Data as of Jul 25, 2026 · Based on 332 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Pick the product that matches your use: 
Brands AI recommends here
Best when you need reliable, high-precision UVB and UV index readings for reptile care or precise exposure checks; Solarmeter units are industry-standard, but they are specialized meters rather than tiny wearables.
Best for people wanting continuous, smartphone-linked personal UV tracking; Shade radiometers are highly sensitive wearables for skin‑health monitoring, though they target exposure tracking rather than lab measurements.
Best for industrial or lab workflows needing data logging and spectral filtration—use ILT800 for UV curing and sterilization monitoring; it’s a professional instrument, not a low-cost consumer meter.
Best when you require lab-grade UV/Vis spectrophotometry for precise wavelength analysis and research; PerkinElmer is a full spectrophotometer, so it’s overkill for simple field checks.
WearshadeSource | Citation share |
|---|---|
Comparison of wearable UV sensorshttps://www.wearshade.com/articles/comparison-of-wearable-uv-sensors | 6.0% |
 How to Select the Best UV Light Meter For Your Application | International Light Technologieshttps://internationallight.com/blog/how-select-best-uv-light-meter-your-application | 4.6% |
 UV Sensor suggestions? For use measuring reptile enclosure ...https://forum.arduino.cc/t/uv-sensor-suggestions-for-use-measuring-reptile-enclosure-uvb-uva/1410659 | 4.5% |
 10 Best UV Testers 2021 - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch | 2.3% |
Wearable UV sensor - with the National Cancer Institutehttps://www.wearshade.com/ | 2.2% |
Comparison of wearable UV sensorshttps://www.wearshade.com/articles/comparison-of-wearable-uv-sensors | 2.0% |
Shade UV sensor Reviewshttps://www.wearshade.com/reviews | 1.9% |
 UV Sensors Selection Guide: Types, Features, Applicationshttps://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/optics_optical_components/optoelectronics/uv_sensors | 1.9% |
 Which UV sensor should I purchase–UVA or UVB? – Technical Information Libraryhttps://www.vernier.com/til/3008 | 1.6% |
 UV Monitoring Sensors: A Must-Have for Weather Enthusiasts — Davis Instrumentshttps://www.davisinstruments.com/products/uv-sensor | 1.5% |
If you mean a UV sensor for an electronics project (ESP32/Arduino/Raspberry Pi), my pick depends on what you want to measure:
$35.91
The ams OSRAM AS7331 is the most capable of the inexpensive embedded sensors I found. It has three separate channels for UVA, UVB, and UVC, rather than trying to infer UV from a single broad-band photodiode. That's a big advantage if you care about actual spectral information rather than just a rough UV level.
The VEML6075 is still an excellent choice if your goal is sunlight/UV Index monitoring. It has separate UVA and UVB channels, digital I²C output, and calibration registers intended for UV-Index calculations.
One caveat: experimental testing has found that inexpensive UV sensors—including the VEML6075—can have significant angle-of-incidence and calibration errors, so the optical diffuser/enclosure and calibration matter almost as much as the sensor itself.
$10.30
The LTR390 is a good modern, inexpensive choice for a weather station, wearable, or ESP32 project. It provides digital output and can measure UV as well as ambient light.
| Sensor | Best for | My take |
|---|---|---|
| AS7331 | UVA/UVB/UVC measurement | ⭐ Best overall |
| VEML6075 | Outdoor UV Index | ⭐ Best for sunlight |
| LTR390 | Low-cost projects | ⭐ Best value |
| ML8511 | Simple Arduino projects | Good, but dated |
| GUVA-S12SD | Very cheap UV detection | Basic/rough measurement |
If you're building a device to measure the UV Index from sunlight, I'd choose the VEML6075. If you need the most capable spectral UV measurement, I'd choose the AS7331.
If you tell me what you're measuring (sunlight, UV-C sterilizer, reptile lamp, 3D-printer resin curing, skin exposure, etc.) and what microcontroller you're using, I can narrow it down to the exact sensor/module I'd buy.
The "best" UV sensor depends entirely on your project's application, budget, and what specific ultraviolet wavelengths you need to measure.
To help narrow down the ideal option, tell me:
The "best" UV sensor depends heavily on your application—whether you are building a simple sun-exposure monitor, a professional weather station, or tracking specific UVC germicidal sterilization wavelengths.
The top-rated UV sensors on the market categorized by use case include:
If you can share what your project or application is (e.g., an Arduino weather station, testing a UVC sterilizer lamp, or a portable sunburn warning device), I can recommend the exact sensor and wiring setup that fits best.
If you mean the best UV sensor for measuring sunlight / UV Index in an electronics project, my pick today is the LTR390-UV-01.
$10.25
| Sensor | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| LTR390-UV-01 | General sunlight/UV Index projects | ⭐ Best overall |
| AS7331 | High-quality spectral UV measurement | ⭐ Best for advanced/research projects |
| GUVA-S12SD | Cheap analog UV measurement | ⭐ Best budget option |
| VEML6075 | UVA + UVB + calculated UVI | Good, but obsolete/discontinued |
Why LTR390? It provides digital I²C output, covers roughly 280–430 nm, has high sensitivity, and is readily available in current breakout boards.
If you need actual UVA/UVB spectral information rather than simply a UV Index, I'd step up to the AS7331:
$35.75
It has separate UVA, UVB, and UVC channels, making it substantially more useful for serious measurement work.
