Best AcuRite Rain Gauge: 00850A3 vs Wireless 00899 vs 01089MCB

AcuRite makes two very different kinds of rain gauge. One is a clear tube you push into the garden and read by eye. The other is a self-emptying collector on a fence post that sends every hundredth of an inch to a display inside your house. Which one is best depends on one question: do you want to walk out after every rain, or do you want the numbers, the history and an alarm without getting wet? Below we compare three AcuRite rain gauges, using AcuRite's own product pages and instruction manuals.

Editorial Research & Comparison

Written by

Lena Thornton, Weather Station Analyst & CWOP Contributor

Based on

AcuRite's product pages for the 00850A3, the 00899, the 01089MCB and the 06034M replacement collector; the 00899 instruction manual; the Rain Gauge Station manual (01608 / 06042M) that AcuRite links from its 01089MCB page; and AcuRite's support articles on the wireless collector, calibration and accuracy. We did not test these gauges ourselves. Where we give our own opinion, we say so.

Research last verified

October 20, 2026

AcuRite Rain Gauges Compared

	00850A3 magnifying gauge	00899 wireless gauge	01089MCB rain gauge station
How you read it	By eye, at the gauge	Indoor display	Indoor display
Emptying	By hand	Self-emptying tipping cups	Self-emptying tipping cups
Capacity / smallest reading	Up to 5 inches; 12.4 inches tall	0.01 inch (0.25 mm) and up	0.01 inch (0.25 mm) and up
Rain history	None	Last 7 rain events, last 7 days, last 7 weeks, two totals you reset yourself	Yesterday, this week, this month, this year, last year (monthly totals per the manual*)
Alarms	None	Rain alarm (rain has started) and flood watch alarm	Rain alarm at an amount you set, storm alert
Other readings	None	Clock and date	Indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, heat index, dew point, pressure trend, daily and all-time highs and lows, clock
Wireless range	Not wireless	Collector up to 100 ft (30 m) from the display	Collector up to 100 ft (30 m); temperature sensor up to 330 ft (100 m)
Batteries	None	Display 3 x AA, collector 2 x AA (buy separately)	Display 3 x AAA and sensor 2 x AA (AcuRite: not included), collector 2 x AA, plus a pre-installed coin cell for the clock*
Freezing weather	Not covered on AcuRite's page	Bring the collector indoors	Bring the collector indoors
On Amazon	See the 00850A3	See the 00899	See the 01089MCB

Sources: AcuRite product pages for the 00850A3, 00899 and 01089MCB; the 00899 manual; the 01608 / 06042M Rain Gauge Station manual that AcuRite links from the 01089MCB page (* = from that manual). Checked October 20, 2026.

AcuRite also sells a fourth wireless model, the 02446M. It sits between these two: rain only like the 00899, with this month's and year-to-date totals and a rain alert you can set from 0.25 to 4 inches, according to AcuRite. Our best rain gauges page covers it next to gauges from other brands.

AcuRite 00850A3: The Simple 5-Inch Magnifying Gauge

This is the gauge most people picture: a clear acrylic tube with big numbers. According to AcuRite, it is 12.4 inches tall, collects up to 5 inches of rain, the numbers are magnified by over 35% so you can read them from farther away, and you can either push it into the ground with its stake or hang it on a wall through the built-in hang hole. AcuRite lists a limited 1-year warranty.

Good fit: gardeners who want to know whether last night's shower was enough to skip watering, and anyone who wants a rain gauge without batteries or pairing.

Not a good fit (our view): people who want a record. Nothing is stored, so you write it down or lose it. You also have to empty it after every reading, and a storm that drops more than 5 inches between two readings will fill it to the top. AcuRite's product page does not say whether it can stay outside in freezing weather; we would empty it before a hard freeze, because ice in a full tube has nowhere to go. AcuRite also gives no reading accuracy for it.

Placement tip (our view): put it in an open spot, away from roof edges, trees and sprinklers, so it catches rain the way the rest of your yard does.

See the AcuRite 00850A3 on Amazon

AcuRite 00899: Wireless Self-Emptying Rain Gauge

The 00899 (AcuRite's store lists it as 00899A2) is a set of two parts: an outdoor collector with small tipping cups that empty themselves, and a tabletop or wall-mounted display. Each tip of the cups is counted and sent to the display. AcuRite lists a wireless range of up to 100 feet (30 m), with new data every 60 seconds. The display has no temperature reading: this gauge is about rain only.

Where it stands out is the way it keeps rainfall, according to its manual:

• EVENT: the most recent rain. An event ends after 8 hours without rain, so a drizzle and a two-day storm each count as one event. The display keeps the last 7 events with date and time.
• 1 DAY: today's rain, plus the daily totals of the last 7 days.
• WEEK: the calendar week (Sunday to Saturday), plus the last 7 weeks.
• TOTAL A and TOTAL B: two running totals that you clear yourself, for example one for the season and one since you last watered.

