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5 Best Home Weather Stations Under $100


Most recommended
La Crosse Technology C85845-1 Color
  • 8.98 x 1 x 5.43 inches
  • Battery Powered
  • 12 ounces
A good choice too
La Crosse Technology 308-1414B-INT
  • Style: Station
  • La Crosse Technology
  • LCD
A good choice too
AcuRite 02081M Weather Station
  • Brand AcuRite
  • Battery Powered
  • 1 inches
AcuRite Color Weather Station Forecaster
  • Brand AcuRite
  • Battery Powered
  • LCD
La Crosse Technology S82967-INT Wireless
  • La Crosse Technology
  • 3.77 x 1.14 x 7.01
  • Battery Powered

Choose the Best Home Weather Station Under $100

Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Home Weather Stations Under $100

24 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!

16.67% of users selected La Crosse Technology C85845-1 Color, 62.50% selected La Crosse Technology 308-1414B-INT, 8.33% selected AcuRite 02081M Weather Station, 8.33% selected AcuRite Color Weather Station Forecaster and 4.17% selected La Crosse Technology S82967-INT Wireless. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

The weather can change quickly and without warning. It is important to be prepared for the worst, especially if you live in an area that often experiences severe storms, heavy snowfall, or extreme temperatures. Luckily there are many home weather stations on the market today that will help you stay ahead of any dangerous weather! This article provides a detailed review of five of the best home weather stations under $100 so you can find one that fits your needs perfectly!

La Crosse Technology C85845-1

The La Crosse Technology C85845-1 is the ultimate in functionality. It has a comfortable level color bar that lets your eye expertly know when you should be abandoning your outdoor activity for indoor comfort.

And finally, it also houses an atomic clock for accurate timekeeping and perfect daylight savings time adjustment without having to set anything manually! The C86445-1 will show how much hotter or colder your day is going to get at a glance – so you can decide whether it’s worth bringing sunscreen or risking being underprepared this morning.

Pros
  • Сustomizable alerts
  • Self-setting accurate atomic time
  • Large easy to read display
  • Comfortable level color bar

Cons
  • Not as accurate in windy conditions

La Crosse Technology 308-1414B-INT

Whether you’re looking to measure the altitude in your bedroom or the humidity in your living room, this multifunctional weather monitor can help you track conditions indoors and outside.

A wireless outdoor thermometer that wirelessly records temperatures for two different areas of one home. Temperature alerts make it easy to keep an eye on how hot it gets inside or out without having to constantly check. You’ll never wonder what’s happening with accuracy!

Pros
  • Accurate
  • Wireless
  • Easy-to-read
  • Comes with a wireless outdoor thermometer

Cons
  • No wind speed
  • Thermometer readings are less accurate during the night

AcuRite 02081M Weather Station

The accurate weather station is simple and easy to set up. The screen has large digits for optimal viewing, making it perfect for indoor or outdoor use.

It’s powered by an AC adapter with battery backup that makes the powerless of a worry while providing accurate forecasts all day long thanks to its atomic clock technology and patented self-calibrating forecasting technologies. With this product, there are no more guessing games about whether you’ll need your umbrella tomorrow morning – the 12/24 hour forecast can give you 14 different icons to help plan the day ahead at a glance. There’s maybe one drawback: how depressing it must be when those sunny days (you know, like today) still show as cloudy on the forecast!

Pros
  • Easy to read
  • Self-calibrating
  • Atomic clock technology
  • Strong wireless range up to 330 feet

Cons
  • Short battery life
  • Рard to read in low light

AcuRite 02077 Color Weather Station Forecaster

AcuRite 02077 Color Weather Station Forecaster is the perfect addition to your home’s technology and the perfect way to stay updated on even the slightest changes in climate.

With its easy-to-view display and adjustable dimmer, you’ll never be left in the dark when it comes to impending storm alerts or weather patterns. The smart remote sensor with a 12-hour forecast takes care of all hyperlocal data from outside so you can rest assured that your home’s outdoor needs are being taken care of as well as that inside. Plus, never worry about changing seasons again after adjusting for daylight saving time automatically! It really does have everything a busy homeowner could ask for-even a clock on a handy design.

Pros
  • Easy to read
  • Adjustable display
  • Smart remote sensor
  • Clock included on the design

Cons
  • Can be difficult to set up
  • Not the most aesthetically pleasing design

La Crosse Technology S82967-INT Wireless Digital Personal Weather Station

The La Crosse Technology S82967-INT Wireless Digital Personal Weather Station has all the features you need to be prepared for today’s weather. It displays indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, time, and date in either 12 or 24-hour formats!

