best home weather station 2022

2021/05/21

Our tests found the WeatherFlow Tempest to be the most durable home weather station. However, the TFT LCD console supports any accessory sensor Ambient Weather makes. With absolutely no moving parts and solid construction (and it operates entirely on solar power), this station is built for the long haul. An important consideration when purchasing a weather station is maintenance. With the Ambient weather stations Wi-Fi connectivity, you can connect the unit to your mobile phone or browser fairly easily. Setup and installation varied between reviewers; some struggled with installation, pointing out that the stand is non-adjustable, while others struggled to get the unit connected to their Wi-Fi. Reviewers recommended setting the station up indoors to help calibrate, noting that the manual suggests this, as well. Get instant access to your weather data with either the iOS or Android app. If youre looking for a one-purchase, plug-and-play experience, this is not it. The app allows you to set up email and text alerts. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named. The cheaper color LCD console found in the WS-2902C package only supports the sensor suite itself. Overall, reviewers seemed happy with the value and performance here. All in all, none of the home weather stations we tested were too tricky to use.Usability RatingWeatherFlow TempestAmbient Weather WS-2902CAmbient Weather WS-5000Ambient Weather WS-2000AcuRite AtlasAcuRite IrisDavis Vantage VueDavis Vantage Pro2. This self-contained weather monitoring system includes an Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) that is capable of measuring temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, and more. While this combination comes at the cost of accuracy, it adds some important functionality, making it an attractive alternative to the WS-5000. Over time, this funnel can become clogged with dust, leaves, and other natural debris. Reading through all of our reviews will help you make a wise decision. AcuRites stations rank at the bottom here as weve found through experience (and user reviews) that they dont seem to hold up as well as the other stations. We tested 11 stations for our Best Weather Station of 2022 rankings. With WeatherLink Live, sharing your data is super easy. A weather enthusiast that wants superior accuracy and reliability? The display connects to your PC and lets you track and store your weather data as well as share your data over the Weather Underground online network. We collected and analyzed 47,281 customer reviews through our big data system to write the weather stations list. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The radiation shielding around the temperature and humidity sensor is larger, allowing for better airflow. If the WS-5000 is too expensive for you, consider the WS-2000 instead, which features the same higher-end console, but with the WS-2902's sensor suite. Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Maybe you want a weather station, but either cant or dont want to install a pole and sensor array in your yard. After all, picking out the best weather station is all about accurate measurements. Some offer UV and light measurements, useful for outdoor activities, while others can detect lightning. Depending on weather conditions and the surrounding environment, some may need to perform maintenance as frequently as every month. If youve spent even a modest amount of time using weather apps, you know that they can often be inaccurate or downright wrong. I consent to be e-mailed by The Weather Station Experts. All prices are in USD. Given the 90-day warranty, be sure to check the system soon after arrival to make sure that any setup issues get corrected. The power source for your weather station can be a determining factor. Don't miss a thing from The Weather Station Experts. Some companies, such as Ambient Weather, host interactive communities where you can share your weather data with thousands of other weather enthusiasts. The three brightness levels also allow you to customize the amount of light appropriate for a given room. Ideally, an anemometer (wind measuring device) should be installed 33 feet above the ground, most commonly on a roof. The WeatherFlow Tempest and Ambient Weather WS-2902C are the easiest weather stations to use. The systems functions sync with internet time servers for automatic time changes, while the 7.75 multiscreen display is full color and updates every 16 seconds to display both high and low alarm conditions that can be customized with audible alerts. He is willing to share some practical tips on how to protect plants and vegetables from pests. The Vantage Pro2 is a proven workhorse. Ive found these stations to have the most issues in measuring temperature, humidity, and rainfall accurately. While some reviewers struggled to get Android phones to connect with the weather station, users with Android 6.0 and up reported fewer issues. They also are often Wi-Fi and smart home capable, which is important. In particular, the sensor array is shaped more like a bird feeder, creating a smaller footprint than other sensor arrays. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,028 consumers with an average rating of 4.7. The WS-5000s sensors were much more accurate in our tests than the WS-2000, WS-2902C, and WS-1900A, which use a slightly lower quality sensor suite. The small remote sensor is easy to install and requires no special equipment. Three home weather stations on our list scored high in our scoring model but did not meet the minimum requirements to be included in our best of lists (they have a low rating in a category where a minimum rating is required). This is important to remember when placing the sensor as weather radio station signals do not transmit as well through metal, earth, or ground. Everyones needs change, and you might need to add new sensors. But you do get quite a bit for your money. Lithium batteries are recommended if you live in an area where the temperature can dip below -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Ranking just behind the WS-5000 is the Ambient Weather WS-2000, which is essentially a combination of two weather stations. There are some mixed reviews about the effectiveness of the sensors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. If youre frequently outdoors, the Tempest weather station is a solid option. Installing your weather station near buildings or tall structures can create a shadow effect that will affect how accurate the rain collector is.

