Checking your lawn’s soil moisture level is not an easy task. With a soil moisture meter or soil moisture sensor, you can examine your lawn’s moisture level in a few seconds. With a moisture meter in hand, you will know when and how much water your green plants need.
I used to overwater my lawn at times, and I used to underwater it on other days. Later, my friend told me about this tiny Meter that can measure soil moisture. So, I hopped on the journey to find the best one for me.
I came across a lot of soil moisture monitors at the marketplace. In this article, I will share 8 of the best soil moisture meters that I loved the most. Before that, let’s have a quick look at some of the factors to consider before purchasing a soil moisture meter.
Factors To Consider Before Purchasing The Best Soil Moisture Meter In 2023
While buying the best soil moisture meter for my lawn, I came across various kinds. I was a bit confused at first about which one to go for. Here I have hand-picked some of the features you need to consider before purchasing a soil moisture meter.
Scope Length
Scope length determines how far your moisture meter can go through to detect moisture. Most of the soil moisture meters I came across could cover a few inches to over two feet long scopes.
The length of the scope depends on the plants you have in your garden or lawn. Suppose you have large plants just like I have, then you will have to purchase a meter with a more extended scope. This is because larger plants tend to have more extensive roots than smaller plants.
If you have a small lawn and don’t have many large plants, then a tiny probe would be enough. A more extended probe provides accurate insight into your soil’s overall moisture.
Moisture meters with a lengthy scope can be pricier, so I recommend only going for them if you need them. Otherwise, you can purchase a medium-range probe.
Manual Vs. Electronic
Moisture meters can come in the form of a digital or analog display. As the name suggests, digital soil moisture meters use an electronic system to calculate the data. The analog one delivers the data manually. I believe that an electronic device is destined to produce glitches more often. So, I went for an analog or manual soil moisture meter because of its highly accurate results. They are far more durable than electronic ones and can withstand many impacts.
There is an exception to that if you want an intelligent system in your lawn to keep track of your plant’s health, then the digital ones might suit you. Some can even provide data about how much sunlight your plants need. In the end, the choice is yours!
Analog moisture meters may often display the amount of moisture on a scale of 1 to 10. A digital one would indicate the moisture in terms of a percentage. Some digital moisture meters use color codes to indicate the moisture level in the soil.
Accuracy Of The Meter
The accuracy of the soil moisture depends upon the meter itself and the intervals on the scale. Suppose the scale has smaller intervals, then the data analyzed would be more accurate.
As described before, a more extended probe can also play an essential role in the accuracy of the results. Some soil moisture meters have double probes that can double the measurements’ accuracy.
Type And Texture Of The Soil
Now you’re probably thinking the texture and type of the soil should play an important role in deciding on a soil moisture meter. Some soil can be very hard, whereas some may be really soft and mushy.
You cannot use an ordinary moisture meter on hard soil because it could break easily, so make sure to purchase a sturdy probe with a suitable thickness of about 1/4 inch if your soil is hard.
Before trying the soil moisture meter, you need to check the soil for salinity. There are chances that your soil might have a high salt concentration, and at this time, the moisture meter would give you inaccurate results.
Best Soil Moisture Meter You Can Buy In 2023
Dr. Meter Soil Moisture Meter 2-Pack
- Brand: Dr. Meter
- Material: Rugged Steel
- Probe Length: 7.7 inch
- Power Source: No Battery required
Dr. Meter is one of the most straightforward soil moisture meters you will ever find in the marketplace. If you don’t want to spend much on a moisture meter, this is the best one.
The design is outstanding and it’s really convenient to use, so you can easily use these in every corner of your lawn. Dr. Meter knows when to water your garden and will give you the most accurate results each time.
You don’t have to be an expert gardener to use this one. The interface is a piece of cake with numbers and colors predefined. It has a red color indicator when the soil is dry and a blue color when excessively wet.
Another advantage of this soil moisture meter is that it doesn’t operate on batteries. So no need to purchase a battery pack every time you test your soil’s moisture.
Keizer Soil Tester
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
I don’t have a green thumb, so I have to rely on tools like these on a daily basis to avoid killing more plants. In my case I need to keep the soil “damp” not “wet” or “dry”, so on the scale, I like between 3 – 6. Every morning I test the water in the soil. Since the probe is at the bottom, I test it at a few levels and if any are 3 or fewer, I water the plant.”
Adian
- Brand: Keizer
- Material: Rugged Steel
- Probe Length: 7.9 inch
- Power Source: No Battery Required
If you want a soil moisture meter with some other extra features added, then the Keinzier soil moisture tester is the best one. Perfect for beginners, it has an easy-to-read and quick interface.
This probe can detect the tendency of sunlight, pH value, and moisture level of your soil. So you are getting a probe that can perform all of these functions with a single switch. You have to change the switch to your desired function and wait for the results.
There is no need for any batteries or other power sources, and they can be used outdoors and indoors. The probe is portable and lightweight, so managing it is no hassle. I advise you not to leave it in the soil for more extended periods as there are some heavy chances of corrosion.
ECOWITT Soil Moisture Meter with LCD Display
- Brand: ECOWITT
- Material: Rugged Steel
- Probe Length: 5.3 inch
- Power Source: Battery
Eco with a soil moisture meter is for those thinking of building a new lawn system that is digital and easy to monitor. This soil moisture monitor is entirely digital. You can check the moisture of your lawn even if you are 200 feet away.