The VEML6075 used to be a favorite because it directly measures UVA and UVB and calculates UV Index, but it has been discontinued, so I wouldn't start a new design around it.
If you tell me what you're building (Arduino/ESP32, wearable, weather station, UV-C lamp monitor, sunscreen/skin exposure, etc.), I can recommend the specific sensor and breakout board I'd use.
If you mean a UV sensor for an electronics project (Arduino/ESP32/Raspberry Pi), my pick is the LTR390.
$6.49
LTR390 — best overall
VEML6075 — best if you specifically want UVA + UVB channels
$19.99
Important distinction: If you're trying to measure actual UV Index accurately enough for health/sun-exposure decisions, I wouldn't rely on a cheap breakout board alone. Calibration, optical window material, sensor angle, and spectral response matter considerably.
If you tell me what you're using the UV sensor for (ESP32 weather station, UV Index meter, reptile enclosure, UV-C lamp, solar monitoring, etc.), I can recommend the exact sensor and breakout board.
The "best" UV sensor depends entirely on your application—whether you are building an electronics project (like an Arduino or Raspberry Pi weather station), monitoring reptile habitats, or looking for scientific-grade precision.
The top-rated UV sensors on the market are categorized below by their best use cases:
Best Overall / Modern Digital Sensor: Adafruit LTR390 UV Light Sensor Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (~$5)
Best Multi-Band (UVA / UVB / UVC) Sensor: SparkFun Spectral UV Sensor - AS7331 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (~$28)
Best Budget Analog Sensor: Adafruit Analog UV Light Sensor Breakout - GUVA-S12SD Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (~$7)
Best for Reptile Enclosures: Solarmeter (such as the Solarmeter Model 6.5R Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ) (~$200+)
To help narrow down the best choice, what hardware or project are you planning to use the UV sensor with (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, standalone meter), and what specific wavelength or environment are you trying to measure?
The "best" UV sensor depends heavily on your use case, ranging from micro-controller hobbyist projects to professional weather tracking or reptile enclosure monitoring . The top options on the market fall into distinct categories based on application and budget.
Best Budget / Maker UV Sensors (Arduino & Raspberry Pi)
Best Weather Station UV Sensor
Retailing around $380 to $464 , this outdoor-grade sensor measures global solar UV irradiance matching the Erythema Action human health spectrum . It is built with convection cooling housing and is widely considered the gold standard for home and professional Vantage Pro2 weather station setups.
Best Specialized & Reptile UV Meter
Solarmeter Model 6.5R Costing around $200 to $230 , this NIST-traceable digital radiometer is specifically tailored and trusted by reptile hobbyists and veterinarians to measure the Ferguson zones and check UVB output in animal enclosures.
If you tell me what specific application you need the UV sensor for (such as a weather station, a reptile habitat, resin 3D printer calibration, or a microcontroller project), I can recommend the exact model and wiring/setup guide for your needs.
If you mean an electronic UV sensor for an Arduino/ESP32/Raspberry Pi project, my pick depends on what you need:
The Vishay VEML6075 is my choice if you want a proper UV Index measurement. It has separate UVA and UVB channels, 16-bit resolution, I²C output, and calibration information for calculating UV Index.
$19.99
The Lite-On LTR390 is excellent for ESP32/Arduino projects and measures UV plus ambient light digitally over I²C. It's inexpensive and readily available on breakout boards.
$9.50
If you're doing scientific measurements or UV lamps, I'd step up to the ams OSRAM AS7331. It has separate UVA, UVB, and UVC channels rather than being primarily an outdoor UV-index sensor.
$35.65
My quick ranking:
| Sensor | Best for | My rating |
|---|---|---|
| VEML6075 | UV Index / sunlight | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LTR390 | ESP32/Arduino, inexpensive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| AS7331 | UVA/UVB/UVC research | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| GUVA-S12SD | Very cheap/basic detection | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| ML8511 | Basic analog UV measurement | ⭐⭐⭐ |
If you tell me what you're measuring (sunlight/UV index, UV-C lamp, 365 nm UV, tanning lamp, curing resin, etc.) and what controller you're using, I can tell you the exact best sensor and breakout board.
The "best" UV sensor depends on what you're trying to measure. Here's what I'd recommend by application:
Best overall: AS7331
This is currently one of the most capable UV sensors available.
$47.00
Why it's the best:
If you're measuring sunlight or weather conditions rather than individual UV bands:
$9.50
Advantages:
For accurate handheld UV Index readings:
$249.00
This is widely used for:
The GUVA-S12SD is inexpensive and works well for basic sunlight detection, but it's an analog sensor with lower accuracy and cannot distinguish UVA, UVB, and UVC.
| Use case | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Highest accuracy UV sensing | AS7331 |
| Weather station | LTR390 |
| Arduino learning project | LTR390 or GUVA-S12SD |
| Scientific/research | AS7331 |
| Professional handheld meter | Solarmeter 6.5R |
If you tell me what you're building (weather station, UV sterilizer monitor, sunlight detector, wearable, drone, etc.), I can recommend the sensor that's the best fit for your project.
The "best" UV sensor depends heavily on what you are trying to measure (UVA, UVB, UVC, or overall UV Index) and your project’s complexity. For most general-purpose and microcontroller projects (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi), digital I2C sensors are vastly superior to older analog ones because they feature integrated compensation for visible and infrared light.
The top options on the market categorized by application include:
To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:
