The anemometer is a meteorological device invented to measure the speed of a gaseous body. Invented several centuries ago, it has become a reference tool for scientists around the world! An overview of the different anemometers and their usefulness.
Contents
- Our comparison for the year 2023
- What is an anemometer used for?
- What are the different types of anemometers?
- How to choose an anemometer?
- The usefulness of an anemometer for indoor air quality
- And to know the wind direction (the weathervanes)?
Our comparison for the year 2023
Comparison updated on 16/03/2023
Thinking of buying an anemometer online and don't know which one to choose? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
In this article, we help you make an informed decision with the help of a clear and concise comparison. It will help you identify the product that best suits your needs, based on the opinions of many consumers.
1. Btmeter BT-100APP Anemometer
The best performer according to consumers
According to consumers, the BT-100APP is the ideal anemometer if you want to track and record wind speed (and temperature) in csv/txt files. Connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone, it has highly sensitive dual heat sensors and 8 paddles for accurate weather measurement.
Among its features, we liked the presence of a backlit LCD and a tripod hole for mounting. The BT-100APP also has a wind chill indicator and a Beaufort scale indicator.
Designed for professionals and amateurs alike, this model is perfect for assessing the air velocity in ventilation ducts, vents, or your air conditioner outlet, as well as for use in boating, competitive shooting, or flying.
2. Surlaba XF-8806 Anemometer
Our favourite ❤
The Surlaba XF-8806 is the perfect tool for outdoor activities. Whether you're flying a drone, sailing or kite flying, this easy-to-use anemometer makes it easy to measure wind speed. This product has 4 cups at the top of the device, which give it a 360° grip on the wind. Its wind sensitivity will also be useful if you wish to use it indoors for industrial or domestic purposes.
With a compass at the top and a tripod hole at the base, the Surlaba XF-8806 is both lightweight and portable. There is also a backlit LCD screen that makes it easy to read and record data, even in poorly lit areas.
3. Xrclif RZ818 Anemometer
An interesting price/quality ratio
The Xrclif RZ818 is made of slightly less noble materials than its counterparts, but it has nothing to envy the competition. It has a rubber shell that absorbs shocks and fits perfectly in your pocket.
Compact and lightweight, the Xrclif RZ818 has a backlit LCD display which is very useful for reading data in dark places. It also has a wind chill indicator and a Beaufort scale indicator. Although not as powerful as the BT-Meter BT-100APP, it is still a great tool!
4. Netatmo Anemometer
This accessory complements the Netatmo weather station (sold separately) and allows you to measure wind speed and direction using ultrasonic technology. The first consumer anemometer offering this technology, the 4 ultrasonic sensors making up this device are exceptionally accurate.
A real engineering gem, you will be alerted on your smartphone as soon as the wind picks up. Able to interact at a maximum distance of 100 meters with the Netatmo weather station's indoor module, you will no longer need to expose yourself to the elements to read and consult the data recorded by your device.
5. Anemometer Testo 405 i
The testo 405 i is a hot-wire anemometer for professional use (e.g. HVAC duct analysis). It combines app-based control with Testo's professional measurement technology. This means that you can use a variety of functions to view the measured data on your smartphone. In addition, the app also allows you to accurately assess the volume flow of the duct under examination after intuitive input of the cross-section.
In addition to being powerful, the app offers you very practical possibilities, as it not only displays the measured information, but can also evaluate and document it. You can easily determine the time and point average of the airflow. In addition, it creates a plot of the measured data in no time and sends reports of the evaluated data as a PDF or Excel file.
6. Aoputtriver AP-826A Anemometer
The Testo 405 i is a professional quality CFM meter with integrated CFM calculator ideal for HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) testing/balancing at home. Designed primarily for professional use, it is also suitable for measuring the airflow of your outdoor activities (shooting, flying, surfing, etc.).
With a large backlit LCD display for improved readability, the Testo 405 i is packed with useful features: from the extendable wand and cable, to the USB connection to the PC, to the high-precision low-friction turbine, this is by far the best performing anemometer we've tested.
7. Neoteck Anemometer
Whether you are climbing, surfing, flying a drone or doing any other leisure activity, the Neoteck Anemometer is the right tool for you if you want to know the current wind speed accurately. Supplied with a rubber shell and neck cord, this device will easily follow you wherever you go. With a backlit LCD display and a small size, the Neoteck is very practical for everyday use, as it is discreet and takes up little space.
What is an anemometer used for?
An anemometer is a device for measuring the velocity of a gaseous body, in most cases wind. Originally created by Leon Battista Alberti in 1450, the first device was a plate anemometer. Several variants were subsequently invented and improved, in various forms, but their objective remained the same: to measure the velocity and pressure of a gaseous fluid.
The anemometer is successful because of its usefulness in research, but also in everyday life. It can be seen in :
- research for aviation, by assessing the velocity of the wind during a flight;
- studies that provide information on exchanges at the soil-atmosphere interface;
- meteorological measurements.
It should be noted that the measurement of wind speed can assess the impact of a pollution area. The anemometer can therefore also be used to calculate the airflow in industrial spaces that require optimal ventilation.
What are the different types of anemometers?
The anemometer is the most widely used tool for assessing wind speed. However, it is important to note that there are different types of anemometers, each with its own unique technology. Some are portable and will allow you to measure wind speed indoors, while others are built into a weather station for example, will allow you to find out the velocity of the outside wind.
Anemometers based on wind speed
Invented in the 15th century by Leon Battista AlbertiWind speed meters are based on wind speed and measure the distance travelled by moving air masses over a given period of time (m/s, km/h, knots) from a fixed point.
The cup anemometer (by Robinson)
This anemometer, unlike other models, measures wind speed in real time by means of an indicator attached to the base. To do this, you have to carry the device at arm's length upwards and then release the pin. The results are then displayed, with velocity in miles and kilometres per hour.
Reel anemometer (by Byram)
This anemometer has the specificity of having propellers whose blades are tilted with respect to the direction of the wind. In this way, the axis of rotation of the propellers is parallel to that of the air flow. This particular shape allows the anemometer to measure the speed of rotation of the blades and therefore of the gaseous bodies.
The ultrasonic anemometer
The ultrasonic anemometer is a unique system based on acoustic measurement. It determines the wind speed (with the help of a sensor), especially when the wind speed is changing. This is particularly true for gusts of wind, which require a precise value without inertia.
The laser anemometer
Also known as laser velocimetry, laser anemometry is based on the Doppler effect. This type of anemometer measures the speed of particles in a fluid, allowing the speed of the fluid in question to be determined. Here the anemometer is used to calculate the speed of small particles and sometimes larger objects.
The propeller anemometer
The principle of this anemometer is that it can be used both indoors and outdoors to measure temperature and wind speed. This measurement is made thanks to the propellers, which act as sensors through the rotation frequencies. The advantage of this device is that it allows accurate measurements in all types of environments.
The hot wire anemometer
As the name suggests, the hot-wire anemometer measures temperature, but also volume flow and air/wind velocity. It is often used to assess the volume of air in a pipe during inspections.
The bi-directional anemometer
Specifically, this type of anemometer is more sensitive than its counterparts, which allows its use in turbulence studies. Thus, data on both horizontal and vertical wind components can be collected simultaneously.
The acoustic resonance anemometer
Based on ultrasound, this anemometer uses continuously emitted waves to measure the velocity of gaseous fluids. The receivers can quantify the speed of the horizontal windbut also going in the direction of the device.
Anemometers based on wind pressure
This type of anemometer is designed to measure wind pressure as well as wind speed, the relationship between the two measurements being relatively close. Different in design, this tool is based on a measurement taken from a plate or U-tube.
The plate anemometer
Typically, this type of anemometer is equipped with a plate held by a wind vane. When placed in front of the wind, it measures the strength of the wind the plate is experiencing. This type of anemometer provides accurate measurements in light winds.
Pitot tube anemometer
This is an anemometer with a Pitot tube which measures air pressure, air velocity and air temperature at the same time. This measurement is determined by the dynamic and static stresses of the air. This type of anemometer is ideal for hard-to-reach locations.
The suction cup anemometer
This model, one of the best known, consists of three cups that rotate around a vertical axis. The sensor then measures the speed of this rotation, without the need to point the anemometer at the wind source.
The ball anemometer
The system of this anemometer is based on a wind vane which is oriented in the wind direction. The measurement is made by the rotation of the pendulum or ball attached to the device.
The tube anemometer
This anemometer has the specificity of being a U-shaped tube, which can contain a gaseous fluid with the end facing the wind. The pressure of the wind on the opening of the tube thus allows a measurement, even when the wind is weak, in particular in difficult to access areas.
The sliding plate anemometer (ventimeter)
This simple to use tube anemometer has a lightweight plastic disc that slides on a vertical rod. The opening at the base of the tube is what allows the wind pressure to be communicated, as the stronger it is, the higher the disc rises in the tube. The measurement (more or less accurate) is made at the scale engraved on the anemometer.
The vane anemometer
Like any other anemometer, this one measures air pressure, air speed and air temperature simultaneously. Its specificity lies mainly in the accuracy of the measurements, as well as its ability to determine both the maximum and average value. It is particularly useful for learn about the climate.
How to choose an anemometer?
When choosing your anemometer, you should consider a number of criteria to ensure that it is suitable for you. We are particularly interested in :
- The sizeIf you are a private individual, the anemometer you choose should be practical and easy to handle when in use. It is best to get a compact one, which ideally fits in the hand without being bulky.
- Measuring the temperature in the air. The primary purpose of the anemometer is to provide accurate and reliable wind speed information. Make sure that the device can display the results in the different units (m/s, km/h, mph, mps).
- The available features. Some models offer much more than just wind speed measurement. The added bonus of some anemometers is their ability to provide wind direction, pressure, or temperature. Some products can also be used in areas with very little light thanks to a backlighting system.
- Autonomy. Ideally, an anemometer should be self-sufficient with an electrical power source and supplied with a long-life battery (three years' life).
- The connectivity of the device. This is an interesting criterion to consider if you want to measure wind speed from a distance. The аnémоmètrеѕ connected оnt a роrtéе between 100 and 300 metres away, depending on the trаnѕmіѕѕіо n ѕаnѕ fіl frequency used.
The usefulness of an anemometer for indoor air quality
Sensor, propeller or probe anemometers are used to measuring air speed outside. They are also useful for assessing indoor air velocity in ducts with openings. The quality of the atmosphere in a house is affected by the airflow rate, as well as the volumetric flow rate of the air in the rooms. These measurements are made in fpm, m/s, km/h, mil/h and knots.
The speed of the indoor air is an important value for determining its quality. Many anemometers are equipped with a flow meter. They are also called wind speed indicators and can measure the velocity of the wind, but also the volume of air passing through them. Coupled with a air quality sensorAn anemometer is an excellent tool to help you improve indoor air quality.
And to know the wind direction (the weathervanes)?
Anemometers with weather vanes allow you to know the wind direction instantly. In the event of strong winds, the anemometer emits an alarm, in addition to a digital and visual display of the wind direction.
The measurement range of an anemometer can be up to 199 knots and specify the wind direction with a 360° measurement. This feature is essential if you are going out to sea, for example, as it offers the possibility of adapting the navigation and the way the sails are set. The wind direction can also be used to analyse changes in wind direction.