It also has two alarms. The rain alarm sounds when rain starts. The flood watch alarm sounds when the rain in the last hours or days passes fixed thresholds listed in the manual, for example more than 1.4 inches (35.6 mm) in 2 hours or more than 1.8 inches (45.7 mm) in 24 hours. AcuRite states clearly that these alarms are not a safety device or warning system, so keep following official flood warnings.

Good fit: you only care about rain, you want history without writing anything down, and you like a heads-up when it starts to pour.

Not a good fit (our view): you also want the outdoor temperature (look at the 01089MCB), or you want your rain in an app (see app and Wi-Fi below).

Already own one and the display shows dashes or stays at 0.00? Our AcuRite rain gauge troubleshooting page walks through the reset and the usual causes.

See the AcuRite 00899 on Amazon

AcuRite 01089MCB: Rain Gauge Station with Temperature and Storm Alert

The 01089MCB comes with three parts: the display, a self-emptying rain collector and a separate temperature and humidity sensor. On its product page AcuRite lists today's rain, rain records for the previous day, the current week, month and year and the previous year, indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity with trend arrows, heat index, dew point and the pressure trend. The display shows today's rain as a bar up to 1 inch (25 mm).

AcuRite's 01089MCB product page also says the clock comes pre-set (you only choose your time zone), the temperature sensor reaches up to 330 feet (100 m) and updates every 16 seconds, and the rain collector reaches up to 100 feet (30 m) and updates every 60 seconds. AcuRite has no manual of its own for the 01089MCB online: its product page links the manual of the very similar Rain Gauge Station (model 01608 / 06042M). According to that manual:

• The rain alarm sounds once today's rain reaches an amount you choose, and resets at midnight.
• The storm alert comes on when the barometric pressure drops, which can mean a storm is on the way. Like the 00899, AcuRite says the rain alarm and storm alert are not a safety device or warning system.
• Temperature and humidity can be calibrated on the display, and so can the rain collector (see below).

Good fit: you want rain plus a basic outdoor temperature and humidity reading on one screen, without buying a full weather station.

Not a good fit (our view): you want wind or your data in an app. For that, an Iris (5-in-1) set with a Wi-Fi display makes more sense; see below.

The rain collector is the same type as on the 00899, so if it stops counting, the collector checks on our AcuRite rain gauge troubleshooting page apply to it too.

See the AcuRite 01089MCB on Amazon

Where Will You Mount It? Check This Before You Buy

A wireless collector needs a better spot than a tube gauge. Before you order, check that you have a place that meets the rules in AcuRite's manuals:

• A sturdy, flat and level surface such as a deck railing or fence post. The collector screws on with the two included screws (hand tools only, says AcuRite).
• At least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the ground for the wireless signal, in the open: not in a low spot that can flood and not under a roof edge or tree.
• Within 100 feet (30 m) of where the display will stand, and the display at least 3 feet from electronics such as TVs, microwaves and computers.

The 00850A3 is easier: push its stake into the ground or hang it on a wall. Setup steps, the A-B-C channel switch and fixes for a display that shows dashes or 0.00 are on our AcuRite rain gauge troubleshooting page.

Winter: Bring the Collector Inside

This is the biggest limit of AcuRite's wireless gauges. AcuRite's product pages say the collector cannot be used in below-freezing temperatures, and the manuals explain why: water left inside expands when it freezes and can crack the plastic for good. Bring the collector indoors when frost is possible. If you live where winters are long, keep that in mind: you will have a gap in your rain record for part of the year.

How Accurate Are AcuRite Rain Gauges?

AcuRite's accuracy standards list ±0.05 inch per inch of rainfall for its Wireless Rain Gauge Collector (06034M), the collector AcuRite sells as the replacement for both the 00899 and the 01089. That is AcuRite's own specification, not an independent measurement. In practice it means a 2-inch storm may read up to 0.1 inch high or low: fine for deciding whether to water the lawn, and in our view close enough for a home rain log. The collector comes calibrated from the factory, and AcuRite says calibration is not needed on a new sensor. If your readings seem off, the manuals describe a check: let exactly 1 cup (8 oz) of water drip slowly into the collector through a pinhole in a plastic cup, taking more than 20 minutes, and the display should end close to 1.68 inches (42.67 mm).

If it does not, you turn both calibration screws under the tipping cups by the same amount: counter-clockwise for more rain, clockwise for less. One thing to know: the 00899 and 01608 / 06042M manuals say a quarter turn changes the reading by about 2%, while AcuRite's support article for the 06034M collector says 2.5%. Follow the manual of your own model, and repeat the test a few times before you turn anything. Step-by-step instructions are on our AcuRite calibration page.

AcuRite gives no accuracy figure for the 00850A3 on its product page.

