Not everyone needs a full-fledged weather station. An indoor-outdoor thermometer is ideal if your primary concern is measuring the temperature. With so many options available, the question arises: Which are the best indoor-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.
How Our Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Reviews Are Different
Unlike many sites, we test the products we recommend or have direct experience with the company. We test select home weather stations for several weeks, giving us critical insight into long-term reliability, something a quick review cannot. For example, our Davis Vantage Vue weather station has been continuously operating since our initial test in September 2016! You can see our testing protocol here and our rating formula here.
We’ve also developed a 100-point rating system that judges each station 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 home weather station’s score.
However, a candidate for the Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometers of 2024 can’t only be a great value: they must have accurate measurements, be user-friendly, and have excellent build quality (read: weatherproof!). Our review staff has years of experience using home weather stations and instruments: some 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 Top Picks
This Amazon bestseller is our top pick in indoor outdoor thermometers.
Measure the temperature and humidity in up to eight locations
If you have a mold problem, the La Crosse 308-1414MB-INT is a good choice.
Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometers
La Crosse Technology C85845-INT Weather Station, Black
This Amazon bestseller is our top pick in indoor outdoor thermometers.
While we generally don’t recommend La Crosse weather stations as there are better options, one thing La Crosse Technology does well is indoor and outdoor thermometers. One of the best indoor-outdoor thermometers is the C85845-INT, which features an adjustable brightness color display and an attractive console that doesn’t take up much space and the temperature is readable from a considerable distance.
In addition to indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, this large display indoor outdoor thermometer also measures the dewpoint and heat index, and “comfort levels” are shown below the humidity readings. While the C85845-INT does measure barometric pressure to provide a forecast, that information isn’t shown.
The console runs off AC power, with 3 AA batteries as backup (the outdoor sensor also requires batteries). La Crosse also sells a radiation shield for the sensor to improve the accuracy of outdoor temperature measurements, which we recommend.
- Large, bright display
- Battery backup
- Accuracy isn't great without optional radiation shield for the outdoor sensor
Ambient Weather WS-10 Wireless Indoor/Outdoor 8-Channel Thermo-Hygrometer
Measure the temperature and humidity in up to eight locations
While the La Crosse C85845 is nice, it can only measure the temperature inside and outside at one location of your choice. That’s not the case with the Ambient Weather WS-10. The large display allows you to monitor the current temperature and relative humidity in up to eight locations, four at any given time (one sensor is inside the console, and you can add up to seven more wireless sensors). You can also use the Ambient Weather F007TP probe sensor to monitor your pool’s temperature.
While there is no built-in wireless connectivity to store data (max/min records are stored on the console), we think the WS-10 is a steal, especially considering the price of some of our other suggestions on this list. And the battery life of the sensors should provide up to a year of continuous operation. This is one of the best indoor-outdoor thermometers for multiple locations, especially for the price.
- Cheap way to measure multiple locations
- Large display
- Accuracy is highly dependent on where and how you place your sensors
The budget-minded ThermoPro TP60 is a good option when your budget is limited.
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.
- It's inexpensive
- No WiFi connectivity
La Crosse 308-1414MB-INT Weather Station with Mold Indicator
If you have a mold problem, the La Crosse 308-1414MB-INT is a good choice.
If you live in a damp home, you're probably all too familiar with mold. It thrives in cool and humid environments, so it's crucial to monitor the temperature and humidity in spots in your home where mold is most likely to grow. The La Crosse 308-1414MB-INT monitors these conditions and will sound an alert if it believes there is a high risk of mold growth.
Otherwise, the feature set is similar to the C85845-INT, our top pick. If you don't have mold issues, that might be the better option (the good news is they're often priced about the same on Amazon if you don't know which one to choose!).
- Helps with mold issues
- Not any better than the C85845
Also Consider
WeatherFlow is a relatively recent entrant to the home weather station market, although it has years of experience. Its coastal network of professional weather stations has been delivering vital information to meteorologists for years and has proven useful (and durable) in landfalling hurricanes.
The Tempest Weather System is WeatherFlow's first attempt at a wireless 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 historical data than 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 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 Weather System was the only home weather station to use a haptic rain sensor.
See our review for a way to save 10% off your next purchase from WeatherFlow.
While the Criterion is an expensive indoor-outdoor thermometer, we wholeheartedly recommend it thanks to its high-quality construction and outstanding accuracy. Maximum Weather Instruments, a Massachusetts company, assembles these instruments by hand and tests every instrument before they go out the door.
You can monitor the temperature in up to three locations, with an adjustable marker to mark the current temperature to watch for trends. The Criterion is a great first Maximum instrument, and once you see how good it looks (and works), we think it won’t be your last.
What are some features to look for in an indoor-outdoor thermometer?
What’s the weather like outside? You can find out with an indoor-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
You’ll first want to consider whether you prefer an analog or digital model. There aren’t many options in analog thermometers, although we’d recommend either of the following thermometers from Taylor.
- Indoor and outdoor temperature readings from inside
- Large, easy to read face
- Easy installation
- Lifetime warranty
Measure temperature and humidity indoors and out with this inexpensive yet accurate analog thermometer.
Modern digital thermometers are as accurate and often more convenient than analog indoor 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 indoor 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 large temperature difference it may take up to an hour for the thermometer 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 indoor 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!
