Best Moisture Meters in 2022

Last update: December 22, 2022

Are cheap moisture meters any good?

Cheap moisture meters are often inaccurate and not as durable as more expensive models. However, they can be a good option for infrequent use or for those on a budget. Be sure to read reviews before purchasing a cheap moisture meter to ensure you are getting a quality product.

Are moisture meters accurate for drywall?

A moisture meter is a tool that is used to measure the moisture content in a material. Drywall is a material that is often used in construction and it is important to know the moisture content in the drywall before using it. There are many different types of moisture meters on the market and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing to know about moisture meters is that they are not always accurate. There are many factors that can affect the accuracy of a moisture meter including the type of meter, the material being tested, the temperature, and the relative humidity.

Do home inspectors use moisture meters?

A moisture meter is an essential tool that home inspectors use to help determine the presence of moisture in building materials. By measuring the moisture content of the material, the inspector can determine if there is a potential for mold growth or if the material is at risk for rot.

Do moisture meters detect mold?

There is no simple answer to this question as there are many different types of moisture meters on the market, each with their own capabilities. Some moisture meters are designed to detect mold, while others are not. In general, however, most moisture meters will not detect mold directly. Instead, they measure the moisture content of the material in which mold is growing. If the moisture content is high enough, it is likely that mold is present.


Moisture Meter, Digital Damp Meter Detector with 7 Modes, Backlit LCD Display, Data Hold Function for Wood, Plants, Cement, Range 0.0%~60.0% - Test Pins and Battery Included MWM03 Review:


When performing any task, you want to do everything you can to eliminate any element of guesswork. My fence needed to be stained. I choose Ready Seal (after many reviews and videos.) When I called Ready Seal, a representative from the company suggested I purchase a moisture meter. The cost was reasonable. Reviews were accurate. In relation to the various modes, I would have wanted to see more specific woods described. I have a pine fence. That ought to have been mentioned in the paperwork. I wish there was a simple method to learn everything there is to know about each mode.Overall, it is a toy or tool that has really enhanced my ability to comprehend the moisture content of my numerous projects.Not for nothing is Ready Seal a miracle worker for everyone who has to stain anything. It levels itself. zero runs no dripping No brushing behind. No room for error. I could go on and on about this product. I used a $10 bug sprayer to apply it, and it looks amazing.



Wood Moisture Meter - Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester, Pin-Type Water Leak Detector Damp Tester Dampness Meter for Wood Building Material Firewood Walls Paper Floor (Yellow) Review:


This is what I bought to use for woodworking. It makes the wood's moisture content very clear. After being stabbed into many ends of pine and oak, the sturdy probes exhibited no signs of wear or damage (30 boards). The instructions may include a little bit more information on the min/max readouts. Since I was getting the same reading or readings that were incredibly different on numerous causes, it took some trial and error to figure out if this was a legitimate function. I had 6% minimum and 18% maximum from the same position on one board. The fact that there was 6% on this board, which was undoubtedly wet, shocked me, but given that it is a 10-foot board, there must be some diminishing returns as length increases from probe to probe. In any case, it makes it abundantly evident that this board is not yet suitable for milling. I appreciate that it can be set up to work with a variety of woods and building materials. In this regard, it is highly flexible, but be sure to follow these guidelines. Pine by itself offers three settings! Given that the type is small, I had to be sure I didn't choose the incorrect one. Although the product is excellent overall and is well constructed, the instructions could be a little clearer and more specific. would definitely recommend and repurchase.