You can't get any better than the Vantage Pro2 when it comes to accuracy in a home weather station. The companys made it easy to share your data publicly through Weather Underground. Several reviews praised the quality of Ambients customer support, either when troubleshooting weather stations or needing to return the unit.

Weve had a few La Crosse Technology devices with generally good results. Some folks just want to know if its raining or not. Davis Instruments 6152 Vantage Pro2 Wireless with Standard Radiation Shield, AcuRite Iris 5-in-1 Weather Station with Color Display and Weather Ticker. What are you looking for in a home weather station? Its vertical LCD full-color display can be wall-mounted or positioned on the tabletop stand included with the console. The Tempest offers a full suite of sensors, including a well-performing lightning detector. Integrating the Tempest with your existing home network would let your smart watering system know not to use the sprinkler when its raining, and to start up your smart fans when the temperature is high outside. We judge accuracy (or performance), affordability, durability, feature set, and ease of use. Besides any necessary battery changes, the most common cleaning required for a weather station is the funnel used to measure rainfall. You can add lightning detection via an optional sensor (but it isnt as good in detection). Finally, the AcuRite Notos is the cheapest home weather station we considered. The elements will do a number on your equipment, and the best weather stations will hold up for years (and, in some cases, decades). There are no wires or cords to worry about either, as wireless weather stations are the norm, allowing you freedom in where you place it (and that matters for accuracy!). Temperature is measured in the shade. It regularly detected distant lightning faster than any other station weve tested. And enjoy extra functionality by connecting the weather station with IFTTT, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. If you want a weather station that is easy to read and will look good no matter where you put it in your home, the Newentor Q3 weather station deserves your consideration. Regardless of which home weather station you choose, all stations are made of plastic. The console is a good-sized desktop model with a stand, with color-coded groupings of the data points collected. True weather enthusiasts will love connecting with like-minded individuals on the Ambient Weather Network, an online interactive weather community. However, the addition of the new WeatherLink Live hub has breathed new life into Davis entry-level home weather station. Weve added further analysis below to help you decide which is best for you based on our rating factors. By offering up-to-the-minute data, reviewers were willing to overlook the lackluster LCD panel and lack of bird deterrents. The Ambient Weather WS-2902C is surprisingly feature-packed and accurate given its price. While it takes a bit more time to set up, theres no other personal weather station on the market that even comes close if you want the most accurate weather data. The Tempest Weather Station is WeatherFlows first attempt at a home weather station. We test select home weather stations for several weeks, giving us critical insight into long-term reliability, something a quick review cannot. However, wed strongly recommend the AcuRite Atlas instead if youre set on an AcuRite home weather station. Reviewers have generally praised the customer service, so if a smart weather system would complement other appliances in your home, this could be an excellent choice. The elimination of the cup anemometer found on other stations drastically reduces the number of moving parts and can measure wind speed as accurately as the cup-and-vane. We found that most customers choose weather stations with an average price of $110.85. Were working to address those issues. Its just that simple. When writing reviews, we also look for the following features in more advanced home weather stations and consider them equally important: The best home weather stations offer functionality above and beyond the basic measurements above. This weather station supports IFTTT and real-time APIs as well as email and text alerts. This kind of sensor includes a funnel that collects and directs rain into the bucket. Regardless of what you pick, expect to spend anywhere from $175 to $1,000.

