Best Field Sensor Systems for Precision Agriculture 2025 | Compare 7 Top Solutions
Compare 7 field sensor systems for precision agriculture. Optimize irrigation, track weather conditions, monitor soil moisture, and make data-driven decisions to maximize yields and reduce water costs.
Top Picks
Arable Mark 3
Arable Labs
All-in-one system combining weather, crop and soil sensing
Farm21 FS21
Farm21
Very affordable, scalable network density, plug-and-play, low maintenance
Arable Mark 3
Full Comparison
Arable Mark 3
Arable Labs
iMETOS 3.3
Pessl Instruments (METOS)
Sencrop
Sencrop
Farm21 FS21
Farm21
Weenat Sensor Suite
Weenat
CropX System
CropX
Davis EnviroMonitor
Davis Instruments
Feature Matrix
| System | Type | Offline Mode | API Access | Cost | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Arable Mark 3 Arable Labs | Compact | High | 4.8 | ||
| 📊 iMETOS 3.3 Pessl Instruments (METOS) | Modular | High | 4.7 | ||
| ☁️ Sencrop Sencrop | Modular | Mid | 4.6 | ||
| 🌱 Farm21 FS21 Farm21 | Compact | Low | 4.5 | ||
| 🌧️ Weenat Sensor Suite Weenat | Modular | Mid | 4.5 | ||
| 💧 CropX System CropX | Modular | Mid–High | 4.4 | ||
| 🌡️ Davis EnviroMonitor Davis Instruments | Modular | Mid | 4.3 |
How to Choose the Right Field Sensor System
Define Your Monitoring Needs
Start by identifying what parameters matter most for your operation: weather only, soil moisture, leaf wetness, or comprehensive multi-parameter monitoring? All-in-one systems like Arable Mark 3 offer the most comprehensive data, while focused solutions like Farm21 FS21 excel at specific tasks.
- Weather-only: Sencrop, Davis EnviroMonitor
- Soil-focused: Farm21 FS21, CropX System
- Comprehensive: Arable Mark 3, iMETOS 3.3, Weenat
Consider Total Cost of Ownership
Look beyond the initial hardware cost. Factor in subscription fees, cellular data plans, battery replacements, and potential expansion modules. Low-cost systems like Farm21 offer great value, while premium systems justify their price with comprehensive features.
Check Connectivity Requirements
Cellular coverage is critical for real-time monitoring. Systems using LTE-M/NB-IoT (Arable, Farm21) work in more remote areas than traditional 3G/4G. LoRaWAN/Sigfox systems (Sencrop, Weenat) require gateway infrastructure but use less power.
- Excellent: Areas with 4G/LTE coverage
- Good: LTE-M/NB-IoT networks available
- Limited: Consider LoRaWAN with gateway setup
Integration & Scalability
Need to integrate with existing farm management software? Look for systems with robust open APIs (Arable, iMETOS, Weenat). Planning to expand? Modular systems (iMETOS 3.3, Weenat, Davis) let you add sensors over time without replacing the base station.
