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Deal.ai › Compare

Ambient Weather WS-2000 vs Ambient Weather WS-5000

Buy the WS-5000 if you want the most accurate wind and rain readings and no moving parts to wear out. Its ultrasonic anemometer and larger rain cup respond faster and need less maintenance than the WS-2000's spinning cups and spoon gauge. The WS-2000 is the better pick if you want a proven, widely owned station with a big color tablet display and a large user community. Both share the same Ambient Weather Network app and alerts, but owners report the WS-2000's wind cups can fail and its rain gauge under-reports when not perfectly level.

  • Choose the WS-2000 if you want a well-established station with a bright color tablet display, a large owner community and the lowest entry into Ambient's ecosystem.
  • Choose the WS-5000 if accurate wind and rain matter most to you and you prefer a station with no moving parts to wear out.

Prices

  • Ambient Weather WS-2000: $299.99 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Ambient Weather WS-5000: $399.99 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Ambient Weather WS-2000 is $100.00 cheaper than the Ambient Weather WS-5000 today
Ambient Weather
Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station

Ambient Weather WS-2000

Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station

4.4(41 ratings)
$299.99at WalmartChecked 8 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Bright color tablet display is easy to read day or night
  • Large owner base and long track record
  • Measures UV and solar radiation out of the box
  • Accepts add-on sensors such as a water temperature probe
  • Simple Wi-Fi setup and solid app integration
Cons
  • Wind cups have failed within a year for some owners
  • Rain gauge under-reports when not perfectly level or when clogged
  • Console can get stuck in a STARTING loop with a weak adapter
  • Display layout cannot be customized
Ambient Weather
Ambient Weather WS-5000

Ambient Weather WS-5000

4.6(17 ratings)
$399.99at AmazonChecked 17 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Ultrasonic wind sensor has no moving parts to wear out
  • Larger rain cup improves rainfall accuracy
  • SD card export for analysis in Excel
  • Auto-adjusting display brightness and wall-mountable console
  • Bubble level and removable lid make install and service easier
Cons
  • Fewer ratings, so less proven over years
  • LCD console is plainer than the WS-2000 color tablet
  • SD card is not included
  • Higher step up within Ambient's lineup

What separates them

Ambient Weather WS-2000Ambient Weather WS-5000
Wind sensingTraditional spinning wind cups and vaneUltrasonic anemometer with no moving parts
Rain gaugeSpoon tipping mechanism, can under-report if not level or cloggedExtra-large rain cup for better accuracy
DisplayFull color TFT tablet, light and dark backgroundsThin LCD console, wall mountable, auto brightness by time of day
Data exportLogging to AmbientWeather.netLogging plus SD card export to Excel and firmware updates
MaintenanceCups and rain funnel need cleaning and levelingRemovable lid and no moving wind parts ease service
Sensor placementPole mount array, u-bolt install takes some fiddlingWireless sensor can sit close to the ground with a bubble level for plumb install
Owner feedback4.4 of 5 from 41 ratings; reports of wind cup failure and a stuck STARTING loop4.6 of 5 from 17 ratings; fewer owners, so less long-term track record
ExtrasUV and solar radiation, NIST internet time sync, expandable sensorsLeak alarm, gust tracking sampled every second, pagoda radiation shield

Price history

$399.99$169.00
Oct 31Nov 10
  • Ambient Weather WS-2000: lowest $169.00 on Nov 10 at Salvage & Co Indy.
  • Ambient Weather WS-5000: lowest $399.99 on Nov 10 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Ambient Weather WS-2000

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Ambient WeatherReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $299.99Free shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Ambient WeatherNew

    In stock

    $299.99Checked 8 h ago
    Visit Ambient Weather
  • WayfairNew

    In stock

    $300.99Free shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Wayfair
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $299.99Free shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
All 9 stores and price history →

Ambient Weather WS-5000

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Ambient WeatherReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $449.99Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by liorakryptiz

    $451.35Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • WayfairNew

    In stock

    $474.99Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Wayfair
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $399.99Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 5 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecAmbient Weather WS-2000Ambient Weather WS-5000
TypeWeather StationWeather Station, Smart Weather Station
ScaleMetric, ImperialInches of rain
TemperatureYesYes
Temperature ScaleMetric, ImperialCelsius, Fahrenheit
Barometric PressureYesYes
HumidityYesYes
Wind DirectionYesYes
Wind SpeedYesYes
ForecastYesYes (Pressure Based)
RainfallYesYes
Sensing MethodSpoon (for rain gauge)Ultrasonic
UV IndexYesYes
Show all 33 specsShow fewer specs
SpecAmbient Weather WS-2000Ambient Weather WS-5000
Update Interval16 second real-time updates (on the display tab…16 seconds (for maximum wind speed)
Wireless TypeWi-FiWi-Fi
ColorBlack, WhiteBlack
MountingOutdoor, Pole mountPole mount
MaterialMetal (pole)Stainless steel (filter)
AlarmsAlertsLeak Alarm
LoggingYesYes
Function HighlightsAlerts, NIST time synchronization from InternetMoon Phase, Sunrise, Sunset, Benefits of AWN+, …
Display TypeTFT color displayLCD

What reviewers say

Ambient Weather WS-2000

  • 4.4 / 541 ratings

Owners rate the WS-2000 well, calling it easy to set up with accurate readings and a bright, colorful display. The app and AmbientWeather.net integration get consistent praise.

What people mention
  • SetupPraisedOwners say the station pairs with Wi-Fi quickly and is running within minutes.
  • DisplayMixedThe color TFT screen is bright and readable, but its layout cannot be customized.
  • AccuracyPraisedReviewers report temperature, wind and rain readings that track well against local data.
  • App and webPraisedThe AmbientWeather.net dashboard and alerts are described as user-friendly.

Ambient Weather WS-5000

  • 4.6 / 517 ratings

Owners rate it highly, praising the fast ultrasonic wind response, the accurate rain cup and the readable console. Complaints center on setup effort, the missing SD card and the higher cost next to Ambient's cheaper stations.

What people mention
  • Wind sensorPraisedOwners like that the ultrasonic anemometer reacts quickly to gusts and has no moving parts to wear out.
  • SetupCriticisedSeveral owners say mounting, pairing and calibrating the array takes more patience than simpler stations.
  • Rain accuracyPraisedThe large rain cup and removable lid are called accurate and easy to clean.

Questions and answers

Which is better for accurate wind readings?
The WS-5000. Its ultrasonic anemometer has no cups to spin up or wear out, and it samples gusts every second within the 16-second update. The WS-2000's cups work well but can fail over time.
Which lasts longer?
The WS-5000 has the edge on paper because the wind sensor has no moving parts. The WS-2000's cups and spoon rain gauge are the parts most likely to wear or clog, though many owners run them for years with cleaning.
Is the WS-5000 worth stepping up to?
Yes if wind and rain accuracy or low maintenance are your priorities. If you mainly want a big color display and a proven station, the WS-2000 covers that well.
Do both work with the same app?
Yes. Both publish to the Ambient Weather Network with remote monitoring and alerts, and both support the AWN+ dashboard features.
Which is easier to install?
The WS-5000. Its wireless sensor can be placed low, has a bubble level for plumb mounting and a removable lid for service. The WS-2000's u-bolt array mount takes some fiddling.
Can I add extra sensors to either?
The WS-2000 is well known for accepting add-on sensors like a water temperature probe. The WS-5000 focuses on its ultrasonic array and rain cup, with less expansion talk among owners.

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Accuracy+/- 1 °C (temperature reading)—
Power SourceSolar Powered—
Backup PowerBatteries (2 AA, not included)—
Wireless frequency—915 MHz
Mounting pole diameter—between 1.25 and 2" diameter
Height—14.6 cm
Length—1.9 cm
Width—19.7 cm
Size—Display Console + Ultrasonic +Raincup
Sensors—Ultrasonic anemometer, Humidity sensor, Tempera…
Weather Resistance—Yes
Functions—Measure wind speed, Measure humidity, Measure t…
Display
Praised
The console is described as bright and easy to read, with automatic dimming at night.