AQUALAB 5TE

The most accurate standard in moisture science, refined.

Water activity and moisture content in 1 minute. Built for the lab floor, connected to the cloud, and ready for whatever compliance demands next.

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±0.0030 a_w

accuracy

1 ^min

Reading

±0.0010 a_w

Repeatability

AQUALAB 5TE

The culmination of 40+ years of applied moisture science, now with zero-downtime calibration, a 7" glove-ready touchscreen, and AI-ready data export built in.

Glove-ready. Works the first time, every time.

Water activity and moisture content, simultaneously.

Swap the block. Never stop the line.

Scanners, printers, USB. Ready out of the box.

See it in action

Watch how the AQUALAB 5TE delivers simultaneous water activity and moisture content results — in 1 minute.

AQUALAB Cloud

Every reading. Every product. Every batch. All in one place.

The AQUALAB 5TE automatically syncs every result to the Cloud the moment a reading is complete. Track readings by product and batch, monitor pass/fail status across your facility, and export AI-ready data — all from a single dashboard your entire team can access.

Results dashboard

View every reading by product and batch, with instant pass/fail status and water activity + moisture content side by side.

Audit trail

Searchable, 21 CFR Part 11 compliant audit trails — on the instrument and in the cloud. Ready for any inspection, any time.

AI-ready export

Export your data in formats built for analysis. Connect your quality data to the tools your team already uses.

AQUALAB Cloud

Every reading. Every product. Every batch. All in one place.

The AQUALAB 5TE automatically syncs every result to the Cloud the moment a reading is complete. Track readings by product and batch, monitor pass/fail status across your facility, and export AI-ready data — all from a single dashboard your entire team can access.

Results dashboard

View every reading by product and batch, with instant pass/fail status and water activity + moisture content side by side.

Audit trail

Searchable, 21 CFR Part 11 compliant audit trails — on the instrument and in the cloud. Ready for any inspection, any time.

AI-ready export

Export your data in formats built for analysis. Connect your quality data to the tools your team already uses.

Close the gap between R&D, production, and QA.

The AQUALAB 5TE doesn't just measure faster. It connects every team to a single trusted source of truth so quality decisions happen at the speed your operation demands.

SPEED

Results in 1 minute

The AQUALAB 5TE delivers simultaneous water activity and moisture content in a single 1-minute test using patented Chilled-Mirror Dew Point technology — cutting measurement cycles without cutting corners on accuracy.

DURABILITY

Zero-downtime calibration

BlockSwap™ lets you swap calibration blocks without sending the instrument offline, so maintenance never stops production. Smart alerts notify you before standards expire — not after.

INTERFACE

Built for the lab floor

A 7" high-resolution, glove-ready touchscreen with instant audio and visual feedback means any operator can run a confident reading on the first try. Integrated tutorials and global language support eliminate the learning curve.

DATA

Connected from the first reading

Every result automatically syncs to AQUALAB Cloud, tagged by product and batch, with instant pass/fail results against your defined thresholds. Your data is always where your team needs it — on the instrument, in the cloud, or exported for deeper analysis.

CALIBRATION

Industrial-grade reliability

Robust thermopile plating and proactive fan health diagnostics are built to sustain high-volume operational demands — catching potential failures before they become downtime.

COMPLIANCE

Audit-ready from day one

21 CFR Part 11 compliant electronic records and signatures, searchable audit trails both on-instrument and in the cloud, and secure user access controls mirrored across all devices mean you're always inspection-ready.

Built for every team

One precision standard. No gaps.

Whether you're formulating, producing, auditing, or deciding — the AQUALAB 5TE gives every stakeholder the data they need in the format that works for them.

Building upon excellence

See what's new in the AQUALAB 5TE

Every generation built upon the last. Here's how the 5TE raises the standard.