The calendar display helps you keep on top of what day it is, while low battery alerts help you remember when to replace batteries without being surprised by a sudden shutdown. No more checking your phone for updates every hour! Stay up-to-date with custom notification alerts that let you know if there are high or low temperatures predicted for the day so you can plan accordingly.

Pros
  • Price
  • Customizable alerts
  • Large display
  • Super simple to set up!

Cons
  • No atomic clock
  • Some customers had problems with inaccurate wind readings.

Buyer’s Guide

Benefits of using a weather station

There are many benefits to using a home weather station, as they can provide you with information that is vital for your daily life. For example:

  • If you want to know when it is going to rain or snow, a weather station can give you that information and help you plan accordingly. It will also provide specific details like how much precipitation is expected.
  • If you want to know the weather forecast for a specific date or time, it will be able to tell you that as well.
  • A home weather station can help warn you of severe storms and high winds, which could damage your property if not taken care of in advance.
  • It can also provide information about humidity levels so that people who suffer from allergies or respiratory problems are aware of what is going on with their surroundings.
  • A home weather station can be used to monitor air quality, which is important for those who suffer from breathing problems like asthma.
  • If you want to know how warm or cold it is outside your house, a weather station will give you information about both indoor and outdoor temperatures.
  • It can tell you if pollen levels are high in your area, which allows those who suffer from allergies to plan ahead by stocking up on tissues or medications (if necessary). Plus, this helps with other factors like what time of day the pollen count is at its highest so people don’t spend their outdoor time outside during that period.
  • There are many other benefits that come with using a home weather station as well. They can provide data on wind speed, barometric pressure, dew point, heat index, and UV levels among others.

These are just a few of the benefits, and all this information will provide you with more knowledge that may be useful for growing plants or even knowing when to go on vacation. For example: if there has been little rainfall recently then perhaps you should water the garden every week rather than watering once per month.

Things to consider

There are many different weather stations on the market today, each with different features and varying degrees of quality. When it comes to home weather stations under $100 you need to consider a number of factors before making your final decision.

What exactly are you looking for in your weather station? Are there certain functions or aspects that are more important than others? Do you want all the bells and whistles like humidity sensors, wind speed measurements, barometric pressure sensors, etc.? Or do you just want something simple which will help give an accurate forecast for rainfall or temperature? Once these questions have been answered then finding one’s perfect match becomes much easier!

So let’s take a look at features that need to be considered.

Types of Weather Stations

First of all, you need to consider how accurate your weather station needs to be. There are three different types of home weather stations on the market today which vary in terms of accuracy:

  • Indoor Digital Thermometer – Best for recording indoor temperature measurements over short periods of time with a high level of precision and accuracy (e.g., keeping track of allergies or pet temperatures). Such thermometers do not offer barometric pressure sensors, wind speed detectors, etc.; therefore they would typically fall into this category even if their readings were fairly exact.
  • Wireless Weather Station – This type offers many more functions like humidity sensors, rain gauges/barometers, lightning detection systems; however it is important that these features come with high accuracy, or else they may not be worth your purchase.
  • Outdoor Digital Weather Station – This type offers the most accurate readings, boasting wind speed detectors and barometric pressure sensors; however, these weather stations require more extensive installation which typically means higher costs for you as compared to indoor thermometers or wireless weather stations. However, if you want complete precision then this is definitely where you should aim!

So look thoroughly through your needs and choose the most suitable type of home weather station for yourself.

Accuracy​ and Reporting Frequency

The next important thing to consider when buying a weather station is its accuracy and reporting frequency.

The most accurate home weather stations are professional-grade products, such as those used in airports and by meteorologists. These usually cost over $500 so we won’t be considering them here.

Most people don’t need this level of accuracy since they only want to check the temperature for their own personal use or reference purposes, not compare it against other locations around town/city, etc., which professionals do. For these types of uses, the best home weather stations under 100$ give you pretty much all that you could ask for out of your purchase!

Accuracy can vary between each model of home weather station, but the best ones are accurate to +/- 0.05°C/±0.09 °F. It is important that you check reviews before buying any product as different models can have different accuracy levels based on where they were manufactured and their overall quality.

The next thing that you should look for is the reporting frequency of a home weather station, which can be anywhere from one time per second to once every 24 hours. Reporting frequency also differs between products with some only reporting every few minutes while others report at least once a second! This can make quite a difference if your main purpose for getting one of these devices was to use it in conjunction with an automatic irrigation system or something similar which requires regularly updated information about current conditions etc., so this is another thing to consider when choosing what’s right for you.

