24 Inch Garden and Compost Moisture Meter, Garden Tool Ideal for Soil, Plant, Farm and Lawn Moisture Testing

I’ve been using this for years now, battery life is incredible. Easy to read and measure moisture levels. Super simple to use across different areas, very versatile!

This measures current through soil and the least resistance is saturated dirt, not fresh water. This is important if you are trying to calibrate the 10. I like that the probe is strong enough to be able check several spots around my fruit trees. No fear of breaking it. I already decided not to water one zone the first day, That’s why I bought it, so I’m happy.

When the meter arrived, it stated that it takes "standard AAA batteries", which need to be replaced regularly- "With normal usage it will typically last one season." However, the unit is encased in metal with no obvious way to get to the battery, or anything stated in the instructions. After removing the four screws, the box still will not budge, assumedly because the screw in metal rod on the bottom prevents the pieces from sliding apart. However this only turned, and would not loosen. After tremendous effort I was able to get this unscrewed but the unit still will not open, and now the rod will not screw back on. It appears to be connected with a wire but the bolt is now loose inside. I now have a useless broken meter, and all I wanted to do was get to the battery. So my question is, how in the devil is this thing opened, and why if its so incredibly difficult, is there not even instructions as to how to do it? And unlike other meters, this one requires you to get in, as it becomes dead once the battery expires. Incredibly frustrating design, unless you were looking to buy a Mensa puzzle. Also I don't mean to be picky, but why unlike all the other moisture meters, does it not have an "OK" or "IDEAL", or anything like that in the center? I mean obviously that makes using it a little more satisfying. Personally if this weren't the only moisture meter apparently sold in the world with probe longer than 7.5" I would have picked one with the traditional "DRY, OK, WET" instead of numbers and one where I didn't ever have to mess with a battery at all :/ I'm worried too about several posts that the meter reads wet even when as one person put it, the soil is 'bone dry'. I'm trying to grow expensive figs and they have very deep pots, and I don't want to drown or starve them. They are consistently all reading 10 wet, and I have avoided watering them for days. I have absolutely NO idea what my 'ideal moisture level' is [that's why I got a meter!], so the extra calibration step seems a bit of a cop out to hide a meter that doesn't work well, I hope I'm wrong. ----------------------------------------------- 9-16-16 Just an update that REOTEMP has sent me a replacement and that one DOES open, so the first one was defective it was somehow painted or welded shut. I'm therefore changing the rating to 4 stars. The meter works well and appears to be sturdily made. It would be nice if it came pre-calibrated, but can't have everything. You basically have to buy or have another moisture meter and use that to calibrate this one before use.

I have been using my Reotemp moisture meter for 1 month now. I am mostly impressed with its construction, solid metal case, and robust, thick, non-bending probe. I bought this meter for those reasons as the other available moisture meters have very flimsy probes that end up bending and breaking when placed in the soil to take readings. We have a new home and have done a lot of costly landscaping, plus put in a tomato/ vegetable garden and monitor our water needs daily. Our soil has a high clay content, so in some areas drains poorly, so in some instances one can easily overwater-- so a decent moisture meter is an essential tool. The Reotemp's probe extends 15", so you can measure down in the root area of most plants, for accurate readings. The meter has a quality, easy to read basic scale that gives you relative moisture meters (not % of moisture). First you set it up, and set it to a previously watered area to give you a relative reading of satisfactory moisture. This is all relative so you have to set it up to what you consider a healthy/plant soil moisture condition. The meter readings our easily adjusted with a screw driver. I set mine to six on the scale, so there is room to read over or under moisture conditions. Everyone probably will use their own criteria. The first few days I tested it against other meters I had and it was always accurate and dependable for a good reading. The probe is probably 1/4" + thick, and has no problem getting down into fairly compacted plant medium. It certainly is making gardening a lot easier for me taking daily readings-- as I don't like to water to a schedule, but rather, water when a plant actually needs it. I recommend the Reotemp meter! Joseph

I bought the Reotemp 24 inch Moisture Meter November 2025. I calibrated it and used it only a few times in the autumn. I was a very helpful tool in the spring of 2026 until it stopped working in early July. I tried to recalibrate it but the setting stays on zero no matter the moisture content of the soil. I did not misuse or abuse the tool. Breaking in less than 8 months since purchasing it is very disappointing. I used it for only 4 months and stored it in a safe place. It was not worth the high price I paid, about $70. I would like to be refunded for the full amount or have a replacement at no cost realizing is might be a lemon.

