If your plants keep dying but you don't know why, it might be time to consider a soil moisture meter. By inserting the probe into soil, you'll know exactly when your plant needs more water, so you won't have to worry about under-watering or over-watering your beloved houseplants or vegetable garden. For both indoor and outdoor plant enthusiasts, it's a must-have in any arsenal of gardening tools.
We researched dozens of products to pick the best soil moisture meters. Our picks are easy to use, versatile have clear displays. A few even track data like soil pH, temperature, and sunlight exposure.
Our picks for the best soil meters
Best overall: Ecowitt Soil Moisture Tester - See at Amazon
Best budget: Xlux Soil Moisture Meter - See at Amazon
Best for outdoors: Netro Whisperer - See at Amazon
Best for pH: Sonkir Soil Meter - See at Amazon
Best color-changing: Ippinika Sustee Aquameter - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Ecowitt Soil Moisture Tester delivers rapid readings and works in both indoor and outdoor settings.
What we like
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The weather-resistant sensor on the Ecowitt Soil Moisture Tester takes accurate moisture readings in about 72 seconds and displays them on a convenient LCD display. Soil moisture level is depicted in two formats: numerically and visually. The display receives information wirelessly as long as the sensor is within 300 feet. You can also calibrate the unit to accommodate different soil types and ambient humidity levels. At 2.3 inches tall (5.3 inches from bottom to tip), when stuck in the soil, the sensor won't stick out like a sore thumb.
Best budget
The Xlux Soil Moisture Meter is a simple, no-frills moisture meter at an attractive price.
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Sometimes the topsoil appears wet, but deeper down, plant roots may be struggling to access water. Use the Xlux Soil Moisture Meter to check whether your garden needs watering. The sensor has a basic single probe design and a color-coded dial display. It works without batteries, so you never have to worry about it shutting off while you're out digging in the dirt. Its affordable price tag also makes it a great choice for gardeners on a budget. Some adjusting may be necessary to ensure the probe is at the correct depth to detect moisture.
Best for outdoors
The durable Netro Whisperer is tough enough for outdoor use and reads for moisture levels, ambient temperature, and sunlight exposure.
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The solar-powered Netro Whisperer Smart Plant Sensor has a curved design to capture maximum sunlight throughout the day. It detects soil moisture levels, ambient temperature, and sunlight exposure, all key for ensuring proper plant growth. The wireless sensor is Wi-Fi-enabled, so you can access data stored in the iOS or Android app anywhere. It's also weather-resistant so that you can leave it in the garden 24/7.
This soil meter is compatible with intelligent watering systems like the Netro Sprite. Once it grabs a few readings and analyzes weather patterns, the app delivers a recommended watering schedule. The app also sends plant care notifications and reminders to perform important gardening tasks.
Best for pH
With its multiple sensors, the Sonkir Soil Meter provides a snapshot of soil, light, and pH conditions.
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Three sensors are better than one. You likely won't use the pH probe as often as the light and moisture sensors, but it's convenient to have the option at your fingertips. The Sonkir Soil Meter has two probes — to read moisture and pH levels — and a sensor at the top to measure light intensity. The display doesn't provide ultra-accurate readings, but it's enough to give you a ballpark measurement that you can work with.
The sensor doesn't require batteries and is lightweight enough to travel with, making it ideal for community garden plots. The probe is also quite long at 7.9 inches, allowing users to take deeper readings than other meters.
Best color-changing
This simple set of Ippinka Aquameters helps forgetful gardeners know when to water thanks to color-changing sensors.
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Pop these little Ippinka Sustee Aquameters at the base of your houseplants to know when plants are thirsty. Engineered in collaboration with the Tokyo University of Agriculture, the sensors have indicators that turn blue when the soil is wet and white when the soil is dry. Root rot is a common cause of death for houseplants and these mini sensors are excellent for gardeners who frequently overwater and kill their plants. The set of four sensors lasts about six to nine months; each stick features a replaceable core.
The award-winning Sustee moisture meters are ideal for houseplants and can measure moisture levels in various soil types. They're also available in small, medium, and large sizes to accommodate different-sized pots and are sold in sets ranging from four to 36 meters.
Our top picks, compared
| Our pick | Winner | Indoor or outdoor | Measures |
| Best overall | Ecowitt Soil Moisture Tester | Both | Moisture only |
| Best budget | Xlux Soil Moisture Meter | Both | Moisture only |
| Best for outdoors | Netro Whisperer | Outdoor only | Moisture, ambient temperature, sunlight |
| Best for pH | Sonkir Soil Meter | Both | Moisture, pH, sunlight |
| Best color-changing | Ippinka Sustee Aquameter | Both | Moisture only |
What to look for when choosing a soil moisture meter
Here are a few top considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a soil moisture meter:
- Accuracy: Digital devices generally offer better accuracy than cheaper analog models. But unless you're growing commercially, you probably don't need to measure soil moisture to the decimal point.
- Indoor or outdoor use: Many inexpensive moisture meters aren't designed to live permanently in soil, so durability isn't a real issue. However, meters that stay in the soil and provide real-time feedback on soil health aren't necessarily weather-resistant. Some models may be more suitable for indoor potted plants than outside garden beds.
- Data provided: Some moisture meters offer more data than soil moisture levels, such as sunlight exposure, ambient temperature, and pH. This information can be useful when caring for houseplants.
- Smart features: Some soil meters work with wifi or Bluetooth-connected apps to show to real-time data, allowing you to track conditions over time. Some models may provide advice and tips or connect to other devices to automate gardening tasks like irrigation.
How we chose the best soil moisture meters
We researched various soil meter brands and read thousands of customer reviews to determine the best soil meters. When choosing our top picks, we made sure to include options at different price points and considered factors like display readability, data provided, and durability.
Meet the expert behind this guide
Steph Coehlo, freelance contributor: I specialize in home and outdoor products. I've tested dozens of garden products, from sprinklers to indoor herb gardens.
Soil Moisture Meter FAQs
Can I leave a moisture meter in the soil?
It depends on the model. Some moisture meters are designed to live in the soil and provide a constant data flow. However, leaving some probe-style meters in the ground can damage them, affecting their accuracy.
Does a moisture meter also measure humidity?
Some plants like humid air, while others thrive in a dry environment. Most moisture meters do not measure ambient humidity. If you want to measure the humidity of the air around your plants, consider purchasing a hygrometer.
How do I tell if a plant is overwatered?
Wilting and brown leaf edges are signs of both over and under-watering.
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