Start with the work you do. A PAT tester, or portable appliance tester, measures electrical safety test results. A test and tag kit adds the tools for identifying assets, printing tags and delivering records. The right purchase depends on the appliances you test, your phone, your reporting needs and how often you return to each site.
This guide is written by Clevermode, which supplies the Clevermode PAT and Print Kit. It explains where our connected system fits and the trade-offs to check when comparing other suppliers. It is not an independent product ranking.
1. Choose the workflow before the brand
| Workflow | When to consider it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Basic tester with manual records | Occasional testing, a small asset list or a limited initial budget. | Allow time for entering measurements, writing tags and preparing records. Check whether the tester stores results. |
| Tester with on-device records or an integrated printer | You prefer a dedicated instrument and fewer phone interactions in the field. | Check data export, retest lookup, battery or mains requirements, printer consumables and desktop software costs for the exact model. |
| Phone-connected tester and wireless printer | You want asset details, QR retests and tag printing in a mobile workflow. | Confirm your phone is supported, how each device connects, how reports are created and which features require a subscription. |
These are workflow categories, not promises about every instrument in a category. Ask each supplier to demonstrate the exact tester, app and printer combination you are buying.
2. Match test functions to your appliances
Make a list of the appliance classes, extension leads and RCDs you need to test. Check the tester's instructions, ratings and included leads against that list. If your work includes 15A equipment, confirm the complete 15A testing setup rather than relying on a plug adaptor alone. Check three-phase and specialist equipment separately.
The Kyoritsu KEW6205 PRO supplied in the Clevermode kit supports Class I and Class II appliances, extension leads and RCD testing, with 15A capability using the appropriate supplied lead. The tester performs the measurements; the Clevermode app records results and manages tags and asset details.
Equipment features do not replace operator competence or the testing procedures required for your work. Use the instrument instructions and applicable requirements when deciding which tests to carry out.
3. Confirm iPhone or Android compatibility
Wireless connectivity alone does not establish phone compatibility. Check the app-store listing, supported operating system, printer model and the path that results take from tester to app to printer. A system may use Wi-Fi for one connection and Bluetooth for another.
Clevermode is available for iPhone and iPad and Android. The KEW6205 PRO sends results to the app over Wi-Fi; the phone or tablet sends tag data to the Clevermode printer over Bluetooth. You supply the compatible phone or tablet. If you keep another tester, Clevermode also supports manual result entry; automatic transfer is the KEW6205 PRO workflow.
Before ordering, confirm the current app-store requirements for the device you intend to use. Follow our Clevermode connection and setup guide to see the steps involved.
4. Check the return visit and the finished report
Ask to see a new appliance entered, its tag printed, its record reopened and a finished client report. For repeat work, check what a QR or barcode actually retrieves, whether technicians can share retest lists, and how site, building and room details appear in the export.
Clevermode provides QR retesting, shared retest checklists and CSV export. Clevermode Reports for Windows and Mac creates branded PDF reports from cloud records or CSV files. The desktop reporting workflow requires a computer. See the PDF reporting guide for the process before choosing your kit.
5. Compare the total cost, including renewals
Compare prices on the same GST basis. Include the tester, printer, required leads, phone or tablet, software renewals, replacement tags, ribbons where required, servicing and delivery. A low purchase price does not show the whole cost of running the system.
| Clevermode example | Excluding GST | Including GST |
|---|---|---|
| Kit and first 12 months of app access | $3,100 | $3,410 |
| App renewal each following year | $200 | $220 |
| Kit plus app access for three years | $3,500 | $3,850 |
The three-year example includes the kit and two annual renewals at today's prices. It excludes extra consumables, equipment servicing, delivery and your phone or computer. It is a cost illustration, not a fixed three-year price guarantee. View current prices and inclusions.
When is the Clevermode kit a suitable shortlist option?
Consider the Clevermode PAT and Print Kit if you want a KEW6205 PRO tester with automatic result transfer, iPhone or Android records, wireless QR tag printing and Windows or Mac PDF reporting. Allow for the annual app renewal after the included year, and for managing the charge and connections of separate devices.
If you prefer testing without a phone, need automatic transfer from another tester, or need specialist tests beyond the KEW6205 PRO's capabilities, compare other instrument setups before ordering. Our team can help check compatibility for the equipment and devices you already have.