What are you testing? If you are just checking cable continuity, then go for an almost disposable tester like the one you mention. Buy a couple, try and look after them, but don't worry too much if they get lost or broken. Next step up is one that will measure cable length. Very useful in working out where a break is in a cable, or more usually, which end has a bad RJ45 crimp! I'm told by a colleague that these aren't bad, and just a little more useful than the basic models. After that, your next step is into devices that do all of the above, probably have multiple cable identifiers, and can ping IP addresses and pick up an IP address from a DHCP server, which is very useful for checking that your devices are on the correct VLAN. Personally I use the older version of the Fluke Linkrunner Finally, do you need to verify and certify cables? My old fluke can't certify cable, I use a separate Fluke for that, but the newer version of the Microscanner 2 will do it.