Thanks to expandability and a wide array of optional sensors, you can add just about any sensor you can think of, including air quality, soil moisture, water temperature, and lightning, all of which send data to the console in as little as every five seconds. While batteries in the monitor might only last a couple of months, many reviewers tended to keep the monitor plugged in anyway. There is also the story of a gentleman with a Davis Weather Monitor II (a predecessor to the Vue) who recently upgraded after 27 years (thats not a typo). If you cant do this, at least try to ensure the anemometer is the highest object around. The all-in-one integrated sensor array lets you see different readings for indoor/outdoor temperatures, humidities, rainfall, wind speed/direction, barometric pressure, UV, solar radiation, and more. Another difference between the VantagePro 2 and the Vantage Vue is the anemometer. When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes. But wed understand why somebody would go for the WS-2000 given its much lower price. A larger rain gauge collects rain more efficiently, especially in windy situations. FindThisBest aims to create a platform to help you make better shopping decisions with less time and energy. 11 weather stations were considered for our rankings for the Best Weather Station of 2022. Some reviewers warn that setup is a bit complex, requiring additional purchases like a dongle to connect the weather station to a PC thatll record data. And it forgoes the usual rain-catching funnel, utilizing a cutting-edge haptic sensor to measure rain. The Netatmo Weather Station does have Wi-Fi connectivity (in fact, it was the first smart weather station), but not much has changed in the half-decade since, and the base package only includes the temperature and humidity sensors. These categories are weighted to emphasize accuracy and affordability which makes up half of a home weather stations score itself. Here are those scores for the 11 weather stations we tested. Ambient Weather's entry-level console has a surprising amount of functionality and accuracy for a weather station at its price point. Our review staff has years of experience using home weather stations and instruments: some of us are degreed meteorologists and scientists. If you liked the Ambient Weather WS-2902C but would like to have even more functionalities, this might be the weather station for you. The AcuRite 01201M weather station measures indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidities and can provide you with high and low points for both readings. The Ambient Weather WS-1900A scores very high thanks to its low price and functionality that matches the WS-2902C. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. A slick unit that looks like an oversized Q-tip head, the Tempest is low maintenance and easy to install. Keep in mind that the WS-2000 is a premium model, and the higher price tag reflects that. Keep the sensor at least 50 feet away from any paved surfaces such as roads or driveways and install it at a height of at least 5 feet above the ground surface. In a nutshell, this experience is what most people are looking for with a personal weather station. The outdoor array for a weather station may be primarily powered by solar energy. As a result, our ratings have significantly changed across the site. The WS-5000 features a redesigned sensor suite, including an ultrasonic anemometer. If knowing how fast that wind is blowing, or how many inches of rain have already fallen, is important to you, you might be interested in a personal weather station. Its not like the sensor suite is that inaccurate either: as we noted in our review, readings were often not far from our Davis Vantage Vue. When we tested the WS-2902A, the console suffered from readability problems beyond a 30-degree angle, which is far less of a problem now. While there is no smart home integration in this model, there is an Alexa app to hear your current conditions through your smart speaker. While the WS-2000 and WS-5000 arent that hard to set up, we struggled to navigate the consoles UI in our tests, which knocked a bit off the final score. Here is a list of the most common ones: Accuracy is essential. As one last note, the Newentor Q3 console offers an extra USB charging point to keep your phone charged. All rights reserved.

