Good and Bad Weather Stations – How to Pick the Weather Station Model That Works for You

When searching for the perfect weather station, there are specific qualities to look for and features that make one device stand out above another.

But It can be overwhelming with all the weather station models and brands out there on the market. There are many options and so much data that factor into choosing your personal weather station.

So, we’re going to go over all the features and qualities to look for before throwing money at a weather station for your home.

The Accuracy of the Weather Station

LaCrosse 5-in-1 Professional Wireless Weather Station

The most important quality of a good weather station is the accuracy. You can’t always depend on the accuracy advertised by the brand but you do want to pay attention to the range the brand promises.

It’ll at least give you can get an idea of what the accuracy is supposed to be.

Always read reviews on the weather station model you’re interested in. People are blunt on the internet and that includes giving customer reviews.

So, if there are more people praising the model’s accuracy versus those who had difficulty with it, it’s safe to say it’s probably a pretty accurate model.

Do research on the brand too. There are some big well-known brands in the personal weather station industry that have a history of quality and accuracy.

That doesn’t mean the smaller brands don’t have anything to offer. Just do your research before you buy.

 Once you purchase your weather station, test it yourself. Compare it to your local meteorologists’ findings on television or online. Your local weather channel may not measure data that completely coincides with your device given that every area has its own microclimate. However if they have vastly different temperature, humidity or rainfall readings then faster you check it, the faster it is to return if there are any issues with the accuracy.

Installation of the Weather Station

Davis Weather Stations

Check out the installation of the weather station you’re thinking about buying. This could make or break you buying the model.

If you’re a newbie to personalized weather stations, it will be better for you to find one that is easy to install.

Most newer weather station models have a really simple setup. All you have to do is place your sensors where you want them and turn on your console.

They’ll automatically connect to each other.

Other weather stations can be harder to set up with confusing instructions. If you’re more advanced, this might be easy for you. Some high-quality weather stations are a bit confusing.

The Construction of the Weather Station

Best Home Weather Stations Reviews

The construction is very important, particularly when it comes to the weather sensors.

You want your weather sensors made of a tough and rugged material and not cheap plastic. Depending on where you live, your sensors are going to go through extreme weather conditions from high humidity, large amounts of rainfall to blizzards.

There are great plastic sensors out there, they’re just made of a heavy-duty plastic that’s made to last. The more sturdy the exterior the better it can withstand the constant solar radiation, extreme temperatures, and severe weather without breaking down.

Pay attention to those that are labeled rust-proof or they have a coating to protect them from corrosion. Those are always bonus qualities of a long-lasting sensor.

A Backup Power Option for the Weather Station

Believe it or not, but backup power is important to save your data, especially if you live in a rural area. Consider the weather conditions that you experience and determine what sort of battery life you may need.

Storms or just a simple accident can cut your power out. You never know what could happen. Some devices will lose all of their data without the use of backup power.

So, it helps if your display or console has a battery pack instead of only running on AC power. That way if the electricity goes out, you can still run your console.

Most newer weather station sensors run on solar energy by using solar panels. Then the extra solar energy they’ve consumed is put back to use during night time.

But if the solar panels stop working on your device, you’re going to want a battery pack for backup power.

The Display of the Weather Station

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Like with the installation, you want to determine how difficult the console or display is to use because it’s important to be able to navigate the console and the sensors to have access to your data.

The more advanced consoles can be tricky if you don’t know a lot about the inner workings of the weather.

If you’re not advanced, look for a weather station that’s more on the simple side until you learn how to navigate it and learn a bit more about what’s going on. Look for a device or model that only measures a few variables such as wind, temperature, and humidity.

One feature that many find particularly helpful is having a wireless console.

Another thing to consider when it comes to a display is if it’s a tablet screen or a simple LCD screen. The tablet displays are easier to use and more fun!

After time, the numbers start to fade on LCD screens or glitch.

The Connectivity of the Weather Station

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There are a lot of weather station models that don’t connect to the internet but they have memory that lets them store data for up to a year so you can view the changes throughout that year.

If you only want to compare a year’s worth of weather data, you don’t need to worry about your wi-fi network connectivity.

However, if you want to watch data changes over a longer period of time, you’ll want to look into a weather station that has connectivity to the internet.

The brands of these models usually have their own online database or software that you connect to and upload the data. These programs usually have apps you can view on your cell phone too.

The Sensors Included With the Weather Station

5-in-1-Sensor

When picking out a weather station model, you need to decide what sensors you want to use.

If you want a simple weather station, there are plenty of cheaper options that only have a sensor that reads the temperature and humidity.

The pricier and more advanced weather stations include sensors that can read dew point, heat index, rainfall, air pressure, wind speed, and wind direction.

Some let you add sensors to the system that you purchase later. Say your weather station only came with a temperature and humidity reader but it allows you to connect 2 more sensors. So you can buy a rain gauge a month later and connect it to your console.

What You Want To Measure

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Most models and devices measure the typical information such as outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, humidity, amount of rainfall, and wind direction.

There are many more advanced home weather stations that will measure barometric pressure, dew point, windspeed, link to the current forecast, etc.

Make sure you know what you want to measure before purchasing your personal weather station.

The Bottom Line

We hope this buyers guide helps you purchase a high-quality weather station model that’s perfect for your needs.