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Best wood moisture meter 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated September 1, 2023
HELLO! I’m Brayden Diaz. I spent 44 hours researching and testing 24 different types of wood moisture meter and found that material, variety of sizes, and style were most important.
Just read here for my top 3 recommendations. Why are these 3 wood moisture meter on top of my list? Well read on… So, you will find reviews on some models of wood moisture meter that impressed me (and a good many other people), and you will find a few informational pages as well.
Best wood moisture meter of 2018
Many models on the market may be confusing to a person who is shopping for their first time. So this is not only going to give you an insight to the best wood moisture meter of the 2018 but also those which are user friendly and easy to work with. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your comfort, style, or accessibility, we have picks to fit a variety of needs and budgets. However, after giving you the TOP list, I will also give you some of the benefits you stand to gains for using it.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Design |
4 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Size |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Durability |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Quality |
5 points
|
4 points
|
5 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the wood moisture meter by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Calculated Industries 7440 AccuMASTER XT Digital Moisture Meter | Handheld |Pin Type | Backlit LCD Display | Detects Leaks
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this wood moisture meter win the first place?
The rear part fits perfectly! It is mounted really tight and reliable. I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch!
4
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
№2 – Dr.meter Digital Wood Moisture Meter
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this wood moisture meter come in second place?
The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money. The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed.
4
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№3 – Dual Moisture Meter: LCD BACKLIT DISPLAY- Test Moisture Levels & Temperature in Wood
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this wood moisture meter take third place?
I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. A very convenient model. It is affordable and made of high-quality materials.
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
wood moisture meter Buyer’s Guide
Pin vs. Pinless Meters
Species and Temperature Correction Temperature and wood density affect the readings given by moisture meters.All meters are calibrated to read the MC of Douglas fir at about 6degrees F. (The Timber Check is the only exception; it is calibrated for red oak). That means if you’re using a meter on something other than Douglas fir and the temperature is above or below 6degrees F, you’ll need to make adjustments to the meter reading. Manufacturers include charts that adjust for species and temperature variations. More expensive meters have built-in species correction and a couple have built-in temperature correction as well (see chart below). Just set the meter to the desired species and the meter automatically corrects the readings.This is a huge benefit when you have a lot of wood to test. Pin meters are more sensitive to temperature variations than pinless meters. That’s why pin meters always come with temperature correction charts. Some manufacturers include corrections for pinless meters should you need a very precise reading. Pinless meters,on the other hand,are more sensitive to differences in density,or “specific gravity”of different species than pin meters. That’s why pin meters with built-in species correction can get away with grouping species into a handful of settings while pinless meters generally require you to set the specific gravity of each species into the meter.
Important Features
Pin Length A rule of thumb states that the average MC of a board can be found at a depth equal to 1/to 1/the thickness of the board. For example, 5/16-in. pins are long enough to get an average MC reading on a 1-1/2-in.-thick board and 1/2-in. pins will work for 2-in. stock. Remember,however, that this rule works only when the board has an even moisture gradient where the surface is drier than the core. It’s tempting to think that a pin meter measures the MC of the wood at the ends of the pins. In reality, the uninsulated pins measure the wettest layer of wood they come in contact with. Wood that’s been stored in a shed or shop can have a higher MC on the surface than the core. In this case, the reading only reflects the MC of the wetter outer surface, regardless of how deep the pins penetrate. To get an accurate core reading with uninsulated pins you can crosscut the board and take a reading of the core on the freshly exposed end grain. Insulated pins only measure the MC of the wood at the tips of the pins. They come with the external probe accessory that’s available with some meters.
Built-In Species and Temperature Correction We think that built-in species correction is a feature you can live without unless you typically need to take readings on a large quantity of wood.A chart can be a bit of a hassle,but it’s no big deal if you’re dealing with just a few boards. Even with built-in correction, you may have to use a chart to find the right setting.
I have one of these.
Unless you are an inspector, this is the best moisture meter for simply determining DRY.
