Best EMF Meters to Measure Home & Wireless Radiation

August 8, 2018
A comprehensive tutorial and buyers guide with product reviews, prices and other advice on choosing the right EMF meter. Includes recommended exposure limits and links to manufacturers.

While your eyes may furnish the best (and cheapest) gauge for detecting sources of harmful EMF's around you, increasingly those sources are being hidden from view. Cell phone towers now sport a variety of different disguises in urban areas, while smaller-scale "minicells" look like ordinary electric boxes mounted on utility poles. Banks of Smart meters may be cloistered on the backside of apartment complexes or lurking behind locked doors on the first floor of your workplace. And inside your home, potent magnetic fields emanating from walls and appliances have been linked to leukemia for the past forty years. Consequently, you never really know anymore when you're walking into an electromagnetic minefield.

EMF emissions are generated by a myriad of electrical components, transmission equipment, machines and consumer electronics. Since these sources operate on a wide range of frequencies, finding a meter to measure all of them can be a daunting task.
This is why EMF meters, expensive as many of them are, should be regarded as a must-have survival tool for some people (though not everyone), much like one would use a docimeter when traveling through Fukushima or Chernobyl today. Certainly, if you plan to implement shielding solutions to block EMF radiation, or relocate your wireless devices and appliances, an EMF meter is necessary to test whether these strategies work, have no effect at all, or actually worsen your exposure. Fortunately, EMF meters tailored for consumer use are now available, and if you do homework you can usually find a good one at an affordable price.
Even though the better models come with a steep learning curve, these devices will help you identify hidden sources of non-ionizing radiation, both inside your house and several blocks away. Not only that, you'll be able to measure the strength of an EMF emission at various distances. That way you can determine the extent of any potential harm.
And once you've identified the danger zones where strong EMF's are exceeding the safe exposure limits, you can brainstorm the best form of mitigation.
Of course, understanding EMF meter technology can be a search-and-rescue mission in itself. As you wade into its deep, nerdy waters, you'll discover a convoluted universe of techy terminology, poorly written user guides (some even leave out instructions for how to use the meter), and a price range that belongs in the Guinness Book of Records. A meter can be had for as cheaply as $32, or as costly as $2,700. So before you click the "Buy" button at an EMF safety store online, better cool your heels and take the time to learn all you can about these products.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum, part of which is shown above, divides various electrical applications according to the number of waves they generate per second, otherwise known as frequencies. The measuring unit of frequency is the hertz, and one hertz equals one complete wave.

For starters, there isn't just one type of radiation to measure, but three. Each focuses on a distinct type of physics and uses different measuring units to gauge the strength of an EMF:

Magnetic fields are found around all powered-on appliances, electrical components, home wiring and basically every device or largescale installation that's hooked up to utility power, a generator or batteries. These fields are measured with a magnetic field meter or gauss meter, with operating frequencies in the lowest range of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically 3 hertz to 2000 hertz. Around your home, school or office, you'll find most magnetic fields oscillating in the 50-60 hertz range of the power grid.

Magnetism is measured in units of gauss or teslas.

Electric fields are generated by voltage. Voltage functions sort of like water pressure in your plumbing. Even when electronic devices and appliances are turned off, it persists, so long as the power connection is energized at the source and the equipment is plugged in. Electric trains, grid power lines and utility substations all generate potent electric fields that may be harmful. An electric field meter measures this type of EMF in units of volts per meter.

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is emitted by radio and TV broadcasting antennas, cell phones and towers, computer equipment, Smart meters, radar and the myriad of other wireless products and equipment operating at freqencies between 3 kilohertz to 300 gigahertz.

An RF or HF (high frequency) meter measures these traveling microwaves, most often in watts or volts per meter.

Notes:

The word "meter" connotes two meanings here. One refers to devices that measure electrical power and fields. The other refers to the common unit of distance in the metric system, which is used in conjunction with RF measurements.

There's a fourth type of EMF called dirty electricity. This is a catch-all name for various anomalies in electrical circuits, including faulty wiring, aging hardware, fault currents running along copper pipes and high frequency voltage transients (HFVT's). These can be hard to detect and fix, so it's best to contact a licensed electrician. He or she may use a spectrum analyzer to help diagnose the problem.

Professional inspectors and electricians likely own a separate meter to measure each of the EMF types, the sum total of which can run into the thousands of dollars. Fortunately, in the last decade affordable EMF meters designed for consumers have entered the market, many equipped with LED lights and audio alarms that alert you when they detect harmful EMF's.

