Moisture Analyzer Buying Guide: A&D MX-50, ML-50, MS-70 and More Compared

Moisture analyzers replace the drying oven and desiccator for quality checks on food, grain, feed, plastics pellets, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plant material. MNM Scales is an authorized dealer for A&D, Sartorius and Radwag moisture analyzers, and we calibrate the weighing side in-house. Here is what the specifications mean and how to choose.

How a moisture analyzer works

The method is loss on drying. You spread a few grams of sample on a disposable pan, close the lid, and a halogen lamp or infrared emitter heats it to a set temperature. The built-in balance weighs the sample continuously while water evaporates, and the analyzer stops when the weight stops changing (or after a set time) and shows the result as % moisture, % solids or a ratio. A typical test takes minutes instead of the hours an oven needs.

Because the result is a difference of two weights, the balance inside matters. A sample of 2 g on a 0.001 g balance gives a finer moisture reading than the same sample on a 0.005 g balance. That is why the weighing readability, not just the “% readability” on the display, sets real-world performance (see our capacity and readability guide).

Moisture analyzer specs that matter

• Sample capacity and weighing readability: 50 to 71 g covers most samples; 200 g models suit bulky or low-density materials.
• Moisture readability: 0.1% for routine checks, 0.01% for most QC labs, 0.001% for low-moisture plastics and research.
• Repeatability (standard deviation): the number to compare between models; it improves with larger samples.
• Temperature range: most samples dry between 80 and 160 °C; a range starting at 30 °C helps heat-sensitive samples.
• Heating profiles: standard, quick, step and ramp profiles prevent burning or skinning of sensitive samples.
• Stored programs and data: save a method per product so every shift tests the same way, and send GLP results to a PC or printer.

A&D M series compared

A&D builds all four models on the same platform: a 400 W straight halogen lamp with an SRA filter for even heating, a Super Hybrid Sensor weighing cell, an 85 mm pan, a VFD display, a window to watch the sample and an RS-232C port. Specifications below are from the A&D brochure.

	ML-50	MF-50	MX-50	MS-70
Capacity x readability	51 g x 0.005 g	51 g x 0.002 g	51 g x 0.001 g	71 g x 0.0001 g
Moisture readability	0.1% / 1%	0.05% / 0.1% / 1%	0.01% / 0.1%	0.001% / 0.01% / 0.1%
Repeatability, 1 g / 5 g sample	0.5% / 0.1%	0.20% / 0.05%	0.10% / 0.02%	0.05% / 0.01%
Drying temperature	50 to 200 °C	50 to 200 °C	50 to 200 °C	30 to 200 °C
Heating profiles	Standard, quick	Standard, quick, step, ramp	Standard, quick, step, ramp	Standard, quick, step, ramp
Stored programs / results	5 / 30	10 / 50	20 / 100	20 / 100
Shop	ML-50	MF-50	MX-50	MS-70

A&D includes sample pans (10 with the ML-50, 20 with the others), and the MS-70, MX-50 and MF-50 also come with a sodium tartrate dihydrate test sample to verify results and a glass fiber sheet for liquids. The MS-70 and MX-50 include WinCT-Moisture software for live drying curves on a PC.

Sartorius and Radwag options

• Sartorius MA37-1: 70 g x 0.001 g, internal calibration, USB output; a compact lab workhorse.
• Sartorius MA160-1: 200 g x 0.001 g with USB, for larger samples.
• Radwag MA 50.R: 50 g x 0.001 g with an IR emitter, up to 160 °C, standard, fast, step and mild profiles; the MA 50/1.R reads 0.0001 g.
• Radwag PM 200.3Y: 200 g x 0.001 g with a 5.7 in color touchscreen and RS-232, USB and Ethernet.
• Radwag PMV 50.5Y: a microwave moisture analyzer (50 g x 0.1 mg) for high-moisture samples where speed matters.

Browse by brand: A&D, Sartorius and Radwag moisture analyzers. Disposable pans are a consumable: Radwag 90 mm pans (50) and Sartorius pans (200) are sold separately.

Which moisture analyzer should you buy?

• Food, feed, grain and spices, routine checks: A&D ML-50 or MF-50.
• QC labs needing 0.01%: A&D MX-50 or Sartorius MA37-1.
• Plastics pellets, pharmaceuticals, research: A&D MS-70 or Radwag MA 50/1.R (see our pharmacy balance guide for lab weighing).
• Plant material and hemp: a 0.01% analyzer such as the MX-50 pairs well with the scales in our dispensary scale guide.
• Bulky or light samples: 200 g models, MA160-1 or PM 200.3Y.

Getting accurate results

• Spread the sample thin and even; grind coarse samples so heat reaches the center.
• Use the same sample size, temperature and stop criterion every time, saved as a program.
• Validate a new method against your oven method once, then keep the analyzer settings fixed.
• Use a fresh disposable pan for every test and let the chamber cool between runs.
• Place the analyzer on a stable bench away from drafts, like any analytical balance (see analytical vs precision balance).

Calibrating a moisture analyzer

The weighing cell calibrates like a balance: internally on models such as the Sartorius MA37-1, or with an external weight, not included, on others (see internal vs external calibration). Because every moisture analyzer on this page has a capacity of 200 g or less, calibration falls in our lowest tier: in-house calibration with a certificate, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate for audited labs (see NIST vs in-house and how often to calibrate). Mail-in service usually takes 1 to 3 business days.

Calibration for moisture analyzers (up to 2.2 kg): In-house calibration + certificate ($95) NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate ($395)

Frequently asked questions

What does a moisture analyzer do?

It weighs a sample, heats it with a halogen lamp or infrared emitter, and reports the weight lost during drying as % moisture, % solids or a ratio. Most tests take minutes.

Which moisture analyzer is best for food and grain?

For routine checks to 0.1%, the A&D ML-50 (51 g x 0.005 g) is a strong value. If you need 0.01% resolution, choose the A&D MX-50 (51 g x 0.001 g).

What is the difference between the A&D MX-50 and MS-70?

The MX-50 weighs 51 g x 0.001 g and reads moisture to 0.01%. The MS-70 weighs 71 g x 0.0001 g, reads to 0.001% and dries from 30 °C, for low-moisture and heat-sensitive samples.

How accurate is a moisture analyzer?

Compare repeatability. A&D rates the MX-50 at 0.10% for samples over 1 g and 0.02% for samples over 5 g (standard deviation). Larger, evenly spread samples give better repeatability.

Are sample pans included with a moisture analyzer?

A&D includes sample pans (10 with the ML-50, 20 with the MF-50, MX-50 and MS-70). Disposable pans are a consumable, and replacement packs are sold separately.

How much does it cost to calibrate a moisture analyzer?

At MNM Scales, moisture analyzers up to 2.2 kg capacity are $95 for in-house calibration with a certificate or $395 for NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate.