The 10 Best Outdoor Thermometers
Special Honors
Kinsman Garden Window This one’s not really geared toward those looking to enhance their patio decor, but its bright, easy-to-read markings and tough utilitarian construction make it a nice choice for use out in a vegetable garden. It adheres well to windows, which can be useful in a camper as well. kinsmangarden.com
Garret Wade Spirit Made with solid brass, this traditional vertical thermometer withstands harsh conditions without fading or corroding. It installs quickly with only a few screws, and it provides accurate readouts in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. It comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee, too. garrettwade.com
Editor's Notes
April 27, 2020:
This list required a total overhaul; all but one item has been replaced. Most of the legacy listings were no longer available, and the few that could still be purchased were of exceptionally low quality.
We have only included traditional thermometers designed for outdoor use, omitting indoor-outdoor models that require a sensor to be placed outside to feed a digital display screen inside the house. Designs vary within the category, which includes old-fashioned vertical models with a liquid gauge and clock-style thermometers with a dial — some of which feature hygrometer markings for measuring humidity as well.
Whereas most of these are built to be mounted in a semi-permanent way (such as on a wall, fence post, or tree), the Sun Company Zip-O-Gage is a small, portable unit that fits easily into a pocket or attaches to your gear via a keyring. This one is great for campers and hikers, and it even includes a helpful chart on the back side to help you determine the wind chill based on the current conditions.
Among the more traditional models, some are mounted via a swiveling arm (the Conant Vermont, for example), and others can be attached to a window or any other glass surface via suction cups (such as the Aspects Classic). The SPI Home 33314 may seem pricey when compared with many of the other options, but we note that it serves as a high-quality decorative piece in addition to providing accurate readouts and long-term durability.