Collection: Health & Beauty > Breathalysers

A personal breathalyser, or breath alcohol tester, estimates blood alcohol concentration from a breath sample. Before anything else, the critical point: a personal breathalyser must never be used to judge your fitness to drive. A breathalyzer is for general awareness only, and the reading they give cannot tell you that driving is safe or legal. If you have been drinking and intend to drive, the reliable approach is not to drive at all.

Why shouldn't you use a breathalyser to decide to drive?

Several things make a personal reading unreliable for that decision. Alcohol continues to be absorbed after your last drink, so your blood alcohol can still be rising and a later reading can be higher than the one you took. Consumer devices are not evidential instruments like those police use, and readings vary with sensor type, calibration drift, temperature and technique. Mouth alcohol from a recent drink, mouthwash or reflux can distort a result badly. Impairment also affects people differently and does not track a number precisely. A low reading is not evidence you are safe or under the limit.

What are the legal limits in Australia?

Australia has a general limit of 0.05 blood alcohol concentration for full licence holders, but many drivers must be at zero — learner, provisional and probationary drivers, and drivers of heavy vehicles, taxis, rideshare and public passenger vehicles, among others. Requirements vary between states and territories, so check the rules that apply where you drive and to your licence class. Penalties are significant and include loss of licence. Importantly, a personal device's reading has no legal standing, and police testing uses calibrated evidential equipment. The only reliable way to be under a zero requirement is to not drink.

How reliable is an alcohol breath test at home?

A home alcohol breath test gives an estimate, not a reliable measure. Sensor type, calibration, temperature, technique and mouth alcohol all shift the result, and consumer units are not evidential instruments. Never treat a home reading as confirmation you are under any limit.

How do you use a breathalyser correctly?

If using one for general awareness, technique affects the result. Wait at least 15 to 20 minutes after your last drink, cigarette, mouthwash or food before testing, since mouth alcohol distorts readings badly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for blowing steadily for the required duration. Sensors drift over time, so devices need recalibration at the interval the maker specifies, and an uncalibrated unit can read well off. Take more than one reading if you're testing at all. Tip: treat every reading as an estimate, never a clearance to drive.

Common questions

Can I use a breathalyser to check if I can drive?
No. Personal breathalysers must never be used to judge fitness to drive. Alcohol can still be absorbing, readings vary, and consumer devices aren't evidential. If you've been drinking, don't drive.

Why can a reading rise after I stop drinking?
Alcohol continues being absorbed into the bloodstream after your last drink, so your concentration can keep climbing for some time afterwards. A later test can read higher than an earlier one.

What is the legal limit in Australia?
Generally 0.05 for full licence holders, but learner, provisional, heavy vehicle, taxi and rideshare drivers must be at zero. Rules vary by state and licence class, so check your local requirements.

Do breathalysers need calibration?
Yes — sensors drift over time and need recalibration at the manufacturer's stated interval. An uncalibrated device can read significantly off, in either direction.

Can I pay for a breathalyser with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our breathalysers start from $25, which is four fortnightly payments of $6.25.

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A $25 breathalyser splits into four fortnightly payments of $6.25 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.