This section provides an overview for soil moisture meters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 12 soil moisture meter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked soil moisture meter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Delmhorst Instrument Co., 2.Spectrum Technologies, Inc., 3.METER Group, Inc. USA.
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Categories Related to Soil Moisture Meters
Soil moisture meters are used to measure the amount of moisture contained in the soil. They are mainly used to check soil properties and management conditions in the agricultural field, agricultural research and development, environmental monitoring associated with construction work (vegetation protection, etc.), and personal gardening.
Depending on the principle of measurement, some types use the dielectric constant (TDR, ADR, and FDR methods), tensiometer, and cyclometer methods. There is also a logger type that, when buried in soil, periodically measures data and stores it in the main unit. Since electronic moisture sensors are available at low cost, there are also applications for making your own soil moisture meter.
Soil moisture is widely used as an indicator in agriculture because it is an important factor in determining plant growth. In the case of potted plants and gardening, too high a soil moisture content can cause root rot, so soil moisture meters are widely used by professionals and homeowners alike.
Soil moisture meters are based on a variety of principles and come in a wide price range, so it is necessary to choose the right type for your application and the accuracy of the data you need. Some meters can be purchased for as little as a few dollars per unit, while others cost hundreds of dollars.
The main methods used in soil moisture meters are as follows:
The basic principle of all of these methods is the same: soil moisture is measured by a dielectric constant. Soil consists of water, air, and soil particles (minerals and dead plants and animals). The dielectric constant of each material is much higher for water than for other materials, and the dielectric constant of the soil itself has a constant relationship with the soil water content. The soil moisture content is determined from this relationship. Characteristically, the ADR method is cheaper in equipment and easier to operate than other methods (FDR and TDR). On the other hand, the TDR method or soil is not affected by temperature unless it freezes, making it suitable for use in environments where temperatures are not stable.
A container made of unglazed parts called a porous cup, is inserted into the soil for measurement. The container is filled with water, and the amount of water that oozes out is measured as pressure. This method uses the water tension of the soil. This method is widely used in the industrial field, but its disadvantage is that it is time-consuming.
This method uses thermocouples in the soil to evaluate the soil. The relative vapor pressure of air in equilibrium with water in the soil is measured to calculate soil moisture. Because it can also measure the moisture content of plant tissue, it has a wide range of applications, but because it is a precision instrument, it is very expensive, costing several thousand dollars per unit.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Delmhorst Instrument Co., founded in Towaco, New Jersey, in 1946 is a manufacturer of moisture meters and detection tools. The company's product portfolio includes hygrometers used for monitoring and measuring humidity levels in different environments, Infrared Thermometers used in industrial, automotive, and research settings, gas detectors, and electronic leak detectors are designed to identify leaks in plumbing systems, HVAC components, and refrigeration units. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building.
Spectrum Technologies, Inc., founded in 1987 with headquarters in the USA, is a manufacturer of environmental measuring tools and equipment. The company's products include wireless retrievers, chlorophyll meters, plant sap presses, soil moisture sensors, and quantum par light meters. Spectrum Technologies' products are also used by individual consumers, commercial farm operators, and government organizations to monitor weather, manage soil health, and monitor plant health. Spectrum Technologies, Inc.'s products can be purchased directly from the company's website.
James Instruments Inc., established in 1985 and based in Chicago, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of non-destructive testing equipment for concrete and construction materials. The company provides instruments for measuring strength (compressive and tensile), locating rebar, and assessing moisture content. Its products are used in testing requirements for professionals and organizations such as the New York DOT, the University of Texas, and the Hong Kong Housing Authority. The company offers rental services, allowing customers to try equipment before purchase. It provides global rental, calibration, and repair services for its products.
Dynamax Inc., Established in the year 1985, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a manufacturer and distributor in the field of water resources remote monitoring, particularly for agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, and crop water use. The company specializes in sensors and electronic monitoring solutions. Dynamax aims to lead globally in the production and integration of plant-environmental monitoring instrumentation, providing effective solutions and knowledge to its customers. company's clientele includes professionals, educators, industrial sectors, and governmental agencies.
