A drunken night out can cost a motorist his driver’s license – from January even for up to two years and 50,000 crowns. If you are not abstinent, investing in a breathalyzer makes sense. But which one to choose?
That’s why we decided to test them – we selected ten representatives of breath alcohol detection products for the user test: eight electrochemical devices, one analog chemical tube and one representative of cheap semiconductor devices. First of all, however, we had to send three volunteers to the nearest refreshment room, where they (even for the editor’s money) were properly adjusted during the hour. We then waited ten minutes to detect the alcohol in the breath and after another half hour they started the test so that the alcohol level would graduate.
The volunteers returned with blood alcohol levels ranging from 0.48 to 1.18 per thousand. Subsequently, they breathed into all the devices one after the other. We were interested in the deviation of individual values from the reference gauge. We averaged the resulting numbers for all three and determined the mean value of inaccuracy, which decided the placement. We were also interested in the contents of the package and the practicality of the device.
As a reference, we used the Dräger 7510 professional breathalyzer used by the police. Like the 6820 model from the same manufacturer, it is certified by the Czech Metrological Institute, and therefore serves as a verified measuring device.
The test confirmed that even the cheapest tube can provide a basic overview. But the accuracy is only indicative. And the semiconductor device failed, so the anxious investigation makes no sense. Although semiconductor devices are cheap, they become more expensive over time. Every breathalyzer requires regular calibration in a laboratory, and even that is not free. Only more expensive electrochemical devices, which start at thousands, make sense. But as such a representative showed in the test, the accuracy of the cheap ones can be even worse than the semiconductor ones. It’s not for nothing that high-quality ones cost thousands. Our tip is the AlcoForce Prime for CZK 2,400, which offers similar accuracy to its more expensive equivalent.
“Czech motorists most often choose electrochemical breathalyzers at a price of around two thousand crowns, but many people definitely go for the dräger for eight thousand,” concludes Jan Pavlík from Alza, which lent the products for the test.
How to take care of breathalyzer
- Have the device calibrated regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, so the purchase costs do not end
- Do not leave it lying in the car exposed to heat or cold, ideally store the device at home
- Resist the temptation to breathe into the breathalyzer immediately after drinking alcohol, you will reliably decalibrate it, or even destroy it!
Our breathalyzer rating
AlcoForce disposable test (tube)
If you don’t need a breathalyzer on a regular basis, classic glass tubes like the ones used in road tests with a balloon will suffice a few times a year. They cost only sixty crowns and are extremely easy to use – you just breathe and read the value according to the color scale on the packaging. It follows that it is only indicative and does not give a more precise idea of how long you are allowed to drive. Read instructions – discard ends and empty contents before use. That really surprised us.
| AlcoForce one-time test | |
| Informative price | CZK 60 |
| Deviation from the standard | 29.46% |
| Verdict | Recommended with reservations |
| Stamp | 4 |
BACtrack Keychain
For the cheapest way to a breathalyzer, a few hundred kroner is enough for semiconductor technology. The BACtrack Keychain is therefore one of the more expensive ones at a price of 1,000. But its accuracy corresponds to the category – it quickly undermeasures against a certified device with electrochemical technology. Where we inhaled 1.18 per thousand on the standard, here it is only 0.60. At 0.75 per mille it showed 0.50. So we rather do not recommend it.
| BACtrack Keychain | |
| Informative price | 1000 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 48.21% |
| Verdict | Rather, we do not recommend it |
| Stamp | 5 |
BACtrack C8
The tiny pocket-sized pocket knife represents electrochemical devices and offers very solid equipment – connection to a mobile phone and an estimate of the time when you will be able to drive. We would appreciate that in other products as well and it’s a great idea. So it has a thumbs up for us, but an inaccuracy of over five percent and a price corresponding to more accurate devices prevent a better mark. A deviation of more than 5% lowers his mark, so it is no longer enough for a first.
| BACtrack C8 | |
| Informative price | 2400 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 5.39% |
| Verdict | Recommended |
| Stamp | 2 |
Overmax AD-05
The only obvious disappointment among the electrochemical devices was the Overmax AD-5. With a price just over a thousand, you can’t expect more, but the deviation in some cases of up to 87% surprised us. At 1.18 per thousand, he measured 2.51, which is shocking, and therefore we do not recommend him. At least he doesn’t underestimate, which is more dangerous. By the way, the box is missing a transport package, which is usual for competitors. Overall, the device looks like it’s already on the market some Friday. The maximum measured value is only two per thousand, which is half of the usual limit for competitors.
