Solar/Batteries/AC (optional sensors vary) No (WeatherLink required for Internet Connectivity) Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, dew point, and rainfall, with optional air quality, soil moisture, and solar radiation and UV sensors But it's worth the money if you’d like to track more than the standard weather measurements. Now at $450, it is pretty expensive, even with longer-range connectivity between the station and your sensors. At one point, this station was just $300, making it a bargain. The biggest thing going against the WS-5000 is its price. All the sensors I tested were accurate, although all the optional sensors require batteries, so that’s something to keep in mind. While it doesn’t include a lightning detector in the base package, you can add one and a half-dozen other optional sensors. The Ambient Weather WS-5000 is one of the most fully featured weather stations on the market. Temperature, solar radiation and UV, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, dew point, and rainfall, optional lightning, air quality, soil moisture, leak detector, waterproof probe, and additional temperature/humidity sensors The recommendations below are the stations that performed the best and offered the best value. I look for connectivity that allows your weather station to become a part of your smart home. Those stations that score highest in both areas are then compared in feature set, ease of use, and value. In addition to my reviews, I consider customer reviews and other professional reviews of the products to ensure our experiences match other weather station owners. All of these units are tested in a similar environment on the same mast for up to a month to ensure each one experiences varied weather conditions. As scientific instruments, accuracy and reliability are my main areas of focus when reviewing each station. I’ve tested over a dozen weather stations over the past decade, including both budget and high-end models. How We Selected These Home Weather Stations If possible, keep it away from HVAC vents and damp spots to avoid skewing the interior temperature and humidity data its sensors collect. For similar reasons, avoid placing a sensor too close to trees, nearby buildings, other structures, or irrigation systems.īe mindful of where you put your indoor console. Check your station’s instructions for the specific size needed.Ī mast in the middle of an open space is better than attaching your all-in-one sensor to an eave or elsewhere on your roof, which can temper wind gusts, radiate heat, and create splashes during heavy rainfall. While not uniform across all stations, generally the mast will need to be between 1 inch to 1.5 inches in diameter. This height is the sweet spot for temperature and rain gauge, though it’s well below the recommended 32.8 feet (10 meters) for an anemometer.ĭepending on the model, you will likely need to mount the station on top of a mast, which you will need to purchase separately. Find an open area on your lawn and secure the sensor suite between four and six feet above the ground for the best results. Selecting where to install your weather station’s sensor is one of the most important things you can do to ensure accurate data collection. Our tests have shown that sensor accuracy increases as price increases. While there are some exceptions, the adage of getting what you pay for tends to apply here. In most cases, cheap weather stations are noticeably less accurate than mid or high-range models. You can use your weather data to trigger these devices, such as turning the lights on inside the house when it gets dark outside. If you have smart home technology around the house, I strongly recommend purchasing a home weather station that is smart home compatible. Wind speed and direction data may be useful if you have an obstruction-free area on your property to place your station others offer UV and solar energy data or lightning detection. These are the basics, and some stations can measure much more than just these. I recommend looking for stations that measure the following: Weather stations can monitor many weather conditions, but what they measure varies from model to model. What to Consider When Shopping for a Home Weather Station I also run The Weather Station Experts, a weather gadget reviews blog. My weather station reviews have appeared on TechHive and Digital Trends, and I have personally tested every station I recommend in my reviews. As an adult, I’ve combined my professional life – a technology journalist – with my passion for the weather to review weather stations and gadgets. Show more The Expert: I’ve been a weather enthusiast since I was a child.
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