10 Best Infrared Thermometers 2020 [Buying Guide]

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How to Choose the Best Infrared Thermometer

There’s no better way to measure temperature than with an infrared thermometer. Whether you want to monitor your infant’s fever or make sure your food is cooking to the proper temperature, the best infrared thermometer delivers reliable results quickly. We researched some of the best-rated products out there to help you find the best one for your needs. Before we get started, let’s take a look at some of the main features to keep in mind while you shop.

Non-contact: All of these thermometers are non-contact which is arguably the best feature of thermometers like this. You can get an accurate reading from a safe distance without having to get near a hot stove or a sleeping baby.

Type: Generally, you need a medical thermometer to measure body temperature but other types of infrared thermometers are pretty versatile. You can use them to check the temperature of soup, do HVAC work, or monitor your aquarium.

Modes: All of these thermometers measure temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius and all of them are designed so it’s very easy to switch from one reading to another. Usually, it’s just a matter of pushing the right button.

Back Light: A backlit display is much easier to read, especially if you’re in your baby’s nursery in the middle of the night or working on a dimly lit job site. Luckily, all of these thermometers have one.

Battery Type: Depending on the model you choose, you’ll need a 9V, AA, or 1.5V battery. The good news is most of them come with the batteries included so you won’t need to worry about it right away.

Warranty: Warranties vary drastically on these products, from no warranty at all to a lifetime. Make sure you know what’s covered for the thermometer you choose and, more importantly, what isn’t so you’re not surprised if anything happens.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at our reviews. Here’s the deal, we put our top and budget picks right at the top of the list so they’re easy to find. Start here if you’re in a hurry to get a good idea of the range that’s available. Whether you’re looking for the best infrared thermometer cooking or to take with you on a new construction project, there are plenty of great options here. Okay, let’s go.

Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer

Our top pick is the best non-contact infrared thermometer we found in our research, the Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer. This one is specifically designed for use in monitoring electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and automotive systems. It measures a temperature range of -30 to 932 degrees F. It also dual lasers for superior targeting so you can pinpoint the exact measurement area. The large backlit display shows a minimum, maximum, the difference between the two, and the average of all temperatures. Plus, it’s easy to read even in a dark room. This thermometer is IP54 certified for protection against dust and splashing liquids and is small and lightweight enough to clip right to your tool belt. That’s not all, it’s even rugged enough to withstand a three-meter drop.

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Etekcity 1022D Infrared Thermometer

One of the best infrared thermometers for cooking is also our budget pick, the Etekcity 1022D Infrared Thermometer. It features dual-laser targeting technology that makes it really easy to visualize the area being measured which gives you more precise results. It can measure temperatures from -58 to 1022 degrees F and you can easily switch to Celsius. This thermometer also has an adjustable emissivity function to ensure accuracy across different surface types. The bright LCD screen is backlit for easy reading and there’s an auto-off function to extend the battery life. This is a great choice for cooking and barbecuing but could also be used for auto maintenance and home repairs. It’s covered by a one-year warranty but you have the option to extend it to two years, free of charge.

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Equinox Digital Thermometer

If you’re looking for a great no-contact medical thermometer, check out the Equinox Digital Thermometer. One of the cool things about this product is it has a color-coded display so you can easily identify between normal body temperature and a slight or high fever. There’s even an audible alarm when a high fever is detected. In addition to body temperature, it also measures surface temperature and ambient room temperature so you can measure the temperature of a warm bottle or make sure your baby’s room is the perfect temperature for sleeping. The built-in memory function comes in handy when you’re dealing with a sick infant or child and want to monitor whether their fever is getting better or worse without having to write anything down. It includes two AA batteries and a soft suede carrying pouch.

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Masione Infrared Thermometer

Next up is the Masione Infrared Thermometer, an extremely versatile tool that’s useful for everything from auto maintenance, cooking, home repairs, barbequing, just to name a few. The backlit display is really easy to read and it has a temperature range of -58 to 716 degrees F. You can switch between F and C, too, so it’s useful across a lot of areas. This thermometer runs on two AAA batteries, which are included. An auto shut-off feature kicks in after seven seconds to extend the battery life and there’s a low battery indicator so you know when it’s time to replace them. One of the great things about this product is the size. The compact design fits easily in your hand and it’s lightweight, easy to carry, and easily fits in the palm of your hand.

