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Feeling crummy and need to monitor your temperature? After researching dozens of thermometers, we tested 14 of the most compelling models available today. Our healthcare experts compared these models side-by-side in real-world testing scenarios and recorded the results. Each thermometer was then assigned a rank based on important factors like accuracy, ease of use, cleaning, and speed. There is a surprising variety of thermometers available, with each manufacturer adding their own twist to different styles and features, from traditional probe-style thermometers that go under the tongue, temporal artery scanners, and touchless infrared devices that record from a distance. Our comprehensive thermometer review will help you to navigate the multiple options and find the perfect one to cover your specific needs.
Keeping track of your health is key to living your best life. Other than a thermometer, some helpful things to own are a good blood pressure monitor and a reliable pulse oximeter. If you want to gather real-time data throughout your day to be stored and reviewed on a smartphone, head over to our list of the best smart watches.
Editor's Note: We updated our thermometer review on October 29, 2024, to share more recommendations in our award sections.
The GoodBaby Touchless 2-in-1 IR 2000 is our go-to thermometer for most people. With its large, easy-to-press buttons located on top of the device and its near-instantaneous temperature reading, it's about as easy to operate as they come. To simplify operation even further, this thermometer is pre-programmed to backlight the LCD screen with green when a normal temperature is read, yellow if the subject is running a bit hot, and red when it might be time to go see a physician. The IR 2000 is also relatively easy to clean — an attribute that is ever so helpful when in close contact with potentially ill individuals.
We don't have many issues with the IR 2000, but we prefer thermometers that “beep” a bit louder to alert the user that the device has completed its job. In the post-COVID-19 world, these types of thermometers are often used by businesses in crowded, noisy environments, and it's nice to know a complete reading has been taken. Our testing revealed this model is reasonably accurate and completely sufficient for home use, but it doesn't offer the near-precise readings of expensive medical-grade alternatives like the Welch Allyn Sure Temp plus 690/692, which is widely used in the medical industry.
The GoodBaby Touchless 2-in-1 IR 2000 is quick, easy to use, and a no-brainer to clean.
The Boncare 10-Second Digital is a great choice for those that are shopping for a thermometer on a shoestring budget. One of the primary benefits of a probe-style thermometer (as opposed to infrared or the ancient mercury models) is the impressive level of accuracy. During our 98°F accuracy assessment, this model was nearly spot on with our medical-grade control models. The Boncare is waterproof, which makes it ideal for use with fussy children, and also incredibly easy to clean. With three different ways to read temperatures, it is suitable for infants, the elderly, and everybody in between. Best of all, the Boncare is super budget-friendly, costing a tiny fraction of the medical-grade models while still producing extremely similar temperature readings.
The biggest downside of probe thermometers is the lengthy read time — ten seconds is a longer time than we would expect some children to sit still. For a touchless thermometer with a near-instantaneous reading, check out the GoodBaby IR 2000. The Boncare 10-Second Digital's display is also relatively small and not backlit, so it's best to use this device in a well-lit area. Drawbacks aside, though, it's hard to beat the price.
The Kinsa QuickCare is a Bluetooth smart thermometer that tracks more than just the patient's temperature when combined with the accompanying app. The Kinsa is a probe-style thermometer with a large, easy-to-read display and color alerts that correspond in case of fever. In our tests, this device was simple to operate, using just a single button on the probe to take temperature and settings. Pair the device with a smartphone via Bluetooth and unlock its full potential. Users can create individual profiles for family members, track temperature and symptoms, track medication administration times, and set reminders for the next dose. Users can also get guidance and care recommendations related to their symptoms or see data about illnesses in the local area.
Though the automatically stored information may be convenient, not every user needs the extra technology. The thermometer wants you to use the app, but you can bypass the screen and use it as a simple digital thermometer. If you have zero interest in dealing with yet another smartphone app, check out the Vicks SpeedRead we tested, which is accurate, easy to use, and reasonably priced. Also, the single button at the top of the probe on the Kinsa QuickCare might be small for folks with larger hands. During testing, we found the readings to be inaccurate around the lower 90s Fahrenheit, and though we like the safety aspect of the flexible tip, some might find it challenging if they have larger fingers. Minor criticisms aside, the Kinsa QuickCare offers a lot of features and is a great option for anyone wanting to keep digital records of illnesses or track medication dosing.
