A weather station with wind speed measurement gives you information that a basic indoor/outdoor thermometer cannot provide.
- Current wind speed
- Maximum wind gust
- Average wind speed
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Rainfall on selected models
- Barometric pressure
The key component responsible for measuring wind speed is called an anemometer.
Quick Answer
Best Overall: WeatherFlow Tempest
Best Value: Ambient Weather WS-2902
Best for Expandability: Ecowitt Weather Station
Best Premium Option: Davis Vantage Vue
Best Budget Option: AcuRite Iris 5-in-1
Quick Comparison: Best Weather Stations With Wind Speed
| Weather Station | Wind Speed | Wind Direction | Rainfall | Wi-Fi | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeatherFlow Tempest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Best Overall |
| Ambient Weather WS-2902 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Best Value |
| Ecowitt WS90 / Wittboy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Selected Systems | Best Expandable System |
| Davis Vantage Vue | Yes | Yes | Yes | Configuration Dependent | Best Premium Reliability |
| AcuRite Iris 5-in-1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Selected Models | Best Budget Option |
1. WeatherFlow Tempest — Best Overall Weather Station With Wind Speed
The WeatherFlow Tempest is one of the most advanced modern home weather stations available.
Unlike traditional weather stations that use spinning cups to measure wind, the Tempest uses an ultrasonic wind sensor.
This means it has no traditional spinning anemometer cups.
What Does the Tempest Measure?
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Barometric pressure
- Rainfall
- UV index
- Solar radiation
- Lightning activity
Why Is It Our Best Overall Pick?
The biggest advantage is its combination of modern sensors and low maintenance.
Traditional cup anemometers have moving parts. Over time, bearings and mechanical components can wear out.
An ultrasonic wind sensor has fewer mechanical parts exposed to the environment.
Pros
- Ultrasonic wind measurement
- No spinning wind cups
- Measures wind direction
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Rainfall monitoring
- Lightning detection
- Solar-powered design
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a smartphone-focused ecosystem
- Not ideal for buyers wanting a traditional large console
🏆 Verdict: The best overall choice for users wanting modern wind measurement and a complete smart weather station.
2. Ambient Weather WS-2902 — Best Value Weather Station With Wind Speed
The Ambient Weather WS-2902 is one of the best-known traditional personal weather stations.
It provides a large range of environmental measurements at a lower cost than many premium systems.
Measurements Include
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Rainfall
- UV intensity
- Solar radiation
- Barometric pressure
The WS-2902 uses a traditional cup anemometer for measuring wind speed.
Why It Offers Good Value
You get a relatively complete weather station with wind, rain and environmental monitoring rather than simply a standalone anemometer.
Pros
- Measures wind speed
- Measures wind direction
- Integrated rain gauge
- UV monitoring
- Solar radiation monitoring
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Physical display console
Cons
- Moving parts require maintenance
- Availability may be limited outside North America
- Imported units can be expensive in India
💰 Verdict: Best value for buyers wanting wind speed, wind direction and rainfall in one complete system.
3. Ecowitt Weather Station — Best for Expandability
Ecowitt is particularly attractive for weather enthusiasts who want to build a larger environmental monitoring system over time.
Depending on the sensor array and gateway you choose, Ecowitt systems can measure:
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Rainfall
- UV index
- Solar radiation
- Barometric pressure
Ecowitt WS90 / Wittboy
The WS90 is particularly interesting because it uses modern sensor technology for wind measurement and can be part of a larger Ecowitt ecosystem.
Expandable Sensors Can Include
- Additional temperature sensors
- Humidity sensors
- Soil moisture sensors
- Rain gauges
- PM2.5 sensors
- Indoor sensors
Pros
- Excellent expandability
- Wind monitoring
- Multiple sensor options
- Good for weather enthusiasts
- Useful for gardens and farms
- Wi-Fi options available
Cons
- Different packages have different features
- Model numbers can be confusing
- Additional sensors increase the total cost
📡 Verdict: Best choice for enthusiasts who want wind measurement today and additional environmental sensors in the future.
4. Davis Vantage Vue — Best Premium Weather Station for Wind Measurement
The Davis Vantage Vue is a premium personal weather station from one of the most established names in weather instrumentation.
It measures:
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Rainfall
- Barometric pressure
Davis weather stations are particularly attractive for people who prioritize long-term durability and measurement quality.
Why Choose Davis?
The biggest reason is long-term reliability.
A weather station installed outdoors experiences:
- Rain
- Strong sunlight
- UV exposure
- Dust
- High winds
- Temperature changes
Durability becomes extremely important for a system that may remain outdoors for years.
Pros
- Excellent reputation for durability
- Reliable wind measurement
- Rainfall monitoring
- Professional-quality ecosystem
- Suitable for serious enthusiasts
Cons
- Expensive
- Less attractive for casual users
- Additional connectivity hardware may be required depending on setup
⭐ Verdict: Best premium option for buyers who prioritize long-term durability and dependable weather measurements.
5. AcuRite Iris 5-in-1 — Best Budget Weather Station With Wind Speed
The AcuRite Iris 5-in-1 is designed for home users who want a relatively affordable complete weather station.
Its sensor array can provide:
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Rainfall
This makes it significantly more useful than a basic wireless thermometer.
Pros
- Measures wind speed
- Measures wind direction
- Integrated rain gauge
- Easy to understand
- Good for homeowners
Cons
- Features vary by package
- Wi-Fi is not included with every version
- Availability varies internationally
💰 Verdict: A good starting point for homeowners who want wind and rainfall monitoring without buying a premium weather station.
