Reviews Health
Written by Amanda Krupa; edited by Rick Stella
Updated
Benjamin Hoffman, MD, CPST-I, FAAP, is a professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health and Science University.
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- Best overall
- Best budget
- Best infrared non-contact
- Best for daily testing
- Best for kids
- What else we tested
- How we tested thermometers
- Thermometer FAQs
- Our experts
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When you're feeling a rise in body temperature, the best thermometer should accurately inform you of how severely the body is in distress. This can help confirm if you or your child are ill enough to see a doctor, or if your systems are safe after exposure to dangerous weather. A fever could also an indicator of respitory illness, such as COVID-19, influenza, or even the common cold.
Our top pick is the iProven Forehead and Ear Thermometer DMT-489. It's accurate, can be used either on the forehead or in-ear, and costs less than $30. For a budget pick, we recommend the Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer. It costs around $10, has an easy-to-read digital screen, and is simple enough for both children and adults to use.
Below are the five best thermometers to buy, with testing insight from several experts, doctors, and parents to narrow down the list. There is info on how we tested each thermometer at the end of this guide, as well as answers to FAQs.
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Top picks for the best thermometer
Best overall: iProven Forehead and Ear Thermometer DMT-489 - See at Amazon
Best budget: Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer - See at Walmart
Best infrared non-contact: iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 - See at Amazon
Best for daily testing: Kinsa Quick Care Smart Thermometer - See at Amazon
Best for kids: Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer with Smart Glow - See at Amazon
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Best overall
The iProven Forehead and Ear Thermometer DMT-489 was the most impressive thermometer tested with one-second reads, accuracy, versatility, comprehensive instructions and quality packaging.
What we like
- User-friendly and easy to read
- Helpful storage pouch
- Precise temperature readings
- Can be used contactless or in-ear
What we don’t like
- Cap to change methods is difficult to snap on
- No probe covers
The iProven DMT-489 is a two-in-one infrared thermometer, as it allows you to switch between reading via an in-ear probe and a forehead setting, the latter of which is safer for infants under 3 months old.
It was the most accurate thermometer in my tests, reading within 0.5-1.0 degrees again and again for forehead readings and within 0.5-0.8 degrees for ear mode. It also displays the temperature within one second.
There are separate buttons for "head" and "ear," and to change from one to the other, you need to snap on or off the thermometer's top cap, which I found a little difficult but still doable.
To get an accurate ear temperature, you have to insert and place the probe top correctly, so be sure to read the instructions thoroughly. It took me a couple of tries to feel confident taking my temperature this way.
I liked that it has a fever alarm and color temperature indication to take the guesswork out of interpreting the readings. The manual also includes a very comprehensive comparison table on how to interpret measurements based on age and method. The thermometer can also store up to 20 past readings for easy comparison.
The devices come with two AA batteries, a soft pouch for storage (great for travel and diaper bags), and cleaning instructions. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty and the option of an extended-year warranty for free.
On Amazon and iProven's website, there appears to be two different versions of the DMT-489. There's no noticeable difference (both share the same model number), but it's possible to pick one up at a cheaper price. The thermometer comes in white or black.
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Best budget
The Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer is not only affordable, but it's also accurate, easy to use on the whole family, and has a large screen with color-coded readings to take the guesswork out of fever.
What we like
- Affordable and multiuse
- Precise temperature readings
- Large digital display
- Comes with probe covers
What we don’t like
- Very loud beep
- Must turn on and off between readings
- Colored fever alerts can be misleading
The Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer is easy to use right out of the box: There's only one button and you have the option to use the device orally, rectally, or under the arm. It runs on an included coin cell button battery.
I found the large digital display to be the easiest to read of all the thermometers I tested. It also beeps the loudest of the group, which is especially helpful for seniors with visual and hearing impairments, but also could be a nuisance for some considering the beeping lasts a full eight seconds.
