There are a number of worthwhile testers other than a $1000.00 Hickok 539c if you know what information you wil receive.
Almost any tube tester (rather than an O'scope) will NOT give tube traces or test at actual use voltage. What you WILL get is a reliable indication of whether a particular tube is DOA. Further, and most important, even a lower cost tester will enable you to "match" numerous tubes to each other, even if not particularly accurately to some exact standard. Do not underestimate the usefulness of this later benefit. It is at least as important to have tubes that are not wildly out of sync with each other (especially in a push-pull pair)than it is to know whether a particular tube is at 95 or 98% of spec.
Most testers will test 7-9 pin mini tubes such as the 12xx7, or 6dj8.
I have had good luck with the Eico 667, and the B&Ks such as the 606 or 700 for inexpensive testers. The B&Ks are particularly easy to use with their multiple sockets.
Almost any tube tester (rather than an O'scope) will NOT give tube traces or test at actual use voltage. What you WILL get is a reliable indication of whether a particular tube is DOA. Further, and most important, even a lower cost tester will enable you to "match" numerous tubes to each other, even if not particularly accurately to some exact standard. Do not underestimate the usefulness of this later benefit. It is at least as important to have tubes that are not wildly out of sync with each other (especially in a push-pull pair)than it is to know whether a particular tube is at 95 or 98% of spec.
Most testers will test 7-9 pin mini tubes such as the 12xx7, or 6dj8.
I have had good luck with the Eico 667, and the B&Ks such as the 606 or 700 for inexpensive testers. The B&Ks are particularly easy to use with their multiple sockets.