If you buy an item via links on this page, we may earn a commission. Our editorial content is not influenced by commissions. Read the full disclosure.
Whether you suspect a leak in the ceiling or you want to check the moisture content in timber, a moisture meter is a smart electronic water divining tool.
It will help you to detect leaks, prevent mold, and select the right type of wood for your renovations.
The 8 Best Moisture Meters
- Klein Tools Pinless Moisture Meter
- SAM-PRO Dual Moisture Meter 2.0
- Dr. Meter Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
- Protimeter Surveymaster Dual-Function Moisture Meter
- General Tools Digital Moisture Meter
- Calculated Industries AccuMASTER Duo Pro Pin & Pinless Moisture Meter
- Tavool Wood Moisture Meter (Our Top Pick)
- FLIR MR40 – Moisture Pen – with Built-in 40 Lumens Flashlight
Our Top Pick for the Best Moisture Meter
Our top pick for the best moisture meter is the Tavool Wood Moisture Meter.
We highly recommend the Tavool Wood Moisture Meter for any woodworking, maintenance, renovation, or construction projects. You can easily stop mold or wood deterioration before it begins with this amazingly versatile tool as it quickly reveals hidden water damage in floors, walls, carpets, roofs, and pipes.
Analyze Water Content with a Smart Moisture Meter
A moisture meter is a smart measurement instrument for DIY home renovators, woodworkers, plumbers, and building inspectors. This fast, accurate, and functional diagnostic device will benefit you in many ways. You can use a moisture meter to:
- Detect the level of moisture content in softwood and hardwood and a range of building materials such as drywall, concrete, metal pipes, and masonry.
- Prevent damage and avoid costly repairs from mold.
- Identify potential structural problems that can occur in a building due to a build-up of moisture.
- Check your firewood pile to see if the wood is ready to burn in your fireplace or wood-stove.
- Pair the moisture meter up with an infrared thermometer to record hot or cold temperatures on any surface.
How to Choose the Best Moisture Meter
There are lots of moisture meters available online so this buying guide contains all the necessary information you need to find the best moisture meter for your residential or professional needs.
Pinned vs Pinless Moisture Meters
Pinned or Pin-type moisture meters like the Tavool Wood Moisture Meter have two sharp steel pins that you insert into a test surface. Once the built-in sensors detect moisture that is hidden within a surface, the information is displayed on an LCD screen.
These meters are easily calibrated and are considered to have better accuracy than a pinless model but the pins can cause damage to the softer material.
Pinless moisture meters such as the Dr. Meter Pinless Wood Moisture Meter use scanning sensors that quickly detect moisture content inside a piece of wood as well as building materials.
Some pinless models like the Protimeter SurveyMaster have extra powerful sensors that detect water that lies ¾-inches below the surface. But the best feature of a pinless meter is that it safely scans a piece of softwood without damaging the surface.
Dual Mode Moisture Meter
A dual-mode moisture meter like the Calculated Industries AccuMASTER Duo Pro Pin & Pinless Moisture Meter has two pins and a scanning mode.
This advanced design gives you an extra layer of detection accuracy. You can scan insulation for dampness and insert the pins into a piece of timber to check its moisture content.
Measurement Scale
Moisture meters measure moisture content (MC) on a percentage scale. The percentage scale normally ranges from 5-40% for wood, 0.2-50% for gypsum, and 0-100% for other types of denser materials like concrete. Percentages may also be displayed as low (5-11%), medium (12-15%), or high (16-50%).
A colored bar graph is a common moisture content feature and it may be displayed in black or color:green for dry, yellow for moderate or medium, and red for high moisture content.
Accuracy and Calibration
While most digital moisture meter devices provide great accuracy, they may vary in their level of accuracy depending on a few factors. A pinless moisture meter may produce inaccurate results if it is used with extra thick wood. To ensure its accuracy, the meter should be placed flat on a surface.
Failing to calibrate a moisture meter correctly before use can cause inaccurate results. Also, calibration can be affected by changes in temperature or humidity.
If the meter keeps showing zero readings, it needs to be calibrated first. So always consult the instruction manual to make sure that you have calibrated it correctly.
