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Which Kestrel Weather Meter Should I Buy?

These pocket weather stations are a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast

By Ed Oswald

Updated on:

kestrel weather meter

Kestrel weather meters are some of the best handheld weather stations on the market. Our favorite is the Kestrel 5000, but we can understand if thatโ€™s too expensive. There are a dizzying amount of options, making it difficult to choose. But all come with the same accuracy and reliability โ€” and an outstanding five-year warranty, the best of any weather instrument manufacturer.

We recommend serious weather enthusiasts purchase either the Kestrel 5500 or Kestrel 5000 Weather Meter. These two models are as good as a weather station, and the 5500 can be placed on a special mount that allows it to act as a mobile weather station out in the field. These Kestrel Weather Meters also come with LiNK, which we review a bit later (you can also skip right to it using the menu above!).

However, most will be able to get by with one of the cheaper models. The Kestrel 3000 or 3500 are good options, as is the entry-level Kestrel 2000 if you have a limited budget.

Top Rated Kestrel Weather Meters

ImageModelFeaturesPrice
Kestrel 1000 Pocket Wind Meter

Kestrel 1000 Pocket Wind Meter

The entry-level Kestrel 1000 measures wind speeds only and is perfect for budget-conscious weather watcher.

Find the Best PriceRead Our ReviewDownload Manual
Kestrel 2000 Pocket Wind And Temperature Meter

Kestrel 2000 Pocket Wind And Temperature Meter

The Kestrel 2000 adds a temperature sensor to the Kestrel 1000, which we think makes it the better deal.

Find the Best PriceRead Our ReviewDownload Manual
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

For those in the heat, the Kestrel 3000 offers heat index readings to make sure you're staying cool.

Find the Best PriceRead Our ReviewDownload Manual
Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter

The Kestrel 3500 is the high end of the company's cheaper models and measures most of the most common weather variables, plus a few extras.

Find the Best PriceRead Our ReviewDownload Manual
Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter with Link

Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter with Link

The 5000 is a step below Kestrel's top-of-the-line weather meter and is a weather station in your pocket.

Find the Best PriceRead Our ReviewDownload Manual
Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with Link and Vane Mount

Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with Link and Vane Mount

This package comes with the vane mount, for a fully portable weather station!

Find the Best PriceRead Our ReviewDownload Manual

Kestrel Company Profile

Kestrel has made handheld weather stations since 1996 when parent company Nielsen Kellerman first launched the brand. NKโ€™s founders and lead engineers, Richard Kellerman and Paul Nielsen, designed the Kestrel weather meter in the 1990s, and during their research developed four patented measurement technologies for the Kestrel meter still uses today.

Nielsen Kellerman also owns two other high-profile weather brands, Ambient Weather, which it acquired in 2019, and pro-grade weather station manufacturer Rainwise, which it acquired the following year. Nielsen Kellerman assembles all Kestrel weather meters at its factory in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.

Kestrel Wind Meters vs. Kestrel Weather Meters

A wind meter does what its name suggests: it measures wind. However, some Kestrel wind meters measure additional variables, such as temperature. On the other hand, a Kestrel weather meter is like a weather station in your hand: and will measure several weather variables, including altitude, wind speed, temperature, humidity, wet bulb temperature, Delta T, wind chill, and more.

The company produces specialized versions of some models for specific applications. For example, the Kestrel 3500 has specialized versions for in-field use that focus on Delta T, agriculture use (spraying), and fire weather.

Kestrel Weather Meter Comparisons

Unsure of which Kestrel Weather Meter to choose? We compare the various options below and recommend which one you should buy.

Kestrel 5000 vs. Kestrel 5500

Editor's Choice
9.1
Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter with Link
Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter with Link
Pro-Grade Instrumentation
9.7
Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with Link and Vane Mount
Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with Link and Vane Mount

The Kestrel 5500 is the companyโ€™s top-of-the-line weather meter. Rugged enough for daily outdoor use and featuring a large green backlit display that you can read in any lighting, the 5500 measures wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity, dew point and heat index. The Kestrel 5500 also has a built-in altimeter/barometer.

Unique to the 5500 is the measurement of crosswind and headwind/tailwind. This may be useful in flying, kiteboarding, kitesurfing, or yachting, any activity where winds blowing from a particular direction may be an issue. In addition to all these features, the Kestrel 5500 has a USB connection to send your readings directly to a computer. Itโ€™s a highly versatile device, but you pay for all this functionality.

If thatโ€™s out of your price range, stepping down to the Kestrel 5000 makes sense. It doesnโ€™t include the crosswind and headwind/tailwind functionality which weโ€™re guessing a majority of you will rarely, if ever, use. But otherwise, the Kestrel 5000 measures everything that the 5500 can. Both models include Bluetooth connectivity, data storage, graphing functions, and in select 5000 series models, a computer interface technology called LiNK. The LiNK interface allows you to sync data from your weather station with a smart device like an iPhone.

Between the two, we recommend the Kestrel 5000 to most as it is $70 cheaper (MSRP), unless you have a use for the extra wind functionality, or plan to use your Kestrel weather meter as a mobile weather station.

