The best thermometer overall
The iProvèn Medical Ear Thermometer is the most expensive thermometer in our guide, but it really is an ideal choice for most homes.
What makes this a good thermometer? First, it's remarkably easy to use. You operate the thermometer with a single press of a button, and readings are quickly displayed on a large, clear LCD screen. Second, the thermometer can take readings in two ways. And finally, an automatic fever alarm takes the guesswork out of the equation.
The first method for attaining a temperature with this thermometer is to use its ear canal probe. You gently insert the ear probe, press the Ear button, and get your reading. To use the infrared forehead sensor, you pop on the infrared lens attachment, press the Head button, then either gently drag the sensor across the forehead or lightly tap it to several spots on the brow.
Using the ear probe will get you the most accurate results in the most efficient manner possible, but might not always be a viable method of getting a reading. While the infrared sensor requires leaving the thermometer in the room where it will be used for about a half hour prior to a measurement (this ensures it is at the room's temperature and thus can accurately determine body heat as a contrast), gently resting the sensor again the head of a resting (or slumbering) patient will be minimally invasive and is an ideal option with babies.
With more than 3,600 reviews posted on Amazon, this thermometer still gets a better than four-star average rating. One parent says the iProvèn Medical Ear Thermometer was "worth every penny" and "great to use for a sick baby." An owner named Gary said the thermometer made it "so easy to get a quick accurate reading."
The product review team from Wiki.Ezvid noted the "user-friendly design" of the iProvèn Medical Ear Thermometer, while a writer with ParentsNeed called the unit's fever alarm a great help in determining "if your little one is sick."
Pros: Dual measurement functions, easy operation, automatic fever alarm
Cons: Infrared sensor requires 30-minute calibration
The best non-contact thermometer
Ironically, the Equinox International Non-Contact Infrared Forehead Thermometer is ideal for use with two types of people in your life who couldn't be much more different than one another. The first is your very own precious child, and the second is a total stranger. That's because this is a completely non-touch tool.
Thus it's ideal for leaving a sleeping baby undisturbed or for taking the temperature of someone for whom you wish to care but whom you don't necessarily want to touch, due to the risk of contaminating your diagnostic equipment.
For use in taking a person's temperature, the Equinox International Non Contact Infrared Forehead Thermometer must simply be held an inch or so away from the forehead for about one second. It will then display the temperature over a green background if the reading is nominal or over a red background if fever is detected.
In both cases, the information is recovered without disturbing the patient. The device records more than 30 past readings, so you can track the progress of an illness over time.
But this thermometer is also notable as a tool for recording temperatures outside of the body. It can be used to check ambient room temperature, which is important for keeping people safe and comfortable, and it can also test the surface temperature of things such as food and beverages, which is important for child safety or simply for dining pleasure.
After more than 250 ratings, the Equinox International Non-Contact Infrared Forehead Thermometer has a solid 4.4 out of five-star score. A buyer who happens to be a nurse called it "very accurate," while a dad named Carl loved that a "baby doesn't have to be awake" during use.
A MedConsumers write up called this Equinox International thermometer an "excellent" tool that provides results "in less than a second" and noted that it is accurate to within 0.3 degrees.
Pros: No contact needed for use, also records surface and ambient temps, stores multiple past readings
Cons: Occasional inconsistent readings
The best ear thermometer
If you just want an exceptionally good thermometer that's easy to use, reliable, and will last for years, then the Braun ThemoScan5 Digital Ear Thermometer is the one for you.
This is one of the most basic digital ear thermometers out there, yet it's also the second most expensive one on our list. Why? Because this thermometer is reliable, accurate, and built to last for years. Thanks to that accuracy and durability, it's a number one pick for use in pediatrician's offices and is the go-to choice for families all around the nation and beyond.
Part of the reason this device is so accurate is the pre-warmed tip, a feature that not only helps with precise measurements but that also makes the experience of having a temperature taken less unpleasant for the patient. The thermometer also emits a beep and lights up once good ear placement is achieved, so you know the measurement recorded is as accurate as possible.
