Geiger counter is basically known as an instruction used for measuring ionizing radiation used widely in such applications adding with the radiation dosimeter, radiological protection, experimental physics, and the nuclear industry. If you have been in search for the best Geiger counter then stop looking around as here we are sharing on with the list of top ten best Geiger counters you should buy!
#1. RADEX RD1503+ w/o dosimeter: High accuracy Geiger Counter
- By: Quarta-Rad Geiger Counters
This is an improved and updated radiation detector equipped with modern features for effective performance. Therefore, The product boasts a unique design with an ability to detect Gamma, Beta, and X-ray radiations. This is a versatile product whose performance beats its competitors bar none. Additionally, the compact design makes it portable and ideal for carrying around. It offers measurement cycles after 40 seconds, thus keeping one updated at all times.
Extra Features:
- There are an audio alarm and a vibration feature for better detection
- There’s a Scale range ambient dose rate equivalent is 0.05 – 9.99 µSv/h
- Vibration is added as well as the audio alarm
- There’s a negligible error margin.
List Of Best Geiger Counter Reviews in 2023:
9. GCA-07W Professional Geiger Counter Nuclear Radiation Detection Monitor
- By: Images SI Inc. Geiger Counters
This counter has the counting resolution and range that is around 1 Count per Minute (CPM) – 10000 Counts per Second (CPS). It has the radiation resolution and range that is around 0.001 mR/hr resolution / 1000 mR/hr Range (Imperial measurements); 0.01 uSv/hr resolution – 10 mSv/hr range (Metric).
This includes one with the detector sensitivity detects Alpha particles above 3 MeV in energy. GM tube is also part of it that has a thin mica window that allows alpha radiation to be detected. It has beta radiation above 50 KeV, X-Ray and Gamma radiation above 7 KeV. Factory calibration hence uses a NIST traceable radiation source to ensure accurate radiation measurements.
It is useful for detecting and accurately measuring radioactivity. It is also featuring out with the external wand that contains an LND 712 GM tube. The external wand, on the whole, makes it easier to search for materials and surfaces for radioactivity. This Geiger counter’s applications are an education for the sake of the classroom demonstrations and nuclear experiments.
8. GQ GMC-320-Plus Geiger Counter Nuclear Radiation Detector Meter Beta Gamma X-ray test equipment
- By: GQ Geiger Counters
As is all set with the newly designed digital Geiger counter and data recorder and record the radiation data, GQ GMC-320 has automatically set on with the data recording and can be played back later. This can on the whole witness with the open communication protocol for wide range radiation network support made easy. It includes on with the technical support forum from GQ Electronics website.
The GQ GMC-320-Plus digital Geiger counter is the latest model developed by GQ electronics LLC, USA. It is installed on with the enhanced version of GMC-300E plus, it has larger internal flash memory to facilitate data processing capability.
It also has a temperature sensor and electronic gyroscope, as well as LCD contrast control, front LED indicator, analog data port output, new graphics type. This product can be used for the sake of the industrial, commercial or test equipment, all inside the universities, laboratories, environment evaluation measurement, hospital research, scientific-analytical applications, antique evaluation, building material testing research and so on.
It is also having the most features and cost-effective. It also has unique features, mentioning with the feature to record data first play it back later as well as an open protocol for easy application integration; visualize real-time graph or even data Logging. It is much portable and convenient with built-in audible and also the visual signals as it features automatic data recording. It is able to continually monitor the radiation and log the data each second into internal memory.
7. RADEX RD1706 Professional Radiation Detector / Geiger Counter
- By: RADEX by Quarta-Rad Geiger Counters
This counter can hence be used not only by professionals working with sources of ionizing radiation but also by average consumers interested in terms of checking the contamination of places and objects and also knowing the results with a high degree of precision. RADEX RD1706 is also at the same time capable of the increased precision of indications. It can also expand the range of indications (to 999.0 µSv/h). The range of measured Gamma radiation energy is around 1-1.25 MeV.
The range of measured X-ray radiation energy is also 0.03-3.0 MeV as well as the range of measured Beta radiation energy that is 0.25-3.5 MeV. This model hence uses two SBM20-1 types Geiger–Muller counters as one each for beta- and gamma-rays. The use of two separate sensors allowed to reduce the time of observation to 26 seconds while improving the accuracy and precision of results.
6. Mazur Instruments Best PRM-9000 Geiger Counter
- By: Mazur Instruments Geiger Counters
The PRM-9000 includes the same two-inch (50.8 mm) pancake Geiger detector tube that is the gold standard for the sake of surveying areas for potentially harmful ionizing radiation levels and for the purpose of detecting radioactive contamination of packages, items, equipment, and people.
The instrument is suitable for the side of regulatory inspections, and for the detection, as well as measurement and monitoring of broad spectrum, low energy radionuclides, including Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM).
The two-line, alphanumeric display supports on with the both English and Japanese languages promoting ease-of-use and concise measurement. The display is backlit to support with the low-light conditions.
It makes your offer with the standard alkaline 9-volt batteries available to be everywhere as provide over 2-years of life under normal conditions. It also includes abundant I/O options including support for headphones, external speakers, external power and PC/Mac USB data exchange.
5. GQ GMC-300E-Plus Best Digital Geiger Counter Nuclear Radiation Detector Monitor
- By: GQ Geiger Counters
GQ GMC-300E Plus is a newer set of the designed model of GMC-300 series Geiger Counter. It has improved overall quality. It installed a high contrast black/white LCD module, as well as added a front LED indicator/an audio data port. The audio data port can directly be best connected to any third party device application as data input, such as the iPad. It is designed to be portable and also a convenient device. GQ Geiger Counter has built-in audible and so as the visual signals for the level of radiation detected.
It can be used for the sake of radiation detection and monitoring both indoor and outdoor, as well as in other similar environments. It features on with the automatic data recording. Geiger Counter can continually monitor the radiation and so as the log the data each second into internal memory.
GQ Geiger Counter is all equipped with a USB port as utilized for communication and external power supply/charging of the internal rechargeable NiMH battery. The GQ GMC-300E Plus internal rechargeable battery can be charged with the means of a supplied wall adapter or with the car adapter for the cigarette lighter.
4. RADEX ONE Personal RAD Safety Geiger Counter (U.S. version)
- By: Quarta-Rad Geiger Counters
This is one of the best radiation detectors on the market. It features a sturdy construction for ultimate durability. Furthermore, the product delivers fast and instant results within less than 10 seconds. It offers the accumulated but not the immediate dose, thus giving a more precise image for the user. The excellent PC connection via the provided USB cord makes it even better and perfect for use.
This is an extremely sensitive product with a full-size tube inside for more responsive operation. The pre-calibrated design makes it better and ideal for use.
3. RADEX ONE Personal RAD Safety Geiger Counter “Outdoor Edition”
- By: Quarta-Rad Geiger Counters
Ideal for checking beta, x-rays and gamma rays, this is yet another excellent radiation detector available on the market. It boasts an ultra-grade construction thus offering years of service. What’s more, this is an extremely sensitive radiation detector which detects the presence of any radiations within the shortest time possible.
It works within 10 seconds and delivers an accumulated not immediate dose. Consequently, the folding and compact design allows one to carry the device to different places easily. Despite the small size, this product delivers accurate results like a full-size Geiger would do.
2. GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
- By: GQ Geiger Counters
This is a top-quality Geiger counter designed to detect radiations correctly. The wireless connection makes it portable and ideal for use. What’s more, the product comes with a built-in Wi-Fi feature for a better and smoother operation. With the wireless function, one gets the readings from anywhere across the globe.
It delivers data after every minute, thus keeping you updated at all times. Another thing, there’s an unlimited data storage feature to keep collected information for future use safely.
1. RADEX RD1503+ High accuracy Best Geiger Counters
- By: RADEX by Quarta-Rad Geiger Counters
The RADEX RD1503 is the high accuracy Geiger counter. It has been all set with the capacity to keep maximum temperature. This new device allows on with the quick and easy way to check the radiation background of topsoil, as well as non-edibles and interior premises.
It also contains a low-voltage SBM20-1 type Geiger-Muller counter of beta- and gamma-radiation which is found just as being used in professional dosimeter equipment. It is all used for personal Geiger counter for detecting ionizing radiation indoors, outdoors and in objects. check More Info: Geiger–Müller tube
What Is a Geiger Counter and How Does It Work?
Geiger counter is mainly and specifically use to detect radioactive emissions which includes beta particles and also gamma rays. Therefore, this Geiger counter is composed of a tube and it is filled with some inert gas version.
Furthermore, when that inert gas is reacted by a high energy and high-speed particle, then the inert gas becomes and turns out to be conductive of electricity.
As soon the Geiger counter is exposed to some sort of ionizing radiation, then the particles penetrate completely into the tube and eventually make a collision with the gas.
This process then automatically releases more electrons. Moreover, positive ions start to exit from the tube. And all the negatively charged electrons get attracted to that high voltage middle wire.
Electric current is then created when electrons reach a threshold level. Lastly, to detect more of the radiations, the counter has to be restored to its original and actual state.
What is the Difference Between a Dosimeter and a Geiger Counter?
Geiger Counters measures an exposure rate or you can say the intensity of radiation at a specific and particular location. They mainly and commonly make use of a Geiger tube rather than making use of an ion chamber.
Most importantly, they measure and estimate low levels of radiation. It is in the radioactivity detection field that Geiger counters play an important role.
On the other hand, the dosimeter is a device which is used and availed to measure an absorbed dose kind of ionizing radiation. They usually come and manufactured in the form of a sticker, badge.
Geiger Counter also come in pen/tube type versions or even in a digital readout model format. They measure and generally estimate the accumulated amount of radiation in totality.
Is Geiger Counter Dangerous?
As Geiger Counters are used to detect potentially harmful kind of radiations, that is why one has to remain cautious and careful while using this device. It is in alpha, beta and gamma form that these radiations appear!
Most noteworthy, alpha particles are usually slow. And beta particles can only travel a bit further. It is just these gamma radiations which are harmful and risky of all.
It is the dangerous version of ionizing radiation. And it can even penetrate into your body. For the reason, professionals who use Geiger counters, they must keep themselves safe and sound while encountering and exposing themselves with these harmful radiations.
Most of the time, workers experience a high dose of radiations at the nuclear accident sites and thus experience radiation sickness.
How Much do Geiger Counters Cost?
The cost of Geiger counters varies and differ a lot from one brand to another. You may buy this device in between the price range of a few hundred dollars to xxx dollars. Professionals prefer to use digital Geiger counters as they give more accurate results.
Such digital counters manage to obtain and extract an exact count of detected radioactive particles. The cost of a Geiger counter also depends on what purpose you are using it! As an example, Geiger counters use to check and detect the radiation danger in any kind of emergency situations, such devices are usually expensive.
Besides, counters used to detect environmental levels and scales of radioactivity, their price varies and differ as well. Lastly, quality, guarantee aspect, ease of usage, accuracy aspect differs the price range of Geiger counters at the same time.