This relates back to accuracy since it’s pointless having an accurate reading if it takes so long between updates that by the time you get around to looking at them they’re already out of date! That being said, there really isn’t too much difference in price between products with different frequencies so I would recommend opting for something above once per minute but below five times per minute as this gives enough granularity without costing more than necessary.

The more expensive professional-grade ones will typically be able to tell you the current temperature, humidity levels, and wind speed readings. Some will even give you barometric pressure data too! So if this is something that interests you then it’s worth looking out for weather stations that offer these kinds of features as they are usually more expensive ones with a higher price tag.

The best home weather station under 100$ should be able to measure all of these things but some might not have them available at their cheapest prices so make sure to check before buying one if accuracy or reporting frequency are important factors for your decision-making process when choosing what’s right for you. 

Interface

Another thing to consider when looking for the best home weather station is its interface. You want an easy-to-read display that you can easily access and use, even if it’s in a dark room or at night. Not all weather stations offer the same interface, but it’s something that you should consider.

A great interface will have large fonts that are bright enough to see without squinting, offer several screen options (e.g., hourly readings), provide quick icons showing whether things like rain alerts are on, etc. It would be cumbersome for homeowners who aren’t tech-savvy to learn how all of these work together in order to get accurate forecasts each time they look up information about their local weather conditions because there may be hundreds of different screens with dozens of buttons available on some models before getting into more advanced features.

The user interface is often the difference between a great and an okay weather station. Some models have touchscreens, but it can be difficult to read outside because of sunlight or raindrop interference. The best home weather stations under $100 should have large displays with easy-to-use interfaces that are still clear in bright conditions.

So, look for a display that is easy to read and understand at-a-glance without too much effort or thought involved. You can also check out customer reviews online to see what others say about the interface before purchasing it yourself (if you’re unsure).

Measurements

One more consideration you should make when choosing a weather station is the measurements you will receive from it.

There are two types of measurements: digital and analog readings. Analog devices have a pointer that moves over a scale, showing the value being measured at any one time. Digital displays either show values as numbers or present them on an LED display on the front face of the device, usually accompanied by a small icon representing what kind of measurement it is reading at this time (for example temperature).

The most common ones are rainfall, wind speed and direction, air pressure, humidity, the temperature inside/outside of your house, UV radiation levels, and weather forecast. In addition to these standard measures that I mentioned before, there are other features available with some stations such as:

  • An alarm clock for yourself or a reminder for your children in case they forget something at school (this feature comes in very handy)
  • A built-in USB port so you can connect them directly with an app on your phone where all data regarding the weather condition is transmitted instantly without the need of having any kind of cable plugged into both devices
  • Some models have even more sensors than those that I mentioned before such as a wind chill or dew point sensor
  • A barometer which measures atmospheric pressure or a light sensor that can detect changes in ambient light levels.
  • The ability to connect and control your station remotely (some work with Wi-Fi, others through cellular communication)

The most important thing to remember is that you should choose the weather station according to your needs and your budget, not because somebody else said it was good or bad. The best option for one person might be completely different from another person’s choice since we all have different priorities when choosing an item such as this one.

Durability

The next consideration is one of the most important. You need a weather station that will last for years, and not fall apart over time.

The good news is that modern consumer electronics are very durable, so you should have no problems there as long as the device can handle rain and snowfall – which most devices do quite well. However, many people overlook other things such as: Are all of the parts replaceable? If one part breaks or goes bad after some time (and it inevitably will), how difficult is it to find a replacement? The more components that use proprietary connections/screws / etc., the worse off you’ll be if something does fail because then you’re stuck with an expensive paperweight until you spend hours searching around online trying to source out those proprietary components.

There is a range of materials that weather stations are made of, but there is one material that all consumer electronics should be built with: plastic. This doesn’t mean the devices have to look like toys or something you got out of a Happy Meal – it just means they need to use high-quality plastics in their construction so they feel solid and last for years without having major problems (which can also cause them to lose calibration).

This brings us back around again to our main point about checking reviews on these products before purchasing them. If someone has had a problem with durability, either because parts started falling off after only a few months/weeks / etc., then this will reflect poorly on how long your product may actually last as well if you buy it from those people’s reviews.

Just make sure the weather station you get is made out of high-quality plastics and can last for a long time – it should be fine!

