Best Wireless Rain Gauge – Top Five Reviews

After reviewing the options, we found that the Netatmo Weather Station Rain Gauge is the best wireless rain gauge you’ll find on the market today. You’ll already need to be a Netatmo Weather Station owner, but the Netatmo device offers superior measurements and dimensions, at a competitive price for its features.

There are various types of rain gauges in the market: some are more decorated in style, while others have sophisticated features. 

However, all the rain gauges should have two things in common: they measure rainfall and give you accurate readings. 

If you live in a flood-prone area, having the best rain gauge can alert you to prepare when the rains get too much to handle. A rain gauge that accurately measures the intensity of rainfall is essential for outdoor enthusiasts, professionals, homeowners, gardeners, conservationists, farmers, weather geeks, and many other people.

So, what’s the best wireless rain gauge in the market? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on how you intend to use the equipment. 

Wireless rain gauges are usually intricate pieces of technology. Here, we’ll look at different wireless rain gauges models to help you choose the right one for your needs and budget. 

1) Rain Gauge for Netatmo Weather Station

This high-tech Netatmo rain gauge will help you access unlimited precise real-time data of rainfall in your area 24/7. The device is super-precise, giving you data on the amount of precipitation in millimeters per hour. It takes measurements every five minutes. 

One significant benefit of this rain gauge is that you don’t need to empty it when it fills. The reason is that its tipping bucket ensures water automatically drains from the bottom once it records the measurements.

With this app, you get displays of the total precipitation at a time and the expected precipitation. It is accurate to within 1 mm per hour. Its measuring range is between 0.2 mm per hour and 150 mm per hour. 

The app also alerts you when it starts raining. You can access it in Apple App Store and Google Play. If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, you can access the Netatmo Web App using your computer. 

Features

• You receive access to real-time rainfall measurements through your smartphone or computer.
• You receive a notification on your phone when it starts raining, and you can customize the alerts to specific cumulative quantities. 
• Access to your data history through the app can help you track changes in rainfall patterns over time. 
• The rain gauge is highly resistant, so it works in whatever weather without damage.

Pros

• Made of high-quality, durable plastic
• Great value for your money
• Easy to connect to the global Netatmo weather station
• Easy to install to the rainfall app
• Measuring accuracy is within 1mm per hour
• 24-hours day access to rainfall data
• Automatic tipping bucket measurement system
• You can access the app across multiple devices, including your smartphone, tablet, and personal computer. The app is compatible with Alexa.
• No subscription fee required

Cons

• It is quite expensive.
• You can only connect one rain gage to the Netatmo Weather Station.
• You can’t place the gauge in direct sunlight for long.
• You must set the gauge on a flat surface.

Verdict

The Netatmo rain gauge is one of the best wireless rain gauges available on the market, and the only one that you can pair with your phone. This digital rain gauge has numerous benefits, such as an alert notification system when it starts raining. It also automatically drains rainwater after measurements, which is very convenient for its users. 

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2) Oregon Scientific Wireless Rain Gauge Weather Station

This unit is fantastic, especially if you also require temperature readings. The manufacturer, Oregon Scientific, is a trusted name in the industry as it has been around for a long time. The wireless rain gauge can measure rainfall with an accuracy of 1.02 millimeters/ 0.04 inches. The wireless range of the device is 300 feet for the gauge and 100 feet for the temperature sensor. 

Features

• Stores data for up to 10 days, so you can access data for past rain history
• The accuracy of the rain gauge is up to 1.02 mm.
• The wireless transmission range is up to 300 feet from the gauge’s sensor to the central unit.
• The wireless transmission range from the remote temperature sensor to the central unit is 100 feet. It gives accurate readings. The central base unit also measures room temperature.
• You have an option to show time and date on the device.

Pros

• Easy to set up, install, and use. 
• The gauge’s central unit can also take indoor temperatures.
• The device can collect data for up to 10 days, which means you can quickly check rainfall history in your area.
• The gauge can wirelessly transmit data to a range of up to 300 feet.
• The gauge’s container is self-emptying.
• It has the most straightforward display for a digital rain gauge. It shows current rain measurement, outdoor temperature, total collected rainfall, and time. 
• It monitors moisture on lawns. This feature makes it ideal for homeowners, farmers, agriculturalists, conservationists, and water departments.

Cons

• If the device is not well-maintained, it might get filled with unwanted elements, which can affect its readings. 
• Removing the batteries will erase your data. 

Verdict

This wireless rain gauge is ideal regardless of whether you are a horticulturist, farmer, garden keeper, industry, school, truck gardener, etc. Its measurements are highly accurate, and it has the added advantage of giving outdoor temperature readings. 

The gauge is also self-emptying, reducing the work required in its maintenance. 

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3) AcuRite 00899 Wireless Rain Gauge

AcuRite’s Wireless Rain Gauge Collector is a great digital rain gauge to measure rainfall with accuracy. It also empties itself, which means that it requires maintenance-free operations. The rain gauge is easy to install, and its features are weather-resistant. 

The device is compatible with other AcuRite Environmental Systems, which means you can monitor rain from anywhere using your smartphone, tablet, or computer through the manufacturer’s app or website. 

