The 8 Best Rain Gauges

Best Overall

Headwind Consumer Products Jumbo EZRead Rain Gauge

$24 $21 at Amazon

If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-read rain gauge, the Headwind EZRead Jumbo Rain Gauge hits all the marks. Measuring 26 inches tall and four inches in diameter, this model is quite large. However, the oversized design makes it incredibly easy to read. According to the manufacturer, the bright yellow markings and high visibility float can be read from up to 50 feet away. 

This unit can measure up to 5 inches of rainfall, and it features a funnel at the top that prevents leaves and other debris from clogging the tube. Its weatherproof construction can stand up to heat, high winds, and heavy precipitation. However, it is not freeze-resistant, so it might not be the best choice for colder climates. 

The EZRead Jumbo Rain Gauge comes with a mounting bracket, so you can easily attach it to a fence or post. However, we do wish it had a staking option for even more versatility. Removing the gauge from the mounting bracket is quite simple, but the interior of the tube can be tricky to clean, as small particles often accumulate over time. Despite a few hiccups, you really can’t go wrong with this well-designed, easy-to-read rain gauge.

_{Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 26 inches | Type: Standard | Material: Plastic | Collection Capacity: 5 inches | Display: Manual}

Best Budget

AcuRite Easy-Read Rain Gauge

$9 $6 at Amazon $6 at Walmart View on Home Depot

Priced under $10, the AcuRite Rain Gauge is both functional and affordable. This acrylic gauge can collect up to five inches of rain, and it’s marked with 0.1-inch increments for precise measurements. The contrast of the white markings against the blue background makes it easy to read. Plus, the numbers are magnified by 35 percent when rain fills the tube, so they are easily visible from a distance. 

You have several options when it comes to installation: You can stake the gauge into the ground via its pointy base, or use the built-in keyhole hangers to mount it on a wall or fence. Please note that this product doesn’t come with mounting hardware, however. To empty it, the entire rain gauge must be removed from the surface it’s mounted on, which can be a bit of a hassle. Despite a few design flaws, this rain gauge is a solid, budget-friendly option that’s easy to read from far away.

_{Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.5 x 12.4 inches | Type: Standard | Material: Acrylic | Collection Capacity: 5 inches | Display: Manual}

Best Wireless

AcuRite Wireless Digital Rain Gauge

$44 $36 at Amazon $50 at Kohls.com View on Acurite.com

This wireless rain gauge from Acurite can transmit from up to 100 feet away, giving you more flexibility when it comes to placement. It provides rainfall totals for the current rain event, the past 24 hours, or the past seven days—plus it offers two customizable time frames. This unit also has a rainfall alarm to alert you when it starts raining, or if there’s a risk of flooding. Data is transmitted to the display every 60 seconds, so you receive near real-time measurements. 

To top it all off, the AcuRite Wireless Rain Gauge is self-emptying. It’s also simple to set up, though it does require five AA batteries, which are not included. The large LCD display makes it easy to read, but there may be a learning curve to familiarize yourself with all of the settings. This freestanding rain gauge can be used indoors. If you are using it outdoors, however, we recommend mounting it on a secure surface. Otherwise, it could tip over in windy conditions or other inclement weather. 

_{Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 4 inches | Type: Tipping bucket | Material: Plastic | Collection Capacity: 99.99 inches | Display: Digital}

Best Electronic

Netatmo Rain Gauge

$49 at Amazon

This smart rain gauge is one of the most comprehensive digital options on the market. In addition to accurate precipitation readings, it also measures a wide range of data points, including temperature, humidity, dew point, and more. Note that it must be used in conjunction with the Netatmo Smart Weather Station, which is sold separately.

The outdoor rain gauge must be installed within 300 feet of the weather station's indoor module. It runs on two AAA batteries, which are not included. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and can be integrated with other smart-home devices, including sprinklers, to shut off water as needed. You can also receive real-time, customized weather alerts on any connected smartphone. 

As an added bonus, the Smart Indoor Module provides readings on indoor conditions such as humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and temperature. You can purchase additional modules to measure the air quality in any room of your house.

