Best Air Conditioning Leak Detection Tools of 2025

"I was initially skeptical, but the Elitech HLD-200 Plus proved invaluable in diagnosing my A/C issue with my '03 Taurus. It quickly detected two worn valve cores, and after installing OEM replacements, our A/C is now blasting 48-degree air! I’m really glad I decided to give it a shot."

"Unboxing was a delight with this product—batteries included and an extra tip! After turning it on and adjusting the sensitivity, it was ready in seconds. I tested an active leak I was already aware of, and it picked it up immediately. As a former Master technician, I can confidently say it performs just as well as higher-end models."

"I had high hopes for this detector, but it didn't perform as expected. I tried to locate an R22 leak in my home HVAC system, and it found nothing. A friend with a more expensive model discovered the leak quickly. I also tested it on my car, where it failed to alert me to a clear leak near the compressor. Overall, I can't recommend it."

"The light and glasses are well-made and easy to use overall. I noticed the glasses seem to cut out UV light, as the purple light appears warm yellow when using them. However, I’m not completely sure if that means the UV is eliminated; I’d need a spectrometer to confirm. The UV light feels a bit too strong for working under the engine bay. I think using a 12 or 21 LED light would be better for finding oil leaks. Having the light reflect off the engine while my face is just a foot away isn’t ideal. I felt my eyes were a little worn out after about 10-15 minutes of use over an hour. The light shines well from about 15-20 feet away."

"It works as advertised! The dye is very bright and easily noticeable under UV light."

"Unfortunately, this UV light barely lights up enough to detect oil leaks in my car. I found its performance to be lacking and underpowered, so I decided to return it."

“I found this kit to be fantastic for various leak detections. The UV light is very durable and well-built, making it easy to pinpoint issues. However, the instructions could have been clearer about which dye to use for power steering fluid.”

“When I used this on my 1974 Dodge Charger, it helped me discover a tiny leak caused by a mistake I made while crimping a line. This made my job much easier than expected!”

"The first time I used this, I found the leak with no problem in the AC system."

"I noticed the light is not very bright at all, making it hard to use in a lit or sunny environment."

"I found this tool to be invaluable for detecting leaks in my A/C system. It quickly verified that my under-hood piping was intact and led me to the elusive leak in the evaporator core that other methods missed. The manual could use some clarity, but using the device is straightforward—it's like a Geiger counter for refrigerant leaks!"

"For the price, this tool has proven to be a great value. I had a slow leak in my R134A system that it couldn't locate, but it easily detected refrigerant from a service port. I recommend reading the instructions thoroughly, as it needs to be calibrated in the right environment for best results. Overall, it's a solid investment for DIY repairs!"

"I purchased this leak detector as a backup tool, and it has been handy over the past two years. It effectively senses 410A refrigerant, but recently it has shown some erratic behavior. I cleaned the sensing tip, and I'm aware that I can order a replacement if needed. Despite this, I've been very satisfied with my purchase!"

"I found this product to be excellent! After struggling to locate a slow propane leak, I tried various methods, including soap and water. This product helped me identify the small leak quickly. I was initially worried it might be too watery, but it has just the right viscosity to cling effectively without obscuring the leak."

"I typically purchase this product at my local HVAC store, but I discovered it was much cheaper here! I will definitely continue to order from this site!"

"I used this for a car tire leak, and it's amazing how the super bubbles found the leak quickly. Just a heads up, it did leave a little stain on my driveway, but the effectiveness makes it worth it!"

"I found a coolant leak in my car that I couldn't locate before. After adding the dye, I waited a few days and finally saw the leak shine brightly with my black light flashlight. It was a simple fix with a hose clamp!"

"This product is worth every penny! It helped me track down oil and radiator fluid leaks easily. I used to pour a whole bottle in, but now I know that just a little does the trick. The black light makes everything obvious!"

"I had a slow leak in my cooling system that was hard to find. After using the dye, I spotted a tiny leak from a loose hose clamp. I tightened it up, and after driving around, I found no more dye. It saved me a lot of hassle!"

"I was thrilled when I sprayed this product and saw yellow bubbles appearing right away. It works like a charm!"

"After trying everything, I finally found a micro leak in my boat after over-inflating and applying this spray. I couldn't believe it worked after a week of searching!"

"The leak detector liquid is great! It reveals air leaks very clearly, although I did have some trouble with the leaky spray bottle."

"I'm a big fan of this product. I've been using it for a while, and I find it easy to use. My only issue is really with the directions included; to be honest, they're not great."

"I had a suspicion of a leak in my air conditioner, and this dye helped me detect the leak immediately. It worked better than the sniffer I tried."

"I haven’t used the product yet since I don’t have a UV light, but I have to say the shipping was fast and everything was packaged well. I believe it will work once I get to use it."

"I have used this light a few times with UV dye to find coolant leaks on cars. It works best in low light conditions and makes the dye stand out, helping me locate leaks easily. The light alone is effective without needing glasses. I highly recommend it for finding leaks!"

"I got the REALHUNLEE AC Leak Detector Flashlight to find leaks in my HVAC system, and this thing is amazing! The flashlight is incredibly powerful, making it easy to spot leaks even in bright light. The military-grade aluminum construction feels solid, and I appreciate the non-slip grip. Overall, it's a must-have for anyone needing to find HVAC leaks!"

"I purchased this light to locate my car A/C leak after using the AC UV Dye Leak Detector Refrigerant. It worked great to pinpoint the leak. The light is bright, sturdy, and the included glasses are a nice safety feature. I'm very satisfied with my purchase!"