Learn more about how we independently review, test, and recommend the best products.
Every screen we see has the weather. A home weather station is a great way to get a personal view of the weather and an alert when it’s about to turn south.
You’ll get a live feed from your backyard. This can be very useful if you live in a place where storms are common. Even if your area is not very weather-prone, you will be amazed at the data that you can gather with a home station, especially when you consider the smart apps they can use.
Best Overall: Ambient Weather, WS-2902
Ambient Weather WS-2892A Osprey Review
The Ambient Weather WS-2922 is our top pick overall, with its 10 sensors in a compact, affordable package. This model did all the right things, so it’s easy to choose.
Although it’s not perfect, we believe its large array of sensors will be sufficient to meet all weather enthusiasts’ needs. Data can be gathered on wind speed, wind direction and rainfall. You also have access to outdoor temperature, humidity, solar radiation, UV, and outdoor temperature. You can also find indoor temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.
Importantly, the sensor data can be displayed on the LCD even though it is a bit shabby. It’s possible to access it on almost any device thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity. This app is easy to use and has great connectivity. If you’re interested in further analysis of the weather data, you can save it to your phone. The LCD will provide a clear picture of the weather in your area.
for bes tested it
Ambient Weather WS2902A Osprey seems like a great budget option to more expensive weather stations. Its attractive aesthetics don’t translate into high build quality, especially when it comes to materials. Plastic feels cheap and is not durable.
The lack of seals around removable components and the battery door were a concern. This creates the possibility of moisture entering the interior of our sensor array. Fortunately, this was not an issue during our testing.
The placement of the solar panels is another concern. The solar panel is placed in the middle of the station, and it lies flat on the top. This is not the best place for energy-gathering efficiency. The base station’s most noticeable flaw is its loud beep when you press any button. It’s extremely loud, making it difficult to operate the station. The display at the base station is somewhat disappointing.
The WS-2902A was accurate in our testing but not as reliable as higher-end systems. The WS-2902A can be connected to a smart hub via Wi-Fi. This is the best way to make the most of a weather station.
Best Budget: La Crosse Technology C85845V3
The La Crosse Technology C85845V3 will satisfy your need for simplicity. The LCD screen displays indoor and outdoor temperatures as well as humidity and animated forecast icons. It is colour-coded so that it can be easily viewed from any angle.
Although the weather station does not have all the bells & whistles of other stations, it does include automatic time correction, daylight savings time alarms and temperature zone alerts.
It’s basically a basic device with just enough data to allow you to plan your day around weather.
AcuRite 01528 Wireless Weather Station: Best 5-in-1
The 5-in-1 station provides information about the weather, including temperature, humidity and wind speed. The station will provide you with a 24-hour forecast if you have a long day ahead. The LCD can be viewed from any angle and is easy to read.
Davis Instruments Vantage Vue6250 Wireless Weather Station is the best for farmers
Vantage Vue 6250 features near-real-data transfer between the station and the LCD. This means that you can see live readings of the LCD as you view it.
A vintage design and inability to hook up directly to the internet from the box make the Vantage View the Vintage View. It’s still a solid unit that looks back to a time when products were more reliable (and less flashy).
The price of this weather station is higher than some of its competitors. While you are paying for quality, less serious hobbyists might be able to afford less expensive hardware.
Lifewire tested it
The weather station is composed of a display console (display console) and an integrated sensor suite, which are both designed with durability in mind rather than aesthetics.
The sensor suite is a great way to combine a lot of sensors in a compact package. It was made of black and white plastic and felt solid during assembly. We also tested it in heavy rain and wind. You don’t usually want to measure temperature and humidity, wind speed, direction and rain all at once with this sensor suite.
It looks old and feels bulky. Although it works, the console feels old and dated. It displays all information right out of the box. However, the function buttons allow you to drill down into additional information or charts.
Davis boasts an extremely precise sensor hardware, which we verified during our testing.
Best 3-in-1: AcuRite Pro Colour Weather Station 00589
The AcuRite 01589 is a good option for those who are budget-conscious and weather-smart. Although it does not have a rain sensor and its data is not as accurate as those on the list, the model is still far cheaper than others.
This unit is cheaper than other weather stations and uses standard AA batteries. It doesn’t even have a solar panel.
It’s a bit of an odd looking display. Although it claims to be colour, it is actually a simple two-tone screen with an uncolored background. It is also difficult to see from the right angle, so it’s best to look straight at it.
Lifewire tested it
Pro Color 00589 uses a single sensor head to incorporate all its outdoor sensors. This is not ideal as you don’t often want to measure wind speed or temperature at the same place. It’s easy to set up the AcuRite Pro Color00589.
