--- title: "I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters…" description: "I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters and never found them reliable, normally just put finger in to test, which is a pain as I…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/PpjGFkMVb4FdKMW2VsdNg1?language=ko" community: "Anything about plants" author: "Tom" published: "2025-09-21T12:37:30.906511Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iNTxcaMdihIiF3cG-Oo_w7l-8xOwzfBzSxhBmxMmzcs/uXCyETUKQcGvDQ2qmoUBSw.webp?size=large" --- [커뮤니티](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=ko) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md?language=ko) # I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters… _Tom님이 2025-09-21에 게시함_ I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters and never found them reliable, normally just put finger in to test, which is a pain as I have the fungus gnat toppers ( diatomaceous earth) on mine, brings soil up when testing so have to recover each time. Just tried putting one in water (see pic) water definitely dry 😂 . Anyone use a reliable one they know works, assuming a powered meter version would work but not tried one yet. ![1개 중 1번째 첨부 파일](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iNTxcaMdihIiF3cG-Oo_w7l-8xOwzfBzSxhBmxMmzcs/uXCyETUKQcGvDQ2qmoUBSw.webp?size=large) ## 16개의 댓글 ### Nan님이 2025-09-21에 댓글을 남겼어요. I notice that too, I’m wondering.. did you try sticking the meter so the silver is submerged in water? I notice I can’t get quite a good reading when the pot is small, but I get a better reading when the pot is larger. I also noticed when I stick it in different areas in the larger pot I get different readings. I swear, it was highly rated on Amazon? I don’t know… maybe we are missing something😂 #### Tom님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. Yes I’ll tried in different areas and depths of different pots, drying of in between all tests, even tried same hole a few times and still different, so not using again, going in bin ### Hayley님이 2025-09-21에 댓글을 남겼어요. Moisture meters read electrical conductance, not the actual amount of water present. Water is a good conductor, but the air in dry soil is not. Freshly potted plants (soil not yet compacted) and plants potted in a very airy soil mix will skew readings. The amount of salts present (from watering with hard water or adding fertilizer) also change the conductivity, which affects the readings. Also, most moisture meters should tell you in the instructions and care info that you can't use them in water or leave them in the soil for long; it ruins them. Personally, I use a combination of testing the weight of the pot, sticking my finger in the soil, and using a skewer in the soil to determine if it's time to water #### Hayley님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. ![1개 중 1번째 첨부 파일](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/E74oCroo69AYnE3elMqN0uKik2R2q0ROCGKjlRpMOR4/8wF8LggfS724htrZ3eph7g.webp?size=large) #### Tom님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. Yes looked on Amazon for a digital version and found in reviews this pic, also like u said not to be used in water, sort of defeats the purpose if can’t get that wet, mite try a battery powered version ![1개 중 1번째 첨부 파일](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iNTxcaMdihIiF3cG-Oo_w7l-8xOwzfBzSxhBmxMmzcs/fHYzwpyNSrSdDZNadvJuNA.webp?size=large) ### Amie206님이 2025-09-21에 댓글을 남겼어요. I always used those meters in the past, but I did come to believe they are unreliable. I switched to using skewers. Shove it in, pull it out, if there is dirt on the skewer it’s wet. While it’s not as sustainable, I get 4 uses out of the skewer. Top, bottom, break in half for the two “middles”. Also, clear pots - game changer because tou can see if the soil is still wet and keep an eye on what the roots are doing. Clear nursery pot into cache pot and they still look nice in your house #### Tom님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. Yes I use all clear pots apart from one as couldn’t find one bigger anough, I sometimes now lift out to see if looks dry or condensated, mite try skewers, how long do you leave them in before pulling out , say like 5minutes #### Amie206님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. If I’m being patient, 2 ish minutes. ### MorningJorie님이 2025-09-21에 댓글을 남겼어요. I prefer using a chopstick! I keep a cup of used ones near my plant stuff and it can get deep down into the soil. If it comes up with soil on it, it’s wet! #### MorningJorie님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. Sustainable and reliable every time! #### Tom님이 2025-09-21에 답변했습니다. Thank you, I’ll give it a try ### Jennrox님이 2025-09-21에 댓글을 남겼어요. I rely on a chopstick and lifting the pot if possible. You can tell the difference between dry dust and wet soil once you’ve seen it/felt it. #### Ani님이 2025-09-22에 답변했습니다. Do you have different chopsticks for your plants? #### Jennrox님이 2025-09-22에 답변했습니다. I have a different one for different areas. ### Dead Plant Society님이 2025-09-22에 댓글을 남겼어요. It might be unnecessary but I try not to "cross contaminate" my chopsticks . Though my corn plants are over 8 feet now, and Im looking for something longer. Ideas anyone? #### Amie206님이 2025-09-22에 답변했습니다. I don’t cross contaminate either. Maybe a skinny dowel you can get at Lowe’s or your local hardware store? --- _Planta 커뮤니티 (https://getplanta.com). 누구나 읽을 수 있습니다. 게시물을 올리고, 댓글을 달고, 좋아요를 누르려면 Planta 앱을 다운로드하세요: https://getplanta.com/download_