We researched dozens of the best moisture meters available online, evaluating ease of use, accuracy, and value. Our top pick, the XLUX Soil Moisture Meter, has a sensing probe, an easy-to-read analog display, and delivers fast, accurate readings.
Here are the best moisture meters for plants.
For a reliable moisture meter that doesn’t require any upkeep or special care, this tool from XLUX is perfect. It measures the moisture in the soil continuously, displaying the results on a 1 to 10 analog scale. The needle moves from red (dry) through the green zone (moist) to blue (wet). You should only use it for an hour at a time to check soil rather than monitor it all of the time. This moisture meter doesn’t have any special features but is the best at doing exactly what it is designed to do: measure moisture.
The 7-inch probe is not made for extreme conditions, but this is rarely an issue since most plants that you will be monitoring aren’t made for extreme conditions, either. Just be sure to maintain a gentle touch when you first put it into the soil, or it may get damaged.
Price at time of publish: $25
Moisture Range: 1 to 10 | pH Range: N/A | Frequency: Intermittent use (up to one hour) | Update Rate: Continuous
While it doesn’t include any special features and only measures moisture, if you’re looking for something simple that will get the job done, this meter is for you. Bonus: Because it comes in a 2-pack, you can test multiple plants at once (or keep a spare to use in case one gets lost).
Price at time of publish: $28
Moisture Range: 1 to 10 | pH Range: N/A | Frequency: Intermittent use | Update Rate: Continuous
Because it includes smart technology, this is not a great option for outdoor use, although it can be used outside if you want. It looks modern, so we’re more likely to want it inside anyway to show off its cool look.
Price at time of publish: $33
Moisture Range: 0 to 100 percent | pH Range: N/A | Frequency: Continuous | Update Rate: Continuous
The probe itself is not particularly long, just 3 inches, so this won’t work well for large plants whose roots go down into a deep pot. It’s a perfect choice for small plants, seedlings, and seeds, which are all sensitive to growing conditions. You will need two AA batteries (not included) to use this meter.
Price at time of publish: $37
Moisture Range: 0 to 100 percent | pH Range: N/A | Frequency: Continuous | Update Rate: 72 seconds
It is available with a small 2-inch display or a medium 2.8-inch display. This can help growers keep track of their testing even in larger garden beds or fields. It does have two probes, one to measure pH and one to measure moisture, so you will need to be careful when inserting it near sensitive roots.
Price at time of publish: $22
Moisture Range: 1 to 10 | pH Range: 3.5 to 8 pH | Frequency: Intermittent use | Update Rate: Continuous
While this isn’t the cheapest moisture meter available, this meter is a good value considering the many features that it includes. It does have two probes to measure pH and water separately, which increase its accuracy but are more likely to damage sensitive root structures than a single-probe moisture meter.
Price at time of publish: $13
Moisture Range: 1 to 10 | pH Range: 3.5 to 8 pH | Frequency: Intermittent use | Update Rate: 60 seconds
Like most long probe moisture meters, this is a more expensive option, so make sure that you need this kind of monitoring before investing in this larger garden tool.
Price at time of publish: $58
Moisture Range: 1 to 8 | pH Range: 3 to 8 pH | Frequency: Intermittent use | Update Rate: Continuous
This moisture meter doesn’t include any special features, and the probe is not particularly long. But when gardening with kids, it’s best to stay focused on making it a fun experience rather than having the best tools and results. This cute little moisture meter will surely be a fun addition to your garden.
Moisture Range: 1 to 10 | pH Range: Not Applicable | Frequency: Intermittent use | Update Rate: Continuous
It doesn’t include any special features or tracking beyond providing a moisture reading on a 0 to 10 scale. You’ll need one AAA battery to use this moisture meter, which is included.
Price at time of publish: $38
Moisture Range: 0 to 10 | pH Range: Not Applicable | Frequency: Continuous | Update Rate: Continuous
The exception to this is when you want to set up a smart system to keep track of your plant’s health. Smart moisture meters can provide valuable data on how much water and sunlight your plant is getting over the long term. This can help you better understand your growing conditions, especially if you are in a new home or establishing a garden in a new part of your yard or home.
Scope Length
Moisture meter scopes can range from just a few inches long to over two feet. The size that you need will depend on your plants, growing conditions, and budget. Large plants almost always have larger roots than small plants, which means that you’ll need a longer probe to accurately measure the moisture that these roots are getting. If you are growing plants outside in the ground or in large containers, a longer probe will give you more insight into the overall moisture levels in your growing medium. Moisture meters with long probes can get pricey, so we recommend investing in one only if you really need that extra length. Otherwise, use your budget to get a spare moisture meter with a short or medium probe.
Extra Features
Some moisture meters do more than just measure the water in the soil. They can also keep track of pH levels, fertilization, or sunlight. All of these elements combine to create the ideal growing environment for your plants. Having information about which plants are getting enough sunlight or when you need to adjust the pH of your soil with additives can really help keep your plants in tip-top shape. Be ready to pay a few more dollars for moisture meters with these extra features. It can be well worth the cost!
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, who has grown plants in multiple states and environments, with her three children alongside. As a self-described “lazy gardener,” she loves tools that take some of the guesswork out of caring for her plants. Many plant moisture meters include color-coding on the dial to show you when the soil is particularly dry (red), a good level (green), or too wet (blue). This helps make reading a plant moisture meter very intuitive and simple. Some moisture meters also include a calibration option, which lets you set the scale to a particular neutral reading that the meter will then use as a basis for all future readings. Smart moisture meters can also be set to a particular plant with readings based on the ideal growing conditions for that species. With that being said, most moisture meters are not suitable for monitoring liquids, such as pools, ponds, or rain barrels. This can tamper with the sensor and sensitivity, resulting in inaccurate readings and ruining the moisture meter for future use. This includes using them to measure pH levels. You can also use a plant moisture meter to keep track of the moisture levels in your compost, which needs certain conditions to efficiently break down organic material. You can also use a moisture meter to measure rocks or gravel (just keep in mind that a loose medium may result in an inaccurate reading).
