If you're covered by a tree canopy or regularly experience dreary, rainy days, a battery-powered model will be more reliable.Ĭonnectivity: Some home weather stations can connect to the internet, which has a two-fold bonus. Before selecting a model, consider how much sun your home gets. Power source: Most weather stations are wireless, relying on battery or solar power to keep them running.
Consult product spec sheets for information on the machine's margin of error, guides like ours that rely on rigorous real-time tests, and user reviews. If you're ready to become your family's dedicated meteorologist, there are a few things you need to know when shopping:Īccuracy: By far the most important feature, but the hardest to measure. These picks are based on our comprehensive knowledge from testing, as well as supplemental road tests and reviewing newer versions of tried and tested favorites: So how do you separate the best from the mediocre? And does price always equate to quality? Here, we've rounded up the standouts based on top Lab tested brands, highly reviewed models, and industry expertise. We also look at durability (does the unit survive three-foot drops? Do they sensors hold up to driving rain?) and extra features, like comfort level indicators and additional sensors.
atomic clock and meticulously recording the humidity and temperature in our lab using humidity and temperature meters, then comparing that to the temperature and humidity readings on the weather stations. For weeks, we track both the time and the weather, comparing time against the U.S. In tests, we evaluate everything from ease of setup - including placing sensors and programming local information like date and time - to accuracy. The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests home weather stations with a range of functionality at both high and low price points. All are compact enough to sit on a tabletop, though you may choose to mount yours on a wall for easier viewing. Though powerful, these gadgets are rather small. Most use strategically placed sensors posted outside your home to capture readings, and may display everything from the outdoor temperature and humidity level to wind speeds and rainfall amounts. Personal weather stations are handy gadgets for giving you an up-to-the-minute snapshot of what's happening right outside your door - not wherever your local weather station is. For the most detailed information right at your fingertips, there's another powerful tool you can add to your space: A home weather station. Alternative 12Vdc may be Customer supplied.Need to know if rain is going to, well, rain on your parade? There's an app for that - but that little weather prediction tool can only tell you so much about the environment around you. Sensor assemblies utilise anodised aluminium alloy, stainless steel, nylon, injection moulded polypropylene anemometer cups.Ĭompass provided to align wind sensor arm to North and sunshine sensor to SouthĢ20 – 240Vac 50Hz or 110Vac 60Hz moulded plug-in power supply unit. Remaining sensors wall or post mounted (see installation details with product) Data cable lengthĢ5m standard pre-wired (additional cable lengths are available when ordering). Roof-mounted wind speed and direction sensor, temperature sensor, sunshine duration sensor with mounting clamps for easy installation on mast diameter 25 – 50mm. Relative Humidity and dew point readings are taken from chart provided. LCD digital read-out with humidity sensor fitted with radiation screen. LCD digital read-out in 0.01 hour increments LCD digital read-out in 0.01mm increments LCD digital read-out in degrees F or C, max/min selectable via push buttons Analogue read-out 4 cardinal points sub-divided into 5 degree increments, electronicallyĪnalogue read-out with gust indicator pointer, calibrated 0-90 mph, 0-80 knots and Beaufort scale.Īlternative kph and metres/second scales are available (see Model Numbers )Īnalogue read-out with set pointer reset, range 950 -1050 mBar (28 -31 inches Hg)