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The term “battery tester” basically refers to a device used to test the power of a battery. Keep in mind that a battery is something that we all use in our daily lives. It’s found in a car remote, TV remote, smoke detector, alarm clock, and many other electronics.
Ideally, you wouldn’t want a battery to run dry or get damaged completely before replacing it. Doing that might prove costly and/or inconvenient. For example, your car remote, alarm clock or smoke detector may fail to work when you need it the most. The end result of either of those scenarios can be pretty undesirable.
That is to say, it’s prudent to test your batteries as often as possible. It’s a simple DIY thing. You only need an accurate and easy-to-use tester. And as far as accuracy and simplicity go, ZTS battery testers are arguably the best in the market.
Table of Contents
ZTS Battery Tester: ZTS Mini-9RL vs. MBT-1 Comparison Chart
 ZTS MBT-1 |  ZTS MINI-9RL | |
| Customer Rating |  4.7 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Price |  | |
| Product Dimensions | 4.5" x 1.2" x 8" | 0.7" x 0.6" x 0.9" |
| Item Weight | 13.6oz | 0.32oz |
| Max. Voltage | 9V | 9V |
| Test Duration | Approx. 3 seconds | Approx. 2 seconds |
| Pulse Load | Depends on type of battery | Depends on type of battery |
| Bottom Line | It is suitable for professionals in electronics | It is ideal for ordinary people |
Introduction To ZTS Battery Testers
It’s not a long stretch to claim that ZTS makes the best battery testers. Some of the company’s testers and analyzers are used by very reputable organizations like the U.S. Military. That’s how you know they are accurate and reliable.
Two of the most popular consumer-oriented ZTS battery testers are the ZTS MBT-1 Battery Tester and the ZTS Mini-9RL Multi-Battery Tester. The former is also known as the ZTS Multi-Battery Tester while the latter is at times called the ZTS Mini Multi-Battery Tester.
While the two have multiple applications, they are most known for testing batteries that are found in consumer electronics. But how do they compare? And which one will serve your needs better? We have all that and more in this ZTS battery tester review and comparison.
ZTS MINI-9RL vs. MBT-1 Review and Comparison
4.6 / 5First things first, both the ZTS MBT-1 and ZTS Mini-9RL feature some standard specs that are synonymous with your typical ZTS battery tester.For example, they are fully digital; and that means they don’t have knobs or dials.
Besides, both battery testers are fully automatic. Their pulse load tests are controlled entirely by a microprocessor. That makes them impressively fast in operation.
Thirdly, the MBT-1 and ZTS Mini-9R ZTS battery testers are constructed using plastic and a polycarbonate faceplate. In addition to making the devices durable, these materials ensure that prints on their buttons do not wear off.
On top of all that, both ZTS battery testers come with a 30-day money back guarantee and a one-year warranty. Obviously, the company is going out of its way to ensure customer satisfaction.
4.7 / 5That said, how do the two ZTS battery testers compare in functionality? Here’s a breakdown of their functional features.
Testing Compatibility
The ZTS MBT-1can test up to 10 classes of batteries. Those are 1.2v NiMH/NiCd rechargeable batteries, 1.5v button cells, 1.5v lithium batteries, 1.5v alkaline batteries, 3v lithium cylindrical batteries, 3v lithium coins, 3.6v Li-Ion rechargeable batteries, 6v ’28’ series batteries and 9v alkaline & carbon zinc batteries.
In total, it can test well over 40 types of batteries. That includes the popular lithium-based and NiMH. These two are used vastly in consumer electronics.
On its part, the ZTS Mini-9RL works on 5 classes of batteries. It’s compatible with 1.2v NiMH/NiCd rechargeable batteries, 1.5v alkaline batteries, 9v alkaline & carbon zinc batteries, 9V NiMH rechargeable batteries and 9V Li-Ion rechargeable batteries.
To sum it up, this ZTS battery tester covers about 12 types of batteries. And it is compatible with the most common varieties found in consumer electronics. It, however, comes short compared to the ZTS MBT-1 in terms of battery compatibility.
Type of Test
Both the ZTS MBT-1 and ZTS Mini-9RL are not voltage-based battery testers. Instead, they are pulse load testers. What that means is that they work by loading a cell or battery in the same way it would be loaded when actually doing some work.
