The Best Moisture Meters for 2022
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Best Moisture Meter
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Moisture can be one of the most costly problems in a home since it can cause material damage, rot, and mold. To help you detect the presence of moisture and quickly diagnose a problem, I have put together the list below of the best moisture meters currently available.
UPDATED: March 30, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the General Tools MMD4E because it features an easy-to-read backlit LCD display, a wide yet precise measuring range, and stainless steel pins.
What is a moisture meter?
These hand-held devices are approximately the size and shape of a laser measuring tool and use sensors to find the moisture content in a range of surfaces and materials.
Where does the moisture inside a home come from?
Other than preventing obvious leaks, the typical way to reduce moisture is to increase ventilation. This can be done either naturally by opening doors and windows or mechanically.
Moisture can accumulate on surfaces for a variety of reasons such as outside water intrusion, humidity, and condensation.
Examples of mechanical prevention methods include:
Bathroom exhaust fan - to reduce the humidity caused by showering and bathing.
Window fan - to assist with natural ventilation.
Kitchen range hood - to reduce moisture accumulation from cooking.
Dehumidifier - portable appliance to address specific problem areas in the home.
Finding the right solution depends on the cause of the issue and the location in the home.
How can a moisture meter help?
Knowing the moisture levels in your walls, wood, and masonry can give you an estimate of the potential for mold growth throughout your home. Finding moisture is the first step in early mold prevention and costly damage to walls, floors, and ceilings.
Pin vs. Pinless
There are two main types of moisture meters: pin and pinless.
As the name implies, a pin meter uses two sharp pins at the top of the device. These are then pushed into the surface to get a reading. This is known as an “invasive method” as it does place two pinholes in the material being measured.
The other option is the “non-invasive method”, which uses a pinless meter. These use an electromagnetic field (EMF) to detect moisture without inserting any pins.
Some models offer a “dual” or “combination” approach that features detachable pins, allowing you to measure invasively or non-invasively depending on the application. You will need to determine which option is best for your particular situation.
Screen
Most modern soil meters feature an LCD screen which allows you to monitor the settings and measurements. Some offer a backlit display that helps when reading the values under low-light or dark conditions. The readings will typically be displayed as a percentage and will usually include an accompanying scale from dry to wet for quick reference.
Hold Function
Most meters will offer the ability to hold or freeze a measurement to make it easy to read or write down. This is particularly helpful if you are taking a reading in an awkward position that makes it difficult to see the screen at the same time as taking a reading. For example, between floor joists or under a counter.
Temperature
Some models will also measure the current temperature around the unit. This can indicate if there is a large temperature differential between where the measurement is being taken and the rest of the house. This can help to determine the source of the moisture, such as a thermal break, insulation problem, or opening in the wall or roof.
Method of Power
Most meters are powered by one or several standard batteries such as AA, AAA, or 9V. This has the benefit of being able to quickly swap out a new battery when out on a job site. If it were to use a fixed battery like a phone it would require waiting for it to recharge, delaying the task. Most units offer an auto-off feature that helps to preserve battery life.
Size
A simple but important feature to note is the overall size of the unit. Since most meters will be packed in a carry bag or put in a pocket, take note of the dimensions. Sometimes the feature set may be reduced given a smaller unit, all else being equal. As a result, you will need to weigh the pros and cons of what features you require versus how easy it will be to carry around.
Soil Meters
You may have come across this in your research, there is also a separate category of meters available for measuring the moisture content of the soil. This is helpful for gardeners monitoring the soil conditions for indoor or outdoor plants. I have included one of these in the list below if you are interested.
How to use a moisture meter (may vary by model):
Step 1: Set the device to read whatever material you’re using (typically drywall, sheetrock, plaster, concrete, or mortar).
Step 2: Place both pins onto the surface of the material for several seconds. If it is a pinless model, hold the detection surface against the material.
Step 3: Read the LCD display indicating the moisture content of the surface.
Using a moisture meter will help you determine if you need to dry or replace the existing materials.
Check out this short video showing how you can use a moisture meter to track down the source of a leak:
Now, on to the individual products. Each unit included below has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection.
So here is my list of The Best Moisture Meters for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: General Tools MMD4E Moisture Meter
The General Tools MMD4E features an easy-to-read LCD display for quick and easy viewing.
Offers a measuring range of 5 to 50% for wood and 1.5 to 33% for building materials.
