Photo: Extech
Wood moisture meters are devices that are designed to measure the percentage of water in wooden pieces. They are important because the physical properties of wood are strongly affected by the moisture level inside.
Therefore, by providing a platform to easily monitor the moisture content, these meters help you to maintain your wooden pieces free from mold, fungus or any other damaging/ deforming features. With that in mind, here are the best wood moisture meters to consider buying.
In this post:
- 10 Best Wood Moisture Meters – Review
- 1. General Tools MMD4E – Wood Moisture Meter with Tone and Visual Alerts
- 2. Calculated Industries 7440 – Easy-to-Use Wood Moisture Meter
- 3. Dr.meter MD812 – Wood Moisture Meter with Auto Shut-Off
- 4. Ryobi E49MM01 – Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
- 5. Breathe Essential SAM-PRO – Wood Moisture Meter with 4 Material Modes
- 6. Dr.meter MD918 – Highly Accurate Wood Moisture Meter
- 7. Proster PST050 – Wood Moisture Meter with a Wide Measuring Range
- 8. Tramex MEP – Analog Wood Moisture Meter
- 9. Extech MO55 – Pin/Pinless Combination Wood Moisture Meter
- 10. Meterk Handheld Mini Wood Moisture Meter – Affordable Wood Moisture Meter
- How to Buy the Best Wood Moisture Meter
- Conclusion
10 Best Wood Moisture Meters – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. General Tools MMD4E (With Tone & Visual Alerts) |
| |
 | 2. Calculated Industries 7440 (Easy-to-Use) |
| |
 | 3. Dr.meter MD812 (With Auto Shut-Off) |
| |
 | 4. Ryobi E49MM01 (Pinless Type) |
| |
 | 5. Breathe Essential SAM-PRO (With 4 Material Modes) |
| |
 | 6. Dr.meter MD918 (Highly Accurate) |
| |
 | 7. Proster PST050 (Has Wide Measuring Range) |
| |
 | 8. Tramex MEP (Analog Display) |
| |
 | 9. Extech MO55 (Pin/Pinless Combination) |
| |
 | 10. Meterk Handheld Mini Wood Moisture Meter (Affordable) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. General Tools MMD4E (With Tone & Visual Alerts)
|
2. Calculated Industries 7440 (Easy-to-Use)
|
3. Dr.meter MD812 (With Auto Shut-Off)
|
4. Ryobi E49MM01 (Pinless Type)
|
5. Breathe Essential SAM-PRO (With 4 Material Modes)
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6. Dr.meter MD918 (Highly Accurate)
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7. Proster PST050 (Has Wide Measuring Range)
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8. Tramex MEP (Analog Display)
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9. Extech MO55 (Pin/Pinless Combination)
|
10. Meterk Handheld Mini Wood Moisture Meter (Affordable)
|
1. General Tools MMD4E – Wood Moisture Meter with Tone and Visual Alerts
Photo: General Tools
- Measuring Range: 5% – 50%
- Accuracy: ±3%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
General Tools’ MMD4E is a pin type moisture meter that is equipped with 3 moisture tones for low, medium and high moisture levels. These tones are backed up by LED visual alerts, which light up in green, yellow or red. This ensures you receive the message loud and clear.
That said, you get a measuring range of between 5 and 50% for wood and 1.5 to 33% for other building materials, with an accuracy of +/-3%. With this, you can use the unit on wood or drywall, making it very versatile.
Other features include a protective cap that is also a calibration checker, rubber side grips for non-slip holding, an easy-to-read backlit LCD for quick reading, auto power-off with a low battery indicator and a hold function for freezing the readings so that you can read later.
However, the unit has a relatively narrow measuring range (5-50%) and its pin design means that you won’t pierce and possibly scratch the material you are measuring.
