Best soil moisture sensors for agriculture: what farmers actually use in 2025

Watering too much or too little is one of the costliest mistakes in modern farming. Soil moisture sensors have become an essential tool for growers who want to stop guessing and start making data-driven irrigation decisions. But with dozens of options on the market, which sensors are actually worth using in the field? Here is a practical breakdown of what farmers are relying on in 2025.

Why soil moisture monitoring matters in agriculture

Over-irrigation is not just wasteful — it leaches nutrients from the soil, promotes root disease, and drives up energy costs. Under-irrigation, on the other hand, stresses crops and reduces yields. A quality soil moisture sensor sits at the root zone and gives you a direct measurement of what the plant is actually experiencing, allowing for precise, timely irrigation decisions.

The growing adoption of precision agriculture has pushed soil moisture sensing from a niche technology into standard farm management practice. Whether you are running a large-scale arable operation or managing high-value horticultural crops, real-time moisture data pays for itself quickly in water savings and yield improvements.

The main sensor types farmers are using

Not all soil moisture sensors work the same way. The three most common technologies on working farms today are capacitance sensors, tensiometers, and time domain reflectometry (TDR) sensors.

Capacitance sensors are by far the most widely used in agriculture. They measure the dielectric permittivity of the soil to determine volumetric water content. They are cost-effective, easy to install, and compatible with most data loggers and wireless systems. Popular models from brands like Sentek, METER Group (formerly Decagon), and Vegetronix dominate field use.

Tensiometers measure soil water tension rather than content — essentially how hard a plant has to work to pull water from the soil. They are particularly valued in high-value horticulture and greenhouse settings where irrigation timing is critical. They do require regular maintenance, including refilling with water, but provide a direct reading of plant-available water.

TDR sensors are prized for their accuracy and are common in research-intensive operations and large commercial farms. They send electromagnetic pulses through the soil and calculate moisture from the speed of the signal. While more expensive, they deliver reliable readings across a wide range of soil types without the need for soil-specific calibration.

Wireless and connected sensors: the 2025 standard

Standalone sensors that require manual readout are increasingly rare on modern farms. The shift toward wireless soil moisture sensor systems — connected via Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, or cellular — has made continuous monitoring the new baseline expectation.

Systems like the Sentek EnviroSCAN, METER Group’s TEROS series, and Irrometer’s Watermark sensors are frequently paired with cloud-based dashboards that send alerts when moisture drops below a set threshold. This means farmers can manage irrigation scheduling remotely, reducing labour costs and response time.

LoRaWAN-based networks are particularly popular in open-field agriculture because of their long range and low power consumption. A single gateway can cover hundreds of hectares, making it practical to monitor dozens of sensor probes across a large farm from one platform.

What to look for when choosing a sensor

Farmers evaluating soil moisture sensors in 2025 tend to prioritise the following:

• Soil compatibility: Some sensors lose accuracy in saline, clay-heavy, or stony soils. Always check calibration requirements for your specific soil type.
• Depth flexibility: Multi-depth probes give a complete picture of the root zone. Single-point sensors are cheaper but can miss what is happening deeper in the profile.
• Connectivity and integration: Does the sensor integrate with your existing farm management software or irrigation controller? Compatibility reduces setup complexity.
• Durability: Field sensors face UV exposure, mechanical damage, and temperature extremes. Look for robust weatherproof ratings, especially for permanent installations.
• Cost per monitoring point: Factor in the cost of the sensor, data logger, and any subscription fees for cloud platforms when comparing total cost of ownership.

Brands farmers trust in 2025

Based on real-world adoption across European and North American agriculture, a handful of brands consistently come up in professional farming circles:

METER Group (TEROS series) is frequently cited for its accuracy and research-grade reliability. The TEROS 12 and TEROS 21 models are widely used in both academic and commercial settings.

Sentek is a go-to for permanent monitoring installations, particularly its EnviroSCAN multi-depth probes that can be read continuously without disturbing the soil.

Irrometer’s Watermark sensors remain popular for their simplicity and low cost, particularly among growers who want reliable data without complex setup. They are a solid entry point for farms new to soil moisture monitoring.

Vegetronix and Soil Scout also deserve mention: Soil Scout in particular has gained traction with its fully buried, wireless sensors that require no cables at the surface — useful in mechanised operations where cables would be at risk.

Conclusion

The best soil moisture sensor for agriculture is the one that fits your crop, your soil, and your level of technical infrastructure. What is clear in 2025 is that farmers are moving away from reactive, calendar-based irrigation toward data-driven management — and soil moisture sensors are the foundation of that shift. Investing in the right system pays dividends in water efficiency, crop health, and ultimately, profitability.