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10 models to compare

Pins, pinless or both in a moisture meter?

Six FLIRs combine both: MR60, MR77, MR160, MR176, MR265 and MR277. Others pick one mode.

MR40, MR55 and Klein ET150 use pins; ET140 is pinless. Scales differ, so readings cannot carry across meters.

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With no preferences selected: MR40 Moisture Meter is one option to compare.

No hands-on testingMethod and sources

MR40 Moisture Meter · first with a product link

  • Power supply: 2 × AAA.
  • Reading scale and limits: 5-60% MC.
What to note:

Measurement method: Pin.

View at FLIR

If you choose Pin and pinless for measurement method, the first option with a product link becomes MR60 Moisture Meter.

10 models compared; 10 have a product-page link.

The picks

5 options to compare

Compare the details that matter to your setup.

An option to compare

MR40 Moisture Meter

Power supply: 2 × AAA.

Key details

  • Reading scale and limits: 5-60% MC.

What to note

Measurement method: Pin.

Measurement method: PinPower supply: 2 × AAAReading scale and limits: 5-60% MC
See all 3 specs
Measurement methodPin
Power supply2 × AAA
Reading scale and limits5-60% MC

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
FLIR · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at FLIR
Measurement method: Pin and pinless

MR60 Moisture Meter

Reading scale and limits: Pinless 0-100 relative.

Key details

  • Measurement method: Pin and pinless.

What to note

Power supply: Rechargeable lithium.

Measurement method: Pin and pinlessPower supply: Rechargeable lithiumReading scale and limits: Pinless 0-100 relative
See all 3 specs
Measurement methodPin and pinless
Power supplyRechargeable lithium
Reading scale and limitsPinless 0-100 relative

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
FLIR · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at FLIR
Measurement method: Pinless

ET140 Moisture Meter

Measurement method: Pinless.

Key details

  • Power supply: 1 × 9V.

What to note

Reading scale and limits: 0-100%.

Measurement method: PinlessPower supply: 1 × 9VReading scale and limits: 0-100%
See all 3 specs
Measurement methodPinless
Power supply1 × 9V
Reading scale and limits0-100%

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
Klein Tools · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at Klein Tools
Power supply: 2 × AA

MR55 Moisture Meter

Measurement method: Pin.

Key details

  • Power supply: 2 × AA.

What to note

Reading scale and limits: Wood 7-29% MC; 30-99% reference only.

Measurement method: PinPower supply: 2 × AAReading scale and limits: Wood 7-29% MC; 30-99% reference only
See all 3 specs
Measurement methodPin
Power supply2 × AA
Reading scale and limitsWood 7-29% MC; 30-99% reference only

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
FLIR · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at FLIR
Reading scale and limits: 0-99% WME

MR77 Moisture Meter

Measurement method: Pin and pinless.

Key details

  • Reading scale and limits: 0-99% WME.

What to note

Not listed by the maker: power supply.

Measurement method: Pin and pinlessReading scale and limits: 0-99% WME
See all 3 specs
Measurement methodPin and pinless
Reading scale and limits0-99% WME
Power supplyNot listed by the maker

2 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
FLIR · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at FLIR

Comparing MR40 Moisture Meter · MR55 Moisture Meter

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The facts that differ

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1 identical spec shown. Details that do not apply to these models are omitted.

Published specification comparison
SpecMR40 Moisture MeterNo preferences selected.MR55 Moisture MeterNo preferences selected.
Measurement methodPinPin
Power supply2 × AAA2 × AA
Reading scale and limits5-60% MCWood 7-29% MC; 30-99% reference only

MR40 Moisture Meter

No preferences selected.

Measurement method
Pin
Power supply
2 × AAA
Reading scale and limits
5-60% MC

MR55 Moisture Meter

No preferences selected.

Measurement method
Pin
Power supply
2 × AA
Reading scale and limits
Wood 7-29% MC; 30-99% reference only

MR40 Moisture Meter

View at FLIR

MR55 Moisture Meter

View at FLIR

Compare all 10 models

— = no verified listing yet. The published order is independent of links.

All models and their decision specs
ProductHow it comparesKey specCompareAction
MR40 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR55 Moisture Meter: power supply, 2 × AAA vs 2 × AA.
Measurement method: PinView at FLIR
MR55 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR60 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin vs Pin and pinless.
Measurement method: PinView at FLIR
MR60 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR77 Moisture Meter: reading scale and limits, Pinless 0-100 relative vs 0-99% WME.
Measurement method: Pin and pinlessView at FLIR
MR77 Moisture Meter
Measurement method: Pin and pinless; Reading scale and limits: 0-99% WME.
Measurement method: Pin and pinlessView at FLIR
MR160 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR40 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin and pinless vs Pin.
Measurement method: Pin and pinlessView at FLIR
MR176 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR40 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin and pinless vs Pin.
Measurement method: Pin and pinlessView at FLIR
MR265 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR40 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin and pinless vs Pin.
Measurement method: Pin and pinlessView at FLIR
MR40 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR55 Moisture Meter: power supply, 2 × AAA vs 2 × AA.
Measurement method: Pin
View at FLIR
MR55 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR60 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin vs Pin and pinless.
Measurement method: Pin
View at FLIR
MR60 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR77 Moisture Meter: reading scale and limits, Pinless 0-100 relative vs 0-99% WME.
Measurement method: Pin and pinless
View at FLIR
MR77 Moisture Meter
Measurement method: Pin and pinless; Reading scale and limits: 0-99% WME.
Measurement method: Pin and pinless
View at FLIR
MR160 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR40 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin and pinless vs Pin.
Measurement method: Pin and pinless
View at FLIR
MR176 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR40 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin and pinless vs Pin.
Measurement method: Pin and pinless
View at FLIR
MR265 Moisture Meter
Compared with MR40 Moisture Meter: measurement method, Pin and pinless vs Pin.
Measurement method: Pin and pinless
View at FLIR
10 catalog models

How the comparison works

Your choices are compared with each model’s product details. A missing or conflicting value stays unknown and cannot satisfy a choice you select. The starting order helps you browse; it does not rate real-world performance.

Source dates appear with each link below. A source date does not confirm today's price or stock.

Finder methodologyReport a correction
Sources for all 10 models

Choose the sensing method before comparing the display scale

FLIR offers pin meters and combined pin-and-pinless meters; Klein Tools offers separate pin and pinless options. Maker modes, scales and power details identify the moisture meters, without readings in wood or building assemblies. The method is known for all 10 meters. Pick the sensing arrangement suitable for your material and follow its maker's directions before interpreting a number.

A combined FLIR meter's pinless scale can run from 0 to 100 relative. Relative readings from different meters are not interchangeable moisture percentages, and a wider display scale does not demonstrate better accuracy.

A reference scale must keep its reference label

FLIR's pin meter with a wood-specific scale uses 7–29% MC and labels 30–99% as reference only. Several combined FLIR models similarly distinguish MC from a reference range. Keep those qualifiers attached to the reading rather than treating the whole scale as moisture content.

Power supplies also differ between replaceable cells and rechargeable lithium; a missing power field needs model documentation.

Before you buy

Are all percentage readings comparable?

No. Five FLIR meters give moisture-content (MC) scales: 5 to 60% on the MR40, 7 to 29% on the MR55 and 7 to 30% by pin on the MR176, MR265 and MR277. The ET150 reads hardwood 0 to 33% and softwood 0 to 55%, the ET140 0 to 100%, the MR60 and MR160 a pinless 0 to 100 relative scale, and the MR77 0 to 99% WME.

How do pin and pinless methods differ?

Pins press into the material; pinless sensors scan without leaving holes, within each maker’s material and depth limits. On the combination FLIR meters, pin and pinless readings can be on different scales.

Does a meter tell you what caused the dampness?

These meters give readings for further inspection. They do not diagnose a leak or certify that a building is dry.