Moisture meters are one of the most important tools in the realm of woodworking. Knowing if your wood is seasoned enough to be properly worked can help you make sure your project turns out the way that you want it to turn out. The best moisture meter for woodworking will help you make sure that you get consistent readings, allowing you to create consistent results.
| Picture | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Meter MD918 Inductive Pinless Tools Moisture Meter | 4.3 | $$$ | |
| General Tools MMD4E Moisture Meter | 4.2 | $$ | |
| Stihl Wood Digital Moisture Meter | 4.0 | $$ | |
| GoerTek Digital Moisture Meter | 4.4 | $ | |
| NoCry Digital Moisture Meter | 4.1 | $$ | |
| Proster Digital Wood Moisture Meter | 4.1 | $$$ | |
| Extech MO50 Compact Pin Moisture Meter | 4.1 | $$$ | |
| Dr. Meter MD-812 LCD Wood Moisture Meter | 4.2 | $$$ | |
| Lignomat Moisture Meter Mini-Ligno E/D | 4.4 | $$$$$ |
Best Moisture Meter for Wood 2020 Reviews
1. Dr. Meter MD918 Inductive Pinless Tools Moisture Meter
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This upgraded moisture meter offers a pinless experience with very little in the way of reading deviation. The larger LCD screen is nice, especially since you receive a density reading on the display along with the actual moisture reading. You receive a range of 4-80% with this meter and it works with 10 different grades of timber pretty consistently. A zero calibration prompt allows you to calibrate for temperature as well. We especially liked the auto shut-off feature so you don’t accidentally kill off your batteries. It’s a great meter at a great price.
2. General Tools MMD4E Moisture Meter
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This is the best moisture meter to grab if you happen to be on a budget. The digital LCD pin-type moisture meter is your best bargain from this manufacturer, allowing you to get a reading with just two pins with an ergonomically beneficial tool design. We found the readings to be accurate in both wood, drywall, and concrete, so there is some extra versatility that comes with this meter as well. The controls are basic, as is the final reading percentage you receive, but it gets the job done for a budget-friendly price.
3. Stihl Wood Digital Moisture Meter
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This moisture meter for wood does an excellent job in low humidity environments. The measuring range for wood is 6-42%, so it does a great job for detecting moisture for your woodworking projects. The two-pin design is also useful for checking on the seasoning of your firewood if you happen to burn for winter heat. The LCD display is very basic, giving you the percentage of moisture and nothing else. It does have the reliability of the Stihl brand and the price is quite nice, so you’ll receive a number of benefits if you find that this tool is the best moisture meter for your needs.
4. GoerTek Digital Moisture Meter
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Made from ABS plastic, we found this moisture meter had some definite pros and cons. The moisture range is one of the best out of any meter we tested, going from 0-99.9%. The accuracy is to 0.5% on either side. Two integrated pins allow you to receive a precision measurement with good consistency. On the flip side, this moisture meter offers four categories of wood products for wood measurement instead of being species-specific, which could become problematic if you need a precise reading on your working piece. All in all, however, you can’t be the value this tool offers.
5. NoCry Digital Moisture Meter
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You get accurate readings all the time with this digital moisture meter, thanks to its top-notch built-in sensor that allows you to get 4 measurement modes. Adjust it to respond to different materials you are testing, so whether you are testing it on oak, teak or log or even to medium-density ones like mahogany, you still get the best results. It has an auto-calibration feature that will respond to ambient temperature as well as humidity levels. It can detect depths of up to 2 inches. Designed to resist impact, this moisture meter will serve you well for many more years to come. Ergonomically designed and lightweight, you will also have an easy time using it.
6. Proster Digital Wood Moisture Meter
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Don’t break the bank with this affordable wood moisture meter that also brings accuracy to the table. It can be use not just on wood but on paper, cardboard, brick and plaster wall as well. The integrated pins have a range of 0 to 99.9% wood and can be easily switched to the mode you prefer. All results as shown on its large HD LCD. The body is made from an ABS plastic material, which should make this last for a long time. When not in use, it automatically shuts off to conserve power. Overall, this is an affordable moisture meter that gets the job done.