These products also combine magnetic, electric and RF measurements into one meter. Yet what's inside the product casing cannot always be described as finely tuned and calibrated electronics.

So you have to be careful when shopping around.

The American lab instrument company, Extech, sells a line of EMF and RF meters, including the EMF 450 combination meter.

Another issue with these meters is that protocols for what constitutes a "safe exposure limit" vary among manufacturers and countries, so it may not be clear which of those standards is triggering the LED's or alarm beeps. In short, answering the simple question of "Will this meter give me an accurate reading and tell me when an EMF is dangerous?" is not simple at all.

Then there's the matter of ranges and scales. We'll talk more about this in the section on Specs below, but suffice to say, no meter covers all the frequencies and field strengths of the EMF's bombarding you each day. Most of the wireless products we use currently range from about 800 megahertz to 2.4 megahertz, but the telecommunications market is in the process of rolling out a new 5 gigahertz system, well above the range of many current RF meters. Meanwhile, radar systems for weather, air traffic and other technologies are pulsing signals at frequncies above 8 gigahertz. At the other end of the spectrum, radio, television and other broadcast signals generate RFR at frequencies well below 800 megahertz. Consequently, there's a lot of ground to cover.

So if you're serious about protecting your health (not to mention future generations of mankind), start saving your spare cash to purchase a quality meter or two (or three). Naturally, if you're experiencing symptoms of radiation sickness, such as those listed in the main article on this website, you may not have time to wait. And if you feel completely lost when it comes to the science and metrics, don't worry. Here a few other options worth investigating:

Hire a home biologist, EMF inspector/consultant or electrician who understands EMF's, then have this person scan your indoor and outdoor environments to uncover danger zones with their own expensive meters that can measure radiofrequency, magnetic and electric fields accurately.

Rent the high-end meters from an EMF product company, consultant, or electrical repair shop that has the devices available to loan out. You may be able to find or negotiate a good weekly rate. The EMF Center in Santa Rosa, for example, rents meters by mail. (You may need to rent the meters twice though, first to detect the danger zones, and a second time to test whether or not your mitigation strategies are working.)

Watch Ebay listings for a used model of any high-end meter you're interested in. Conversely, buy a meter new, use it for as long as you need it, then sell it to someone else.

Safe Exposure Limits for EMF Radiation

Within advocacy circles, the recommended safe exposure limits for EMF radiation include Germany's Standard der Baubiologischen Messtechnik's guidelines issued in 2015, abbreviated as SBM 2015. A chart is provided below.

A summary of the German Building Biology Institute EMF exposure limits established in SBM 2015. Note: Nanoteslas are used in place of milligauss for magnetic field limits. The conversion formula is 1 Nanotesla (nT) = 0.01 Milligauss (mG). Here's an online calculator to bookmark for future reference.

How do EMF Meters Measure Radiation?

An EMF or RF meter uses sensors or an antenna to detect the concentration of electromagnetic energy hovering in (or moving through) an area. By contrast, the average "multi-meter" sold at a home improvement store measures electricity inside an electric device or wiring with positive and negative leads connected directly to that miniature pipeline of energy.

EMF Meters read electromagnetic fields in units of watts, volts, or gauss/teslas (the two standard units of magnetism). A measurement is sometimes referred to as "flux density". This term represents the number of magnetic lines of flux that pass through a certain point on a surface. Because radiation involves a field rather than energy running through a wire, EMF readings also include an area size to help correctly calculate the field's strength (density). The most common size is one square meter, but a square centimeter is also frequently used. The reason that area sizes are "squared" is to cover both the length and width of fields.

As a general rule, an EMF field produces the strongest readings nearest to the source of its energy, then fades in intensity the farther away it gets. For magnetic and electric fields produced by utility electricity in your home or workplace, this rule is important for establishing a radiation danger zone. As you slowly pull the meter back from the emission source, the readings should drop in intensity until either a safe exposure limit is reached or the emission dissipates entirely. In the case of RF signals, a field is typically strongest nearest the antenna from which a signal is transmitted.

One exception to the fading-with-distance rule is hotspots. A hotspot develops when multiple wireless signals collide with each other, either in a room or outdoors, producing a significantly higher reading. To identify such locations requires the methodical scanning of the space, watching for sudden spikes in your readings. (A meter equipped with an audio feature is especially useful in this quest.)

