We’re bombarded with the weather on almost every screen we look at, from smartwatches and phones to computers (and even some smart fridges and bathroom scales). But if you want a truly personal look at the weather and a heads up when things are about to go south, a home weather station could be the answer.
It’ll give you a live feed of data from your backyard, which, if you are a farmer or live in a storm-prone area, can give you valuable time when bad weather is on the way. Even if you live where the weather is pretty steady, the amount of data you can collect with a home weather station is truly fascinating to look at, especially using the smart apps many of them can use.
With its 10 sensors packed into a small, reasonably-priced package, the Ambient Weather WS-2902 is our best overall pick. It did everything well enough, making this model easy to pick as the one to get.
Best Overall
Ambient Weather WS-2902 WiFi Smart Weather Station
Multiple features
Solid value
Wi-Fi connectivity
Complicated setup
Build quality
It’s not perfect, but we think its large sensor array will meet the needs of any weather enthusiast. You can get data on wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, solar radiation, and UV. Inside, you get indoor temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
Crucially, that sensor data is not only available for display on the slightly rubbish LCD. Thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s available on nearly any device you own and is even compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. We love the connectivity and accessibility here. The weather app collects weather data for analysis, and you can store the data for further analysis if that’s your thing. Otherwise, the LCD will give you a solid picture of the weather around your home.
Display: LCD | Humidity: Yes | Wind: Yes | Rainfall: Yes | Barometric Pressure: Yes
On paper, the Ambient Weather WS-2902A Osprey weather system seems like the perfect budget alternative to much pricier weather stations. Unfortunately, its interesting aesthetics do not translate to build quality, especially in terms of materials. The plastic feels very cheap and not very durable.
If simplicity is what you are after, the La Crosse Technology C85845V3 is aimed at you. You’ll get indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity, and animated forecast icons on the LCD screen, which is color-coded and large enough to easily read from across the room.
Best Budget
La Crosse Technology C85845-INT Weather Station
Easy setup
Good value
Only takes basic measurements
The weather station doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that others do, but it has automatic time correction, daylight saving time, alarms, and temperature zone alerts.
In a nutshell, it’s a basic device but has just enough data so you can easily plan your day around the weather.
Display: LCD | Humidity: Yes | Wind: No | Rainfall: No | Barometric Pressure: No
This 5-in-1 station will give you access to the outside temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and rain. If you have a long day coming up, the station can provide a 24-hour forecast. Its LCD is easy to read from across the room, too.
Best 5-in-1
AcuRite 01528 Wireless Weather Station
5-in-1
12- to 24-hour forecasting
Setup is easy
Durability is questionable
Display: LCD | Humidity: Yes | Wind: Yes | Rainfall: Yes | Barometric Pressure: No
The Vantage View 6250 has near real-data transfer from the station to the LCD, so it will literally be live readings as you look at the display.
Best for Farmers
Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250 Wireless Weather Station
Great accuracy
Awesome range
Durable
No Wi-Fi
Expensive
Old-school design
The Vantage View could also be called the Vintage View based on its dated design and the fact the station does not hook up to the internet out of the box. Still, it’s a solid unit with the looks of when products used to be more reliable (and less flashy).
This weather station is also quite expensive compared to some of the competition. You’re paying for quality, but less serious hobbyists may do better with less expensive hardware.
This weather station consists of a display console and integrated sensor suite (ISS), and they’re both built with durability in mind more than aesthetics.
If you are weather-curious but budget-conscious, the AcuRite 00589 is one to consider. While its data is not as spot-on as the more expensive units on this list and it lacks a rain sensor, the model is far less expensive than many others.
Best 3-in-1
AcuRite 00589 Pro Color Weather Station
Good value
Setup is easy
Poor viewing angles
Missing some key metrics
Unlike many more expensive weather stations, this unit uses standard AA batteries and doesn’t have a solar panel to help keep them charged up.
The display is slightly odd—it’s claimed to be color but is actually a basic two-tone screen with a multicolored static background. The viewing angles are also poor, so you need to be looking at it straight on.
Display: LCD | Humidity: Yes | Wind: Yes | Rainfall: No | Barometric Pressure: Yes
The Pro Color 00589 has a single sensor head that incorporates all of its outdoor sensors. This isn’t ideal, as you typically don’t want to take measurements like temperature and wind speed in the same location or elevation. Setting up the AcuRite Pro Color 00589 is just about as easy as it could possibly be.
If you know for sure you want an amazing weather station, then stop right here. Just click the link to buy the Davis Instruments 6153 Vantage Pro 2. 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, too.
Best Splurge
Davis Instruments 6153 Vantage Pro2
Transmits up to 1,000 feet
Expandable
Good build quality
Optional subscription
Archaic design
Expensive
We don’t love the fact that Davis Instruments charges for data to be sent to the internet, but if it’s enough to say this is the best, then we’ll say it again: This is the best weather station you can buy.