Pros:
- 3 moisture tones and visual alerts for easy notification
- The protective cap doubles up as a calibration checker
- Rubber side grips for non-slip holding
- Easy-to-read backlit LCD display
- Auto power-off for battery conservation
Cons:
- Relatively narrow measuring range
- Pins pierce and possibly scratch materials
2. Calculated Industries 7440 – Easy-to-Use Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: Calculated Industries
- Measuring Range: 5% – 50%
- Accuracy: ±3%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
Apart from having a large backlit LCD, this piece from Calculated Industries features a sturdy, hand-friendly body with curved rubber grips on the side. This design makes it easy to use when pressing its 2 pins into the material that you want to measure.
The meter features 3 levels of moisture measuring, which include low (5-11%), medium (12-15%) and high (16-50%). This enables you to check lumber and hardwood for construction purposes, as well as firewood to determine if it’s ready to burn.
Once measured, the unit gives you audio and icon alerts on the display to pass on the message clearly.
Other features include auto shut-off after 3 minutes for battery conservation, a protective cap for covering the pins when not in use and a hold function for freezing the readings for later viewing. Combined, these features make this the top-rated wood moisture meter in this review.
However, it does not have visual LED alerts and its measuring range is quite narrow, which limits its measuring capabilities.
Pros:
- Large, easy-to-use backlit LCD display
- Hand-friendly body design with curved rubber grips
- Low, medium and high moisture measuring levels for versatility and ease of use
- Audio and icon notification alerts
- Hold function freezes the readings for reading later
Cons:
- No visual LED alerts
- Relatively narrow measuring range
3. Dr.meter MD812 – Wood Moisture Meter with Auto Shut-Off
Photo: Dr.meter
- Measuring Range: 5% – 40%
- Accuracy: ±1%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
Dr.meter’s MD812 comes with a 9-volt extra heavy-duty battery for immediate use after unboxing, and it is equipped with an auto shut-off feature that powers off after 10 minutes for battery conservation.
Other than that, this product is very small and lightweight, making it easily portable, and it comes pre-calibrated so that you can get down to measuring immediately after unboxing.
The meter is also designed to give more accurate readings at +/-1% so that you can know the exact status of your wood as you stick the two measurement pins at the top inside.
More features include a hold function that freezes the readings for later reading, a low battery icon indicator, 2 spare pins for replacing any broken one and a protection cap to cover the pins when not in use.
However, the unit’s display is not backlit for easy reading in the dark and it has a very narrow 5-40% measuring range.
Pros:
- Includes a 9-volt battery and an auto-shut-off feature for battery conservation
- Easily portable: small and lightweight
- Highly accurate (+/-1%)
- Comes with 2 spare pins for replacing any that breaks
Cons:
- The screen is not backlit
- Narrow 5-40% measuring range limits the measuring capabilities and applications
4. Ryobi E49MM01 – Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: Ryobi
- Measuring Range: 5% – 30%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
This piece from Ryobi is characterized by a pinless design, which means it protects your work surfaces from scuffing and scratching as you measure the temperature level.
That said, even without pins, this meter is able to read the moisture levels up to half an inch deep into your wooden or drywall surface, and gives a measuring range of 5-30%.
As it measures, the unit produces audible alerts that change in frequency with increased moisture levels while the actual percentage level is shown on the LCD screen. This sight-and-sound combination ensures you are clearly informed of the situation inside the wood.
Additionally, a built-in hold function enables you to freeze the measurements on the display for reading later on.
On the downside, this display is not backlit for easy reading in the dark and its 5-30% measuring range is very narrow, which limits its application areas.
Pros:
- Pinless surface-friendly design
- Audible alerts change in frequency as moisture levels increase for easy notification
- Hold function freezes readings for later reading
- Reads up to half an inch deep in wood without pins
Cons:
- The display is not backlit
- Relatively narrow measuring range
5. Breathe Essential SAM-PRO – Wood Moisture Meter with 4 Material Modes
Photo: Breathe Essential
- Power Source: 9V Battery
Breathe Essential’s SAM-PRO is equipped with 4 material measuring modes (softwood, hardwood, concrete, and drywall), which make it very versatile since you can use it on different types of surfaces.