Wood Moisture Meter - Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester, Pin-Type Water Leak Detector Damp Tester Dampness Meter for Wood Building Material Firewood Walls Paper Floor (Black) Review:


I give this product five stars because I think it's pretty wonderful. The good news is that it was simple to figure out how it worked and I used it right away to check the moisture content of some firewood that I knew was ready to burn and other that I knew wasn't (based on how long ago I cut it and how it sounds when I clank the wood together). I'm really happy to have this meter. Just two small issues that are not essential to how the product works as a whole. The unit arrived with dead batteries, which was the first problem. Either test the batteries before shipping, or don't supply batteries with the unit, is my recommendation. Second, despite being advised that I had a decent grip, I have trouble removing the unit's protective cover. Due in part to the fear of damaging the tines, it is VERY difficult to slip off.After some experience, I understood that the key is to pull the cap forward while simultaneously pressing down on the dots; otherwise, the cap barely moves. The cap pivots off in place of sliding off in this manner. The fact that one doesn't have to worry about the cap coming off is undoubtedly praiseworthy. However, the instructions might show a side view illustration of where to press and pull simultaneously in order to remove the cap with the least amount of difficulty and risk to the tines. If not, people could pull or press too firmly and actually damage the tines. Just a thought.



Wood Moisture Meter, Digital Portable Wood Water Moisture Tester, Digital Large LCD Display with 2 Accurate Sensor Pins, Date Hold Function and Low Power Indication, one 9V Battery with Carrying Bag Review:


Put the sensor ends into whatever you want to test the moisture content of, and that's pretty much all there is to it. We had to make sure the wood slices were dry because they were needed for a project. You may get a readout right away on the screen by sticking the sensor points into the wood. Numbers are simple to see and read. I prodded it on a number of objects out of pure curiosity, and it appeared to function properly. However, keep in mind that the censor points are very sharp and pointed. So you wouldn't want a child to get their hands on it. Keep it away from them so they can't stab their pets, other people, or themselves.



General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter, Water Leak Detector, Moisture Tester, Pin Type, Backlit LCD Display With Audible and Visual High-Medium-Low Moisture Content Alerts Review:


To check for moisture in my crawl space, I purchased this moisture meter. I experimented with some pieces of wood to see what it measured under different circumstances. So that you can evaluate the results in relation to a known sample, I think it's best to carry out this task yourself.11.9% on a dry 2x4 from my garage.Chunk of unsoaked cedar from the outer wood pile: 12.9 to 14.1%Recently rained-on chunk of cedar: 24–260 minutes of bucket soaking a chunk of wood, 27 to 30%The meter is really simple to operate. One button turns it on, another toggles between the wood and construction material modes, and a third button stores the reading. It continuously beeps, and the wetter it is, the faster it beeps. It includes a battery. Good, sharp prongs are present. It seems to be a reliable meter.



Calculated Industries 7445 AccuMASTER Duo Pro Pin & Pinless Moisture Meter Detects Hidden Leaks and Moisture | Combo Non-invasive Pad + Pin Sensors | for Restoration Contractors, Woodworkers, DIYs Review:


The markets are now swamped with all sorts of moisture meters, and I'm a licensed Master Service Plumber who has owned a variety of them throughout my career. Well, this little guy is, in my opinion, the most accurate for the money because it is little. I'm good so far and haven't broken one yet, but the probe tips can be replaced. They are metal and will push into wood or drywall no issue and just snap off like some pos units I've had. I love the back light screen because it's so lovely and has fractional measurement. The sound of money to me is the sound of the ringer bell when it's in wet stuff, thus I adore that sound! Most homeowners will start to as a result. produce strange, cringe-inducing faces, but that's what it's designed to do: determine whether the leak in the wall or other issue has spread farther than it appears at first glance. If you're in the trades and looking for one of these, look no further! It's perfect and hey if you drop it off a 12 foot ladder been there done that but hey no big deal it's only 30 not 300 dollars so Its not like dropping my Flir Thermal camera ouch! I use it weekly along with my Flir Thermal Camera to pinpoint leaks before I swiss cheese the walls or ceilings to discover of such a leak. I was bored while waiting for my next customer to arrive home and decided to write a review of this inexpensive device. It has already paid for itself many times over. However, one piece of advice: always carry an extra 9-volt battery with your equipment. That's when it will break down when you're trying to demonstrate to the client, and then whalaa!