Atago Co., Ltd., established in 1940 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer that specializes in the development and manufacturing of refractometers. The company’s product line includes pocket refractometer, digital hand held pocket refractometer, and Starr X Series. It also offers PAL-2, PEN Urine S, PAL-UREA, and PAL-1 BLT. Its refractometers are designed to be easy to use, even for individuals who are not familiar with refractometers. The company has achieved has achieved the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point certification. Its refractometers can be used in various industries, including food and beverage, medical, cosmetics, and chemicals.
Gain Express Holdings Ltd., established in 2002 and headquartered in Hong Kong, operates as a manufacturer and supplier specializing in measuring instruments and testing equipment. The company core product range encompasses digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, environmental testers, and industrial meters. Gain Express plays a crucial role in various industries, providing accurate measurement solutions for professionals in fields such as electronics, engineering, and environmental monitoring. For their quality and dependability, Gain Express instruments subsidize to particular data collection and analysis, supporting advancements in technology and scientific research.
Extech Instruments Corp., founded in 1971 in the USA and acquired by Teledyne FLIR in 2007, is a manufacturer of consumer test and measurement tools. Today, the brand’s extensive catalog of handheld test equipment and accessories includes multi-functional handheld meters, including meters with integration with mobile devices via the use of iOS and Android apps and Bluetooth connectivity. Extech brand products are distributed across more than 100 countries worldwide and available for purchase online.
PCE Instruments UK Ltd., started in 199 and headquartered in Manchester, UK, is a manufacturer and supplier of test instruments, equipment, and tools for weighing, measuring, and control systems. The company offers more than 500 test equipment, including analyzers, inspection cameras, meters, detectors, and sensors, with applications in various fields like data acquisition, electrical engineering, environmental science, building inspection, and food processing. Its manufacturing and development division is ISO 9001 certified, all its test instruments, equipment, and tools are factory calibrated, and the company also provides services for custom test instrument design, installation, and maintenance.
Campbell Scientific Inc., established in 1974 and headquartered in Logan, Utah, is a designer and manufacturer of measurement, data acquisition systems, and data loggers. The company sells sensors, measurement devices, and OEM products for water, weather, and soil applications. It also provides software for several purposes, including communication between data loggers and supporting data logger programming. It is ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001 certified, and it marketed its first product, named the CA-9 Path-Averaging Laser Anemometer, in 1974. It introduced its first data acquisition system, the CR5 Digital Recorder, in 1975.
Shandong Sonkir-Mall, founded in 2013, is a supplier specializing in various product including Electronics, Garden and Outdoor equipment, Home and Kitchen essentials, and Battery and Power Bank solutions. The company offers an extensive range of products, including Sonkir Alkaline Batteries, designed to power both high and low drain devices, the Sonkir 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, with USB ports for a fast charge of devices, compatible with smartphones (Android, iPhone), tablets (iPad, Android, Surface), eReaders (Kindle, Kindle Fire), and cameras and offers surge protected to 300 joules, as well as pH Test Strips and Soil Testers.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Delmhorst Instrument Co. |
23.2%
|
2 | Spectrum Technologies, Inc. |
18.0%
|
3 | METER Group, Inc. USA |
10.3%
|
4 | Teledyne FLIR LLC |
10.0%
|
5 | Dynamax Inc. |
9.6%
|
6 | Gain Express Holdings Ltd. |
7.7%
|
7 | PCE Instruments UK Ltd |
4.8%
|
8 | Sonkir-Mall |
4.5%
|
9 | Campbell Scientific, Inc. |
3.9%
|
10 | James Instruments Inc. |
3.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the soil moisture meter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 5 | 62.5% |
Japan | 1 | 12.5% |
China | 1 | 12.5% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 12.5% |