6 Best Soil Moisture Meters: Keep Your Soil Just Wet Enough
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Using a soil moisture meter can help you add a lot of precision to your gardening efforts. The best soil moisture meters can tell you exactly when you need to water a potted plant or your lawn, taking the guesswork out of gardening.
The handy little devices we’re going to cover on this list have a lot of different features and approaches to solving the problem of monitoring the moisture level of soil. Some of them are very simple, analog probes that will change color when soil needs more moisture. Others are battery-powered and internet-enabled. You can even customize a couple of them to track the moisture level that specific plants require.
Which of the 6 excellent soil moisture meters on this list is best for you will depend on a number of factors, including what plants you’re growing, whether you’re growing them indoors or outdoors, and what your budget is.
Read on to find the best soil moisture meters for you!
Key Takeaways
Building this list involved a lot of research, both online and through talking to my network of avid gardeners. Eventually I narrowed it down to the handful of options you can read about below.
Overall, the very best of the best soil moisture meters you can buy online is the moistenland Store Soil Moisture Meter. It doesn’t just measure soil moisture levels, it can also keep track of nutrient levels, pH levels, and the amount of light a plant is getting. This can save you from needing to pick out a separate tool for monitoring pH levels.
However, some gardeners might not feel like they need that much information, which is why I also included options like the simple and unifunctional Sustee Aquameter (which comes in a pack of five). But, I also had to include some very advanced soil moisture meters as well, like the WiFi-enabled RAINPOINT Soil Moisture Meter that can send you a notification when your plants need some water.
Best Overall: moistenland Store Soil Moisture Meter
Why This is a Quality Choice: The moistenland Store Soil Moisture Meter is the upgraded version of the manufacturers’ original product. You can choose whether to measure moisture, pH, nutrient levels, or the amount of light a plant’s roots are getting by flipping a switch. This offers great value because you don’t need to invest in multiple soil testing products.
I also particularly like that its tiltable face is easy to read in any light conditions. And, perhaps best of all, there’s no waiting for results with this product—testing takes only 2 seconds!
Who is this for? I’d recommend this product to anyone who wants to add some precision to their gardening pursuits, since it can do just about everything you need a plant soil moisture meter to do.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The plain-white plastic exterior doesn’t look particularly attractive, which isn’t a problem if you’re not sensitive to such things. But, you might not want to leave it sitting in an otherwise beautifully arranged indoor garden.
Type: Analog | Indoor/Outdoor Use: Either | Power: No power required | Probe Length: 10.4 inches
Best Budget: SZHLUX Moisture Meter Soil Hygrometer
Why This is a Quality Choice: This soil moisture meter is a great single-function product that will get the job done consistently and without any fussing around. It’s a simple tool that only measures soil moisture and nothing else. It displays its readings on an easy-to-read analog dial.
Who is this for? This is an excellent option for budget-conscious gardeners who just want a simple moisture meter for occasional use. Other options on the list are a little tougher and more well-suited for constant use.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The product feels a little bit delicate, with only a hard plastic exterior, but that shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re careful when you’re using it.
Type: Analog | Indoor/Outdoor Use: Either | Power: No power required | Probe Length: 10.23 inches
Best Rapid Test: Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Moisture Meter
Why This is a Quality Choice: The Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Moisture Meter is a versatile tool for managing the water needs of almost any indoor plant. The 11.5-inch probe can give you a reading in just seconds, allowing you to check on multiple plants quickly and easily.
The manufacturers have even calibrated the device to provide watering recommendations for over 150 types of indoor plants. All you have to do is look at the reading and then consult the guide for what you should do next.
Who is this for? This product is best for avid indoor gardeners who are consistently juggling several different species of plants. The watering recommendations can really save you a lot of time if you’re caring for lots of species with very different watering needs.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Moisture Meter’s probe is connected to a cable and then to a larger reader. Some people might find this model more awkward to use than one that has its reader directly attached to the probe.
Type: Analog | Indoor/Outdoor Use: Primarily indoor | Power: No power required | Probe Length: 11.5 inches
Best Smart Meter: RAINPOINT Soil Moisture Meter
Why This is a Quality Choice: The RAINPOINT Soil Moisture Meter looks very different from the other soil moisture meters on this list. That’s because it doesn’t use a metal probe to test for water. Instead, the bottom part of the device needs to be inserted into a small hole (the manufacturer recommends 20 cm deep). Once installed in the soil, the sensor will send up-to-the-minute information to you through a purpose-built app.
Who is this for? If you’re someone who loves all their equipment to offer the convenience of high-tech solutions, this is the best soil moisture meter for you!
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This product needs a little more space to work effectively. This means that it’s not great for testing the water conditions in small pots.
