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Deal.ai › Compare

Tempest Home Weather Station vs Ambient Weather WS-5000

Buy the Tempest if you want a set-and-forget station with no moving parts, solar power, fast 3-second updates and a strong app, and you are fine reading everything on your phone. Buy the WS-5000 if you want a dedicated LCD console on the wall, a sonic anemometer, SD-card data logging and a rain cup that is easy to service. The Tempest has far more owner feedback and a higher rating, while the WS-5000 is the more traditional instrument with a display and local data export.

  • Choose the Tempest if you want a solar-powered, no-moving-parts station that reports every 3 seconds and runs entirely through a free app with smart-home integrations.
  • Choose the WS-5000 if you want a physical LCD console, a sonic anemometer, SD-card logging and a serviceable rain cup for closer hands-on monitoring.

Prices

  • Tempest Home Weather Station: $296.65 at Best Buy (checked today)
  • Ambient Weather WS-5000: $399.99 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Tempest Home Weather Station is $103.34 cheaper than the Ambient Weather WS-5000 today
Tempest
Tempest Home Weather Station

Tempest Home Weather Station

4.9(2,271 ratings)
$296.65at Best BuyChecked 7 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Best Buy
Pros
  • No moving parts to wear out
  • Solar powered, no battery changes
  • 3-second updates
  • Free app with AI forecast and no subscription
  • Works with Alexa, Siri, Rachio and IFTTT
Cons
  • No physical display
  • Rain measured by haptic sensor, not a tipping bucket
  • High wind can affect some readings
Ambient Weather
Ambient Weather WS-5000

Ambient Weather WS-5000

4.6(17 ratings)
$399.99at AmazonChecked 16 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

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

Pros
  • LCD console readable day or night
  • Sonic anemometer with no moving parts
  • SD-card logging for Excel analysis
  • Large rain cup with removable lid for easy service
  • Pagoda radiation shield for temperature and humidity
Cons
  • Slower 16-second wind updates
  • Few owner ratings so far
  • SD card not included
  • Console adds a device to mount and power

What separates them

Tempest Home Weather StationAmbient Weather WS-5000
DisplayNo display; all readings in the Tempest appLCD console included, desktop or wall mount
Wind sensingSonic, no moving partsUltrasonic sonic anemometer, no moving parts
Update intervalEvery 3 secondsEvery 16 seconds for max wind speed
PowerSolar powered, no batteries to changeSolar-assisted sensor array
Data loggingCloud history in the appOnboard logging, exportable to SD card
Rain measurementHaptic rain sensorLarge rain cup, removable lid for service
Smart-home integrationAlexa, Siri, Rachio, IFTTTAmbient Weather Network and online dashboard
Owner feedback4.9 from over 2,200 ratings4.6 from 17 ratings

Price history

$399.99$296.65
Nov 7Nov 10
  • Tempest Home Weather Station: lowest $296.65 on Nov 7 at Lowe's; $296.65 on Nov 10.
  • Ambient Weather WS-5000: lowest $399.99 on Nov 10 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Tempest Home Weather Station

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $296.65Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • TempestNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $349.00Checked 7 h ago
    Visit Tempest
  • Lowe'sNew

    Availability unknown

    $296.65Free shippingChecked 18 h ago
    Visit Lowe's
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

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

    $349.00Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • TempestCheck price at Tempest
All 8 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 16 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • WayfairNew

    In stock

    $474.99Free shippingChecked 16 h ago
    Visit Wayfair
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

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

    $399.99Free shippingChecked 16 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

SpecTempest Home Weather StationAmbient Weather WS-5000
Update intervalevery 3 seconds16 seconds (for maximum wind speed)
MaterialPlasticStainless steel (filter)
Display typeno displayLCD
TypeWeather StationWeather Station, Smart Weather Station
TemperatureYesYes
Temperature ScaleFahrenheitCelsius, Fahrenheit
Barometric PressureYesYes
HumidityYesYes
Wind DirectionYesYes
Wind SpeedYesYes
ForecastYesYes (Pressure Based)
RainfallYesYes
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecTempest Home Weather StationAmbient Weather WS-5000
Sensing MethodHaptic (rain)Ultrasonic
UV IndexYesYes
SensorsHaptic rain sensor, Humidity sensor, Temperatur…Ultrasonic anemometer, Humidity sensor, Tempera…
Wireless TypeWi-FiWi-Fi
Weather ResistanceYesYes
ColorWhiteBlack
MountingOutdoor, Pole mountPole mount
FunctionsMeasure wind speed, Measure rainfall, Predict w…Measure wind speed, Measure humidity, Measure t…
AlarmsLightning alertsLeak Alarm

What reviewers say

Tempest Home Weather Station

  • 4.9 / 52,271 ratings

Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 2,271 ratings, the Tempest draws praise for quick setup, clean data and smart home integration. Complaints center on battery failure on older units and few upgrades in newer ones.

What people mention
  • SetupPraisedOwners say installation and hub pairing are quick and easy.
  • AccuracyPraisedReadings are reported as accurate almost immediately after setup.
  • Smart homePraisedData comes through cleanly to Home Assistant and other platforms for automations.
  • BatteryCriticisedSome owners had the battery fail and need replacing.

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.
  • DisplayPraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for tracking wind?
The Tempest updates every 3 seconds, so it shows gusts faster. The WS-5000 samples wind once per second but transmits every 16 seconds, so short gusts can be missed.
Do I need a display?
The Tempest has none; you read everything in the app. The WS-5000 includes an LCD console you can put on a desk or wall.
Which lasts longer outdoors?
Both use sonic wind sensing with no cups or bearings to wear out. The Tempest is solar powered with no batteries to change, which cuts maintenance.
Is the WS-5000 worth stepping up to?
Step up if you want a console, SD-card logging and a serviceable rain cup. Otherwise the Tempest covers the same measurements with faster updates and more owner feedback.
Which handles rain better?
The WS-5000 uses a large rain cup with a removable lid that is easy to clean. The Tempest uses a haptic sensor with no bucket to clear.
Can either control my irrigation?
The Tempest integrates with Rachio and IFTTT for irrigation and smart-device automation. The WS-5000 focuses on its own dashboard and the Ambient Weather Network.

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Logging
Yes
Yes
Function HighlightsData loggingMoon Phase, Sunrise, Sunset, Benefits of AWN+, …
Connectivity technology433 MHz or 868 MHz—
Power sourceSolar Powered—
Battery type1 Lithium Ion—
Wireless range1000+ ft—
Temperature accuracy±0.5°C—
Item dimensions10.8D x 10.8W x 22H centimetres—
ColourWhite—
Sensor technologyDoppler Radar—
AccuracyHigh wind speeds can affect readings, Accurate …—
BrandWeatherFlow-Tempest—
Model NumberTH-TWS-03-NA-BEB—
Warranty - Parts2 year full warranty and 10 year legacy warranty—
Warranty - Labor2 year full warranty and 10 year legacy warranty—
Works WithAmazon Alexa, Apple Home—
Voice Assistant Built-inNot Applicable—
Clock Displayfalse—
Batteries Includedfalse—
The console is described as bright and easy to read, with automatic dimming at night.