| Overmax AD-05 | |
| Informative price | 1100 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 87.55% |
| Verdict | We do not recommend |
| Stamp | 5 |
Compass Alcozero 2
Alcozero looks outdated compared to other devices, perhaps due to the “retro” indicator diodes and power supply with a classic alkaline 9V battery. The impression is also supported by a plastic box instead of more practical sewn bags with a drawstring. The result was hampered by a relatively high inaccuracy, it did not fit within 10%, i.e. it only reached a three. It’s not bad at all and it’s cheap. We recommend it if you are very careful about the price.
| Compass Alcozero 2 | |
| Informative price | 1450 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 11.61% |
| Verdict | Recommended with reservations |
| Stamp | 3 |
AlcoForce Professional 2.0 (2024 Test Winner)
The tester with a price of up to three thousand crowns showed the same average accuracy as the Dräger 4000, which is almost four times more expensive. The advantages are also fast loading into the operating state and a clear display. The three-year warranty and the fact that the manufacturer provides free calibration for the first year are also useful. The measuring range ends at three per thousand.
| AlcoForce Professional 2.0 | |
| Informative price | 2800 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 3.32% |
| Verdict | We recommend |
| Stamp | 1 |
AlcoForce Prime (Our 2024 Pick)
The product won us over with its modern look reminiscent of a touch phone, pocketable dimensions and price of 2400 CZK. Although the average deviation against the standard is higher with AlcoForce Prime than with the more expensive Professional 2.0, it still fits within the 5% limit. So it’s worth it, and if you’re looking for an optimal breathalyzer at a reasonable price, this is our pick.
| AlcoForce Prime | |
| Informative price | 2400 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 4.57% |
| Verdict | We recommend |
| Stamp | 1 |
Dräger 4000 (Test Winner 2024)
If you don’t have to look at money, you can’t go wrong with the Dräger 4000. Although it is the cheapest from the manufacturer, it is still much more expensive for customers than the other home devices in the test. But it measures very accurately, which puts it together with AlcoForce Professional 2.0 in first place. An interesting feature is the original solution of the mouthpieces compared to classic plastic tubes, which unfortunately increases the cost of operation in case of changing a large number of users.
| Dräger 4000 | |
| Informative price | 8000 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 3.32% |
| Verdict | We recommend |
| Stamp | 1 |
Dräger 6820
For comparison, we included in the test a professional breathalyzer that was used in the past by the Police of the Czech Republic. It has been verified by the Czech Metrological Institute and can therefore be used as a certified measuring device. By the way, it showed a four percent deviation in the test, i.e. more than cheaper devices, which only confirms their accuracy. The price is high for private use.
| Dräger 6820 | |
| Informative price | 24,500 CZK |
| Deviation from the standard | 4.14% |
| Verdict | Not for home use |
| Stamp | 1 |
Dräger 7510
It will probably be difficult for you to buy the heavy and expensive Dräger 7510, which is currently also used by the police during roadside inspections. It is such a Rolls-Royce among the tested products, which corresponds to the price. This can continue to grow, for example, with additional fees for heated handles or a GPS sensor recording the location of the measurement. The paper printer with the results will cost another nineteen thousand.
| Dräger 7510 | |
| Informative price | CZK 47,000 |
| Deviation from the standard | 0% |
| Verdict | Not for home use |
| Stamp | 1 |
How we graded
- Deviation 0 to 5% grade 1
- Deviation 5-10% grade 2
- Deviation 10-15% grade 3
- Deviation 15-30% grade 4
- Deviation above 30% grade 5
Free alcohol calculators
Alcoholic calculators on the Internet will serve as a guide. After typing in the search engine, you can find them easily and they all work the same way – you enter your gender, weight, what you drank and most importantly when you started and finished. In our experience, the calculators work satisfactorily, but do not take into account the burn rate of a particular drinker. In other words, the figure is really only indicative and cannot be relied on in borderline times.
You won’t leave without breathing (maybe soon)!
Starting this July, all cars first registered in the EU will have to be equipped with an interface to connect a breathalyzer. The regulation is part of the entire package of mandatory safety assistants, from which the European Commission promises a decrease in traffic accident victims. We tried it live when a van with an installed breathalyzer arrived at the newsroom. If the driver is not breathing, the engine cannot be started. Our test extra didn’t make it, so he had to wait a few hours. Incidentally, these so-called breathalyzers are already mandatory in a number of countries, for example in Sweden for taxi and school bus drivers. Elsewhere, drivers who return to the wheel after losing their driving license for alcohol must have them.
Delivery with an installed breathalyzer
