WH0291 Soil Moisture Monitor

I have tried sooooo many different moisture meters from really cheap crap with double metal rods that show light intensity, moisture, and soil pH which is always inaccurate, single metal rod by XLUX company which are very reliable and very accurate but you have to poke the soil in multiple places which damages roots, to expensive ones by Blumat that cost $90 per each meter which is way overpriced and it only shows the moisture without any graph 📈 or remote Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, and bunch of other ones that were always showing wrong readings, until someone told me to try these Ecowitt WH51 and WH51L sensors. The WH51 model is great and shows moisture levels from the top 7 inches of soil which is great for all types of pots up to 7 to 10 gallons. You can and should also buy their Wi-Fi Gateway that gives you access to the moisture meter data from anywhere in the world and it comes with graphs that show previous days, weeks, months readings that you can compare and dial in your watering habits for better performance. You can add up to 8 devices per each GW1100 Wi-Fi Gateway and it comes with an app, as well as their website and you can set up alerts to come in through the app, as well as get an email alert when soil goes below your indicated level which is very very useful. Now when it comes to raised beds and 20+ gallon containers I had to purchase the WH51L model which comes with a probe attached to 1 meter long cable which allows you to use them in deep pots/beds/containers and they can also be connected to the same GW1100 Wi-Fi Gateway. The WH51L model had just came out 2 weeks ago and is only available on Ecowitt's site, but I was able to buy them 2 weeks prior to them being available for sale and it turns out both of these models are very accurate. The Wi-Fi gateway also has a temperature and humidity and pressure sensor which gives you readings of the room where the gateway is located. I plugged in mine inside my grow room next to my grow tents to monitor the temperature and humidity inside that room to make sure my grow tents are in an optimal environment. I can't say enough good things about Ecowitt! Customer service is very helpful and very responsive. The only thing I did not like is that they are based in China and you can't really call them and the only method of communication is via email but like I said they are very helpful and responsive, however, they'll respond within 24 hours. If you haven't tried this company yet, then don't waste your money on anything else and do yourself a favor get this Wi-Fi Gateway along with the moisture meters because you won't be disappointed. I was very surprised that they are very inexpensive in comparison to other meters who have half the functions or even quarter functions and work so great and the battery lasts way over a year. I mean when comparing to the Blumat meter that cost $90 it's like comparing apples to oranges because for $90 it should be able to do more, at least have remote capability but it doesn't even have that option. In my opinion it's extremely overpriced and these Ecowitt devices without a doubt are blowing away Blumat meters. I hope this helps 🪴🪴 UPDATE: It's been 1.5 years since I got these sensors and the batteries gone from 1.6v power which is completely full batteries to now 1.5v and a couple of them at 1.4v which is almost full and still at 90% capacity. I haven't disconnected the batteries once and I use them continuously cycle after cycle and the only thing I do is I rinse them in between cycles and then insert them into the new container and change the name in the app and voila. Just amazing! 🤩

I have five of these operating around my home. I live in an area with extremely poor soil conditions that subject my slab-on-grade home to extreme foundation movement if I don’t keep soil moisture consistent season to season. During long, hot summers my soil dries out and causes my foundation to shift dramatically. I bought a couple of these sensors in late summer 2019 to gauge long-term trends to determine ideal soil moisture conditions. After a year of gathering data, I found a good range for soil moisture to minimize foundation movement. I purchased three more (and a WN51) to stake along the perimeter of my home to monitor my soil moisture in real time. By getting this data I’m able to determine when I need to run the soaker hose and irrigation system around my home. While my foundation still moves, I’ve noticed a dramatic difference associated with keeping soil moisture levels within 5-7% of their target. I realize this might not be the targeted use of these devices, but I believe their reliability in my application serves a ringing endorsement for others looking to monitor the moisture levels in their planters in real time. The user interface is average. The app, without a full PWS, seems less than functional. I almost prefer the web-version to the app because it only shows me the active data. This, ultimately isn’t too important to me. If I could export daily data as a .csv, I’d like that ability but it’s not a deal breaker as my primary use is observation of long-term trends. For those with privacy concerns, it’s easily addressed by connected the hub to the internet via a secured guest network. If you’re not already running all of your smart devices on their own secured network away from personal devices, I suggest you do so. I’ve got a couple notes for prospective buyers: 1) I think I prefer this model (WH51) over a similar moisture meter (WN51) made by Ecowitt. These seem more granular in their ability to notice subtle differences in moisture and react much faster to changes in moisture levels. 2) Use a good lithium ion battery. At least two of my sensors have functioned for almost a year without needing to change a battery. They’ve operated in temps from 20-110F. 3) Spend 5 minutes calibrating your devices to the type of soil where the meter will be placed. Mine are primarily in Texas black clay and they require some calibrating tweaking from default. Also, in relation to the first point, the WH51 seems to have a much larger range from 0-100% saturation than the WN51. No clue why, but I like the more precise ability to measure incremental changes in moisture. I’ll update my review over time with any additional notes or issues that may arise.

