Moisture or water is the greatest enemy for any furniture, upholstery, or other wood-based structures. If you see water leaking out in your home and gets into your things particularly made from wood. It is best to check its moisture content in order to prevent further damage.
There are several things you need to know and consider when buying a reliable and durable moisture meter. If you don’t have any solid idea, do not panic as we have an easy and complete guide for you in here.
We also included a comparison chart and an in-depth product review for the top 10 best moisture meters for 2020. This saves you much time doing market research. All you need to do is read through the whole article.
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Best Moisture Meter – Top 10 Picks & Reviews
| MODEL | PRICE | OVERALL |
| General Tools MMD4E | check price | |
| General Tools MMD7NP | check price | |
| Dr. Meter MD918 | check price | |
| Dr. Meter MD-812 | check price | |
| Extech MO55 | check price | |
| Proster PST050 | check price | |
| Calculated Industries 7445 | check price | |
| NoCry NOCRY23 | check price | |
| TyhoTech S17201 | check price | |
| Ryobi E49MM01 | check price |
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR The Best Moisture Meter
Here are the important features and factors you need to look for when buying a good moisture meter.
1. Pin or Pinless
Pin-type moisture meters are also known as resistance meter. This type is more accurate compared to the pinless one. You can measure the moisture content of a specific area of the wood or workpiece by plunging the pin into the surface. One setback, it leaves a puncture on the surface of the workpiece.
In contrast, a pinless moisture meter is also known as electromagnetic field meters. It works by placing the device on the surface of the wood or workpiece to be measured. Then it sends off electromagnetic waves into the material. Water content inside the material affects EM wave behavior which is captured and analyzed by the device. The major setback for this type is its expensive price.
2. Accuracy Settings
The accuracy of moisture measurement is affected by wood density and temperature. If you are to check various kinds of wood species, then you’ll have to re-configure the settings to suit that kind of wood.
3. Moisture Measurement Range
In order to get accurate readings, the ideal moisture measurement range of your device must be between 7 to 20 percent.
4. Pin Length
The depth at which the pin is buried into the surface of the wood affects the accuracy of measuring moisture content. Rule of thumb, the average moisture content of any board is approximately equal to a ¼ thickness of that board. Hence, the pin length of your moisture meter must at least reach that depth to get reliable moisture reading.
5. Reading Display
This is where the reading of the moisture content can be seen. Most moisture meters have the following screen reading display: LED, LCD, Analog, or Digital LED.
Top 10 Best Moisture Meter reviews
1. General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter
check price on amazon
Features:
- Moisture scale range: low (5-11.9%), med (12-15.9%), high (16-50%)
- Pin length: 0.3”
- Display: 99.9 count backlit LCD
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: auto shut-off
Best Choice
| pros | cons |
| • 3 mode moisture scale range | • None so far |
| • Sensitive pin | ? |
| • Affordable price | ? |
| • Auto shut-off mode | ? |
| • Visible LCD display | ? |
| • Accurate measurement – +3%/0.1% | ? |
Both for price and quality, nothing beats this moisture meter. It gives accurate results in checking if water or moisture still leaks out from your home. The three moisture measurement range scale gives you great versatility in measuring various objects and wood types. Likewise, its pin or sensor gives you quick readings in seconds. The auto shut-off mode whenever the sensor is inactive for 3 minutes allows you to save on battery life. Great value for money.
2. General Tools MMD7NP Pinless Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: ¾” moisture sensing depth
- Pin length: Pinless
- Display: 2” backlit LCD, tricolor LED bar graph
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: sound alarm, auto shut-off mode
Auto-Calibrating
| pros | cons |
| • Accurate moisture sensing depth | • None so far |
| • Tricolor bar graph moisture display | ? |
| • LCD display | ? |
| • Sound alarm | ? |
| • Auto shut-off mode | ? |
The quality of this moisture meter is comparable to the pin type of the same brand. It has reliable moisture sensing the depth of ¾”. If you are measuring moisture contents of various wood, it has an auto-calibrating feature which adjusts to the type of material measured. The tricolor bar graph display gives you more visuals in terms of measurement. You have three colors indicating various levels of moisture content. Moreover, for safety purposes, it also has a sound alarm when the moisture reading is already above the range of the device.
3. Dr. Meter Pinless Moisture Meter MD918
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: 5-80%, Accuracy 0.5%
- Pin length: Pinless
- Display: digital LCD resolution-0.5%
- Power source: 3*1.5V AAA battery
- Others: 10 types timber density, auto-temp compensation
High Precision Readings
| pros | cons |
| • Digital LCD display | • None so far |
| • 10 settings timber density | ? |
| • Easy to adjust and calibrate | ? |
| • Accurate moisture readings | ? |
| • Auto temp and auto shut-off mode | ? |
The main benefit from this device is its accurate moisture sensing depth which stays consistent even above 9/16″ thickness. It also has 10 types of timber density which you can adjust easily on its settings for added accuracy. For air-dried woods, it gives a consistent reading for thickness about 0.5″. For green stock, around 3/16″ to 9/16″. The simplicity of using this moisture meter gives more convenience and value for money of the customer. It also has added features such as auto temperature compensation and auto shut-off mode for inactivity.
