Best Moisture Meter in the UK: Pin & Pinless. 2022 Comparison & Buyer’s Guide

Moisture meters provide useful information and let you determine whether the material is wet or dry. How accurate are moisture meters readings? In fact, much depends on the type of material and the quality of the device. Well-made moisture meters from reliable brands are accurate to within 0.1% of the material’s moisture content. Cheap products yield less accurate moisture testing results as they are technologically primitive.

Types of Moisture Meters

Moisture meters come in two main types: pin-type meters and pinless meters. The former type needs to be pushed into the material you are going to check. The device evaluates the resistance to an electrical current in the material and, based on these measurements, determines the amount of moisture in it. The more moisture there is in the wood, the higher the conductivity.

• Pin-type moisture meters are a common choice among professional woodworkers and contractors, and with good reason. These devices provide reliable readings and can easily handle uneven surfaces. And yet, there are some disadvantages. Pins tend to break down, however, it isn’t going to be a major issue as pins are typically replaceable. A more serious shortcoming is that such meters leave pinholes and damage the testing surface. Also, they measure only a limited area between the two pins.

• Pinless moisture meters use a sensor pad to read the fluctuations of electromagnetic waves. The pad comes into contact with the surface being tested but without damaging it. Such devices are ideal for checking the content of moisture in wooden materials, such as furniture and hardwood floors, and can even be calibrated depending on the wood type. Pinless meters have some advantages over the pin-type option. First of all, they do not make pinholes and are, therefore, preferred for use on expensive materials.

Pinless meters are also a great choice for scanning large areas as the whole measurement process is easier and takes less time. They allow the user to collect more data to determine the average result.

Pinless meters have their disadvantages, too. They are not suitable for small or uneven surfaces and are less accurate if there are metal objects inside the material or moisture on its surface. Pinless meters generally work at two reading depths, which is sufficient for the majority of woodworking projects. However, if the material being tested is thinner or thicker, this tool will not be able to accurately identify the source of moisture.

Moisture Meters Compared

Bosch 603688000 Moisture Meter | Best Pin-Type Meter

Perfect for measuring the wood’s moisture content, this tool can be used for a wide range of projects from furniture construction and painting to burning firewood and mold prevention. For more accurate results, the device allows for choosing between A (birch, maple) and B (oak, ash) wood groups based on the type of wood. On top of that, the self-testing feature allows for checking the correct calibration for better precision.

Convenience is another strength of this product. The Bosch moisture meter makes measurements fast and has a comfortable grip. The pins are easy to push into the wood. It has a user-friendly design with just two buttons — one for switching between the wood groups and the other is for saving measurements. First, select the needed wood group, then stick the pins four or five mm in the material. If the material is not recommended for use, the red LED light will be on. The green light means that the material is ready for use, while the yellow one stands for “concern”.

Bosch 603688000: Check the current price

Extech MO55 Combination Pin/Pinless Moisture Meter | Best Versatile

The key advantage of this model is that it combines two types of moisture meters in one device, so you can easily choose between pin-type and pinless methods. Perfect for building restoration projects, the MO55 is also useful for moisture detection under carpets and on floors. The 122-gram device comes with two pins, a protective cap, and a 9V battery. When used in the pinless mode, the tool measures moisture up to 25 mm deep. Unlike the Bosch model that uses LED lights to show the results of measurements, the MO55 features icons displaying the high, medium, and low levels of moisture. Additionally, it produces an audible alert that beeps faster as the level of moisture raises.

We particularly recommend this versatile device for complex projects. When used in the pinless mode, it is great for fast scanning of walls while the pin mode is ideal for checking timber and masonry. From my experience, the pinless mode is less accurate but I nonetheless use it when a damage-free inspection is needed.

Extech MO55: Check the current price