Pinless Wood Moisture Meter, Dr.meter Upgraded Inductive Pinless Tools, Intelligent Lumber Moisture Meter, Digital Moisture Meter for Wood, (Range 4% - 80% RH; Accuracy: 0.5%), MD918 Review:


This is how I gauge the moisture content of thin stock—about 3/16" thick as resawn—wood used to make guitars. Since it felt like the field would cut right through the stock and be partially staring at air on the other side, I questioned whether this would be correct on thin stock. Measurements on thin stock reveal lower moisture content than on thick stock, up to around 9/16" thickness; at this thickness and beyond, the values remain consistent, suggesting that this is indeed the case.Method: I stacked up 5 sets of 3/16" thick, quartersawn, resawn plates to produce a thicker plate (approximately 1" thick), and then I measured the moisture content of the thicker plate. I then repeated the measurement while removing one 3/16" plate at a time. Pictures document the procedure.Results: For woods in the standard range of air-dried wood (5-10% moisture content), the stock needs to be roughly 1/2" thick to achieve an accurate reading. The minimum thickness to acquire an accurate measurement depends on the moisture content. The reading appears correct for green stock down to a thickness of 3/16". (the minimum I measured). The results were accurate down to a thickness of 3 plates (9/16"), regardless of moisture content; thickness was irrelevant. At 2 plates (3/8" thick), the reading for the moisture content decreased by about 20% for the fully air-dried stock (moisture content 5.5%) and 10% for the partially air-dried stock (moisture content 11%), but not at all for very green wood (35% moisture content); at 1 plate (3/16" thickness), the reading for the moisture content was about half as "thick" for the two drier sets, but still roughly reflected the moisture content of the green wood. The measurements are shown in the tables below.Hackberry (air-dried over 20 years) (air-dried over 20 years)MC reading for thickness15/16" 5.5%s3/4" 5.5%s9/16" 5.5%s3/8" 4.5%s3/16" 2.5%Maple (air-dried for roughly 3 weeks) (air-dried for about 3 weeks)MC reading for thickness15/16" 11.0%s3/4" 11.0%s9/16" 11.0%s3/8" 10.0%s3/16" 7.0¾ech: Thickness MC reading (recently resawn)15/16" 37.5%s3/4" 34.0%s9/16" 36.5%s3/8" 34.0%s3/16" 36.0%



Proster Handheld Wood Moisture Test Meter LCD Moisture Tester for Wood Moisture Detector for Firewood Paper Humidity Measuring Include 9V Battery with 2 Test Probe Pins Review:


Considering that it is a cheap item, it appears to function fairly well. I've discovered that the wood you're testing requires a new cut. By just inserting the detecting pins into a piece that has been drying for some time, you will obtain a fairly dry signal. However, if you remove a quarter of an inch and then measure, the result will probably be quite different. Not unusual, I'm sure, but just be mindful that the method of testing you use affects the accuracy of your data.I can find a variety of hard and soft wood types where I live in the southwest. For instance, mesquite, African sumac, aspen, and palo verde. For each category, I'm never entirely sure what range to set the meter at. So, I will hazard a guess as best I can.I believe I would give this device five stars if the user handbook, for example, had a list of various types of wood.



AcuRite 06044M Wireless Temperature and Humidity Monitor Sensor Review:


