Climate change is producing a temperature imbalance that has us all a little confused. However, and in order to have more control over what the weather is going to be like at all times, the weather stations They can be a great ally. These devices monitor different atmospheric and environmental parameters using sensors and instruments that accurately measure temperature, humidity or wind speed, among other variables.
How does a weather station work?
Weather stations have two main devices: a sensor (or several) sensitive to different atmospheric parameters: temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, level of precipitation… that is activated once it comes into contact with them, and a console in which the data is displayed in real time.
Most models offer the ability to view data on a computer, tablet or smartphone through a specific application or software linked to the station. Depending on the use that is going to be given, mainly domestic or professional, these devices offer more or less functions.
While professional models are used to measure a large number of parameters and are used in airports, meteorological agencies or power plants, among other places, stations for home use are often used for monitor basic variablesas the temperature wave indoor and outdoor humidity of the houses.
In addition, these types of stations usually have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to transfer the data easily and in real time to an application, and some models are even compatible with voice assistants, which makes the task even easier.
What models have we chosen?
For this comparison of weather stations we have chosen four models from different manufacturers: Bresser 7007510 (with an average score of 6.5 points), Netatmo NWS01-EC (8.75), Oregon Scientific Venus (7), and Sainlogic GD0701 (9).
All of them monitor atmospheric data from outside and inside a home, have a range coverage of between 30 and 100 meters and have a similar size, although with different shapes (square or rectangular devices with a screen or cylindrical shape). Of them, we have valued the following characteristics:
– Sensors. If, in addition to measuring temperature or humidity, they are capable of monitoring other factors that may go unnoticed with the naked eye, such as solar radiation or air pollution.
– Durability. The materials used and if they are resistant to withstand the elements.
– Data transfer. If they can be viewed in real time through the device’s screen or on other devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth…
– Scope coverage. At what distance the sensors can be installed and if the station reports that it is out of the proper range.
– Others. If it has alarms to notify the user of a parameter that is out of normality.
We have carried out tests for four weeks in a 90-square-meter home with two outdoor spaces, at different times of the day and with different temperatures (mainly medium-high temperatures), and at times when it has rained occasionally for a certain time or there have been unexpected gusts of wind. They have also been used to measure other factors such as air quality (outside and inside), pollution levels or solar radiation.
After the tests carried out, the best weather station is the Sainlogic GD0701. It has a large color LCD screen that displays different weather variables (wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity, and solar radiation). It also has wireless connectivity to transfer the data to a linked application, and has an alarm, which warns of unusual data.
Sainlogic GD0701 weather station: our choice and the best value for money
It is made up of a console and an outdoor sensor that shows real-time information on the indoor and outdoor temperature of the house (it can make weather forecasts), air humidity, wind direction and speed, rainfall, and UV radiation. The console has a color LCD screen that shows all the data in an orderly manner since it separates them into differentiated boxes, with the name of each of the variables (in English).
Sainlogic GD0701 weather station It also has continuous lighting, so you can see the data correctly with or without light. The ‘alarm’ function can be configured to notify us if a certain temperature value is exceeded.
Data sheet
- Product Dimensions (console): 10 inches x 6 inches.
- Material: plastic and aluminum.
- Screen: Color LCD.
Installation is simple although the instruction manual is not available in Spanish. Keep in mind that the console works with three AAA batteries and three AA batteries for the sensor, which are not included. Once placed, the console and outdoor sensor are automatically synchronized.
It is recommended to download the application immediately WS View Plus On the mobile phone, add the station and connect it to the Wi-Fi network. To find out if the station and the sensor are in the proper range, there is a symbol on the screen that indicates this. Once connected, all the data can be viewed, in addition to having a history of the same, in Weather Undergrounda weather network that is used globally and can be downloaded on both Android and iOS.
The best, the worst and conclusions
- The best: the installation, very simple, and the alarm function, which notifies when the data is out of normality.
- Worst: The instruction manual does not come in Spanish and it does not have bird repellents.
- Conclusion: A very complete outdoor sensor, capable of measuring many variables, such as wind, rain or solar radiation. Also, it is possible to consult all this data at any time through the application and in real time.
Netatmo NWS01-EC Weather Station: The Alternative
Although it is similar to the winning model of this comparison, this smart weather station with two modules, one for indoors and one for outdoors, only monitors the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and the air quality and noise level inside the house.
The design of the Netatmo NWS01-EC weather station It is different from the rest: they are two cylindrical devices and none of them have a screen on which to view the data. They connect through the Wi-Fi network to the device’s application, which offers all the data in real time. They are also compatible with Alexa.
The CO2 sensor in the interior module measures pollution levels inside the house. When the level is critical, it sends alerts that warn of the need to ventilate. This is very practical when there are many people at home. It also allows you to connect it to other home automation applications through the station application. Battery operated.
Oregon Scientific Venus Weather Station
It monitors indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity data, and even shows the moon phases and radio-controlled time on the device’s screen. It also has an LED indicator that flashes when the console is in danger of freezing if we place it outdoors. All parameters are perfectly visible on the screen, which does not transfer data to other devices or connect to Wi-Fi.
It is important to note that the Oregon Scientific Venus Weather Station It cannot be hung, that is, it can only be supported on a solid base, such as a table or the floor itself. Although it comes equipped with batteries, it is necessary to connect it to the electrical current if you want it to work continuously.
Weather station Bresser 7007510
With a multicolor LCD screen (data inside the house is shown in white and outside in blue), this device measures temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and also shows the different phases of the moon and the time. It also has a function alarm for unusual data.
Both the station and the outdoor sensor are powered by batteries and a power cord. After several tests, we have needed to connect the weather station Bresser 7007510 to the electric current since the batteries were spent in a short time when having it in operation all day.
As for the installation, it does not have any complications, since you only have to turn on the console, place the outdoor sensor at a suitable distance (no more than 30 meters), and it starts to work, however, it does not have an instruction manual in Spanish, which can make the task difficult for people who do not speak other languages such as English.
*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of November 10, 2022.
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