A moisture meter measures the percentage of water in a given substance. This help readily determines whether the object is able for use or not and can suitably avoid problems associated with the different moisture content. These units compare the weight of water within the wood to its over-dry weight.
The following article lists the best moisture meters you can buy today.
10. GoerTek Moisture Meter ($15.99)
Measure range : 0 – 99.9%; Resolution : 0.1% ; Accuracy: ±0.5%. Two integrated pins(6.10mm/0.4in) into the wood to assure the highest accuracy of your measured moisture readings. Four measured wood species for you select:
A is for Teak, Afrormosia, Walnut, etc.
B is for White Poplar, Keruing, etc.
C is for Lauan, Ash, Elm, etc.
D is for Basswood, Larch, Pine, etc.
HD Digital LCD to clearly show the measurement, Hold the current data.The power supply is one 9V battery (Included) and auto power off functions. This instrument is a conductivity moisture meter specially designed for the wood industry. It’s used to measure the water content of wooden, fibrous objects, such as wood ware, bamboo ware, cotton, tobacco, paper, carton, medicinal materials, etc.
The package comes with
- 1* Digital Moisture Meter
- 1*9V battery
- 1*English Operation Manual
“Fast shipping and easy to use! Bought to measure reclaimed barn wood so can monitor moisture level before milling for projects. Tested several pieces of red oak and yellow pine that were stored protected outdoors and in the dry workshop. All readings were as expected, 15-18% for wood stored in a barn and 6-8% for wood that has been in the workshop for years. Great investment to make sure the wood moisture stabilised before starting projects.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
9. Extech Moisture Meter ($49.99)
This is Extech’s small pin moisture meter. Displays moisture level in wood and building materials such as wallboard, sheet rock, cardboard, plaster, concrete and mortar. Audible Alert – tonne rate beeps faster as the moisture level increasesIcons display low, medium and high levels of moisture content. Easy-to-use, compact-sized design. Data Hold. Freezes are reading on screen. The MO50 shows moisture level in wood and building materials such as wallboard, sheet rock, cardboard, plaster, concrete and mortar. Built-in Performance TestConvenient Battery CheckTwo operating modes accurate readings easy to read display
“Clear instructions and easy to use. The points are sharp, so it is easy to use, even in an awkward position in the crawlspace. The ability to lock the reading enables you to take a measurement without seeing the face.
A bit expensive for occasional use, but the trade-off is you can trust the reading.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
8. Tramex Moisture Meter ($396.00)
This is Tramex’s moisture encounter plus moisture meter and displays a broad range of readings for wood from 5 to 30%. It has three ranges of sensitivity, i.e., wood and timber, drywall and roofing, plaster and brick. This unit makes the moisture measurements fast and precise. The unit features wide range of readings for wood from 5% to 30% and allows deep signal penetration to over 1″ into the materials being tested without the need to damage the surface.
“Easy to use and understand. Has a new Hold button so you can put the meter under something where you can’t see the face of the meter. Push the hold button and the reading doesn’t change when you take it off the surface. Push-Hold again to release the reading.
I have earlier versions that I paid twice as much for, and like this one better.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
7. Amprobe Moisture Meter ($47.00)
This is Amprobe’s moisture meter and measures the moisture content of materials such paper, lumber, sheetrock, concrete, and plaster. This unit measures wood and paper moisture from 8 to 60 percent, building material moisture from 0.3 to 2.0 percent, and temperatures from 32 to 99 degrees F (0 to 40 degrees C).Accuracy for testing wood or paper is + or – 2 percent, efficiency for building materials is + or – 0.1 percent, and accuracy for temperature is + or – 2 degrees F (1 degree C). Three LED lights provide quick moisture indication; a backlight supports operation in low-light areas. It has a low-battery indicator, and auto-power off. Requires 9V battery (installed), and complies with European Directives and relevant Australian standards.
“I needed to get an inexpensive moisture probe to check some baseboards and other areas in a basement. This one seemed to fit the bill. I do electrical work so I have used other Amp probe products and have been happy with them. This unit does just fine I can probe areas that I suspect has moisture in wood or sheetrock to make sure I do not get mould problem and run a dehydrator to take care of any problems.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
6. Lignomat USA, LTD Moisture Meter ($100.27)
This is Lignomat USA, LTD moisture meter with a measuring range of 6-45%. The unit has built-in calibration and features a measuring depth of 3/16″ and 7/16″. The bright red numeric display makes taking accurate error-free readings easier. Just press the pins into the wood and the meter automatically turns on to provide a reading. Features a wide moisture range of 6-45. It is small enough for professional furniture/cabinet makers and hardwood floor installers and high sufficiently for construction-grade lumber, firewood, and wood turning blanks. Includes
- Two standard 3/16″ pins, two 7/16″ pins for taking deeper core readings
- Wrist strap
- Pouch
- 9V battery
Extra pins are stored inside the meter. Measures approximately 2-3/4″ x 5″ x 1″ and weighs 8 ounces (200g). Made from high-impact plastic.