The probe comes with a digital LCD that is very easy to read. I was very impressed by the setup they had. They have this tiny flower pot that indicates how much water your plant needs. It also has a percentage section that shows the moisture percentage of your soil.
The sensor is completely waterproof and can be used indoors and outdoors. You can calibrate the level of moisture you want to maintain, and you will get some of the best results.
This soil moisture meter works on 2AA batteries. The batteries aren’t included with this one, so you have to purchase them aside.
Trazon Soil pH Meter 3-in-1 Soil Tester
- Brand: Trazon
- Material: Rugged Steel
- Probe Length: 6.7 inch
- Power Source: No Battery Required
Now you must be thinking that this is yet another 3-in-1 soil moisture meter but let me tell you, it is not! This moisture meter comes with a double penetration probe. So you can imagine the accuracy of the results this one will give.
With this moisture meter in your soil, you don’t have to go on and purchase different kinds of probes. All of the features are here with this one probe. This single soil moisture meter can check the soil’s pH, moisture, and light intensity.
No special skills are required and no batteries, of course. The probe is just ready to use out of the box. The device is sturdy and can withstand rough environmental conditions.
This soil meter can give some of the most genuine results in only 10 minutes. So you don’t have to wait for days and days to check your soil profile.
Ulux Long Probe Deep Use Soil Moisture Meter
- Brand: XLUX
- Material: Rugged Steel
- Probe Length: 40 inch
- Power Source: No Battery required
Here comes the king of all of the soil moisture meters. This moisture meter has a probe that is 5.5 inches longer than the most usual ones. Checking your giant green babies for moisture isn’t a problem anymore.
Is the probe long enough to fit into any bigger plants and the results? They are, without any doubt, the most accurate ones. The probe is gentle on the soil, and you don’t have to damage any of the roots while setting it up.
The dial with this one is very basic. It doesn’t come off with any extra things; it has these indications from 1 to 10. Like many other probes, they also have color indicators for different types of conditions for the soil.
Remember to never use this one in water or any other liquid. The probe is only designed for soil, and any other fluid can damage its sensitivity.
Gain Express Soil pH & Moisture Meter
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“I first purchased one of the cheaper gauges but found that the numbers were unreadable. You can get a measurement with the cheaper ones in whole numbers as a Ph of 6 or 7. The scale on this meter is much larger and can be read in tenths. This gauge will allow the user to read a Ph of 6.1 vs 6.4. I use a lot of coffee grounds in my worm food and was concerned about the soil acidity this was creating. The Ph measured 6.1 which is OK. Again, the cheaper ones do not give you confidence in the measurement. For a home gardener or worm farmer; this is a minimum and a “must own”.”
Scrub Joe
- Brand: Gain Express Store
- Material: Metal Electrode
- Probe Length: 11.6 inch
- Power Source: No Battery Required
Gain Express soil pH and moisture meter might be a high-end option for all gardeners. The results with this one are worth every penny. Most of the meters do not provide accurate pH level readings, but this one has it all.
The operation is simple; all you need to do is plug the probe into the soil area you want to check. There is no need to purchase batteries or other accessories with this soil moisture meter.
The soil moisture range for this one ranges from 1 to 8. For the pH value, the range provided is from 3 to 8 pH.
Gouevn Soil Moisture Meter
- Brand: Reotemp
- Material: Copper
- Probe Length: 7.7 inch
- Power Source: No Battery Required
The Gouevn soil moisture meter works perfectly for those usually pot-based plants. The design is convenient; you have to plug in and wait for the results. This soil moisture meter provides the results quickly and is just way too easy to understand.
The Meter is easy to use, even indoors and outdoors. This can be the perfect gadget for plants sensitive to over or underwatering. The probe length can reach the roots perfectly and deliver accurate results.
REOTEMP Garden and Compost Moisture Meter
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I purchased this to detect moisture (which causes mold) inside large round bales of hay that I feed to horses. Moldy hay can cause serious injury when horses inhale the mold. The long pipe-like stem withstands pushing into tightly wrapped bales and detects any damp spots easily. Also works well for maintaining adequate moisture in large potted plants. Can’t wait for spring to try it in the garden.”
John A. Proudman
- Brand: Reotemp
- Material: Rugged Steel
- Probe Length: 15 inch
- Power Source: AAA Battery
If you have been looking for a moisture meter for your compost with some rugged steel construction, go for this one. The design is very basic and is just made precisely for beginner gardeners.
Not to forget, this Meter has this fantastic sturdy probe. This probe can be used on any soil. It works on hard, soft, and even mid-range soil. You can also calibrate the wetness scale on this one. The gadget is powered by one AAA battery in the package it comes with.
Conclusion
Hopefully, I have provided enough options for you. Ensure not to leave your soil moisture meter outdoors for a long time, and don’t forget to wipe it out after every use.
Have you ever considered a soaker hose system to help you keep everything green? Check out this article to get a better idea of how they work and which one is best. If you want your greens to stay lively, keep them properly hydrated!
When she is not busy writing or working on her latest gardening project, Duaa can be found watering her houseplants, experimenting with DIY balcony and urban gardening creations, or cookingin the kitchen with ingredients she has grown in her own garden.
With her passion for nature and her wealth of knowledge and experience, Duaa is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with the world of gardening.
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