Meter Specs and Features

Just to reiterate, the most important priority when selecting an EMF meter is determining if you can trust the device to accurately measure EMF's within the range of the safe exposure limits mentioned above, and within the range of frequencies of all the electronic equipment you're concerned about. To know whether these criteria are met, you'll have to read the product description and technical specs. Like most of us, you may find all the tech-speak bewildering at first. So here's a quick run-through to get you up to speed:

Features

Antenna or Sensors: These components are critical to getting accurate readings. Sensors are used primarily in magnetic and electric field meters, while antennas are used for RF meters. An antenna may be either omni-directional (scans both the vertical/elevation plane and the horizontal/azimuth plane). Alternatively, it may just measure in one direction, which is called directional. Sensors are referred to as either single-axis or triple-axis. A triple-axis sensor automatically scans for EMF's in three directions at right angles to each other so there's no need for multiple measurements. Using an omni-directional antenna or triple axis sensor saves you time and gives you a reading that represents your total exposure.

Coverage areas for omni-directional versus directional antennas on RF meters.

Single axis sensors only scan a third of the circumference around you, while a directional antenna scans closer to half the area (i.e. the vertical plane). But you can still get a complete assessment in either case. Simply take three readings with single-axis sensors, and four readings with the directional antenna, then add the numbers together to get your total exposure. Another advantage is the ability to pinpoint an emission source, which is difficult to do with triple axis sensors and omni antennas. Finally, your meter will cost a lot less.

Display: Display screens are squeezed into small rectangular openings at the top or middle of the meter face. Because of this narrow viewing area, you don't want a display that's loaded with multiple figures and graphics. Companies like Gigahertz Solutions, Alpha Labs and Extech understand this and provide single large print readings occupying much, if not all of the display window. Acoustimeter and Cornet meters, on the other hand, present several numbers that may force you to squint a bit, but the additional data might be useful.

Which display do you prefer? From left to right, RF meters from Gigahertz Solutions, Cornet and Acoutimeters.

Controls, buttons and menus: The more of these the better, but they usually come at a price. Some controls allow you to pick one of several operating modes. For instance, a good meter will let you switch between several frequency ranges in order to get a more finely tuned or (in the case of more potent fields) a coarser reading. Menus provide options and the ability to change default settings, such as the measuring units (e.g. gauss or tesla), or audio features (such as alarm thresholds). Beware, meters with few buttons can make it hard to accomplish the simplest adjustment, so be sure to read expert reviews or the manual to find out how they work.

Audio: Hearing EMF's is as invaluable as having the rattle of a geiger counter. But some meters are better at producing useful audio than others. Some meters are set to simply squeal with a high reading, which is much different than hearing the rat-a-tat of pulsed signals and other sounds that help you identify the emission source. Ideally, you'd also want the volume to increase with stronger EMF's. To find out more about the audio, watch a product video demo posted on YouTube or check the user guide to see how the feature works or can be adjusted. Some meters may headsets, which is a nice perk when you're trying to be discreet.

Data Logging / Transfer to PC: If you want keep records of your readings, these features let you do that. However, what this data dump looks like, depends on the model. Make sure the data is something you can use before paying the extra dollars this feature normally entails.

Backlight: For working in the dark.

Compatibility, Attachable Accessories: Some of the better RF meters, including those made by Gigahertz Solutions, allow you to swap one type of antenna for another. For instance, you can change from a uni-directional to an omnidirectional antenna. GS also sells attenuators, pre-amplifies and other accessories to enhance a meter's capabilities. Be sure to look through what's available before ordering.

Specifications

Meter Dimensions: Some meters are necessarily large to get the job done. This is the case of all the products sold by Gigahertz Solutions, especially its RF models with the "fish-skeleton" antenna. On the other hand, owning a more discreet, compact meter has its benefits, too (even if its readings are only ballpark). In particular, you can carry it around town and into public spaces knowing you won't be hauled away in an armlock by overzealous security guards who think you're setting off a bomb.

Ranges and Modes: This is probably the most critical spec you need to evaluate, because if the meter can't measure EMF's at the frequencies and intensities you're interested in, it's not going to do you much good. So check this spec carefully to make sure that:

1) the safe exposure limits you're using are within the scales listed for the meter;
2) the operating frequencies of all the AC electronics and equipment you want to measure are covered;

and

3)the high end of the field intensity level (EMF strength) can handle a fair amount of juice.