LCD Screen Design
One of the most important features of a moisture meter is its LCD screen design. A large, bright LCD screen with big digits will make it easier for you to see the information at a glance and is especially useful in a dark workspace.
Best Moisture Meter Reviews
1. Klein Tools Pinless Moisture Meter
Fast, accurate, and portable, the Klein Tools Pinless Moisture Meter is a great tool for a DIY enthusiast or a building contractor.
Pinless electromagnetic field (EMF) technology allows for quick non-destructive detection of moisture content and water damage in ¾-inch thick materials such as drywall, masonry, concrete, hardwood, and softwood.
The large, bright, reverse-contrast digital LCD screen allows you to easily view accurate data readings. A colored LED bar graph indicates the moisture content level from dry to wet.
Additional handy features include large rubberized mode and hold buttons, a low battery indicator, and an auto-power-saving off function.
Ideal for rough conditions and for people who may need to get up on the roof, this tool has a tough ABS plastic case that can withstand a 6.6 foot (2m) drop. The bright red color makes it easy to spot the moisture meter around your workspace or in the toolbox.
Klein Tools includes a carrying case, a 9V battery, and the moisture meter is covered by a one-year warranty.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for DIY enthusiasts and building contractors
- Pinless design that won’t mar the surfaces
- Electromagnetic field (EMF) technology
- Fast and accurate detection of moisture content in wood and building materials
- Detects moisture content up to ¾-inch deep
- Easy viewing LCD screen has a bright reverse-contrast display
- Nine colored LED bars indicate dry to wet moisture range
- Hold button, a low battery indicator, auto-power off function
- Mode button for drywall, masonry, hardwood, and softwood
- Tough case can withstand a 6.6 foot (2m) drop
- Bright red color is very easy to see
- Carrying case
- Comes with a 9V battery
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Device needs to be completely flat on a surface to get an accurate reading
- Plastic case is still a bit thin
2. SAM-PRO Dual Moisture Meter 2.0
The SAM-PRO Dual Moisture Meter is an extremely versatile tool that can be used to quickly test moisture levels and temperatures across a wide variety of materials.
Perfect for building, renovations, and woodworking, this professional-grade moisture meter accurately detects hidden leaks in walls or anywhere mold may develop. It has four material modes that provide readings for over 100 different materials such as hardwood, softwood, carpet, insulation, and concrete.
Designed with two sharp steel pins and a scanning mode, you can check for moisture inside firewood, timber, or place the device against a wall.
This clever device produces all the necessary information you need. It tells you whether the moisture content is low (5-11%), medium (12-15%), or high (16-50%), and a color-coded bar graph provides dry to wet readings. All of this information is displayed on a large color LCD screen and there is a hold mode that you can use to store the MC information while you complete other tasks.
The screen also displays a battery level indicator, material mode icon, minimum and maximum percentages, and temperature readings in Celcius and Fahrenheit.
Ideal for working in low-light conditions, the LCD screen also functions as a mini flashlight and the flashlight indicator lets you know its status.
Designed to withstand rough work conditions, this moisture meter has a sturdy, durable, and ergonomic nylon case. It also comes with a replacement electrode pin set and batteries.
SAM-PRO offers a lifetime replacement warranty on the moisture meter.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Very good accuracy
- Ideal for building, renovations, and woodworking projects
- Four material modes provide readings for over 100 different materials such as hardwood, softwood, carpet, drywall, and concrete
- Sharp steel pins
- Scanning mode
- Large easy-to-read color LCD screen
- LCD flashlight function and flashlight indicator
- Minimum and maximum MC percentages
- Celsius and Fahrenheit readings
- Sturdy, durable and ergonomic nylon case
- Replacement set of electrode pins
- Includes batteries
- Lifetime replacement warranty
Cons
- May not be very accurate with extra thick hardwood
- Battery may need to be replaced out of the box
- Instructions may not come with the meter
3. Dr. Meter Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
Utilizing intelligent technology, the Dr. Meter Pinless Wood Moisture Meter allows you to quickly scan and detect moisture content that is hidden within walls, furniture, or other valuable objects.