The AcuRite 06044M wireless 433 MHz temperature and humidity monitoring sensor is impressive. When I inserted this sensor into the output duct to measure the temperature there as I was troubleshooting an electric LG clothes dryer exhaust venting issue, it continued to provide information back to the console. I initially encountered the issue described below. The sensor didn't freak out as I had anticipated it would. The sensor's maximum temperature reading to the base console when the dryer was set to usual was 141°F. This is one of the few room sensors that can do that, and it's hot.Repeating the test cycle with the dryer exhaust venting directly into the room was the next test. This time, by peering into the dryer exhaust duct where I had installed it, I could see the unit's display. The humidity display on the base station is absent. Although it finally reached 136°F, the temperature mostly stayed around 125°F. The fact that the humidity was so low was the biggest surprise. The humidity I was getting at the end of the cycle was 8%. In March 2018, Indianapolis has a 36% to 50% indoor humidity level. The 100,000 BTU natural gas condensing furnace in the house, with the sensor in the output plenum, was then used in a comparison test. After a considerable amount of time, the house furnace would be producing air that was 130°–140°F and 4% humid. The air sources for the home furnace and the clothes dryer are comparable, thus the working air's humidity is also the same.Problem: I discovered that handling the sensor made it nearly impossible to do so without bumping the rear Channel A, B, C, and C° - F buttons, which would cause the device to change settings. In fact, the buttons protrude from the case. When the sensor was initially installed in a dryer duct and failed to connect to the base station, I gave up on the project and assumed the sensor was probably dead. I started organizing my belongings. When I arrived at the sensor, I carefully examined it to look for anything immediately apparent that would have contributed to the issue. Then I discovered the channel had been changed from "B" to "C." Everything started operating perfectly as I switched it back to channel "B"!I eventually removed the conducting actuators to disable the Channel A, B, C, and C° - F°setting buttons on the sensor's back. I put them in the sensor for storage and security. Now that there is a gap in the buttons, they can rattle. That's actually a good thing because I'll remember that the buttons were severed on purpose. The button contacts on the circuit board might potentially be covered with tape while keeping the rest of the board untouched.What additions would be welcome? Jack will allow an external pressure and humidity probe. When connected, it can take the place of the internal sensors. A popular tiny phono plug with dozens of conducting rings has this feature. The inclusion of the external probe jack would likely be inexpensive. Other features like data recording and time-date calendar functionality would be nice, but not if they considerably raise the selling price. This full size RF 433 MHz wireless temperature and humidity monitoring sensor is reliable and reasonably priced. If it dropped below $5, I would spread them out all over.



General Tools MMD7NP Pinless, Non-Invasive, Non-Marring, Digital Moisture Meter, Water Leak Detector, Moisture Testerup To ¾" (19mm) Deep, Backlit LCD Screen, Visual/Audible Alarms Review:


This was primarily purchased for use in our RV to prevent water leaks. It does require some studying to comprehend the readings, but it does function well. I discovered that aluminum studs typically provide high readings. Otherwise, it's an excellent beginning for a non-intrusive method of moisture detection. Finding moist insulation in the trailer's underbelly also seemed reasonable to me.I also own a Dr. Meter pin type "912" model, which you may use to examine the wood for moisture. I believe this type is more accurate, and the surface unit provided extremely helpful information regarding the moisture in concealed regions. I would repurchase the product.


Do plumbers have moisture meters?

Plumbers have moisture meters because they need to know how much moisture is in a material before they can start working. Moisture meters are used to measure the moisture content of wood, concrete, drywall, and other materials. Plumbers use moisture meters to find hidden leaks, to determine how much water is needed to fix a problem, and to make sure that a material is dry before they start working on it.

How can you tell if there is moisture behind tile?

There are a few telltale signs that there is moisture behind your tile. If you see any mold or mildew, this is a sure sign that there is moisture present. Another sign is if the tile feels damp or cooler to the touch than the surrounding area. If you see any cracks in the grout or tile, this could also be an indication of moisture.

How do I know if my moisture meter is accurate?

How do you check for moisture in walls?

The best way to check for moisture in walls is to use a moisture meter. You can buy a moisture meter at most hardware stores. To use the moisture meter, insert the probes into the wall and wait for the reading. The reading will tell you how much moisture is in the wall.

How do you check for moisture under flooring?

There are a few ways to check for moisture under flooring. One way is to use a moisture meter. Moisture meters are available at most hardware stores. Another way is to use a piece of cardboard. Place the cardboard on the floor and wait a few hours. If the cardboard is damp, there is moisture present.

How often should a moisture meter be calibrated?

How often a moisture meter should be calibrated really depends on how often the meter is being used and in what environments. If the meter is being used daily, it is recommended that it be calibrated every two weeks. If the meter is being used weekly, calibration every month should suffice. If the meter is being used in very stable environments, calibration every six months may be adequate.