SwitchBot Meter Plus Review – Another fantastic affordable smart thermometer hygrometer sensor
This is a quick review of the new SwitchBot Meter Plus, which is an upgraded version of the smaller SwitchBot Meter.
If you are familiar with the other SwitchBot sensors, there is nothing particularly new here. I am very fond of these little sensors, I think they are superb value for money, and I like the historical data. All of them get an easy recommendation from me.
- More Accurate Readings - Our indoor thermometer includes a built-in Swiss-made sensor that gives you more accurate temperature and humidity readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. It changes in humidity and temperature are reported every 4 seconds, maintaining ±0.2°C/±0.4°F accuracy in temperature -20°C~80°C and ±2%RH accuracy in humidity 0~99%RH.
- Includes an Even Bigger Screen - You can now see your data even clearer with a 3-inch bold display, making it easier to use your humidity meter to read temperature data at all times. You can also check to see if your room conditions meet your custom set parameters using vivid icons on our screen.
- Exportable Data - 120m connecting distance (no obstacles) allows you to quickly and clearly view the temperature and humidity yearly, monthly, daily, or by the hour. Enjoy up to 68 days On-board Data Storage and up to 2 years In-App Data Storage. Data can be exported as. csv file for more in-depth analysis of your environmental. Supports multiple methods of data calibration.
- Push Notifications (SwitchBot Hub required) - Our hygrometer now supports Dewpoint, and VPD readings with absolute humidity as well as classic temperature and humidity readings that can be used as Scene conditions. When used with a SwitchBot Hub, SwitchBot Meter can be connected to WIFI, and you’ll receive a notification from anywhere, aware of the changes in your cellar, egg incubator, etc. via your phone.
- Use Anywhere - Place our thermometer anywhere, it's great for wine cellars, greenhouses, kitchens, and more. You can even attach it to walls, magnetic surfaces, or stand it upright on tables in 3 angles.
Specification
- Display: 3-inch clear LCD
- Connectivity: BLE 4.2 or above, communication range up to 120 m (roughly 394 ft)
- Size: 79mm×64.5mm×（17.5mm Thin end，21.6mm Thick end）
- Weight: 64g
- Display angle: 2°，42°，65°
- Mode: ºC/ºF
- Resolution: 0.1°C/0.1°F, 1％RH
- Power supply: AAA*2 Alkaline
- Battery Life – 1 year
Measuring Ranges & Accuracy
- Measuring Range: -20 to 80 ℃ (-4 to 176 ℉) , 0 to 99 %RH
- Typical Temperature Accuracy: -20 to 0 ℃ (-4 to 32.0 ℉) [±0.4℃ / 0.7℉] 0 to 65 ℃ (32 to 149 ℉) [±0.2℃ / 0.4℉] 65 to 80 ℃ (149 to 176 ℉) [±0.3℃ / 0.5℉]
- Typical Humidity Accuracy: 10 to 90 %RH (±2 %) 0 to 10 % and 90 to 99 %RH: (±4 %)
Differences
The large display is the most obvious difference, but there are quite a few other subtle changes with some new features.
As well as the below features, the Meter Plus has a new kickstand which allows you to place it at an angle. Or there is a 3M backed metal plate that allows you to mount it to a wall.
As for pricing, the Meter Plus has an RRP of £22, while the meter is £17.
New Features
Comfort Indicator
Our visual emoji help you understand humidity immediately and gives a more simple way to know when your environment needs to be humidified or de-humidified.
Temperature Reading Switch
Temperature can be displayed in either Fahrenheit & Celsius by simply pressing the button on the back.
High Accuracy with Quick Refresh Rates
With the advanced Swiss-made sensor, temperature and humidity readings are accurate to 0.4°F and +3%RH. And data is able to be refreshed every 4 seconds to keep you updated with the latest environment changes.
The older SwitchBot Meter was accurate to 0.7°F and +4%RH.
Set Up
The set up process is basically the same as the other Switchbot devices. Pull the tab out of the batteries, hold the button on the back until the Bluetooth logo flashes and wait for it to pair.
Then if you want to enable cloud services, you need to pair it up with a hub via the settings button, cloud services, then the toggle to enable it and select the hub you want to use.
Homey
Just like the SwitchBot Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer, if you want to pair this up within Homey, you need to select Temperature & Humidity (not the BLE one), and this should identify any new devices.
Performance
The data in the app is the same as the older meter, but you don’t get the additional features the indoor/outdoor sensor has, which is:
- Dew Point
- Absolute Humidity
- Vapour Pressure Deficit
I have been using the Meter Plus for the past two weeks, and I like the ability to see the history of the temperature as it gives me a better understanding of the trends.
