Moisture meters are essential tools for measuring moisture levels in materials like wood, drywall, concrete, and soil. If you are a woodworker, contractor, gardener, or homeowner, a good moisture meter is important. It can help you avoid structural problems, warping, and mold growth.
This article has tested and reviewed the top 10 moisture meters to help you choose the best option for your needs.
What Is a Moisture Meter?
A moisture meter measures the amount of moisture in materials. It is commonly used in woodworking, construction, gardening, and home inspections.
Moisture meters are designed to provide accurate readings that help prevent issues like warping, cracking, or mold growth.
Types of Moisture Meters
- Pin-Type Meters: Use two metal pins to measure moisture by detecting electrical resistance.
- Pinless Meters: Use electromagnetic waves to measure moisture without penetrating the material.
- Combo Meters: Combine pin and pinless technology for versatility.
How We Tested the Moisture Meters
We tested each moisture meter under real-world conditions to ensure accurate and practical recommendations.
Testing Criteria
- Accuracy: Measured consistency across multiple materials.
- Ease of Use: Assessed display readability, calibration, and portability.
- Durability: Tested build quality under repeated use.
- Versatility: Checked performance on wood, drywall, and soil.
- Additional Features: Evaluated extra tools like Bluetooth connectivity and temperature sensors.
Top 3 Featured in this article:
Orion 950 Best for Woodworking
Klein Tools ET140 Best for Drywall
Lignomat Mini-Ligno Best for Beginners
8 Moisture Meters Comparison
| Moisture Meter | Technology | Depth | Extra Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wagner Meters Orion 950 | Pinless | 1/4″ & 3/4″ | Calibration reminder, mobile app support | $645.00 |
| General Tools MM8 | Pin & Pinless | Shallow (pinless) | Temperature & humidity sensors, audible alerts | $29.99 |
| Protimeter Surveymaster | Pin & Pinless | Deep | Calibration tool, rugged build | $749.00 |
| Tavool Digital Moisture Meter | Pin | Shallow | Auto-calibration, backlit display | $29.99 |
| Tramex Moisture Encounter ME5 | Pinless | Dual-depth | Large-area scanning, mobile app support | $580.00 |
| Klein Tools ET140 | Pinless | 3/4″ | Reverse-contrast display, multiple material settings | $41.97 |
| Lignomat Mini-Ligno E/D | Pin | Shallow | Auto-calibration, LED display | $107.70 |
| Extech MO55 | Pin & Pinless | Shallow (pinless) | Audio/visual alerts, compact design | $90.79 |
Best Moisture Meter for Woodworking:
Wagner Meters Orion 950
The Wagner Meters Orion 950 is a premium pinless moisture meter designed for woodworking and flooring professionals. It provides precise moisture readings without damaging the surface, making it ideal for finished wood and delicate materials.
The dual-depth measurement feature offers flexibility, allowing users to measure moisture at 1/4-inch or 3/4-inch depths. This makes it suitable for both thin veneers and thicker materials.
The Orion 950 is Bluetooth-enabled, allowing seamless data transfer to its mobile app. This feature is handy for tracking and analyzing moisture levels over time. The device is easy to calibrate and includes an on-screen calibration reminder to ensure consistent accuracy. Its large, backlit display is easily read, even in dimly lit environments.
The Orion 950 is among the most accurate and durable moisture meters available. The high price may deter casual users. However, it is a worthwhile investment for professionals. They need reliable and accurate measurements.
| Best For: Woodworkers, flooring professionals, and contractors. |
| Key Features: Pinless technology, dual-depth measurement, Bluetooth connectivity. |
| Pros: Highly accurate, noninvasive, user-friendly app integration. |
| Cons: Expensive. |
| Our Rating: 4.7/5 |
Best Combo Moisture Meter
General Tools MM8
The General Tools MM8 is a versatile combo moisture meter offering pin and pinless modes. This dual functionality makes it suitable for various materials, including wood, drywall, and masonry. The built-in temperature and humidity sensors add extra value, allowing users to monitor environmental conditions alongside moisture levels.
The MM8 is compact and lightweight, with a simple interface that is easy to navigate. Its large LCD screen displays readings clearly, and the device includes an audible alert system for high moisture levels. The pin mode provides accurate point measurements, while the pinless mode is ideal for larger surfaces without causing damage.
This moisture meter is affordable, making it an excellent choice for DIY enthusiasts and home inspectors. However, its pinless mode has limited depth, which may not be sufficient for thicker materials. Despite this, the MM8 offers excellent value for its price, combining essential features with ease of use.
| Best For: DIYers, home inspectors, and occasional users. |
| Key Features: Dual-mode operation, temperature and humidity sensors, compact design. |
| Pros: Versatile, affordable, easy to use. |
| Cons: Limited depth in pinless mode. |
| Our Rating: 4.3/5 |
Best for Home Inspections
Protimeter Surveymaster
The Protimeter Surveymaster is a professional-grade moisture meter designed for home inspections and restoration projects. It combines pin and pinless technology, allowing users to switch between modes depending on their needs. The pin mode is great for finding moisture in specific spots, while the pinless mode scans larger areas quickly and safely.
This device is built for durability, with a rugged design that can withstand heavy use. It includes a calibration tool to ensure consistent accuracy, which is ideal for professionals requiring reliable readings. The Surveymaster can detect moisture over a large area. It is great for finding hidden leaks in walls, floors, and ceilings.
The Surveymaster may look bulky, but it works well and is reliable. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals. Its dual functionality and robust build justify its higher price point.
| Best For: Home inspectors, restoration professionals, and contractors. |
| Key Features: Pin and pinless modes, calibration tool, high moisture range. |
| Pros: Durable, accurate, versatile. |
| Cons: Bulky design. |
| Our Rating: 4.6/5 |
Best Budget Wood Moisture Meter
Tavool Digital Moisture Meter
The Tavool Digital Moisture Meter is a budget-friendly option for hobbyists and occasional users. This pin-type meter measures moisture in wood and building materials. It is a valuable tool for small projects and DIY tasks. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry and use.
The meter features a large, backlit LCD screen that displays readings clearly, even in low-light conditions. It offers multiple material settings, allowing users to customize the device for different types of wood and construction materials. The auto-calibration function ensures accurate readings without the need for manual adjustments.
The Tavool meter does not have advanced features like Bluetooth or dual-depth measurement. However, it works well for its price. It is best suited for users who need a simple, reliable tool for occasional moisture testing.
| Best For: Hobbyists, homeowners, and DIYers. |
| Key Features: Pin-type design, backlit display, auto-calibration. |
| Pros: Affordable, lightweight, easy to use. |
| Cons: Limited advanced features. |
| Our Rating: 4.3/5 |
Best Moisture Meters for Concrete
Tramex Moisture Encounter – ME5
The Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter is a flexible pinless moisture meter made for professionals who handle different materials. Its dual-depth measurement feature lets users check moisture at different levels. This makes it useful for wood, drywall, concrete, and plaster. The noninvasive design ensures that surfaces remain undamaged during testing.
One great feature of the ME5 is its Bluetooth connection. This lets users send data to a mobile app for analysis and reporting. This is particularly useful for contractors and flooring professionals who need to document moisture levels during projects. The device can also cover large areas quickly, making it ideal for time-sensitive tasks.
The ME5 costs more than some other options. However, its accuracy, durability, and advanced features make it an excellent tool for professionals. It is best suited for users who require a reliable and efficient moisture meter for diverse applications.
| Best For: Contractors, flooring professionals, and restoration experts. |
| Key Features: Pinless technology, dual-depth measurement, Bluetooth connectivity. |
| Pros: Noninvasive, versatile, durable. |
| Cons: Expensive. |
| Our Rating: 4.4/5 |
Best Moisture Meters for Drywall
Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter
The Klein Tools ET140 is a pinless moisture meter for drywall, masonry, and other building materials. Its noninvasive technology keeps surfaces safe during testing, making it ideal for home improvement projects and professional inspections.
