The Best Home Weather Stations Tested in 2023

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Home weather stations are highly convenient, tipping you off to temperature, rainfall, and other aspects of the elements before you venture outside. Typically, they are two-part devices, with an array of sensors that sit outside and a display that’s placed indoors. Beyond those similarities, there are various types of home weather stations on the market, with many features to consider, so it can be challenging to choose the right one. To help consumers find the right product, we tested a variety of home weather stations—those that connect to popular online weather servers, such as Weather Underground, as well as those that work without a Wi-Fi connection.

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Ahead, learn which features to look for when choosing a weather station and discover why the following products are well suited for a variety of weather-reporting tasks. Find out what our hands-on testing revealed, then weigh the pros and cons to choose the best home weather station for you.

1. BEST OVERALL: Ambient Weather WS-2902C WiFi Home Weather Station
2. RUNNER-UP: Davis Instruments 6250 Vantage Vue Weather Station
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Newentor Q3 Wireless Atomic 7.5-Inch Weather Station
4. BEST MIDRANGE: AcuRite Iris 5-in-1 Home Weather Station
5. MOST ACCURATE: Davis Instruments 6152 Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
6. BEST DISPLAY: Sainlogic 8-in-1 Wireless Weather Station
7. MOST ADVANCED: WeatherFlow Tempest Smart Home Weather System
8. BEST LOW-TECH: Lily’s Home Analog Weather Station
9. BEST FOR KIDS: AcuRite 00827 What-to-Wear Weather Station
10. ALSO CONSIDER: AcuRite Notos 3-in-1 Home Weather Station

How We Tested the Best Home Weather Stations

To recommend the best home weather stations, we tested a host to find those that provided accurate data and lived up to manufacturers’ claims. We tried every function each weather station offered and awarded points based on performance, durability, and accuracy. To qualify the data, we compared it to a nearby official weather station and our own Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 weather station.

For models that record wind direction, we mounted the units outdoors and oriented them to true north using a survey compass. You could try doing this using a compass app on a smartphone, but we didn’t have much success with that method.

We went a step further with weather stations that feature Wi-Fi connectivity by syncing them to our wireless home network and then uploading the data to online weather services. For each unit, this required establishing an individual account with the service.

We noted the overall quality of the materials and tested the transmission distance. Most weather stations did not meet the manufacturer’s advertised distance, but one exceeded it. Still, we found the range of all models in this lineup adequate.

Manufacturer reputation was also considered. Davis Instruments weather stations are well known for their accuracy, and many are used by serious weather enthusiasts who upload data to the internet. But we also looked at smaller, less-known manufacturers who make high-quality units with a variety of weather-monitoring options.

Our Top Picks

To qualify for inclusion in this lineup of the best home weather stations, the following models had to install with relative ease. (Hooking up the Wi-Fi versions is more complex and requires a working knowledge of home networks and routers.) Each model had to be accurate and present data in an easy-to-access fashion. The following home weather stations run the gamut in price and features, but they all excelled in our hands-on tests, and each one is a standout in its own category.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing a Home Weather Station

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If you want to know the recent rainfall total in your garden or whether you should grab a warmer jacket before heading out for the day, a home weather station can quickly and accurately give you information to help you plan your day’s activities. When shopping for one, keep in mind the power source, functions, accuracy, display, and other considerations, all detailed below.

Power Source

A home weather station’s power source is essential for its function. Many are wireless, running on solar or battery power, which lets you place the station virtually anywhere without the need for a nearby electrical outlet. Solar-powered units (which typically have a backup battery as well) absorb and transform sunlight into power to run the weather station while charging the backup batteries. Most solar-powered weather stations don’t require high levels of direct sunlight, but they do need some, so select a spot in the yard where the unit will receive an average of 2 to 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Functions

While nearly all home weather stations report temperature, precipitation, and humidity, some have extra features that detail the heat index, windchill, moon phase, solar radiation, and sunrise/sunset times. Consider your priorities to determine if these readings would be worth knowing—and paying for.

