Water wisely: the best soil moisture meters for 2023
Avoid under- or over-watering your plants with one of these inexpensive devices. We’ve found the best soil moisture meters on sale this year.
Observing the surface of the soil in a border is a common tac-tic for most gardeners – but how much can this approach really tell us? Often, soil can often appear dry on the surface but has plenty of moisture further down.
The plants we grow in our gardens have different moisture requirements – some are drought tolerant, so can cope with drier, well drained soils, while others prefer soil that is more moist. By getting to know the soil in the different areas of your garden, you can decide which plants suit those areas best – following the motto coined by legendary gardener Beth Chatto of ‘right plant, right place.’
One way to find out about the moisture levels in your soil is to use a soil moisture meter – or the hygrometer, as some call it. Most will quickly tell you whether the ground is ‘wet’, ‘moist’ or ‘dry’, which means that you can grow the most suitable plants for that area. It is worth using the meter around your garden – you will most likely have differing moisture levels in different areas.
Some of the best soil moisture meters track several different elements, including the soil’s pH level and temperature, and the light intensity and humidity of the surrounding area.
Not only are these clever devices usually available for under £20, but most work without batteries, saving you even more in the long run.
Best soil moisture meters
3-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter
Not only does this moisture meter keep track of the level of water in the ground, it also tracks light levels from 1-2,000 lumens, and the soil pH from 3.5 (acidic) to 8 (alkaline). All this extra information should give you a much better insight into your plant’s development.
This meter comes with two seven-inch steel probes for better accuracy, and because this isn’t a digital device, you don’t need any batteries to use it.
The display itself is colour-coded, making it easy to see the readings at a glance.
3-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter
Buy from B&Q (£8.99)
While this device might look similar to most of the other ones on our list, it’s actually the best soil moisture meter we’ve found with a solar-powered battery.
It also measures light intensity and pH levels, on top of soil moisture, and has a three-way selector switch to change between the different settings.
5-in-1 Digital Plant Soil Moisture Meter
Able to take five different measurements, this option might just be the best soil moisture meter to buy if you’re after a multifunctional gadget. Not only does it monitor soil moisture, but it also keeps track of the pH level and temperature. Plus, it measures the environment’s humidity and light intensity.
Unlike most other soil moisture meters, this one has a backlit LCD screen, making it easy to read even in the dark.
It should come up with results just 10 seconds after you insert the probe, and you can switch between °C/°F on the temperature scale.
Remember to buy four AAA batteries if you choose this product.
Long Probe Deep Use Soil Moisture Meter
This is one of the best soil moisture meters to buy if you have particularly large patio pots or want to measure soil moisture deep underground. Its probe is over 30cm long and the makers say it’s over 13cm longer than standard options, so it’ll reach further than other designs on our list.
This meter keeps things simple and just measures soil moisture; the clear display makes it easy to check the results.
Plus, the single probe shouldn’t disrupt the ground too much when you insert and remove it.
Soil Moisture Sensor
While many gardeners love the convenience of standard moisture meters, which work without batteries, you might want to choose a digital version for precise readings and a clear display.
This one measures moisture content in just 72 seconds, and displays it on an easy-to-read LCD screen alongside a 12- or 24-hour clock.
You’ll need two AA batteries to start using it.
Moisture and PH meter
Buy from Crocus (£12.99) and Waitrose Garden (£12.99)
Sold at Crocus and Waitrose Garden, this soil moisture meter is a popular choice. It measures the level of water in the soil, as well as its pH; just flick the single switch one way or the other to choose between the two readings.
This meter comes with two probes and you don’t need any batteries to get started.
Soil moisture meter
Buy from Waitrose Garden (£8.99)
Here’s one of the best soil moisture meters to buy if you’re on a strict budget. While it keeps things simple and doesn’t monitor other factors like pH, it does come with a helpful colour-coded display: the red section means the soil is dry; green is moist; and blue is wet.
This meter is 20cm long and works without batteries.
Fallen Fruits Soil Moisture Meter
If you’re willing to spend a little more, why not go for this silver meter?
It’s 26cm long and has a colour-coded display to make it easy to check at a glance. There’s a red section for dry, green for moist and blue for wet.
Wilko Soil Moisture and pH Tester
Buy from Wilko (£6.99)
Although this is possibly the best soil moisture meter around for anyone on a budget, it still measures both water and pH levels.
It may not be the flashiest meter around, but it’s simple and easy to use, and you won’t need any batteries to start measuring.
What to look for in a soil moisture meter
While soil moisture meters all look fairly similar, there are some key differences you’ll want to look out for. Here are the factors to consider.
Electronic vs Manual
Most of the best soil moisture meters work without batteries, so they’re great low-maintenance gadgets. Opt for one with a digital display and you’ll probably need to add your own AA or AAA batteries.
Alternatively, there are some solar-powered soil moisture meters out there, which are worth considering if you want to get more features without using your own batteries.
Probe length
Most soil moisture meter probes are around 20cm long, but you can get extra-long versions if you need to use them in large pots or get deep into the ground.
You might also want to consider moisture meters with two probes, as they’re designed to be more accurate than versions with a single one. The downside is that they risk disturbing the soil more.
Extra features
If you’re buying a soil moisture meter, it’s well worth considering multifunctional gadgets that measure the soil’s pH level and temperature, as well as the light intensity and humidity of the surrounding environment.
Many of the best soil moisture meters measure more than just the ground’s water level, and are just as inexpensive as less versatile versions.
Interested in reading more about giving your plants the best care? See our guide: How not to kill your house plants this winter.