Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Reviews
Summary
After reviewing the best wireless indoor outdoor thermometers on the market, we found that there was more value to be had from a complete home weather station. In particular, we recommend the WS-2902 station over any standard indoor outdoor thermometer due to its high degree of accuracy, user-friendly internet connectivity and the long list of weather measurements.
Knowing the weather is crucial information that helps you plan ahead. But finding the best indoor-outdoor thermometers that you can rely on is easier said than done since so many fail to live up to expectations. Or worse yet, they break easily and have problems giving accurate readings.
To help you find the best indoor outdoor thermometer for your needs, we put together a review of the top models, taking care to find the ideal balance between features, functions, and price.
Our number one choice isn’t a typical indoor/outdoor thermometer, but rather a complete home weather station. It’s accurate, and it has an extensive list of functions that impress even the biggest weather enthusiasts. The top choice does much more than measure temperature & humidity. If you’re just after a basic indoor outdoor thermometer, we have also included some worthy options in the list below.
Once you see what a top-quality weather station can do, you’ll never go back to an old-fashioned temperature gauge again!
Our team of editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products to help you navigate when shopping online. This post contains compensated links, and if you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.
Here Are the Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Reviews
Based on extensive research, testing and a close look at real customer reviews we have put together this comprehensive list of the best indoor outdoor thermometers.
1. Ambient Weather WS-2902C Osprey WiFi 10-in-1: Best Overall
The Ambient Weather WS-2902C is our top recommendation, and it’s not hard to see why when you review the capabilities of this station.
As you would expect from any wireless indoor-outdoor thermometer or weather station, the WS-2902C offers these basic functions:
- Indoor/Outdoor Temperature & Humidity
- Barometric Pressure
- Forecast
- Date & Time
- High & Low Temperatures
In addition to those basic features, the WS-2902C also provides more advanced functionality, offering even more versatility:
- Wind Speed & Direction
- Rainfall
- UV & Solar Radiation
- Dew Point
- Heat Index
- Wind Chill
- High & Low Readings For All Parameters
- Alerts For All Parameters
- Smart Home Integration
- Remote Monitoring and Reporting
- Additional Sensor Support
You can see from this list of functions that the WS-2902C provides a full home monitoring experience. Tracking the correct humidity level for sleeping is one of its features. Due to this high level of functionality, this product is more expensive than standard indoor outdoor thermometers, but for its price point, it represents excellent value for money, which is why we recommend this as our top pick.
All the information from the outdoor sensor is sent to your indoor display every 16 seconds from as far away as 330ft line of sight or 100ft under most conditions. The LCD display receives power via a wall adapter with batteries used as a backup, so you never miss a reading.
The sensor operates wirelessly, and the weather station is powered by a solar panel with batteries used as a backup to ensure that it’s delivering you accurate measurements 24/7. You can also add up to eight optional thermo-hygrometer sensors or temperature probes and two air quality sensors (indoor and outdoor) to the system.
Accuracy
Ambient Weather is not a new player in the game. They're well known for the accuracy of their home weather systems and based on our experiences and the reviews of other owners of the WS-2902C, this latest model lives up to those same standards. Moreover, the weather station software option is one of its recent offers.
A key contributor to the accuracy of the WS-2902C is the radiation shielding, which comes as a standard feature on this model. Radiation shielding minimizes the impact of direct sunlight exposure and encourages natural airflow around the temperature & humidity sensor, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of readings taken during daylight hours.
Smart Home Integration
The most exciting feature of the WS-2902C is its integration with smart home software like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Once connected to your smart home system, you can ask your Amazon Echo or Google Home device for an up-to-date report on the indoor or outdoor conditions at your house.
The WS-2902C also has IFTTT compatibility. This means you can set up automatic triggers for other devices in your home based on live conditions. Control external devices such as sprinklers, blinds, lights, and switches.
WiFi Connected for Remote Monitoring and Reporting
Another great feature of the WS-2902C is the ability to connect the device to Weather Underground and the Ambient Weather Network thanks to the built-in WiFi connection.
Accessing data from these services remotely is priceless. It gives you the ability to view historical and real-time data on your phone, tablet or PC.
Our Top Recommendation
If you want an affordable and user-friendly home weather station that offers many more functions than regular thermometers we highly recommend the WS-2902C.
