An alcohol breathalyzer is the best device to detect blood alcohol levels. Having a personal breathalyzer is better to enable self-checking and also to deter drinking habits in your teens. However, it is necessary to know how to purchase an alcohol breathalyzer.
Consider your need of an alcohol breathalyzer. Determine if you need it to use once or twice, or for an extended period. A mini breathalyzer is enough if you wish to use it once or twice. Certain models in the form of key chain are available, which are designed for single use and are disposable. However, if you plan to use it for an extended period of time, then it is better to purchase a larger one which can be re-calibrated for reuse.
Different technologies such as electrochemical fuel cell technology, infrared spectrophotometry, and semiconductor technology are used in alcohol breathalyzers. Know how they work. Check the reliability of various breathalyzers using these different technologies. It is very much important to consider reliability and cost of the breathalyzer. More often, devices with higher reliability are costlier. Certain cheaper devices are available in the market, however, they may not be reliable. So, it is needed to choose a breathalyzer considering its reliability.
Also, you should check the performance of the device such as digital readout for the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Various devices display the BAC levels in various ways. Certain models show digital display with yellow, red, and green lights. A red colored result indicates very high levels of BAC dangerous for driving. Better consider these tips and make a right choice of breathalyzer for yourself.