We bought thermometers and tested them on our own families to find the best options for your family’s needs. We spent three days taking oral, axillary (armpit), temporal (forehead), and rectal temperature readings under the supervision of pediatrician Lyndsey Garbi, MD, and following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) how-to instructions.
The best thermometers were easy to set up and use, had a clear display screen, and responded quickly to readings. They also had the best response time overall.
Here is the list of Best Thermometers
Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer
The Kinsa Smart Thermometer is the best overall choice for the best thermometer, earning 5 stars in all of the most important categories. The smart thermometer is extremely efficient, taking temperature readings in just 8 seconds. The flexible tip makes it ideal for taking temperatures in the mouth, armpits, and rectum.
The Kinsa Smart Thermometer is a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer that syncs with the free Kinsa app to record health data and provide personalized advice based on temperature and symptoms. Because this thermometer connects to the app via Bluetooth, our product testers noted that it may take longer than other thermometers, scoring 4 out of 5 in the ease of setup category. Nevertheless, the overall score for this thermometer was 5. ..
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3
The iHealth No-Touch Thermometer PT3 is our top pick for a no-touch thermometer because it provides results in less than a second and has an easy-to-read display. This thermometer measures the temperature of the forehead using infrared sensors and can be used on kids and adults. Simply scan the center of someone’s forehead for a temperature reading, which is triggered by a vibration.
This best thermometer is easy to use; we didn’t need to consult the instruction manual. It’s by far the fastest, and it’s the one we’d use if we needed to quickly take and report a temperature. This thermometer is ideal for businesses, owners, and anyone who needs to scan multiple people quickly.
Elepho eTherm Ear & Forehead Thermometer
The Thermometer’s dual design is highly effective, thanks to the inclusion of a cap. While our testers found both modes to be simple to use, they were concerned about misplacing the cap, which would effectively eliminate the temporal mode option.
The Elepho eTherm thermometer is a reliable and consistent device that has a large display screen and beeps to warn users of high temperatures or fever. It is easy to use and has a high rating for ease of use.
IPROVEN Oral and Rectal Thermometer
The iProven Oral and Rectal Thermometer is a dependable and affordable option, which is why we recommend it as our best budget option. It’s the most affordable option on the list, and we liked how simple it was to use and clean. When the temperature is displayed on the screen, the arrow points to one of three different faces: a smiley face, a frowny face, or a straight line mouth face, making the results simple and kid-friendly. ..
The best thermometer we’ve tested is the Honeywell HLT-361W. It comes with a case, which kept the thermometer intact after our testers dropped it. Except for response time, the thermometer received four and five stars for the majority of its attributes. Our tester observed that the response time was approximately 10 seconds. While it is not the fastest, it does provide information quickly. ..
Vicks Comfort Flex Digital Thermometer
The Vicks ComfortFlex is a compact, reliable probe designed to be more comfortable to use than other probes. It claims to take “as little as 8 seconds,” but our tests showed an average of 15 seconds. ..
The thermometer is easy to use and has color-coded instructions for each measurement result. The display is also easy to read, and the memory function can be used to recall previous measurements.
Yuwell Infrared Forehead Thermometer
The Yuwell Infrared Thermometer is a contact-free thermometer that has a simple design and supports one-touch measurement. It accepts measurements in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. It also has a distance sensor that detects when the best thermometers is within 5cm of the forehead. When a fever is detected, the backlit display turns orange.
Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under 3 months old should be using a rectal thermometer to measure body temperature. The thermometer should be inserted into the rectum and the reading taken. Many of the thermometers we tested can take a rectal temperature, but we liked that the Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer is specifically designed for that purpose. Our tester noted that the shape of the thermometer helped them avoid inserting it too far.
The Vicks Rectal thermometer is a helpful tool for caregivers who are nervous about taking a baby’s temperature rectally for the first time. The short tip and dome-like shape make it easy to use, and the thermometer has a 5 out of 5 rating for ease of use. While the price is slightly higher than average, the Vicks Rectal thermometer is a worthwhile investment that can help you take accurate readings.
Final Words
The best thermometers for taking the temperature rectally, orally, or through the armpit are those that attach to the forehead and change color to show a temperature reading. These thermometers are accurate and can be broken easily. The AAP does not recommend them.