Features an easy to use design: simply stick the stainless steel pins into the surface to get a read-out.
Equipped with audible high, medium, low alerts
Features an ergonomic design that easily fits in one hand.
Includes a hold function to freeze a measurement to read later.
Features auto power off and a low battery indicator.
Runner-up: Tavool MT270 Moisture Meter
The Tavool MT270 features a large backlit LED display, for quick and easy reading, even in low-light conditions.
Provides measurements of maximum and minimum levels of moisture.
Displays the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Equipped with stainless steel pins for corrosion resistance.
Includes an automatic shutoff after 10 minutes on non-use.
Features rubber side grips for comfort.
Includes a hold key to pause readings.
Best Display: SAM-PRO TOOLS Dual Moisture Meter
The SAM-PRO TOOLS offers a simple operation: press the power button, select the material type, and push the two pins of the meter into the material.
Features a large easy-to-read LCD display.
Equipped with a backlight for taking measurements in dark, hard-to-access areas.
Features a min and max display to get the range of moisture values taken at various locations.
Includes an air temperature sensor.
Best Value: Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter
The Klein Tools ET140 is designed to detect hidden moisture non-invasively up to 3/4 of an inch (19 mm) deep using pinless, electromagnetic field (EMF) technology.
Equipped with a mode button to select between materials: masonry, drywall, hardwood, and softwood.
Features an easy-to-see reverse-contrast display and LED bar graph.
Uses nine LED bars to indicate the moisture range.
Equipped with a hold function to freeze a reading.
Features a low battery indicator and an auto-power off.
Constructed to withstand a 6.6 foot (2m) drop.
Powered by a 9V battery (included).
Best Premium Option: Extech MO55 Combination Moisture Meter
The Extech MO55 features a combination design that features both pin and pinless technology.
Offers dual a measurement system: the pin method or the pinless (non-invasive) method.
Capable of taking non-invasive measurements up to one inch (25 mm) deep.
Features large screen values that clearly indicate the moisture content levels.
Equipped with an audible alert that beeps faster as more moisture is detected.
Powered by a 9V battery.
Best Dual Measurement: Calculated Industries 7445 AccuMASTER Moisture Meter
The Calculated Industries 7445 AccuMASTER features both a pin and pinless design to allow for both invasive and non-invasive testing.
Features a large, easy-to-read backlit LCD display.
Equipped with a hold function to stop the reading on the display.
Features replaceable stainless steel measuring pins.
Equipped with audible alerts for high, medium, and low moisture levels which are helpful if the screen icons are not easily visible.
Features a durable design and convenient rubber side grips.
Includes a protective cover to prevent damage to the pins when not in use.
Best Pinless: Dr.meter Moisture Meter
The Dr.meter Pinless moisture meter uses HF electromagnetic sensing to take measurements.
Equipped with a large LCD display for easy viewing.
Features automatic temperature compensation.
Offers a measuring range of 4% up to 80%.
Powered by three AAA batteries.
Best for Soil: Dr.meter Moisture Meter
The Dr.meter soil meter is designed to monitor the moisture levels for plants and lawns.
Features a simple, design, just insert the probe approximately four inches into the ground and wait ten minutes to check the reading on the meter.
Offers an easy-to-read color-coded system that features red, green. and blue to clearly indicate the moisture levels.
Operates without batteries or any method of power.
Note: it should only be placed in soil and not standing water.
Best Compact Design: Lignomat Moisture Meter
The Lignomat moisture meter features a simple and easy-to-use design.
Offers the ability to quickly take measurements by pushing the pins into the material and the switch between the pins turns it on.
Provides readings between 6 and 45%.
Includes a simple digital LED readout.
Equipped with a cap to cover and protect the pins when not in use.
Includes longer pins that can be stored within the meter for use on thick material.
Best for Professionals: Protimeter BLD5365 Surveymaster Dual-Function Moisture Meter
The Protimeter Surveymaster is equipped with both pin and non-invasive measurement systems.
Offers the ability to distinguish between sub-surface from surface moisture.
Equipped with a search mode that measures the moisture level beneath the surface.
Features a measurement depth of 3/4” depending on the material being analyzed.
Designed for simple one-handed operation.
Features a durable design for site work and transport.
Equipped with a large backlit display for easy reading.
I hope this list of the best moisture meters was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
