Best Moisture Meter for Testing Moisture in Wood

As the only UK distributor of Wagner Moisture Meters in the UK, we asked them to feature on our blog to tell us a little bit more about their Orion range and why it is the best on the market for testing moisture levels in wood...

Has this ever happened to you?

You’re working on a wood project. You’re doing everything right: testing for moisture in the wood, keeping records of your results, and even taking the necessary steps to allow excess moisture to evaporate.

But then the worst happens.

Your project is ruined by moisture-related issues—even after all that.

You’re embarrassed. Your client is upset. Now you’ve got to start all over, but you’re still wondering what went wrong.

Odds are, you used an inaccurate and unreliable moisture meter. And to make sure that never happens to you again, we want to help you pick the best moisture meter for testing the moisture content in wood. Say goodbye to the stress and headache of a failed project and hello to accurate testing and happy clients.  

What Is the Best Moisture Meter for Testing Moisture in Wood?

The Orion® pinless wood moisture meter line from Wagner Meters is the best, hands down.

The Orion line has 5 different meters to choose from, all with varying levels of innovative technology. But there is one that stands out among the rest: the Orion 950.

In addition to all the features of the other Orion meters, the 950 has these features that are sure to excite any woodworking enthusiast:  
 

EMC calculation

The Orion 950 will calculate if the wood has reached its equilibrium with the environment, based on ambient temperature and relative humidity, and will no longer gain or lose moisture. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) varies, but ultimately it tells you when your wood floor and/or wood projects are ready for installation or fabrication.  
 

Data storage

This means the 950 can collect data in two modes, either manual or automatic, with viewable moisture stats. It also stores up to 100 readings and includes high-low-average analysis.  
 

On-site calibration

The On-Demand Calibrator allows you to calibrate your Orion 950 at your location in about 30 seconds, whenever you want.  

 

Dual-depth measurement

With this feature, you can measure at both deep and shallow depths, a range of 19mm (0.75”) to 6.4mm (0.25”). No need for two separate meters.

Temperature and Humidity Sensor

Get the ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) measurements of any room with this built-in sensor. It’s like having an ambient conditions data logger and a moisture meter all in one!  

Bluetooth capabilities that pair with an app

The Orion 950 interacts through Bluetooth® technology with free mobile apps for your Android or Apple smart device. You can receive and record data, set specifications for separate jobs, and much more.
 

Find the right Orion meter for you

The Orion 950 sure is a fan favorite. But if it’s bells and whistles are more than you need, take a look at the rest of the meters from the Orion line.

Maybe you don’t need Bluetooth capabilities or other features from the 950, but you’re still looking for the best data storage. Then the Orion 940 meter is your best bet.

It has the same data storage capabilities as the 950: storage for up to 100 readings and dual-depth readings and data collection, which is perfect for checking the high-low-average MC of large volumes of wood.

Then you have the Orion 930.

With the Orion 930, you can measure at both deep and shallow depths. This is helpful when you need to measure thick and thin wood or check waterborne finishes or other thin surface applications.

Next up is the 920, which is the shallow depth meter.

The Orion 920 is great for taking moisture readings in your wood from the surface down to 6.4mm in depth. This is especially ideal for flooring installers who want to check when the next application of waterborne finish is appropriate to use. #

And finally, we have the Orion 910, perfect for deep-depth measurements. If you don’t need all the fancy features, you just want a quality moisture meter to measure wood before you buy it, this is the one for you.

The Orion 910 is ideal for taking deep-depth readings up to 38mm, so it lets you know if the moisture content in the wood is too high, too low, or just right. The 910 works great for measuring subfloor wet spots or problem areas.

Now, sure, those features are flashy and sound nice, but what are the actual, tangible benefits you can expect when you use any of the Orion moisture meters?  

9 Ways the Orion Line of Moisture Meters Will Benefit You
 

1. They are highly accurate. But don’t take our word for it. Third-party research shows just how accurate these Wagner’s meters are. Now you can do your moisture testing with confidence. No more surprising failed projects.  
2. You get high-speed moisture readings. The electromagnetic technology of the pinless meters measures moisture in the wood through a scanner on the back of the meter. This gives you near-instantaneous results. Scanning a board only takes seconds, so think about all the time you could save just from that.  
3. The pinless technology saves wood. Let’s face it—pin meters damage your wood. To get a reading with a pin-type meter, you have to physically drive the pins in your board, creating unsightly holes. That’s not an issue with pinless meters. One quick swipe and you’ve got the readings you need, all without damaging your wood.  
4. Orion meters are virtually unaffected by the temperature of wood. If you’re using a pin meter, you know you have to make adjustments to your readings depending on the temperature of the wood if it is significantly different than room temperature.  Not with the Orion line. Just another way these meters save you time.  
5. Each comes with on-site calibration. No need to return your Orion to the factory for calibration. This means no more waiting on a shipment and tracking your package every 20 minutes. Every Orion meter comes with an individually paired On-Demand Calibrator. With it, you can take matters into your own hands and easily calibrate your meter whenever you want.  
6. They’re not only good for wood; they even work for drywall. A relative moisture measurement mode allows you to take measurements of non-wood-based materials and engineered wood flooring. This means you can use an Orion moisture meter to find out relative moisture conditions on many non-wood building materials and flooring products.  
7. They come protected. Just like how you likely keep your phone in a case to protect it, the Orion meters are situated in a rubber boot. Because of the rough conditions at many project sites, these boots are made to be durable. Sure, treat your meter with care, but no need to worry about minor drops or bumps. These meters are built tough.  
8. They even come with a 7-year warranty. And this is simply because we believe in the quality of our products. And because we believe you deserve to be taken care of after you’ve made the decision to invest in an Orion meter.  
9. And finally, you just can’t beat Wagner’s customer service. No matter what the issue is—directly related to moisture issues or not—we’re only a phone call away. Any member of the Wagner Meters team will tell you just how much we love to help our customers. It’s truly our passion.  

Ready to Invest in Your Success?

Or maybe you need a bit more convincing. Not a problem. Learn more about Orion moisture meters at wagnermeters.com.

But at the end of the day, don’t just take our word for it.

Here’s a word from one of our real-life, happy customers:

"I've been using a pin meter and thought I was getting fairly accurate readings. But when the last table I made curled on the end, I decided to bite the bullet and buy the 910. The reading on the pin meter read 7.8. When I read it with the 910 it was 16.4. If I had gone with the pin meter and gone ahead and made the table, I'd have had the same problem. So glad I made the purchase."

Ultimately, the facts speak for themselves: the Orion wood moisture meter line from Wagner Meters has the perfect tools for anyone working with wood. Buy yours today and look forward to newfound peace of mind.

To find out more, contact us on 01772 696600 or info@havwoodsaccessories.com or order yours now online.