That’s all it tells you and that’s all you need to know when: – you need to determine whether or not a slab has a moisture barrier underneath it. – the in floor radiant heat system has cured the gypcrete in which it was laid. – the self-leveling compound you poured has dried.
Dry is dry. IF WHATEVER YOU ARE MEASURING IS NOT DRY, THEN THERE’S NO GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT.
For drywall, etc…
There are a variety of probes available from standard and universal to more product specific probes. If you need to measure moisture levels within a wall you may want to consider ‘Deep Wall Probes’. These allow you to measure moisture at depth within walls and other structures.
Pinless Moisture Meters
These operate on the principle of capacitance, which is a fancy way of saying that these devices compare the relationship of the wood’s electrical properties and the water (moisture content) that wood contains. Capacitance simply refers to the ability of a given object to hold an electrical charge. Earlier, we said that wood was generally not very good at this (low capacitance) while water is very good at it.
Pinless meters have a couple of significant drawbacks to be aware of, however. The big one is that they cannot tell the difference between core moisture, that is, moisture toward the center of the given piece of wood, and shell or surface moisture. This can be problematic if you’re burning wood for fuel, but is much better suited for wood planks and other, thinner pieces that woodworkers would likely make use of. The Pinless Wood Moisture Meter is also excellent at determining the average level of moisture in a large, three-dimensional space, so again, it mostly depends on what you need it for. Woodworkers will likely gravitate toward this type, while people who burn wood for fuel wouldn’t find it terribly useful.
Pin vs. Pinless Moisture Meters
Too obvious? Maybe. But let’s point it out anyway. Pin-style meters usually have two metal pins that must physically penetrate the wood’s surface in order to take a moisture reading. Pinless meters use a sensor pad that works in contact with the wood surface but does not physically break or damage the surface to take a reading. Let’s look at why that matters.
Sensor Size vs. Pinpoint Accuracy
The true difference rests in the underlying technology of each type of meter. Pin meters work on a resistance principle that measures the flow of electricity between two pin tips and measures the moisture content (MC) of that very tiny path. Keep in mind that pin meters only measure the MC at the point in the wood between the two pins. Multiple readings are always necessary to get an overview of the MC. Pinless moisture meters use a larger sensor pad and emit electromagnetic signals to measure the MC of wood. This provides the unique ability to quickly and accurately “scan” larger areas in each wood piece, providing instant MC readings. This technology can scan many board feet in seconds without the time-consuming effort of driving pins into the wood.
Holes vs. No Holes
As we’ve already mentioned, a pin meter will penetrate the wood’s surface to measure the MC. Therefore, each MC reading will make a pair of holes in the wood. For 2x4s or firewood, this might not be a problem. For wood flooring, fine furniture, cabinets or other fine woodworking projects, those holes become a series of blemishes in the surface of the wood. Pinless meters leave no damage to the surface.
From contributor G
Lignomat manufactures pin and pinless moisture meters. Pin less meters can check many boards in a short time. The measuring depth for most pinless meters is limited to 3/4″. When scanning boards from both sides, that works well for 3/up to 6/thick boards. If you want to measure thinner boards, Lignomat offers a pinless meter with selectable measuring depth of 3/4″ and 1/4″ deep.
Disadvantage: Pinless meters can only measure flat boards. Anything round cannot be measured. Pinless meters cannot measure a gradient within the board. If a board is freshly cut, pin meters with integral pins can measure the end grain and detect a gradient. If you cannot cut the boards, use a pin meter with slide hammer to show the gradient.
How to use one
You can just measure the outside of the log, measuring across the grain of the split surface, but ideally you should split open the log with an axe to measure the internal moisture and take an average of the two readings. As long as the average is no more than 25% then that means your logs are ready to burn.
