Buying guide for Which weather station is best for home use?
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Modern life is dominated by smartphones and complex devices that promise to conquer every task, including keeping you privy to the day’s weather. However, you may find using a dedicated weather station to be a refreshingly simple way to take a more streamlined, hyper-local look at the data needed to precisely forecast your day. While they present the same basic information as apps do, choosing the best weather station also gives you access to deep, comprehensive metrics, such as humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure and more, right from your own backyard.
From preparing for a chilly jog around the block to scheduling a rain-free afternoon of landscaping with scientific accuracy, the right weather station can help you avoid canceling outdoor activities and plan your time more efficiently. It can also give you the information you need to make informed decisions regarding efficient home energy use, safe driving conditions and planting a garden.
Our top pick is the Smart Weather Station from Ambient Weather. Simple enough to help you decide what time of the day will be best for a casual bike ride but with enough detailed accuracy to be depended on by farmers, contractors and educators, this weather station has enough features to satisfy almost any buyer.
Our top picks
Product specifications: Power Source: Solar-powered outdoor instrument array with optional AA battery backup and battery or AC powered indoor console | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Sensor Type: Wind vane, thermometer, wind speed cups, UV light, thermo-hygrometer, rain gauge, bubble level and solar collector | Dimensions: 7.5 W” x 4.5” H
This weather station features all the sensors and metrics needed to gain an understanding of your local weather at a glance. It gathers data related to wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, UV radiation, barometric pressure, temperature, humidity and more allowing it to calculate dew point, wind chill and heat index. Its large, crisp LCD console screen displays meteorological data using generously sized fonts and bright colors.
The weather station is programmed via a smart device using Ambient Weather’s proprietary app, which also allows you to monitor your local weather conditions from anywhere in the world via the internet. The sensor array can connect to the indoor console from up to 330 feet away, giving you a great deal of flexibility when it comes to placing the instrumentation wherever you prefer.
Product specifications: Power Source: Outdoor sensor powered by two AA batteries, indoor monitor powered via AC adapter or three AAA batteries | Connectivity: 433 MHz wireless | Sensor Type: Outdoor temperature and humidity sensor | Dimensions: 8.98” W x 5.43” H display screen, 1.58" W x 0.83" D x 5.08" H outdoor sensor
This weather station’s large display is brilliantly lit and features dynamic, animated imagery that adjusts to the outdoor weather making it easy to check the conditions from across the room. You can set customized high- and low-temperature alerts for both indoors and outside. It connects to its outdoor sensor wirelessly and is able to communicate across up to 330 feet of distance.
This station’s indoor monitor is powered via an AC adapter but allows for backup battery power in the event of an outage. Easy to install and simple to set up, this monitor does not require software, a smartphone or an app to function, making it a great option if you want to avoid the complications of many competing options.
Product specifications: Power Source: Outdoor instrumentation powered by four AA batteries, indoor display powered via AC adapter | Connectivity: 433 MHz wireless | Sensor Type: Wind speed, wind direction, rain gauge, temperature and humidity | Dimensions: 7.6" W x 5.5" H
This weather station from AccuRite includes a bold HD screen that displays a wide range of data in full color. It can provide local, personalized weather forecasts for up to 12 hours, and its wireless instrumentation array can be placed up to 330 feet away from the display unit. If you worry about extreme weather, you can set alarms that will inform you of potentially dangerous temperatures, humidity readings, wind and even rainfall.
Its rain gauge empties itself, it automatically accommodates for daylight savings time changes and its four AA batteries can last for up to two years, making it easy to maintain. Mounting hardware is included, providing you with everything you need for installation.
Product specifications: Power Source: Solar-powered | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Sensor Type: Wind direction and speed dew point, temperature, humidity, wind chill and heat index | Dimensions: 7.75" W x 5.75" H
If you’re looking for a professional station that provides the most granular data available, this system from Ambient Weather is an excellent choice. Featuring a solar-powered all-in-one sensor that includes no moving parts susceptible to wear, it reads local weather conditions with unprecedented accuracy and presents its findings on a luxuriously detailed LCD display.
In addition to wirelessly communicating with the display from up to 1,000 feet away, it also includes the option to connect to a range of personal weather station networks via Wi-Fi. Weather data can be archived and saved to an SD card and opened in Microsoft Excel for advanced analysis. This system is pricier than most, but its wealth of technical readings and sophisticated design is ideal for aspiring meteorologists, educators, farmers or anyone interested in comparing data with other weather enthusiasts.
Product specifications: Power Source: Outdoor transmitter is solar-powered but requires three AA batteries for backup, interior display console is powered via an AC adapter with the option of three AAA batteries for backup | Connectivity: Wireless | Sensor Type: Wind speed and direction, temperature, precipitation, humidity and air pressure | Dimensions: 6.5” W x 4.61” H
This fully featured weather station includes an interior monitor with a 5-inch color LCD display. This unit’s monitor gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to placement, as it includes mounting holes for hanging and the option to run off of batteries if an outlet isn’t close by.
