Predicting the weather is no easy feat. Weather forecasts can occasionally be wrong, and sometimes the department forecasting the weather can be far away from you, thus having inaccurate readings. So if the meteorologist is unable to do accurate forecasts, then how can you? Well, a wise man once said, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” Buying and installing a home weather station can solve your problem.
A weather station is a small tool you can use to learn what the weather in your area is like and will be like throughout the day. Why need a home weather station? It tracks the climate in your immediate area so the readings are often more accurate than the actual weather forecast. It also provides real-time data so you don’t need to check social media over and over again. If you are looking for the best home weather station for you, consider the following:
What to Consider When Buying a Home Weather Station
In searching for the best home weather station for you, there are a few factors to consider. The first and most important characteristic to look for in a weather station is its ability to read the weather correctly. Accuracy in its weather predictions is the most important factor in looking for a weather station. After all, you would not want a tool that is only right half the time. Along with accuracy, a weather station should be relatively easy to read and understand. It is difficult for anyone to understand numbers on a screen if they do not know what those numbers indicate.
Additionally, weather stations are usually expensive, so it would prove prudent to buy a durable one. A well-made home weather station can last for not only a few months, but up to a few years as well. The most durable weather stations can usually last for somewhere between 5 to 10 years. When investing in a home weather station, you always have to think about the long run.
Any good weather station should also have good internet connectivity. A home weather station with internet connectivity lets you access its data even while you are away, and some weather stations can even help you broadcast your data to family members and to the world using smartphone apps. There are a lot of good weather stations and brands to choose from, so it is essential to keep these considerations in mind when buying the perfect station for your home.
Starting the list off is the AcuRite 00589 Pro Color Weather Station, a popular one that functions as a 3-in-1 gadget. It lets you measure temperature, humidity, and wind speed all at the same time. It also has a history where you can keep data from up to twelve hours, which it also uses to gauge the present weather.
This weather station is easy to install, and it is quite easy to understand what is on screen because it tells you everything you need to know. Some people do complain about the screen, though, as it can be hard to see at times. Others complain about not being able to read the gauge even when they are looking at it at eye level. Regardless of its faults, it is a weather station that works well.
Similar to the Pro Color Weather Station, the AcuRite Wireless Weather Station also measures temperature, humidity, and wind speed. However, it can also measure wind direction as well as provide an accurate rain forecast. While it is twice the price of the Pro Color Weather Station, rest assured that this one is worth the price.
It also has other functions, as it can connect to your PC via USB so you can view the weather directly from your computer or phone. It can also be set to send programmable alarms by email or text message. In terms of functions, this one is among the best. However, it is not layman-friendly as the Wireless Weather Station uses a lot of technical terms.
The AcuRite Atlas Weather Station is hailed as part of the best of the best for its functionality and convenience. It sports a touchscreen function and its screen looks good in most places. It comes in three forms, the first of which is the Atlas with HD Display which does not have Remote Monitoring but is still extensively useful. The second is the Atlas with Remote Monitoring, and then the last one is a costlier version that combines the two.
The Atlas with HD Display and Remote Monitoring requires you to pay a hundred more dollars than the other two versions which cost about the same amount. But if you have the money and are willing to invest, then the Atlas is among the best home weather stations out there.
Similar to the other AcuRite Wireless Weather Station, the 01512 measures temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. It also has a rain forecast function. While it does not have programmable alarms, it does track the weather around you using a remote sensor. It also has a weather ticker function that updates you in real time.
Unlike the 01036M Wireless Weather Station, the 01512 has full color, is easier to set up, and monitors both indoor and outdoor weather conditions. Additionally, it is easier to use since it lacks all the technicality that the 01036M has. It also has a potent battery life that can last up to 12 hours. It also has a color display, to boot.
The 1022M Pro Weather Station was designed not only to forecast the weather, but to also predict lightning from up to 25 miles away. Just like the previous entry, this one is also a 5-in-1 machine and has a color display. What completes this product is its programmable alarms for lightning and other factors that could possibly lead to rain.
This unit uses a barometer to detect the changes in weather. However, its downfall is its inability to last for a long period of time due to its subpar battery life. Nevertheless, it stands out in terms of accuracy and readability.
A departure from the AcuRite brand, Ambient Weather is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to weather stations. Their brand has become synonymous with high quality and consistency.
One of their flagship products is the WS-2902B WiFi Smart Weather Station, which has an LCD display that you can read easily. Widely hailed as one of the most durable and long-lasting products on the market, the WS-2902B is deeply loved by many. It is also almost entirely wireless and even lets you check UV and solar radiation levels.
To top it all off, it has a long-lasting battery life and top-notch accuracy, even among other good weather stations. Its LCD display also makes what is on the screen easy to read. When it comes to Ambient Weather’s products, a lot of people say that this is the best home weather station.