Reviewers in adverse conditions, like deserts, noted that the UV shield helped the weather station last longer than other stations with less shielding. With years of use, youll build a useful historical weather record of your location and be able to compare your records with nearby official stations. This allows Tempest Weather Stations to detect how much rain is falling and the intensity. While some weather enthusiasts might not have a use for smart home connectivity, many do. Humidity will be affected by plants and bodies of water. While on your home network, you will be able to watch live conditions (updated every two seconds), and your data is uploaded to Davis platform once per minute. It is the best weather station for users who want to have the most advanced features available on the market while still having a weather station that is affordable and easy to operate. Many reviewers called it a particularly great value, with responsive customer support. We have more tips available in our installation and siting guide. If its not here, we dont recommend it. 2022 FTB. The process to transition the site over to these new ratings will take some time, so you may find some of our old ratings listed in places. Place your anemometer at least 10 feet above your roofline for the most accurate readings. All you have to do now is choose which product to invest in. Daviss consoles are very dated, making them even more challenging to navigate, and setup takes some patience. Owning and monitoring a weather station can be both pragmatic and fun, but finding the right kind of weather station for you can be a challenge. Its an overall better deal. The Tempest weather station works at a range of up to 1000 feet and is virtually maintenance-free since it has no moving parts.

Users described the viewing angles on the console as limited, adding that it works best at about eye level. The reliability of Davis is legendary in the weather enthusiast community. If that is the case, then the AcuRite 01201M weather station is an excellent choice for quick, easy, and discrete installation. If you are looking for a weather station that sits dead center in the intersection of price, smart features, and accurate results, then the WS-2902C is a good choice. Were huge fans of the Tempests lightning detection, which has been the best of any weather station weve tested. Are you just interested in what the weather is in your backyard? All of this information is at your fingertips through an indoor console, showing you any changes in the weather before you step outdoors. Its the only one of our stations with built-in lightning detection, and its one of the Tempests standout features, along with operating entirely on solar power. Youd be surprised how quickly weather stations get dirty, and this build-up causes your readings to be inaccurate. Internet connectivity will enable you to monitor conditions even when youre not at home and use your weather data to control smart devices. You can also connect the station to your Amazon Alexa, so you dont need to use your tablet or phone to interact with the weather station. The second Ambient Weather model on this list is the WS-2000 smart weather station. Reviewers appreciated the color screens, noting that the scrolling feed on the bottom offers great weather-related information. The wireless ISS array is solar-powered with a battery backup and is capable of communicating with the console via RF signal from up to 1,000 feet away. Our writers independently research each device: we do not recommend a station simply because a manufacturer sends it to us. Since its separate from the rest of the sensor suite, you can place it in a high location to improve your wind readings. Purchasing a weather station that has this option will extend the useful life of your setup.Functionality RatingWeatherFlow TempestAmbient Weather WS-5000AcuRite AtlasAmbient Weather WS-2000Davis Vantage Pro2Davis Vantage VueAmbient Weather WS-2902CAcuRite Iris. We recommend that you always opt for expandability if you can afford it. You can graph up to the last 25-50 hours, days, or months and view up to 50 different graphs based on various factors such as temperature or rainfall. The display is so large and bright that it only takes a quick glance to read all the information, including indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidities, moon phases, 12-24 hour forecasts, an atomic clock, calendar, and alarms. The WS-2902C isnt as accurate as the WS-5000 or Davis stations, but its also less than half the price. It also has two air quality sensors, one inside and one outside. We are partial to the Davis Vantage Vue, however. Its quite small and is perfect for small yards. While the Vantage Vue is showing its age, and its connectivity options limited, it remains the best mid-grade weather station on the market. We also find higher-end stations offer far more reliable performance and dont suffer from connectivity issues or maintenance problems as much.Accuracy RatingDavis Vantage Pro2Davis Vantage VueAmbient Weather WS-5000WeatherFlow TempestAmbient Weather WS-2000Ambient Weather WS-2902CAcuRite AtlasAcuRite Iris. This is prudent to plan out before buying a weather station because all weather stations have a maximum distance at which you can install the array from the console. Your rain gauge should also be at the same level to prevent splashback and be free of any obstructions. We found that the real-time lightning data matched up better with data from professional lightning detection networks. But only the best weather stations made our list the six options below ranked the highest in our ratings, which consider