# Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter (Kestrel) and testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer (Testo) among anemometers. testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer is the cheaper of the two at $123.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter | testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $209 | $123.95 |
| Brand | Kestrel | Testo |
| Wind speed range ms | 0.6 to 40.0 m/s (1.3-89.5 mph); operational to 60.0 m/s | 0 to 30 m/s |
| Airflow cfm cmm | — | — |
| Velocity accuracy | Larger of ±3% of reading or 20 ft/min | ±(0.1 m/s + 5% of reading) below 2 m/s; ±(0.3 m/s + 5% of reading) 2-15 m/s |
| Sensor type | Rotating vane (impeller) | Hot-wire (thermal), foldable telescopic probe |
| Temperature range | -10 to 55 °C (14 to 131 °F), ±0.5 °C accuracy | 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F) |
| 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 | Hold/min/max/logging via Bluetooth-paired testo Smart App; no onboard display |
| Backlit display | Yes | No |

## Key differences

- 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 testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer 0 to 30 m/s
- Velocity accuracy: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter Larger of ±3% of reading or 20 ft/min vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer ±(0.1 m/s + 5% of reading) below 2 m/s; ±(0.3 m/s + 5% of reading) 2-15 m/s
- Sensor type: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter Rotating vane (impeller) vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer Hot-wire (thermal), foldable telescopic probe
- Temperature range: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter -10 to 55 °C (14 to 131 °F), ±0.5 °C accuracy vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F)
- 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 testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer Hold/min/max/logging via Bluetooth-paired testo Smart App; no onboard display
- Backlit display: Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter Yes vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer No

## Sources

- Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter: https://kestrelinstruments.com/kestrel-3500-pocket-weather-meter (kestrelinstruments.com, verified 2026-08-09)
- testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer: https://www.testo.com/en-US/testo-405i/p/0560-1405 (testo.com, verified 2026-08-09)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/anemometers/kestrel-3500-weather-meter-vs-testo-405i/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter ($209) vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer ($123.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/anemometers/kestrel-3500-weather-meter-vs-testo-405i/
License: CC BY 4.0.