That’s why each of these ZTS battery testers has several test contact points. Every point is for loading a particular class of battery. In doing so, the ZTS MBT-1 and ZTS Mini-9RL provide accurate results without damaging the battery being tested.
Both testers have LEDs that dance around for a few seconds as the tester loads the battery. Once the process is done one LED will light brightly and the screen will display the exact amount of power left in the battery.
In short, pulse load testing might be high-tech and thoroughly accurate but it’s simple to use. Even a moderate or beginner battery user will definitely appreciate it.
Batteries
Another point of similarity between the ZTS MBT-1 and ZTS Mini-9RL is that they both require batteries to run. However, while the ZTS MBT-1 runs on 4 X AA batteries, its counterpart (ZTS Mini-9RL) uses 4 X AAA batteries. Either way, both sets of batteries are easy to acquire.
In both cases, a set should last you at least two years even with daily use. Also notable is that the ZTS MBT-1 doesn’t have a power switch, it’s always ready to go! On the contrary, the ZTS Mini-9RL has an ON and AUTO-OFF switch.
Read more: 10 Best Car Battery Testers Review [Updated Jan. 2019]
Vehicle Application
Our two ZTS battery testers can only test batteries up to 9V. Vehicle batteries are more than 9V. Cars and light trucks generally run on 12V batteries while heavy trucks use 24V batteries.
That is to say you won’t be successful using either battery tester to test your car’s battery.
But what you can test is the battery in your car remote. Most of them use 3-volt lithium batteries. And that gives the ZTS MBT-1 an edge in vehicle application because out of these two ZTS battery testers it is the one that can test 3v lithium batteries.
Other applications
Besides testing the battery in your car remote, you can also use the ZTS MBT-1 for cell matching and general battery management. As you already know, cell matching requires you to test the charge/voltage of a set of batteries. That’s something you can do easily and quickly using this ZTS battery tester.
On the other hand, the ZTS Mini-9RL is ideal for testing batteries in consumer electronics. Whether the battery is in a camera, smoke detector, remote control, gaming device or what have you, the tester will deliver.
Marketed Users
From the application areas above you’ve probably noticed that the Mini-9RL is more suitable for the ordinary person than the ZTS MBT-1. That’s because the latter is marketed as a professional battery tester.
As such, it is more suitable for technicians in electronic fields, especially those ho test batteries frequently. If your job revolves around diagnosing and repairing consumer electronics then you may love the ZTS MBT-1 more.
But if you are the consumer using the electronic you’re bound to prefer the ZTS Mini-9RL. It has a lower price tag and is meant to test the most common batteries found in consumer electronics.
Pros and Cons : ZTS MBT-1
Pros
- Easy to use. Doesn’t have switches, knobs or settings
- Uses pulse load testing for more accuracy
- Fast testing. Generates results in under 3 seconds
- Identifies weak and dead batteries
- Compatible with 10 classes of batteries and over 40 types of batteries
- Doesn’t require any powering up, it’s always ready to test
Cons
- Doesn’t test multi-cell, 6V and 12V batteries
- Relatively big and can be slightly hefty
- Costlier than most other battery testers
Pros and Cons: ZTS Mini-9RL
Pros
- Easy to use. Doesn’t have switches, knobs or settings
- Uses pulse load testing for more accuracy
- Extremely fast. Takes about 2 seconds to generate results
- Identifies weak and dead batteries
- Tests the most common batteries
- Compact and lightweight for easy storage and mobility
Cons
- Covers a smaller number of batteries than the ZTS MBT-1
- Doesn’t come with a carrying case of any sort
The Bottom Line
All in all, both ZTS battery testers are excellent at what they are meant to do. While the ZTS MBT-1 is suitable for professionals who deal with electronics, the ZTS Mini-9RL is a consumer product. The latter comes with a lower price tag to support that assertion.
Don’t get it wrong; you can still buy the ZTS MBT-1 even if you are not an electronics repair person. It all depends on the range of batteries that you need to test.
I’m Tim Miller from Denver, Colorado. I’m the founder of obdadvisor.com, an automotive blog about "Auto Diagnostic Tools and Repair Guides". My fan page is facebook.com/autozikcom. I've been working as an automotive mechanic and blogger for over 10 years writing articles to share my experiences and expertise.
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