CRITICAL FLAW ALERT!
This meter exhibits a critical flaw—namely its inability to read below 12% moisture content. This flaw renders the meter essentially unusable for a number of common applications, including for flooring installations and furniture making. We deducted two stars from our overall rating to reflect this critical flaw.
The Amprobe MT-10 is a pin-style moisture meter that is intended for wood and other building materials. It is extremely simple to use. It is designed to appeal to the budget-conscious user.
However, in this case, you get what you pay for. In addition to the meter’s problems with measuring moisture at low MC, it also has problems with pins that break easily and cannot be replaced. In addition, the user should keep in mind that the meter offers no way to check calibration or adjust for different species of wood.
Pros
- Extremely simple, one-button operation
- Large, easy-to-read LCD display
- Measures moisture in various building materials
Cons
- Unable to measure moisture below about 12%
- Pins are prone to breaking/bending with no method of replacement
- No ability to check or adjust calibration
- No ability to make wood species adjustments
Objective Evaluation – Overall Score 4.0 out of 5.0
Accuracy – 3.0 out of 5.0
This meter provided reasonably accurate readings above 12% MC, although there was a tendency for readings to be somewhat low when compared to ASTM D4442 oven dry standards. Below 12% MC, this meter was unable to provide readings, even though the manual states that the meter’s range extends to 8% MC.
Learn about our accuracy test procedures
Surface Moisture – 1.0 out of 5.0
Surface moisture caused this meter to post readings about 12% higher than the baseline. These surface moisture results indicate that operating this meter in high humidity environments where condensation may form on the surface could lead to questionable readings.
Learn about our surface moisture test procedures
Meter Temperature – 5.0 out of 5.0
Meter temperature had no effect on this meter’s readings at low MC and only a small effect on MC readings at high MC.
A low meter temperature of 34.8° F in the presence of high MC decreased the reading slightly compared to the room temperature reading.
A high meter temperature of 110° F in the presence of high MC, increased the reading by about 0.5% MC.
Learn about our meter temperature test procedures
Wood Temperature – 4.7 out of 5.0
Wood temperature had a relatively small effect on this meter’s readings.
A low wood temperature of 33.6° F in the presence of low MC showed no change in the reading when compared to the room temperature reading. In the presence of high MC, the reading decreased about 1% MC.
A high wood temperature of 110° F in the presence of low MC showed about a 2% increase in the reading when compared to the room temperature reading. In the presence of high MC, the reading increased only slightly.
Learn about our wood temperature test procedures
Reading repeatability – 4.0 out of 5.0
The readings of this meter were not entirely repeatable, showing a small amount of tendency to vary.
Learn about our repeatability testing procedures
Drift – 5.0 out of 5.0
Readings for this meter showed no tendency to drift after 3 seconds.
Cable Interference – N/A
This meter does not offer cabled accessories so the cable interference test could not be conducted.
Learn about our cable interference and drift testing procedures
Subjective Evaluation – Overall Score 2.3 out of 5.0
Learn about our subjective testing procedures
Ease of Use – 2.2 out of 5.0
This meter’s one-button operation makes it very simple to obtain moisture measurements. However, it offers no way to replace broken pins and lacks basic manual documentation, such as for making species or temperature adjustments.
Quality – 1.7 out of 5.0
The meter casing is not high quality and a piece of the casing broke when we tested it for battery replacement. The supplied pins are extremely prone to bending and breaking, which can be a significant source of frustration, given that that they cannot be replaced on this meter. No carrying case is provided.
Comfort – 3.5 out of 5.0
The meter’s shape is reasonably comfortable to hold, although it has a very low quality, plastic feel. It offers a large, easy-to-read LCD digital display.
Versatility – 1.0 out of 5.0
This meter is pin-style only and offers no method for adjusting for different wood species. Data must be viewed upside down while the meter’s pins are inserted into the wood sample.
Range – 2.3 out of 5.0
Measures MC from 8% to 60%, at least in theory. In practice, our tests indicated no readings can be obtained reliably below about 12% MC.
Features – 2.1 out of 5.0
Readings precise to the nearest 0.1%. Low battery indicator. No calibration check offered. No HOLD function for use in tight spaces where the display cannot be easily viewed,
Customer Service – 3.5 out of 5.0
Amprobe Test Tools offers a standard one-year warranty with free placement during the first year. No service center is available for repairs, nor does Amprobe offer calibration services for its meters. Response to telephone inquiries is fast, friendly, and knowledgeable.
Our review is based on Moisture Meter Experts independent evaluation of the meter, which was purchased by Moisture Meter Experts or provided free of charge by the manufacturer. By purchasing this meter through the links above, Moisture Meter Experts may be compensated either by your purchase directly from Moisture Meter Experts or from commissions from an affiliate. View our Review Procedures section to learn more about our proprietary evaluation procedure and expertise in the field of moisture meters.