Feature	Aqualab 3	Aqualab 4TE	Aqualab 5TE
Speed	5 min standard / 1 min	5 min	5 min standard / 1 min AI-reading
Water Activity Accuracy	±0.005 a_w	±0.003 a_w	±0.003 a_w
Simultaneous Moisture Content	Requires SKALA	Requires SKALA	Requires AQUALAB Cloud
User Interface	No display (status LED only)	2.7" monochrome, 7 buttons	7.0" true color capacitive touch
Sensor Maintenance	User-swappable block	Factory calibration only	BlockSwap™ User-swappable
Data Management	No local storage / unlimited SKALA storage	8,000 local readings	Unlimited storage AQUALAB Cloud + local
Access Control	Online UAC via SKALA, password/pin self-management	Single Admin / Offline	Online UAC via AQUALAB Cloud, offline UAC supported, mirrored
Compliance	21 CFR Part 11	21 CFR Part 11	21 CFR Part 11 Instant audit-ready data
AI-Ready Export	--	--	Yes
Corrosion Resistant Sensor Protection	Standard	Standard	Advanced
Network Connection Support	Ethernet via SKALA Nexus	Ethernet via SKALA Nexus	Integrated Ethernet + optional wireless
Water Activity Range	0.030 - 1.000 a_w	0.030 - 1.000 a_w	0.030 - 1.000 a_w
Temperature Control Range	25°C fixed only	15 - 50°C	15 - 50°C
Temperature Accuracy	±0.1°C	±0.1°C	±0.1°C
Event Logs	SKALA event log, searchable, exportable (CSV/JSON/XLS)	–-	AQUALAB Cloud-level and instrument-level event logs, searchable
Reading Modes	One Minute, Single, ISO 18787, Low Emitting	Single, Continuous, ISO 18787, Low Emitting, Custom	One Minute, Single, Continuous, ISO 18787, Low Emitting
Standalone Mode Option	No	Yes	Yes
Data Export	Online via SKALA — PDF/CSV/XLS, custom reports	Offline via serial printer or Aqualink — fixed ASCII only	Online via AQUALAB Cloud + offline via USB host (PC/printer) — PDF/CSV, custom reports
External Peripheral Support	–-	Serial printer	Keyboard, mouse, barcode scanner, USB host PC/printer, generic USB HID
Product & Batch Configuration	Requires SKALA	–-	Requires AQUALAB Cloud
Admin View of Multiple Locations	Requires SKALA	–-	Requires AQUALAB Cloud
Customer Self-Help Options	–-	–-	Yes
Instrument Verification	Verification adjustment, standard selection, required/recommended	Verification adjustment only	Verification adjustment, standard selection, required/recommended, frequency scheduling, lot tracking + alerts
Factory Calibration Process	Requires application, granular authentication	Requires application, common authentication (flagged as security risk in source)	No application/PC required, granular authentication
Language Support	English only	11 languages	8 languages (more being added)
UAC Levels	Admin, Manager, Technician, Limited User	Single Admin, customizable	Admin, Technician

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What is Prop 65?

In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to help them make informed decisions about the products they buy. That initiative became known as Proposition 65. Proposition 65 requires the state of California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer/ reproductive harm. You can learn more about Prop 65 here.

Why do AQUALAB products have a Prop 65 warning?

AQUALAB is required by California law to post a warning on any product that might be sold in California if it contains or might contain one of the more than 900 chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and/or reproductive harm. Because consumers learn about our products from our website, we are required to post these warnings on the product web pages as well. California residents are used to seeing these notifications on many products, including household items, electrical wires, electronics, jewelry, dishes, flashlights, cosmetics, skincare products, and much more. People who live outside the state of California may be surprised and alarmed by these notifications. It is important to know that nearly all electronic products require the notification label even though the chemicals involved may only be potentially harmful when eaten in large quantities.

Are AQUALAB products safe?

A Prop 65 warning does not necessarily mean a product is in violation of any product safety standards or requirements. Because AQUALAB sources manufacturing materials from other suppliers, we provide the warning in order to acknowledge that AQUALAB products may contain one or more of the chemicals listed. However, it's likely that those chemicals are in such small amounts that they would not require a warning under California law. AQUALAB provides this notice as a precaution and to comply with Prop 65's disclosure requirements — not because we have reason to believe our products pose a health risk.

How can I minimize moisture migration in hygroscopic products during sampling?

The best approach is to put the water activity instrument and the sample into controlled humidity conditions. Use a glove box, or get the sample inside the chamber as quickly as possible to prevent water uptake from the environment. With an instrument that maintains the seal in the chamber, it’s possible to perform consecutive readings. But if the instrument requires pulling out the sample to take a new reading, the water activity will continually change as the sample takes up more and more moisture.

Is the whole tablet measurement of value?

It depends if the tablet is non-coated or coated. If the coating material can absorb water, there is a critical water activity where the coating material will begin to break down. Thus, if monitoring that aspect of the product, then reading the water activity of a whole tablet would be important.

Would you recommend breaking up a tablet with a mortar and pestle?

A mortar and pestle is a valuable tool for sample preparation because it breaks things apart without being too excessive. You can achieve the same effect with a coffee grinder or food processor, but use only a couple of quick pulses. Process just enough to break the sample apart without grinding it.

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Water activity standards

Certified salt standards for verifying water activity accuracy and repeatability across instruments, users, and locations. Each box contains 50 tubes.

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