ecowitt soil moisture meter with lcd display manufacturer
Custom Mode: with 0%AD and 100%AD custom mode to manually calibrate the low/high moisture value so that you can get more accurate result for different soil types
The media could not be loaded. Sucks when a product SEEMS to be working as advertised, but then decides to die after just 8 months of use. The sending unit (the part that goes into the ground) still emits a blinking light and the other piece which is the "meter readout" still shows the little wifi signal icon working hard as it tries to connect - but alas, it no longer connects. I have ANOTHER one that I bought months earlier (I have one for the backyard and another for the front), and that one still works (for now). But it did allow me to test the failing unit by swapping out both the sending unit and the meter itself - and it"s clear that it"s the sending unit that has FAILED. Again, as you can see in the video, it still blinks its little red light and all, but it REFUSES to synch with the meter which renders the numeric value. But in this instance, instead of 2 dashes on the readout, it SHOULD provide a value of ZERO since it"s not in the ground or sitting in cup of water - which would give you a value of "100". It"s really too bad, as it seemed like a good way to monitor things - and it did - but with this short of a life expectancy, it"s now become a bitter disappointment.
Our top pick is the XLUX Soil Moisture Meter for its simple design and reliable results. If you want a similar product in bulk, the Dr. Meter Soil Moisture Meter 2-Pack is a great option for your budget and your garden.
Moisture meters come with digital or analog displays. Digital displays use electronics to communicate data, while analog displays transmit that data on a gauge. Generally, adding electronics introduces more opportunities for glitches; that’s why we usually prefer an analog tool for rugged, outdoor areas. Analog moisture meters are more durable because they don’t have as many intricate, delicate parts that can be negatively impacted by the elements or conditions.
The exception to this is if 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.
Moisture meter probes range from just a few inches long to over 2 feet. The size you need depends on your plants, their growing conditions, and your budget.
Large plants almost always have larger roots than small plants, which means you need a longer probe to accurately measure the moisture these roots receive. If you grow plants outside in the ground or in large containers, a longer probe gives you more insight into the growing media"s overall moisture levels. Moisture meters with long probes can be pricey, so we recommend purchasing one only if you need that extra length. Otherwise, buy a spare moisture meter with a short or medium probe.
Some moisture meters do more than just measure the water in the soil: They also can keep track of pH levels, fertilization, and sunlight. Having information about which plants are getting enough sunlight or when you need to adjust the pH of your soil with additives can help keep your plants in tip-top shape. Be ready to pay a few more dollars for moisture meters with these extra features.
Usually, analog moisture meter scales range from 1 to 10, with 1 meaning the least moisture. Digital moisture meters often have a number rating; sometimes it is on a 1 to 10 scale, as analog meters, while other digital moisture meters may display this reading as a percentage.
Many plant moisture meters include color-coding on the dial to show you when the soil is particularly dry (red), good (green), or too wet (blue). This helps make reading a plant moisture meter very intuitive and simple.
Most moisture meters for plants are pretty accurate; more intervals on the scale translate into increased accuracy. Also, longer probes can help increase accuracy, especially in areas where the plants have deep roots or the soil is deep.
Generally, double-probe moisture meters are more accurate, especially if they measure multiple attributes such as pH. Having separate probes ensures each is designed and performing ideally for that particular reading. However, additional probes also mean another way to disturb sensitive roots, so be careful as to where you insert such a product.
Some moisture meters also include calibration, which lets you set the scale to a particular reading the meter then uses as a basis for future readings. Smart moisture meters can be set to a particular plant, with readings based on that species" ideal growing conditions.
Most moisture meters can be used on indoor and outdoor plants. However, moisture meters with electronics don"t resist the elements as well as analog products. And since electronic moisture meters tend to cost more than their analog counterparts, it makes more sense to restrict electronic moisture meters to indoor use, to make them last longer.
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, 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.
Fortunately, soil moisture meters can help you stay on point with your watering routine so you don’t have to keep guessing how much moisture is enough for each and every plant you own. Soil moisture meters are versatile modern gardening tools that belong in every citizen scientists’ go-to gardening kit. They’re handy for monitoring compost piles and worm bins, and some of them are even outfitted to measure pH levels (cue ‘WOW’ from crowd).
To be honest, you’ll find a ton of plastic garbage when searching for soil moisture meters that can’t tell the difference between a sand dune and saturated peat moss. Don’t let this frustrate you, though!
In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of the best soil moisture meters for gardeners of all kinds, with a focus on meters handiest for house plants, indoor gardens, and greenhouse grows. Here’s the low-down on our favorite soil moisture meters:
Accurately test soil moisture with this digital soil moisture sensor meter from Ecowitt with an easy-to-read display. When paired via WiFi with the digital display, the sensor measures your soil’s moisture levels with a thick, spaded, two-pronged probe at regular, 70 second intervals. The best part of this system? It can be calibrated to a moisture level range of your choosing (for example, you can set the 100% reading to soil moisture directly after watering) for improved accuracy.
Sensor pairs via WiFi with a digital LCD display with 300 ft transmission range, allowing you to check moisture readings for plants from almost anywhere in your home
Measuring soil moisture levels doesn’t have to cost you a fortune! For the majority of your houseplants, this simple, easy-to-read voltage detecting meter will do just fine. It costs about its weight in good compost and lasts a lifetime without any additional batteries or calibration; simply insert into your plant’s root zone and read the analog display. The sensor measures your soil’s electrical conductivity as a proxy for moisture content and returns readings on a color-coded scale of 1-10. 1-3 is ‘DRY’, 4-7 is ‘MOIST’ and 8-10 is ‘WET’.
The downside to this bargain meter is that it’s not incredibly accurate and can be thrown off by soils with high clay content and salt levels. Its limited reading range isn’t well suited for plants that prefer dry conditions like succulents or those that love moisture, like ferns and snake plants. But hey – it’s a great deal!
Care for that special plant in your life with this luxe, leave-in-soil moisture meter. Whether you have a rare plant with ultra specific moisture needs, a beloved bonsai that easily drops leaves when dehydrated, or a large plant living in a community space (aka one that gets sporadic waterings), this moisture meter probe from Blumat is the ideal pick for your favorite indoor plant. As a tensiometer, it measures the amount of force that plant roots need to exert to uptake water and delivers highly accurate moisture readings in millibar (mBar) for all types of soils.
Unlike most of the other soil meters in this guide, this meter is designed to be left in soil for an extended period of time. You just need to fill the plastic tube with water before soil testing and protect the sensor head or remove it between uses, since it’s not waterproof. It requires some prep and takes about 45 minutes to deliver a reading, but you can be sure the reading will be accurate.
Going pro? If you’re in the market for a professional soil moisture meter to deliver consistent, highly accurate measurements, this probe from General Tools is one of the best moisture meters out there for the purpose. It meets professional products standards for use in agricultural and commercial settings (CE and RoHS approved) and contains the same type of microchip technology used in computers and cell phones (LSI microprocessor circuit) to deliver readings with an accuracy of ±5%