags and as backup batteries for almost any electronic that has a clock. It looks and works exactly as described and I only wish I would have bought the MBT-1 to begin with.

GREGORY G.

2021-01-25T06:29:03

Now I know. I know when my rechargeable batteries for my camera gear are "good to go" and when they need to be recharged. I know when those older batteries I have sitting around are good and when they need to be recycled. And it works for a wide variety of battery types.

Charles D.

2019-12-12T12:20:18

I have been using the smaller ZTS battery tester for several years, but it didn't do Lithium batteries. Since Lithium is becoming more common, it was time to upgrade! Happy that I did. Lithium batteries are too expensive to toss in the recycling bin without knowing they are goners *for sure*!

MIKE C.

2016-12-12T10:10:12

Use this several times a week. Have had it for several years now. Quickly and accurately checks a wide variety of batteries.

Paul S.

2013-11-04T19:00:00

The only battery tester you can trust. I have owned one for years, based on Ken Rockwell's recommendation. I bought this one for our office repair shop.

Jim

2013-09-23T21:00:00

My brother has one of these and always says it is the best battery tester he has ever used. Due to the cost I waited way to long to buy one. Sure beats the cheap one I was using. Finally can whittle down the bag of batteries I have.

ConcreteMan

2013-07-22T21:00:00

Between remotes, computers, cameras & accessories I'm forever replacing (or testing) batteries. Until now, that meant essentially using a "volt meter"... no matter WHAT the manufacturer called it. The result was usually that if there was ANY life left in the battery, it tested "OK". It had to be dead on arrival to "FAIL". THIS unit is quite different. It tests the batteries under a "load", giving a MUCH more accurate assessment of "how much life is left". In addition, it provides a digital readout (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) of the remaining capacity. It also works for virtually every cell, size, and CHEMISTRY that I've found... including Lithium Ion, NiMH, Alkaline, 9V, AA, AAA, C, D, and many others. PARTICULARLY if you're among the people who use RECHARGEABLE batteries (where you're never sure when you last charged them, and how much they have left...), this unit is indispensable!

David G.

2013-05-14T21:00:00

Easy to use. Will save money because you will only throw away bad batteries.

LJ

2013-03-24T21:00:00

Well protected if dropped / easy to use / nice unit.

Mike d.

2013-03-21T21:00:00

The ZTS battery tester is essentially flawless- it's the only tester I have used that does meaningful load testing. I tested about 25 AAA, AA, C, D, CRXXX batteries, including lithium, alkaline, and NiMH, which had all tested fine on my cheapo tester, but had performed erratically in my equipment. After fully charging the batteries, I tested them with the ZTS, and about half of them proved to be bad. Those that tested ok went back into circulation and have performed without problems. Besides helping to weed out bad batteries, it is very useful for testing batteries to eliminate unnecessary recharging. My inclination is to always "top off" my NiMH batteries before using them, but a quick check with the ZTS will often prove that they don't need to be recharged, ultimately prolonging battery life. On the flip side, it saves a lot of hassle because it allows me to find the weak cell(s) in a set, preventing my equipment from dying in the middle of a photo shoot.

SB

2013-03-06T19:00:00

Although not inexpensive, I'm really glad that I bought this. Up until now I had tested batteries with my multimeter, which would only tell me the voltage of a battery. With lithium batteries, they hold almost constant voltage right up until they are discharged. This tester doesn't report voltage but rather the actual capacity of the battery. Now I know whether I'm working with a battery that is 100%, 80%, and so on - before I was never sure. For sorting out old batteries and ones stored for emergency use this is invaluable. Also, Adorama has the newer version (with 10 testing spots) vs the old version that has round corners ( and only 8 testing spots)

Surefire F.

2013-02-04T19:00:00

It is especially good for testing Lithium AAA and AA batteries which few battery testers actual do.

JOEL R.

2013-01-16T19:00:00

This is a good battery tester.I would buy again.

topcat777

2012-09-17T21:00:00

A cheap battery tester would test an AA battery used in my mustache clipper as good when it was bad. This test puts a better load on batteries used in high current devices, and is far more accurate.

Engineer

2012-07-08T21:00:00

We rely on several types of batteries for SCUBA diving. We must know the condition of the batteries for saftey. ZTS devices do this!

Jim D.

2012-04-15T21:00:00

It's accurate, can take a huge variety of cell types and goes a long time on the installed batteries. On the flip side, testing batteries is a bit awkward: you have to hold the postive side onto the appropriate metal nub and then touch the negative wire to the opposite side, then hold it for 5 sec or so while it checks the battery. You get used to it, but it's never an easy one-handed affair. Oh, and if you're holding it right-side-up, your hands will likely block the display, so flip it upside down.

JJ P.

2012-02-12T19:00:00

Works great and is simple to use. Good to have available

Gmac

2012-02-06T19:00:00

Appears easy to use, made in USA product. If you need to know the state of your batteries, this is the product

Gmac

2011-10-23T21:00:00

First I thought this tester would not really add much to my mix but and after it proved a couple of items with rare battery types were working properly - like vintage cameras for example - I was on my way to finding what the real problems were. Also allows me to troubleshoot issues with my wireless alarm components before the batteries are completely done, leaving the system with gaps in security. Lastly I have several battery operated items I really need to know are going to work when called on. Tactical flashlights and weapon sights for example - Its nice to really know they are ready to go when needed

Mattman

2011-10-16T21:00:00

Use to determine life left in the battery

Redcomanche

2011-09-03T21:00:00

First I ordered the mini-MBT and on receiving it I was very pleased. It accurately tested the batteries that I had. There were a few batteries that I use often enough (button cells) that the mini-MBT would not test. So I decided to return it in favor of this one that will test almost every battery imaginable. I was shocked at the size of this tester though. It' definitely not something that you are going to tuck away in your camera bag. The mini-MBT is abou the size of a deck of cards or a pack of cigarettes. By looking at the photos you would think that this version has to be a little bit bigger simple becasue it test more batteries. I expected about the size of a pack of 100s cigarettes or perhaps Virginia slims. Well I was surprised when I opened the box to find that this thing is the size of a large paper back book! It's definitely not very portable. In fact I am not even sure where I have the drawer space to store this thing at home. It does work very well though and works much better than a digital multimeter because it actual supplies the battery with a load to see how it will react. This reaction is what the tester tests, to tell you if the battery is good or not. Besides the gripe about the enormous size, my only other gripe is that there are still a few batteries that it won't test, such as the old mercury batteries and zinc airs from some old cameras and light meters.

JOHN M.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

I love that it tells you how much the battery has left in percentage format. I had lots of batteries that I wasn't sure about and this tester will ensure I don't load up a battery in my flash that is about to expire.

PhotoGregS

2009-10-19T21:00:00

This battery tester can test all kind of batteries at your finger tip. The build isn't as durable as you think. Doesn't have the nice solid build feeling when holding the unit.

Huskies

2008-12-28T19:00:00

Useful for much more than photography, it will help you find the "bad actors" in your sets of rechargeable batteries, and tell you how much life is left an ALL your batteries.

RANDY H.

2008-11-28T19:00:00

Have had this device for about a year. Use it all the time to test batteries and would not be without one now.

MARK S.

2008-09-23T21:00:00

No more guessing which batteries are bad or good. Also if 1 out of 4 in a group failed, you could quickly work out the offending one and replace.

Philip L.

2008-03-06T19:00:00

I use a variety of batteries, both at home and in my photo restoration business. I have been looking for a tester that puts batteries under load so I get a more accurate picture of their status. This one works great!

Fisker

2007-09-25T21:00:00

one great tester

Bernie