Smartphone Devices Can Tell When You're Wasted

Smartphone attachments that measure blood alcohol have become a hot new trend, but critics question whether they're accurate or merely fun conversation starters. To answer this question, Popular Mechanics conducted a test that involved a bottle of Michter's Straight Rye Whiskey and a few willing participants. While it was all in the name of science, we're sure they had a fun time figuring out if smartphone breathalyzers are as precise as devices used by police.

CONTROL: BACTRACK S80 Pro Breathalyzer
(used by police)

REGISTERED BAC AFTER 1 DRINK: .02  |  REGISTERED BAC AFTER 2 DRINKS: .05

TESTED: Breathometer  | Cost $49

REGISTERED BAC AFTER 1 DRINK: .02  |  REGISTERED BAC AFTER 2 DRINKS: .05

TESTED: Alcohoot  |  Cost $119

REGISTERED BAC AFTER 1 DRINK: .019  |  REGISTERED BAC AFTER 2 DRINKS: .043

*Each drink was 1.5 ounces. It's illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

While these are not the only smartphone breathalyzers on the market, they are two of the most popular; just do a Google search and they'll be right at the top. When analyzing each, PopMech found these key differences:

• Alcohoot is over twice as expensive as Breathometer
• Alcohoot provides a three-decimal reading for blood alcohol content (BAC), while the Breathometer only provides two
• When it comes to breathing in to each device, Alcohoot features a tube rather than a hole like Breathometer
• Breathometer requires users to log in to access the app, unlike Alcohoot which does not
• Breathometer comes with a Call a Cab feature, unlike Alcohoot which connects users to Uber instead
• Breathometer can estimate when you will be sober
• Alcohoot features a graph function that shows you how fast you're getting drunk or "turnt up"
• Alcohoot features a restaurant locator tool

While PopMech's editors concluded that "both devices are accurate," we'd like to advise shoppers to do their own research and read more reviews about these and other similar products before making an investment. We'd also like to remind everyone out there to drink responsibly.