9 Best Thermometers in 2023

May 28, 2023

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Thermometers are key tools to monitor a person’s temperature. They can help individuals monitor body temperature and fevers. The best thermometers are easy to use and read.

Medical News Today includes reputable, well-received devices with a range of price points and features.

Additionally, MNT looks at some of the following:

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.

This Braun thermometer takes the temperature from the ear. It features a light and a beep sound to confirm that the thermometer is in the correct position in the ear.

It is suitable for all ages, and a person can adjust the age to improve the accuracy of the reading. It also has a color-coded display to allow people to interpret results easily and quickly.

The thermometer comes with disposable lens covers for sanitary purposes.

This thermometer from Vicks can take the temperature from the mouth, the rectum, or under the arm. It is suitable for all ages.

It can produce a temperature reading in 8 seconds and provides color-coded temperature results, which are easy to read.

It is also waterproof for easy cleaning and has a memory feature so that a person can view the last reading.

This thermometer from Exergen measures temperature from the forehead. It reads the temperature from the temporal artery, which is directly connected to the heart.

It is suitable for all ages and includes a silent mode so that a person does not disturb others when using it.

Additionally, it has a soft glow display so a person can view the reading in any light. It also has a memory feature and stores the last eight readings.

This thermometer is suitable for all ages and can take the temperature from the ear or the forehead. It uses infrared technology to scan the temperature in both locations.

It provides readings within 1–3 seconds and has a fever warning when the temperature is higher than recommended. The fever warning consists of three quick beeps and a red warning light.

It also has a colored display to allow for easy reading.

This thermometer is suitable for all ages. It is compatible with the Kinsa app, which is available on Android and iOS. This app keeps track of readings and provides personalized advice based on age, temperature readings, and symptoms.

A person can also use the app to track medication dosages and set reminders.

This thermometer produces a temperature reading in 8 seconds.

This thermometer is suitable for all ages and uses three infrared sensors to improve accuracy. A person takes the temperature from the forehead.

Instead of beeping or buzzing, the thermometer uses vibration to avoid disturbing other people. The device provides temperature readings within 1 second.

Additionally, the thermometer has an extra-large LED display.

This thermometer from Vicks is suitable for all ages. A person can take the temperature from the mouth or underarm of adults or from the rectum of infants.

It has a memory feature and stores the last reading. It also has a color-coded display to provide easy-to-read results.

Results are available in 8 seconds. Additionally, the thermometer is waterproof for easy cleaning and features an automatic shutoff to help save battery.

This thermometer is suitable for individuals of all ages. A person takes the temperature from the ear, and the company provides five disposable caps for hygiene purposes.

It features a fever alert, a low battery indicator, and a power-saving digital display. Additionally, the thermometer’s memory feature can store the last 10 readings.

This no-contact thermometer takes temperature readings from a person’s forehead using infrared technology. It has a memory feature and can store up to 50 readings.

In addition to taking a person’s body temperature, it can take the temperature of liquid, rooms, or food.

It has a color-coded display to make results easier to read and a high fever alarm. Results are available within 2 seconds.

Below, we have added a comparison table featuring all the above thermometers.

A person may wish to consider the following factors when shopping for a thermometer:

How a person uses a thermometer depends on the type. Each thermometer should come with instructions detailing how it works.

When using an infrared forehead thermometer, a person generally needs to hold it a few centimeters away from the forehead without touching the skin. They may need to hold down a button while doing this. The thermometer will indicate when it has read the temperature and display the reading on the screen.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that a person should hold the infrared forehead thermometer perpendicular to the forehead. The FDA also says that a person should not touch the forehead and that the distance necessary varies between products.

A person generally uses an underarm, ear, oral, or rectal thermometer by placing the thermometer in the appropriate location and holding it there for a few seconds. The thermometer will indicate when it has taken the reading and display the results.

According to a 2020 review, infrared forehead thermometers work because the human body emits infrared radiation. The detector in the thermometer transfers this into electromagnetic signals and can then display a temperature reading.

A 2021 review concluded that results varied in the ability of an infrared thermometer to screen for infectious diseases.

Ear thermometers work in the same way as forehead thermometers. They use infrared radiation to detect the temperature inside the eardrum.

However, digital thermometers allow users to take temperature orally, under the arm, or from the rectum. These thermometers contain heat sensors to identify the body temperature.

There is limited research on which type of thermometer is most reliable and accurate.

Several types of thermometers are available, including:

Ear and forehead thermometers generally use infrared radiation to take the reading. Digital thermometers often require a reading from the mouth, underarm, or rectum.

Most thermometers are suitable for both adults and children. However, some brands may manufacture special children’s thermometers.

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about thermometers.

Generally, baby thermometers work just as well on adults. However, adult thermometers may not work so well on babies or younger children. A person should check the instructions to find out the age suitability of the product.

Research suggests that infrared thermometers are unreliable in young infants, so people should avoid these for this age group.

According to a 2022 study, forehead and ear thermometers are just as reliable as the other types of thermometers.

Therefore, a person should choose the thermometer they would feel most comfortable using.

A person should calibrate their thermometer before every use. They should also calibrate it if they drop it, after storing it for a long time, and when measuring the temperature of a different individual or object.

There does not appear to be the best time of day to take the temperature. However, a person should ensure that they take their temperature around the same time every day.

There is no reliable research to indicate that thermometers lose their accuracy over time. However, this may be possible with age and when battery life gets low.

The FDA states that drafts, direct sunlight, and nearby radiant heat sources can affect the accuracy of the thermometer. The FDA also suggests leaving the thermometer in the room where a person will take their temperature for 10–30 minutes before using it.

Several kinds of thermometers are available to purchase in the United States, including infrared forehead thermometers, ear thermometers, and digital thermometers that take readings from the mouth, underarm, or rectum.

Many thermometers are suitable for all ages. However, a person should check this before purchasing.

There is limited information available to indicate which type of thermometer is the most accurate and reliable.