An indoor outdoor thermometer will come in handy more often than you think.
You should keep an eye on the weather when you're camping or spending significant amounts of time outside. You don't want to be out there unprepared if temperatures were to drop or skyrocket dramatically. If you've recently purchased an RV, it goes without saying that you need a digital thermometer in it. They're also helpful if you're camping in a tent.
Indoor outdoor thermometers are helpful for more than just their temperature reading. Their humidity sensors can be a real benefit. If you're detecting high wind speeds and high humidity, chances are you're going to encounter a rainy weather forecast.
Also, they're great to have if you need to monitor locations such as storage rooms, basements, or anywhere pipes may burst.
Assuming you can't check your phone for weather updates, I recommend packing an outdoor thermometer for temperature readings. The next best alternative is a crank radio and listening to a weather station. Just go the easy route with a thermometer for outdoor use.
Where to Place an Outdoor Thermometer Sensor
It's important that you do not place an outdoor sensor in direct sunlight. Keeping the sensor at least four feet off the ground is also recommended for an accurate reading.
If you have a weatherproof sensor, you can get away with placing it on wooden poles or patio tabletops. For camping purposes, I would attach it to your tent if possible.
Where to Buy Outdoor Thermometers
There are plenty of places you can get an indoor outdoor thermometer, from the big outdoor retailer in your area to the small, locally-owned hardware store. They're common enough to find, but the selection is rarely more than one or two to choose from.
That's why we'd recommend using the endless supply of gear found on Amazon. With all the added benefits of side-by-side comparisons and convenient shipping options, it's tough to beat.
When shopping for a thermometer, you'll come across many that read both indoor temperatures and outdoor temperatures. It's up to you to determine if you need that or not. Here are some selections that will work for various needs.
Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometers
1. ThermoPro TP-60S Digital Hygrometer Indoor Outdoor Thermometer
ThermoPro's wireless thermometer reads both indoor and outdoor temps. It'll help you keep track of humidity percentages as well. Pay attention to temperature trend arrows if you're curious if the temperature sensor detects cooler or warmer weather. This one is great for walls and tabletops (or monitoring temperatures in storage rooms).
Consider their TP90 Wi-Fi model if you'd like an option compatible with Alexa.
2. Taylor Precision Products Patio Thermometer
Taylor's weather-resistant outdoor wall thermometer has a -60 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range. It looks like an analog clock, so if you want a display with large numbers, you'll like this dial thermometer. It's a terrific choice if you don't need information like air pressure, moon phase, or a spec like a built-in alarm clock.
3. Sun Company Digital Zipogage - Compact Zipperpull Digital Thermometer
If you're looking for an outdoor thermometer that gets straight to the point, you can go with something simple like this one from Sun Company. The LCD display can register temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. Use the keyring to attach it to your jacket, keys, or backpack. It isn't weatherproof, so keep it in a safe place during rainy weather conditions.
The kind of outdoor weather thermometer you shop for will vary based on where you're going to put it. If you're keeping it at the campsite, you can look into something like the ThermoPro thermometer. For something to keep in your backyard or at the RV site, the Taylor thermometer is great.
If you need something simple for a hike and aren't worried about a humidity gauge, check out Sun Company.
4. La Crosse Technology C85845-1 Color Wireless Forecast Station
Here's Amazon Choice for weather stations. The $47 wireless weather station gained that title for plenty of reasons. The wireless indoor outdoor thermometer is a top-pick since you can create customized alerts for temperature and humidity readings. I definitely recommend using a humidity monitor if you work outside or drive trucks for a living. Humidity levels will usually tell you everything you need to know about the weather.
The LCD screen is another perk for customers. The color screen really adds some flair while it reacts to changing barometric pressure. If the colors are too bright, you can always adjust the color display and backlight.
A customer gave it five stars and wrote, "The La Crosse Color Wireless Forecast Station is absolutely the best indoor/outdoor weather unit I've used. The display is gorgeous and easy to view and understand, and wireless connectivity to the remote sensor is 100% reliable."
For warranty information, visit this page.
5. AcuRite 00424CA Digital Thermometer with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature
AcuRite is Amazon's Choice for wireless indoor outdoor thermometers. The digital indoor outdoor thermometer is under $20 and has over 1,000 positive ratings. The small wireless sensor isn't fancy like a digital weather station, but the wireless temperature thermometer will get the job done for most.
Consider this option if you're looking for a digital display to give you the outdoor and indoor temperatures only. You'll have high and low records daily. Check out this review from Alana.
I highly recommend monitoring low temperatures to try and avoid burst water pipes.
Ambient Weather is another top-notch brand for thermometers. This gadget is under $16 and has nearly 2,000 positive Amazon ratings. It's a great budget-friendly pick for monitoring temperatures, without all the extra stuff you might not be interested in.
A customer gave it a perfect rating and said, "We have been using this little thermometer since March 2016 and it has not failed through all the extreme weather in the UP of Michigan."
This post was originally published on December 9, 2019.
NEXT: AN OUTDOOR SINK KEEPS MESSY FOOD PREPPING AWAY FROM YOUR KITCHEN
WATCH