Kestrel 3500 vs. Kestrel 5000

Best for Features and Value
9.6
Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter
Editor's Choice
9.1
Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter with Link
Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter with Link

The Kestrel 3500 is the next model down from the Kestrel 5000. The main difference is that this device does not have data storage or connectivity options. As a result, itโ€™s not as expensive as the 5000, yet measures everything that more expensive model does. Weโ€™d recommend this to weather enthusiasts who are on a tighter budget.

The Kestrel 3500 is best for those looking for accurate weather readings but doesnโ€™t care about connectivity. If you plan to use your Kestrel weather meter in severe conditions or wish to track your data, opt for the Kestrel 5000 instead, as those meters are the only ones with LiNK compatibility at the moment.

Kestrel 3000 vs. Kestrel 3500

Best for Outdoor Work
8.9
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Best for Features and Value
9.6
Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3500 Pocket Weather Meter

The Kestrel 3000 is an excellent step up if the 2000โ€™s feature set if youโ€™re looking for a little more than just temperature and wind readings. It can measure humidity, allowing you to determine dew point temperature and potential heat stress. But itโ€™s missing quite a bit from the Kestrel 3500, but for most general weather observers will be more than good enough.

Weโ€™re still quite partial to the Kestrel 3500, and strongly recommend you opt for it over the 3000 if you have the budget for it.

Kestrel 1000 vs. Kestrel 2000

Also Consider
8.8
Kestrel 1000 Pocket Wind Meter
Kestrel 1000 Pocket Wind Meter
Best Value
9.1
Kestrel 2000 Pocket Wind And Temperature Meter
Kestrel 2000 Pocket Wind And Temperature Meter

The Kestrel 2000 is the first Kestrel meter below $100, but it also doesnโ€™t have much of the functionality that its more expensive brethren have. It can only measure temperature and wind speed and provide a wind chill value if cold enough. Despite its price, itโ€™s not built any different from the other Kestrel meters (although it might be less durable than the 5000 series meters).

If youโ€™re looking for the best handheld wind meter, then the entry-level Kestrel 1000 is a great pick. It only measures wind, and thatโ€™s it. While it retails for the same price as the Kestrel 2000, itโ€™s often on sale. Of course, weโ€™d recommend looking at other cheaper wind meters instead (see our favorites here) for the best deals if price is a concern for you..

Kestrel Weather Meter Specifications

All Kestrel weather meters share the exact specifications and accuracy, regardless of model. The model differences are simply in their feature sets: no Kestrel is less accurate than another, and all models are waterproof. While the company imports components from overseas, most of the manufacturing is done here in the USA at Kestrelโ€™s manufacturing facility near Philadelphia.

Kestrel backs all of its weather meters with a five-year warranty, which is generous for most weather gadgets weโ€™ve had a chance to review.

Temperature: -20 to 158ยฐF (-29 to 70ยฐC) (+/- .9ยฐF/.5ยฐC)
Wind Speed:Up to 89.5mph (+/- 3%)
Relative Humdity:10-90% at 25ยฐC
Pressure:+/- 1.5mb or .044inHg
Compass:+/- 5ยฐ

See each modelโ€™s user manual for specific information on the accuracy of derived measurements (Dewpoint, Heat Index, etc.).

The free Kestrel LiNK app gives you full access to advanced tools, including shareable reports, custom display options, threshold alerts, snapshot capture, and data visualization. The app is available for both Android and iOS operating systems.

  1. With Bluetooth enabled on your iOS or Android device, download and open the Kestrel app.
  2. Ensure the settings under โ€œAboutโ€ are set to โ€œBluetoothโ€ on your Kestrel LiNK meter.
  3. Follow the prompts on each device to connect.
  4. Youโ€™re ready to go, with full access to advanced features that simplify reporting and improve data capture.

Getting Accurate Readings from your Kestrel Weather Meter

Getting accurate readings is pretty simple, however. You need to ensure the sensors arenโ€™t obstructed, directly facing where the wind is blowing, press the center button, and wait five seconds. You can then cycle through available readings using the directional keys.

(Editorโ€™s note: you can also stand with your back facing the wind. However, you will have to put the Kestrel well above your head or to the side, so your body isnโ€™t blocking the wind.)

severe thunderstorm watch

Wrapping Up

If you want something more advanced than the Kestrel 2000 but donโ€™t care about connectivity or data storage (the Kestrel 5000), choose the Kestrel 3500. Itโ€™s a great โ€œmiddle-groundโ€ model, with tons of functionality, just not the connectivity the 5000 series models provide. If budget is a concern, choose the Kestrel 2000: if itโ€™s not, consider the 5500 instead. Either way, theyโ€™re โ€œmade in the USAโ€ is a definite plus for us no matter which pocket weather meter you choose.

We hope this helped clear up the differences between the various Kestrel weather meters, and we hope to have detailed reviews of many of these models available soon on the site. And if youโ€™re looking for a personal weather station, check out our recommendations there.

Logo of The Weather Station Experts

Ed Oswald

Ed Oswald has nearly two decades of experience in technology and science journalism, and specializes in weather stations and smart home technology. He's written for Digital Trends, PC World, and TechHive. His work has also appeared in the New York Times. When he isn't writing about gadgets, he enjoys chasing severe weather and winter storms.