This device features a reverse-contrast display, which enhances readability in low-light conditions. It offers multiple material-specific settings, allowing users to customize measurements for accurate results. With a measurement depth of up to 3/4 inch, the ET140 is suitable for detecting moisture in both surface and sub-surface layers.
The ET140 is lightweight and durable, making it easy to handle during extended use. It works well for shallow measurements. However, it may not be the best option for thicker materials or deep moisture detection. However, its simplicity and accuracy make it a reliable tool for drywall and masonry work.
| Best For: Homeowners, contractors, and DIYers focusing on drywall and masonry. |
| Key Features: Pinless technology, reverse-contrast display, multiple material settings. |
| Pros: Easy to use, durable, and accurate for drywall. |
| Cons: Limited depth for thicker materials. |
| Our Rating: 4.5/5 |
Best Moisture Detector for Beginners
Lignomat Mini-Ligno E/D Pin Moisture Meter
The Lignomat Mini-Ligno E/D is a small and easy-to-use pin moisture meter. It is perfect for beginners and small projects. Its straightforward design makes it easy to operate, even for first-time users. Despite its simplicity, the device provides accurate moisture readings for wood and other building materials.
The Mini-Ligno E/D features an auto-calibration function, ensuring consistent accuracy without manual adjustments. Its compact size makes it highly portable, and the device is powered by a single 9V battery for convenience. The large LED display provides clear readings, even in dimly lit environments.
The Mini-Ligno E/D does not have advanced features like Bluetooth or dual-mode operation. However, it is a reliable and affordable choice for hobbyists and DIYers. It is best suited for small-scale projects that require basic moisture testing.
| Best For: Beginners, hobbyists, and homeowners. |
| Key Features: Pin technology, auto-calibration, compact design. |
| Pros: Easy to use, affordable, and portable. |
| Cons: Limited advanced features. |
| Our Rating: 4.5/5 |
Best for Multi-Material Use
Extech MO55 Combination Pin/Pinless Moisture Meter
The Extech MO55 is a dual-mode moisture meter that combines pin and pinless technology for versatility. This makes it suitable for various materials, including wood, drywall, concrete, and masonry. Its compact design and lightweight build make it easy to handle and store.
The MO55 has a sound and light alert system that lets users know when moisture levels are high, adding extra convenience. The pin mode provides precise point measurements, while the pinless mode allows for quick scanning of larger surfaces.
However, the pinless mode has limited depth, which may not be ideal for thicker materials.
This moisture meter is an affordable option for DIYers and homeowners who need a reliable tool for occasional use. While it may not have the advanced features professionals require, it delivers solid performance for general-purpose applications.
| Best For: DIYers, homeowners, and occasional users. |
| Key Features: Dual-mode operation, audio/visual alerts, compact design. |
| Pros: Lightweight, versatile, affordable. |
| Cons: Limited depth in pinless mode. |
| Our Rating: 4.0/5 |
- Material Compatibility: Ensure the meter supports the materials you work with (wood, drywall, soil, etc.).
- Measurement Depth: Choose between shallow or deep readings based on your needs.
- Accuracy: Look for a meter with high precision for professional use.
- Additional Features: Consider Bluetooth, temperature sensors, or dual modes for added functionality.
- Budget: Select a meter that fits your budget without sacrificing quality.
Conclusion
Choosing the right moisture meter depends on your specific needs. Whether you are a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, there is a moisture meter for you. Use this guide to find the best option and ensure accurate, reliable project measurements.
Which moisture meter will you choose? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Hi, I’m Engineer Hm Jamal, founder of Green Mark Engineering. With 13 years in the home improvement industry, I’m passionate about creating sustainable, high-quality solutions for homes. My focus is on making your home improvement experience smooth and successful. Whether it’s a renovation or a new project, I’m here to ensure it’s done right.