The WS-1550-IP Smart Weather Station can share the local data that you store and upload it to the Weather Underground network. It also has multiple websites and application integrations. There are also wireless sensors and capabilities for cabled LAN. It is compatible with Alexa as well as Google Assistant.
Apart from these, the WS-1550-IP can also use solar power in place of rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, you could use a USB to charge it.
There is also an optional gadget to measure the air quality in the immediate area of you and your home, called the PM2.5 Air Quality sensor. To complete the whole device, the programmable interface allows you to customize how you can to see real-time data.
The WS-1201-IP Observer is another weather station that can use solar power to its advantage. This weather station has a lot of functionality. It has what Ambient Weather likes to call an “all-in-one sensor” that takes in a lot of factors concerning the climate, including UV as well as solar radiation. It can also be used indoors.
The all-in-one sensor updates itself every fourteen seconds to have the most accurate and up-to-date readings possible. Like the WS-2902B, it also has a fully colored LCD display that is pleasant to look at and does not hurt the eyes. Furthermore, it is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, much like the previous entry. You can also connect the station to IFTTT and control your various electronic appliances even when you are away from home.
Being one of the cheapest and most popular options, the LaCrosse Technology C85845-1 Wireless Forecast Station is a compact gadget that uses a blacklight sensor to do rain forecasts and predict other weather conditions. It is one of the easiest to understand and read for its price level. It is one of the cheapest weather stations on the list, as well as one of the most convenient to use.
Along with all of the aforementioned features, it also has an adjustable backlight. You can also customize the temperature and humidity alters. Although it does not have as many functions, it is the most compact of the bunch and the easiest to use. In its own small way, the C85845-1 Color Wireless is the best home weather station.
The V40A-PRO-INT WiFi is like the big brother of the C85845-1: It has all of the smaller model’s features and then some. It has an illuminated weather display that also has full color and adjustable brightness settings. These settings are also programmable, so you can set it to however bright you need it to be at a certain time.
Like in the previous entry, this one is among the easiest weather stations to use and read. You can also use it as a weather station all on its own or connect it to the internet for extra features. It is also customizable, so you get your money’s worth on it.
Another brand that is highly regarded for its accuracy and durability is Davis Instruments. Their flagship weather station is none other than the 6250 Vantage Vue Wireless Weather Station, which is complete with an Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS). It also has an LCD display and comes with mounting hardware, which makes it a lot easier to install than some others on this list.
It reports not only temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and does rain forecast, but it also records barometric pressure and dew point, as well. Although it is not colored, this home weather station is one of the best home weather stations when it comes to accuracy, so you will not ever be disappointed when buying one of these. Plus, it also tracks moon phases and sunrise and sunset times, and gives you updates on trends in the weather.
The Logia 5-in-1 is among the best of the best home weather stations in terms of accuracy. Similar to the previous entry, it has a mount that you can use for ease of installation. Unlike the previous entry though, it has a full color LED display that makes it easier to see and read. It can also connect to the WiFi and give you live weather updates using the data in weather servers as well, and keeps a bank of data of up to five hundred days. To top it all off, the people who made it have quite the responsive support team that can help you in the event that you have a problem with the device.
The Netatmo Indoor Outdoor Weather Station is the best home weather station on the list in terms of looks. It sports a fashionable French design unlike most other weather stations. Its design may put you off because weather stations do not usually look like it, but do not let that alarm you. While eccentric, it does not lag behind other weather stations in terms of functionality, and it comes at a reasonable price as well.
It has all of the functions that you will ever need, and more. It has a CO2 sensor that can tell you when you need to air out your home. You can also use it as a smart device to control other electronic devices you have. Its indoor and outdoor functionality and excellent looks makes it the most unique weather station on the list.
Another weather station with an uncommon design is the HALOFUN FJ3373. This one has alarms, temperature alerts, and monitors moon cycles, sunrises, and sunsets. The FJ3373 is more than just a simple weather station as it doubles as an alarm clock and calendar. It is like a smartwatch that detects the weather for you as well. Moreover, it also has a colored display that completes the experience. It is also wireless and only requires batteries.
The downside to this one, however, is that its accuracy varies and is often inconsistent. Apart from this issue, the FJ3373 is a solid choice for long-term use and is probably the easiest to use and read of the bunch. Its extra functions also makes it worthy to put on the list.
Another giant in the weather station industry is Oregon Scientific. One of their best sellers, the WMR86NS, is affordable, has plenty of useful features, and lives up to its name of Complete Home Weather Station.
It has a slick and stylish colored backlit LCD display, and can also give you readings on the temperature inside of your home. It is also wireless and can function with AA batteries. It is also complete with atomic time sync and calendar display.
The Best Home Weather Station Is Yours To Judge
All of the abovementioned weather stations are all very viable. Taking the characteristics that have been mentioned in the beginning into account, the responsibility for choosing what weather station suits you best ultimately still lies with you. Too much freedom of choice can occasionally be a problem, as the overabundance of choices can shackle you and overwhelm you. So, the least we can do for you is give you a guide to help you out.