Click here to check the price of the Ambient Weather WS-2902C on Amazon
Pros
- Most accurate sensors
- Includes rainfall and wind measurements
- Smart home integration
- Internet connectivity for remote monitoring
- Best value for money option
- User-friendly LCD display console
Cons
- More expensive than an indoor-outdoor thermometer
- Setup requires more time and effort
2. La Crosse Technology C85845: Runner-Up
The La Crosse Technology C85845 is a good option if you want a reliable indoor-outdoor thermometer but don’t need all the bells and whistles of our top recommendation. It has quite an attractive design and a bright color display that shows forecast information and the date and time very clearly.
The C85845 will provide an accurate reading of temperature & humidity level ideal at your home, along with a forecast. While the LA Crosse does provide forecasts, the barometric pressure is not displayed on the console.
When looking at the base unit, you can see that the color screen is easy to read, and the brightness is also adjustable. You can set customizable alarms based on the temperature & humidity readings and quickly view the minimum and maximum readings for the day.
The console runs off AC power, and 3 AA batteries are required as a backup. The outdoor sensor will need batteries to operate, as well. La Crosse also sells a radiation shield for the sensor to improve the accuracy of outdoor measurements. We always recommend using a shield to prevent exposure to direct sunlight.
Pros
- Easy to read color display
- Effortless setup
- Dynamic forecast
- Reliable measurements
- Radiation shield available to add on
Cons
- No barometric pressure reading
- No smart home integration or remote reporting
- Does not measure wind or rain
3. ThermoPro TP65A Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer: Best Budget Model
The ThermoPro TP65A is our top recommendation if you're looking for an affordable digital thermometer. While the TP65A is budget-friendly, it's still very accurate and reliable.
The battery-powered 4″ jumbo LCD touchscreen is convenient as it's not only easy to read and simple to use, but you never have to unmount the thermometer from the wall or fridge to adjust the settings. There's also a backlight function for those last-minute checks of the temperature & humidity at night.
The jumbo LCD screen also displays the 24 hour and all-time high & low records for temperature & humidity. Plus, the current trends for each measurement and humidity icons, so you'll know whether your home is too dry, too humid, or just right.
The included outdoor sensor has a 200ft range to the display. The TP65A can also sync with two additional sensors to monitor different locations.
What we are most impressed with is the warranty that ThermoPro offers its customers. The product comes with a 1-year warranty as standard, but if you register your product after purchase, you'll receive an extended 3-year warranty.
Pros
- Backlit and simple display makes it easy to read
- Affordable price
- Accurate measurements
- Can sync up to 3 outdoor remote sensors
- Extended 3-year warranty
Cons
- Does not provide a forecast
- Only measures temperature and humidity
- No customizable alert settings
4. Ambient Weather WS-10: Best For Monitoring Multiple Locations
The best model for measuring the temperature and humidity in multiple locations is the Ambient Weather WS-10 Wireless Thermo-Hygrometer. It supports up to eight sensors, including a pool sensor, which makes it perfect for larger homes or situations where you want to monitor multiple areas. The WS-10 includes three remote sensors, and five additional sensors can be added. Plus, there is an integrated sensor inside the display console.
Unlike the more premium WS-2902C, the base unit and sensors all run on batteries. Although there are reports of the batteries lasting for months at a time, replacing the batteries in up to eight sensors distributed around your home can be a tiresome chore.
The console allows you to set alerts when temperature & humidity readings reach certain thresholds—these alerts display both visually and audibly through the unit. The console also displays maximum and minimum readings for each connected sensor.
If you choose the WS-10 to monitor conditions in and around your home, you will not be getting a full range of readings—just temperature & humidity. While these two readouts are important for average users, they do not give enough information for forecasts.
This product is without a doubt great value considering the number of sensors it supports, but you miss out on the full range of readings from higher-end indoor-outdoor thermometers.
Pros
- Supports up to eight sensors
- Customizable alerts to notify you of temperature changes
- A pool temperature sensor can be purchased at an additional cost
- Temperature and humidity is displayed on the remote sensors as well as the base unit
Cons
- The display only shows data from four sensors before having to scroll down
- Limited to just temperature and humidity
5. AcuRite 02027A1
The AcuRite 02027A1 provides indoor and outdoor temperature & humidity readings, forecast, moon phase, and barometric pressure. The display console also shows you the date and time, daily high and low readings, and all-time high and low readings. But what’s not provided is the ability to set alerts, internet connectivity, and rainfall and wind measurements.
