Use your finger. A more appropriate DIY tool.

@daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa) i used to but lately the soil has been cutting my skin around my nail so I need a different method

Over time one learns to judge whether a plant needs water by weighing the pot in one’s hand and by knowing the signs in the plant itself. Angle of the leaves, turgidity, a dullness of colour etc. So when you use either a meter or a tell, also examine the plant itself and gradually you’ll know when it’s thirsty just by looking at it.

Im a big fan of the weight method if the pots are small enough. Give them a good watering and feel how heavy the pot is.

Pot-lifting method works if you can lift the pot. :-)

When I use the long skewer method in some of my biggest pots, I feel the end of it to see if it's damp. Then yes, you would need to use another skewer in the next pot. Fortunately for me, I only have a couple of really large pots that require this method. Otherwise, I use finger or pot lifting or other methods.

You could also try using a small tool, like a spoon, knife, or stick to open the the soil before feeling it with your finger...

What if you have too many plants and not a very good memory? I can't keep track of how they all feel when I lift them. Has anyone used a small kitchen scale for smaller plants?

Think you are trying to micromanage way too much. Go by the weather. Is it a sunny and dry day? Top of dirt is dry? Water. Any rain yesterday? Cloudy day today? They probably don't need water. Plastic pots with poor drainage? Better to be drier than wetter.

I agree. You don't need to ’keep track’ or remember the weight. Look at the plants, look at the soil, look at the weather and learn the signs. I have no idea when I last watered my pots. Nor do I know when I will next need to do so. I just keep an eye on them. Until you get the hang of it use one of the tips given above.