Weather Station Wind Speed Comparison
| Feature | Tempest | Ambient WS-2902 | Ecowitt | Davis Vue | AcuRite Iris |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Speed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wind Direction | Yes | Yes | Selected Models | Yes | Yes |
| Rainfall | Yes | Yes | Selected Models | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Selected Models | Configuration Dependent | Selected Models |
| Sensor Type | Ultrasonic | Cup Anemometer | Model Dependent | Cup Anemometer | Cup Anemometer |
How Does a Weather Station Measure Wind Speed?
Weather stations generally use one of two technologies.
1. Cup Anemometer
A traditional anemometer has rotating cups.
Wind pushes the cups, causing them to spin.
The weather station measures the rotational speed and converts it into wind speed.
Wind → Cups Rotate → Sensor Measures Rotation → Wind Speed
2. Ultrasonic Anemometer
An ultrasonic anemometer has no spinning cups.
It uses sound waves to measure how air movement affects the travel time of ultrasonic signals.
This technology can measure:
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
The main advantage is the absence of traditional moving parts.
Wind Speed vs Wind Gust: What Is the Difference?
This is an important distinction.
Wind speed usually refers to the current or average speed of moving air.
Wind gust refers to a temporary increase in wind speed.
For example:
- Average wind speed: 15 km/h
- Maximum wind gust: 45 km/h
A weather station capable of recording maximum gusts can be particularly useful during storms.
Where Should You Install a Wind Sensor?
Installation location has a huge effect on wind measurements.
Avoid Installing the Sensor:
- Behind walls
- Between buildings
- Under trees
- Near large structures
- Close to air conditioner exhausts
These objects can block or distort airflow.
Better Installation Locations
- Roof-mounted pole
- Open elevated location
- Above nearby obstructions where practical
- Area with unobstructed airflow
Important: A wind sensor mounted near a wall may provide very different readings from the actual wind conditions because buildings create turbulence and block airflow.
Do You Need Wind Direction Measurement?
For many casual users, wind speed alone is enough.
However, wind direction becomes useful for:
- Weather enthusiasts
- Farming
- Boating
- Storm monitoring
- Outdoor activities
A complete weather station with both wind speed and direction provides a much better understanding of local conditions.
Best Weather Station With Wind Speed for Different Users
🏆 Best Overall: WeatherFlow Tempest
Best combination of modern ultrasonic wind measurement, smart features and complete weather monitoring.
💰 Best Value: Ambient Weather WS-2902
Excellent for buyers who want wind speed, wind direction, rainfall and Wi-Fi connectivity.
📡 Best Expandable System: Ecowitt
Best for users who want to expand their weather monitoring system with additional sensors.
⭐ Best Premium Option: Davis Vantage Vue
Best for long-term durability and serious weather monitoring.
🏠 Best Budget Option: AcuRite Iris 5-in-1
Best for homeowners who want basic wind and rainfall monitoring at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best weather station with wind speed?
The WeatherFlow Tempest is one of the best overall options because it combines wind speed measurement with wind direction, rainfall, lightning detection and smart connectivity.
What is the best cheap weather station with wind speed?
Budget AcuRite and selected Ecowitt systems can provide wind monitoring at a lower price than premium weather stations.
Are ultrasonic anemometers better than cup anemometers?
Ultrasonic anemometers have the advantage of having no traditional spinning cups or mechanical bearings. However, both technologies can be useful when properly designed and installed.
Can a weather station measure wind gusts?
Yes. Many weather stations record maximum wind gusts in addition to current or average wind speed.
Do I need Wi-Fi?
No. A weather station can display wind speed locally without Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is useful if you want remote access, cloud logging or smartphone monitoring.
Final Verdict: Best Weather Station With Wind Speed
🥇 Best Overall: WeatherFlow Tempest
Best for modern, low-maintenance wind monitoring with a complete smart weather station ecosystem.
🥈 Best Value: Ambient Weather WS-2902
Excellent combination of wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, UV and solar measurements.
🥉 Best for Expansion: Ecowitt
Ideal for weather enthusiasts who want to add more environmental sensors over time.
⭐ Best Premium: Davis Vantage Vue
Best for buyers who prioritize long-term reliability and durable weather instrumentation.
Bottom Line
If wind speed measurement is your main priority, do not buy a basic indoor/outdoor weather display marketed simply as a “weather station.”
Look specifically for a product with an anemometer.
For the most complete experience, choose a system that measures:
- Wind speed
- Wind direction
- Maximum wind gust
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Rainfall
This combination gives you a much more complete picture of the weather conditions at your exact location.
About the Author
ManBearPig is a part-man, part-bear, part-pig creature and a full-time expert on global warming—mostly because he has personally experienced the consequences of being extremely, extremely, super cereal.
When he isn’t roaming the wilderness, terrorizing unsuspecting humans, or demanding that people take climate change seriously, ManBearPig studies rising temperatures, melting ice, extreme weather, carbon emissions, and other inconvenient signs that the planet may not be particularly happy with us.
His research philosophy is simple:
“I’m super cereal.”
ManBearPig believes climate change is too important to discuss without facts—and too ridiculous to discuss without a little humor. Through this website, he explores global warming, climate science, environmental changes, energy, and the strange ways humans respond when their own planet starts sending them warning signals.
He has no university degree, no laboratory, and absolutely no intention of becoming a respectable academic.
But he does have hooves, claws, a snout, and an unusually strong opinion about melting ice.