accuracy/performance, affordability, durability, feature set, and ease of use. How youll use your station does matter (and will save you some time reading through these reviews!). The Davis Vantage Pro2 was the most accurate home weather station in our tests. While it is not the most accurate weather station weve reviewed, it generally performs well, and smart home compatibility is a big plus. But in a first for any weather station weve seen, the Tempest uses haptics for its rain gauge. We then compare them side by side, giving a rating in each area. If a structure is just over 5 feet away or nearer to the weather station, the obstruction should not be any more than 10 feet tall to be sure that you get the best performance. At a minimum, choose a one with the following features: However, just these features arent enough in our opinion. Another manufacturer is La Crosse Technology. The plastics used seem to be of lower quality than other stations, and overall station life is shorter than others in our rankings for the Best Weather Station of 2022. You get what you pay for when it comes to accuracy in home weather stations. The Davis Vantage Pro2 does have some optional sensors, but its high price might be a turn-off. The wind speed updates every 18 seconds, while outdoor temperatures are updated in 36-second increments. Using an outdoor scouring pad with warm water and a mild detergent, swab the funnel and any other components that may have caked-on dirt and other grime. Overall, users seem satisfied with the units accuracy; however, some found the system was miscalibrated out of the box. The price, however, might scare some away. These stations are used in scientific and commercial applications worldwide. The Iris weather station has a range of 330 feet and is powered by four AA batteries. The wireless sensor array connects to the console via RF signal with a range of up to 330 feet line of sight in the open air. The LCD console in the WS-2902C is much improved over previous models. We recommend that you perform maintenance at least once per season. However, its more likely that youll pay somewhere in the middle of that range given the best weather stations are often mid-range models. Whether you need it is up to you. The display console supports up to three different remote sensors, each with its own featured channel, which you can easily navigate between with the built-in selection buttons. Depending on the size and layout of your property, you may end up placing your stations sensor array further away from your home than you initially expected. The Iris offers easy installation of a second indoor monitor, as well, allowing people to set up monitors in two separate rooms. While it was great for the smart home when it was first released over a half-decade ago, the Netatmo Weather Station feels dated today, especially when you can get something like the WeatherFlow Tempest for about the same price. Its coastal network of weather stations has been delivering vital information to meteorologists for years and has proven useful (and durable) in landfalling hurricanes. Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. But generally, you should place your temperature/humidity sensor at eye level (4 to 6 off the ground), and protected from direct sunlight. The best of these stations is the AcuRite Atlas. However, the expandability is something the Tempest currently doesnt have. While it doesnt include a lightning detector (youll have to top for the WS-5000 for that option), it does have UV and light sensors. You can also use your data to control your smart home devices. The WS-2902C is the most affordable home weather station on our list, but we strongly recommend either the Ambient Weather WS-2000 or WeatherFlow Tempest as they have far more functionality. If knowing the weather helps you plan out your dayor if youre looking for a geeky hobby with tons of data pointshaving a home weather station is a great idea. If you want super-fast, incredibly accurate weather reporting, consider downloading the free WeatherLink Live app and accessing your Vantage Vue weather station for weather updates that are practically in real-time. Editors Note: On June 1, 2022, we changed how we calculate our ratings for our reviews to limit subjectivity and judge all products equally. For example, our Davis Vantage Vue weather station has been continuously operating since our initial test in September 2016! We may receive a small commission as a result on clicks on the above links. But with the correct station, youll get years of enjoyment out of it. Email us and we'll compare notes. While the Vantage Pro2s console is much more helpful than the Vantage Vues, it does add to the price. A weather station will only provide valuable results if you install it in an advantageous location. All rights reserved. Our Pick: WeatherFlow Tempest. A home weather station can offer a variety of data points, like wind speed, wind direction, or rainfall measurements. The basic account is free, while there are several premium plans that provide additional advanced features. For someone new to weather stations, the Logia 5-in-1 offers an easy entry to collecting weather data at home. The sensors in the Vantage Pro2 are of higher quality than in the Vantage Vue. Jump to: Full Rankings | Accuracy | Affordability | Durability | Feature Set | Ease of Use. Our Pick: WeatherFlow Tempest. If you own a smart home, the WeatherFlow Tempest is the weather station to buy. * Our editing teams independently research, review, and recommend the best products based on extensive data analysis; if you click on the product links, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.