For instance, if you're measuring a high-voltage grid transmission line or cell tower close up, you might want to know the severity of the situation well beyond the safe exposure limit.

Frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum applicable to common sources of EMF radiation. Graphic: Wireless Consortium

Also keep in mind is that scales tend to be less accurate at the outer limits than they are in between. For instance, if an electric field scale begins at 1 volt, and the safe exposure limit is 1.5 volt, that would be cutting it a little close. (But you may have to live with this shortcoming, since few budget meters start below one volt.) In the case of magnetic field measurements, however, you should be able find a meter whose low end begins at 0.1 milligauss or lower. That's one-tenth of the 1-milligauss safe exposure limit.

Sensitivity / Resolution: This spec refers to how far the meter sensor can hone in on an exact measurement using incremental changes. For instance, a meter that reads voltages at quarter-volt increments is more sensitive (or has better resolution) than a meter with one volt increments. In some meters, you'll find multiple modes, one that allows you to get the finer measurements for tiny fields (like milligauss), and another for coarser readings when the field is much stronger.

Measuring Units: The better meters give you a choice of units. That way, if you don't like the default option, you can bring up a menu and switch to something else. The cheaper meters may not give you a choice, however, so make sure their choice is one you can live with it. As long as you have some way of converting from one unit to another, it's not a problem. Converting between gauss and teslas, for instance, is a snap. But that's not always the case.

Peak vs Average Measurements: Meters may provide both types of readings, but peak measurements (the highest numbers you see) should be what you record and respond to, as these EMF's, however short-lived, can still harm your health. (Peak hold indicates a longer lasting periodic emission.) Knowing the average helps you determine how often those high bursts of EMF happen over the course of time. Incidentally, some of the cheaper meters only have one type of measurements, but may not say whether it's average or peak. So poke around for an answer before you make a purchase.

Accuracy: Usually this spec is expressed as a percentage and works the same way as election predictions calculated by a polling firm For instance, +/- 5 % means the correct figure for any particular reading extends from what the meter states, minus 5% of the reading, to the reading plus 5%. For example if a reading states 100 volts, the window for a 5% accuracy spec would extend from 95 to 105 volts. To be cautious, always add the spec percentage to any reading to insure the EMF you're measuring doesn't exceed the safe exposure limit.

If the product literature lists a accuracy spec that's higher than 5%, you may want pass on the meter. If no accuracy spec is provided, contact the seller and ask for a figure.

Some meters, like the Gigahertz Solutions and Acoutimeter models, express accuracy in decibels. Decibels are used, according to LessEMF.com "to describe the ratio of one intensity measurement to another." How that helps us determine the meter's accuracy window is unclear. (On some sellers' websites, the accuracy for GS meters is listed as a percentage.)

Sampling Rate: This tells you how often the meter takes a measurement. Because many wireless waves and pulses emit energy for only a tiny fraction of a second at a time, the meter needs to sample often. Otherwise, these emissions might get overlooked. In the case of low-frequency utility electricity, a high sampling rate on a meter allows electricians to uncover "dirty electricity", such as voltage disturbances, fault currents and waveform anomalies. However, EMF meters for electric and magnetic fields aren't really designed for this purpose, so the sampling rate is not as big a deal.

Memory: Most meters hold onto a certain number of readings before deleting them. Be sure to check the product manual to attest the usefulness of this function. (Having memory isn't the same as the ability to transfer data to a computer or cell phone. That's called "data logging", discussed under Features above.)

Batteries: Make sure the ones used won't cost you an arm and a leg to replace. This spec should also tell you the life of one set of batteries before they need replacing. Most meters use a 9-volt or 2-3 AA batteries, which in some cases may be rechargeable.

Warranty and Country of Manufacture: If you're shelling out more than a hundred bucks for your meter, you'll want a warranty of at least 1-3 months. If you spend over $250, you should get one year at least. The ease of getting the warranty serviced is another matter. If your meter manufacturer is located outside the United States, for instance, and its employees don't speak good English, this can add up to a long expensive phone call, high shipping charges, and a long wait to get your meter back, hopefully fixed. Even if the manufacturer is American, beware that buying a meter from a non-authorized distributor (like an Ebay seller) may void the warranty altogether.