It is a simple two-tone LCD display with a multicoloured background. The display is crisp and easy-to-read, even from a distance. Large numbers and icons provide all the important information at a glance. One problem is the poor viewing angles.
The weather station has an anemometer to measure wind speed, temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity sensors. All of these sensors have been rated fairly accurate in my experience. The unit does not have a way to measure wind direction and rainfall.
It doesn’t even have any connectivity beyond the wireless connection between sensor and display units.
Best Splurge: Davis Instruments 6153 Vantage PRO2
Stop right now if you are certain that you want an incredible weather station. Click the link to purchase the Davis Instruments 6153 Vantage Pro. Although it is the most expensive option, you’ll get a weather station capable of surviving extreme conditions (e.g. 200 mph winds) and that will last longer than you.
Although we don’t like the fact that Davis Instruments charges data for sending to the internet, it is enough to say that this is the best weather station available.
Logia LOWSC510WB 5-in-1 weather station for best precision
Netatmo Weather Station is a reminder of one of those products which does not look like other products in its category. It is so distinctive that you can easily identify it (like the Volkswagen Beetle).
What’s the Netatmo summary? The Netatmo will provide accurate data as well as data that isn’t available from other weather stations. However, you must use a separate device to view this data since there is no screen. You will need to pay an additional fee to access what most people would consider the basic functions of wind and rain reports. Sometimes, the data takes up to 10 minutes to sync.
Although the Netatmo Personal Weather Station provides accurate readings and is decent, it is not equipped with the necessary features or instruments to justify its high price , even though it looks great.
Logia 5-in-1 weather stations (wind speed, direction and temperature), can be frustrating. The data can be accessed through free Android and iOS apps.
The data syncs slower than the other items on the list, and it seems like getting Wi-Fi setup is more complicated than it needs to be. If you’re willing to troubleshoot, you’ll get detailed data on the display as well as any mobile devices.
9 Top Internet Service Providers in 2022
Two sleek cylinders in matte grey are the components of the system. They look very similar to the Echo Plus’s first generation.
The Netatmo Personal Weather Station is similar to other home weather stations in that it requires minimal, but not necessarily easy setup. Before you set up your weather stations, it’s a good idea to download the Netatmo App. This personal weather station’s standout feature is the Netatmo app. It allows users to access basic indoor and outdoor data from anywhere they are.
The accuracy of the thermometer, barometer, and hygrometer proved to be consistent. It can sometimes be difficult to interpret real-time data. The app updates every few minutes, so instead of monitoring outdoor readings live, it provides updated information.
What to look for in a Home Weather Station
Your weather monitor will need to be able to measure all conditions. You’ll need an outdoor sensor capable of withstanding even the worst snowstorms. You should look for rugged features such as casing to protect against cyclic erosion and moisture. You should also check the warranty as many companies will refund you if the product does not live up to your expectations.
Transmission Distance
Your setup can make a huge difference in the accuracy of your weather station. It must be within a specified distance from the display. Standard sensors work within 330ft, while premium models can transmit up to 1,000ft. When shopping for a weather station, it is important to consider the transmission distance.
It is important to remember that transmission distances are generally only advertised in clear, direct line-of-sight conditions. A weather station capable of transmitting 300 feet should be mounted within a circle, or approximately 200 feet. Keep in mind that some sensors are not recommended to be installed in areas where direct sunlight is available, while others should be placed in direct sunlight.
Connectivity
An outdoor sensor can be connected to an indoor monitor, which displays standard measurements. You can also view stats remotely from a more advanced setup by connecting to your mobile device or computer. Are you still not impressed? Some models can even be integrated with Apple Homekit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa so you can ask your assistant about the weather in your area.
Lifewire: Why Trust It
Meredith Popolo, a Stockholm-based writer, specialises in consumer technology that streamlines users’ lives. This includes home weather stations.
Andy Zahn is a tech writer. Lifewire has featured him reviewing cameras, weather stations and noise-cancelling headphones.
Jeremy Laukkonen, a tech writer, is the creator of a popular blog as well as a video game startup. He is a consumer tech expert and has reviewed some of these home weather stations.
Dallon Adams, a tech writer based in Portland, Oregon who specialises on consumer technology. He reviewed the Netatmo Weather Station for this list.
Adam Doud has been writing about technology for nearly a decade. He enjoys playing with the latest smartphones, tablets, laptops, and podcasts, when he isn’t hosting the Benefit of the Doud. He enjoys geocaching, cycling, and spending as much time outdoors as possible when he isn’t working.
