Best Moisture Meters

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 9, 2024
If you're engaged in woodworking, you're likely to need a moisture meter. This small inexpensive device can save you a lot of trouble and help make all wooden projects stable and worth a hundred dollars. Don't mess up in the lumberyard, get a moisture meter and run quick tests yourself. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
TYPE
DISPLAY
MEASURE RANGE
CONVENIENCES
WARRANTY
 
PROS
Tramex moisture meter features a user-friendly color display to provide comprehensive moisture content readouts.
CONS
The buttons on the unit could be just a bit bigger.
OUR VERDICT
One of the most versatile and easy-to-use moisture meter to use for all types of lumber due to pinless operation principle and quick scanning.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Pinless
DISPLAY
Analog
MEASURE RANGE
Wood: 5-30%, Building materials: 0-100%
CONVENIENCES
Holds the readings, Comes with a carrying case
WARRANTY
1 year
PROS
The set minimum and maximum moisture content parameters will notify you with a sound signal on the slightest deviation from the norm.
CONS
All information on wood density is given in the manual only.
OUR VERDICT
The best device for those users who often work with expensive species of wood and putting holes is not desirable.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Pinless
DISPLAY
Digital
MEASURE RANGE
Wood: 4-80%
CONVENIENCES
Auto power off when left idle, Sound notification, Comes with a carrying case
WARRANTY
1 year
PROS
The Bluetooth option expands functionality of the meter by times, giving users an option to store readouts and use a phone as an auxiliary screen.
CONS
The display might be difficult to read in dim lighting conditions.
OUR VERDICT
General Tools TS06 pin moisture meter will become the best pick for contractors, furniture makers and all those dealing with a big amount of wood.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Pin
DISPLAY
Digital
MEASURE RANGE
Wood: 5-50%, Building materials: 1.5-33%
CONVENIENCES
Auto power off when left idle, Bluetooth port, Sound notification
WARRANTY
1 year
PROS
The unique moisture content scale with drop icons and sound alert system won't let you skip a critical value.
CONS
Comparatively bulky size.
OUR VERDICT
A solid measuring probe can be inserted in rather hard and firm wood and it wouldn't break.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Pin
DISPLAY
Digital
MEASURE RANGE
Wood: 5-50%, Building materials: 1.5-33%
CONVENIENCES
Auto power off when left idle, Holds the readings, Sound notification
WARRANTY
Amazon's 30-day return policy
PROS
The widest moisture measurement capabilities allow using Risepro MT-10 in any wood with the highest accuracy.
CONS
The batteries aren't included.
OUR VERDICT
A wonderful choice for a wide scope of application due to thought-out functionality and pinpoint precise readings.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Pin
DISPLAY
Digital
MEASURE RANGE
Wood: 0-99.9%
CONVENIENCES
Auto power off when left idle, Holds the readings
WARRANTY
Amazon's 30-day return policy
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Tramex MEP

For All Types of Building Material

What struck us most about the Tramex moisture meter is its wide measurement range capabilities that make it applicable to many building materials such as wood, plaster, tiles, bricks and plasterboard. Such a wide scope of application enables its versatile use in many spheres beside woodworking. The Tramex moisture meter can easily detect moist areas on a wall for you to prevent mold and fungi appearance. The measurement depth makes 1 1/4  allowing for spotting problem places with higher accuracy even if they aren’t displayed. We also liked simple and user-friendly controls. There are only three buttons on a device marked with the functions they are to perform. The first button activates the device, the second provides the option to choose the material and measurement metrics while the third one holds the readings after removal. Another small but nice addition to the Tramex moisture meter is a flashlight, using which can help you in various situations when working in dim lightning.

Review of Tramex MEP Moisture Encounter Plus Moisture Meter

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $470.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0052P49B4

VIDEO
Tramex "Moisture Encounter Plus" Non-Destructive Moisture Meter

What customers say about this product

Measuring

Easy to use, quick measurments, and photographs well for reports. The non destructive nature of the meter is liked by our clients and everyone can understand the results.

Size & Weight

This meter is quite handy, easy to use and reliable.

Features

This meter is fantastic. It replaced and probe type that I have been using for years. This of course being non-invasive is so much better. Works great and is very easy to use. Well worth the premium price.
 

Dr.Meter MD918

No Holes in the Wood

The Dr.Meter MD918 is a pinless moisture meter that offers several obvious advantages over pin alternatives. Because it doesn’t make any holes on a surface, it can be applicable to quite expensive materials even if you took it to test wood in the shop. Secondly, it scans moisture content pretty fast and in a simple way - you only need to get it in close contact with the tested material and it will instantly show the readings on a display without being actually inserted into the wood. The third advantage of the Dr.Meter MD918 is it can be configured to tell whether this or that lumber is going to suit your project according to the set minimum and maximum parameters. All things considered, we'd definitely recommend the Dr.Meter MD918 to all furniture makers for whom stable wood is not only a must but the only condition of quality work. Damp wood can ruin your project, yet, not only this. Too humid workshop is hardly a favorable environment for wood storage too. Therefore, if you haven't got an indoor humidity monitor yet, make sure to get one and store your lumber in a proper way.

