Ecowitt Wittboy Pro Review The Ecowitt WittBoy Pro is a compact all-in-one weather station that takes a different approach from many traditional systems. Rather than relying on moving parts, it uses ultrasonic technology to measure wind speed and direction, while rainfall is measured using a piezoelectric sensor. The result is a modern looking station with fewer components that require maintenance over time. Ecowitt Wittboy Pro In addition to the main weather station and console, this review also covers two optional accessories: the WH57 lightning detector and the WH51 soil moisture sensor. Disclaimer: Ecowitt supplied this equipment for review. However, all opinions are based on my own experience after several weeks of use, and Ecowitt has had no input into the content of this review. Unboxing & Build Quality The WittBoy Pro makes a positive first impression. Compared with many traditional weather stations the packaging is surprisingly compact, largely because there is no separate anemometer or tipping bucket rain gauge to accommodate. The display console and main sensor array arrive together in a well-protected box, while the optional WH57 lightning detector and WH51 soil moisture sensor are supplied separately in their own packaging. Assembly is straightforward and should present few difficulties, even for someone installing a weather station for the first time. Build quality is consistently good across all of the supplied components. Main Sensor Array The WS90 sensor array feels solid and well made. Although compact, it gives the impression of being fit to withstand prolonged outdoor use. HP2560 Console The 7-inch TFT console is lightweight with most of the front occupied by the bright colour display. Physical navigation buttons are positioned below the screen, making it easy to access menus and settings.Overall, the hardware feels well thought out and assembled to a good standard. Deep Dive: The Hardware WS90 7-in-1 Sensor Array The WS90 is the heart of the WittBoy Pro system. It measures: Wind speed Wind gust Wind direction Temperature Humidity Solar radiation UV index Rainfall Unlike conventional weather stations that use spinning cups and tipping buckets, the WS90 relies on ultrasonic technology for wind measurements and a piezoelectric sensor to detect rainfall. In my experience, preventing the rain bucket getting blocked and keeping it clean is one of the most tedious aspects of maintaining weather stations. With no moving parts, there is less to wear, and cleaning will be much easier. Rainfall is measured by detecting the impact energy of individual raindrops striking the sensor surface. The piezoelectric element converts these impacts into electrical signals, allowing the console to estimate rainfall intensity and accumulation. Power is supplied primarily by an integrated solar panel, with two AA batteries providing backup during periods of limited sunlight. My testing was done in July when the days are long, and this year the sunshine was abundant. I’ll provide an update when the days are shorter, and the overcast skies return (which they are sure to do in the UK!) One useful tip for new owners concerns the clear protective film covering the sensors on the top of the unit. I initially overlooked this and noticed that UV readings were much lower than expected. Once the film was removed, the readings immediately returned to much more realistic values. It's a small detail that's easy to miss, but worth checking before installation. HP2560 Display Console The console presents a large amount of weather information on a bright, easy-to-read colour display with good viewing angles. It provides an excellent overview of current conditions, while historical data and basic graphs can also be viewed directly from it. Although I generally prefer using the Ecowitt app for analysing historical data, the console menus are logically organised and straightforward to navigate using the physical buttons. A particularly useful feature is the built-in microSD card slot. Installing a FAT32-formatted card (up to 32GB) allows the console to continuously record weather data in CSV format. For anyone who likes to archive observations or carry out their own analysis, this provides a simple way to maintain a long term local weather record without relying solely on cloud services. WH57 Lightning Detector & WH51 Soil Moisture Sensor The optional lightning detector and soil moisture sensor extend the capabilities of the system without adding any noticeable complexity. Lightning Detector on the same pole as the integrated sensor suite After inserting the batteries, both sensors were recognised automatically by the console without requiring any manual pairing or configuration. It was one of the simplest sensor installations I've experienced, and everything was operational within a matter of minutes. Installation & Siting Mounting the Main Sensor Array Installing the WittBoy Pro proved to be a straightforward process. The WS90 sensor array is supplied with the necessary mounting hardware and is designed to fit a standard 1-inch (25–30mm) mounting pole. The compact design makes the unit noticeably easier to handle than many traditional weather stations, particularly those with separate wind and rainfall sensors. With everything integrated into a single housing, installation can comfortably be completed by one person. As with any weather station, careful siting is important. I mounted the sensor array in an open position where it has a good exposure to the elements while remaining practical for maintenance. Taking a few extra minutes to ensure the unit is level is worthwhile, as this helps the rain sensor perform as accurately as possible. The supplied anti-bird spikes fit neatly around the rain sensor and are a sensible inclusion, helping to reduce the likelihood of birds interfering with rainfall measurements. Installing the Optional Sensors WH51 Soil Moisture Sensor Installing the WH51 soil moisture sensor couldn't be much simpler. After inserting the batteries, it was immediately recognised by the console without requiring any manual configuration. The probe pushes easily into the soil and begins transmitting readings automatically. Measurements are updated approximately every 72 seconds, providing a useful indication of changing soil conditions throughout the day. Although I've only been using it for a relatively short period, the data has already proved useful when monitoring moisture levels in different parts of the garden. WH57 Lightning Detector The WH57 lightning detector was equally easy to install. Once powered on, it paired automatically with the console within a