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Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter vs Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter is cheaper at $209. Every spec and price links to its source.

Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity
US price $209
BrandKestrelExtech Instruments
Released
Wind speed range ms 0.6 to 40.0 m/s (1.3-89.5 mph); operational to 60.0 m/s 1.1 to 20 m/s (2.5-44.7 mph)
Airflow cfm cmm
Velocity accuracy Larger of ±3% of reading or 20 ft/min ±(3% of reading + 0.4 mph)
Sensor type Rotating vane (impeller) Vane, 1 in. (24mm) diameter
Temperature range -10 to 55 °C (14 to 131 °F), ±0.5 °C accuracy -18 to 50 °C (0 to 122 °F), ±1 °C accuracy
Data hold logging No built-in logging on base 3500 (shows current/max/min/avg); optional USB/RS-232 PC interface cable sold separately for one-way data transfer Data hold; selectable 5/10/13-second averaging (no onboard SD/USB logging)
Backlit display Yes Yes

Sources — Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter: kestrelinstruments.com (verified 2026-08-09). Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity: extech.com (verified 2026-08-09).

What's the difference between the Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter and Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Wind speed range ms: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter 0.6 to 40.0 m/s (1.3-89.5 mph); operational to 60.0 m/s vs Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity 1.1 to 20 m/s (2.5-44.7 mph)
  • Velocity accuracy: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter Larger of ±3% of reading or 20 ft/min vs Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity ±(3% of reading + 0.4 mph)
  • Sensor type: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter Rotating vane (impeller) vs Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity Vane, 1 in. (24mm) diameter
  • Temperature range: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter -10 to 55 °C (14 to 131 °F), ±0.5 °C accuracy vs Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity -18 to 50 °C (0 to 122 °F), ±1 °C accuracy
  • Data hold logging: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter No built-in logging on base 3500 (shows current/max/min/avg); optional USB/RS-232 PC interface cable sold separately for one-way data transfer vs Extech 45158 Mini Thermo-Anemometer with Humidity Data hold; selectable 5/10/13-second averaging (no onboard SD/USB logging)

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