Not everyone needs a full-fledged weather station. An outdoor thermometer is ideal if your primary concern is measuring the temperature. With so many options available, the question arises: Which are the best outdoor thermometers on the market?
To answer that, we’ve curated this guide featuring the best indoor-outdoor thermometers across various price ranges—from budget-friendly $20 options to premium models costing up to $400. While La Crosse Technology leads the pack in our recommendations, several other brands offer compelling alternatives.
After an exhaustive review of the top indoor-outdoor thermometers, we’ve concluded that the La Crosse C85845-INT stands out for its exceptional performance. However, others deserve honorable mention for their unique features, such as the ability to monitor multiple locations simultaneously, all without breaking the bank.
Our Top Picks
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Best Outdoor Thermometers
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Also Consider
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What are some features to look for in an outdoor thermometer?
What’s the weather like outside? You can find it with an outdoor thermometer. These days, there are many options, both in analog and digital thermometers. Here’s what we think are the essential features.
Analog vs. Digital
First, consider whether you prefer an analog or digital model. Analog thermometers are limited, although we recommend either of the following Taylor thermometers.
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Modern digital thermometers are as accurate and often more convenient than analog outdoor thermometers. You don’t have to worry about an attached cable; the sensor and console can be placed anywhere you have space.
Either way, you’ll want to keep the temperature sensor out of direct sunlight to ensure accurate readings. Some outdoor thermometers offer additional functionality, such as an atomic clock, barometer and humidity readings, and a short-term forecast. Calibration isn’t necessary with a thermometer, although you’ll want to acclimate it to the air around it before taking any readings.
This process may take as little as 30 minutes, but if there’s a significant temperature difference, the thermometer may take up to an hour to be accurate.
Display
Most digital indoor outdoor thermometers have large displays, which make them easier to view from a distance than an analog thermometer. We prefer LCDs with a black background, which gives the numbers more contrast and, thus, more readability.
Transmission Range
Generally, you can place your remote temperature sensor up to 200-300 feet from your console without an issue. This is different with analog models, which typically only provide a short cord for the attached outside sensor (Maximum is different here, they provide 60′ of cable — most don’t).
Battery Life
The indoor-outdoor thermometer’s console will likely require a power outlet, but the sensors require ‘AA’ or ‘AAA’ batteries. Most sensors will last about a year on the same battery, but in colder climates, you may need to replace the batteries as often as every six months.
Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve found our guide to the best outdoor thermometers helpful. As a reminder, our current recommendation is the La Crosse Technology C85845, but for multiple locations, you can’t beat the Ambient Weather WS-10.
If you’d like to read more of our weather gadget reviews, we recommend checking out the Best Hygrometers if you’re concerned about humidity levels in your home and our weather station reviews. Have any questions? Feel free to ask!