Because the Braun ThemoScan5 Digital Ear Thermometer uses disposable ear probes, you can minimize the chance of spreading germs from one person to the next. This thermometer only has a single memory function and only takes temperatures in one manner, but it's easy to use, reliable, and will last and last.
This digital thermometer is a favorite with thousands of families. One owner named James loves how easy it is to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit, as he and his wife understand the two systems better, respectively. A mom named Cathlene praised it as "always ready ... whenever needed" by her family members.
A ConsumerSearch review called it a "top pick" thanks to the pre-warmed tip and quick results. In its review, ViveHealth said the Braun ThermoScan5 provided "higher levels of accuracy" than many competitors.
Pros: Excellent accuracy, lasts for years, replaceable covers limit germ spreading
Cons: Screen is not backlit
The best low-cost thermometer
There are some drawbacks to the Ankovo Medical Digital Thermometer when it's compared to more expensive options, so let's just get them out of the way.
First, a reading takes about eight seconds to obtain, compared to less than one second with our other choices. Second, this unit must be placed in the mouth, used under the armpit, or inserted rectally, none of which are as comfortable as an in-ear thermometer or, of course, as a non-contact unit. Finally, this tool will have to be manually sterilized after each use with either isopropyl alcohol or another antiseptic, whereas many units either don't make contact in the first place or use replicable probe covers if they do.
Now for the good stuff. This thermometer costs less than ten bucks. Yep, that's right. Less than $10. And while a reading can take a bit longer to obtain, when used properly, this is a highly accurate device. It's also remarkably easy to operate because it's controlled by the push of a single button. Once a temperature recording has been achieved, it beeps twice to let you know it's time to assess the results, which can be given in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Basic though this thermometer may be, it still features a fever alarm, which will beep and turn the backlight of the LCD screen red for five seconds when a temperature exceeding 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit is detected.
The Ankovo Medical Digital Thermometer rates a decent four out of five stars on Amazon. An owner named Shelby says it "works great" and appreciates the "flexible tip, which is great for babies and young children." A buyer called Nina says that she loves "that it is so easy to use."
Will you find this thermometer being used in hospitals and doctors' offices? Probably not. But that doesn't mean it doesn't work.
Pros: Great low price, reliable results, easy operation
Cons: Readings take a while, not pleasant for user
The best disposable thermometer
Why would you ever want a disposable thermometer that was designed for single use? Well, lots of reasons, really.
For the paramedic who needs to quickly ascertain a trauma patient's vitals and can't worry about carefully stowing an expensive thermometer away after use, a disposable thermometer is perfect. For the camper or hiker who wants to have diagnostic first aid supplies along on an outing but is watching gear weight, same story. And for the office manager who wants the ability to assess employee health without spreading germs around, so too is a 10-pack of disposable thermometers from First Aid Only a perfect choice.
These slender strips can be used orally or tucked under an armpit and will quickly display temperature results anywhere between 96.0 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. While the readings aren't quite as accurate as you will get with an advanced digital infrared unit, these disposable thermometers are more than accurate enough to give you a reading that will be near to the patient's true temperature.
A 10-pack of First Aid Only Pac-Kit Disposable Thermometers costs less than $6.50, so go ahead and buy one just to be ready. You can keep a few disposable thermometers in your desk at work, in the glove box, and in with your first aid kit, of course. Also stick a couple in with your hiking gear, your boating supplies, and with any other gear you will bring along when away from home. And yes, that includes a first responder's trauma bag.
The First Aid Only Pac-Kit Disposable Thermometers get a commendable 4.3-star rating when their many scores are averaged together. A gentleman named Steve calls them "great for an emergency kit," while a buyer named Matthew called them "easily readable" and perfect for "a public situation."
These single-use thermometers were highly recommended by the organization Occupational Health & Safety Professionals, and were also featured on Parenting, where they were called "perfect ... for a first aid kit."
Pros: Lightweight and easy to transport or store, prevent spread of germs, easy to use
Cons: Not highly accurate
Buy a 10-Pack of First Aid Only Pac-Kit Disposable Thermometers on Amazon for $9.03