If you’re looking to monitor specific environmental conditions, a WiFi temperature sensor may be the solution. While weather stations serve their purpose, sometimes less is more. This guide aims to shed light on the best WiFi temperature sensors available—some boasting capabilities on par with their more elaborate weather station counterparts.
Imagine having the ability to track temperature and humidity levels in hidden corners of your home, like a basement pantry. Or perhaps you manage a greenhouse and need real-time data to create the perfect ambiance for plant growth. WiFi temperature sensors, such as the Temp Stick or SensorPush HTP.xw, serve these needs efficiently and often include additional functionalities like atmospheric pressure monitoring.
Position your WiFi temperature sensor virtually anywhere—from attics and basements to greenhouses and garages—to optimize your heating or cooling systems, safeguard against frozen pipes, or simply maintain an ideal living environment. These wireless devices range from basic temperature-only models to advanced units with robust data collection and analytics tools. With our decade-long expertise in reviewing these gadgets, we’re here to guide you to the most effective, user-friendly WiFi temperature sensors on the market.
How Our WiFi Temperature Sensor Reviews are Different
Unlike many sites, we test the products we recommend or have direct experience with the company. We test select WiFi temperature sensors for several weeks, giving us critical insight into long-term reliability, something a quick review cannot. You can see our testing protocol here and our rating formula here.
We’ve also developed a 100-point rating system that judges each WiFi temperature sensor tested on the same metrics. We judge accuracy (or performance), affordability, durability, feature set, and ease of use. These categories are weighted to emphasize accuracy and affordability, making up half of a WiFi thermometer’s score.
However, a candidate for the Best WiFi Temperature Sensor of 2024 can’t only be a great value: it must have accurate measurements, be user-friendly, and have excellent build quality. Our review staff has years of experience using home weather stations and instruments: some of us are degreed meteorologists and scientists. Our writers independently research each device: we do not recommend a device simply because a manufacturer sends it to us.
Our Weather Station Buyer’s Guide has more details of each of the weather stations below.
Our Top Picks
The HT1 is a small, inexpensive temperature and humidity sensor that fits just about anywhere.
This package includes three temperature sensors and a Wi-Fi gateway to allow you to access the sensors. But it does not have the true remote monitoring of the Temp Stick.
While this model does have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it only allows you to view data when you're on the same network as the device.
Best WiFi Temperature Sensors
The HT1 is a small, inexpensive temperature and humidity sensor that fits just about anywhere.
The Temp Stick is a big sensor, so you might have trouble fitting it into tight spaces. For these types of applications, we’d recommend the SensorPush HT1. Measuring a little over 1.5 inches square and less than three-quarters of an inch thick, you can fit this just about anywhere, and it lasts an entire year on a single charge.
SensorPush also offers two higher-end options: the HT.w, which increases battery life to two years and is water resistant, and the HT.xw, which adds barometric pressure and higher-quality instrumentation.
One big drawback to the SensorPush wireless thermometer hygrometer is its data storage capabilities and lack of WiFi connectivity. Unless you purchase the WiFi gateway, you’re limited to connecting to the device via Bluetooth and can’t remotely monitor the sensor. But if these aren’t a concern, you can save quite a bit of money over the Temp Stick by going with the SensorPush instead, whose temperature accuracy rivals the Temp Stick thanks to a Swiss-made sensing component.
- Small, can fit anywhere
- Bluetooth only, Wi-Fi optional
Govee WiFi Hygrometer Thermometer Sensor 3 Pack
This package includes three temperature sensors and a Wi-Fi gateway to allow you to access the sensors. But it does not have the true remote monitoring of the Temp Stick.
At first glance, the Govee WiFi Hygrometer Thermometer 3-Pack looks like a great deal and is similar to the Temp Stick WiFi temperature sensor. However, there are some critical differences between the Temp Stick or the SensorPush and Govee’s version. While it is Wi-Fi-capable, it only allows you to view data from your sensors while on the same network as the WiFi gateway included in the package.
Like most other WiFi temperature sensors, you cannot view your data over the internet through the app. The battery life of only four months is pretty short among the devices we reviewed for our Best WiFi Temperature Sensor of 2022 rankings. However, you can go wrong at this price. The WiFi gateway can support more than the three sensors it ships with, up to 10 sensors in all, two more than the Ambient Weather WS-10.
- Inexpensive way to monitor multiple locations
- You can add more and view on app
- You can only view your data when you're on the same Wi-Fi network, no remote access
Govee WiFi Thermometer Hygrometer
While this model does have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it only allows you to view data when you're on the same network as the device.
The Govee WiFi Thermo-Hygrometer doesn’t require an additional hub, unlike the previous Govee model. But it still suffers from the same lack of remote access as other Govee WiFi temperature sensors. That said, issues like battery life are addressed, and an included lanyard allows you to hang it in the location you want to monitor.
While it might suffer from a few functionality issues, the Govee WiFi Thermo-Hygrometer is our list’s cheapest wireless temperature-sensing device. It overall performs well enough that the lack of remote access isn’t that much of an issue.
- It's cheap
- Need to be on same Wi-Fi network to view data, no remote access
The HTP.xw adds barometric pressure readings and like the HTP.w is water resistant.