This efficient and reliable measurement tool uses high precision electromagnetic waves that provide accurate moisture levels in softwood and hardwood timber.
If you are a carpenter or builder, you will also appreciate this moisture meter as it has a wide measuring range from 4-80% and you can choose from ten unique grades of timber density, and you can also scan cartons, medical material, or even cotton for dampness.
Dr. Meter features a temperature compensation function that keeps the object or surface at the same temperature for at least five minutes which ensures better readings. Its calibration indicator alerts you for zero calibration problems and when the readings exceed the device’s upper limit of moisture content ratio.
Working in a dark space will be so easy as this moisture meter has an ultra-large LCD screen and big digits. Its intelligent power-saving auto-off function shuts the meter off after five minutes of inactivity, and the low-voltage prompt tells you when the unit is running out of battery power.
The moisture meter has a sturdy case and its lightweight profile is ideal for every day carry. When you are not using it, you can store it in the included soft pouch, and it comes with three AAA batteries.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- High precision electromagnetic technology
- Pinless non-marring scanning design
- Provides accurate reading without making holes in walls, furniture or other valuable objects
- Can be used for softwood and hardwood timber
- Ten unique grades of timber density
- Wide measuring range from 4-80%
- Temperature compensation function keeps an object or surface at the same temperature for five minutes to ensure greater accuracy
- Intelligent power-saving auto-off function
- Ultra-large LCD screen has big digits
- Calibration error indicator and upper limit moisture content ratio alert
- Sturdy and lightweight case
- Soft storage pouch
- Three AAA batteries
Cons
- Pricey
- Needs to be calibrated first
- Meter must be kept away from water or any corrosive liquid to avoid being damaged
- Should not be used around electrified objects
- LCD screen is not backlit
4. Protimeter Surveymaster Dual-Function Moisture Meter
The Protimeter SurveyMaster Dual-Function Moisture Meter is an invaluable moisture detection tool for a DIY renovator or professional contractor.
This upgraded moisture meteruses two operational modes to quickly diagnose water leaks behind insulation and analyze the moisture content inside a wooden surface.
The non-invasive scanning mode provides concise and accurate measurements up to ¾-inches (9mm) below the surface and it is not affected by surface moisture.
If you need to check timber for building purposes, the sharp steel pins have a maximum depth of 0.4-inches which allows for spot-on assessment of moisture content levels in softwood or hardwood.
The Protimeter has a rugged case and its ergonomic design allows for one-handed operation. Its large backlit display can be easily read in low-light conditions.
You can use the lanyard cord to secure the moisture meter around your wrist or store the device in the included carrying case.
This moisture meter also comes with a power-pack, a 9V battery, a protective pin cap, a wall probe, one additional set of pins, and a calibration check device.
Protimeter offers a two-year warranty on the moisture meter.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Invaluable tool for DIY renovators and professional contractors
- Upgraded design
- Sharp steel pins
- Non-invasive scanning measurement up to ¾-inches below the surface
- Ideal for softwood and hardwood
- Rugged construction
- Ergonomic one-handed design
- Large backlit display
- Lanyard cord
- Soft carrying case
- Protective pin cap
- Powerpack, 9V battery, a soft carrying case, one additional set of pins, wall probe, and a calibration check device
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Pin cap does not always stay on properly
- May not be suitable for thick concrete
- Accuracy will depend on the density and other characteristics of the material being measured
5. General Tools Digital Moisture Meter
Water damage is the first sign of mold, but when you use the General Tools Digital Moisture Meter, you will be able to stop water buildup in its tracks.
The General Tools moisture meter is extremely versatile and can be used to detect water leaks in metal pipes, dampness in walls or ceilings, and analyze moisture in softwood, hardwood, or building materials.
This moisture meter is very easy to use. Just insert the sharp stainless steel pins into a surface. Once moisture is detected, the meter provides an overall measurement range from 5-50% for wood and 1.5-33% for building materials.
Moisture content is displayed in low, medium, or high percentages. For wood, the percentages range from 5-11.9% (low); 12-15.9% (medium); and 16-50% (high). Building material moisture content ranges from 1.5-16.9% (low); 17-19.9% (medium); and 20-33% (high).
