It can be hard to care for plants sometimes—especially when dealing with plants that require very specific moisture levels. If you don’t water them often enough they wilt and maybe die. If you give them too much water, their roots will start to rot.
If you are having a tough time keeping your expensive garden or indoor plants alive, or if you are tired of trying to determine the moisture level of your plants by sticking your finger into the soil, then it is time for you to get a quality moisture meter for your plants.
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The 6 Best Moisture Meter for Plants to Buy Now
Some hydrometers offer more features than others and some are preferred because of their simplicity. In this guide, we are going to compare all the best moisture meters to get right now.
1. The Gouevn 2-Pack Moisture Hygrometers
These meters are easy to use, they are easy to understand, and their long 7.7 inch probes are ideal for potted plants or garden plants.
Specifications
- Weight – 4.8 Ounces
- Size – 11.4 x 2 x 1.2 Inches
- Probe length – 7.7 Inch
- Qty pack – 2 Pack
- Battery – No battery required
- Readout scale – 1-3 Dry (red zone), 4-7 Moist (Green zone), 8-10 Wet (Blue zone)
- Test pH levels – None
- Function – Test for humidity in the soil of houseplants, gardens, farmland, and lawns
- Included – 2 x Moisture meters, user manual, and watering guide for 200 plant types
Pros
- The set includes 2 meters
- The price is good for a two-pack
- The moisture meter is very easy to use
- The 7.7” probe is ideal for most garden plants
- The set includes a watering guide for 200 plants
- No batteries are required for these devices
- Ensure the best care for expensive plants
Cons
- You cannot use it in standing water or right after watering
- It is best not to leave the meter in the soil
- You need to clean the probe before taking moisture readings
2. The Mural Wall Art Soil Moisture Meter
Unlike most of the meters on this list, this one comes with a one-year warranty. It is made of good quality materials, which means you are bound to get some good use out of it for quite a while.
Specifications
- Weight – 8.1 Ounces
- Size – 13.03 x 3.86 x 1.38 Inches
- Probe length – 6.69 Inches
- Qty pack – 1 Piece
- Battery – No battery required
- Readout scale – 1-3 Dry (red zone), 4-7 Moist (Green zone), 8-10 Wet (Blue zone)
- Test pH levels – No
- Function – test moisture levels for indoor and outdoor plants in pots, farms and gardens
- Included – 1 x moisture meter
Pros
- The probe is very easy to use
- You can use it indoors and outdoors
- The readings are clear and easy to understand
- The meter has a long probe that is suited for most plant types
- No damage to your roots
- The probe is practical for garden and potted plants
- Give your expensive plants the best possible care
- The price is affordable
- Comes with a 12-month warranty
Cons
- Do not use directly in liquids because the sensor can get damaged
- Wipe the probe clean after each use
- Do not leave the probe in soil
3. The Atree Soil Moisture Meter
Just be sure to keep the meter out of water since water might damage the probe and its electronics.
Specifications
- Weight – 3.2 Ounces
- Size – 12.7 x 3.7 x 1.2 Inches
- Probe length – 7.6 Inches
- Qty pack – 1 Piece
- Battery – No battery needed
- Readout scale – 1-3 Dry (red zone), 4-7 Moist (Green zone), 8-10 Wet (Blue zone)
- Test pH levels – No
- Function – Test moisture levels of indoor and outdoor plants in garden, pots or farm
- Included – 1 x moisture meter
Pros
- Affordable price
- Easy to use device
- Give your expensive plants the best care
- No battery needed
- The meter is easy to use
- Accurate readings within 10 minutes
- Lots of indoor and outdoor applications
Cons
- Testing directly in water can damage it
- Do not leave it in the ground
- Clean it after every use
4. The Gain Express Soil Ph & Moisture Meter
With this handy device, you can create an ideal growing environment for your plants and you can keep an eye on pH levels so your plants will flourish and grow.
The meter is very easy to use and it has a rather long 295-millimeter probe that enables you to take deeper pH reading samples or moisture readings.
Specifications
- Weight – 6.4 Ounces
- Size – 5 x 4 x 5 Inches
- Probe length – 295 millimeters
- Qty pack – 1 piece
- Battery – No batteries required
- Readout scale – 1 – 8 soil moisture levels, 3 – 8 pH range
- Test pH levels – Yes
- Function – Test pH levels and moisture levels of soil in the garden, garden pots, and on farms
- Included – 1 x moisture and pH meter
Pros
- The device is very easy to use
- The long probe is ideal for most plant types
- The device can read pH levels
- The device can test the soil moisture levels
- It is a 2-in-1 device
- Enables you to give your expensive plants the best possible care
- The probe is somewhat waterproof
- The probe is extra long
- No batteries required
Cons
- The meter is a bit pricey
- You cannot leave it in the soil
- It needs to be cleaned after every use
5. The Reotemp Moisture Meter
The meter is made with a full metal casing and uses a stainless steel rod. It is tarnish and rust-resistant and it gives you a clear reading of the moisture levels in your soil.