You should also consider the overall design of a device when thinking about its durability, especially in regards to how easy it is to use and set up – which we’ll touch on later. If you have children or pets that may bump into your weather station, breaking off an antenna for example would be unacceptable since antennas are required for accurate measurements. For outdoor stations, this can become even more pressing if they need to handle rain or snowfall without getting damaged over time because of rusting parts, etc., so pay extra attention here as well!

Durability also depends on the type of station you get: if it is an outdoor weather station, will it be able to handle snow and rain? How about the changing seasons (fall vs. winter)? All of these things should factor into your choice for a weather station – especially when considering how well-made each device is!

Purpose and Sensor Requirements

You should also think about the purpose of the home weather station. If you only want to know about temperature and humidity, a simple thermometer or hygrometer will do. If you want to know about rainfall, wind speed, or barometric pressure then there are more sophisticated sensors that will provide this data.

If your goal is more specific e.g., wind speed measurements as well as raindrops as data points, then there are weather stations available that provide those metrics in addition to barometric pressure, rainfall amounts etc.. The type of sensor technology can also determine how accurate your readings are going to be so keep this in mind while narrowing down on a model which suits your needs best.

In terms of sensors themselves – all models come with at least one primary sensor for recording conditions such as atmospheric pressure or rainfall levels but some may have additional features including wireless connectivity via wifi/cellular network connection, advanced data tracking models that provide additional sensors (e.g., wind speed, temperature) etc..

You should also think about the quality of the weather station’s sensor(s). The most common type of home weather station is one with an anemometer for measuring wind speed and a rain gauge. You can get ones which have thermometers too but these are not really needed as you can buy standalone units if all you need is temperature readings. If your budget allows it, spending extra on better quality equipment may be worthwhile even though some cheaper stations do include decent-quality components in their package deal.

Not all weather stations come with the same “level” of measurement accuracy so make sure to read reviews carefully or contact customer support directly for this information before making your purchase.

Users should also expect some degree of inaccuracy when it comes to wireless sensor technology which is affected by interference depending on environmental factors such as proximity to appliances and other electronics/devices in use within a home e.g., microwave ovens, cordless phones etc.. Weather stations are not recommended where there may be high levels of radio frequency activity around them i.e., if you live close to an airport runway because chances are they will interfere with one another leading to inaccurate data.

Internet Connectivity and Smart Home Features

One more thing to consider is whether the weather station has internet connectivity and smart home features. For instance, you could connect it with your smartphone and receive notifications when there’s a change in temperature or humidity. This is especially useful for people who want to monitor their homes while they’re at work or away on vacation.

Today, almost every single best home weather station under $100 has internet connectivity and smart home features. There are some that use WiFi instead of a cellular data connection, but it doesn’t make a huge difference if you already have an unlimited plan with your phone company. Not only can you stay connected everywhere in the world as long as there’s a signal, but even without Wifi/cellular service too!

Anyways… This technology allows these devices to be more versatile than ever before because they don’t just collect data anymore – they also store them online where anyone can access them from anywhere through any device (computer, tablet, or smartphone).

In terms of smart home features, you can expect a lot more out of these devices in the near future. For instance, it’s not hard to imagine an indoor weather station that also measures humidity levels and automatically turns on/off your humidifier accordingly! This way you don’t have to remember anything when going away for a few days – just set up a schedule in advance and let everything happen automatically.

This will also allow for easy access to historical data through an app or web portal — great if you want to track trends over time. Smart homes are becoming more popular than ever before so this feature makes sense even though it may not be crucial for everyone.

You should be able to find some great weather stations under $100 that offer this as well as other smart home features such as voice control and support for Amazon Alexa.

Transmission Distance

Another important factor to consider when choosing a home weather station is the transmission distance. This defines how far away you can get readings from your device before they stop appearing on your computer or smartphone.

Transmission Distance is calculated by adding the length of the USB cable with the distance between your computer and device.

For example, if you place your weather station on one side of a house, but it is plugged into another room in that same house through an extension cord, then this will count as part of its transmission distance.

Most devices have at least 50 feet (15 meters) worth of range so they can be placed anywhere in your home without affecting their readings. However, some models may even go up to 100 feet or more than 300 feet for outdoor sensors!

There are two types of wireless transmissions that most stations have in common, either via Wi-Fi or RF (radio frequency). The former allows for almost limitless range depending on where exactly you place the receiver and what impediments may be between them. These include interior walls, metal objects, people/animals, etc… On the other hand, RF signals tend not to go through solid objects as well but are usually much more powerful than their counterpart. So if there’s an obstacle in between then it could reduce accuracy. However, these units will probably give very similar results if they’re within 100 feet of each other.

