Kestrel
Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter
$209
Best Anemometers · head-to-head
Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer is cheaper at $123.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Testo
testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer
$123.95Cheaper
Which is better: the Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter or testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer is the cheaper at $123.95.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter | testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $209 | $123.95 |
| Brand | Kestrel | Testo |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter: kestrelinstruments.com (verified 2026-08-09). testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer: testo.com (verified 2026-08-09).
What's the difference between the Kestrel 3500 Weather Meter and testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 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 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 true vs testo 405i Smart Probe Thermal Anemometer false