7. Extech MO50 Compact Pin Moisture Meter
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If you want all the bells and whistles in your moisture meter, better get this one. It is packed with everything you might need in a moisture meter including audible tones as well as a moisture drop icon to ensure you can read the moisture level content accurately. It comes with 4 stainless steel contact pins rather than just the regular two to get more accurate readings. You can switch from wood to building material modes with ease. It even comes with a Self-Test function, which allows you to see if it is working before you actually use it.
8. Dr. Meter MD-812 LCD Wood Moisture Meter
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The convenience of this moisture meter is commendable. Within 5 seconds of putting the needle next to what you are measuring, you can already get results. It has a range of 5%-40% with an accuracy of 1%. It displays data on its big and readable LCD display. This moisture meter is compact and small enough to carry in the back pocket of your jeans. It also has a wide range of applications including checking the moisture content of carpets and sheetrock.
9. Lignomat Moisture Meter Mini-Ligno E/D
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With its depth range of 3/16 inch and 7/16 inch, you can bet this is one of your best options out there. It has a high-end price tag, but it is worth it because of its heavy-duty build, 6-45% of measuring range, and built-in calibration system. Whether you are a contractor who installs wood flooring or a woodworker who makes furniture and cabinetry, this will be a good addition to your arsenal. Your purchase includes extra pins and a 2-year warranty backs it up. Everything about this moisture meter screams heavy-duty. The body is made from a high-impact plastic material, so you can drop it and not worry that it will shatter or get damaged. It also comes with longer pins inside the meter for measuring thicker wood materials.
The best moisture meter for wood will make sure that you are ready to start your next project. You might also get some bonus benefits from this tool as well, which makes it a useful addition to any woodworker’s toolbox.
Our Favorite Moisture Meters
Moisture meters typically come in two varieties: pin-type meters and pinless meters. Each has certain advantages to consider. These are the top-rated models in either category of moisture meters that will provide you with the consistent results that your project requires.
What will it cost me to buy the Best Moisture Meters?
Moisture meters are a relatively inexpensive tool. General-use models are typically priced below $100, with several models in the $30-$70 range.
If you’re looking of an extended range moisture meter or you need something that can produce professional results on a consistent basis, then you can expect to pay between $100-$300 for this tool.
How to Find the Best Moisture Meter for Me
There are no really one-size-fits-all solutions for this tool when it comes to woodworking. What you need to have is the best moisture meter that fits your needs so you can make sure that your wood is stable enough to be used. That means how you need to measure your wood moisture content will often dictate what features your meter is going to need.
- If you have stacks of wood that require moisture measurements, then a pin-type meter is better suited to the job. Pinless meters have sensing plates that must lie flat on a board to measure moisture. Pin-type meters can be inserted directly into the edge the wood in a stack and still provide you with an accurate measurement.
- Digital LED or LCD displays on a moisture meter tend to provide the most accurate results, but you can also use an analog display or an LED model which lights up at a specific moisture content if you prefer.
- Not every moisture meter is built for woodworking measurements. This means you’ll need to use the best moisture meter for wood reviews to determine the percentage range that can be measured. Anything that measures moisture at 30% or higher is going to cost more than a standard range of 7-20% for readings.
There are some additional features that may be worth looking at as well. Some moisture meters have built-in wood typing that can help you know the right moisture content for the type of wood for your next project. You can also find temperature correction features that help to adjust moisture levels based on current heat and humidity levels.
Pin-type moisture meters will leave small holes in the wood. Pinless models will not leave marks, but may be unable to accurately measure thicker boards. Consider these options and you’ll find the best moisture meter for your needs.
If you need the best moisture meter for wood, we think you should try the Dr Meter model. It’s auto-shut off feature and large LCD screen make it stand out from the crowd.
