Our friends from “Oz” have supported us from the beginning: Australia is one of the top five locations where TWSE readers visit us. While some of the stations we recommend to readers here in the States are locally available, they’re expensive. So, we researched and came up with this list of the best home weather stations in Australia at various price points.
While Ambient Weather is available in Australia, nearly the same station is available through Ecowitt. You lose the smart home connectivity Ambient adds, but everything else is the same.
This Tempest look-alike doesn't have all its features, but is significantly cheaper.
If the HP2553 is too expensive, consider the HP2551 instead.
Best Home Weather Stations in Australia
After much research, here are our picks for Australia’s best home weather stations. We’ll keep this list regularly updated.
ECOWITT HP2553 Wi-Fi Weather Station
The HP2553 is Ecowitt's top-of-the-line weather station, and it shows.
The Ecowitt HP2553 is the company’s high-end weather station (and sold as the Ambient Weather WS-5000 in the US). Our tests of the American version of this weather station were stellar. With practically nothing different — save for the lack of smart home support — we had no reservations about making this our top pick.
The HP2553 features a redesigned sensor suite from previous models and an ultrasonic anemometer, drastically reducing the number of moving parts. This should extend its useable life as the traditional anemometer requires ongoing maintenance to ensure trouble-free use. The sensors are more accurate in our tests than in previous Ecowitt stations, and you can add additional sensors, including air quality, soil moisture, water temperature, and lightning. The brilliant colour, easy-to-read LCD console looks great just about anywhere.
The company’s made it easy to share your data publicly through Weather Underground, Ecowitt.net, and many other networks, which is a nice touch and view station data from the Ecowitt app.
Ecowitt HP3500 Wi-Fi Weather Station
The HP3500B is Ecowitt's entry level Wi-Fi compatible weather station, but it isn't expandable.
The Ecowitt HP3500B is the company’s cheapest weather station that doesn’t require PC software to share your weather data online. The console isn’t as flashy as the HP2551 but is still readable from a reasonable distance and can display graphs on its screen, something the cheaper WS2320 cannot do.
You do lose the capability to add additional sensors, which may be a reason to opt for any of the above three models if expandability is a concern. But the savings make the HP3500B a contender if you want to save money.
Ecowitt Wittboy Weather Station
This Tempest look-alike doesn't have all its features, but is significantly cheaper.
The Wittboy is Ecowitt's latest Wi-Fi weather station, and it's aimed at those outside of the U.S. who might not want to pay the extra duties to import in the WeatherFlow Tempest. It doesn't have lightning detection or smart home capabilities (that we can tell), but it does pretty much everything else the Tempest does.
The outdoor sensor contains a haptic rainfall sensor, light and UV sensors, an ultrasonic wind speed sensor, and temperature and humidity sensors. Ecowitt also includes its Wi-Fi hub, which allows you to send your data to Weather Underground. The Wittboy is new, so we're hesitant to give it our full-throated endorsement, but it's worth considering.
ECOWITT HP2551 Wi-Fi Weather Station
If the HP2553 is too expensive, consider the HP2551 instead.
The Ecowitt HP2551 isn’t sold in the US under the Ambient Weather brand, but its feature set is similar to the Ambient Weather WS-2000. While you won’t get the accuracy of the HP2553, it is significantly cheaper and measures everything its more expensive sibling does. The nice console you get with the HP2553 is paired with Ecowitt’s base instrument suite.
The Netatmo was the first smart home weather station (really!).
Unlike most home weather stations in the U.S., there aren't many options for those looking to integrate their home weather station with the smart home elsewhere. However, French technology company Netatmo's popular weather station provides one alternative if you want just that. We tested the Netatmo weather station several years ago, loved the app, and were pleasantly surprised with its accuracy.
The only negative to Netatmo's weather station is everything is sold separately. The package above includes the base station and two temperature/humidity sensors. You'll still need the optional rain gauge and sonic anemometer to complete the station, which costs more. However, it may be worth it if you are looking for a way to use weather data to control your smart home.
Ecowitt WS2910 Wi-Fi Weather Station
Save a little bit of money with the WS2910.
If you prefer an "all-in-one" sensor suite (especially with limited space), opt for the Ecowitt WS2910. It includes the same sensor suite as the HP2551, but has a more basic console. You also lose the capability to expand. However, the WS2910 still features the Wi-Fi connectivity of more expensive Ecowitt weather stations.
Other Options
While we think the best home weather stations in Australia are from Ecowitt, we can understand if you’d still want the accuracy or smart weather station features. You’ll want to import the Davis Vantage Vue, Pro2, or WeatherFlow Tempest.
The Davis Vantage Vue got a much-needed update when the WeatherLink Console debuted earlier this year. It's the successor to the WeatherLink Live hub and changed how you interact with your station for the better. It's built on Android and appears to be upgradeable, so you're no longer stuck in the past with dated hardware.
The reliability of Davis weather stations is legendary in the weather enthusiast community. I've had mine running continuously since September 2016, and I know others who have had theirs for over a decade. There is also the story of a gentleman with a Davis Weather Monitor II (a predecessor to the Vue) who recently upgraded after 27 years (that's not a typo).
While you don't get the unbeatable accuracy of the high-end Davis Vantage Pro 2 home weather station, my experience has been positive. With the WeatherLink Console, sharing your data is super easy. While on your home network, you can watch live conditions (updated every two seconds), and your data is uploaded to Davis' platform once per minute.