We rated the pH Soil Meter, 3-in-Soil Tester Kit 5.0 out of stars, and is an excellent moisture meter, light, and pH acidity tester. Its responsive probe senses soil changes and displays accurate values to the user. No electricity or batteries are used by this product, making it environmentally friendly. Moisture is measured by inserting the probe completely into the soil to reach the root level. The correct moisture level will be displayed, and the user simply needs to refer to the included chart to find out watering needs.
Light is measured by holding the meter next to a plant and facing a light source (don’t touch the sensing element which is located underneath the gauge!). Check light level and refer to the included chart for correct light requirements. To test soil pH, insert the probe into the soil. A pH reading that’s less than is acidic, and readings greater than indicate an alkaline soil.
This quality dual soil pH and moisture meter is rated 4.out of stars (by us), and provides simple, accurate checking of soil moisture level and pH balance (alkalinity and acidity). Its extra long probe allows users to measure significantly below a plant’s root zone. This meter is perfect for commercial use (orchards, vineyards, lawn maintenance, and field production) and home use (planters, lawn maintenance, and gardens).
This product includes moisture and soil pH meter and instruction manual. It works as advertised, gives accurate pH level readings, and is good for either commercial or home use.
This 4-in-instrument is a light and temperature sensor (measures sunlight intensity and temperature using an in. (200mm) probe), and also tests moisture and pH balance. Readings are clearly displayed on a large LCD screen. This product also features an automatic power-off function and a low battery indicator.
Doesnt Measure Wood
That’s our list of the top moisture meters, and we are sure there will be one there for your required use. Before we go on to sum things up, let’s have a quick reminder of the important features that you need to look out for.
How It Works
You might be wondering why you need a moisture tester: we’ve mentioned a few uses above, and there are many more. What you may not be aware of is that damp in the home can lead to a variety of health problems. A dry home is a healthy one, so knowing where you have moisture and damp is essential. The causes can be many, but in older homes it may be necessary to get a damp course so your home is protected from damp rising from the ground.
Bricks and mortar can harbour damp, and these moisture testers are among the most useful devices in discovering the problem early on. These meters are digital and give a clear, easy to see read out, and they are also simple to use. Battery powered, they are designed to be portable and to be used for detection damp in a wide variety of materials, so they can be used in and outside the house. Perfect, in fact, for making sure your store of logs is dry and ready for the cold winter months.
Remember, let damp alone and it will cause you problems that will be expensive to deal with; nip it in the bud and you will find you have a more comfortable, healthy home that is easy to live in and pleasant to be around. Keep your wood dry and you will have a hot, beautiful fire to keep you warm, one that is easy to light and that burns efficiently. So, you might not think a moisture tester is an essential item, but buy one of these – and for very little cost – and you will find it is a great addition to your tool box. So, with no further ado, let’s have a look at the top moisture testers you can buy right now.
Important Features to Consider
The most important factor to consider with one of these is what you want it for; if you are primarily using it to measure the moisture in firewood, all of these bar two will do it. The same eight will also measure moisture in bricks, concrete and other materials so will be ideal for that usage.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
So now you realise how useful a moisture meter can be, you want one! They really are a great addition to your tool kit, and as most are under £20, not at all expensive. Whether you are building and want to make sure the materials are suitably dry, or you are simply wanting to keep a check on your firewood, there’s one here for you. We’ve even included a couple that are for checking the moisture in soil, so you can keep your house and garden plants healthy.
Which would we recommend? In all honesty, all of these are very good, but for use with wood we would perhaps suggest you look at either of the models from Proster, as they are accurate for different types of wood, and also well-priced. Also, the models from known brands Stihl and Stanley deserve a mention as they are quality items.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the wood moisture meter by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your wood moisture meter wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of wood moisture meter
- №1 — Calculated Industries 7440 AccuMASTER XT Digital Moisture Meter | Handheld |Pin Type | Backlit LCD Display | Detects Leaks
- №2 — Dr.meter Digital Wood Moisture Meter
- №3 — Dual Moisture Meter: LCD BACKLIT DISPLAY- Test Moisture Levels & Temperature in Wood
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about wood moisture meter is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