The LCD screen uses a color temperature indication alongside displaying the actual number, which is generally helpful but fever isn't the same for everyone so this could be alarmist if you run hot.
The precision and repeatability of the thermometer were quite good in my tests and only varied by about 0.5 degrees. Although the box says the Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer takes 10-12 seconds to read your temperature, I found it was much quicker with a response time of 5 to 6 seconds orally and 6 to 7 seconds rectally.
It's a little annoying you have to turn it off and back on to take a second reading, and it is only able to recall the last reading you took. But I did like that this model comes with 100 disposable probe covers and a protective holder, along with a one-year limited warranty and instructions in English and Spanish.
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Best infrared non-contact
The iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 reads in only one second and makes it easy to accurately take anyone's temperature.
What we like
- Fast and precise temperature readings
- No beeping
- Helpful content in user manual
What we don’t like
- Vibration can be missed
- Prone to user error
Before testing the iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 myself, I'd already seen it in action for pre-screening at both my dentist's office and my daughter's daycare. It seemed like a good product that offered quick readings.
When I tested it myself, I found that it was the best temporal thermometer of the bunch. Instead of a beeping alarm, the device vibrates once it has a reading, which also lights up the LED display. This is nice if you don't want a loud noise, and upon testing, I found the precision and repeatability varied only by 0.5 degrees.
I also had Cindy Mrotek, whose business A.C.E Behavior Solutions screens people upon entry, try it out and she said the iHealth was a faster read compared to other infrared thermometers. However, she added it was a bit difficult to use on kids who can't sit still. I found the device wouldn't read if it was too far away from the skin.
The iHealth comes with a user manual in English and Spanish, a quick guide with pictures, two AAA batteries, and cleaning instructions. It also has a one-year limited warranty.
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Best for daily testing
The Kinsa Quick Care Thermometer makes it easy to keep track of your baby's temperature, symptoms, and what steps you should take next.
What we like
- Diverse ways to read temps
- Keeps separate temperature records of family members
- App includes useful and informative features
What we don’t like
- Needs app to work
- Does not include probe covers
When I had to self-certify that my kids are free of COVID-19 symptoms before sending them off to school, a smart thermometer like the Kinsa — which stores all the readings for each family member on my phone and helps me monitor their baseline temperature — makes that daily routine much easier to manage.
The Kinsa Quick Care Smart Thermometer connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and uses an app, which I found easy to set up. I then created profiles for each member of my family, which included inputting their birthdays to help the app's algorithm provide appropriate care instructions from person to person. You can also add notes and symptoms, and track medication doses within the app.
After each reading, the thermometer displays not only the temperature but a happy, neutral, or sad-face emoji corresponding with fever status.
You can check the temperature orally, under the armpit, or rectally (they also make a separate model specific for in-ear use). Although the box says the response time is 8 seconds, I found it to read a temperature between 2 to 3 seconds when used orally. The precision varies between 0.8 and 0.5 degrees.
Kinsa sits in a unique space for both thermometers and smart equipment contributing to public health: As Hilary Brueck, Insider's Health corresponden, laid out back in 2020, the smart thermometer has helped forecast outbreaks of both the coronavirusandthe flu, including detecting fever spikes weeks before hospitals and clinics start to see an influx of patients.
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Best for kids
TheExergen Temporal Artery Thermometer with Smart Glow was the most accurate and consistent out of all the thermometers I tested with over 80 peer-reviewed clinical studies to back up its use on children.
What we like
- Most precise tested
- Suitable for all ages older than three months
- Stores up to eight readings
What we don’t like
- Unintuitive
- Dim display
- Protect the sensor easy to lose
Next to rectal thermometers, temporal artery thermometers are the most reliable way to get an accurate reading on children and babies over 3 months of age. (Use a rectal thermometer on infants under 3 months.)
With the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer, a gentle stroke across a child's forehead captures the naturally emitted heat waves coming from the skin over the temporal artery to give a reading in 2 to 3 seconds. It can store up to eight readings.