The large backlit LCD screen allows for easy viewing in dark areas. It also has a data hold function, an auto power-off mode that comes on after three minutes of inactivity, and a low battery indicator.
One of the major features of this smart device is its audible tones for low, medium, and high moisture content, as well as green, yellow, and red LED visual alerts underneath the screen.
The protective pin cap also doubles as a calibration checker and a 9V battery is included.
General Tools offers a one-year warranty on the moisture meter.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Very good accuracy
- Perfect for home use or professional woodworkers
- Designed for softwood, hardwood, firewood, and building materials
- Ideal for ceilings, walls, carpet, and broken pipes
- Sharp stainless steel pins
- Overall measurement range from 5-50% for wood and 1.5-33% for building materials
- Low, medium, and high moisture content percentages
- Easy-to-read backlit LCD screen
- Low, medium, and high moisture tones
- Colored green, yellow and red LED visual alerts
- Hold function, auto power-off, and a low battery indicator
- Protective cap doubles as a calibration checker
- 9V battery
- One-year warranty
Cons
- LCD screen is not overly bright
- May not provide consistent accuracy when used with thick hardwood
- Sharp pins may not be ideal for delicate materials
6. Calculated Industries AccuMASTER Duo Pro Pin & Pinless Moisture Meter
The Calculated Industries AccuMASTER Duo Pro Pin & Pinless Moisture Meter offers you the ultimate versatility to accurately detect moisture across a broad range of materials.
You can use the AccuMASTER to test moisture content in floors, walls, carpets, in the roof, water pipes, and building materials such as hardwood, lumber, brick, concrete, drywall, and plaster.
This meter is very easy to use. Select the pin mode and firmly insert the replaceable sharp stainless steel pins into the material. When using the scan mode, place the back of the meter directly onto the surface you want to test. The scan mode is perfect for thicker materials as it can penetrate up to ¾-inches below the surface.
In the Pin mode, the meter displays its moisture content measurement range for wood from 5-50% and 1-33% for building materials. In the Pinless/Scanning mode, it displays a wide measurement range from 0.1-100% for all materials.
If you need to work in a dark area, the large, backlit LCD screen is black and the white digits stand out clearly. The screen has an automatic shut-off mode that saves battery power after three minutes of inactivity and the simple control panel underneath has a separate mode button and a hold button.
Easy-to-read digits clearly show you whether the moisture content is high, medium, or low. Audible alerts are useful when you cannot see the screen.
Ideal for tough work conditions, the moisture meter has a sturdy case, ergonomic shape and its rubber side grips are very comfortable.
The AccuMASTER also comes with a protective pin cap and a 9V battery.
Calculated Industries offers a one-year warranty on the moisture meter.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Dual pinned and scanning design
- Accurately detect moisture across a broad range of materials
- Can be used for hardwood, lumber, brick, concrete, drywall, and plaster
- Separate moisture content measurements for wood and building materials
- Durable stainless-steel pins
- Easy to use large backlit display has large icons
- Audible alerts
- Sturdy ergonomic design
- Hold button
- Automatic shutoff mode
- Protective pin cap
- 9V battery
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- May not be very accurate when used in thick firewood
- Pins can break easily
7. Tavool Wood Moisture Meter
Prevent costly water damage in your home and stop mold in its tracks with the Tavool Wood Moisture Meter.
One of the most versatile moisture measurement tools, the Tavool meter can be used for eight different types of soft or hardwood such as teak, walnut, oak, pine or cedar, which means it is perfect for decking, indoor flooring, cabinets, furniture, wood beams, plywood paneling, window frames, forestry wood, firewood, as we all as other types of building materials.
You will achieve a consistent level of accuracy as the Tavool moisture meter can be used for detecting moisture content and analyzing temperatures from 32-104° Fahrenheit.
To pinpoint the exact moisture location in wood or building materials, insert the sharp high-precision stainless-steel pins into a test surface and the sensors will provide the right moisture content: Low (5-12%), Medium (12-17%) or High (17-60%).
