Whether you’re constructing a building or crafting a piece of furniture, keeping an eye on the wood moisture level matter a lot. Not only does it give you a precise measurement of the moisture content, but it also lets you know if a particular material is dried and ready for use, for quality and safety reasons. It may be a bit hard to find the best moisture meters for lumber that’s right for your project. Check out this guide so you can find the best tool for the job.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Moisture Meter – Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester | Water damage is the first sign of mold infestation. Thus, untreated high levels of moisture can breed harmful growth of mold. The Wood Moisture Meter – Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester is guaranteed to prevent mold before they create further damage in your home. This general moisture meter can be used to measure moisture content on wood or drywall before even painting it, wallpaper, seal, or locate and treat water spots above ceilings, on the carpet, subflooring (below floors), and behind walls. | ||
| Proster Digital Wood Moisture Meter Handheld LCD Moisture Tester | Proster Digital Wood Moisture Meter Handheld LCD Moisture Tester helps you pinpoint any slow leaks behind your walls, under floors, and above ceilings, which can eventually lead to water damage, mold, and mildew. This product will help you maintain and keep your property moisture-free. You can also use it on firewood to ensure what you are burning is dry and won’t cause creosote buildup in your chimney. | ||
| eOUTIL Digital Moisture Meter | eOUTIL Digital Moisture Meter works best at determining the moisture content of wood and other building materials. It is excellent at checking water damage and moisture in various areas, designed with two high precision pins. | ||
| Lignomat Moisture Meter | Lignomat Moisture Meter gives instant and accurate moisture readings with a measuring range between 6-45%. It features a built-in calibration to provide you with the most precise readings. | ||
| Calculated Industries 7440 AccuMASTER XT Digital Moisture Meter | The Calculated Industries 7440 Digital Moisture Meter can find hidden leaks in walls and surfaces. It digitally measures moisture in wood, concrete, and other materials to prevent damage to your home. | ||
| General Tools MM1E Moisture Meter | General Tools MM1E Moisture Meter can be used as a water leak detector after flood damage or general water damage in particular areas to see if moisture is still present. It also works best at determining the moisture content of wood and other building materials. | ||
| AMPHENOL THERMOMETRICS BLD2000 Mini Moisture Meter | AMPHENOL THERMOMETRICS BLD2000 Mini Moisture Meter is a compact, general purpose pin type moisture meter used for assessing moisture conditions in buildings. This efficient tool features a bright LED display for clarity. |
Detailed Reviews of the 7 Best Moisture Meters for Lumber
Wood Moisture Meter – Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester
Water damage is the first sign of mold infestation. Thus, untreated high levels of moisture can breed harmful growth of mold. The Wood Moisture Meter – Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester is guaranteed to prevent mold before they create further damage in your home. This general moisture meter can be used to measure moisture content on wood or drywall before even painting it, wallpaper, seal, or locate and treat water spots above ceilings, on the carpet, subflooring (below floors), and behind walls.
Product Highlights
This best moisture meter features it’s tested and proven durability. The device is made from high quality plastic, known for its ability to resist rust and corrosion with integrated sharp metal probe pins. It also includes rubber sides for an easy and comfortable grip while in use. Further, its measurement reading speed is displayed in a matter of seconds.
The Good
Wood Moisture Meter – Digital Moisture Detector Moisture Tester is so easy to use. Remove the prong cover, turn the device on, select the appropriate unit option, touch pins gently to material, and the screen will then display environment temperature and environment humidity and material moisture reading. For a more accurate result, it’s also worth noting that drilling pilot holes is advised when measuring more rigid materials such as concrete.
The Bad
According to several customers, the moisture meter device tends to have a slight malfunction after several months. Also, this device requires some batteries and has an auto shut-off feature that activates after 10 minutes of inactivity, which can cause a delay if you’re working on a project.