“I needed a moisture meter as part of a home restoration project, but didn’t feel like spending a fortune or getting a cheap product that would yield questionable results. I selected this item as a compromise and have not been disappointed. The meter is dead simple to use. Set the meter to the appropriate scale (2 or 3) using the included wood species card, insert the meter probes, and check the readout. That’s it. It takes about 2 seconds to get a reading, and you are on your way. I tested the meter on fir, pine, cedar, oak, maple and walnut. While I could not determine if the meter was 100% accurate since this was my only meter the readings were consistent with expected values (the cedar was fresh cut, the pine was firewood kept outdoors, and the others had been well seasoned indoors). The probes were very sharp and entered the wood with ease in all but the walnut which required a bit more effort due to the hardness. The probes will leave two small holes when penetrating the wood, but the reading is going to be more accurate and less expensive than surface readers that I reviewed before purchase. My only recommendation is to go to the Lignomat website and consider the various models to match your particular use. This E/D model is best for the general purpose or around the house woodwork (testing lumber for furniture, firewood, framing, fencing, etc.), but other options will be more suitable for construction trades or if you run you’re our small kiln. Since all of the models are based on the same design, I’m sure all of them will work just as well as this one.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
5. Risepro Moisture Meter ($15.98)
“This is Risepro’s wood moisture meter. This unit adopts a direct and accurate method to measure the moisture level by penetrating two sharp pins. This smart instrument can base on your selected materials with applying the correction factors and provide you with the most accurate readings. The unit has a measuring range: 0 – 99.9%, resolution of 0.1% and accuracy of +/-0.5%. You can display and hold, and the figure is shown in the large and bright 1.7 inches (4.25mm) LCD screen. It automatically powers off after 15 minutes and runs on a 9V battery(not included. )” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
4. Dr.Meter Moisture Meter ($29.99)
This is Dr Meter’s digital display moisture meter. The unit features a measuring range of 5%-40%, accuracy: +/-1% and can store the retrieved data in the memory. It has low power indicator modular sensor pins. You can select 2-pin or 4-pin sensor. It also features a LED display and audible alarms. Ideal for use in woodworking, building construction, agriculture industries and for locating moisture in carpets and sub-flooring. The unit is powered by a 9V volt battery (included).
“I bought this little guy just to check the moisture content of the firewood that I cook with. It works fantastically. Not sure how hyper-accurate it is but it gives me a ballpark number, and that’s all that I was looking for. No doubt it was mfd in China because the instruction pamphlet has some humorous grammatical errors. That’s no biggie to me – I got the message because it’s so simple to use. Batteries even came with it. Great deal for the $$.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
3. General Tools & Instruments Moisture Meter ($29.98)
This is General Tool’s digital LCD pin type moisture meter. The unit features an easy to read LCD for quick and easy viewing. It has an ergonomic design such that it fits in one hand. This unit has a precise measuring range and sticks the pins into the surface. Ideal for contractors and homeowners to measure moisture content in wood, concrete drywall and subflooring. Essential water damage prevention tool.
“Many homes flooded in our area. Have used with 3-4 families with success. FEMA recommends <15% before sheetrock installation.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
2. General Tools Moisture Meter ($31.70)
This is also General Tools and Instruments’s moisture meter. The unit display features an LCD with a tricolour bar graph. The unit allows a high visibility since the text is in white against a black background. It has an improved ergonomic design which provides a firm grip. The moisture tester has separate settings for drywall, masonry, softwood and hardwood. It features non-invasive capacitive sensing technology, and stops mould before it starts with early detection. It can automatically turn off when not in use and is powered by a 9V battery.
Available here.
1. Etekcity Moisture Meter ($7.99)
This is Etekcity’s indoor and outdoor soil moisture sensor meter. This unit measures the soil moisture by just plugging in the probe. It includes ten scales and displays easy to read sensor levels. It does not require battery or electricity to power. You just need to plug in and read. The display has a colour coded system for ease of reading. Compact and portable device for indoor and outdoor use.
“This moisture meter takes the guess work out of watering. The user inserts the probe into the soil, and the red needle moves into one of three zones: DRY, MOIST, and WET. No battery is necessary. It works well. The meter itself measures 2 inches wide, 3-1/4 inches tall and 1-3/8 inches thick. The probe is about 7-9/16 inches long. It is ideal for use with indoor potted plants. It can be used for outdoor plants too. I have a word of advice for shoppers who want to so: Do not use the probe to stab the soil like a stake. It will not last long. Use a metal stake to make a hole in the ground and insert the probe into the hole. Along with Philips, the screwdriver will do.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
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