Type: Analog | Indoor/Outdoor Use: Either | Power: Rechargeable batteries | Probe Length: 10.2 inches
Best for Lawns: RAINPOINT WiFi Soil Moisture Meter
Why This is a Quality Choice: The second product from RAINPOINT on this list, the WiFi Soil Moisture Meter, was specifically designed for helping homeowners care for their lawns. The device has three metal prongs for increased accuracy and is able to track moisture levels over time as well as moment-to-moment.
It can also connect with automatic watering systems that RAINPOINT also sells. So, your sprinklers can turn on whenever your lawn needs water—even if you’re out of town.
Who is this for? I’d say that this product is appropriate for people who want to do a great job of caring for their lawn but can’t be around all the time.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some people who have bought this product reported that there were sometimes connectivity issues. This will be a problem only if you have a very large lawn.
Type: Analog | Indoor/Outdoor Use: Either | Power: Requires 3 AAA batteries | Probe Length: 10.2 inches
Best for Indoor Plants: Sustee Aquameter
Why This is a Quality Choice: The final product on this list, the Sustee Aquameter, offers great value to gardeners who need just a simple moisture meter for their indoor garden. With one order, you can get a pack of five meters.
Each of them comes in a plastic shell that has a color indicator for when you need to water your plants again (blue for watered, white for dry). They last for between 6 and 9 months, after which you can replace a capsule to reset the time.
Who is this for? This is perfect for gardeners who need a rough-and-ready indication of whether their plants need to be watered. The color coding makes it easy to see when you should get out the watering can.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Since these moisture meters have only two indications—wet or dry—they aren’t as sensitive as others on this list. But, not all plants and not all gardeners need that level of precision when it comes to watering.
Type: Analog | Indoor/Outdoor Use: Indoor | Power: No power required | Probe Length: 10.2 inches
Buying Considerations for The Best Soil Moisture Meters
Type
As you can see from the list, there are several different approaches that manufacturers take when designing soil moisture meters for different target audiences. Some of them are adapted for outdoor use, and others work best indoors.
In addition, there’s a big difference as to whether a meter can test only for soil moisture or if it can gauge pH levels and nutrient levels as well. If your meter can also work as a pH and nutrient level monitor, that can save you from investing in other soil testing equipment or taking a trip to a soil lab.
Power
You also might have different preferences for how your soil meters are powered. Some of them can work without any power supply whatsoever, and others require battery power. There isn’t much of a difference in terms of functionality, so this choice comes down to whether you’re someone who doesn’t mind having one extra device to charge.
Probe length
Finally, it’s crucial that you ensure that you get a soil moisture meter that’s long enough to provide readings at the same level as the roots of your plants. If you’re getting moisture readings on too shallow a level, you won’t be able to get a true picture of how your plant’s growing environment. Luckily, some of the manufacturers on this list, like Sustee, actually offer multiple different probe lengths for gardeners with different needs.
How I Choose These Products
I started using soil moisture meters a couple of years ago, so I have quite a bit of experience with many of the products on this list (not to mention my experiences with a couple that emphatically didn’t make it onto the list). The ones that I haven’t tried myself were either recommended by some of my friends who are into gardening or had awesome reviews online.
I also made an effort to include only products from brands that have a reputation for quality and reliability. When you add all that up, I’m confident that you won’t be disappointed with any of the products on this list. I hope I’ve helped you find the best soil moisture meters for your needs!
Final Verdict
Overall, I had to recommend the moistenland Store Soil Moisture Meter as the top pick among the best soil moisture meters on the market. It’s been keeping watch over the moisture level and pH of my very sensitive succulents since I first got it last year. Once you get used to having exact information about the state of the soil where your favorite plants are growing, you won’t be able to go back to guessing!
FAQs
Do soil moisture meters really work?
Yes, soil (or plant) moisture meters can effectively measure how much water is in soil, either outdoors or in a pot or grow bag. There are several different ways that moisture meters are able to do this, including through placing a pin into the soil that detects water. This has the benefit of measuring water at the same level as the roots of a plant, which is difficult or impossible to see from the outside.
Which soils have high moisture content?
In general, soils that have lots of clay are able to retain more moisture because it stays packed together, which prevents runoff. In addition, indoor potting soils tend to be very good at retaining moisture, since many of their ingredients (besides fertilizers and/or earthworms) are specifically included for that purpose.
Which is better: pin or pinless moisture meter?
There isn’t really an answer to whether a pin or pinless moisture meter is “better.” Which type of plant moisture meter will work best depends on a variety of factors, including the type of soil, how deep the roots of a plant are, and whether you also need to measure other values like the pH or nutrient level of the soil.
