Ideal for “party holidays” like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, or Spring Break, a breathalyzer can help you make sure that you are drinking responsibly. You simply blow into the breathalyzer, and the device can calculate your blood alcohol level. With that info, you will know if you are safe to drive. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve rounded up the best deals and discounts on a variety of personal, portable breathalyzers. Whether you want something keychain-sized, something low-tech, or an option that’s top-of-the-line, here are five great deals on breathalyzers.
1. AlcoHAWK PT500 Breathalyzer Alcohol Detector
(AlcoHAWK)
AlcoHAWK is one of the leading names in the personal breathalyzer industry. They have a couple of different models, including the low-cost AlcoHAWK Slim. However, we like the more premium PT500 model more than the Slim. The PT500 uses “PT Core Sensor Technology,” which is designed to minimize the risk of scoring a false positive. The display is nice and large, and it’s back-lit to boot. When using this display in the dark, or after a few beers, it is still easy to read.
Another nice feature that you’ll likely appreciate after having a few drinks is the presence of both an audio and visual warning when you are over the limit. The BAC alarm can be adjusted to your preference. This breathalyzer can measure BAC range from .000 to .400 percent.
If you’re looking for a breathalyzer you can share with friends, family, or roommates, this is a solid choice. This unit has replaceable mouthpieces that are individually wrapped. If you choose this particular model, or any other breathalyzer on this list, make sure to follow directions for your particular breathalyzer exactly to get the most accurate results. Drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
Price: $104.99 (48 percent off MSRP)
Buy the AlcoHAWK PT500 Breathalyzer Alcohol Detector here.
Pros:
- Top of the line model
- Designed for peak accuracy
- Mouthpieces are simple to install
- Comes with ten mouthpieces, far more than other AlcoHAWK models
Cons:
- Expensive
- Blow time resets after powering down
- Should be recalibrated after 200 uses
- Some users have reported low BAC readings as “zero” readings
Find more AlcoHAWK PT500 Breathalyzer Alcohol Detector information and reviews here.
2. BACtrack Go Keychain Breathalyzer
(BACtrack)
A breathalyzer is a great tech accessory to have in your arsenal, but it only works if you remember to take it with you. An ultra-portable keychain breathalyzer lets you keep your BAC meter right on your keys, which is perfect for those nights when you’re going out to have a drink.
BACtrack’s Go Keychain breathalyzer is a great option for personal use, though it’s not the most sanitary option for those who need a shareable BAC meter. Only three mouthpieces are included. The mouthpiece folds in for easy storage. The LCD display is a bit on the small side, but this is still a solid choice for people who need a small, ultra-portable BAC tester. For best results, only use this tester after at least 15 minutes have passed since you finished your last drink.
As of this writing, Amazon is offering an additional $5 off coupon for this portable keychain breathalyzer.
Price: $30.39 (24 percent off MSRP)
Buy the BACtrack Go Keychain Breathalyzer here.
Pros:
- Small
- Reasonably priced
- Batteries are included
- Globally-respected brand
Cons:
- Only under warranty for one year
- No Bluetooth
- Will not estimate how long it will take for your BAC to return to zero
Find more BACtrack Go Keychain Breathalyzer information and reviews here.
3. Alcohol Test Breathalyzer Tester (Disposable)
(Alcohol Test)
What happens to your fancy breathalyzer when your batteries die? Unless you have a backup battery handy, you’re out of luck. That’s one reason we like these decidedly “low tech” drink-a-lyzers from Alcohol Test. To operate this BAC test, you simply blow into the chamber.
Within the chamber, there are color-changing crystals. The color of the crystals indicates whether you have a O percent BAC, a BAC of 0.04 percent, or a 0.08 percent BAC. These types of test are nice because they are disposable, discreet, and doesn’t involve collecting any digital data. You can use these disposable tests by themselves, or to confirm your readings from an electronic reader.
Price: $35.97 for a ten-pack (40 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Alcohol Test Breathalyzer Disposable Tester here.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Sanitary
- Easy to use
- No need for batteries or calibration tools
Cons:
- Test do have an expiration date
- Could be more precise
- Response not immediate
- Some find the crystals hard to read
Find more Alcohol Test Breathalyzer Disposable Tester information and reviews here.
4. Breathometer Breeze Wearable & Wireless Smartphone Breathalyzer
(Breathometer)
Breathometer is a wearable breathalyzer you can attach to your clothes. It’s relatively inconspicuous, and quite lightweight. It connects to your smartphone using Bluetooth, and takes mere seconds to give you your results. Within the app, you can see estimates on how long it should take you to get sober.
Other features of the Breathometer app include the ability to find nearby lodging, or even the ability to call a car through Uber so you can get home safely. The app also syncs with Apple’s Health Kit, so you can see how your drinking may be negatively impacting your health over time. The app is available on iOS devices, and on select Android devices running at least Android 4.3.
Price: $90.85 (9 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Breathometer Breeze Wearable & Wireless Smartphone Breathalyzer here.
Pros:
- Battery lasts 16 months/2,500 tests
- Measures BAC from 0.000 to 0.250
- Lightweight
- App helps you get home safely
Cons:
- Requires smartphone
- Not ideal for sharing with friends
- Somewhat expensive
Find more Breathometer Breeze Wearable & Wireless Smartphone Breathalyzer information and reviews here.
5. BACtrack Trace Professional Breathalyzer
(BACtrack)
This BACtrack tester offers police-grade testing technology, and it’s one of the best-reviewed personal breathalyzers out there today. Built-in memory means that the last ten BAC tests you run will be stored locally. This can be either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your outlook. Some people will appreciate having a record of their past tests, so they can see how their BAC has descended over the course of an evening. It’s also nice to have a reference for your own peace of mind. That being said, others may have privacy concerns about a device that tracks their personal data.
As of this writing, Amazon is running a promotion where you can use an additional $10 off coupon to buy this breathalyzer model. That makes this expensive model a bit more affordable. It takes readings very quickly, and has impressive accuracy.
Price: $102.92 (21 percent off MSRP)
Buy the BACtrack Trace Professional Breathalyzer here.
Pros:
- Measures 0.000 to 0.400 percent BAC
- One hand, one touch operation
- Trusted brand
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some find included operations instructions hard to read
- Only comes with six mouthpieces
- Some users have gotten error messages during testing
Find more BACtrack Trace Professional Breathalyzer information and reviews here.