These little sensors are awesome. I use them to help me determine when I need to water my lawn vs just running things on a set schedule. I find they're pretty consistent across the handful of sensors I have. They're also great on batteries, I'm using a mix of lithium (not rechargeable) and rechargeable NiMH batteries in them and they both seem to work well and have lasted most of the season without needing a replacement. I don't trust alkalines to not leak, but they would work fine too. The one criticism I may have is that they are fragile, if you accidentally kick or step on them they will snap at the interface of the body and electrodes and require replacement. My clumsy self has destroyed a couple of them. In a planter or vase or whatever, you would never run into issues, however I think there's probably a way to design them to be "safer" and less prone to breakage in a lawn or garden bed that would have someone walking around, with a flexible material at the interface of the body and electrodes. They would be 5 stars if not for this small issue you may never run into. I don't seem to have any connection issues and they show up consistently in my ecowitt app. They just "pair" quickly and easily and the signal seems pretty strong. Their overall design is nice and they don't look out of place in a lawn or garden, really. The weather caps seem to keep any water intrusion out and they have been outside in downpours with no issues.

Bought it because my newly planted quaking aspen was getting leaf scorch. This is for a house we have far away with no gardening/caretaker services nearby. So I needed to make sure it was getting enough water. I have rainpoint wifi water valves and tried their moisture sensor first. It was terrible, not a true wifi sensor, and technically neither is this one, but it's way better. The moisture sensor is RF and talks to a receiver that links to your ecowitt online account. This sensor maintains a log of moisture so you can see how water is retained and when it needs water. This feature alone helped me figure out the best watering times and frequency. The receiver has a pressure and temperature sensor, which isn't too useful for me because it's inside the house, but nice to have it to compare the readings of my thermostat. The sensor takes one AA battery and the receiver is usb powered. The product doesn't come with a usb charger, so you'll have to figure it out for the receiver. Pairing and set up was very simple, but you do need to create an account (email address needed). According to the manual, the battery for the sensor lasts about one year. It's been a couple of weeks, but so far I am please with this purchase.

The Ecowitt GW1106 Soil Moisture Meter Kit, including the GW1100 Wi-Fi Gateway and WH51 Soil Moisture Sensor, deserves a stellar rating for its great performance and user-friendly features. Key Takeaway: This product seamlessly combines precision monitoring with modern connectivity to offer an indispensable tool for gardeners and agriculture enthusiasts seeking to optimize plant health through informed irrigation practices. The app although basic provides good readability and battery life. Who Should Buy This: Home gardeners, agricultural professionals, and horticultural enthusiasts aiming to enhance their watering efficiency should consider investing in this comprehensive kit. Its advanced features make it particularly suitable for users interested in leveraging technology to achieve precise soil moisture management. Who Should Skip This: Users not familiar with or uninterested in wireless technology or those working on small-scale projects that do not require detailed moisture tracking might find lesser value in this kit. Design and Build Quality: The Ecowitt GW1106 boasts robust construction with a sleek design aesthetic that is both durable and weather-resistant. The sensors are easy to install in various types of soil, providing accurate readings while maintaining resilience against environmental factors. Value for the Money: Priced competitively within the market, the Ecowitt GW1106 delivers exceptional value by combining high-quality hardware with seamless integration into smart gardening systems via its Wi-Fi gateway capabilities at 915 MHz. In essence, it offers a cost-effective solution that transforms how users approach soil moisture analysis without compromising on reliability or technological sophistication. Overall, this kit proves to be a worthwhile investment for those committed to achieving healthier plants through strategic watering interventions.

I have about ten fruit trees and 10 blackberry plants, I had them for 3 years and they have come to the large you really need tp manage the water levels to get the most and best fruit. I jumped in head down this year with all the correct fertilizers and oils the plants need but, when it came to the water or moist of the soil it looks dry on the first inch or so but then where the roots are it's wet and you over water. I looked for months on the best products to just have the water level happen automatically each day as needed. I already collect 3300 gallons of rain water from my house so the water has all the natural chemicals needed, I have a pressure pump system to supply my mini sprayers but now how wet is the soil.??? I read up all the descriptions of how to setup and use this system and found next to nothing others then call them if you buy the units and need help. I did not want to waster my time with someone that may not work but, I took a chance and I I glad I did. THEY COULDN'T be easier to pair and install. You simply hook the receiver to your wifi in settings then downland their app next, put a battery in the soil unit wait 30 second and the sending units are seen by the app automatically I WISH other system were this easy you can't make a mistake. Buy these product the are outstanding in every way, attached are some screen shots you can check the soil from location you happen to be at and for me it just press that zone button and my plants are done, I only have to manually press the water button for that zone if the soil is behind dry even after the automatic cycles. GREAT product and , oh by the I own a world wide computer computer and know a GREAT product on the technology side and this rates the highest on ease of setup and results.

I've been using this for about a year and a half, now - and although I have yet to change the batteries, the transmitter is still going. The receiver is still working, which is great; I know that my watering automation kicks in when I see the moisture number go up. The app that you can use is nice, if you have the Ecowitt base station. The only problem I have is with the physical receiver; its buttons just stopped working about 6 months in, so now I can never set the time on it. If I remember to insert the batteries exactly at noon, this is not a BIG problem, but since I can't ever remember to do that :P I've just covered the clock part of the readout with tape. :/

I own a bunch of these. They’re accurate, easy to set up, and basically maintenance-free. Two of mine gave up, but before I could even get annoyed, the seller had replacements on the way. That’s customer service done right. Living in Florida means these sensors sit through daily rain and brutal heat, and they still perform like champs. Well-built, modern, and integrates smoothly into my setup.