The 9 Best Rain Gauges You Can Use | 2019

When the rain starts falling, it might be a good idea to keep a check on the rainfall in your area.

If you live in a flood zone, having the best rain gauge can help you prepare when things start to get a little too much to handle.

Or maybe you just want to see how much rain has fallen in your yard.

Either way, check out our list of the top rain gauges currently on the market and take your pick!

Editor’s Pick

In this section below, you will find a comparison chart of the top five rain gauges, their ratings shapes and more to help you!

 

9. AcuRite 00899 Wireless Rain Gauge + Self-Emptying Collector

Ideal for: Yard

This rain gauge is an excellent product as it wirelessly transmits the total rainfall in the gauge outside to display in your home so you don’t have to go outside and check it when it’s raining.

Also, there is a flood warning system attached, so you know when your area is getting a little too much rain.

The product is durable and self-emptying so you don’t have to do much work. It also transmits all the data every 16 seconds.

Heights:

• Flood warning monitor included
• Setup is fairly easy
• Alarm system for when it begins raining

Plains:

• Does not have a wifi connection
• Slow reaction time
• Requires calibration every so often

8. Taylor Precision Products Springfield Spike Rain Gauge

Ideal for: Garden

Measuring up to 6-inches of rainfall at one time, this garden spike is ideal for ensuring that your garden is not getting too much water at one time.

The housing is impact resistant and is magnified to help with the reading of the gauge.

It comes ready to mount or spike into the ground depending on your preferences.

This rain gauge is lightweight, easy to dump, and easy to use in general.

The housing is also green to help blend into a natural environment, so it doesn’t look out of place.

Heights:

• Durable and steady
• Easy to read and install

Plains:

• Reads a bit higher than other models, possibly because of the extremely small opening
• Not very easy to clean

7. Oregon Scientific Wireless Rain Gauge & Weather Station

Ideal for:

• Home Use

• Yard Use

Next on our best rain gauge list is this product that has a little bit of everything combined.

It is a wireless weather station as well as a rain gauge to help you determine the amount of rainfall during a storm, daily rainfall records, and even a digital thermometer to read the temperature.

Also included with this product is a digital clock so you can keep up with the time.

But the most interesting feature of this rain gauge is the fact that it automatically empties itself after measuring the total rainfall, so you don’t have to touch the collector at all.

Heights:

• Stylish design
• Digital clock included
• Wireless connection

Plains:

• Installing the outdoor gauge is difficult
• The clock on 12 hour time does not change from AM to PM

6. La Crosse Technology 705-109 Waterfall Rain Gauge

Ideal for: Backyard

Easy to mount, easy to clean, and easy to empty, this rain gauge is simple in design.

You can easily slide it off of the mounting brackets to empty and clean the product.

The large numbers help you to read the rainfall amount easily, while the plastic frame is made to withstand many types of weather.

This rain gauge measures up to 6-inches of rainfall at one time, and it is perfect for backyard use.

Heights:

• Mounting brackets included
• Simple construction
• Great for backyards

Plains:

• Plastic gets extremely dirty easily
• Plastic bar warps and fades easily

Suggested Read: Also, when it’s raining outside and you need to check the rain gauge, you need a great rain jacket to protect you, so choose the one that fits you best!

5. LaCrosse 704-1531 La Crosse Magnifying Rain Gauge

Ideal for:

• Yard

• Garden

The numbers on the gauge are large, so they stand out against the clear background for easy reading.

Also, there is a magnifying effect when the gauge is filled with rainwater for easier reading.

You can either mount this gauge with the included mounting bracket to a fence or pole, or you can stake it in your garden for easy rain measurement.

The gauge slides off of the bracket for when you need to clean the product.

Heights:

• Easy to clean and empty
• Magnifying effect
• Large numbers for easy reading
• Inexpensive

Plains:

• It does not hold up to below freezing temperatures
• Lacks a drain

4. AcuRite 00850A2  Easy-Read Magnifying Rain Gauge

Ideal for:

• Backyard

• Garden

The magnifying numbers on this gauge are ideal for reading the gauge from a distance, they are magnified by over 35-percent for the easiest reading possible.

This durable rain gauge is ideal for use in the backyard since it’s acrylic construction makes it weather resistant.

The gauge comes with a hanging hole to help with the mounting of the products, or you can also stick this rain gauge into the ground in your garden.

This gauge measures 5-inches of rainfall.

Heights:

• Easy cleaning
• Easy to read and install
• Simple construction

Plains:

• Measures in eighths instead of tenths
• Can crack, fade, or discolor in extreme sunlight or heat

3. OutdoorHome Rain Gauge Deluxe Easy Read

Ideal for:

• Garden

• Yard

This product is made from heavy-duty materials that reduce the chance of yellowing in the sunlight and cracking under extreme temperature conditions.

This gauge is also frost resistant and easy to mount with the included mountable plate.

You can place this rain gauge anywhere you want in your backyard or garden.

It is small, so it won’t get in your way, and it has easy to read measurements, so you won’t be confused about the reading.

The scale is a raised graduation, and it includes large numbers.

Heights:

• High-quality construction
• Compact size
• Accurate readings

Plains:

• The first graduation is not in tenths like the others
• Screws included are weak
• Only easy to read close up

Recommended: You might also be interested in getting a weather thermometer that work either inside or outside your home, or for both!

2. Headwind 820-0015 Jumbo EZRead Rain Gauge

Ideal for:

• Garden

• Farm Use

Sometimes, you just need a rain gauge with a jumbo reading surface, and luckily for you, this rain gauge has just that.

The jumbo numbers in bright yellow make it easy to read from a distance, and the gauge measures about 26-inches tall.

The tube is clear while the background consists of black, gray, and green.

Moreover, the entry funnel is constructed to prevent any debris from entering the gauge, which might hinder the measurement during heavy rainfall.

Also, the gauge comes with the necessary mounting tools.

Heights:

• Simple construction
• Easy to drain and clean
• Accurate readings

Plains:

• Does not stand up well to extreme cold
• Only measures 5 inches of rainfall

1. Stratus Precision Rain Gauge + Mounting Bracket

Ideal for:

• Yard

• Farm Use

Made from high-quality materials, this rain gauge is ideal for calculating heavy rainfall.

It is easy to install since it comes with the mountain bracket necessary for installation, and the quick connect bracket makes it easy to slip the gauge on and off the mounting.

The rugged construction is just another reason why this product qualifies for our best rain gauge list.

It measures a total of 14-inches of rain and it is made from a UV resistant polycarbonate, also, it stands up well under extreme temperatures.

Heights:

• Heavy duty construction
• Great for measuring snowfall as well
• Easy reading
• Provides an accurate measurement

Plains:

• Humidity can cause the gauge to become clouded
• Adjusting the inner workings can be difficult for some

Conclusion

When it all comes down to it, measuring the rainfall in your area can be fun and educational.

You can keep track of how much rain you get on a weekly basis, and you can measure the time between heavy rainstorms.

We have compiled a list of the best rain gauge brands and their outstanding products along with a short review of each product to help you decide which gauge best fits your backyard.

Know of any other best rain gauge that we’ve missed? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Recommended Read: The Best Gardening Gloves to Wear 

 

Feature Image: Photo by Liv Bruce on Unsplash