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In this article 8 sections
The Proster handheld anemometer is a small, budget wind meter with a spinning vane. Point it into the wind or hold it in front of a vent, and it shows the air speed on a backlit screen. Its party trick: type in the size of the opening and it works out the airflow for you.
Short answer: the Proster is a budget vane anemometer that shows wind speed in five units and, once you enter the size of a vent or duct, the airflow in CFM. That airflow sum is the main reason to pick it over a basic wind meter. It is handy for vents, fans and a breezy backyard. It is not a certified instrument, and it does not show wind direction.
Editorial Research
- Written by
- Lena Thornton, Weather Station Analyst & CWOP Contributor
- Based on
- The Amazon listing for the Proster digital anemometer with CFM (ASIN B01FTPX566) read November 3, 2026. We have not tested this meter ourselves.
- Research last verified
- November 3, 2026
What the Proster Anemometer Does
From the Amazon listing for this model:
- Air volume (CFM, CMM, CMS): enter the flow area of the opening and the meter calculates how much air moves through it.
- MAX/MIN/HOLD: keep the highest and lowest reading, or freeze the number on screen so you can write it down.
- Backlit LCD: readable in a dim attic or a dark utility room.
- Auto power off: saves the battery when you forget to switch it off. (We all do.)
- Five wind speed units: m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph and knots.
Wind Speed Range and Accuracy
- Range: 0.4 to 30 m/s. Converted, that is about 80 to 5,900 ft/min, 0.9 to 67 mph, 1.4 to 108 km/h or 0.8 to 58 knots.
- Accuracy: shop listings for this model do not agree (some say ±5%). Treat a reading as a good estimate, not a certified measurement.
Below 0.4 m/s (under 1 mph) is outside the listed range, so a very gentle draft may read as zero. That is normal for a budget vane meter.
How the CFM Reading Works
CFM means cubic feet per minute: how much air passes through an opening every minute. The math is simple:
CFM = air speed (ft/min) × area of the opening (ft²)
Example: a supply grille of 12 × 6 inches is 0.5 ft². If the meter reads 400 ft/min across it, the airflow is about 0.5 × 400 = 200 CFM. Type 0.5 into the flow area setting and the Proster does this sum for you.
Two tips. Measure the inside of the opening, not the outer frame. And move the meter slowly across the grille and use the average, because air rarely flows evenly over the whole face. Our page on how to measure CFM with an anemometer walks through it step by step, including round ducts.
Proster vs BTMETER BT-100
The BTMETER BT-100 is the budget meter people most often compare it with. The basic BT-100 shows wind speed and air temperature but no CFM, so for vent and duct checks the Proster's airflow setting is the real difference. For outdoor wind only, either one does the job. Our handheld anemometer comparison puts both next to the Kestrel and other options.
What People Use It For
- HVAC and ventilation checks: compare the airflow between rooms, or check a bathroom fan or a range hood.
- Outdoor hobbies: kites, sailing or drones, when you want a quick wind speed number.
- Education: a cheap way to show the Beaufort scale in real life.
Who Should Buy It, and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if you want a cheap meter for vents, fans and the occasional windy afternoon, and you like having the CFM sum done for you.
Skip it if you need wind direction, logging to your phone or a certified reading for work. Then look at a weather station, or at the Kestrel in our comparison.
Check the Proster anemometer on Amazonopens in a new tab
FAQ
Does the Proster anemometer measure CFM?
Yes. This model (B01FTPX566) shows air volume in CFM, CMM or CMS after you enter the flow area of the opening.
What is the lowest wind speed it can read?
The listed range starts at 0.4 m/s, which is just under 1 mph. A very weak draft below that may read as zero.
Does it show wind direction?
No. A handheld vane meter shows speed only. For direction you need a wind vane or a weather station.
Sources
More about wind: What is an anemometer? · How to measure wind speed · Wind speed today
