In the digital age, where everything can be consulted via the Internet, even the weather, the use of barometers is becoming increasingly rare. However, it is a reliable and accurate tool that allows you to simply indicate upcoming changes in the weather. So why should you choose a barometer? What is the point? How do you use it? Let us tell you more.
Contents
- Our comparison for the year 2023
- 1. Fischer stainless steel barometer
- 2. Airself analogue weather station with barometer
- 3. GardenMate analogue weather station with barometer
- 4. Goethe barometer (water) Esschert Design
- 5. Barigo Living mechanical weather station with barometer
- 6. Fitzroy barometer (storm glass) LTXDJ
- 7. Goethe barometer (water) Oberstdorfer Glashütte
- What is a barometer?
- What are the different types of barometers?
- How to choose your barometer?
- How to read a barometer?
Our comparison for the year 2023
Comparison updated on 17/03/2023
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. Fischer stainless steel barometer
The best performer according to consumers
Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, the Fischer barometer features an elegant stainless steel finish. Highly accurate, its margin of error is only 2 hPa.
The Fischer is a particularly easy-to-read barometer with a clear and concise display. It is particularly appreciated by consumers for its durability, thanks to its stainless steel construction.
2. Airself analogue weather station with barometer
Our favourite ❤
The Airself Analogue Station is a popular consumer product for those who want to monitor the temperature, humidity and pressure in their home or garden. This 3-in-1 unit is easy to use and comes complete with an adjustment key, bracket and instruction manual.
Simple and elegant, the steel and glass finish is one of the product's strong points, in addition to the symbols and colours indicating the comfort and weather change zones.
3. GardenMate analogue weather station with barometer
An interesting price/quality ratio
The GardenMate weather station seems to be an interesting compromise between performance and economy if you are looking for an analogue weather station. It is battery-free and made of stainless steel, a material designed to last.
Among its qualities highlighted by consumers is the presence of a traditional black and white dial that is very practical for effortlessly obtaining all the information you need at a glance. Combined with its low margin of error (only 5 hPa), this product is among the best value for money available today.
4. Goethe barometer (water) Esschert Design
The Esschert Design is a Goethe barometer that comes with a cast iron stand in an elegant and romantic design.
For the record, the water barometer has been in use since the early 17th century and is still very popular because of its simplicity! Here's how it works: high pressure, such as on sunny days, causes the water level at the bottom to drop. Low pressure, such as when it's cloudy or rainy, raises the water level. And when a storm comes, the water level rises so much that it overflows!
5. Barigo Living mechanical weather station with barometer
Do you like original weather stations? Then the Barigo Living mechanical station may be for you. With its unique design, glass dome and mahogany base, it is both stylish and functional.
Made in Germany by a well-known instrument manufacturer, Barigo, this weather instrument is a barometer, thermometer and hygrometer all in one. Since it is mechanical (no batteries are needed), it is very popular with consumers. Its little plus? The manometer is adjustable, so you can calibrate it according to your altitude.
6. Fitzroy barometer (storm glass) LTXDJ
The LTXDJ Barometer is based on the Torricelli principle and can be used to predict weather changes. The way it works is relatively simple: the fluid in the Fitzroy Barometer changes according to the weather. Thus, you can predict sunny, cloudy, foggy, stormy, snowy weather, etc.
Made of high quality glass (with a high borosilicate content), the innovative design of the bird is both simple and elegant. It will blend in perfectly with any interior.
7. Goethe barometer (water) Oberstdorfer Glashütte
Comparable to its Esschert Design counterpart, the Goethe Oberstdorfer Glashütte barometer is a water barometer with a distinctive design. What makes it different? It is mouth-blown. This particularity will certainly bring a touch of elegance to your interior (in addition to its little story).
What is a barometer?
The barometer is an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure in order to forecast the weather. While its main purpose is to predicting the weatherIt can also contain options such as an altimeter to measure altitude, temperature and time.
In the past, barometers had limited functionality and only provided weather forecasts. Nowadays, there are much more modernised ones that display even more complete and accurate information.
What are the different types of barometers?
Although all barometers have the same purpose, there are six different types. They each have a different measuring point and some of them have additional features.
Goethe's barometer (water)
This first type of barometer is, nowadays, necessarily used as a decoration. In order to use it, it is necessary to make regular corrections of the water level, which can be decreased due to the changing temperature.
How it worksThe water level rises in the spout when the atmospheric pressure increases. The higher it is, the better the weather. It can detect weather changes 8 to 12 hours in advance.
The mercury barometer
The mercury barometer is one of the most widely used. And for good reason: it was the first to be invented. However, it is no longer available for purchase, as mercury has been recognised as a toxic substance that is far too dangerous for humans, animals and the environment.
How it worksThe mercury is in a closed, tube-shaped reservoir and its level rises with the atmospheric pressure, indicating the future climate.
The Fitzroy barometer
Also known as hurricane glass, this product was made famous by Robert Fitzroyan English admiral. It looks like a large cylinder filled almost completely with a liquid and sealed.
How it worksThe weather changes are observed through the formation of mist or crystals in the liquid it contains.
The gas barometer
This fourth type of barometer is similar to the water barometer. However, the gas level in it must also be corrected regularly, as it can be influenced by temperature changes.
How it works It is very similar to the water barometer. The gas compresses or expands according to the atmospheric pressure. Thanks to this system, a needle moves towards the correct forecast.
The aneroid barometer
Less accurate than the mercury barometerThis invention is also one of the first and was patented in France in the 19th century.
How it worksThis barometer consists of a box (called a capsule) which is completely empty of air and contains a metal spring to hold it in shape. Depending on the level of atmospheric pressure, the capsule is compressed and in this way it indicates the potential weather.
The electronic barometer
The greatest advantage of the electronic barometer is its accuracy. Practical and modern, it does not display the information with a needle, but on an LCD screen. Most of the time, it also has other options such as humidity level measurement or date and time display. They are usually an excellent addition to a weather station.
How it worksBarometers: These barometers contain a thin wire, so the resistance varies with the air pressure. The device then detects this resistance and displays the associated data.
How to choose your barometer?
You will have understood: the barometer is a practical device for anticipating climate change and is generally very easy to use. So, once you know the type of barometer you want, all that remains is to focus on how you should choose it. It all depends on what you want to use it for, its materials, but also its aesthetics. The rest of our guide is here to help you.
Finishing touches
Although it is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a barometer, it is nevertheless an important element! Like a clock, this instrument is displayed in your home and should have a decorative aspect that matches your interior or garden, depending on where you place it.
For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the colour, material and design of your barometer. Also note that it is best to go for a solid, water-resistant product if it is to be placed outdoors.
Height and weight
For optimum performance, the barometer should be ideally placed in the living space. It is therefore essential to ensure that its size and weight are compatible with the location you have chosen. For its placement, you can hang it or place it on the wall, depending on the model. The barometer must be able to stay in place, be fixed, positioned in the right place and be readable. It is therefore up to you to adapt your choice.
The options
While the main purpose of a barometer is to measure air pressure, it can also be a multi-functional tool that contains additional options. For example, it can tell you the ambient temperature with a built-in thermometer. It can also tell you the humidity level in the air with a hygrometerand much more.
These are not the only options available: the key is to choose the barometer according to your needs and desires.
How to read a barometer?
To use a barometer properly, you need to understand the values it displays. While the older ones work with a needle, simply indicating the weather forecast (downwards in case of bad weather and upwards in case of good weather), the more sophisticated digital devices display precise data that are impressive, but not so complicated to understand.
First of all, let's talk about atmospheric pressure. In particular, what it is and its role in relation to weather data.
By definition, atmospheric pressure is the weight of all particles in the air pressing down on the Earth. In other words, it is the pressure that the air exerts on the ground. It is measured in hectopascals (hPa), and the lower the pressure, the worse the weather. Conversely, the higher the pressure, the better the weather. If the weather changes too quickly, it is a sign that the good weather will not last long.
Now let's talk about the numbers. If your barometer shows an air pressure of 1015 hPa or higher, it means that the weather will be good and calm. The higher the value, the more likely it is that good weather will set in!
On the other hand, if a barometer announces a value below 1015 hPa, it means rain. If it drops rapidly, be prepared for stormy weather.
Finally, if the value specified by your barometer is close to 1000 hPa, or even 990 or 980 hPa, this warns you of the arrival of a storm (note that this is rare in France).