This moisture meter is so easy to use in the dark as its large ultra-bright green backlit screen has bold digits and the screen displays a battery level indicator and wood group indicators. The device also features automatic calibration, a memory function, and an automatic sensor that turns the unit off after 10 minutes of inactivity. There are separate buttons for the hold mode, maximum and minimum measurements, and Celcius and Fahrenheit temperatures.
The moisture meter comes with a protective pin cover and a 9V battery.
Tavool offers a two-year warranty on the moisture meter.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very affordable price
- Delivers consistently accurate results
- Sharp high-precision stainless-steel moisture detection pins
- Can be used for eight types of wood: softwood and hardwood
- Specifically designed for wood and building materials
- Large ultra-bright green LCD-backlit screen
- Automatic calibration, memory function, power-off in 10 minutes mode, and wood group designators
- Separate buttons for the hold mode, maximum and minimum moisture measurements, and Celcius and Fahrenheit temperatures
- Lightweight
- Protective pin cover
- 9V battery
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Light on the LCD screen doesn’t stay on for very long
- Battery cover is hard to remove
- Readings can sometimes be inconsistent with extra thick wood
- No carrying case
8. FLIR MR40 – Moisture Pen – with Built-in 40 Lumens Flashlight
Portable and convenient, the Flir MR40 Moisture Pen with Built-in 40 Lumens Flashlight fits right into your pocket so it is perfect for on-the-go moisture detection.
Ideal for tough work conditions, the rugged case is impact-proof up to three meters, has an IP54 splash-proof rating, and can be used in temperatures from 14-122° Fahrenheit.
A handy tool for DIY renovators, builders, building inspectors, remodelers, pest control professionals, roofers, and flooring installers, the FLIR moisture meter has replaceable sharp stainless-steel pins that provide reliably accurate moisture content measurements in wood and building materials.
You can even use the FLIR moisture meter in combination with the FLIR infrared thermal imaging camera to quickly detect cold or hot spots in a wall or ceiling.
This two-in-one device has a built-in 40-lumens flashlight that helps you to illuminate any dark area around your workspace.
User-friendly features include an LCD display with bold digits, a simple on/off button, an automatic power-off mode to save on battery power, a battery power indicator, and a measurement hold function.
As well as displaying the necessary data on the screen, an audible tone indicator alerts you as to whether the material has low 5-12%, medium 13-60%, or high 60%+ moisture content.
Calibrating your meter is very easy as the calibration/pin checker is integrated into the cap.
The moisture meter comes with a spare pin set, a protective pin cover, and two AAA batteries.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for DIY renovators, builders, building inspectors, remodelers, pest control professionals, roofers, and flooring installers
- Lightweight, compact and portable pocket size meter
- Good accuracy
- Replaceable sharp stainless-steel pins
- Rugged design
- Impact-proof up to three meters
- IP54 splash-proof
- Operates at temperatures between 14-122° Fahrenheit
- Simple to use
- Clear LCD display with bold digits, simple on/off button, battery power indicator, and automatic power-off
- Audible indication tone for low, medium, or high moisture content
- Perfect match for the FLIR infrared thermal imaging camera
- Built-in flashlight
- Spare pin set
- Protective pin cover
- Comes with two AAA batteries
Cons
- May not be suited for thick materials
- Flashlight is not very bright
- Protective cap can come off easily
- On/off button is awkwardly placed
- Battery life is not very good
- No carrying case
Our Top Pick for the Best Moisture Meter
Our top pick for the best moisture meter is the Tavool Wood Moisture Meter.
We highly recommend the Tavool Moisture Meter for any woodworking, maintenance, renovation, or construction projects. You can easily stop mold or wood deterioration before it begins with this amazingly versatile tool as it quickly reveals hidden water damage in floors, walls, carpets, roofs, and pipes.
Was this article helpful?
Yes No
×
What went wrong?
This article contains incorrect information
This article does not have the information I am looking for
×
How can we improve it?
×
We appreciate your helpful feedback!
Your answer will be used to improve our content. The more feedback you give us, the better our pages can be.