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PREVE Infrared Medical Thermometer

The best infrared forehead thermometer on our list is the PREVE Infrared Medical Thermometer. It’s the best way to get an accurate temperature on infants and children who won’t stay still for a more traditional thermometer. This thermometer gives accurate measurements and takes only one second to give you a reading. In addition to body temperature, this thermometer can also accurately read room and surface temperature so you can also use it to measure the temperature of your baby’s bathwater or bottle of milk. One of the best things about this thermometer is the color-coded system to determine how severe your child’s fever is. The display shows green for no fever, orange for a slight fever between 99.3 to 100.2, and red for a fever of 100.4 or higher.

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SURPEER Infrared Thermometer

The SURPEER Infrared Thermometer is the best infrared thermometer for grilling. It measures between -58 and 1022 degrees F and gives a reading in only half a second thanks to the adjustable emissivity. The 12:2 distance to spot ratio allows you to measure the target at a longer distance to protect your hands from getting too close to hot surfaces. It features a backlit LCD that you can turn off and on and you can set a high and low values and a buzzer will beep when the temperature is outside of the preset range. There’s more, this thermometer also includes a free meat thermometer made of food grade stainless steel and a long probe to make sure your chicken, steaks, and burgers are reaching the proper temperature on the grill.

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Helect Laser Infrared Thermometer

Next up is the Helect Laser Infrared Thermometer, a durable option that can be used for industrial applications as well as everyday purposes around the house. This thermometer can be used to deliver accurate results when cooking and works on multiple surfaces including steel, glass, and plastics. Use it to check the temperature of fryer oil or the water in your aquarium. The temperature range is -58 to 1022 degrees F and the 12:1 distance spot ratio allows you to safely get a temperature from farther away. Other features include a backlit LCD, low battery indicator, automatic data hold, and an auto-off function to extend the life of the battery. The portable, anti-slip design is great for outdoor use, too, and here’s the kicker: it’s covered by a lifetime warranty.

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CocoBear Forehead Thermometer

Another great medical thermometer is the CocoBear Forehead Thermometer. It’s a fast and easy way to get a temperature on your children and its results have been clinically validated. All you have to do is press the button to start measuring and the LCD display will give a result on only one second. This thermometer has three different modes so you can also use it to measure the temperature of the room or any object which is always a good thing when you have young children around. This product also has a useful memory feature. It stores the last 32 readings and comes in really handy if you have a sick child and want to monitor temperature trends. That’s not all, it runs on simple AA batteries and is covered by a two-year warranty.

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Dr.meter Laser Thermometer

Another infrared thermometer that’s great for industrial purposes is the Dr.meter Laser Thermometer. It’s designed for monitoring electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and automotive systems and has a large color LCD screen that’s easy to read from any viewing angle. This design features multi-point lasers that rotate to pinpoint a specific measurement area which provides accurate readings. The temperature range is -58 to 1022 degrees F and it displays a minimum, maximum, and locks the current reading when the trigger is released. This is a great choice when you’re going to be on a worksite because it’s small, lightweight, and easy to clip to your tool belt or belt loop so it’s always within reach. The rubber grip is easy to hold onto and it gives a reading in only half a second.

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ZOTO Infrared Temperature Gun

Not only is the ZOTO Infrared Temperature Gun a top choice for best infrared food thermometer, but it’s also so versatile that you can use it for practically anything. It accurately measures surface temperature, environmental temperature, dew point temperature, and has fluorescence detection. All of these are displayed on the colorful LED screen. You can set high and low temperature limits and it auto alerts you when the reading goes outside of this range. The 12:1 distance spot ratio means you can get accurate readings from farther away and it turns off automatically after 25 seconds to save battery life. This thermometer reads temperatures between -58 and 1472 degrees F and has a comfortable grip and non-skidding design. It comes with a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee as well as a one year warranty.

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About the Author

Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

Learn more about Kimberly

Article last updated on:

September 27, 2019

See more reviews:

Best Infrared Thermometers

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer

Etekcity 1022D Infrared Thermometer

How to Choose the Best Infrared Thermometer

Top 10 Products

Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer

Etekcity 1022D Infrared Thermometer

Equinox Digital Thermometer

Masione Infrared Thermometer

PREVE Infrared Medical Thermometer

SURPEER Infrared Thermometer

Helect Laser Infrared Thermometer

CocoBear Forehead Thermometer

Dr.meter Laser Thermometer

ZOTO Infrared Temperature Gun

About the Author

TOP PICK

Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer