While evaluating the best rain gauges, we looked at factors such as the design, display type, ease of use, and accuracy. We also spoke with an expert to add insight. Our top pick is the Headwind Consumer Products Jumbo EZRead Rain Gauge, which has a simple, easy-to-read design with a debris guard, mounting bracket, and visibility float. Here are the best rain gauges for your yard. The Headwind Rain Gauge is quite large, measuring 26 inches tall, and its debris guard on the top prevents leaves and other items from getting into the tube. The product is made from weatherproof materials that can stand up to wind, precipitation, and heat. Some users find the interior of the tube tricky to clean, as small particles can accumulate inside over time. But overall, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more reasonably priced, easy-to-use rain gauge. Price at time of publish: $27 You can install this rain gauge in a couple of ways: Stake its pointy base into the ground, or mount it to a wall or fence via its keyhole hangers. While the material is designed to be weather-resistant, it may not last for quite as long as other options. We have noted that the acrylic eventually becomes discolored or faded from sun exposure. Price at time of publish: $8 This smart weather system has built-in Wi-Fi, so it sends all the data it collects to your smartphone. It can transmit up to 1,000 feet, allowing you to mount it on your roof or in the yard, and can sync up with digital assistants such as Alexa and Google Home. You also can use it to create smart-device schedules based on the weather such as adjusting your irrigation system according to the rain levels, or changing your thermostat in response to temperature fluctuations. Price at time of publish: $329 The 4-inch-diameter funnel captures rainfall, and the water is held in the inner measurement tube. If more than 1 inch of rain falls, the water spills into the larger outer container. But the exterior compartment doesn’t have measurement markings, so you have to pour the water back into the smaller tube to measure it. For this reason, it can be a bit tedious to use. However, this design also allows you to measure snow, sleet, or hail, as you can simply remove the inner tube and use the outer container to capture the precipitation. Price at time of publish: $50 This rain gauge measures precipitation levels down to 0.01 of an inch, and it transmits the latest data every 49 seconds. On the interior display, you can see how much it’s rained in the last day, week, month, or year. You even can set a rain alarm that lets you know when the first raindrop falls. The display also measures the temperature and humidity levels inside your home, but we’d prefer that it measure the outdoor temperature instead. Price at time of publish: $70 You can program this smart device to alert you when it starts raining, and it stores data history, so you can see rainfall levels over the past weeks or months. Its battery should last up to a year before needing replacement. Depending on where you mount the gauge, you may need to purchase the manufacturer’s compatible bracket (sold separately). Price at time of publish: $80 This gauge’s display features oversized text that’s easy to read, even from a distance, and it displays rainfall totals from the current rain event, past 24 hours, past 7 days, or a time frame you can customize. You can set alarms that let you know when it starts raining or if there’s risk of flooding. The rain collector transmits data to the display every 60 seconds, providing near real-time measurements. Price at time of publish: $43 The metal rain gauge likely develops a rustic patina, adding to its charm. However, it holds the collection tube at an angle, so remove it from the frame and hold it level if you want to get a precise measurement. To that end, the cylinder has markings every 0.1 inch, allowing you to get extremely accurate rainfall totals. Price at time of publish: $89 This weather station automatically empties out the water it collects, and it has a built-in solar panel for power (though it does use AA batteries as a backup). You can mount the entire station on top of a metal pole, on your roof, or in your yard. But a heads-up for those living in colder climates: Large amounts of snow can render the unit useless, as the precipitation weighs down the wind vane and covers the solar panel. Price at time of publish: $190
Display
Rain gauges either have a manual display, which you need to read yourself, or a digital display that automatically shows data. Most commonly, standard rain gauges employ manual displays, while tipping bucket gauges often use digital displays. Digital displays are easier and more convenient to use, but generally, manual displays lower the product price and work just fine for most gardeners.
Accuracy
Certain rain gauges more accurately measure rainfall than others. For homeowners, tipping bucket systems are often the most accurate, and some display rain totals down to 0.01 of an inch. Standard gauges are less accurate and may only offer 0.25 or 0.1-inch increments. If you’re just buying a rain gauge to inform your yard or garden watering habits, a precise level of accuracy might not be extremely important, but those who want extremely precise measurements may want to consider more high-tech models.
Installation
Standard rain gauges likely include mounting brackets that attach to a pole or fence. However, you may need to install more complex rain gauges and weather stations on top of a pole or even your roof, making the process more difficult.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While researching rain gauges, she spoke with Ray Brosnan, landscaping expert and co-founder of Brosnan Property Solutions, for insights on the benefits of these tools and what to look for when shopping for one. As she evaluated different products, she looked at factors such as the style, capacity, design, installation requirements, and features of each product.
