5 Best Wireless Rain Gauges

22.45% of users selected AcuRite Wireless Rain Gauge, 18.37% selected AcuRite Rain Gauge with Thermometer, 2.04% selected AcuRite 02446M Wireless Rain Gauge, 53.06% selected La Crosse Technology Wireless Rain Station and 4.08% selected AcuRite 01021M Color Weather Station. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

Rain is unheard of, and it may fall at any moment if thick clouds linger in the sky. Nobody wants to be caught off guard by the rain if they haven’t planned ahead of time. How do you calculate the amount of rain that has fallen and how long has it been raining? Rain gauges can be the ideal tools for the job.

What is a wireless rain gauge?

A rain gauge (a.k.a. udometer, ombrometer, pluviometer) is a device that measures the quantity of liquid precipitating (rain) in a certain period of time per unit area. It keeps track of how much rain falls in your garden/lawn, avoiding droughts, conserving water by avoiding overwatering, and saving money on your energy conservation. It displays the amount of rainfall that has been recorded in millimeters.

The finest rain gauges may be an important piece of equipment for weather lovers, farmers, and amateur gardeners. They enable you to evaluate data from past months or years, as well as keep track of the circumstances around you.

This question does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. It all relies on how you want to utilize the gear. Wireless rain gauges are often complex technological devices. This post will concentrate on the top 5 wireless rain gauges to assist you in selecting the best one for your requirements and budget. So do the comparison table and buying guide below.

AcuRite Wireless Digital Rain Gauge – the best for accuracy!

It has a practically limitless capacity thanks to its self-emptying feature.

It gives measures in millimeters or inches, depending on your choice, as a precise and accurate device for lawn maintenance. When the rain starts to fall, an alert rings to quickly safeguard delicate objects. It connects to an easy-to-read display that can be set up to send out warnings when rain starts or specific capacities are reached. Get easy measurement reporting for a rain event, day, or week.

The display may also be used as a calendar or clock, and it comes with a one-year warranty as an additional benefit.

The AcuRite gauge is a solid option that is simple to use and maintain. It includes the essentials of reliable rain monitoring as well as a few extras. It also drains itself, implying that it does not need any maintenance.

AcuRite 01089M Rain Gauge – the best for the range!

The digital display of the AcuRite 01089M is elegant and attractive. An easy-to-read LCD panel with excellent contrast and viewing angles makes up the display. Today’s rainfall totals, as well as current interior and outdoor temp and humidity, are shown on the screen.

Every 16 seconds, the data is collected and updated. Rain warning alarms may also be programmed to notify you of rainfall amounts.

The AcuRite 01089M gauge has the same basic characteristics as the 00899 model, including a self-emptying rain collection, inch or millimeter precision readings, and a wireless LCD.

The AcuRite 01089M gauge is a portable weather station that provides many useful data. It shows the current inside/outside temperature and humidity. You may read the dew point and heat index calculations to get a real picture. Rainfall data for past and current days/weeks/months/years are also available.

AcuRite 02446M Wireless Rain Gauge – the best for the alert system!

It also has a configurable rainfall alarm that sounds an alarm when the preset rainfall total is achieved, alerting you to the possibility of flooding. This rain gauge is a wonderful present for the gardener or weather enthusiast in your life.

You may have that luxury with the AcuRite outdoor sensor and interior monitor. Rain falls down a funnel at the sensor’s top, then drips into a tiny cup called a “bucket”. When the bucket is full, it lowers to empty the water from the sensor, while another seesaws up to collect the stream.

You may also set an alert to warn you if rainfall totals exceed a particular threshold, which is useful if you’re in the flash flood area. The sensor is simple to mount on the wall and comes with a stand. It’s easy to set up and use.

This gadget was designed to capture up to 7 inches of rainwater in order to measure precipitation and monitor the irrigation of your garden or lawn. It is made of high-quality sturdy metal and glass and is more/less damage-proof in weather situations.

La Crosse Technology 724-1415BL-INT Wireless Rain Station – the best for real-time signals!

The rain bucket with the wide mouth self-empties from the collecting rocker and transfers over 330 ft. You can customize the display to your preference with adjustable settings, a customizable rain alert, and an optional backlight function. For full use, the device needs 6 AA batteries (not supplied).

You may select between inches and millimeters for readings that contain recent data – 1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month, and 1 year – and the unit of measurement is in inches or millimeters.

Tips for users: on the screen is an animated floral symbol. This “flower” will bloom in wet conditions or on rainy days. The withering flower, on the other hand, represents days without rain. In this case, flowers and plants in your garden will need to be watered more often.

The La Crosse Technology rain gauge is a weather station that is intended to provide rainfall readings and is robust, small, and simple to use. It features a self-emptying cup with vents that fully drain the liquid, as well as extra internal tilting cups.

AcuRite 01021M Color Weather Station with Rain Gauge – the best for multifunctional use!

The weather station warns you of extreme weather with lightning warnings and rainfall information, as well as providing reliable weather predictions. The unique self-calibrating forecasting technology uses data from the outside sensor to provide you with the most accurate weather data for your exact location.

The display comes with a tabletop stand and can also be mounted on the wall, giving you a lot of flexibility in terms of where you may put it.