These meters are sturdy, made of stainless steel and folded steel plates. The inner construction is simple; an alkaline 1.5V AAA battery, a potentiometer (for calibration), and a needle meter. The 17" long probe is very helpful for testing deeper soil and compost. The manufacturer makes even longer models, but they couldn't be found on Amazon.com. I spoke with the manufacturer, for help, when the meter was giving a high reading in dry soil. They were very pleasant to speak with, USA local -English native speaking, and willing to spend as much time as needed. The meter gives high readings in compacted dry soil with any significant mineral content; unless the soil is fluffed/cultivated, the moisture meter does not work accurately. I tested this against other models of moisture meter, with the same results. The conclusion being that these types of moisture meters cannot be trusted as accurate in soil, but should work fine in compost or other non-mineral rich/salty materials.

I bought seven several year old cherry trees in 5 gal containers and immediately transplanted them into 35 gal containers. With summer coming on I was concerned I might not water them enough and that in reaction I might overwater them. I set up an automatic watering system where the main variables were when, for how long and how many times per day to water them. The moisture meter worked right out of the box and I quickly discovered the soil was extremely saturated near the container sides and bottom, (9 on the scale) but much drier near the root ball (2 - 3 on the scale). I changed the flow pattern to correct this, getting a uniform 4 to 5 reading every where. It didn't take long with the moisture meter to determine the trees liked a reading of 4 on the scale and I set the watering to start their day between 4 and 5, with two early morning waterings, going down to around 3 late in the afternoon before a single watering in the evening to bring it back up to 4 for overnight to keep them comfortable even though not growing then. When I found the surface area was much dryer (2 to 3) than halfway down, (the potting soil in the containers is nearly 14 inches deep) I obtained some large chip size cedar shaving mulch, and the surface moisture came up to the 4 moisture value they really seem to thrive on. The trees have added 14 inches of new growth, nearly tripling in leaf abundance in the five weeks since I got them and I am certain that this is in no small measure due to using this Moisture Meter with its 15 inch probe to find the moisture level the trees like, and be able to easily monitor and maintain it. Kudos ReoTemp! My cherry trees are sailing towards Cherry Blossom Time big-time thanks in large part to your really excellent Moisture Meter that has worked perfectly in my deep potted soils application!! In rating features, absolute Accuracy is not something I could measure, but repeatability of measurement reading, relative Accuracy, for given soil moisture levels is excellent in my uniform soil type application for sure. I am thankful I got it, and most importantly, my cherry trees are thankful too!

MM17 Moisture Meter I use this meter primarily to keep tabs on my lawn irrigation system performance. This evaluation is based on 3 weeks of use. Durable construction: The meter/electronics/battery box is made from 0.1” (10 gauge) thick aluminum - very substantial construction. It has a stainless steel probe, 5/16” diameter x 17” long making it useful for lawn, plant or compost use. I expect little problem with rust or corrosion. And I don’t have to bend over too far to make lawn soil readings. Sensible design: The meter indicator is a dial and pointer style which means it can be read in bright sunlight, unlike the digital LCD indicator types that either wash out in sunlight or cannot be read at an angle other than head-on. The meter face is visible from above the instrument which means you don’t have to lie with your face on the ground to make lawn soil readings. Special feature: User calibration - Ideal moisture content will vary among soil types and the kinds of plant life growing there. So no one moisture meter can tell you what is too “dry” or “wet” for your conditions. The calibration feature lets you determine what the meter should read for conditions you deem to be “good”. To calibrate, I dig a test hole to the depth I want to test and see how well soil sticks to my skin. When I find a spot that looks about right, I probe close to the spot and calibrate the meter to mid scale, leaving enough dial space to indicate plus or minus deviation on future readings. The 1 Yr warranty is better than some cheaper meters. Negative: Made in China. No problems yet, but, just sayin . . . things I can’t see may limit durability. From here, it is my hope that the sensitivity of the MM17 will remain consistent.

NO SIRVE !!!!! En primer lugar las instrucciones dicen: remover cinta roja Y NIO HABÍA TAL CINTA. Después dicen calibrar usando la muestra de suelo húmedo. Lo hice y NO RESPONDE, intenté varías veces a diferentes humedades y la aguja en el indicador siempre está entre 2y4, NI SE MUEVE, ni se puede calibrar. ME LI DEBEN CAMBIAR!!!!

Works ok. Not as accurate in reading soil moisture as I had hoped. Nice long stem to reach the roots of plants.

Out of the box the meter is already usable (about right for my indoor plants) without calibration. Compare to other cheap soil meters that I've used before, this one is definitely well/over built. The only thing that I don't like it is the battery compartment, after removing the 4 screws, you'll find the battery holder at the back, not easily accessible. It should be rearranged and place in the front.

Despite other reviews saying that they're a waste of time. I found it Very useful in recording my lawn moisture content over a wide area. The instructions say calibration is required when first using (using The screw), but experimenting I found that it was fine straight from the box.

Love this moisture meter. Accurate and easy to use. Worth every penny and gives a nice piece of mind. No more wondering if the soul is wet or not and way above the cheapo ones at home depot. Look forward to buying 3 more and recommending this to every grower and gardener i know. Love it and thank you Reotemp.