# Best Stylus Force Gauges (2026) Source: https://turntablenest.com/best/stylus-force-gauges Publisher: Turntable Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://turntablenest.com/how-we-research#our-score The numbered ring on a tonearm counterweight is only a rough guide: it can be off by a tenth of a gram or more, a meaningful share of the recommended range of many cartridges. A stylus force gauge measures the actual downforce at the stylus so you can set it to the figure in the cartridge manual, usually somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 g for moving magnet designs. Three things separate good gauges from poor ones. Resolution: 0.01 g is enough for nearly everyone, 0.005 g is for fine tuning. Non-magnetic construction: a steel platform can pull on the cartridge magnets and skew the reading. Measuring height: the closer the platform sits to the height of a record surface, the closer the reading is to real playing conditions. This guide compares budget digital scales, a higher-resolution scale, a low-profile precision model, a battery-free balance and a kit that adds alignment tools. ## Picks ### 1. Riverstone Audio Precision Record Level Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge for Tonearm Phono Cartridge VTF, 0.005g Resolution (Graphite) Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Riverstone Audio VTF scale with a strain-gauge sensor, 0.005 g resolution and a detachable extension arm that measures 2 to 3 mm above the mat, close to record height. Built from non-magnetic materials. Pros: - Measures tracking force 2 to 3 mm above the mat, near the height of a record surface, for a truer reading - Strain-gauge sensor with 0.005 g resolution and multi-point factory calibration - Non-magnetic housing and extension arm limit interaction with MM and MC cartridges, plus a 3-year warranty Cons: - Roughly two to three times the price of the basic 0.01 g gauges in this guide - The detachable extension arm is one more small part to fit and keep track of Details: https://turntablenest.com/product/B076DFZDS4 ### 2. Neoteck Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge, 0.005g Precision, 0-100g Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Neoteck stylus force scale with 0.005 g resolution, stated accuracy of plus or minus 0.015 g and a non-magnetic aluminum platform. Comes with a 20 g calibration weight, spare tray and frosted cover. Pros: - 0.005 g resolution with stated accuracy of plus or minus 0.015 g for fine tracking force adjustment - Non-magnetic aluminum platform avoids interference with MM, MC and MI cartridges - Includes a 20 g calibration weight, spare tray, AAA battery and a protective frosted cover Cons: - The 0 to 100 g capacity marks it as a general-purpose scale, and the listing does not give the platform height - Adjustable units and auto-off settings add menu steps compared with a simple one-button gauge Details: https://turntablenest.com/product/B08NSQ7FC2 ### 3. Proster Turntable Stylus Scale 5g/0.01g Non-Magnetic Gauge MM/MC/MI Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Proster 0.01 g stylus scale with a 5 g range, a non-magnetic sensor and stainless steel platform, a blue backlit LCD and a carry bag. A budget gauge that spells out its non-magnetic design. Pros: - Non-magnetic sensor and platform, stated to avoid reading errors caused by cartridge magnets - 0.01 g resolution across a 5 g range for MM, MC and MI cartridges - Large blue backlit LCD, auto-off after 2 minutes and four button batteries included Cons: - No calibration weight is mentioned in the listing, so accuracy cannot be checked out of the box - The listing gives no platform height, so the reading may be taken above record level Details: https://turntablenest.com/product/B06XP27LCR ### 4. Neoteck Digital Turntable Stylus Force Gauge 0.01g/5.00g with Blue LCD Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10) Neoteck digital stylus force gauge with 0.01 g resolution, a 5 g capacity and a blue backlit LCD. A low-cost way to check tracking force against the counterweight dial. Pros: - 0.01 g resolution over a 0 to 5 g range, which covers the tracking force of home hi-fi and DJ cartridges - Zero setting and automatic shutoff after 2 minutes of inactivity - Blue backlit LCD stays readable in the dim light around a turntable, with six unit options Cons: - The feature list does not state that the platform is non-magnetic, which matters with strong cartridge magnets - Sold in several near-identical color versions, which makes the model lineup confusing Details: https://turntablenest.com/product/B01HRJ9NAY ### 5. Stylus Force Gauge,0.01g Digital Scale with Turntable Alignment Kit Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) ALLmeter 0.01 g digital stylus force gauge bundled with a VTA ruler, overhang protractor, calibration weight and carry case. One purchase covers tracking force and basic cartridge alignment. Pros: - Includes an overhang protractor and VTA ruler, so tracking force and alignment are covered by one kit - 0.01 g resolution with tare and zero functions and six measurement units - Comes with a calibration weight, 4 LR43 batteries and a protective carry case Cons: - The protractor and ruler duplicate tools you may already own from a cartridge alignment kit - A lesser-known brand, and the listing mentions an extra stylus without saying what it fits Details: https://turntablenest.com/product/B0F4MN8Q9H ### 6. Ortofon Stylus Pressure Gauge Our score: 7.0/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Ortofon stylus pressure gauge: a small plastic pivot-type balance that measures tracking force from 1.25 to 4 g. No batteries or display, just a quick mechanical check. Pros: - Pivot balance design needs no batteries and has no electronics to fail - Measures from 1.25 to 4 g, covering the range of most moving magnet and DJ cartridges - Made by a cartridge manufacturer and small enough to live in the turntable drawer Cons: - A printed balance scale cannot match the 0.01 g readout of a digital gauge - Will not measure below 1.25 g, so it is no use for very low tracking force cartridges Details: https://turntablenest.com/product/B0028O8008 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.