Quick Verdict
When you're shopping for a data acquisition recorder, the first fork in the road is often flexibility versus focus. Onset's HOBO line offers two LCD-equipped options that look similar from the outside, but they serve different monitoring jobs. One is a 4-channel analog data logger that can track temperature, humidity, voltage, current, and more; the other is a plug load data logger engineered for power and energy monitoring via an external sensor. The $15 gap between them-$144 for the 4-channel model and $129 for the plug load model-is small, but the functional gap is what really matters.
If you need to measure multiple parameters at once, the Onset HOBO UX120-006M gives you four channels and a wide list of supported measurements, including temperature, humidity, voltage, current, carbon dioxide, power, and pulse/event. If your project is specifically about how much power a device consumes, the Onset HOBO UX120-018 is the more direct tool with its plug load design and external sensor, and it carries a lower listed price. Both are new open-box units with LCD displays and USB connectivity, so the choice comes down to the breadth of data you need to capture.
Comparison Table
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar | Channels | Measurements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onset HOBO UX120-006M | USD 144.00 | 4 | Temperature, Electricity Usage, Humidity, Voltage, Current, Carbon Dioxide, Power, Pulse/Event | |
| Onset HOBO UX120-018 | USD 129.00 | 1 | Power/Energy Consumption via External Sensor |
Where Each Wins
Choose the UX120-006M for multi-parameter logging
With four channels, you can connect and record temperature, humidity, voltage, current, carbon dioxide, power, or pulse/event signals in the same logging session. That makes it a better fit for business or industrial testing where you need to compare different inputs side by side. The 4-channel breadth is the standout feature.
Choose the UX120-018 for dedicated power/energy monitoring
This plug load data logger is purpose-built for measuring power and energy consumption with an external sensor. Its single-channel design keeps the focus on the plug load you want to track, and it skips the broader set of parameters that the 4-channel model covers.
Product Notes
Onset HOBO 4-Channel Analog Data Logger, UX120-006M LCD Display
The UX120-006M pairs a USB interface with an LCD display, allowing you to view data on the device. Its four channels accept a range of input types, including temperature, electricity usage, humidity, voltage, current, carbon dioxide, power, and pulse/event. That breadth is the standout reason to choose it: you can assemble a multi-sensor setup and record everything in one place. The trade-off is that all that versatility requires you to think about which inputs to assign to each channel. If your only goal is to watch a single plug load, the four-channel capability is more than the task demands.
READ Onset HOBO UX120-018 HOBO Plug Load Data Logger w/ LCD Display
The UX120-018 is a plug load data logger with an LCD display, a USB connection, and a single channel. It is designed specifically to measure power and energy consumption through an external sensor, so it feels more targeted when you're monitoring an appliance or piece of equipment. The single channel keeps the setup straightforward, and the Country of Origin is the United States. The limitation is clear: you won't be logging temperature, humidity, or other environmental signals with this unit. If your job is strictly about energy usage, the dedicated plug load design is a clean fit; if you need broader data acquisition, this is not the tool.
Final Choice by Use Case
Use the UX120-006M when you need multi-channel, multi-parameter data acquisition, such as logging temperature and humidity alongside voltage or current. Use the UX120-018 when you want to zero in on power/energy consumption of a specific plug load with a single external sensor. Both are Onset HOBO data loggers with LCD readouts and USB connectivity, but the right choice depends entirely on whether your project demands breadth or focus.