If there's one thing I'd ding this weather station for, it's its lack of upgradeability. Sure, you get all the basics, but the only optional sensor you can add is the Davis AirLink.
Far behind its competitors in terms of high-tech features, the Davis Vantage Vue remains the most accurate mid-range home weather station weather watchers can buy. Amazon U.S. sells this package, so there is an additional wait time for it, but it is the cheapest we’ve found the Vantage Vue sold in Oz at the moment, and after the exchange rate, it is similarly priced to the station in the states.
The Davis Vantage Pro2 is one of the best high-end home weather stations you can buy and is made even better by WeatherLink Live or the WeatherLink Console. The Vantage Pro2 is a proven workhorse. Several years ago in the Caribbean, a VantagePro 2 recorded a 199mph wind gust in a hurricane before its mast snapped. That’s the highest wind reading ever recorded on a personal weather station!
So why is the Vantage Pro2 more accurate? The sensors in the Vantage Pro2 are of higher quality than in the Vantage Vue. A larger rain gauge collects rain more efficiently, especially in windy situations. The radiation shielding around the temperature and humidity sensor is larger, allowing for better airflow.
Another difference between the VantagePro 2 and the Vantage Vue is the anemometer. Since it’s separate from the rest of the sensor suite, you can place it in a high location to improve your wind readings.
While it takes a bit more time to set up, no other weather station on the market even comes close if you want the most accurate weather data. As a side note, there is also a bundle that includes the console. While the Vantage Pro2’s console is much more helpful than the Vantage Vue’s, it does add to the price. Whether you need it is up to you.
Depending on the model you select, you may also have UV and Light Sensors (standard on the Pro2 Plus), and fan aspiration, which we strongly recommend if you’re very concerned about accuracy. Further optional sensors include soil moisture and leaf wetness sensors, and air quality measurements via AirLink.
With how expensive the Vantage Vue is in Australia, we’d recommend the Davis Vantage Pro2 instead. This is available from an Australian Davis supplier and is priced competitively considering the USD-AUS exchange rate (it’s a few dollars cheaper!). Plus, the Vantage Pro2 is the best weather station on the market, bar none, and one survived the 2017 NSW wildfires and continued to report data.
We can’t say that many other stations on our list would be able to perform a similar feat. It’s an expensive piece of kit, but you won’t need to buy a new home weather station anytime soon — Davis weather stations are known for providing years of trouble-free service.
WeatherFlow is a relatively recent entrant to the home weather station market, although it has years of experience. Its coastal network of stations has been delivering vital information to meteorologists for years and has proven useful (and durable) in landfalling hurricanes.
The Tempest Weather Station is WeatherFlow’s first attempt at a home weather station. For the most part, it’s a good start. It’s the only one of our stations with built-in lightning detection, one of Tempest’s standout features, and operates entirely on solar power.
We found that the real-time lightning data matched better with data from professional lightning detection networks. It regularly detected distant lightning faster than any other station we’ve tested. In addition to lightning data, the Tempest also measures indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, barometric pressure, and UV and light intensity.
Wind is measured by a sonic anemometer which we found to be fairly accurate. And up until the Ecowitt Wittboy, the Tempest was the only home weather station to use a haptic rain sensor.
Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention the WeatherFlow Tempest in our list. Even though the Tempest is one of the newest home weather stations on the market, the company behind it has spent decades building professional-grade stations, many of which are found at coastal locations throughout the U.S. — and have played a critical role in the monitoring of landfalling tropical cyclones.
The WeatherFlow’s smart home support is another reason why we’re big fans of the Tempest, and with no moving parts, completely solar-powered, and a simple installation, this is as close to “set it and forget it” as you come in a home weather station.
FAQ
Are you thinking about purchasing a weather station? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions from readers, some unique to Australia.
What is the best home weather station in Australia?
We’d argue the best deal overall for our Australian readers would be the Ecowitt HP2553. It is nearly the same station as the Ambient Weather WS-5000 in the States. However, if you don’t mind paying the duties to import it in, Davis weather stations or the WeatherFlow Tempest are well worth it.
Are home weather stations worth it?
While television or your mobile are reliable sources of weather information, it’s not always current. Weather can differ considerably over just a few kilometres. A home weather station always provides a “hyperlocal” look at the weather outside.
Is a home weather station durable?
Yes! The weather in some parts of Australia can be pretty extreme. But this is nothing a weather station can’t handle. There’s a story of a Davis weather station in New South Wales that continued to report data after the devastating 2017 wildfires. Other stations have survived hurricanes, hail, and more. Of course, weather station maintenance is essential.
How much does a home weather station cost?
Generally, local brands will cost between $150-300 AUS. However, if you are looking for an imported brand such as AcuRite, Ambient Weather, or Davis, these stations range from $300-800 AUS or more.
Where should home weather stations be located?
You should always site your home weather station in an open area free of obstructions. For more information, please see our weather station installation guide.
Wrapping Up
Australia has a lot of great options for home weather stations, and we think the Ecowitt HP2553 is by far the best buy. However, if you’re looking for top-tier performance, you can’t beat the Davis Vantage Vue or Vantage Pro2. Have questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments below.
