Youll need to keep a few basic things in mind when choosing a location. You'll get accurate information and even data you don't get from other weather stations, but you have to use a separate device to view the data, as there's no included screen. I look for connectivity that allows your weather station to become a part of your smart home. However, youll need to assemble the all-in-one sensor and program the display, which is more involved than the other options on this list. 11 Hottest Cities in the US: Where Are the Hottest Places? Internet Connected. If you previously owned an older AcuRite 5-in-1 model, you will appreciate the upgraded sensors of the Atlas which provide far more accurate readings. We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good. Though powerful, these gadgets are rather small. For similar reasons, avoid placing a sensor too close to trees, nearby buildings, other structures, or irrigation systems. Sure, it's the most expensive, but you will get a weather station that can survive conditions you likely can't (200 mph winds, for example) and, based on its build quality, last longer than you. We also look at durability (does the unit survive three-foot drops? I got more than five inches of rain, and places less than a mile or two to my west saw as much as eight inches. As for wires and connectivity, AcuRite offers all wireless weather stations, meaning the weather data communicates wirelessly to an indoor . The information on these apps is often outdated and depends on you having a good signal to get the alerts. The rain gauge includes an extra-large funnel that improves accuracy, and its also wireless so that you can place it close to the ground in an optimal position for measurements and cleaning. Do they sensors hold up to driving rain?) Depending on the model, you will likely need to mount the station on top of a mast, which you will need to purchase separately. 1. Youll get the bare minimum in weather readingsindoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, along with barometric pressure trends and a weather forecast. Bidirectional communication with station for FW updates, change of settings, enable features etc. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GHs annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement. Your rain gauge needs to be level and high enough so that it doesnt get splashback from the ground, and away from obstructions. Installation of this station is straightforward, thanks to the integrated tightening knob on the sensor suite for pole mounting setups. A bit harder to set-up through the ip address. If you are an avid weather enthusiast and money is not an issue, we recommend the Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2. COMPLETE WEATHER STATION: (1) Ultrasonic Sensor Array, (1) Rain Cup, (1) Indoor Thermo-hygrometer-barometer, and (1) TFT Full Color LCD Display. Need to know if rain is going to, well, rain on your parade? If youre outdoors often, stations that measure UV index, solar radiation, or can sense nearby lightning are useful, while gardeners and farmers might find leaf and soil moisture/soil temperature sensors worthwhile. I was utterly mesmerized by it and sat with my parents, watching the local weatherman give the latest weather reports and what was happening outside. Best Home Weather Station for Enthusiasts, Most Popular Home Weather Station on Amazon, Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director, We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. For example, if you know that there is You're paying for quality, but hobbyists may do better with less expensive hardware. This depends. You can even contribute that data to crowd-sourced weather services like Weather Underground. You get indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity, and animated forecast icons on the LCD screen, which is color-coded and large enough to read from across the room. Copyright 2002-2023 WeatherShack.com. While I havent had a chance to test the WS-2000 myself, Ive tested the sensor suite in the WS-2902C, and the console in the WS-5000. Sure, it isnt expandable and needs batteries for the sensor suite, but the price makes up for that. Consequently, there can be significant discrepancies in these reports compared to the actual conditions around you. toprovide personal 12 to 24-hour weather forecasts specific to your exact location. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. With an internet-connected home weather station, you can share your station's data with the world, such as Weather Underground. WeatherFlow has extensive experience in weather stations, having built a network of coastal weather stations that are invaluable in tracking coastal storms and hurricanes. The WS-5000s sensors were much more accurate in our tests than previous Ambient Weather stations. Sort by: Top Sellers. Theres also no console. The already bright screen has backlighting for nighttime use and other dark conditions. Thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity, it's available on nearly any device you own and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. If you get a weather station that can transmit 300 feet, you should plan to mount the outside sensors within a circle or roughly 200 feet. Meredith Popolo is a freelance tech writer specializing in consumer technology. Another major upgrade in the WS-2000 package over the WS-2902C is the display console. If you just need to monitor the temperature and humidity inside your home, then you might want to consider using a WiFi thermometer with remote monitoring capabilities or a hygrometer. This all matters in deciding what features and sensors you need when you're searching for the best weather station. It is by far the most accurate home weather station available. Requires additional transmitter for more sensors. The colored LCD display on this weather station pulls data from a sensor in your yard (up to 330 feet away!) Does your home weather station need access to Wi-Fi? The MeteoBridge is designed to work most easily with Ubiquiti AirCam. The weather stations connect directly into the WeatherBridge device via a USB connection, and then you can configure your station settings on the WeatherBridge site. A weather station is a collection of instruments that measure atmospheric conditions to help study the weather and climate of a specific location. All these measurements were generally accurate in my test, although you must purchase the compatible rain gauge and anemometer separately. The Davis Vantage Pro2 is like the gold standard in home weather stations. We also found that the rain gauge often undercounts rainfall in heavier storms. The Ambient Weather Osprey