A large bright display and flexible tip make this app capable thermometer a favorite.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
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Four various probe style thermometers ranging from simple digital readout to app enabled illness guidance
Credit: Travis Reddinger
How We Test Thermometers
Gearlab purchases each product we test at retail prices and does not accept manufacturer samples, so you get unbiased information to help make an informed decision. Over the past few years, we have researched dozens of different thermometers and tested 17 different models to compare ease of use, accuracy, ease of disinfection, and how long to register a reading. We also take note of any additional features that may impact the performance or be important to the user. We subjected each thermometer to multiple tests and recorded how each individual device performed in the given area. Scores of the individual test metrics are weighted and combined for a product's overall score.
We calculated our total scores using these four rating metrics:
Accuracy (40% of overall score weighting)
Ease of Use (25% weighting)
Cleaning (25% weighting)
Speed (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Spearheading the thermometer review is Travis Reddinger. Travis has almost 20 years of experience in the medical field, from prehospital EMS to in-hospital emergency medicine and critical care, along with being an automotive mechanic since he graduated high school. Because of his experience and technical knowledge, he is often asked for input on new products and devices the hospital is considering to improve patient care. While caring for some of the sickest patients in a Level 1 Trauma Hospital, Travis understands the necessity for fast, accurate results in a simple-to-use device.
Thermometers with backlights or light-up LCDs are the easiest to see in low light.
Forehead scanning thermometers are arguably the easiest way to read a person's temperature.
Analysis and Test Results
Testing for thermometers places an emphasis on four rating metrics. For each one, we highlight top contenders that outperform the rest and others that fall short in the competition. Though we assign a weight to each metric to get an overall score for each thermometer, the intent is to provide more granular information so you can assess each product based on what is important to you.
What's the Best Value?
Though value is not formally considered in overall product scoring, it likely plays an important role in your purchase decision. In our reviews, value is what you get relative to what you pay. In quantitative terms, products with a comparatively high score and low price have a higher value. Based on our testing, models that come away as high-value options include the BerrCom Non-Contact Infrared for a contactless model and the Vicks SpeedRead for a more traditional, digital stick thermometer. We purchased two high-end professional-grade models to use as controls in our experiments — the Welch Allyn Sure Temp Plus 690/692 and the Exergen TAT-5000. These models may offer the most in terms of practically precise accuracy but fall short when it comes to overall ease of use and are devoid of any special features, which is great news — it means that you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a reliable and accurate thermometer that is much more user-friendly than the versions used by hospitals.
Simple to use with a fast reading
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Accuracy
Accuracy is the degree to which the thermometer displays a number corresponding to a person's actual core temperature. The accuracy of a device compared to core temperature does depend on the method used for temperature testing. Typically, a thermometer offers the most accurate temperature if it is inserted inside the body for a reading and deviates as you move further away from the core of the person's body. For example, a rectal temp would be most accurate, followed by oral, temporal, or axillary. It is important to consider that some methods are much more comfortable and convenient than others and understand that a deviation of 0.5-1 degree Fahrenheit is considered to be an acceptable compromise.
Accuracy was given the highest priority for the testing process because the output from the device is what influences healthcare decisions. For each thermometer we tested, we recorded five readings at three different temperatures. We then averaged the recordings and measured the deviation from the control device. The amount of deviation from the control was then translated into the accompanying score accordingly for each temperature group. Once each thermometer had a score for each of the control groups, those three scores were averaged to give the overall accuracy rating for each thermometer.
We used a warm water plate and a glass of water to check accuracy at various temperatures.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
We used a heating device and a glass of water to maintain a constant temperature for each test group and verified it with our professional-grade control models — The Welch Allyn Sure Temp Plus 690/692 and the Exergen TAT-5000. The constant low temperature we tested was approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The next temperature we tested was meant to mimic the “normal” body temp, which was 98 degrees.
We understand that number varies with each individual. The final temperature we tested was approximately 105 degrees to simulate a high fever. We did not have any extreme outliers when it came to normal temperature or fevers and were pleased with the overall results. The testing process gave us confidence that we could rely on the consumer-grade models to assess temperatures on ourselves or family members.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Every model tested well overall for accuracy, but some had less deviation from the control than others. The Boncare 10-Second Digital, Braun Thermoscan 7+, GoodBaby FCIR-1000, Goodbaby Touchless 2-in-1 IR 2000, and iHealth No-Touch were the most accurate infrared thermometers. The Vicks SpeedRead was the probe-style model with the smallest deviation from the control temperature.
A vibration feature tells the user the reading is complete
Credit: Travis Reddinger
The next group includes the Chooseen and the Famidoc Touchless for minimal deviation, closely followed by the BerrCom Non-Contact, Kinsa QuickCare, and the Exergen Tat-2000c. The Kinsa had some larger deviations for the low temperature of 90 degrees, but the lower temp is where most showed the largest inaccuracy. All of the thermometers did very well in the normal and fever controls, which are understood to be the most important areas.
The red backlight notifies the user of a high temperature which is concerning.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Ease of Use
Ease of use examines how simple a device is to assess a temperature. We look at how intuitive a device is to use, button size, button location, button engagement, the screen size and location, power supply and changing batteries, how difficult it is to change settings, and if it needs to be removed from a case or uses probe covers.
The Kinsa QuickCare probe thermometer is a single-button device that proved to be one of the easiest models to use that we've ever tested. The Kinsa has a round head with a large, bright, color-coded screen that is easy to read. The probe end is flexible and more comfortable than some other thermometers since they read temperature internally. The thermometer has a small single button on the top that turns the probe on and is ready for measurements. Some may find the button a little difficult to use if they have large hands or lack dexterity, but we found no issues during testing. The Quickcare does have an app that can be downloaded and paired with the device, but it is not necessary for use. Battery replacement is simple: remove the backplate to access the CR2032.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
The Braun Thermoscan 7 is an in-ear thermometer with a large display, making it really easy to read with well-placed buttons, but it loses points by needing a disposable plastic probe cover to take a reading. The Vicks SpeedRead is also simple with a single button and easy-to-read display, but we found accessing the battery to be more difficult than necessary.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Many of the other infrared thermometers shared a similar design and had a large color display on the back, trigger-style button placement, sound notifications, and batteries in the handle, but a few had notable findings during testing. The BerrCom Infrared placed the auxiliary buttons on the side, making it more difficult to make adjustments while viewing the screen. The Famidoc FDIR-V22 has power and setting buttons on the back that we found difficult to press and activate because of their small size and flexible rubber caps. The bottom battery cover also opened on its own multiple times, allowing the batteries to fall out.
The GE Trucheck TM3000 and the iHealth PT3 are comfortable, single-button thermometers with a simplified design and easy-to-read screens.
Easy to read display options for a few of the digital infared thermometers
Credit: Travis Reddinger
The GoodBaby FC IR-100 has two buttons on the top, but it is more intuitive to push the feature button instead of scan. The Goodbaby Touchless 2 in 1 FCIR 2000 has a trigger for scan and places the additional buttons on the right side, similar to the Berrcom. The Chooseen FC IR-1010 has the temperature button on the top, but the mode and memory are underneath and inefficient.
The Exergen TAT 2000 is a temporal thermometer with a backlit, small grayscale screen. The probe is used by sliding it across the forehead for reading, but the ergonomics of pushing the small button on the front while maintaining contact is uncomfortable. Power is supplied by a single 9v battery, which seems to be falling out of favor for electronic devices. The iProven ProTemp Flex has a non-backlit grayscale display with a small button next to the screen that requires more pressure to activate. We also found that replacing the battery requires removing the cover with a very small screwdriver. Another probe thermometer, the Boncare TH2, has a small, non-backlit grayscale screen with a recessed button that may be challenging for some to use. We also were concerned about replacing the SR41 battery because it may cause unnecessary damage to the wires connected to the tip.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Cleaning
Thermometers are typically used when someone is showing signs of an illness. The temperature increases because the body has activated the immune system to rev up and fight off bacteria or illness. The ability to easily disinfect a device and prevent further spread of illness is an important consideration, especially if you have little ones in the household or someone who is immunocompromised. We considered the recommended method of cleaning and examined which has the least amount of crevices, recesses, and areas that may be challenging to access when disinfecting the device.
The champion of this metric is the Welch Allyn Sure Temp plus 690/692 because disinfecting the probe between readings is as simple as tossing the disposable cover and attaching a new one. While this is far from the most environmentally friendly approach to cleaning, in instances where temp reading volume is high, it makes the most sense.
The Goodbaby Touchless and Vicks Speedread both rated high on the scale of ease of disinfection among the consumer-grade models due to smooth surfaces, flush screens, and less crevices for germs to hide.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
The Kinsa QuickCare was also near the top, with the Braun Thermoscan 7+ close behind. All but one of the remaining thermometers received similar scores due to the number of buttons to clean, recessed screens or sensors, or extra pieces to be removed. The Exergen Tat-2000c scored the lowest due to a deeply recessed screen, number of ridges, and different shapes requiring much more effort to get all the areas with cleaning cloth.
Devices with smooth, flush housings are easier to clean than ones with multiple shapes and ridges.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Speed
The time it takes a thermometer to display an accurate reading is important to consider when deciding on a thermometer. It can be difficult to get somebody to sit still for the amount of time it takes the device to result. For this metric, we used a stopwatch when obtaining five temperatures with each device and averaged the time it took to record and display a temperature.
During the testing process, it became obvious that one type of thermometer is much faster than the other. All of the infrared devices offered an almost instantaneous result for each reading in less than a second. This list includes the GoodBaby Touchless 2-in-1 IR 2000 and FCIR-1000, iHealth No-Touch, Famidoc, CHOOSEEN, and BerrCom.
The GoodBaby Touchless 2-in-1 IR 2000 practically instantly reads temperatures.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Very close to the top and taking just a second or so longer to result is the Braun Thermoscan 7+ and the professional grade Exergen TAT-5000, and just a hair slower is the Exergen Tat-2000c temporal artery thermometer.
We conducted side-by-side analysis of several top brands for our thermometer review.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
As we move into slower results, the probe-style thermometers make up the remainder of the list. The Kinsa was the fastest of the probe style, followed by the Boncare TH-2, Vicks SpeedRead, Welch Allyn, and the iProven ProTemp Flex Digital Thermometer. Though they are slower than infrared devices, these thermometers only range from 5 seconds to about 14 seconds to display results, which is a big improvement over the mercury thermometers of the past.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
How to Choose The Best Thermometer
We've provided four important buying considerations to help you choose the right thermometer for your needs based on accuracy, budget, and age.
Infrared or Digital?
Thermometers are typically offered in digital or infrared sensors for reading temperatures. A digital thermometer relies on direct contact through the ear, mouth, or rectum, while infrared thermometers can be used without contact on the forehead or ear. Digital thermometers are great for providing accurate readings and budget-friendly options, while infrared thermometers are great for their ease of use and no-contact readings. If you need the most accurate reading, a digital thermometer may be better suited, but if you need quick readings or have to take multiple readings quickly, infrared thermometers will excel.
What Sensor Type Should You Go With?
Accessing a person's temperature can be achieved through multiple locations around the body. The most common areas include the mouth, forehead, and ears. For infants, rectum readings are recommended for the most accurate results and ease of access, or alternatively, an infrared thermometer on the forehead can be used. Children above six months typically can accommodate ear thermometers, and children above four can begin using mouth readings. It's important to consider how location affects accuracy and results. While noncontact thermometers can provide accurate results, they can be disrupted by clothing, sunlight, and air. Additionally, sweat or heat from wearing head items such as hats can affect certain body locations, such as foreheads. When deciding on a thermometer type, consider the age of your children, the tolerance to thermometers in locations on the body, and the ease of use to receive accurate readings.
Infrared thermometers that use readings from the forehead are often easy and accurate, making them ideal for use with children.
Credit: Chris McNamara
How Important is Cleaning?
Utilizing a thermometer with easy cleaning is important for proper hygiene and allows for more accurate results. When looking at thermometers, consider whether probe covers are used and whether they are reusable for cleaning or disposable one-time-use covers. Also, consider the shape and complexity of the design to see how easy it is to wipe down and clean the surfaces of your thermometer. For folks with multiple sick people in the household, being able to quickly and effectively clean your thermometer is worth considering.
Are Specific Features Important?
While accessing an accurate reading is the most important quality of a good thermometer, certain features can make life easier, especially when under the weather. Thermometers with memory readings that help gauge the progression of fever are useful. Another feature worth considering is finding a thermometer with a large, lighted display to help read temperatures in low light. Some thermometers even provide app accessibility to provide guidance and track symptom progression. Consider how important certain features are for your personal needs and for those in your household.
Features like large LED numbers can help read results at night and in low-light settings.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Conclusion
Investing in a high-quality thermometer means investing in your and your family's health and well-being. A good thermometer can help determine if someone needs some over-the-counter medications and rest or if they need a trip to the clinic or urgent care. Though you hope to rarely have to use it for an illness, some of the thermometers can also assist with duties like testing bath water temperature, food or drink temps, or other surfaces around the house. With all the options on the market, though, making a decision to fit your needs can be stressful and time-consuming. Thankfully, we have performed comprehensive testing and analysis of many thermometer options so you can find the one that best meets your needs and budget.
There are lots of products available to prevent health problems before they start. The body is a temple; if you want to treat yours as such, read our reviews for the best water filters and our favorite air purifiers, which can both help to avoid harmful environmental toxins.