_{Dimensions: 5.12 x 4.33 x 5.12 inches | Type: Weather station/app | Material: Plastic | Collection Capacity: Not listed | Display: Digital}

Best Weather Station

Ambient Weather WiFi Smart Weather Station

$190 at Amazon $190 at Walmart $190 at Wayfair

Equipped with an array of advanced sensors, the Ambient Weather WS-2902 provides a highly accurate and comprehensive picture of local weather conditions. Thanks to an easy-to-read LCD display console, it’s simple to monitor all of the weather readings. An all-in-one integrated sensor array measures for rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction, as well as UV and solar radiation.

For added convenience, this weather station has Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can access real-time weather data right from your smartphone. 

This weather station is powered by a built-in solar panel, and it’s backed up by three AAA batteries. This unit requires some minor assembly and many users prefer to mount the station on a pole. Please note that a mounting pole is not included, but the clamps are provided. This weather station empties the rainwater it collects, which is a nice convenience.

_{Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.75 x 4.5 inches | Type: Tipping bucket | Material: Plastic | Collection Capacity: 394 inches | Display: LCD}

Best Large

Stratus Precision Rain Gauge

$51 $39 at Amazon $34 at Walmart

This rain gauge from Stratus is one of the most precise analog models on the market, measuring rainfall accumulations to 0.01 of an inch. The large outer cylinder can hold up to 11 inches of rain or snow, which means you won’t have to empty it that frequently. Plus, the funnel and outer cylinder are removable for easy measuring or cleaning. Thanks to a “quick connect” bracket, this rain gauge is fairly easy to install, but it’s important to note that a mounting post is not included. You have the option to keep the unit freestanding, but keep in mind that it could tip over in high winds. 

Built to the United States Weather Bureau standards, the Stratus Precision Rain Gauge is made of heavy-duty, UV-resistant polycarbonate to withstand the elements without fading or rusting. It’s also frost-resistant, making it a solid choice for colder climates. There is one hitch to the design: If more than 1 inch of rain falls, the water flows into the outer cylinder. Since the outer cylinder doesn’t have measurement markings, you have to pour the water back into the funnel to measure it. For this reason, this rain gauge can be a bit more time-consuming to use. However, you can measure snow, sleet, or hail by simply removing the funnel and using the outer container to capture precipitation.

_{Dimensions: 14.6 x 5 x 4.9 inches | Type: Standard | Material: UV-resistant polycarbonate | Collection Capacity: 11 inches | Display: Manual}

Best Decorative

Winston Porter Lukats Frog Rain Gauge

$23 at Wayfair

If you’re looking for a rain gauge that combines function and charm, this frog-themed model is a great choice. It can hold up to 5 inches of water, and its freestanding design allows for versatile placement. Large black markings on the clear collection tube make it easy to read, providing measurements in both inches and centimeters. Measuring 7 x 7 x 4 inches, this rain gauge is fairly small compared to other models, making it best suited for smaller gardens and outdoor spaces.

The gauge is made of plastic, and the statue is made of polystone resin to provide a fair amount of weather resistance. However, since the unit is very lightweight at less than a pound, we worry that it may not stand up well to heavy wind and rain. While the Lukats Frog Rain Gauge may not be the most durable option on our list, it is the cutest!

_{Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.75 x 4.5 inches | Type: Standard | Materials: Polystone resin and glass | Collection Capacity: 5 inches | Display: Manual}

Best Digital

ECOWITT Wireless Rain Gauge

$70 $60 at Amazon

Thanks to its prominent digital display, the ECOWITT Wireless Rain Gauge makes it easy to monitor your local rainfall—without even having to go outside. This unit measures an impressive amount of rainfall data on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You can also customize alerts for when it starts to rain or when flood conditions may be present. The self-emptying design further adds to its convenience.

This rain gauge is more precise than other options, transmitting data every 49 seconds and measuring precipitation down to 0.01 of an inch. Despite its advanced technology, it’s easy to set up and program the settings. All of the mounting hardware (except for the pole) is included. 

The indoor display also measures the temperature and humidity levels inside your home, which is a nice perk. We are disappointed that it doesn’t measure the outdoor temperature–perhaps the unit’s only shortcoming. Also keep in mind, according to the manufacturer, the outdoor component must be placed within 328 feet of the display console.

_{Dimensions: 3.54 x 11 x 5.63 inches | Type: Tipping bucket | Material: Plastic | Collection Capacity: 236 inches | Display: Digital}