Review of Dr.Meter MD918 Upgraded Version Inductive Pinless Tools Intelligent Moisture Meter Digital Moisture Meter for Wood
Last updated price $45.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B017D6U2DS

VIDEO
Dr. Meter MD918 Pinless Moisture Meter Review

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

Compact size.

Measuring

One thing to keep in mind, this moisture meter works by coming into contact with the object it is measuring. There are multiple types of sensors out there, but I'm not sure which one is the most accurate. Overall I'm very happy with this purchase and would definitely recommend it to friends.

Features

This inductive pinless moisture meter is a breeze to use, I'm checking moisture content of everything!
 

General Tools TS06

Using Your Phone is Welcomed

The General Tools TS06 moisture meter is an upgraded device with some pretty advanced features. Unlike the majority of similar tools, this one features Bluetooth port for quick pairing with Bluetooth-enabled gadgets and storing all readings in the app (download it for Android or iOS). Having got several test results, you’d be able to make analysis of humidity change and wood quality which is a convenient option for furniture makers storing tons of wood to use in the future projects. Another thing we find convenient about Bluetooth function is an option to use your smartphone as an auxiliary screen. This may come in handy in the projects where several contractors are involved. Besides upgraded technologies, the General Tools TS06 moisture meter performs basic functions pretty well too and can be used to measure moisture content not only of building materials but also different species of wood. The only downside is that it might leave some visible markings on the surface if inserted into wood too hard. 

Review of General Tools TS06 ToolSmart BlueTooth Connected Digital Moisture Meter

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $37.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01J5B9NSY

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

Its a good size for working with on a job, the operation and display is straight forward.

Features

The display is plenty bright which definitely comes in handy when trying to test moisture stains in a dark attic!

Measuring

I used this to measure moisture levels to make sure I do not have water intrusion. The technology itself is a limited in its accuracy but I believe that’s true of all moisture meters.
 

Extech MO50

Fully-Featured Display

The Extent MO50 is a decent-quality pin moisture meter applicable to both various species of wood and building materials. According to many customers’ feedback and our own testing, the measurement probe here is rather solid and can withstand rather close contact with many rigid surfaces that if made of a different material would simply break. We also praised manufacturer’s solution of readouts displaying which besides digital figures are also shown in a form of drops icons. Depending on the measurement content of the lumber you may see from 1 to 3 drops on a screen. The sound signal also changes with the rise or drop of the moisture content so there's no chance you may skip a critical value and grab too wet or too dry piece of wood. All the mentioned features make the Extech MO50 a very handy device for multifunctional use. The only thing you may want to think about in advance is getting some spare batteries to keep the meter functioning properly without failures.

Review of Extech MO50 Compact Pin Moisture Meter
Last updated price $49.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B011BLHBBM

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

Lightweight, easy to handle with rubberized grips.

Features

I do like that the spare pins are stored in with the battery.

Measuring

Very helpful in measuring the severity of the leak, as well as how large the zone was on one particular wall.
 

RISEPRO MT-10

Best For Woodworking

What makes the given Risepro MT10 moisture meter distinguishing is that it’s suitable for testing all wood species, determining wood suitably with the exact accuracy. You don’t need to worry about looking up in a manual or somewhere else searching the wood density. All wood species are classified here in four separate groups so you can choose the needed one depending on the material you currently work with. The Risepro MT10 boasts one more feature worth a special attention too. Compared to many other moisture meters with the measurement range of 5-30% or 5-50%, this one allows determining the moisture content with the maximum precision within a wider range at 0-99.99%. Isn’t it impressive thinking about it? The beauty about this device is that instead of the approximate readings it provides pinpoint accuracy results. Some other thing you may need to use when storing wood species is a good thermometer. Knowing surrounding environment conditions can help avoid a lot of tiresome hash-ups.

Review of RISEPRO MT-10 Digital Moisture Meter 2 pins Wood Moisture Tester Water Content
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01G9RHH8A

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

The size of the screen is big enough.

Features

This wood moisture meter can test four different types of wood.

Measuring

We plan to use it when we redo our deck as well as check our wood before fires to help prevent smokey fires.
 

What is a Moisture Meter?

Paying for a moisture meter once may save you a lot of money in a long run. A tiny device like it is, a moisture meter can easily serve you for a kind of insurance telling a lot about the lumber you plan to work with. Too dry or too wet piece of wood can easily ruin the end product and so, it’s important to check out the moisture content of the wood right beforehand you employ it in your future-to-be project. That’s where using a moisture meter is not only handy but actually a must. Offering a wide measurement range, it is an essential appliance of any contractor, furniture maker and anyone else working often with wood.

The other handy tools to use in woodworking are described in the following reviews: orbital sanders, circular saws and wood lathes.

Best Moisture Meters

Sources:

1. Dave Munkittrick Moisture Meters, Popular Woodworking Magazine. February 19, 2015.

2. Moisture Meter Reliability Study, InspectAPedia.

3. Moisture meter, Wikipedia. June 27, 2016.

4. How does a moisture meter work? Reference.com.

5. Moisture Meters - The Secrets of Choosing and Using, YouTube.

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