The 02027A1 is easy to set up, and the console is wall-mountable, or you can sit it upright on a desktop. Unfortunately, the viewing angles on the display are limited and it can also be hard to read when sunlight hits the screen.
As you can see, this unit has some great features, which makes it a reasonable budget choice if you cannot justify the price of the WS-2902C. The affordable price tag of the AcuRite 02027A1 also makes it an ideal gift for a weather enthusiast. However, only go for this model if you don’t want a full range of sensors or internet connectivity.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Patented self-calibrating forecasting
- Barometric pressure and moon phase
- Wall mountable or can stand upright on a desktop
Cons
- No alerts
- Limited viewing angles makes the display hard to read
6. La Crosse Technology V10-TH
Another offering from La Crosse is the V10-TH indoor-outdoor thermometer. Although it is a budget offering that has limited functionality compared to our top recommendation, it is still a very worthy choice. The thermometer performs admirably for a device at this price point.
The V10-TH doesn’t take enough readings to create a local forecast, but it can access online forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) via its WiFi connection.
The standout feature of the V10-TH is its remote reporting with the La Crosse View app. Through the app, you can view and track con and set alerts and receive push notifications all from the convenience of your smartphone.
If you want a simple and affordable indoor outdoor temperature gauge, then this is an excellent choice. You may not get the broadest range of readings or highest accuracy, but it is perfect for checking the forecast before you step out each day.
Pros
- Massive 400ft remote sensor range
- WiFi connection to access data from the National Weather Service
- Remote reporting through the free smartphone app
- Great value for a basic unit
Cons
- The forecast is from the internet rather than your local instruments
- Only measures temperature and humidity
7. AcuRite 02081M
Of all the digital indoor outdoor thermometers reviewed here, the AcuRite 02081M is one of the most visually appealing. Both the monochrome and color displays look great, and the unit fits nicely on a tabletop or mounted on a wall.
Unfortunately, the low price point means that you don’t get a whole lot of features. The indoor unit displays temperature, time, date, and a forecast. Even though the unit claims to measure barometric pressure, which is the most important metric for forecasting, the information is not shown on the LCD display, so the forecast accuracy is questionable. Be aware that there are also no humidity readings here. At this price point, there are a lot more options on the market that provide additional functionality.
If all you need is a good temperature reading and a nice looking clock and calendar for your home, then the AcuRite 02081M is a suitable choice. If you want more advanced readings, you can consider the higher-sensor features of Atlas – the latest AcuRite weather station or needs to go for the more feature-rich Ambient Weather WS-2902C.
Pros
- A choice between attractive monochrome or color displays
- 330ft wireless range
- Data updated every 16 seconds
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- No humidity readings
- Claims to use barometric pressure to generate forecasts, but the barometric pressure reading is not displayed on the screen
- LCD screen has poor viewing angles
Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Wireless Indoor Outdoor Thermometer
If you are not a weather enthusiast, then it can be hard to understand what makes a good wireless indoor-outdoor thermometer. There is a whole range of readings and features that you need to decide between and the choice can seem overwhelming.
To help make your decision easier, let’s take a closer look at each of the factors to consider when buying a digital indoor outdoor thermometer.
Included Readings
The first question you need to ask yourself is what measurements are important to you? We suggest the following as the minimum requirements:
- Indoor/Outdoor Temperature and Humidity
- Barometric Pressure
- Forecast
- Date and Time
- High and Low Temperatures
Along with these standard measurements and features, we also find the readings below very useful (especially if you want an accurate and comprehensive local report):
- Wind Speed and Direction
- Rainfall
Be aware that you will only find these features in complete home weather stations. After testing many models, the best weather station we have reviewed is the Ambient Weather WS-2902C.
Barometric Pressure and the Forecast
Barometric pressure is the measurement of the pressure that air is exerting on the surface of the earth. More advanced indoor outdoor thermometers measure barometric pressure.
High air pressure is an indication that air temperatures are lower and can bring blue skies. Low air pressure tends to occur as warmer air rises in the atmosphere. This can cause stronger winds and promote the formation of clouds.
Monitoring air pressure in predominantly sunny locations may show only rare changes, and it can become a bit boring. If you live somewhere with drastic seasonal changes though, you will quickly begin to see the link between changes in weather conditions and air pressure. Ex. observing barometric pressure in fishing locations.
