Best damp meters for walls and timber

In its favour

• Shallow 9 mm and deep 30 mm readings let you compare surface and core moisture.
• Built-in hygrometer and IR thermometer give RH, dew point and humidity ratio for condensation checks.
• Bluetooth app builds moisture maps with geotagged, time stamped reports and photos.

Good to know

• The pin and RH probes are optional extras, not part of the base kit.
• Batteries are not included, according to the listing.

In its favour

• Reads up to 20 mm below the surface without marking finished walls or floors.
• Protimeter Connect app logs readings with time and date stamps for reports.
• Automatic calibration checks plus user field calibration are listed.

Good to know

• Pinless only, so it cannot give a direct timber moisture content from probes.
• The listing does not state a numeric measuring range.

In its favour

• Green, yellow and red LEDs make dry, borderline and damp readings easy to read.
• Calibration device is included so you can check the meter is reading correctly.
• Extension pin probe helps in awkward spots such as skirting and under stairs.

Good to know

• Pin probes leave small holes, so it is less suited to finished decorative surfaces.
• No app, data logging or stated measuring depth in the listing.

In its favour

• Covers both relative pinless scanning and absolute pin readings in one kit.
• Measures ambient temperature and humidity as well as material moisture.
• Listing names caravans and motorhomes among its uses, along with walls and timber.

Good to know

• Not from a surveying brand, and accuracy for material readings is not stated.
• No app or data logging, only a hold function for the current reading.

In its favour

• Telescopic handle reaches 114 cm, so ceilings and floors can be scanned standing up.
• Stated depth of up to 12 cm, varying with the material, is the deepest listed here.
• Audible alarm and adjustable sensitivity help home in on the wettest spot.

Good to know

• Built for wide area scanning rather than precise timber moisture content.
• The listing does not name the materials it is calibrated for.

In its favour

• Reads into the slab to about 20 mm without probing or drilling.
• Bluetooth link to an iOS and Android app for reporting.
• Rugged enclosure suits site use before laying floor coverings.

Good to know

• Made for concrete and screed, so it is the wrong tool for walls and timber.
• The listing notes it is an international product sold from abroad.

In its favour

• Stated range of 6 to 30% covers the levels that matter for timber.
• Compact handheld size, with a listed weight of 358 g.
• Runs on a single 9 V battery, according to the specs.

Good to know

• The listing gives very little detail on method, materials or accessories.
• The listing does not say whether it reads with pins or a pinless pad.