Cost Comparison & Total Investment
Compare upfront hardware costs and ongoing subscription fees across all systems
| System | Hardware Cost | Annual Subscription | 3-Year Total | Value Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm21 FS21 Best Value | €295 | €63/year | €484 | ★★★★★ Excellent | |
Farm21 FS21 – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: €295 for the Farm21 FS21 sensor kit. This unit includes the FS21 base (with air temperature/humidity) and a multi-depth soil moisture/temperature probe, offering a low-cost IoT micro-weather station for precision farming. Subscription Fee: €63 per sensor per year (mandatory). This annual fee (about €5.25/month) covers the built-in NB-IoT/LTE-M SIM connectivity, cloud data storage, and access to Farm21's platform (which also provides satellite imagery and scouting tools). An active subscription is required for the FS21 to send data; Farm21's model is to keep hardware pricing low and charge a modest yearly service fee per sensor. | |||||
| Sencrop Mid-Range | £300-350 | £79-229/year | £587-1,037 | ★★★★☆ Good | |
Sencrop – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: £300–£350 per unit for Sencrop's field sensors. For example, a Raincrop (rain, temp, humidity) or Leafcrop station costs about £350, while a Windcrop (anemometer) is ~£300. These devices are wireless and battery/solar-powered, designed to be affordable per sensor. Subscription Fee: £79 to £229 per year (mandatory) for the Sencrop app service. The subscription tier depends on the plan (number of stations, data history, network access to nearby stations, etc.). All Sencrop stations require an active subscription to transmit data via the cellular network and to access the real-time weather data on the Sencrop platform. | |||||
| Weenat Sensor Suite Mid-Range | €600-2,000 | €300/year | €1,500-2,900 | ★★★★☆ Good | |
Weenat – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: €600–€2,000 per sensor device. Weenat offers a range of agro-weather sensors (from simpler rain/temperature units on the lower end to full weather stations with soil probes at the higher end). According to the company's founder, this price range covers the various types of meteorological sensors they provide. Subscription Fee: Approximately €300 per year (mandatory) for the Weenat service. This annual subscription covers data connectivity and access to Weenat's app/cloud platform for real-time and historical field data. The fee is required for the sensors to connect and for users to receive weather and soil data on their devices. Jérôme Le Roy of Weenat notes that sensors typically pay for themselves within ~18 months due to the decision-making value of the data. | |||||
| CropX System Mid-High | $600-899 | $275/year | $1,425-1,724 | ★★★☆☆ Fair | |
CropX System – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: $600 for the CropX Basic soil sensor, $699 for the CropX Pro, and $899 for the CropX Deep sensor (which measures to 36-inch depth). These prices are per sensor unit; each is a wireless spiral probe that monitors soil moisture, temperature (and for higher models, deeper profiles and EC/salinity) in the field. Subscription Fee: Starts at ~$275 per sensor per year (mandatory). CropX's annual subscription (per sensor) gives access to their cloud-based soil intelligence platform and farm management app. The fee covers cellular data transmission and the analytics software which provides irrigation recommendations, alerts, and integration with weather forecasts. An active subscription is required for the sensors to upload data and for users to use CropX's decision-support tools. Some distributors bundle the first year of subscription with the hardware purchase. | |||||
| Arable Mark 3 Best Overall | $780 | $580/year | $2,520 | ★★★★☆ Good | |
Arable Mark 3 – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: Approximately $780 for the Mark 3 all-in-one sensor device (an in-field weather/plant/soil unit). Recent sources estimate the hardware at ~$700–$1,100, suggesting the Mark 3's base price is in this range. Subscription Fee: Around $580 per year (mandatory) for Arable's cloud analytics dashboard for data access. The annual service subscription is required to transmit data and use Arable's platform. This includes access to comprehensive crop intelligence features, machine learning-powered insights, and API access for integration with farm management systems. | |||||
| Davis EnviroMonitor Mid-Range | $995-1,600 | $200-440/year | $1,595-2,920 | ★★★☆☆ Fair | |
Davis EnviroMonitor – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: The EnviroMonitor Gateway (central unit with cellular modem) costs roughly $995 (SKU 6802, US LTE version). Each wireless EnviroMonitor Node (mesh node that connects up to 4 sensors) is about $525. A complete system includes one gateway plus one or more nodes and attached sensors (e.g. Davis Vantage Pro2 or GroWeather sensor suites for weather data, soil moisture sensors, etc., sold separately). For example, a gateway + a weather sensor suite would total around $1,500–$1,600 upfront. Subscription Fee: $200–$440 per year per gateway (mandatory service plan). The annual plan cost depends on the data upload interval (e.g. ~$260/year for 15‑minute updates, or $200 for hourly; higher for 1‑minute rapid updates). This fee covers the cellular connectivity, WeatherLink cloud account, and data access via web/app (including alerts). Note: There is also a one-time activation fee (~$35) when registering a new EnviroMonitor gateway. All EnviroMonitor systems require an active subscription plan for the gateway to send data to the cloud; without it, the devices will not transmit any sensor readings. | |||||
| iMETOS 3.3 Premium | £2,375 | Optional (£75-150/year) | £2,600-2,825 | ★★★★☆ Premium | |
iMETOS 3.3 – Detailed Pricing BreakdownHardware Cost: Approximately £2,375 for an iMETOS 3.3 weather station (e.g. IMT300 model with rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, leaf wetness sensors). This high-end, modular data-logger station is durable and solar-powered, designed for professional agricultural and research applications. Subscription Fee: No mandatory annual fee for basic data via Pessl's FieldClimate platform. Optional value-added modules include disease modeling (~£75/year per crop) and premium forecast services (~£150/year). These subscriptions are optional – they provide advanced analytics on top of the base station data (which can be accessed without a recurring fee). This makes iMETOS unique among premium systems, offering full functionality without forced subscriptions while allowing users to add specialized services as needed. | |||||
Budget Champion
Farm21 FS21 offers the lowest total cost of ownership at under €500 for 3 years, making precision agriculture accessible to farms of all sizes.