Accuracy
Accuracy is, without a doubt, the most crucial aspect of any instrument. The accuracy rating of indoor outdoor thermometers are usually listed within a range, just like the temperature & humidity sensor for the WS-2902C:
- Temperature Accuracy: ±2°F
- Indoor and Outdoor Humidity Accuracy: ±5%
These accuracy ranges listed above for the WS-2902C are within acceptable limits, and you should not purchase a device with an accuracy range too much outside of this.
Sensor Placement and Radiation Shielding
If you are using outdoor sensors, then you will need to consider their placement carefully. Ideally, the location should be shaded all day and clear of any surfaces that radiate heat—like walls, fences or windows. Meteorologists define temperature as the temperature in the shade with plenty of ventilation.
Pick a location that is approximately 5-6 feet away from the ground where natural air can circulate freely around the sensor. If you are not getting accurate readings, try moving your sensor to an open location with constant shade. A useful feature of the AcuRite sensors is the ability to hang them. Many people place them under the eaves of their house, or even in a tree.
If you are finding it hard to locate the perfect shaded spot for your sensor, then consider using a radiation shield. Radiation shields help provide protection and shade for the sensor while still promoting natural airflow around it. Using a radiation shield increases your options for placement. Even if you think you have the perfect spot for your sensor, we still recommend purchasing a radiation shield for the most accurate readings. The WS-2902C comes packaged with a radiation shield which allows it to be installed in direct sunlight without impacting on accuracy of the weather station performance.
The radiation shield on the Ambient Weather WS-2902C (pictured at the bottom underneath the rain gauge) protects the outdoor temperature and humidity sensor.
Smart Home Integration
If you have other smart devices already, then adding a home weather system is the logical next step. Adding sensors to your automated home is a great way to increase the functionality of your setup by controlling your smart devices with any changes in the weather. If this is your goal, then the WS-2902C is the only device we reviewed that can fulfill this function.
Remote Monitoring and Reporting
Monitor your station's data from any device with the Ambient Weather Network cloud platform.
If you want to access forecast data on multiple devices or share it with other enthusiasts online, then you will need to get a WiFi-enabled model.
The setup for connecting to the Internet using your smartphone or tablet with the WS-2902C is very straightforward and one of the reasons it was our number one pick. Both Weather Underground and the Ambient Weather Network are great ways for you to share your collected data and view it remotely.
Display
The Ambient Weather WS-2902C has a large, easy-to-read color-coordinated display console.
The display is your primary interface with your wireless thermometer. You need to make sure you choose a device with a high-quality screen to avoid frustration. Here are a few things you should consider.
Readability
Generally, with screens, larger is better. Bigger screens can display information far more clearly than smaller units, which can sometimes feel cramped. Brightness and viewing angles are also very important, especially for units that are mounted near windows where they’re exposed to sunlight.
Power Source
For the most seamless user experience, choose a model where a wall outlet powers the display. Although many indoor outdoor thermometers say that batteries can be used, these should only be considered as a backup if the power fails.
The large screens on the indoor units consume a lot of power, and the batteries will lose charge quickly if you rely only on them! For most indoor outdoor thermometers, when being powered from just the batteries, the display console’s brightness will be dimmed right down to preserve power. So it’s best to keep it plugged in for better readability during the day.
Mounting Options
You need to give as much consideration to mounting the indoor display console as the outdoor sensors. Don't forget it has its own built-in sensors too!
The display units often have options to free-stand on a tabletop or desk, or you can mount it on the wall. This gives you a lot of choice about where to put the display, so it has access to a power socket. Just be careful that it is not near any appliances that radiate heat which can affect your indoor temperature readings.
Additional Sensor Support
Some people need a device that can accomodate many sensors, and for this, we recommend the Ambient Weather WS-10. With three sensors included and support for up to eight sensors in total, you can get multiple feeds of information seamlessly delivered to your display console.
Price
The old saying that ‘you get what you pay for’ has never been more accurate here. You can get cheap indoor outdoor thermometers that will do a serviceable job but they will not be reliable in the long term or offer you comprehensive insights.
Conclusion
After reviewing the best wireless indoor outdoor thermometers on the market, we found that there was more value in a complete home weather station. In particular, we recommend the Ambient Weather WS-2902C Osprey WiFi 10-in-1 station due to its high degree of accuracy, internet connectivity, and the extensive list of weather measurements.
If the WS-2902C is out of your budget and you’re just looking to monitor temperature and humidity, we recommend the La Crosse Technology C85845. This product will provide only the basics, but it’s accurate, and the console is user-friendly.
