Abstract: The common dose rate meter mainly detects γ ray with energy above 50 keV. The hemisphere CdZnTe detector has good detective efficiency and energy resolution for low energy X ray and γ ray. The capability of multi-function dose rate meter based on hemisphere CdZnTe detector was discussed from aspects including detectable energy range, energy resolution, environmental applicability and angle response. Except angle response，other aspects show that multi-function dose rate meter based on hemisphere CdZnTe detector has more advantages than common dose rate meter (such as the ionization chamber, etc.) in area monitoring. The hemisphere CdZnTe detector not only can measure ambient dose equivalent rate but also can identify nuclides. In order to improve the angle response, the solution by using two CdZnTe detectors to share anode was given in this paper.