Which AQUALAB water activity meter is best for food production?

The AQUALAB 4TE is the gold standard for food production QA, delivering ±0.003 aw accuracy in 5 minutes or less. If you also need moisture content simultaneously, the AQUALAB 3 measures both in as little as 60 seconds.

What water activity meter works with tobacco or volatile-containing samples?

The AQUALAB TDL 2 uses a tunable laser diode sensor unaffected by volatile compounds, making it the only accurate choice for tobacco, alcohol-containing, and essential oil samples.

What is the best portable water activity meter for field use?

The PAWKIT is AQUALAB’s handheld, battery-powered water activity meter for field spot checks. For accuracy-critical or compliance applications, the benchtop AQUALAB 4TE is recommended.

Which AQUALAB instrument generates moisture sorption isotherms?

The AQUALAB VSA generates full moisture sorption isotherms for shelf-life modeling and R&D formulation work.

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Question 1

What are you testing?

Select the industry that best describes your samples.

Baked & snack foods Pharmaceuticals Pet food Cured meats Cosmetics Tobacco Functional foods Other

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What is your primary use?

How will this instrument fit into your workflow?

R&D & formulationNew product development, shelf-life work Production testingHigh-throughput, line-side measurements Quality assuranceCompliance, release testing, audit trails On the goField checks, warehouse, receiving dock Other

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What are you measuring?

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Water activity aw measurement for safety & shelf-life Moisture content % moisture by weight Moisture sorption isotherm Full aw–moisture curve for R&D formulation and shelf-life modeling

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Question 4

Does your sample contain volatile compounds?

Alcohol, essential oils, solvents, or flavoring agents that evaporate at room temperature.

YesMy samples contain alcohol, essential oils, or similar volatiles NoNo volatile compounds present Not sureContinue to recommendation — you can always ask a specialist

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Compare AQUALAB instruments

Measures

Read time

Accuracy

Best for

AQUALAB 5TE

Water activity and moisture content

From 1 min

±0.003 a_w

QA, R&D, Production

Explore 5TE

AQUALAB TDL 2

Water activity (volatile samples)

< 5 min

±0.005 a_w

Volatiles, tobacco, alcohol

Explore TDL 2

AQUALAB VSA

Moisture sorption isotherms

3 days

100+ of points per isotherm curve

R&D, shelf-life modeling

Explore VSA

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Moisture and water activity issues affect shelf life, safety, and quality. An AQUALAB expert can help you identify and choose the right measurement approach for your product and process.

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AQUALAB 5TE

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World Food Safety Day 2026:

Rethinking Moisture Management from Start to Finish

WEBINAR · JUNE 11
2:00 PM EDT · 11:00 AM PDT

Most food teams manage moisture at one point in their process. The safest ones manage it at every point.

Join AQUALAB food scientists Zachary Cartwright and Mary Galloway on June 11 for a stage-by-stage look at where moisture risk lives in your operation and how to address it.

Reserve your spot

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