WS-2902C is our Editor's top recommendation and best value for money option. Itcomes with twocylindrical towers (read: sensors), so you can place one indoors and one out. This Logia 5-in-1 (wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall) weather station provides very accurate data that is pushed to the cloud and then accessible via free iOS or Android apps. As scientific instruments, accuracy and reliability are my main areas of focus when reviewing each station. All Rights Reserved. Weather Underground is a global community of people connecting data from environmental sensors like weather stations and air quality monitors so we can provide the rich, hyperlocal data you need to power your passions. Join our global community and help us improve weather forecasting. Some models are even integrated with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Homekit so that you can ask your assistant for your local weather. Powered entirely by the sun, it has no moving parts: the rain gauge is a haptic sensor on the top, and wind speed and direction are measured sonically. The weather app collects weather data for analysis, and you can store the data for further investigation if that's your thing. A feature that no other weather station in this price range offers right now. These weather stations monitor a combination of indoor/outdoor temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. Free LaCrosse Weather Connect app (iOS) (Android). Display: Some screens are more intuitive and easier to read. Join our global community and contribute to the future of forecasting. If youre tired of your phones weather app never seeming to be accurate, its time to consider a home weather station for your backyard. For more help, read our definitive guide on siting instructions with mounting ideas and solutions here. This eliminates the need to connect the weather station to WeatherBridge using a USB cable. Finally, plug the micro USB into the . Lithium batteries are much more resilient in extreme temperatures, and they generally last longer than alkaline batteries. You can use your weather data to trigger these devices, such as turning the lights on inside the house when it gets dark outside. One sensor is included with the WS-5000 weather station system. In addition to my reviews, I consider customer reviews and other professional reviews of the products to ensure our experiences match other weather station owners. Personal weather stations are handy gadgets for giving you an up-to-the-minute snapshot of what's happening right outside your door not wherever your local weather station is. If you have a long day coming up, the station can provide a 24-hour forecast. The Pro2 is one of the very few weather stations on the market where the anemometer is separate from the temp, humidity, and rain sensors so you can mount it on a roof or a tower for the most accurate wind readings. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. You can also pair the Netatmo with Amazon and Apple smart speakers and request weather reports from Alexa or Siri. AcuRite 01517RM Wireless Weather Station with 5-in-1 Weather Sensor: Temperature and Humidity Gauge, Rainfall, Wind Speed and Wind Direction . This solar-powered WiFi connectable station can measure wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, UV, solar radiation, barometric pressure, outdoor temperature and humidity, indoor temperature and humidity, dew point, heat index, wind chill, and more. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The solar-powered sensor suite is well built and includes sensitive enough instruments to record exact measurements and slight changes that competitors might miss, but it is ever so slightly less accurate than the Davis Vantage Pro2 but for nearly half the price. Because your weather monitor is intended to measure all sorts of conditions, you'll need an outdoor sensor that can withstand even the snowiest storms. Our picks to watch the weather in your backyard. Depending on the model, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind, rainfall and other types of hyper-local weather information can be monitored within the comfort of your home or while you are away. These weather stations meet world meteorological standards. There are a few key reasons why an internet connected weather station is a necessary piece of equipment for any home or office. AcuRite 5-in-1 Weather Environment System. Affordable, accurate, and reliable weather station, Built-in WiFi connectivity for monitoring conditions remotely via Weather Underground and the Ambient Weather Network, Smart home integration with IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, User-friendly, accurate, and versatile station that supports a wide range of additional sensors, Comes with a full-color HD TFT display, which has excellent viewing angles and is very easy to read, Remote monitoring via WiFi and smart home integration with a number of platforms, Professional grade station that is highly accurate and durable, Fast reporting interval of 2.5 seconds with a 1,000ft (300m) wireless transmission range, Anemometer can be mounted separately for more precise measurements, Advanced weather station with a precise ultrasonic anemometer, Premium display console that can also connect to additional sensors, WiFi connectivity for remote reporting and smart home integration, Excellent starter model for weather enthusiasts of all ages, It can measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall, Easy to read display with an adjustable dimmer, and it also features a battery backup should the power go out, Accurate all-in-one station suitable for serious weather enthusiasts on a budget, 2.5 second reporting interval from the sensor suite to the console, Can connect to the Internet and with additional sensors via the WeatherLink Live Hub, which sells separately, A top contender among the value range weather stations, Includes an aspirating fan in the thermometer and humidity sensor housing, Entry-level station for those looking for just the basics, Can only measure indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, Console provides a forecast and has the functionality to set customizable alerts, Indoor and Outdoor Temperature and Humidity. As a result, it is our number one recommendation. This will require a sturdy mounting location, as its subject to all the weather of your area. Direct sunlight caused temperatures to read higher and humidity lower than it was supposed to. Lightning detection is also the best for any personal weather station Ive tested. Heres a real-life example: a few years back, we had one of the worst rain storms Ive ever seen. A Wi-Fi weather station is a connection