Display: LED | Humidity: Yes | Wind: Yes | Rainfall: Yes | Barometric Pressure: Yes
This Logia 5-in-1 (wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall) weather station is a bit frustrating. So much of this unit is really good: very accurate data, and data is pushed to the cloud and then accessible via free iOS or Android apps.
Best Precision
Logia LOWSC510WB 5-in-1 Weather Station
Setup is easy
Bright display
Accurate measurements
Setup instructions unclear
But the data is synced slower than some others on this list, and apparently getting Wi-Fi set up is more trouble than it should be. If you don’t mind some potential troubleshooting, you’ll be rewarded with accurate data on its display and whichever mobile device you want.
The Netatmo Weather Station reminds us of one of those products that does NOT look like any other in its category. So much so you can identify it from far away (like the Volkswagen Beetle, for example).
Best Design
Netatmo Weather Station
Gorgeous design
Superior accuracy
Good software
Expandability
Limited included instrumentation
Pricey
Slow app refreshes
No display (requires an app)
So what’s the summary on the Netatmo? You’ll get accurate data 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. And, to get what many would consider basic functions of rain and wind reports, you have to pay extra. Oh, and the data sometimes takes 10 minutes to sync.
The Netatmo Personal Weather Station is a decent model with accurate readings, but, as is, it lacks the features and instruments to make a case for its rather exorbitant price tag—even though it does look great.
Display: LCD | Humidity: Yes | Wind: No | Rainfall: No | Barometric Pressure: Yes
The system comprises two sleek cylinders with matte grey finishes, and, at first glance, the units resemble relatives of the first-generation Echo Plus.
What to Look for in a Home Weather Station
Durability
Because your weather monitor is intended to measure all sorts of conditions, you’ll need an outdoor sensor that can stand up to even the snowiest storms. Look for one that has rugged features, like casing for protection from cyclic erosion or moisture. Also, check on the warranty, as some companies will reimburse you if the product doesn’t live up to its promises.
Transmission Distance
The setup of your weather station can be crucial to its accuracy. Most importantly, it needs to sit within a certain distance of the display. Standard sensors usually work within 330 feet, but more premium models have a transmission distance of up to 1,000 feet away. It’s important to keep transmission distance in mind when shopping for a weather station.
Another important consideration is that transmission distance is generally advertised in clear, line-of-sight conditions. 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. Also, bear in mind, some sensors should not be mounted in areas that receive direct sunlight, while still others require mounting in direct sunlight.
Connectivity
Why Trust Lifewire
Meredith Popolo is a Stockholm-based writer specializing in consumer technology designed to streamline users’ lives, including home weather stations.
- How difficult is installing a home weather station?
- This depends. Some weather stations barely need any installation at all. However, more complicated stations like the Davis Instruments 6153 have a variety of instrumentation and masts that require a more substantial amount of setup. Furthermore, mast-based sensors may require that you have permission from a specific property before installation.
- Does your home weather station need access to Wi-Fi?
- If you want to remotely access readouts from your weather station, you should ensure that it has a relatively clear and stable connection to your home network. This network connection isn’t always necessary. Some home weather sensors have built-in LCD panels that can provide up-to-date information without the need for internet connectivity.
- Why should you have a weather station?
- If you live in an area that’s prone to hazardous weather conditions, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, home weather stations can provide you with an advance warning far faster than a local weather forecast can, especially if you live in a more rural area.Beyond providing a heads up against dangerous weather patterns, home weather stations can give you localized data on humidity and rainfall if you’re an avid gardener. For others, monitoring the weather is a fun hobby.Measuring rainfall and wind direction can be a fascinating look into your local meteorology. You can even contribute that data to a number of crowd-sourced weather services like Weather Underground.
This depends. Some weather stations barely need any installation at all. However, more complicated stations like the Davis Instruments 6153 have a variety of instrumentation and masts that require a more substantial amount of setup. Furthermore, mast-based sensors may require that you have permission from a specific property before installation.
If you want to remotely access readouts from your weather station, you should ensure that it has a relatively clear and stable connection to your home network. This network connection isn’t always necessary. Some home weather sensors have built-in LCD panels that can provide up-to-date information without the need for internet connectivity.
If you live in an area that’s prone to hazardous weather conditions, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, home weather stations can provide you with an advance warning far faster than a local weather forecast can, especially if you live in a more rural area.
Andy Zahn is a writer specializing in tech. He’s reviewed cameras, weather stations, noise-canceling headphones, and more for Lifewire.
Jeremy Laukkonen is a tech writer and the creator of a popular blog and video game startup. He is a consumer technology expert and reviewed some of the home weather stations on this list.
Dallon Adams is a Portland, Oregon-based tech writer who specializes in consumer technology. He reviewed the Netatmo Weather Station on our list.
Adam Doud has been writing in the technology space for almost a decade. When he’s not hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast, he’s playing with the latest phones, tablets, and laptops. When not working, he’s a cyclist, geocacher, and spends as much time outside as he can.