PROs
- Great for woodworking, lumber selection, water damage tracing, etc
- Easy to use and has rubber sides for ergonomic handling
- Measurement reading speed is displayed in a matter of seconds
CONs
- The moisture meter device tends to have a slight malfunction after several months
- Auto shut off feature that activates after 10 minutes of inactivity
Proster Digital Wood Moisture Meter Handheld LCD Moisture Tester
Proster Digital Wood Moisture Meter Handheld LCD Moisture Tester helps you pinpoint any slow leaks behind your walls, under floors, and above ceilings, which can eventually lead to water damage, mold, and mildew. This product will help you maintain and keep your property moisture-free. You can also use it on firewood to ensure what you are burning is dry and won’t cause creosote buildup in your chimney.
Product Highlights
Weighing only at a few ounces, this product won’t cause any strain when in use. It is comfortable enough to use and has been proven to be both durable and unbreakable. Further, the device features an auto-calibration to the ambient temperature and humidity.
The Good
This best moisture meter also features built-in sensor that measures and displays moisture level on floors, and ceilings. If you want to avoid spending too much money on water damage to your home, give this product a try. It also has good brightness and shows everything you need to know: the moisture level, the active measurement mode and setting, and even the remaining battery percentage of the actual device.
The Bad
According to several customers, the device came with some apparent accuracy and preciseness issues. The package also includes a 9V battery but tends to stop working after a few times of using the device.
PROs
- Detects any slow leaks behind walls, under floors and above ceilings
- Settings are adjustable for more than one hundred different materials
- It can be used on firewood to ensure what you are burning or using is dry
CONs
- The device may come with a soldering issue that prevents a small percentage of moisture meters from working properly
- It may come with some apparent accuracy and preciseness issues
eOUTIL Digital Moisture Meter
eOUTIL Digital Moisture Meter works best at determining the moisture content of wood and other building materials. It is excellent at checking water damage and moisture in various areas, designed with two high precision pins.
Product Highlights
It penetrates the test surface and quickly reads the moisture level in your walls. It also gives you a fair estimate of the potential moisture growth in areas throughout your home. This versatile tool is used not only for moisture testing but also as a temperature tester with a temperature range between 0-50℃.
The Good
This digital moisture meter is equipped with a backlit screen that enables you to read the figures easily. It is user-friendly and features accurate resolution for moisture detection and temperature testing. It has eight calibration scales for various wood materials. It has an ergonomic design and perfectly fits in your hand.
The Bad
Customers complain that the product does not include batteries. Other users find the work a bit expensive.
PROs
- Designed with two high precision pins
- Gives a reasonable estimate of potential moisture growth
- Can be used as a temperature tester as well
- Equipped with a backlit screen for easy reading of figures
- User-friendly and ergonomic design
- Gives quick and accurate readings
- Eight calibration scales for various wood materials
CONs
- Does not include batteries
- A bit expensive
Lignomat Moisture Meter
Lignomat Moisture Meter gives instant and accurate moisture readings with a measuring range between 6-45%. It features a built-in calibration to provide you with the most precise readings.
Product Highlights
Many users consider it as the best moisture meter for lumber. It is made of top quality and durable materials. It has a bright digital LED display for easy reading of figures. It features calibration for domestic species as well. It has a measuring depth of 3/16 inches and 7/16 inches.
The Good
It is recommended for a craft-type or industrial application to measure moisture in lumber, veneer, or fiberboard. It includes a green cap that also serves as a handle for easy probe insertion and pin cover. The longer pins are stored inside for measuring thicker material.
The Bad
Some customers complain that they received defective products and products with dead batteries. Other users noted that its plastic case is not durable and tends to break easily.
PROs
- Gives instant and accurate moisture readings
- Built-in calibration
- Made of top quality and durable materials
- Bright digital LED display for easy task of figures
- The green cap serves as a handle for easy probe insertion
CONs
- Defective products
- The plastic case is not durable
Calculated Industries 7440 AccuMASTER XT Digital Moisture Meter
The Calculated Industries 7440 Digital Moisture Meter can find hidden leaks in walls and surfaces. It digitally measures moisture in wood, concrete, and other materials to prevent damage to your home.