There are also several factors that may affect the range; humidity, rain, or snow for example can reduce it significantly. You should also take into account elevation as well which could mean placing your receiver on a high point like an upstairs window so you get readings from further away.

Battery life

Battery life is another point to consider when buying a weather station. Units with external sensors require AA or AAA batteries for each sensor, and these need to be replaced every few months depending on how often you check the device’s readout. Some units can use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries instead of AAs if they have USB ports. These can cost more but save money in the long run as well as reducing waste from battery disposal.

If a unit has a replaceable coin cell battery inside it isn’t going to last very long at all – probably only up to six months before needing replacement – so make sure its product description says what type of battery is used by looking out for words like “non-replaceable” or “permanent.” You also want to look for units with low-battery indicators so you know when the battery is running out. Some of them beep, while others display a message on their LCD screens.

  • Replaceable batteries are better for the environment.
  • Weather stations with rechargeable batteries may cost more.
  • Some weather stations have low battery indicators to let you know when to replace them.
  • Look at product descriptions carefully to see what type of battery is used and whether it can be replaced or not.
  • The power supply for electronic weather stations is usually either batteries or a wall plug. The former are cheaper and more portable but require regular replacement while the latter eliminates this issue while increasing price and restricting placement to an AC outlet.

Upgrade Options

The last but not the least upgrade option for your weather station is its app. You can always connect the weather station with an app to view the data on your smart device or tablet, and share it using social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Some of these apps are free while others will cost you money depending upon their features.

Another upgrade options are the interchangeable sensors that allow you to upgrade your weather station in future with different/ more advanced sensors.

Solar panels are also an upgrade option for your weather station.

You can even share the data with a nearby National Weather Service – certified personal weather stations which are usually available at free of cost. It will show you real-time conditions in comparison to what you are observing from your own device.

However, the best home weather stations will be offering all of these options for a reasonable price which means you can always buy an additional or an upgraded sensor later at very low prices.

So if you find any upgrade options that suit your needs then go for them without thinking twice as they enhance the value of weather stations in many ways than one! 

FAQ

Is a home weather station worth it?

Yes, a home weather station is worth it.

A home weather station helps you learn more about the world around you and captures data that can help with daily activities such as gardening or deciding if going out for some outdoor activity.

What is included in a home weather station kit?

A home weather station kit usually includes a display, outdoor and indoor sensors. Some kits also include wind speed/direction instruments as well as rain gauges. Be sure to check the contents of your chosen kit before purchasing it so you know exactly what is included in the package that you will be buying.

Are AcuRite Weather Stations good?

Yes, AcuRite weather stations are good.

They have a huge range of different types and styles so you will be able to find the right one for your home or office.

Where is the best place to put a weather station?

It depends on what you want to use it for.

If you are looking at getting data that will help with outdoor activities, then your best bet is to put the weather station outside. If you are just interested in knowing about the temperature and humidity inside your home, then a good place would be somewhere close but protected from direct sunlight or cold.

How do I install a weather station?

You will need to get an outdoor thermometer and connect it via Wi-Fi. The next step is usually choosing the sensors that you want for your home, whether this would be inside or outside temperature readings, humidity levels, wind speed, etc. If you are looking at putting the device outside then there are some specific things you need to do such as making sure there is a clear view of the sky and putting it somewhere where it won’t get wet.

Useful Video: 5 Best Home Weather Station 2021

Final Thoughts

Home weather stations are a great buy for people who are interested in knowing the weather conditions at their homes. They are very accurate and can give you all of the information that you need to know about what is happening with your local climate patterns. If you live near a place that has changing seasons, then it will be important for you to install one of these devices on your property as soon as possible.

Home weather stations are also very easy to install, and most of them come with detailed instructions on how you can quickly get your system up and running without too much effort or strain. If you want an accurate weather forecast for your environment, then it will be important for you to purchase one of these devices as soon as possible. These products all offer great value for money, but some models may not be suitable if other members in a household have accessibility issues due to age or illness/injury, etc.

So choose thoroughly and you will be able to enjoy accurate local climate information for the place where you live. If you want more detailed or specific information, then it may also be a good idea to talk with specialists who can give you additional data about your location’s climate patterns as well as what might happen in future seasons too.

You should now have all of the knowledge that is required to make an informed decision on which product to purchase. So choose one today and start enjoying these benefits!