The purpose of a rain gauge is to measure the amount of precipitation, specifically rain, that falls over time in a particular area. The features and capabilities of rain gauges vary from model to model, and it can be quite confusing to choose one to help you measure precipitation accurately. This is why in this post, we have gathered 10 of the best rain gauges on the market to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Best Rain Gauge Reviews
Rain Gauge For Garden, Yard & Farm
Professional 6 Inch Capacity Aussie Made Heavy Duty
If you are in need of a rain gauge that is built to withstand harsh conditions, then we recommend the Outdoor Home rain gauge for you. This rain gauge is built with high-quality polycarbonate plastic that doesn’t wear, crack or break regardless of the situation.
This rain gauge can measure precipitation volumes of up to 6 inches. Installing the rain gauge is easy since it comes with a mountain bracket; you can quickly fasten it to a wall, and it will be ready to measure rain. The calibration on the rain gauge features a dual scale to help you gather readings in either inches or millimeters. However, one thing you might not like is the fact that there is no contrast between the markings and the body of the rain gauge which can make readings quite difficult.
Wireless Rain Gauge
ECOWITT WH5360B
The Ecowitt WH5360B rain gauge allows you to measure precipitation, indoor temperature, and humidity. This rain gauge features an outdoor rain collector which transmits data wirelessly to the indoor console. The outdoor collector updates the indoor console every 46 seconds, ensuring that the console provides you with the most up-to-date reading.
With a transmission distance of up to 100m between the console and the outdoor unit, this device is ideal for farmers, who might want to monitor the rain levels in their farm, garden, or even backyard, which is why it is our best wireless rain gauge. The console provides you with some of the most in-depth rain readings. On the console, you can view metrics such as historic data, rain rate, volume, and total.
You have the option of customizing various alerts for your rain notifications, and with a self-emptying rain collector, you do not need to stress about your collector getting full.
Best Smart Weather Station With Rain Gauge
Tempest Weather System
The Tempest Weather Station features a futuristic design that is minimalistic and compact. It is capable of measuring rainfall together with 7 more weather metrics including lightning, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure, UV radiation, and humidity. Unlike most weather measurement tools on the list, the outdoor sensor unit of the outdoor weather station is solar-powered.
It comes with an indoor hub, which connects over 1000 feet to the outdoor unit. Users can interact with the weather station via the Tempest Weather App. This app is an AI-powered app that displays vital weather information for your view. With the outdoor unit updating the hub every 30 seconds, you can be assured that you are getting the most real-time information.
One great feature of this weather station is that it provides you with the rainfall information you need to allow you to adjust your irrigation schedule based on past rainfall information or rain forecast.
WiFi Smart Weather Station With Rain Gauge
Ambient Weather WS-2902
If you need to measure more weather metrics than just rainfall then we suggest you check out the Ambient Weather WS-2902 weather station. This weather station comes with an outdoor unit and an indoor display, and it is compatible with smart devices. This weather station can measure 6 weather metrics, including wind direction, wind speed, UV radiation, humidity, temperature, and rainfall, making it the perfect weather station for weather enthusiasts.
The Ambient WS-2902 is a WiFi weather station, this means, it connects wireless to the indoor unit(over a distance of up to 330 feet), and your phone, and is capable of uploading your rain data to the Ambient Weather Network which can be viewed by you on your phone anywhere or can be viewed by other weather enthusiasts.
This weather station is compatible with optional sensors such as 8 thermo-hygrometers, and two air sensors, allowing you to view a wide array of weather metrics.
Wireless Rain Gauge
Netatmo Weather Station
The Netatmo weather station is a smart rain gauge that allows for the measurement of rainfall on smart devices; this means, it doesn’t come with an indoor display unit. It is compatible with most smartphones, PCs, and tablets, allowing you to remotely view the current rain statistics you need without necessarily being close to the device.
The outdoor unit is made of UV-resistant plastic that is built to withstand any adverse weather conditions. By simply downloading the Netatmo Weather app on your device, you can easily connect to the outdoor unit to access tons of features in real time over a distance of 100m from the weather station. Starting with this, the app allows you to view the amount of rain in millimeters per hour, and you can view historic data of previous rainfalls for further analysis.
The app allows you to set various notifications that get sent to your phone whenever it starts raining. Also, from the data available, the app can give you an informed decision as to the best time to water your plants or to even go outside.
One feature of this rain gauge is that it doesn’t come with a bracket, and you will need to purchase it separately. That being said, this app gives you the flexibility of using your phone as a display as opposed to using a bulky display unit. Also, it is compatible with home assistant systems such as Alexa, which is a great plus.
Best Digital Rain Gauge
AcuRite 00899
AcuRite is an industry leader in the world of monitoring sensors and equipment and their Wireless digital rain gauge with the self-emptying collector is nothing short of their standard. Everything from the design to the functionality of this wireless rain gauge makes it worth the price being charged.
Starting, the device allows you to measure the amount of precipitation from the comfort of your home by virtue of an indoor console(display unit) which can communicate with the outdoor unit over a distance of up to 30 meters with the outdoor unit delivering precise results and accurate readings to the indoor console. The outdoor unit (rain collector) features a robust design that can handle all weather conditions once mounted. And thanks to its self-emptying property, you will not have to worry about going outside to empty it when full.
The transmission update between the rain collector and the indoor display occurs every 60 seconds to ensure that you get the most up-to-date readings. The indoor display comes with a plethora of features that allow you to take various kinds of reading. One feature you will love is the fact that you can take readings either using the metric system (millimeters) or the imperial system (inches); this gives you the flexibility to use this rain gauge no matter where you are in the world.
Users can also set an alarm system to notify them when rain readings get to a certain level that could lead to a flood. Also, there is a rain alarm system that goes off for a minute when it starts to rain; that being said, you have the option to turn both alarms off.
Finally, the gauge is packed with tons of historic data for your viewing; you can choose to view it and you have the option of viewing rain data for up to a week. However, the Total A/B mode of the device allows you to view rainfall data since the last time you cleared your history since you turned on the device.
Waterfall Rain Gauge
La Crosse 705-109
If you are into aesthetics and you want a rain gauge that is eye-catching, then you should check out the La Crosse 705-109 waterfall rain gauge. The first thing you will notice about this rain gauge is its unique design; it features a white horizontal mount that can be fastened on fence rails and decks. The mount is designed such that the rain gauge slides vertically into the mount, giving the whole device a distinctive appearance, unlike other mechanical rain gauges. The end of the rain gauge is flattened to hold the rain gauge in place when inserted into the mount, and it also makes it easy for you to remove the rain gauge in case you want to empty it or clean it.
The rain gauge features a translucent body with black marking, and not only is this aesthetically pleasing but then it is designed to be functional and it makes reading easy. The markings are really bold and accurately calibrated for correct measurement reading. For additional accuracy, the rain gauge comes with a red float which ensures that all readings taken are precise.
The La Crosse 705-109 has a depth of 6 inches, giving you more reading than most options within this price range. Also, the large-width design makes reading easy and ensures that it doesn’t miss any incoming droplets. This rain gauge is built with durable plastic and can last stand in most weather conditions.
Best Manual Rain Gauge
Stratus Precision with Mounting Bracket
All the manual rain gauges we recommended are great; however, the Stratus precision rain gauge stands out with its accurate reading. The first commendable feature of this rain gauge is its sturdy design. The Stratus precision rain gauge is built with a high-quality UV-resistant polycarbonate that is durable and resistant to the elements of nature. This means, when you purchase the device, you are assured that it will last a long time without you having to replace it.
The rain gauge comes with two cylinders; an internal cylinder and an outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is connected to the funnel and the rain moves through the funnel and into the inner cylinder and then it flows into the large cylinder which can handle rain volumes of up to 11 inches.
The robust build of this rain gauge makes it possible for the device to measure precipitation of up to 11 inches, which is a depth most manual rain gauges cannot handle. Not only can it measure large amounts of rain, but it is accurate with its reading, with a calibration of 1/100th of an inch between each marking, you can be assured that each reading you take is more accurate than what other manual rain gauges may offer. In addition, its opening features a 4″ opening for additional precision and accuracy.
Installing the Stratus Precision rain gauge is easy; all you need to do is to screw the bracket to the wall, and then hang the cylinder on it. You can easily remove the cylinder for maintenance whenever the need arises.
Even though this rain gauge is accurate and durable, one feature that you might not like is that the markings aren’t as large as other manual rain gauges.
The rain gauge features a translucent body with black marking, and not only is this aesthetically pleasing but then it is designed to be functional and it makes reading easy. The markings are really bold and accurately calibrated for correct measurement reading. For additional accuracy, the rain gauge comes with a red float which ensures that all readings taken are precise.
The La Crosse 705-109 has a depth of 6 inches, giving you more reading than most options within this price range. Also, the large-width design makes reading easy and ensures that it doesn’t miss any incoming droplets. This rain gauge is built with durable plastic and can last stand in most weather conditions.
Rain Gauge with Float 820-0002
Jumbo EZRead
The AcuRite 5″ rain gauge has a great price point; however, its limitation is that you might have some debris entering your rain gauge; this means, you will have to clean your rain gauge often to get rid of the debris and if there is debris inside your rain gauge, it might affect the readings you obtain.