4. Dr. Meter Pin Digital Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: 5 – 40% accuracy-+1%
- Pin length: —-
- Display: huge digital LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: sound alarms, LED battery level indicator
| pros | cons |
| • A huge digital LCD display | • The pins seem to be of inferior strength |
| • Easy adjustment and calibration | ? |
| • Wide moisture measurement range | ? |
| • Sound alarm and battery level indicator | ? |
In comparison to its pinless type, this one has comparable moisture reading capacity and accuracy. The large digital backlit LCD is already a good thing about this device. You can also do easy adjustments and calibration on its settings to suit the wood type being measured. Overall, it has decent construction and precise moisture readings on various wood types.
Else, one gripe so far with this device is on the pins. The pins seem to be of inferior quality but work well.
5. Extech MO55 Pin/Pinless Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: pin (5-50%), pinless (0-99%)
- Pin length: —-
- Display: digital LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: sound alarm
| pros | cons |
| • Pin and pinless mode of moisture reading | • Sometimes Sound alarm is triggered even if you put on the cap back |
| • Sound alarm and battery level indicator | ? |
| • Easy to use and calibrate | ? |
| • A huge digital LCD display | ? |
The important thing for this kind of device is its preciseness and accuracy in reading moisture levels of various wood types. For this one, both pin and pinless mode give out precise and reliable readings in a few seconds. It can read moisture levels for a depth of 1″. It is also nice that they have included a sound alarm for increasing moisture content. The huge digital LCD display is an added value to this product. Overall, it is easy to use and calibrate.
Sometimes the sound alarm still works even if you put on the cap of the moisture meter.
6. Proster Pin Digital Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: 0-99% accuracy-0.5%
- Pin length: 0.4”
- Display: huge digital LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: auto shut-off
| pros | cons |
| • Wide moisture range | • None so far |
| • Durable measuring pins | ? |
| • Accurate measurements – 0.5% | ? |
| • Easy to read digital LCD display | ? |
This moisture reader gives consistent readings on different wood types. You can easily calibrate its settings and it has 4 preset wood categories in its system. To have a longer battery life, it as an auto shut-off mode whenever it is inactive for 15 minutes. The measuring pins are of good strength so it will definitely last long. Overall, great worth for the price.
7. Calculated Industries 7445 AccuMaster Pin/Pinless Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: pin (5-50%), pinless (0.1-100%)
- Pin length: —-
- Display: backlit LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: auto shut-off mode, sound alarm
Amazon’s Choice
| pros | cons |
| • Easy to use and adjust | • Sometimes beeping happens involuntarily |
| • A huge digital LCD display | ? |
| • Low noise beeping alarm | ? |
| • Durable built and pins | ? |
Right out from the box, you would love the professional design and solidly built of this moisture meter. The moisture readings and battery level displayed in its huge digital LCD display is convenient and adds to its worth. Likewise, the low noise beeping sound when moisture level increases is a good function included in this device. The moisture readings are precise and there are very little errors. All in all, really worth every penny.
Some experienced uncontrolled beeping sound.
8. NoCry Pin Digital Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: wood (1-70%), building materials (0.1-2.4%)
- Pin length: —-
- Display: backlit digital LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: auto calibration with temperature and humidity
| pros | cons |
| • Durably built to withstand accidental drops | • None so far |
| • Accurate and precise readings | ? |
| • A huge backlit digital LCD display | ? |
| • Auto calibration for temperature and humidity changes | ? |
The important thing for this kind of device is its preciseness and accuracy in reading moisture levels of various wood types. For this one, both pin and pinless mode give out precise and reliable readings in a few seconds. It can read moisture levels for a depth of 1″. It is also nice that they have included a sound alarm for increasing moisture content. The huge digital LCD display is an added value to this product. Overall, it is easy to use and calibrate.
Sometimes the sound alarm still works even if you put on the cap of the moisture meter.
9. TyhoTech Pin Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: 0-99%
- Pin length: 0.4”
- Display: digital LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: auto shut-off mode
Best Budget
| pros | cons |
| • Really affordable price for good quality | • None |
| • Wide moisture measurement range | ? |
| • Durable and sensitive measuring pins | ? |
| • Auto shut-off mode | ? |
| • Solid built | ? |
The great thing about this unit, you get all the decent basic features of a moisture meter for such an affordable price. For the stereotyping of getting low quality for affordably priced devices, this would not apply for this unit. The measuring pin of this moisture meter is sensitive and accurate in giving moisture levels. Likewise, for longer battery life, it also has an auto shut-off mode if the device is inactive for a few minutes. Overall, it is easy to use and calibrate.
10. Ryobi E49MM01 Digital Pinless Moisture Meter
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Features:
- Moisture scale range: 0-30%
- Pin length: pinless
- Display: digital LCD display
- Power source: 9V battery
- Others: sound alarm
| pros | cons |
| • Tough-built and decent design | • None |
| • Simple to use and easy to calibrate | ? |
| • Visible and easy to understand display | ? |
| • Consistent and accurate moisture readings | ? |
The good thing about this moisture meter device is that it gives precise moisture readings in seconds. It is simple to use and easy to calibrate. The digital LCD display is easy to understand and very visible. It also has a low noise beeping alarm when the moisture content increases. Its design and built seems tough and decent. Overall, you get more quality than the price you are paying.
