The 10 Best Home Weather Stations of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Looking for a reliable home weather station that fits your needs? We tested a range of weather stations to see how well they measured temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure, and more.

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.

We also interviewed broadcast meteorologist Cheryl Nelson, owner of Prepare With Cher, who gave her professional advice for these home devices. Some shoppers may be surprised to learn that there are gaps between official weather reporting stations. “There are numerous microclimates [across the US], meaning that the weather can vary—sometimes significantly—within a few miles of separate locations.” To solve this, an at-home weather station is able to fill those gaps to provide users with the best data for their immediate area.

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

Before testing, Nelson also gave us some expert advice on how to install a home weather station. To avoid inaccurate readings due to warmer air temperatures close to pavements/traffic, “don’t place them too low to the ground near the blacktop/pavement.” We kept this in mind during our hands-on testing.

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 be installed 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.

Best Overall

Ambient Weather WS-2902C WiFi Home Weather Station

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Product Specs

• Wi-Fi capable: Yes, 2.4 GHz required
• Power source: Solar-powered array with battery backup
• Weather conditions monitored: Wind speed and direction, temperature, rainfall, barometric pressure, humidity, windchill, heat index, UV ray intensity

Pros

• Compatible with Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice control and hands-free operation
• Solar-powered, providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective energy source
• Wi-Fi remote access enables convenient monitoring and data access from anywhere
• Provides multiple useful readings, including temperature, humidity, and more

Cons

• Backup batteries not included with purchase

For a home weather station that goes above and beyond, consider this Alexa-compatible model from Ambient Weather. In addition to the basics like temperature, date, time, and precipitation, the WS-2902C shows wind speed and direction, humidity, ultraviolet (UV) and solar radiation, heat index, windchill, and dew point on its easy-to-read LCD. Because it’s solar-powered with backup battery power (AAA batteries not included), you needn’t worry about losing power.

In terms of remote access, the WS-2902C can transmit data over the internet with Wi-Fi connectivity. The sensor has seven different points to measure the elements accurately (mounting pole not included).

The Ambient Weather’s user manual details every connection step. After assembling the sensor array outdoors, we powered up the indoor console and followed the directions to sync it to the array. We mounted the weather station on a pole, then manually set the date and time. This is a WiFi-compatible model, and it easily synced with our home wireless network.

To record accurate wind direction, we used a downloadable compass app to orient the weather station to true north. But when incorrect wind direction readings came in, we reoriented the array using a highly accurate surveying compass. After installing and configuring all the weather station’s features, we collected the data (wind speed, direction, and windchill) and compared it with the data from a nearby official weather station. The Ambient Weather array proved very close to the official station’s recordings.

We set up a temporary online account at Weather Underground and encountered no difficulties uploading the data to the web. In sum, we found that this weather station is straightforward to install (for someone with network knowledge), produces accurate weather data, and allows you to publish local weather data online.

Get the Ambient Weather home weather station atAmazon, Wayfair, or Walmart.

Runner-Up

Davis Instruments 6250 Vantage Vue Weather Station

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Product Specs 

• Wi-Fi capable: Yes
• Power source: Solar-powered array with battery-powered console
• Weather conditions monitored: Wind speed and direction, temperature, rainfall, barometric pressure, humidity, dew point

Pros

• Simple and straightforward setup process reduces installation time and effort
• Compact and space-saving design allows for flexible placement
• Remote transmission range of up to 1,000 feet for convenient use

Cons

• Mounting pole not included; requires an additional purchase
• Hub and data-logging software sold separately, adding to the overall cost

Those wanting a variety of accurate information from a compact home weather station will want to look into the 6250 Vantage Vue from Davis Instruments. This self-contained home weather station features a mountable integrated sensor similar to a

weather vane

with a smaller LCD. It purports to wirelessly transmit data up to 1,000 feet and updates every 2.5 seconds for the most accurate readings.

In addition to measuring the temperature, this unit also displays humidity, barometric pressure, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall.It also shows the moon phases, sunset and sunrise times, forecast, and a graph of weather trends. Solar-powered with the ability to store energy for use when natural light is minimal, this home weather station is durable, easy to install, and has remote-access capabilities. Mounting hardware is included, but the mounting pole is sold separately.

In tests, the Vantage Vue was easy to set up, but it didn’t come with data logger software or the data collection hub necessary to publish data on an internet weather service. We already had the hub and software for the Vantage Pro2 Davis Instruments weather station (see below), so we used that to connect the Vantage Vue.

We tested the Vantage Vue on the road and at home. First, we mounted it to a magnetic automobile roof stand (not included) and attached it to the top of our vehicle. We kept the display console inside the car. In addition to Wi-Fi, the Vantage Vue communicates with its console via Bluetooth, so we drove around and monitored weather conditions in different locations. This is the type of setup used by

amateur storm chasers

, and if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s tough to beat this weather array.