Well, if you have some more dollars to spend, and you want a gauge that will save you the stress of habitual cleaning your rain gauge to get rid of debris, then getting the Jumbo EZRead rain gauge with Float 820-0002 shouldn’t be a bad idea. Thanks to the DEBRISGAURDTM funnel at the opening of the gauge, you can rest assured that the only thing entering the gauge is water.
Another commendable feature is that taking readings with the Jumbo EzRead rain gauge is easy; with a 26 inches body coupled with bold yellow markings, you can easily pick up reading even if you are 50 feet away from the gauge. This means you do not have to stain your eye from afar to get readings; or, go outside on rainy days or snowy days to know the level of precipitation– by sitting in your room, you should be able to read the rain gauge.
Talking about taking readings, Jumbo Ezread took the extra step to ensure that the readings you take are accurate by the addition of a bright red float. One great feature of their red float is that it easily gets magnified in water making it easy for anyone to take a reading from both near and far.
Unlike the AcuRite 5″, the installation options of the Jumbo Ezread are limited. The only way you can install this rain gauge is to screw the mount bracket on a wall or any flat surface and then insert the rain gauge into the wall bracket.
Finally, one feature that impressed me was the fact that the rain gauge comes with a sealing plug. For those of you who might not know what a sealing plug is, it is simply a tool that automatically seals any holes in the rain gauge to prevent leakage
Best Budget Option Rain Gauge
AcuRite 5" (00850A2)
If you are just starting with rain gauges and you are looking for a rain gauge that is affordable, easy to install, and easy to use, then the AcuRite 5″ Magnifying Acrylic rain gauge might just be what you are looking for. Just as the name implies, this rain gauge is capable of measuring up to 5 inches of precipitation; however, there are lots of features to love about this instrument.
One lovely feature of this rain gauge is its easy installability; you can simply insert the pointed end into the ground., and measure the precipitation. Alternatively, you can fasten it to a wall or any surface via the two bolt openings on the opened and pointed end as well.
Taking readings from this device is effortless, and I must say AcuRite was very intentional about the readability design of this rain gauge. First of all, the markings on the rain gauge are large enough to be seen from a far distance (about 40 feet) away from the rain gauge. Also, the contrast between the dark blue coloring and the white markings makes reading easy as well. Not only that, but AcuRite also ensured that the markings can be magnified by 35% when it comes in contact with water, making reading measurements easy.
This AcuRite rain gauge is built to be robust and durable; with its acrylic body construction, this rain gauge is designed to withstand any weather condition, ensuring that you not only get a device that can give you accurate weather readings but can last for a long time. For its price, build, and accuracy, we will highly recommend this rain gauge for anyone who needs a rain gauge for recreational purposes.
How To Choose A Rain Gauge:
1. Style
When it comes to style, rain gauges either come electronically or manually. With the electronic option, the rain collector has sensors that transmit readings to a display or console. The manual options, one the other hand, are designed to gather the rainfall in a funnel or container, and you will have to go and take the readings yourself, which can be frustrating; however, the good news is that the manual options tend to be cheaper.
2. Display
The type of display offered by your rain gauge is important. Some rain gauges allow you to view rain information only on the console, while some allow you to do so only via an app. Other rain gauge systems allow users to view rain information on either a phone or a console. Most rain gauges that are compatible with smart devices can often allow you to view rain data remotely; however, they tend to be more expensive.
3. Accuracy
Accuracy is another thing to consider; generally, the more accurate the rain gauge, the more expensive it will be. If you are a farmer or someone who depends on a rain gauge to determine when to water their plants, then we highly recommend that you purchase an accurate rain gauge.
4. Installation
You must consider the installation requirement of your rain gauge. Some are quite easy to install like the AcuRite 5″ rain gauge and others can be really complex to install like the electronic rain gauges. It is important that you understand the nature of your home or farm and then choose a rain gauge with the right installation method. This is because if you install your rain gauge wrongly, you may end up damaging the rain gauge, and the readings you get might not be accurate.
Rain Gauge FAQs
Regular maintenance is crucial to ensuring that you get accurate readings from your rain gauge always. To do this, you might have to clean the funnel always to get rid of any debris and poop that might have accumulated on the funnel. If your rain gauge is manual and has no debris-resistant funnel, then you will have to clean its inside since the debris might have accumulated.
To clean your rain gauge, all you need is to use damp clothes to clean the funnel.
Yes, a self-emptying rain gauge means it empties itself when full; however, it doesn’t mean it cleans itself. You will be required to clean the funnel just like you would with any other rain gauge. That being said, if your rain gauge isn’t self-emptying it is recommended that you empty it at most a week after it fills up.
Yes, you can use a rain gauge to measure snowfall. However, you will need to melt the snow and convert it to an equivalent water depth to get an accurate measurement.
This sums it up for the best rain gauges on the market. We hope with this list, you will be able to make an informed decision as to which rain gauge is good for you.