This is a meter loved by those who enjoy making their own compost. This is because you can get this meter with a probe of up to 36 inches long. With this long probe, you can take humidity readings of your compost deep within the piles.
This meter is also practical for farms, gardens, and for specialized lawn care.
Specifications
- Weight – 9.9 Ounces
- Size – 18.1 x 3.3 x 2.5 Inches
- Probe length – 15 Inches long
- Qty pack – 1 Piece
- Battery – One AAA Battery (Included)
- Readout scale – 0 to 10 Moisture level
- Test pH levels – No
- Function – Take moisture levels of soil or compost in pots, gardens, and on farms
- Included – 1 x moisture meter and 1 x AAA battery
Pros
- The meter is very easy to use
- It has a very long, 15 inch long probe
- The probe is made from durable stainless steel
- The AAA batteries are replaceable
- You can also get this meter with a 24 or 36-inch probe
- The device is perfect for use on gardens, farms, lawns, and for composting
- Give your expensive plants the best possible care
- Know exactly when to wet your garden
Cons
- Salt levels can affect the soil readings (ideally, it is not a good meter for areas with lots of salt)
- The device requires a battery to function
- Clean after every use
- Do not leave it in the soil
6. The New Resources Group Indoor / Outdoor Moisture Meter
With this battery-free unit, you can take moisture readings indoors or outdoors. It also has a long 8-inch probe that is ideal for taking moisture readings for larger plants such as trees that might be growing in your garden or greenhouse.
Specifications
- Weight – 4.96 Ounces
- Size – 12.01 x 3.74 x 2.01 Inches
- Probe length – 8 Inches
- Qty pack – 1 Piece
- Battery – No batteries needed
- Readout scale – 1-3 Dry (red zone), 4-7 Moist (Green zone), 8-10 Wet (Blue zone)
- Test pH levels – No
- Function – Test moisture level in pots, gardens, soil, lawns, and on farms
- Included – 1 x moisture meter with probe
Buying Guide
As you can see, there are quite a few terrific moisture meters to choose from. So which one is the best for your garden?
If you are not quite sure about which one to choose then perhaps this quick guide can help you decide.
The Most Budget-Friendly
Most homeowners only want a simple and affordable moisture meter that they can use to see if potted plants or garden plants require more or less water. There are quite a few budget options available on our list.
The Gouevn 2-Pack Soil Moisture Meter is the most value-friendly buy on our list because it is available as a two-pack. These meters are as functional as most affordable types and they function without any batteries (which also saves in expenses).
Alternatively, you can also consider the Atree Soil Moisture meter, the Mural Wall Art Soil Moisture Sensor, or the New Resources Group Moisture Sensor Meter. These are all available at a similar price, they all function without batteries and they are all functional for indoor and outdoor use.
The Most Durable
If you prefer something a bit tougher then we recommend you get the Reotemp Moisture Meter. This meter has a longer and thicker stem, and it has a steel casing to keep the electric components dry.
The metal design of this meter makes it ideal for frequent use. The only downside is that this meter runs on AAA batteries.
The Multipurpose Moisture Meter
If you prefer a moisture meter that can do more than just take moisture readings then you should consider the Gain Express Soil pH and Moisture meter. Unlike the other meters on our list, this one will also indicate the pH balance of your soil, which makes it an excellent investment for farmers.
The Meter with the Longest Probe
For larger plants, you might want to invest in a moisture meter with an extra-long probe. These can be stuck deeper into the ground so you can detect the moisture levels near the plant’s root system.
The Reotemp Moisture meter is ideal for larger plants because you can get it with stems of different lengths. You can get it with a 15, 24, or 36-inch probe, although it should be noted that these devices get more expensive the longer the rod is.
Final Thoughts
There are quite a few different brands of moisture meters available on the market but they all offer the same basic function. These meters accurately detect the humidity of the soil and will then show you whether your plant is dry, fine or if it is too wet.
We do hope that this buying guide helped you choose the best meter for your garden. And if you are looking for other terrific quality gardening products and equipment then we welcome you to have a look at some of our other guides where you can shop for tools like weeding tools or weed brier fabrics and many other products.