Best Simple Weather Station: ThermoPro TP62 Digital Wireless Hygrometer 

Sometimes simpler is better.

When it comes to weather stations, most folks want to know two key facts: what’s the temperature outside? The humidity?

For good measure, it’s also to know the temperature and humidity inside as well. Bonus: maximum and minimum values in the last 24 hours is helpful . . . that is, what was the low temperature last night?

For the best simple weather station that measures temperature and humidity, we’d recommend the ThermoPro TP62—it’s reliable, accurate and affordable. Plus we found it easy to use. 

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Easy to set up. You mount the outdoor wireless sensor (batteries included) in a shaded, north-facing place. Bonus: try to get the sensor away from buildings, as this may bias the reading.

• Easy to read 3.3″ backlit display.

• Control buttons on front of unit are easy to use.

• Can add up to 3 more outdoor sensors (for a greenhouse, garage or chicken coop). 

• Trend arrows show if temp/humidity is rising or falling.

• 24 hour maximum and minimum readings are stored.

What Needs Work

• Monochrome display hard to read in direct sunlight.

• No barometric pressure. As any weather enthusiasts will tell you, knowing the temperature and humidity is nice . . . but barometric air pressure is a good indicator of whether a storm is coming. If you want a station that adds that feature, consider this next recommendation.

Best Old School Weather Station: Ambient Weather YG315 Cherry Finish Dial Traditional Weather Station

Traditional dial weather stations have one major advantage over those new-fangled digital weather stations—they never run out of battery power.

And dials are easy to read . . . a simple glance shows you the weather readings.

If you want to go old school, we’d recommend the Ambient Weather station, a three-dial weather station for temperature, humidity and air pressure. We liked the handsome look with brass-finished dials mounted on a wood base with cherry lacquer finish. Looks sharp!

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

• Measures temperature, humidity and air pressure.

• No batteries required.

• Barometer can be adjusted with screw at back for higher elevations.

What Needs Work

• Temperature scale could be more compact. This indoor thermometer goes from -40 to 140 degrees. That’s odd for an INDOOR thermometer—is it really going to be warmer than 100 degrees inside a house? Or less than zero?

• Not recommended for altitudes above 3000 feet. 

Best Color Weather Station: ThermoPro TP68B 500ft Weather Station

Gorgeous yet easy on the wallet, this is model from ThermoPro focuses on temperature (indoor/outdoor), humidity and barometric pressure. And wow, is that display amazing.

We like this brand’s reputation for accuracy. Yes, there are other color weather stations out there, but accuracy counts when it comes to weather stations—at least in our book.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Wireless outdoor sensor measures temperature and humidity.

• Beautiful color display has three adjustable backlight settings.

• Barometer helps predict weather with various forecast icons.

• USB charger.

• Can add two additional outdoor sensors (for a greenhouse, etc.).

• Trend arrows track whether temp/humidity is rising or falling. That’s a nice feature other weather stations often omit.

What Needs Work

• Be careful not to place the sensor near buildings. That can bias the temperature readings, thanks to heat escaping from the building. The best place to put the sensor is in a shaded, northern exposure space that is about four feet from the ground.

Best Weather Station Splurge: Davis Instruments 6250 Vantage Vue Wireless Weather Station

Davis Instruments is to weather stations what Apple is to smartphones—they set the standard for accuracy and reliability.

Now, you’ll note this station is definitely a splurge . . . there are plenty of less expensive models out there.

However, if you are buying a weather station for a weather enthusiast, accuracy counts. Those super inexpensive models often struggle to give accurate readings, especially with wind and temperature readings.

This Davis station, the Vantage Vue, has an excellent track record, as it has been on the market for several years . . . and has been battle tested.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Easy to install. This station has an integrated sensor suite—temp, humidity, wind speed/direction and rainfall.

• Accurate.

• Wireless. The sensors connect with the LCD console via a remote connection that works up to 100 feet.

• Self-emptying rain gauge.

• Updates every 2.5 seconds.

• Sensors are solar powered.

• Backlit display is easy to read. The keypad glows in the dark!

• Radiation shield helps provide more accurate temperature readings.

• Smartphone app available.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

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