The solar-powered outdoor sensor can transmit information up to 328 feet away, and its compact design makes it an unobtrusive addition to your home. This station sends alerts for crucial weather changes, like the wind chill dropping below a safe level for your plants or dew point rising enough to invite harmful fungi, so you can take action and cover your greenery before it's too late! While not as detailed or premium as some other weather stations, this option is a great value considering its affordability.
Product specifications: Power Source: Solar-powered | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Sensor Type: UV radiation, wind speed and direction, humidity, atmospheric pressure, temperature and lightning | Dimensions: 4.23” W x 8.2” H
This innovative weather sensor incorporates a small hub that communicates with your smartphone via Wi-Fi, putting up-to-the-minute local weather information at your fingertips. It’s compatible with smart home devices such as Alexa and has a long-range wireless connectivity of up to 1,000 feet.
Unlike many other weather stations, the Tempest logs its data so that you can look back on previous days and observe trends that may be valuable when it comes to planning ahead. Beyond the standard sensors, this station boasts a built-in lightning detector, giving you advanced warning of storms up to 25 miles away for better safety and planning. For those who spend time outdoors rain or shine, this additional safety will surely come in handy.
Most traditional
Product specifications: Power Source: Base station monitor is powered by an AC adapter, indoor remote sensor and outdoor sensor array both require two AA batteries | Connectivity: Wi-Fi and 915MHz RF | Sensor Type: temperature, barometric pressure, solar radiation, UV light, precipitation, wind speed and direction| Dimensions: 7.75” W x 5.75” H
The Ambient Weather WS-2000 offers several similar features as the WS-5000 model we previously mentioned but opts for a more traditional wind meter and fewer bells and whistles. This means you can take advantage of Ambient Weather’s advanced features without paying for informational detail or technology you won’t use.
It comes with a full-color HD LCD display with the option to change the background from light to dark for better readability. As with the WS-5000, you can download data to an SD card and export it into Excel for a deep dive into your weather. Great for educators, the WS-2000 is a STEM Authenticated Educational Product, meaning that it meets STEM.org’s qualifications when it comes to adhering to science and math standards. It can also be connected to the Ambient Weather Network to share data with a community of meteorology enthusiasts.
Best solar-powered weather station
Product specifications: Power Source: Solar-powered with CR-123 backup battery | Connectivity: Wi-Fi and 915MHz RF | Sensor Type: Temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed and direction, wind chill and heat index, rainfall and rain rate, and barometric pressure | Dimensions: 6.5” W x 4.61” H
Davis Instruments has a reputation for offering rugged weather stations designed to withstand extreme conditions, and this model is no exception, with some users relying on theirs for nearly a decade. This weather station has a long range with the ability to transmit its data every 2.5 seconds across a distance of up to 1,000 feet. It runs off of solar power but can resort to backup power if you install a CR-123 lithium cell battery.
Its sensor array is corrosion-proof, and its interior electronics are insulated against moisture and the elements. While this option is high quality and built to last, its high price — not to mention the fact that a receiver is not included — makes it better suited for professional users.
Most basic
Product specifications: Power Source: Both the monitor and the outdoor sensor require a pair of AA batteries each | Connectivity: Wireless | Sensor Type: Indoor and outdoor temperature and indoor humidity Dimensions: 3.35” W x 5.91” H
This basic weather station from La Crosse is an affordable option that provides essential weather information. It features a clear black-and-white LCD display with large, 1-inch numerals for easy reading. The display shows the time, day of the week, indoor and outdoor temperature, and indoor humidity. Its outdoor sensor can transmit data to a distance of 330 feet and a single mounting hole lets you hang it from a hook where needed or screw it to a flat surface for a more permanent installation.
Weather station components: Choosing the ones that are right for you
Weather stations come with various sensors that can measure different weather elements, like wind speed, direction, humidity and even the current heat index. Understanding what these sensors do is crucial. It helps you choose a weather station that provides the information you need without bombarding you with data you don't care about.
Thermometer
A thermometer tells you what the temperature is. This is a foundational component of even the most basic weather stations and lets you determine what might be comfortable to wear outdoors and whether it's safe to work or play outside.
Hygrometer
A hygrometer is a sensor that measures airborne humidity. High outdoor humidity can be seasonal, an indication of a passing or incoming storm, or the result of rising temperatures. Low humidity is generally more comfortable, but it occurs at colder temperatures and can be accompanied by a potentially dangerous wind chill in the winter months.
Barometer
Barometers measure atmospheric pressure. When atmospheric pressure drops, bad weather is on the way. Rising pressure, however, gives way to clear skies and no precipitation. A weather station’s barometer can give you insight into what conditions you may run into in the coming hours.
Rain Gauge
A weather station equipped with a rain gauge can measure the amount of precipitation falling over a period of time. While a rain gauge won’t help you predict what weather may be coming, it can still provide interesting information, especially during stormy seasons.