When tested repeatedly, the Exergen thermometer delivered the most consistent and precise results of any model tested on myself and my kids — within 0.3 degrees.
However, unlike other models with backlight displays, the Exergen has a relatively small LCD screen with a dim readout. It may be hard to see if you are in a dark room.
However, unlike others, this thermometer wasn't as intuitive to use, despite having instructions printed directly on the back of the device, I wasn't sure if I was correctly stroking the top of the unit across the forehead. However, the instruction manual had a QR code which led to videos demonstrating how to use it, which was helpful.
The model comes with a 9V battery already installed, cleaning instructions, and a five-year limited product warranty.
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What else we tested
Braun Thermoscan 7 Ear Thermometer: This is a fantastic in-ear thermometer with much peer-reviewed research to back it up, and not only do we recommend it but many parents I spoke with already own it. The downsides are it takes 10 seconds to read a temp, and it's the most expensive option I tested — especially when you factor in the disposable lens filters that need replacing for accuracy and hygiene.
Dr. Talbot's Infrared Forehead Thermometer, Non-Contact: This device has comparable precision and speed to the iHealth and is designed for contactless reading of infants over 3 months, including adults. I liked this device and it was easy to operate, but it's more expensive than the iHealth, and was difficult to change the settings using only the trigger.
Kinsa Smart Ear Thermometer: The Kinsa is super sleek and easy to use on yourself, which can be tricky for the ear. I also found the app to be tremendous in terms of content with very helpful instructions. Even though the readings only took a second, the precision tended to vary by 1.5 degrees.
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How we tested thermometers
I reached out to several pediatricians for their expert opinions on thermometers and read journal articles, reviews from reputable publications, and customer reviews. I also spoke with 20 parents about their temperature-taking experiences.
I narrowed down the final list of thermometers by testing each model myself nine times over three days on myself and my two kids, as well as a handful of times on my sister and two of my nieces, one of whom is an infant.
I also handed off two of the infrared thermometers to Cindy Mrotek, owner of A.C.E Behavior Solutions, an essential business screening adults and children with special health care needs upon entry, for testing over one week.
I looked at each product's speed, size of the display, mute options, memory recall, batteries, warranty options, and storage containers. I also looked at:
Accuracy, precision, and readability of thermometer instructions
You have to use a thermometer correctly for an accurate reading, so I evaluated the information on each product's box and inside its user manual from a health literacy perspective, including how helpful and easy to read the instructions were.
Models varied, with some having a quick guide with pictures (great), information in Spanish (big bonus), or a QR code for video instructions, while others had printed so tiny you need a magnifying glass to read it.
Cost and availability
Since thermometers are an essential part of an at-home health kit, they need to be affordable. Some on our list are the price of two cups of coffee, while others are upwards of $30, but we also lay out how you can save money on a thermometer by using your health savings account or flex spending account.
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Thermometer FAQs
What are the different types of at-home thermometers?
Your basic digital thermometer options to choose from are:
- Single-use stick thermometer (marketed for rectal only)
- Multiuse stick thermometer (rectum, mouth, or armpit)
- Tympanic thermometer (ear)
- Temporal artery thermometer (forehead)
- Tympanic and temporal thermometer (ear and forehead)
- Infrared non-contact thermometer (forehead)
All thermometers sold in the United States must meet federal standards and are already calibrated for home use at the time of purchase.
Which type of thermometer is the most accurate?
Only a rectal temperature offers a true outpatient reading, says pediatrician, Dr. John Vann. "Everything else is an estimate," he said.
"Luckily, the exact number is not usually as important as how the patient looks," he adds. This is to say, there are other indicators of how severe someone's illness or condition is other than an optimally accurate temperature reading. There are also reliable methods for checking your temperature even if you don't have access to a thermometer.
No matter if you opt for an infrared thermometer or a strictly ear-based model, it's important to know fever isn't the same for everyone and that it varies by age, gender, and time of day, among other variables. Using a thermometer at various times of the day when you're feeling well gives you an idea of what's normal for you, or your baseline temperature.
Which is the best thermometer for home use?
Among at-home thermometers, medical research hasn't determined an exact correlation between oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead temperature measurements. But Kaiser Permanente notes that an ear (tympanic) temperature is0.5 to1 degree higher than an oral temperature and a forehead (temporal) scanner is usually0.5 to 1 degree lower than an oral temperature.
Can I use my HSA/FSA funds to buy a thermometer?
If you have an HSA or an FSA account, know that over-the-counter digital thermometers are eligible for reimbursement without a prescription.
Here's how it works:
- If you pay with cash or credit card in a store or online, you can request a reimbursement from your HSA/FSA account. Different plans have different requirements on what's needed for reimbursement but usually, a copy of your thermometer receipt will be enough.
- There are HSA and FSA-specific retailers, like the HSA Store and the FSA Store that make shopping for items that qualify for reimbursement simple. According to both websites, when shoppers use an HSA or FSA card to pay, they typically don't have to submit receipts. Purchases on these websites automatically substantiate. It is worth noting, however, that the thermometer options available on these websites are limited and cost more than other retailers.
What counts as a fever?
To figure out what's a fever for you, you want tofind your baseline temperature (i.e., what's normal for you) by checking your temperature at various times of the day when you are feeling well.
While many Americans think anything over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is a problem, what constitutes a fever is different from person to person.
Rik Heller, a biomedical engineer, and thermographic expert, told Insider, "Age, gender, and even time of day impact normal body temperatures."
Some children's temperatures especially run higher than others, points out Dr. Jesse Hackell, a practicing pediatrician with New York-based Pomona Pediatrics. Any reading of 100.4 F or higher in a baby younger than 3 months is a reason to call the pediatrician. "Another reason to call is if the fever persists for more than 24 hours in children younger than two and more than three days in a child 2 years of age or older," he said.
Meanwhile, older adults tend to have lower baseline temperatures than younger adults, and fevers in the elderly are sometimes completely absent.
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Our experts
- Jesse Hackell MD, FAAP, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine and a practicing pediatrician with New York-based Pomona Pediatrics, a division of Boston Children's Health Physicians
- John Vann, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Omaha Children's Clinic in Omaha, Nebraska
- Dr. Jenifer Johnson, a family medicine physician and internist at Westmed Medical Group in Westchester, NY
- Rik Heller, a biomedical engineer, and thermographic expert who founded the clinical-grade thermometer company, Wello
- Cindy Mrotek, business owner of ACE Behavior Solutions
Freelance Writer
Amanda Krupa, MSc is a medical writer, editor, and content strategist with over a decade of leadership experience within national children's health advocacy organizations. As a freelance journalist, her bylines have appeared on PBS, Care.com, "Parents," WhatToExpect.com, and BabyCenter.com. For over eight years, she was the lead editor of HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) official parenting website. In her role, she worked closely with many expert pediatricians, subspecialists, and researchers to develop and update a wide range of evidence-based content from pregnancy, infant and children's health and development, injury prevention, mental health, school health, nutrition, rare disease, chronic conditions, developmental disabilities, infectious diseases, vaccines, disasters and emergencies, health insurance, health policy, substance use, medications, and adolescent medicine. In 2016, Krupa received the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Media Award for numerous stories related to children's communication health, and in the same year, she and her public affairs colleagues received PR Daily's award for "Best Social Media Campaign" for #WhyIVax. She is a member of the International Health Literacy Association, has served as a judge for the Digital Health Awards, and has been a peer-reviewer for the "Journal of Communication in Healthcare: Strategies, Media and Engagement in Global Health." Krupa was part of Boston University's inaugural class with a master of science in health communication from Boston University. She also holds post-graduate certification in medical writing and editing from the University of Chicago and a bachelor's of English writing from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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