Consumer Protection Group Reviews Budget Meters

In 2016, a performance analysis of several consumer-oriented RF meters with stated ranges up to 8 gh was sponsored by Wissenchaftsladen Bonn (WILA), Germany's consumer protection agency. (Curiously, the U.S. based Consumer Reports has yet to review these devices over a decade after coming onto the market.) The meters included the Tenmars TM 196 (Taiwan), TES 593 (Taiwan), Cornet ED78s, Acoustimeter AM 10 (U.K.) WILA concluded that in almost every case, the manufacturers had exaggerated their products' capabilities and some of the specs as well. None of the products were recommended for purchase. The report ended with the following advice for shoppers:

"It is good to maintain a healthy skepticism toward offers that promise an amazing performance at extremely favorable prices. And it is always good to remember that professional testing equipment never combines RF and ELF measurement probes in one single meter or fits an RF antenna into the meter casing. Prices also increase significantly the larger the frequency range or the more sensitive the RF probe is.

In general, it is not possible to display accurate measurements through LED indicator lights. Antennas/probes that are integrated into the meter casing are also a great source of errors. Prefer meters with a digital display and an external measurement antenna. A highly directional logarithmic-periodic antenna (which looks like a Christmas tree or fish skeleton) is very useful in determining the direction from where the RF radiation originates.""

Popular Products For Sale

Here are some of the current models promoted by EMF experts and online stores specializing in EMF safety equipment. The reviews here are based solely on the stated specifications of each product, so if any meter interests you, follow up by reading or viewing expert reviews on other websites and YouTube.

RF Meters

Germany's Gigahertz Solutions offers the HF35C and HFW35C RF meters at affordable prices, but both products have limited range when it comes to microwave frequencies.

Gigahertz Solutions HF35C and HFW35C: These are two different RF-only meters, the first with a range of 27 mh to 2.5 gh, and the second ranging from 2.4 to 6 gh. GS is one of the better companies in the business and known for producing quality instruments with 2-year warranties. While the accuracy of these meters is not at the same level as other GS models (+/- 6 db compared to +/-3 db), most of us can't afford the better models. GS provides in depth instructions in all its user guides, which are worth reading even if you don't end up buying any of their products.

Gigahertz Solutions cleverly lists its catalog of meters in this graphic so you can compare their ranges along the wide spectrum. Notice at the top the wireless equipment propagating microwaves at different frequencies.

The biggest drawback with these two models is that you really need to buy both of them, since the highest frequency the HF35C measures is 2.5 gh, while the HFW35C measures electronics with signals between 2.7 and 6 gh. GS offers a bundle price, but it's still cheaper to buy the two meters separately from a distributor. The HF35C costs under $350 and the HFW35C under $400.

Two popular RF meters. From the left, the Extech 480836 and Acoustimeter AM 10.
Extech 480836:: This meter is the one used by the computer technician in the first video posted on the Watch Videos page. The 480836 costs under $300 and has its antenna mounted outside the box, just as WILA advises. It can pick up the lower safe exposure limit for EMF radiation, which is 1 microwatt per meter squared, and even measures leakage from a microwave oven. The meter boasts good sensitivity but the manufacturer's website doesn't offer a spec for accuracy. Also, the high end of the frequency range it measures stops at 3.5 gh, higher than many meters but still well short for the new 5G wireless network. (A newer model, the 480846, extends the range to 8 gh.) The audible alarm can be adjusted to different threshholds, but the noise it makes is obnoxious.
More info from mfg: www.extech.com
Acoustimeter AM10: This RF meter costs just under $400 and can analyze feequencies up to 8 gh. It also boasts good sensitivity and provides three different types of readings - peak (highest), peak hold and averaged (i.e. time-averaged reading of about the last 1000 samples). The AM10 offers an audible signal and more than a dozen LED lights to help you assess the danger level. It's red zone begins at 0.5 V/m, which roughly complies with the Bioninitiative Working Group's 0.614 V/m limit.
On the down side, the product literature states that international exposure limits are based on averaged readings, rather than the peak reading (both are included on the display. However, WILA found this and other statements in the product user guide "technically questionable". WILA also said Acoustimeter's claim about reading frequencies and field strengths correctly at the higher end of the scale was "exaggerated".
More info from mfg: emfields-solutions.com

Magnetic And Electric Field Meters

From the left, the AlphaLabs UHS2 gauss meter and Gigahertz Solutions ME3030B Magnetic/Electric EMF Meter.

AlphaLabs UHS2. This gauss meter measures AC magnetic fields only. Michael Neuert, an engineer and licensed electrician in Northern California, recommends and even distributes the product at a better price than Amazon through his company, the EMF Center. It's a triple-axis meter with a frequency range of 13 hz up to 75 khz, plus three different modes you can use to hone in on a for better accuracy. It also has high sensitivty. At $299-$379, depending on the seller, it's a pricey item, though not nearly as high as other models sold by AlphaLabs.

For more info, visit Michael Neurert's website, emfcenter.com.

Gigahertz Solutions ME3030B: This meter is used to measure both electric and magnetic fields.. It has single axis sensor, which means more work taking measurements but easier to pinpoint an EMF source. Also, it uses nanoteslas for measuring magnetic fields. However, there's a milligauss conversion chart printed on the back to simply conversions. It's currently available for about $150 from distributors.

Combination Meters

From the left, the Cornet 88T combo meter and the TriField TF2 with a digital display.

Cornet ED88T: The specs for this product show a high RF range up to 8 gh and good sensitivity on RF readings. The meter also tells you the broadcast frequency of an RF emission, which helps in identifying the source of the radiation. The meter uses a single axis sensor/antenna for electric, magnetic and RF field measurements, rather than the preferred triple-axis. It measures magnetic fields beginning at .1mG, which is good, but the low range for electric fields starts at 10 volts, too high for the safe exposure limit of 1.5 V listed earlier in this article. The accuracy for magnetic and electric field readings is also pretty bad at +/- 20-25%. The meter sells for under $200. There's also an ED88T "plus" model which enables you connect and transfer data to a computer.

More info from mfg: electrosmog.com

Trifield TF2: This meter was introduced recently to replace the popular Trifield 100 XE. Unlike the old analog 100XE, the TF2 has an updated digital display and better RF sensitivity (although still not great). For $168, you get fairly wide ranges. Stated accuracy for magnetism readings is +/- 4%, for electric fields +/- 5%, and for RF/wireless measurements +/- 20%. Like other combo meters, the RF antenna is inside the casing. The Tri-Field box is bigger and heavier than the other combo meters reviewed here, but comes with a backlight and a one year warranty. Despite its shortcomings, this may be a good first meter to own, allowing you to learn how to measure EMF's without breaking the bank.

For specs and info visit the manufacturer's site: trifield.com

What Do You Want to Measure with Your Meter?

Do I ride the subway or an electric trolley / train everyday to work or school? Is there a track near where I work or live?

Do I live within a couple houses of an electric transmission line or drive more than five minutes per day alongside one? Is there an elecrical substation near my home, school or office? Do I live near the end of a power transmission line?

Do I work with power tools like a table saw, grinder or welding machine?

Do I have a cell phone tower, broadcasting antenna or large satellite/microwave dish within a 150 meters of my home, workplace or school?

Do I live near an airport or military base, where a radar station or flight control equipment is operative?

Do live in an older house (built before 1980) or in one that may have had some electrical work done it by an unqualified person out of compliance with the electric code?

Are there a number of electrical appliances, an entertainment center, or dimmer switches in frequent-use areas of my home? Do I have neighbors living above, below or on either side of my walls who may have large appliances, dimmer switches or flourescent light fixtures on their ceilings?

Is their a solar power array near where I live or work? Do I have a transformer-type solar inverter on the side of my house or my neighbor's?

Do I work out regularly at a fitness center packed with high-wattage equipment, televisions and loudspeakers?

Do I have a wireless router operating in my home, office or school?

Do I have a Smart Meter installed closeby on my property, apartment complex, workplace or campus?

As you've just learned, EMF meters are limited by both the range of operating frequencies and the field strength intensity they can cover. So before you make a purchase, make a list of all the EMF-emitting equipment, indoors and outdoors, that you'd like to measure.
Then research which of three types of EMF's these sources fall into (Magnetic, Electric or RF), their operating frequency (except for DC electronics), and whether or not they use or generate a lot of power.
This can be a difficult task. While some product marketing literature identities specific equipment and wireless protocols (e.g. GSM 900, 4G) that a meter will measure, the list is usually small and the info not always reliable. It's also unclear which meter measures DC electronics, since they have no frequency.
At any rate, you can start by asking yourself some questions to nail down the scope of your daily EMF exposure.
For example:
Once you've got a list, then track down the frequency information and strengths using Google or better yet, a chart that provides this data. From there, you can figure out which type of meter(s) you'll need.

Best EMF Meters to Measure Home & Wireless Radiation

Best EMF Meters to Measure Home & Wireless Radiation