The SensorPush HTP.xw is the company’s top-end model and measures temperature, humidity, and pressure (one of the few WiFi temperature sensors we know that can do that). With higher-quality instrumentation, readings should be more accurate — however, you’ll still need the WiFi gateway to connect your sensor to the internet for remote access.
That puts it in the neighborhood price-wise of the Temp Stick, which we feel is an overall better buy.
- Water-resistant
- Barometric pressure readings
- Compact size
- All those features come at a price
MarCELL Cellular Temperature, Humidity & Power Monitor
The MarCELL combines a remote temperature sensor with cellular data service through Verizon, with plans starting at $8.25 per month.
There are situations where a standard WiFi temperature sensor isn’t going to cut it. For these situations, the MarCELL cellular monitoring system is a perfect solution. While it requires a subscription plan ($8.25/month) for its internet connection, the device has an integrated Verizon cellular modem, allowing you to place the device anywhere there’s a Verizon cellular network signal.
This makes it an excellent solution for an RV, vacation home, or any other remote location where you might not have WiFi network access, a mobile hotspot, or the ability to visit regularly to connect to the sensor.
Remember that you must plug the device into an AC unit to operate (although a backup battery can provide up to 48 hours of power during power outages). While we haven’t had a chance to test out the unit yet, verified reviews are overwhelmingly positive, even with the additional subscription costs necessary to use the device.
- Uses Verizon's 5G network
- Monthly service fee
- Requires AC power for normal operation
Also Consider
The SensorPush HT.w is essentially the same device as the HT1 but water-resistant. It also has better battery life than the HT1, but we’d consider other options unless you need water resistance. However, the device itself is quality, and why we considered it for our Best WiFi Temperature Sensor of 2022 rankings.
The below options do not include WiFi connectivity, so they didn’t qualify for our rankings for the best WiFi thermometers but are still decent remote temperature sensors in their own right. They require a console to view the readings.
If budget is a big concern for you, look no further than the ThermoPro TP60S. It is the cheapest recommendation on our list and has over 10,000 reviews, two-thirds five stars. While this package includes just a single sensor, you can add up to two more sensors. The console is small and compact. However, it features a large LCD readout, making it easy to view from a distance.
Accuracy suffers a bit and it’s nowhere near as accurate as our other recommendations (accuracy issues were the most common poor review for the ThermoPro TP60S). But if you are looking for a low-cost alternative, this is the most popular and best-reviewed budget WiFi temperature sensor. However, like anything cheap, you do get what you pay for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we’ve listed some frequently asked questions we hear from readers on WiFi temperature sensors.
What is a WiFi temperature sensor?
A WiFi temperature sensor — also called a remote temperature monitor, WiFi thermometer, or wireless temperature sensor — is a device that measures the temperature and often humidity in an area without you needing to be there. Remote temperature monitors are generally used to check on your home or business while away, but they also have many other uses. For example, you can use them to verify whether food has been appropriately refrigerated or diagnose problems with HVAC systems before they become serious.
Most models “wake up,” take a reading on the built-in temperature sensor, then either use a WiFi connection or an internal cellular device to broadcast the measurement to a central server. After this, the device powers down, improving battery life. On some models, you can get upwards of a year of battery life as long as you use lithium batteries, which most manufacturers recommend.
Most remote temperature monitoring systems have a wide temperature range, making them perfect for various applications and environments. Temperature accuracy is as good as most weather stations but without the bulk. You could measure temperature in many places you couldn’t place a weather station.
What are some uses for a WiFi temperature sensor?
– To monitor your home while you’re away
– Temperature monitoring for food storage
– Monitoring HVAC systems
– Greenhouses to know when to open and close vents
These are only a few of the many possible uses of these devices.
Should I buy a weather station or WiFi temperature sensor?
A wireless temperature sensor is perfect for situations where a weather station’s additional functionality might not be helpful. We see wireless temperature sensors as the best choice for anywhere where monitoring exact temperature changes and humidity levels is important. However, if wind speed or rainfall is equally as important, a weather station is a much better buy.
Can my weather station monitor temperature remotely?
In many cases, yes. For example, Ambient Weather and AcuRite offer standalone wireless temperature and humidity sensors that you can add to your setup. If you have a weather station already, it is cheaper to go this route.
Are WiFi temperature sensors accurate?
A high-quality WiFi temperature sensor is accurate, and most measure temperature and humidity as accurately as the sensors in weather stations. The recommendations in our guide all meet our standards for accuracy and quality.
Do WiFi temperature sensors run on battery power?
Yes! We recommend using lithium batteries, as battery life is far better. Models like the Temp Stick are battery-powered and can run on regular alkaline batteries for up to a year, so you won’t have to worry about a power outage stopping your data logging. Some even have an internal battery that can power the device for months without a recharge. If you select a more frequent update interval than the default, you might need to change the batteries/recharge the device via USB cable more frequently.
Wrapping Up
Remote temperature monitoring is perfect for many situations where a weather station might be more than you need and save you some money. However, don’t just factor price into your buying decisions. Accuracy and expandability are far more critical factors. In the long run, you’ll be much happier with your purchase if you opt instead to use these as your primary factors in what WiFi temperature sensor you choose.
