The reliability and accuracy of several sensors that employ the relationship between dielectric constant and soil moisture constant, e, in particular capacitance sensors were investigated. Results obtained from laboratory examinations ,of a Theta probe, TP, selected as a representative model for capacitance sensors, suggested that the sensor output was affected by temperature variations, electrical conductivity levels, spatial variation in sample bulk density as well as the level of compaction of the soil surrounding the sensor's rods. Detailed in situ e data collected usmg capacitance sensors were used to calculate sub-daily estimates of evaporation, E, using the soil water balance method, combined with the zero-flux-plane (ZFP) approach, for plots of bare soil, rapeseed and a maize field. These sensors comprised Theta probes (TP), Profiles probes (PP), ECH20 probes (EP) and Aquaflex sensors (AF). / The field output data of these sensors were analysed and compared with e obtained with both, the gravimetric and neutron probe method. The absolute values of B as measured by the various capacitance sensors differed considerably. Furthermore, the outputs of these sensors (apart from the AF probes) were found to be affected by temperature, which would result in an anomalous course of diurnal E. Also, B-data were subject to noise which required smoothing to ensure a physically realistic variation in E, when compared to estimates with the Penman-Monteith equation, EPAf, and the eddy-covariance method (maize field). E was determined from diurnal changes in vertically integrated soil moisture content above the ZFP. Smoothed values of Bwere temperature-corrected using fieldbased and laboratory-based correction equations. A considerable difference between field- and laboratory-based temperature corrections procedures was noticed, and correction factors strongly depended on B. As this resulted in an overly complicated correction procedure, which consequently gave unreliable E-values, it was then decided to use a constant correction factor (based on the field correction procedure), for each capacitance probe. For the bare soil plot, with the exception ofPP and EP only Bprofiles obtained with the TP and AF sensors produced relatively reliable E values when compared to Enf. By contrast, when these capacitance sensors were used under a canopy, all sensors yielded satisfactory E-values. This was most likely caused by reduced amplitudes of soil temperatures under the canopy and the fact that the dimensions of most sensors do not allow installation in the top soil (~3-5cm) layer at which most evaporation would take place in bare soils. We therefore recommended that these sensors can be used for diurnal B measurements and E determination under canopy provided that an appropriate temperature-correction procedure for each sensor is applied. To obtain reliable Band E estimates in bare soil, more research needs to be done. For more reliable e and E estimations in bare soils further extensive field trials would be strongly advised