Best ROI
Arable Mark 3 justifies its premium with comprehensive all-in-one sensing. The $2,520 3-year investment delivers weather, crop health, and soil data from a single device.
Long-Term Investment
iMETOS 3.3 has the highest upfront cost but optional subscriptions and proven 20+ year durability. Units from 2005 are still operational with zero failures.
Real Farmer & Expert Reviews
Independent testimonials from farmers, agronomists, and field trials
Arable Mark 3
"First up let's be honest: if you are just looking for a sensor, the Arable Mark 3 could be over the top for your needs."— 2023, aguafox.com (independent agtech blog)
Sentiment: The reviewer suggests the Mark 3 is likely overkill (too advanced and costly) if a farmer only needs basic field sensing.
iMETOS 3.3
"I use and install CropX and Metos by Pessl… Both work good. I like the results from the Metos ones better… They both do the job, but the ones with more sensors give me better data."— 2024, AgTalk forum
Sentiment: Farmer finds iMETOS (with its 3-ft Sentek probe having sensors every 4 inches) delivers more detailed soil moisture data and prefers it over rival systems.
"Extremely resistant and designed to last… with the best value for money and the lowest cost of ownership on the global market."— 2025, station-meteo.io (expert review)
Sentiment: Highlights iMETOS's durability and long-term affordability. Some units deployed in 2005 are still running with no failures.
Sencrop
"With Sencrop, it's easier for me to organize my daily work. I no longer need to call anyone or drive around to know the weather within a 15 km radius. If it's raining in one place, I check all the stations to see where I can still work."— 2023, Entraid magazine (farmer testimonial)
Sentiment: Farmer reports that Sencrop's real-time local weather data greatly simplifies daily planning and helps target optimal windows for fieldwork and spraying.
"My Sencrop has recorded 29.2 mm so far this morning. Two neighbours, both with Davis weather stations, have recorded 37.8 and 35.8 mm this morning."— 2023, The Farming Forum
Sentiment: User observes that Sencrop's rain gauge under-reports rainfall by roughly 20-25% compared to nearby Davis stations, indicating accuracy issues in wet conditions.
Weenat Sensor Suite
"Weenat is the go-to for those who want a product developed and made in France with a very good quality/price ratio. The data is reliable, the hardware is built to last, and the Weenat app is more intuitive and user-friendly than competitors."— 2025, Station-meteo.io (expert review)
Sentiment: Independent expert praises Weenat's measurement accuracy, durability, and software ergonomics.
"I've been using Weenat for one year… despite a slight inaccuracy in my temperature sensor, I am very satisfied with my stations."— 2023, App Store user review
Sentiment: Farmer's feedback after extended use indicates overall high satisfaction with only minor precision quirks in one sensor.
"Given the small radiation shield (likely to overheat like the Davis Vantage Vue) and the rain gauge still to be proven – if it costs as much as a Davis, my choice is already made [I'd go with Davis]."— 2024, Infoclimat forum
Sentiment: Weather hobbyist is skeptical of Weenat's design, suspecting the temperature shield might cause heat bias and unconvinced of rain sensor accuracy.
"Les tarifs sont sensiblement les mêmes que pour Davis et le matériel semble de qualité... il y a une API ouverte."— 2024, Infoclimat Forum
Sentiment: Quality comparable to Davis with reliable API. The pricing is similar to Davis and the hardware appears to be of good quality, with an open API available.
Farm21 FS21
"The low price of $85 per sensor allows growers to create multiple measurement points per field… More sensors greatly increases the quality and accuracy of the data. With this highly accurate and reliable field insight, growers are able to increase crop yield and save on valuable resources."— 2020, Precision Farming Dealer
Sentiment: Report highlights Farm21's affordability and scalability. Because sensors are so inexpensive, farmers can deploy many across a field—improving data resolution.
"In an independent field trial, Farm21 soil moisture probes were rated ≥7.5/10 for measurement accuracy, placing them among the top performers."— 2022, Dutch NPPL study
Sentiment: University-led precision agriculture test found Farm21 sensors scored very well (7.5+) on accuracy, on par with industry leaders.
"Our product allows growers to start improving crop yields... Early users note easy setup and yield gains of 10-15%."— 2022, Product Hunt Reviews
Sentiment: Users report straightforward installation and significant yield improvements (10-15%) after implementing Farm21 sensors for precision irrigation management.
CropX System
"Tons of options out there. I use and install CropX and Metos… Both work good. I like the results from the Metos ones better… the CropX have their own [probe] that screws into the ground and is only about 18″ long… They both do the job, but the ones with more sensors give me better data."— 2024, AgTalk forum
Sentiment: User/installer says CropX works adequately and is easy to install. However, its sensor wand has only 3 sensor points, so it collects less granular soil data than deeper multi-sensor probes.
"CropX Soil Sensor's spiral design gives more accurate soil moisture, temperature, and EC readings than standard sensors."— 2023, aguafox.com (product review)
Sentiment: Independent review notes CropX's distinctive auger-shaped sensor improves contact with soil and thus delivers more accurate measurements than typical straight probes.
— 2022, Slashdot Review by Mustafa E."Placing sensors were quite work-demanding but overall worth it. There was a lack of professional help."
"Sensors and app were very good in terms of data transmission and accuracy. Also it is a very useful tool to identify the areas for moisture."
"Lack of expertise as everything was on my own. There needs to be a system of monitoring the process and ask for assistance."
Sentiment: Mixed experience from a farmer who found the sensors and app excellent for data quality and moisture mapping, but struggled with installation complexity and lack of professional support during setup. Overall satisfied with the product itself, but desires better onboarding assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which field sensor system is best for small farms?
For small farms (under 50 hectares), the Farm21 FS21 offers the best value with its low upfront cost, simple installation, and affordable subscription. It focuses on essential soil and weather data without overwhelming complexity. Alternatively, Sencrop provides excellent ease of use with a strong community network across Europe.
Do these systems require professional installation?
Most modern field sensor systems are designed for easy self-installation. Plug-and-play systems like Farm21, Sencrop, and Arable Mark 3 can be installed in 15-30 minutes without special tools. Modular systems like iMETOS 3.3 and Davis EnviroMonitor may benefit from professional setup if you're adding multiple sensor types, but manufacturers typically provide detailed guides and support.
What happens if cellular coverage is poor in my area?
Several options exist for areas with limited cellular coverage: 1) Systems with LTE-M/NB-IoT support (Arable, Farm21) work with weaker signals than traditional 3G/4G. 2) LoRaWAN-based systems (Sencrop, Weenat) use low-power wide-area networks that can cover several kilometers with a single gateway. 3) Systems with offline data buffering (all systems compared) store readings locally until connectivity is restored. 4) The Davis EnviroMonitor can use Wi-Fi as an alternative to cellular.
Can I integrate sensor data with my farm management software?
Yes! All systems in our comparison offer some form of data export or API access. Best for integration: Arable Mark 3 (comprehensive REST API), iMETOS 3.3 (FieldClimate API), and Weenat (open API with 150+ agriculture indicators). Systems also typically support CSV/Excel export for manual import into other tools. Some vendors have direct integrations with popular platforms like Climate FieldView, John Deere Operations Center, and Trimble Ag Software.
How long do batteries typically last?
Battery life varies by system and usage: Solar-powered systems (Arable, iMETOS, CropX, Davis) are essentially maintenance-free in sunny climates, with backup batteries lasting weeks without sun. Battery-only systems like Sencrop and Weenat typically last 2+ years on a single charge. The Farm21 FS21 uses a rechargeable USB-C battery lasting ~1 year between charges. Most systems send low-battery alerts well in advance, giving plenty of time for maintenance.