This weather station is ideal for learning about the current weather in your area so you can make smarter choices throughout the day. The sensor detects lightning strikes within a 25-mile radius and sends out lightning warnings that include a warning light and an audio alert.

During normal circumstances, it wirelessly sends data every 24 seconds, and when lightning is detected, it transmits data every 8 seconds.

You can remain alert to hazardous lightning strikes and excessive rains with the AcuRite station with a rain gauge and lightning detector. A 12- to 24-hour weather prediction is also available from this system.

The Buyer’s Guide

Types of wireless rain gauges

Digital

To take a measurement using a digital rain gauge, you don’t have to be at the gauge itself. A “tipping bucket” design is the most typical mechanism for digital gauges. Once a certain weight of water is achieved, typically equal to 0.01 inches, the gauge funnels rain into tiny cups that tip back and forth.

You’ll receive accurate readings, but the tipping buckets will fill up fast as the rain rate rises, and they probably won’t keep up in certain instances. They may also fill up too slowly and under-measure with mild rain.

Analog

Traditional gauges that flow water into a graded and calibrated cylinder are known as analog rain gauges. The official way of measuring rainfall is using an analog gauge, and models like the Stratus Precision are built to official specifications for use in scientific applications. Even snowfall may be measured with analog devices.

To collect a reading, you’ll need to stand in front of the gauge, and in heavy rain, you’ll need to take multiple readings throughout the day. They’re a lot less handy, but they’re a lot more accurate.

Design & materials

It is important to consider the design of various rain gauges before making a purchase. A gauge is typically shaped like a beaker, although it may alternatively be shaped like a bottle. It changes depending on how much precipitation it can hold.

Some rain gauges are composed of stainless steel, while others are made of polycarbonate, aluminum, or copper, among other materials. It should be constructed in such a manner that the water does not evaporate, since this may affect your real measurements and result in an error.

Accuracy

The structure of a gauge has a gauge on its accuracy. The rain gauge aperture should be at least 4 inches in diameter, which is why many devices have huge funnels on top.

The way a device is marked has an impact on your accuracy. Official measures are taken to the closest hundredth of an inch, while many inexpensive analog rain gauges are labeled to the tenth of an inch. Accuracy is also influenced by learning to measure properly with a certain gauge.

Installation

Even the finest rain gauges won’t be able to compensate for a poor installation, so if you don’t position the device correctly, the readings will be incorrect. Choose a model with a mounting bracket and mount the gauge 2-5 feet above the ground on the side of a fence post/pole for the best results. The mouth of the gauge should also be higher than the pole/post on which it is mounted. Rain that falls on the post will not splash down into the device since the aperture is above it. Make sure the gauge’s mouth is level by using a level.

Place the device away from towering buildings and trees, which may impede precipitation. Ideally, the gauge should be placed at a distance twice the height of the closest obstacle (e.g., you may install the gauge 20 ft away from 10-foot tall trees). If you can’t accomplish this, don’t worry; just place it in the most open location on your land for the greatest results.

Timing

Another benefit of wireless rain gauges is their option to monitor real-time data from the comfort of your own home, eliminating the need to watch until the rain stops to get accurate readings. Some wireless gauges also enable you to integrate data from various temperature and humidity measuring equipment, allowing you to track overall trends.

Low maintenance

You don’t want a rain gauge that requires you to constantly check on the container to collect rain readings. Digital models are low-maintenance. You just have to replace the batteries from time to time. You should also keep foreign objects and particles out of the rain container to avoid them clogging.

Size

Rain gauges are available in a variety of sizes. They may be selected based on their intended use and the amount of rain they are expected to hold before being emptied. Larger devices may be used for big fields and will undoubtedly aid in the measurement of a huge amount. The gauges with a larger diameter have greater accuracy and less inaccuracy.

However, they may be more costly than conventional devices. When comparing gauges based on size, keep in mind your budget and the installation area. If you just have a tiny backyard garden or a few plants, you may not need a larger gauge.

Resolution

The lowest quantity of rain that a gauge can record is referred to as resolution. This is the number that is sufficient to conclude that it has begun to rain. Some gauges even monitor short-term precipitation, while others only consider greater amounts.

Mounting height

It’s crucial to understand how high a rain gauge should be mounted. The rain gauge’s mounting height is the level at which it must be installed. The optimum height is 5 ft., however, this may be adjusted as needed. Some gauges must be placed at ground level, while others may be installed at a higher elevation.

Measuring capacity

The measuring capacity of analog rain gauges varies, but we suggest getting one with at least a 4-inch range to avoid missing rain during severe weather. One of the advantages of a digital model is the ability to measure without any limits. Most professional analog gauges, on the other hand, have an 11-inch capacity, which you’ll almost certainly never use.

Ease of use

A digital gauge is much handier in terms of simplicity of use. You’ll never need to measure outdoors, and they’re simple to read and maintain. Even analog gadgets, on the other hand, aren’t difficult to use; they simply take a little longer to master.

Useful Video: 10 Best Wireless Rain Gauges 2020

Final Thoughts

Though there is a range of wireless rain gauges with a variety of characteristics, the ideal rain gauge is determined by the applications and requirements. You’ll be better prepared to cultivate vegetation or react to weather-related catastrophes if you have more knowledge about our weather. The rain gauges listed above are the finest on the market, enabling you to fully depend on them.

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