With this, you can test over 100 materials, checking their temperature and moisture readings, and getting the results in a large LCD backlit display that is easy to read even in the dark.
Other features include a double pin design with spare probes, just in case you break the installed pieces, a travel case and a 9-volt battery to power the unit straight after unboxing.
On the downside, this piece does not provide visual LED alerts for quick and precise notifications.
Pros:
- 4 material measuring modes allow you to measure up to 100 different materials
- Checks temperature and moisture levels
- Large and easy-to-read LCD backlit display
- Includes 2 spare probes, a 9-volt battery, and a carrying case
Cons:
- No visual LED alerts
6. Dr.meter MD918 – Highly Accurate Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: Dr.meter
- Measuring Range: 4% – 80%
- Accuracy: ±0.5%
- Power Source: 3 x 1.5V AAA Battery
If you are looking for high precision when getting the moisture reading in your wood, Dr.meter’s MD918 is your best bet. This is because its accuracy stands at +/-0.5%, which means you get a high level of precision with a confident reading.
Additionally, the unit gives you a wide 4-80% measurement range, and you can choose from 10 unique timber density grades to measure using the density switch button on the front panel.
Another benefit you get with this piece is its non-puncturing pinless design, in which it uses electromagnetic waves to measure the moisture level instead of pins.
More features include intelligent shut-off that powers off the device after 5 minutes of inactivity and calibration notification, in which the unit will inform you for zero calibration, ATC overrunning and temperature calibration for maintaining high accuracy.
However, the meter does not have visual LED alerts, and it lacks an ergonomic design for comfortable holding.
Pros:
- High precision with an accuracy level of +/-0.5%
- Wide measurement range with 10 unique timber density measurement grades
- Non-puncturing pinless design
- Automatic shut-off after 5 minutes for battery conservation
Cons:
- Not as comfortable to hold
- No visual LED alerts
7. Proster PST050 – Wood Moisture Meter with a Wide Measuring Range
Photo: Proster
- Measuring Range: 0% – 99.9%
- Accuracy: ±0.5%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
Proster’s PST050 takes the top spot when it comes to the measurement range because it has extremely sensitive electrode pins that operate in the range of 0-99.9% with high accuracy of +/-0.5%. This makes it one of the best professional moisture meters in the market.
The meter also features 4 different measuring modes for getting readings on 4 different wood groups, which cover approximately 50 species of wood.
Other features include an economic and durable ABS plastic outer construction, automatic power-off for battery conservation and a low battery icon display to show you when recharging is due.
On the downside, the built-in LCD display is not backlit for easy reading in the dark and it has no rubber side grips, though its curved design makes it fit perfectly in the hand.
Pros:
- Sensitive electrode pins with a wide operating range of 0-99.9%
- High accuracy of +/-0.5%
- 4 different measuring modes for different wood groups
- Durable ABS plastic construction
- Auto power-off for battery conservation
Cons:
- The display is not backlit
- No rubber side grips
8. Tramex MEP – Analog Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: Tramex
- Measuring Range: 5% – 30%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
This moisture meter is characterized by an analog display that shows the measurement range of water in wood from 5-30% and 0-100 for other materials on a comparative scale. The only downside to this is that analog displays are not as easy to read as their digital counterparts.
On the bright side, this unit is a pinless type, which is non-destructive and has a deep penetration signal that goes up to 1.25 inches in wood and drywall so as to give you a comprehensive reading of the moisture content inside.
More features include a hold function for freezing the readings and 3 sensitivity ranges for wood/timber, drywall/roofing, and plaster/brick. However, the unit is very expensive.