Replacement Collector and Parts

If the outdoor collector of a wireless gauge breaks, you do not need a whole new set. AcuRite sells the Wireless Rain Gauge Collector 06034M and lists it as compatible with its digital rain gauge models 00899, 01089, 01608, 06042, 01021M and 02446M. For other AcuRite parts, see our AcuRite replacement parts page.

App and Wi-Fi: What AcuRite Says (and Does Not Say)

This is easy to get wrong, so here is exactly what AcuRite's pages state:

• The displays: AcuRite's product pages for the 00899 and the 01089MCB list no Wi-Fi and no app. Out of the box, your rain readings stay on the display.
• The 06034M collector: AcuRite's page says it can send its data to the My AcuRite app and website when used with an AcuRite Access hub, sold separately.
• The 01089MCB temperature sensor: AcuRite's spec list marks it as compatible with AcuRite NOW, AcuRite's app. That page does not say which display or hub you need for it.

In other words: a part being "compatible" with an app is not the same as a working app setup. Check with AcuRite which hub or display you need before you buy for the app. If the app matters most to you, a station sold with a Wi-Fi display, such as an Iris set, is the more direct route.

Want Rain Plus Wind? Look at a Full Station

All three gauges above measure rain only (the 01089MCB adds temperature and humidity). If you also want wind speed and direction, an AcuRite weather station with a built-in rain gauge is the next step:

• Iris (5-in-1): rain, wind speed and direction, temperature and humidity in one outdoor sensor. See our AcuRite Iris review.
• Atlas (7-in-1): adds UV and light intensity, with lightning detection as an add-on. See our AcuRite Atlas review.
• Rain and lightning on one screen: AcuRite's 06045M lightning sensor adds lightning to the displays AcuRite lists for it (06046M, 06047M, 06058M, 06088M and 06102M); check on AcuRite's page that your display also shows rain. Our AcuRite lightning detector page explains the options.

The Iris and Atlas details above come from our reviews of those stations, where the sources are listed. Looking beyond AcuRite? Our best rain gauges page puts these AcuRite models next to analog and digital gauges from other brands, and our AcuRite overview covers the whole range.

What the Specs Mean in Practice: Three Jobs, Three Limits

Most people buy a rain gauge for one of three jobs. Here is how the three AcuRite gauges fit each job, and where each one falls short. This is our own reading of AcuRite's specs and manuals, not a test.

Your job	What you need	Fits	Watch out for
Deciding when to water the garden	How much fell since the last rain or this week	All three. The 00850A3 is enough if you check it after each rain.	With the 00850A3, forget to read and empty it once and two storms add up in the tube; it also tops out at 5 inches. The wireless models count automatically.
Keeping a long-term rainfall record	Stored totals per month and year, readings all year	The 01089MCB (month, this year, last year). The 00899's TOTAL A or B can run a season.	The wireless collector must come inside when it freezes, so in a cold climate your record has a winter gap. The 00850A3 stores nothing: you keep the notebook.
Being warned about heavy rain	An alarm while you are indoors	The 00899 (rain-start and flood watch alarms with fixed thresholds) or the 01089MCB (rain alarm at an amount you set, storm alert)	AcuRite says these alarms are not a safety device. You only hear them near the display, the collector reports once a minute, and dead batteries mean no alarm. Official flood warnings come first.

For the heavy-rain job, see also how to track rainfall at home during a flood watch.

Which AcuRite Rain Gauge Should You Buy?

• You water a garden and want a quick check after rain: the 00850A3. Nothing to pair, nothing to charge.
• You want rain history and an alert when it starts or pours, from inside: the 00899.
• You want rain plus outdoor temperature, humidity and a storm alert on one display: the 01089MCB.
• You also want wind, or your rain in an app: a full station such as the Iris (5-in-1) with a Wi-Fi display.

Our own view: a simple tube gauge is a handy backup and cross-check for a wireless gauge, especially in winter, when the wireless collector has to come inside.

AcuRite Rain Gauge FAQ

Update Log

• October 20, 2026: Page published. All facts checked against the AcuRite pages and manuals listed below on October 20, 2026.

Sources

• AcuRite product pages: 5-inch Magnifying Rain Gauge 00850A3, Digital Rain Gauge with Wireless Self-Emptying Rain Collector 00899, Digital Rain Gauge with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature and Storm Alert 01089MCB, Wireless Rain Gauge Collector 06034M
• AcuRite 00899 Self-Emptying Rain Gauge instruction manual
• AcuRite Rain Gauge Station 01608 / 06042M instruction manual (linked from the 01089MCB product page)
• AcuRite: Wireless Rain Gauge Collector Calibration
• AcuRite: Wireless Rain Gauge Collector No Rainfall
• AcuRite: What are the Accuracy Standards?

See also: AcuRite replacement parts · AcuRite accessories