Features

• Measures rainfall with precision
• The collection cup is automatically self-emptying.
• It transmits data every 16 seconds.
• Its wireless range is up to 100 feet.
• Weather-resistant design.
• You can monitor your sensor information using your devices, i.e., a smartphone, tablet, or computer. 

Pros

• Easy-to-read and simple LCD screen display.
• Fast real-time data transmission
• The gauge is durable and weather-resistant. 
• Transmission of signal up to 100 feet, with a strong signal up to 433 megahertz.
• Self-emptying rain collector cup.
• Flood indicator to notify you of flood conditions.

Cons

• It lacks a temperature sensor.

Verdict

The AcuRite’s Wireless Rain Gauge Collector is a great choice that is easy to use and maintain. It provides the basics of accurate rain monitoring with some extras. The device is easy to use and quite durable. 

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4) La Crosse Technology 724-1409 Wireless Rain Station

This highly-functional wireless rain station is cheaper than most of its competitors but surprisingly has superior features. 

Despite being new in the market, the manufacturer, La Crosse Technology, has quickly built a reputation for its weather devices. 

Features

• Its rain bucket is self-emptying through internal tilting rocker.
• The transmission range of the weather rain station is up to 300 ft. in open-air at about 433 MHz frequency, as long as there are no obstructions such as walls and windows, which can interfere with signal strength.
• Built-in battery covers and low battery indicator
• Adjustable settings and rain alerts which you can customize to your liking.
• You can get a rainfall history of up to 12 months.

Pros

• Customizable rain alerts for instant notification wherever you are
• Indoor and outdoor temperature readings
• Accurate and real-time rain measurements
• The raindrop bucket is conveniently self-emptying.
• Weather-resistant design so that the devices can serve you for long.
• It only requires 4 AA batteries to run.

Cons

• There have been reports of lack of tech-support depending on the time of the day.

Verdict

This weather rain station boasts many superior features. It has wireless transmission of up to 300 ft., 12-month rainfall history, self-emptying mechanism, and customizable alerts on your smartphone. It is an excellent digital rain gauge regardless of whether you are using it in your home, school, industry, or organization. 

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5) ECOWITT WH40 Wireless

The ECOWITT WH40 Wireless is a reliable device that measures rainfall amount daily, rainfall rate as well as weekly, monthly, and annual levels. You can use the device to measure the environmental conditions of your farm, garden, or backyard. 

Features

• The digital rain gauge sensor measures rainfall to an accuracy of 0.1mm. It gives you daily, weekly, monthly and annual readings.
• The wireless transmission range of the sensor is up to 300 ft.
• You can monitor the rain conditions in your garden, farm, or backyard with live data on an app on your mobile phone. 
• The app supports multiple functions such as viewing the sensor data graph, uploading to the Ecowitt weather server, and downloading the history of records on the server. 
• Self-emptying rain collector is convenient and also easy to install. 

Pros

• 24 months of rainfall history available
• The wireless transmission limit has a range of 300 feet.
• Measures indoor humidity and temperature
• Self-emptying bucket
• Mounting pole enables superior performance.
• It only requires 4 AA batteries to run.
• Color grade, which makes reading levels quick and easy.

Cons

• It does not record outdoor temperature and humidity.

Verdict

This reasonably priced rain gauge comes packed with multiple features that make it a reputable brand among its competitors. 

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Buyers Guide – What to Look for When Purchasing a Wireless Rain Gauge

It’s vital to check the features of a rain gauge before buying one. Here are a few factors to consider when investing in a wireless rain gauge.

Cost

You don’t need to spend too much money to get a functional digital rain gauge. There are numerous options to choose from, as listed above, that provide excellent value for money. The guide above will help you find a suitable rain gauge on a budget.

Tipping Bucket Mechanism

This feature present in most wireless rain gauges is useful for weather enthusiasts and professionals. The devices consist of a funnel used to capture and direct rainwater to a bucket below it. The bucket is balanced on a pivot and tips each time the bucket reaches capacity. Meanwhile, the data logger records the rain data. 

You can use this type of rain gauges to record rainfall data over a long period. 

Accuracy

Due to advanced technology, there is no need to record data manually. Most wireless rain gauges have data loggers. You will need to choose the rain gauge with the most accurate measurements.

Convenience

Most wireless rain gauges are automated, which is a great advantage because they save time and increase productivity. The devices have automatically self-emptying raindrop collectors that can transmit data to the primary units. You can also reset them manually if you wish.

Timing

Another advantage of wireless rain gauges is that they allow you to monitor real-time data from your home, without the need to wait until the rain stops to determine the exact measurements. 

Some wireless rain gauges also allow you to combine readings of other devices that measure temperature and humidity, enabling you to monitor overall trends. 

While shopping for a rain gauge, check to see if it has these options.

Low-Maintenance

You no longer need a rain gauge that forces you to check on the rain container to take the readings continually. Digital rain gauges are low-maintenance. They only require you to change the batteries from time to time. You should also prevent the rain container from jamming as a result of foreign materials and particles. 

Conclusion

It is not easy to select the best rain gauge from the models listed above. Hopefully, our recommendations and buyers guide come in handy as you select the best wireless rain gauge for you.

The Netatmo seems to tick all the boxes in terms of features, quality, and benefits. However, at a higher cost, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If it’s not the one for you, you have multiple choices on this list.

Check the prices on your favorite rain gauge today!

Photo by Gabriele Diwald on Unsplash