Pros:
- Non-destructive pinless type
- Wood scale and other materials comparative scale in one
- The deep penetration signal gives more accurate details of the moisture levels inside
- Hold function freezes readings for reading later
Cons:
- Not as easy to use as a digital meter
- Expensive
9. Extech MO55 – Pin/Pinless Combination Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: Extech
- Measuring Range: 0% – 99%
- Power Source: 9V Battery
Extech’s MO55 is one of the best moisture meters for wood because it has a pin and pinless combination, which allows you to use the one you want or the one that is suitable for the current project that you are working on.
That said, you get a 0-99% (pinless) measurement range for wood and other materials while using the pins, a 5-50% range is given for wood and 1.5-33% on other materials.
As it measures, the unit gives you audible alerts that beep faster with an increase in moisture levels while alert icons give you a visual reference for low, medium and high moisture levels.
Other features include an ergonomic design with rubber side grips and a hold function that freezes readings on the display for reading later. However, the built-in LCD screen is not backlit for easy reading in the dark.
Pros:
- Pin/pinless combination gives a lot of versatility in use
- Audible and icon alerts
- Ergonomic design with rubber side grips for easy holding
- Hold function freezes readings for later use
Cons:
- The display is not backlit
10. Meterk Handheld Mini Wood Moisture Meter – Affordable Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: Meterk
- Measuring Range: 2% – 70%
- Accuracy: ±0.5%
- Power Source: 3 x 1.5V AAA Battery
If you are on a tight budget, Meterk’s wood moisture meter is a good option to consider. That said, it is a pin type unit that has a wide 2-70% measurement range with a +/-0.5 accuracy, resulting in very precise readings.
The piece also has 4 operation modes for dealing with different types of wood while a data hold function freezes the readings onscreen so that you can view them later on.
More features include automatic power off in 10 minutes for battery conservation, a large and easy-to-read backlit LCD display and a protective probe cover to keep them secure when not in use.
However, you get no visual LED alerts and its pin design might be destructive to some wood materials because you have to puncture through.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Wide measuring range with high accuracy
- 4 operation modes for measuring different types of wood
- Automatic power off for battery conservation
Cons:
- No visual LED alerts
- Pins might be destructive to wood
How to Buy the Best Wood Moisture Meter
Photo: General Tools
1. Type of Meter
Pin
This type of wood moisture meter is fitted with 2 pins at the top that should be plunged into the wood so as to detect the moisture level inside.
Even though such units are generally cheaper and give more accurate results, they leave small holes after puncturing through the wood, which means you may destroy your wooden piece if you measure continuously.
Pinless
Pinless meters do not do any puncturing. Instead, they utilize electromagnetic waves that penetrate about an inch deep into the wood to sense any moisture. They are also very accurate but are usually more expensive than the pin type.
Pin/Pinless Combination
Basically, this type combines the functions of both the pin and pinless type, making it very versatile and the best one to consider.
2. Use
For wooden furniture surfaces where poking is not recommended, ensure you buy the pinless type. However, for surfaces such as firewood, a pin-type meter can be used, provided that the surface is flat so that the pins can go deep into the wood for more accurate results.
Basically, your intended use should determine the best wood moisture meter to buy.
3. Measuring Range
Given as a percentage, the wider the measuring range, the better. This is because the meter will have a wider scope to give the moisture readings and therefore, you will get more precise results.
4. Accuracy
Other than the measuring range, it is very important to check the accuracy and the lower this value is, the better. Also given as a percentage, a low value means that the result displayed on the screen will not deviate too far from the actual percentage of water in the wood.
Therefore, avoid the higher percentage values because the reading might be very far from the truth.
5. Ease of Use
For a wood moisture meter to be easy to use, it must have a large display that is backlit for easy reading in the dark. Other than that, it should have an ergonomic design that fits snugly on the hand with rubber grips on the side for non-slip holding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when woodworking, it is very important that you use wood pieces while at the right moisture level to avoid damages or deformations later on.
It is also very important to check wooden floors and other installations regularly so as to avoid rot and mold, which can be very destructive.
With that in mind, having gone through the review and buying guide above, you will find it a bit easier to pick the best moisture meter for wood that fits your requirements.