Accuracy

Several factors can influence the accuracy of a home weather station, including the placement of the device and how often it takes measurements throughout the day. A home weather station’s materials and construction can also affect its accuracy. For instance, some models with plastic-covered sensors tend to overheat and give false readings, while those with a protective shield or fan help mitigate inaccuracy. Once you choose a home weather station, make sure to follow setup instructions specific to the product to ensure the readings will be as accurate as possible.

Display

The display on a home weather station should provide at-a-glance information that’s easy to read and manage. Consider the size of the display console: Will household members require a larger display for easy readability, or would you prefer something more compact or discreet?

Sensor Range

Home weather stations employ a variety of sensors—small devices that detect and measure weather conditions—such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and UV intensity. These sensors, which vary from unit to unit, are located on the part of the weather station that’s kept outdoors, which is generally known as the “array.” The array’s sensor range indicates how far the sensors can transmit data to a receiving unit, such as a display console, hub, or wireless router.The average sensor range is about 100 feet, but some models can deliver accurate readings from 300 or even 1,000 feet away.

Weather station manufacturers typically denote their product’s sensor range from the array to the receiving unit without making allowances for objects between the two points, such as walls or trees. The actual sensor range can vary depending on the number of objects that lie between the two points. For example, a weather station with a sensor range of 300 feet may only be able to transmit data up to 100 feet if multiple walls, trees, and hedges lie between the array and the receiving unit.

Remote Access

Remote access enables you to view weather station readings from anywhere via smartphone, tablet, or computer. Depending on the unit, it may also allow you to view current and previous weather data, along with any alerts. Typically, this is done through a brand-specific app. Remote access doesn’t come standard on all home weather stations, so check the product information if this feature is important to you.

Smart Technology

In addition to remote access, consider compatibility with smart-home technology such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and other programs and apps to access weather information remotely or by using voice commands. Syncing with an app and a home wireless network lets you access weather station data via a smartphone—very convenient when at work, on vacation, or otherwise away from home. This technology can also be useful if you have additional smart-home appliances, such as a furnace that can be turned on remotely if the outdoor temperature is dropping.

Weather Station Connectivity

Some home weather stations sync with online weather services, such as PWS and Weather Underground. Some enjoy being part of an online community of weather enthusiasts and enjoy the ability to collect weather data and upload it to the internet for others to see.

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For others, the benefit is more practical. Farmers can pull up these online weather services to check nearby weather stations and find out how much rain fell overnight or how hard the wind is blowing. For still others, such as family members who live out of state, being able to check on the weather conditions where their loved ones live can be reassuring.

To connect to an online weather service, you must have a wireless home network; once connected, data from your weather station can be uploaded and viewed online.

Operation and Durability

Keep the following info in mind when choosing and setting up a home weather station for consistent, long-lasting results:

• Smaller weather stations with sensors that detect and report only temperature and humidity must often be located where they won’t receive direct sun, which skews their data.
• Home weather station arrays that detect wind and rain should be located where they have unencumbered access to wind and rain, such as in an open area at least 25 feet from structures and trees. The array should be securely mounted to a pole, roof, fence post, or other immovable item.
• A quality weather station array can last up to 10 years or longer, although some sensors may require replacement if damaged from high winds or hail. Inexpensive temperature- and humidity-only units may not last as long but should give reliable readings for a few years at least.
• A manufacturer’s warranty can be an indication of durability. A weather station with a 3-year warranty on all replacement parts will likely last longer than one with a 1-year warranty that only covers factory defects.

FAQs

Want more info about the best home weather station for you? Some of the most frequently asked questions about these helpful and convenient devices are answered here.

Q. What do weather stations do?

Weather stations connect to an outside sensor that comes with the model to measure temperature, rainfall, wind speed, humidity, and in some cases much more. They give you the ability to know the weather at your particular location before heading outside.

Q. Are weather stations accurate?

When set up properly and placed in an appropriate location, weather stations are fairly accurate. Always follow the instructions for placing the sensors with the particular product you buy.

Q. How do I set up a weather station at home?

Set up the sensor (also known as the array, with multiple sensors) and then set up the indoor display. Each model requires a slightly different setup, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Q. How long do home weather stations last?

This depends on the model; some have only a 2-year warranty, while others can last for up to 20 years.

Meet the Tester

Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.

Additional research provided by Jenn Ryan.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor