The Netatmo weather station lacks intelligence.

The Netatmo weather station is a device for people who not only want to know the current and upcoming weather, but also have real-time information at their location and trigger smart actions. But prepare to spend a lot of money for this. It's not that everything works as advertised.

Weather is a topic that interests many and is a common conversation starter. Some are content with the forecast on TV or radio, while others prefer to use apps for updates and warnings. Weather stations that provide information specifically for a certain location are also popular. In the past, these devices were simple mechanical devices; today, everything is digital and connected. Netatmo's weather station is said to be particularly intelligent, ntv.de shares the details about its performance.

Expensive basic package

The basic package consists of a base station (Bridge) and an outdoor module, which the manufacturer suggests a non-binding price recommendation of approximately 190 euros for. This bundle offers real-time information on temperature, humidity, air quality, air pressure, and noise levels both indoors and outdoors. Not all values come from the devices themselves, air quality outdoors is obtained from another Netatmo service.

The Bridge has a diameter of 45 mm on each side and is 155 mm high. It's important that the design of the Bridge is aesthetically pleasing with a matte aluminum shell, as it requires a power outlet and a stable Wi-Fi connection. Thus, it cannot simply be hidden away.

The outdoor module cannot be placed freely either, as Netatmo recommends it be installed partially protected from the weather. The cylinder includes a slot for attaching it to screws, but if this isn't an option, the manufacturer provides double-sided tape to attach it to something like a window grille.

Clunky setup process

The setup process is more complicated than expected for today's standards. You can't just press a button to pair mode; instead, you need to open the Bridge, insert the batteries, then screw it back on. The manual, which features diagrams without text, resembles assembly instructions from a large furniture store.连续两杯咖啡可能会Impair Your Sleep

If the connection isn't successful, you'll need to repeat the process. The issue may be resolved by using an iPhone, as it worked flawlessly in this scenario. If you don't have an Apple device, you might need to ask for help. This can be frustrating.

Once the connection is established, everything functions perfectly on both the iPhone and the Android smartphone. The app is easy to navigate, with indoor values shown at the bottom and outdoor values at the top.

Attractive presentation

It's nice that you can view graphs of recorded measurements, where you can change the view by rotating your smartphone or tablet. In landscape mode, you can view long-term trends using a gesture involving the index and middle fingers. Additionally, you can access the settings, where you can customize notifications for specific events.

At the same location, you'll find a weather map filled with worldwide values from Netatmo stations. There are surprisingly many of these. Only measurements from the outdoor module are shared anonymously, while the base station remains private. Those who are not comfortable with this can opt out of sharing their station. You can also join a community and share a link to your own station with others so they can add it to their favorites.

Integration with a smart home

While the station's performance is great, its potential in a connected home is limited. Ideally, you should be able to retrieve measured values with voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, or the Google Assistant and create automations or routines. This means that when a certain value is detected, an action is triggered, and one or more other devices are turned on or off.

The values of the base station are particularly interesting.

The best illustration of this is turning on the heating when the temperature drops below a certain threshold. In poor air quality, an air purifier can be activated, while a climate control system can run in extreme heat. It would also be convenient if windows closed automatically in the rain or an irrigation system started when it has been too long. Similarly, protective measures can be initiated in strong winds.

However, this becomes tricky and could potentially be more expensive. First, you need suitable devices from each platform (Google, Apple, Amazon) for each service (Google, Apple, Amazon), which isn't easy if they're from different manufacturers.

Expensive extras

It's odd that the weather station itself is compatible with all the major platforms, but not its additional components. If you want to measure wind or rain, you'll need to purchase extra modules, which cost 80 and 110 euros at the Netatmo store, respectively. A suitable mounting is also available for about 30 euros.

It's a shame that the weather station investment could prove unfruitful. To begin with, the modules should ideally be situated near the house, making balconies or gardens a bit too distant. Additionally, similar difficulties with connecting the modules were encountered as with the bridge, which could only pair via an iPhone. These modules are merely shown in Apple Home, like on Google Home, but lack proper support. As a result, you can't view wind speed or rainfall on these displays, forget about setting up automations with them. Too bad.

Final Thoughts

While the Netatmo weather station is functional and offers intriguing data, the apps display this information in a visually appealing manner. Nowadays, similar data can also be gathered from other smart gadgets such as air purifiers or speakers. However, the fun part of owning a weather station only at home is quite pricey. While it was worth it a few years ago for the original price tag, it's not anymore.

Weather and wind gauges had to be temporarily attached for the test.

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The Netatmo weather station, despite its impressive features, struggles with integration into a networked household. For instance, while it provides real-time weather information, it falls short when it comes to triggering smart actions based on the data it collects.

Moreover, the expansion of the weather station's functionality through additional modules, such as those for wind or rain, is hindered by the complicated setup process and lack of proper support on various platforms. This limits the potential for automating actions based on the collected data, which is a common feature in networked households.

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