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Moisture meters may not be familiar to the average homeowner, but they provide tremendous value for detecting leaks in your home and for a range of DIY projects. These handy devices measure the moisture content of various materials, including wood, drywall, and concrete.
The readings give you valuable information as to whether the wood you're using for, say, laying flooring or building cabinets is going to warp or shrink after installation. Because moisture meters rely on electromagnetic signals or currents, they're also capable of identifying inconsistencies in the moisture content in walls and floors. Things like peeling paint or wallpaper or discoloration in places basements or bathrooms are signs of a leak, and a relatively inexpensive moisture meter may save you from having a flood.
So if there are carpentry projects on your horizon this year or lined up this year, or if you're concerned about a hidden damp area in your home, one of these moisture meters can help. These are the best moisture meters we recommend.
A pin moisture meter takes readings using two small metal pins that protrude from the top of it. To use this type of moisture meter, you must penetrate the wood surface with the two pins. Once it's inserted into the wood, the moisture meter sends an electrical current between the two pins and records the resistance to determine how much moisture is in the wood.
Since pin meters work best when inserted into the material, they aren't great options for measuring moisture in masonry or drywall. Pin meters produce more accurate readings than pinless models; However, they cause surface damage to the wood, take longer to produce a reading, and only produce readings for the small area between the two pins.
Pinless moisture meters use a large sensor pad that sends electromagnetic signals to the surface of the wood at a set frequency. The moisture meter calculates the amount of moisture present in the wood by measuring the strength of the return waves. Pinless moisture meters take readings more quickly and measure moisture to a greater depth and over a much broader area than a pin meter.
Along with pin and pinless models, there are versatile combination moisture meters that can take readings with both pins and a sensor.
Since even small variances in moisture concentration can result in warped flooring or cracked shelving, it's crucial to choose a moisture meter that's accurate. Drywall moisture readings that are off by just a few percentage points can be the difference between identifying and missing a leak that's causing mold to grow behind a wall.
The highest-quality moisture meters are accurate to within less than 0.1 percent of the material's moisture content and produce consistent and reliable readings. These precision moisture meters also happen to come with a steep price tag. More affordable moisture meters are typically accurate to within 4 percent.
While highly accurate moisture meters may be crucial for professional home inspectors and woodworkers, a less accurate and more affordable option is typically sufficient for the average DIYer. Reliability is also key. A good moisture meter should provide consistent readings over multiple tests on the same material.
Moisture levels for wood that's usable in carpentry, decking, and flooring projects sit between 6 and 8 percent for interior use and 9 and 14 percent for exterior use. The ideal moisture content for wood stove fuel is between 15 and 20 percent.
Moisture meters vary in how much moisture content they can detect. Most moisture meters detect and measure moisture when it's between 5 and 40 percent, which is usually more than adequate for determining whether wood is dry enough for a given project.
That said, if you're planning on using a moisture meter for other materials, like drywall, you may want to consider a meter that picks up traces of moisture more easily and precisely. The acceptable moisture content range for drywall is between 5 and 12 percent (greater than that and mold can grow). That's why the average moisture level range for drywall meters starts at 1.5 percent and goes up to around 30. It can be especially helpful to identify a drywall moisture problem, such as a leak, early, so these meters are designed to do just that.
Most moisture meters have a hold button to lock in a reading on the display. This is useful in situations where it's difficult to see the display while you're performing the test.
Some feature built-in thermometers that measure the surface temperature of wood. Surface temperature can sometimes throw off a moisture meter's readings, requiring you to make corrections, so this is a particularly useful feature when available.
Several models have preset modes that automatically calibrate the meter to work with different types of materials. Basic moisture meters have a mode for wood, masonry, and drywall. More advanced moisture meters have additional settings for hardwoods and softwoods and even different species of woods.
There are also models with gauges that show whether a reading is acceptable, too low, or too high. Some also come equipped with back lights that illuminate the display to make it easier to read in low light conditions.
More advanced moisture meters can store readings for seeing changes in the moisture content of a material over multiple readings. Some can take readings at multiple depths, which is key if you're trying to determine how consistent the moisture content is throughout a piece of wood.
I've used moisture meters over the years to help me test the moisture content of wood for carpentry projects and flooring, so I'm familiar with these tools and what qualities you should consider when shopping for one.
As I did not hands-on test any of the products in this guide, I supplemented my own first-hand experience with research that involved comparing the specs for each moisture meter and scouring through dozens of verified user reviews. I used this information to help make my choices for the products below.
My selections focus on moisture meters designed for homeowners. I looked for tools with simple controls and preset modes that make them easy to use. I also prioritized accuracy and consistency, and I tried to identify overall value in terms of the balance between features and price.