Anemometer
Anemometers measure the speed and direction of wind. These usually take the form of several cups mounted on horizontal arms that spin on a central shaft as the wind blows. More advanced weather stations may include anemometers without moving parts, meaning there are fewer components to wear out over time. Most people don’t have a lot of use for this kind of data, but it can be critical for farmers spraying their crops or doing outside work that involves painting or ladder climbing.
UV sensor
Many weather station sensor arrays are at least partially solar-powered. The panel that absorbs the sun’s energy is sometimes also used to measure UV radiation.
High UV radiation indicates that going outdoors may result in a sunburn. You can check this measurement to determine whether it's safe to spend time outside in direct sunlight and to what degree you may need to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin.
Wired vs. wireless weather stations
Benefits of a wired system: The data gleaned from a wired system may be more accurate, and you’ll never have to worry about losing your information due to the connectivity issues of wireless systems. Additional installation effort is required, however, and some owners say their wired system’s range is limited. In addition, there’s always the chance that the wires could get damaged by weather exposure.
Benefits of a wireless system: A wireless system can be located hundreds of meters from its base unit without the risk of information loss. When used in a multiple-zone configuration, one sensor can be buried in a distant field, another near a swimming pool, and the main array can be mounted on a roof or garage.
Advanced systems with Wi-Fi capability can also be monitored remotely with an appropriate weather mobile app. This kind of mobility is quite convenient. For instance, a gardener equipped with a smart sprinkler system and a wireless hygrometer sensor can turn on the water remotely after reading the soil’s moisture level.
Since many manufacturers offer a special website for data collection and real-time updates, the ideal weather station should feature Wi-Fi or modem connectivity. The Ambient Weather Network, Weather Underground and PWS Weather are just a few of the platforms you can use to track, observe and share weather data with others. If this is something you’re interested in, be sure to select a weather station that allows you to upload its data to the internet.
Data displays
Weather station displays come in two main types: those that show one measurement at a time and require you to switch between screens and those that display all data simultaneously. While some people prefer seeing everything at once, others find it overwhelming and cluttered.
Advanced stations may even offer smartphone-like displays with real-time updates and animations. Another factor to consider is the display's color. Color displays are generally easier to read, and certain data like heat maps are more visually informative in color as opposed to black-and-white displays.
Weather stations differ in how they present data on their monitors. Some use basic, one-page digital LCD screens, others use colors and graphics to represent weather conditions, and some feature HD displays that resemble tablets or computer monitors.
While bright, animated images give your weather station’s monitor a premium look and feel, it's important to choose a model that displays information in a way that is easy for you to read and understand.
A screen cluttered with widgets and numbers may appeal to someone with a deep curiosity about the climate, an amateur pilot or a drone videographer, but someone simply trying to plan their evening may be frustrated by information overload.
Maintenance
While the ideal weather station for many people would be a “plug and play” model that requires no maintenance, your attention may be needed from time to time.
- The machine’s moving parts (like the wind meter) may require regular adjustments.
- The connection between the weather station and the monitor could become disrupted at times. You may occasionally need to repair a connection or replace a wire.
- Given the complexity and amount of data usually handled between the sensors and the processors, the software that operates on the raw data can sometimes crash, thereby necessitating a hard reboot or firmware upgrade.
Accuracy
The climate you live in can also affect the precision of your weather station’s measurements. For example, daytime readings for ambient air temperature and rainfall tend to show as higher than average in warmer climates. Accuracy can also be affected by the condition of the sensor wires or debris in the weather station’s housing.
FAQ
Q. How much does a weather station cost?
A. If you just want a basic weather station, you can find what you need for under $50. For a high-end, bells-and-whistles model, you can expect to pay over $250. The average consumer who is serious about tracking the weather, however, will most likely be happy with a station in roughly the $80 to $150 price range.
Q. Is assembly required?
A. Weather stations require careful placement of their external sensor arrays for optimal results. This differs by model, so be sure to consult your weather station’s manual to ensure that you’ll be able to mount yours appropriately and safely.
Q. How weather-resistant is the device?
A. Although many weather stations are designed to resist the damaging effects of wind, rain and soil, some require extra protection.
Q. Can a weather station be calibrated to support devices and data sources?
A. It is possible to calibrate weather station sensors to match the readings of another weather instrument, but it can be a difficult task. Some models allow users to “zero out” previous rainfall measurements or adjust the gauges to match a weather channel’s more scientific numbers.
Q. Where should a weather station be mounted or stored?
A. Many basic models are self-contained and made of lightweight, weather-resistant materials. As such, many people choose to attach their weather station to an exterior wall, tree or post.
Our expertise
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Derek Walborn is one of BestReviews’ trusted lawn, garden and DIY experts. Providing insight since 2021, Derek has written extensively on topics that range from home security systems and propane grills to the latest power tools and home improvement gadgets.