Product Highlights
It is used to test for moisture content in brick, plaster, and drywall. It also works well on various types of wood, including firewood and lumber. It helps you make sure you are using good, dry wood for all your projects to avoid cracks, splits, and warping. This moisture meter comes with a protective cap, 9V battery, and user’s guide. It is user-friendly and has a large, easy-to-read backlit screen.
The Good
It is sturdy and loaded with convenient features making it the best moisture meter for lumber. Icons and audio alerts indicate moisture levels. It also features built-in calibration test pins. It automatically powers off in 3 minutes to extend battery life.
The Bad
Some users complain the product gives inconsistent readings. Other users noted of unresponsive and poor customer service for product replacements.
PROs
- Find hidden leaks in walls and surfaces
- Digitally measures moisture in wood, concrete, and other materials
- Works well on all types of wood
- Comes with a protective cap and 9V battery
- Large easy-to-read backlit screen
- Sturdy and user-friendly
- Auto powers off in 3 minutes to extend battery life
CONs
- Gives inconsistent readings
- Poor customer service for product replacements
General Tools MM1E Moisture Meter
General Tools MM1E Moisture Meter can be used as a water leak detector after flood damage or general water damage in particular areas to see if moisture is still present. It also works best at determining the moisture content of wood and other building materials.
Product Highlights
It is easy to use and delivers quick and accurate reading. Its pin length is 0.2 inches. It measures moisture in two ranges 7% to 15% WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) and 16% to 35% WME. This moisture meter features a 10-LED display for quick and easy viewing. It has an ergonomic design and fits in one hand.
The Good
It is ideal for homeowners and contractors to measure moisture content in wood, drywall, and subflooring. Its protective cap doubles as a calibration checker. It also features full and low battery indications. The product comes with a 9V battery.
The Bad
Users complain that it works well, but it does not give accurate readings all the time. Other customers noted that it doesn’t work well with certain wood types.
PROs
- Determines moisture content of wood and other building materials
- Detects general water damages
- Delivers quick and accurate reading
- Features a 10-LED display for quick and easy viewing
- Ergonomic design and fits in one hand
- Protective cap doubles as calibration checker
- Comes with a 9V battery
CONs
- Inconsistent readings
- Doesn’t work well with certain wood types
AMPHENOL THERMOMETRICS BLD2000 Mini Moisture Meter
AMPHENOL THERMOMETRICS BLD2000 Mini Moisture Meter is a compact, general purpose pin type moisture meter used for assessing moisture conditions in buildings. This efficient tool features a bright LED display for clarity.
Product Highlights
It has a durable and rugged design. It can be used for making rapid moisture assessments in a wide range of building materials, including wood, masonry, drywall, plaster, and concrete. Its measuring pins are small and sharp, which means measurements can be taken at the surface with virtually no mark left behind.
The Good
It features a color-coded moisture scale for simple dry, borderline, or damp conditions in materials. It is comfortable and easy to use. It automatically shuts off for increased battery life. It is backed by 24 months warranty on mechanical or manufacturing defects.
The Bad
Users noted that its mini-plug attachment for the external probe is poorly made. Other users said that it is not ideal for commercial and heavy-duty use.
PROs
- General-purpose moisture meter
- Bright LED display for clarity
- Durable and compact design
- Assesses moisture in a wide range of building materials
- measuring pins are small; doesn’t leave any mark
- Color-coded moisture scale for simple classification
- 24 months warranty on mechanical/manufacturing defects
CONs
- The mini-plug attachment for the external probe is poorly made
- Not ideal for commercial use
Conclusion
You need to treat the wood right if you want your wood creations to enjoy a long life. That’s why moisture meters were created; they are an absolute essential in an architect’s kit—choosing the best moisture meter for lumber matters because not all brands excel at getting the right accuracy. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with insights and confidence you need to make a great purchase. Find out more about moisture meters.