few moments. Ecowitt recommends positioning the sensor away from sources of electrical interference, such as televisions, routers and large household appliances. I placed mine indoors in a suitable location where it remains protected from the elements while minimising the risk of false detections. Unfortunately, the exceptionally dry weather during the review period meant there were no thunderstorms to test its real-world performance. I'll revisit this in Part 2 once conditions allow. Configuration & Ecosystem Setup One of the strengths of the WittBoy Pro is how quickly it can be brought into operation. After powering up the console, connecting it to my Wi-Fi network was a straightforward process using the on-screen menus. The interface is logically arranged and I encountered no issues during setup. Adding the optional sensors was even simpler. Both the lightning detector and soil moisture sensor were recognised automatically by the console as soon as they were powered on, without the need for any manual pairing. Once connected to the internet, weather data began uploading to the Ecowitt cloud service almost immediately, allowing it to be viewed through both the mobile app and the Ecowitt website. Overall, the initial setup took very little time and was one of the more straightforward installations I've experienced with a weather station. Even users with limited technical knowledge should have little difficulty getting the system up and running. Console & App (iOS / Android) Weather data can be viewed in two ways: directly on the console or through the Ecowitt app and website. The console provides an excellent overview of current conditions, with the large colour display presenting key information clearly and logically. Historical observations and basic graphs are also available, making it perfectly usable without needing to reach for a phone or computer. Ecowitt App For more detailed analysis, however, I found myself using the Android app far more often. Throughout the review period it proved stable, responsive and easy to navigate. Generating graphs is quick, whether viewing preset periods or selecting custom date ranges. Switching between different weather variables, such as temperature, humidity or wind speed, takes only a few taps, making it easy to examine trends over time. As mentioned earlier, I'm also using a 16GB microSD card in the console to record weather observations locally. This provides an independent archive of CSV data that can be copied to a PC for further analysis whenever required. HP2560 console The app also includes a comprehensive alerting system. During testing I configured an email notification to alert me whenever the temperature exceeded 25°C, which worked reliably. At the time of writing I haven't yet been able to evaluate rainfall or lightning alerts because of the exceptionally dry weather during the review period, but these will be covered in a future update. Real-World Performance & Accuracy (Tested Features) Temperature & Humidity: Temperature data appears to be very accurate, even in calm conditions with intense summer sunshine. The radiation shield around the temperature sensor is noticeably smaller than what you'd find on a unit like the Davis Vantage Pro II, yet it performs exceptionally well. [Note: I believe the software may be calibrating temperature readings to account for wind speed and solar intensity.] Wind: My weather station is situated in a garden surrounded by trees and shrubbery, which makes capturing perfectly accurate wind speeds difficult for any hardware. However, the WittBoy's readings are highly consistent with what I would expect. That said, during the period of testing winds have mostly been light, so it’s quite difficult to assess gust speed measurement for example. Soil Moisture: This sensor appears accurate and responsive. I suspect gardeners will find it invaluable. During my first few days of operation, the area was actively being watered; once I stopped, the downward moisture trend was clearly visible in the app's graphs. This may be a scenario for utilising the system's email alerts to notify you when the garden needs watering. Pending Real-World Tests: Rain & Lightning The one caveat at the time of writing this review is the weather itself. My geographical area hasn't seen a single thunderstorm, and throughout the month a tiny 1.5mm of rain has fallen. With England recording its driest July on record, it simply hasn't been possible to put the rain and lightning features through their paces. I will be adding an update to this review as soon as the weather allows. The update will specifically focus on: Haptic Rain vs. Tipping Bucket: How the Piezo sensor handles light drizzle versus heavy downpours, and whether I needed to adjust the "Rain Gain" calibration settings in the console. Lightning Detection: Whether the WH57 successfully detects a storm, the accuracy of its distance estimation, and if there are any false positives to report. Third-Party Integrations The WittboyPro can send data to Wundeground, WOW, Weathercloud and Ecowitt. For this review I used Wunderground. The process is very simple: In Wunderground add a new device to get an ID and Key In the Ecowitt console, go into Settings, Weather Server Setup, then enter the ID and KEY As long as your console is connected to the internet, that should be it. Mine was reporting data to Wunderground which could be viewed, within seconds. Pros & Cons Pros Cons Zero moving parts to break, freeze, or clog with debris Haptic rain sensor may require initial manual calibration Excellent, bright TFT console display Mounting requirement: requires a specific 1-inch mounting pole Seamless plug-and-play integration of extra sensors Cold climates: may require an additional 12V power supply for the built-in snow heater Stable, easy-to-use companion app Conclusion & Verdict The Ecowitt WittBoy Pro offers exceptional value for money. The broad range of supported sensors, the overall accuracy, and the user-friendly setup combine to make this a highly compelling package. Who is this kit best for? It covers a surprisingly wide demographic. At one end, it is perfectly accessible for casual weather enthusiasts. At the other, it delivers the accuracy, modularity, and broad sensor array demanded by serious hobbyists—at a much more affordable price point than some of the legacy high-end stations on the market. On a personal level, this is easily the most enjoyable weather station I have used to date. A large part of that comes down to the friction-free setup and the sheer ease with which the app, website, and console allow you to explore your local climate data.