from outdoor weather sensors to a home Wi-Fi internet signal which transfers information from the outdoor sensors to an indoor weather instrument. Features: Some models even have extra bells and whistles, like a preprogrammed alarm that sounds when the temperature dips below a certain level and forecasts based on barometric pressure readings or data from the National Weather Service. Weather stations can monitor many weather conditions, but what they measure varies from model to model. But it's worth the money if youd like to track more than the standard weather measurements. Some also measure direction. The anemometer (wind speed meter) encodes the wind speed by simply closing a switch which each rotation. If you have the extra funds, this station should be on the top of your list. Observing the weather at home with a personal weather station has never been easier. The AirBridge can connect to the WeatherBridge wirelessly via WiFi. The hub also offers the capability to add a combination of up to 8 sensor transmitters or weather stations. Yes. Just dont expect the same degree of accuracy or durability as the more expensive weather stations. The display is slightly oddit's claimed to be color but is a two-tone screen with a multicolored static background. Batteries are also used for backup power. max volume. Echo Show is Amazon's digital display for Alexa, a voice-activated assistant. The display is basic but easy to read with an adjustable dimmer, and it also features a battery backup should the power go out. Just like the WS-2902C, you will still get the best-in-class connectivity to a wide variety of smart home platforms, including IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This 5-in-1 station records the outside temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and rain. A compact, attractive device that has large numbers and forecast icons, so you can easily get your weather at a glance. Display: LCD | Humidity: Yes | Wind: No | Rainfall: No | Barometric Pressure: No. You can also set customizable alerts for temperature and humidity and quickly view the daily minimum and maximum readings on the console. Some premium stations can work up to 1000 feet away. The weather station console features two levels of wireless connectivity. If you purchase any of the other AcuRite units, please make sure it comes with AcuBridge. We also like the atomic clock option, so you never have to set the clock again. They can also connect to the Internet, so you can monitor your weather conditions from anywhere and share your findings with other weather enthusiasts. If you don't mind some potential troubleshooting, you'll be rewarded with accurate data on its display and whichever mobile device you want. EO: Ask any meteorologist their biggest pet peeve, and its people who use a weather app to get their weather information. Why Trust Us? Best Splurge: Davis Instruments 6153 Vantage Pro2 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Precision: Logia 5-in-1 Wi-Fi Weather Station at Amazon Jump to Review Best Design: Netatmo Weather Station at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Our Picks It's not perfect, but we think its large sensor array will meet the needs of any weather enthusiast. At a minimum, youll want a weather station that provides the following: These are the basics that any weather station should have. We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good. To learn more, read our disclaimer. In Stock at Store Today. I wanted to be just like him. If you want to access readouts from your weather station remotely, you should ensure that it has a relatively stable connection to your home network. Humidifier for Bloody Nose? First, connect your cables together as seen in picture one. Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station with WiFi Remote Monitoring and Alerts. It recorded just two inches. Some more advanced models will also link to your computer or mobile device so that you can view stats remotely. The console and the sensor are battery-operated, and an indicator on the display lets you know when its time to swap in a fresh set. All of these units are tested in a similar environment on the same mast for up to a month to ensure each one experiences varied weather conditions. I can distinctly remember the trees outside the window whipping around in the gusts and the sheets of rain. We're assuming your Davies Weather Station is already set up. That depends on your budget and what you plan to use it for. Best Budget Model: AcuRite 5-in-1 01512 Wireless Weather Station, 8. Add colorful unique flare to any space. 6 Best Weather Apps For Your Phone in 2023, Ambient Weather WS-1002-WIFI Observer Review, AcuRite Pro Weather Station 01036M Review, The 5 Best Hurricane Tracker Apps of 2023, The 12 Best Internet Radio Stations of 2023, The 7 Best Free Music Streaming Apps for iOS and Android (2023), The Best Projector Screens for Outstanding Viewing at Home. While it doesnt include a lightning detector in the base package, you can add one and a half-dozen other optional sensors. With its ten sensors packed into a small, reasonably-priced package, the Ambient Weather WS-2902 is our best overall pick. Those stations that score highest in both areas are then compared in feature set, ease of use, and value. These picks are based on our comprehensive knowledge from testing, as well as supplemental road tests and reviewing newer versions of tried and tested favorites: This smart system communicates with a compatible app or personal assistants likeAlexa or Siri. Higher-end stations offer expandability, which allows you to add additional sensors to your home weather station. Use the tuning option below, or choose Listen from a station in the list. The Ambient Weather WS-2902C Osprey provides the best value for money compared to any other personal weather station on the market right now. So much so you can identify it from far away (like the Volkswagen Beetle, for example). NOAA Weather Radio Live Streams. The 5-in-1 sensor suite can measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall. Still, it's a solid unit with the looks of when products used to be more reliable (and less flashy). And, to get what many would consider essential functions of rain and wind reports, you have to pay extra. The WS-2902C wowed us with its connectivity and value for money, and for these reasons, it still holds the top spot as our number one recommendation. Beyond providing a heads-up against destructive weather patterns, home weather stations can give you localized data on humidity and rainfall if you're an avid gardener. Browse many of our wind chime accessories which include hooks, hangers and UV protectant spray.