Back home, we synced the Vantage Vue to our Wi-Fi router via our Davis Instruments hub and aligned the station to true north using a surveying compass. We calibrated the rainfall collection cup following the step-by-step directions in the manual. After that, creating an account on Weather Underground and uploading the data to the internet was simple. When compared to the local weather data, the Vantage Vue weather data was nearly identical (a slight discrepancy is natural). This high-end personal weather station offers everything needed for the budding meteorologist.

Get the Davis Instruments Vantage Vue home weather station at Walmartor WeatherShack. 

Best Bang for the Buck

Newentor Q3 Wireless Atomic 7.5-Inch Weather Station

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Product Specs 

• Wi-Fi capable: No
• Power source: Battery and plug-in
• Weather conditions monitored: Temperature, humidity

Pros

• Offers an affordable option for those on a tight budget
• Simple and user-friendly interface for easy navigation and use
• Large 7.5-inch display screen is easy to read from a distance; ideal for large outdoor areas

Cons

• Not designed to be rain- or sunproof, requiring sheltered placement to avoid damage

Those with large yards or multiple outdoor spaces to monitor should consider this home weather station from Newentor. With the ability to connect to three different outdoor sensors (only one is included), it can monitor temperature and weather conditions in multiple areas at once. Sensors should not be placed in direct sunlight or exposed to precipitation—under a protected eave is a good location.

This home weather station’s large, colorful, easy-to-read display shows both the outdoor and indoor temperature as well as

humidity

, time and date, moon phase, barometric pressure, and forecast. It offers a USB port for charging devices and the ability to customize alerts. The frost-alert function calculates temperature and humidity levels to predict when frost will occur.

Setting up the Newentor is quick and straightforward. We inserted two AA batteries into the outdoor sensor unit and plugged in the display console. Within seconds, the sensor was transmitting data. The Newentor transmission range is advertised as “up to 200 feet,” but in our tests, it exceeded that, and we could transmit data up to 220 feet. Its temperature and humidity readings were both accurate.

The unit also offers a weather forecast, but unlike some models that depend on GPS location to generate a prediction, the Newentor uses barometric pressure to forecast the coming 12 to 24 hours. Though not as accurate as a professional weather service, it’s pretty handy when prepping to be out for the day. This is an atomic model, yet the display recognized the time and date in just a few seconds, and once it did so, the moon phase popped up too. This is a simple but fun weather monitor for those who want accurate readings without the extra fuss of a wireless model.

Get the Newentor home weather station at Amazon or Newentor. 

Best Midrange

AcuRite Iris 5-in-1 Home Weather Station

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Product Specs 

• Wi-Fi capable: No
• Power source: Solar-powered array with battery backup; battery-powered console
• Weather conditions monitored: Wind speed and direction, temperature, rainfall, barometric pressure, humidity

Pros

• Features a large and easy-to-read display for convenient weather monitoring
• Measures rainfall, providing comprehensive and accurate precipitation data
• Provides accurate wind data, allowing for better weather forecasting and planning

Cons

• Mounting holes in the base are undersized; may require drilling to fit certain poles

Measuring temperature, wind speed and direction, rainfall, and humidity, this solar-powered model uses a fan on the sensor to report on weather conditions throughout the day. Indoors, a colorful display shows the forecast, moon phase, and “feels like” temperature in addition to the actual outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, and humidity. While this is not a complex Wi-Fi model and only monitors the basics, it lets you see historical data, including the highest and lowest temperatures for the previous week as well as a week of rainfall data. Unlike some stations, its sensor can be placed in direct sunlight, and it also features self-emptying cups to measure rainfall.

After inserting batteries in both the sensor array and the display console (eight AA batteries total, although an optional AC plug is included), we tested the Bluetooth range of the AcuRite Iris by having one person hold the array and walk away while the other person monitored the display. At just over 120 feet, the console stopped receiving a signal—hardly the 330 feet advertised but still a decent range.

We then mounted the AcuRite Iris and leveled it using the handy bubble level on the top. After orienting the array to true north using a surveying compass, we compared temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction data to that of the nearby official weather station, and the results were good.

One pesky downside to the AcuRite Iris is the undersized holes in the mounting base that accommodate very narrow screws, and since no screws came with the unit, a special trip to the hardware store was in order. All in all, however, this is a nice little Bluetooth weather station with an impressive enhanced display console.

Get the AcuRite Iris home weather station at Amazon, AcuRite, or Walmart. 

Most Accurate

Davis Instruments 6152 Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

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Product Specs 

• Wi-Fi capable: Yes
• Power source: Solar-powered array with battery backup; battery-powered/plug-in console
• Weather conditions monitored: Wind speed and direction, temperature, rainfall, barometric pressure, humidity, dew point, windchill, heat index

Pros

• Updates frequently, between every 2.5 seconds and 1 minute depending on the condition
• Measures several weather points, including windchill and heat index
• R