With the comfort level settings, this will adjust how the little comfort level indicator will respond. I haven’t adjusted these, and I don’t really pay that much attention to the indicator.
Currently, I am only using Switchbot for these sensors, but within the automation tab, you can easily create scenes that will trigger actions for the various Switchbot devices. This could be switching on the humidifier or using the Switchbot Bot to switch on an air conditioner or a fan.
Price and Alternative Options
- More Accurate Readings - Our indoor thermometer includes a built-in Swiss-made sensor that gives you more accurate temperature and humidity readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. It changes in humidity and temperature are reported every 4 seconds, maintaining ±0.2°C/±0.4°F accuracy in temperature -20°C~80°C and ±2%RH accuracy in humidity 0~99%RH.
- Includes an Even Bigger Screen - You can now see your data even clearer with a 3-inch bold display, making it easier to use your humidity meter to read temperature data at all times. You can also check to see if your room conditions meet your custom set parameters using vivid icons on our screen.
- Exportable Data - 120m connecting distance (no obstacles) allows you to quickly and clearly view the temperature and humidity yearly, monthly, daily, or by the hour. Enjoy up to 68 days On-board Data Storage and up to 2 years In-App Data Storage. Data can be exported as. csv file for more in-depth analysis of your environmental. Supports multiple methods of data calibration.
- Push Notifications (SwitchBot Hub required) - Our hygrometer now supports Dewpoint, and VPD readings with absolute humidity as well as classic temperature and humidity readings that can be used as Scene conditions. When used with a SwitchBot Hub, SwitchBot Meter can be connected to WIFI, and you’ll receive a notification from anywhere, aware of the changes in your cellar, egg incubator, etc. via your phone.
- Use Anywhere - Place our thermometer anywhere, it's great for wine cellars, greenhouses, kitchens, and more. You can even attach it to walls, magnetic surfaces, or stand it upright on tables in 3 angles.
The SwitchBot Meter Plus has an RRP of £22, and the meter is £17
The new Indoor Outdoor Hygrometer Thermometer lacks a display but tracks more things and is more accurate, and it is also cheaper at £15.
There are quite a lot of no-name brands doing smart thermometer hygrometers with a display, but most of these cost more and have worse reviews.
Most of the competing options are based on the uya Smart/ Smart Life App.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Smart WiFi Temperature Humidity Monitor: Tuya Wireless Temperature Humidity Sensor with APP... | Buy on Amazon |
This option is affordable but doesn’t have very good reviews and requires USB power.
This option has some positive reviews, but it has been reported that the batteries last a few weeks at best, which is something I could not cope with.
For Hygrometer Thermometer sensors without a display, you have better options:
The TP-Link Tapo T310 is around £20 and is useful if you are an existing Tapo user.
The Govee WiFi Room Thermometer Hygrometer seems to be a popular option for people wanting to use a sensor for a humidor/greenhouse/vivarium.
I am also a fan of the Aqara Temperature and Humidity sensor as I have a large number of Aqara devices.
Overall
I have grown fond of the SwitchBot ecosystem. In particular, I think the range of three temperature/humidity sensors is superb.
The main selling point for me is that they are cheap. With a price range of £15-22 they are some of the cheapest options on the market.
You are best to pair them up with a hub, but even these are relatively cheap. The new SwitchBot Hub 2, might be a little bit expensive, but it has a built-in display with a thermometer hygrometer which helps justify the cost. Alternatively, the older Hub Mini can be bought for £30.
Considering they are so cheap, I think the quality of data you get within the app is superb.
I use all these products as general room sensors, so I don’t need anything ultra-accurate, however, for other niche applications, the Indoor-Outdoor Hygrometer Thermometer is much more accurate.
I prefer the Indoor Outdoor Hygrometer Thermometer because it is a lot cheaper, more accurate, and IP65 rated, so you have the flexibility to use it anywhere.
However, I like this SwitchBot Meter Plus for my office and bedroom as it allows me to view the temperature without going into the app.
SwitchBot Meter Plus Review Rating
-
Overall - 95%
95%
Summary
I have grown fond of the SwitchBot ecosystem. In particular, I think the range of three temperature/humidity sensors is superb.
I prefer the Indoor Outdoor Hygrometer Thermometer because it is a lot cheaper, more accurate, and IP65 rated, so you have the flexibility to use it anywhere.
However, I like this SwitchBot Meter Plus for my office and bedroom as it allows me to view the temperature without going into the app.
Pros
- £5 price difference is worth it vs the normal Meter for the increased display size and more accurate readings
Cons
- Indoor Outdoor Hygrometer Thermometer is cheaper/more accurate/tracks more things
