Have you ever had the experience of feeling a fever, but not being able to take your temperature properly because you don’t have a thermometer on hand? It’s so inconvenient to run to the pharmacy and buy a thermometer in case of a fever! So, you should buy a new thermometer and keep it around so that it is easy because they are small and easy to carry.
Although these are essential, many people are still confused by the various types of thermometers available in the market. So, to make your choice easier, we’ve done some extensive research and compiled a list of the top thermometers for accurate and instant readings of your body temperature.
Top Picks
Best overall: iHealth thermometer
First up is iHealth’s popular thermometer, which has an incredible non-contact feature that allows you to read your temperature without any physical contact. This way, you can use the thermometer hygienically without worrying about germs spreading to the thermometer. Its ability to take a temperature in a second makes this thermometer ideal and efficient for homes and clinics. The thermometer measures 100 data points per second, ensuring maximum accuracy for your health and condition. The temperature is displayed on a backlit LED screen with bright white light, making it easier to read in low light conditions. When the reading is complete, the thermometer gently vibrates without disturbing others and indicates that the temperature is ready to be displayed. This thermometer is also suitable for all ages, allowing you to use it on the whole family without hesitation. With its non-contact technology and accurate results, the iHealth thermometer ranks among the best on our list!
Key Features:
- Backlit display provides easy-to-read results.
- Only vibrates when results are ready
- No-touch technology allows universal use
Safest to use: Disen Thermometer
Equipped with the NT-01 chip processor, this thermometer can detect temperatures within 1-2 cm, allowing you to keep a safe distance from anyone who is showing symptoms. The thermometer can measure temperature in less than a second with a testing accuracy of ±0.4°F, making it very effective in home use. Made of durable plastic, this small thermometer is easy to carry in a bag or purse and is great for doctors who need to use it on the go. This option also allows you to save 35 different sets of temperature readings in its memory, allowing you to keep track of your history, which is great for providing you with an overview of your health. For added user convenience, the product comes with free batteries, so you won’t need to order replacement batteries anytime soon. As if all that wasn’t enough, DISEN offers a 12-month warranty so you can easily return any faulty thermometer.
Key Features:
- Very high degree of accuracy
- Plastic exterior is fairly durable
- Features a 12-month guarantee
Most accurate: Hotodeal Thermometer
This non-contact infrared thermometer from Hotodeal reads data from the forehead without physical contact, preventing cross-contamination. The measurement accuracy of this thermometer is within 0.1°C, ensuring accurate results. Interestingly, this thermometer can not only measure your body temperature. The device can also measure the temperature of rooms, objects and even liquids, so you don’t have to waste time looking for various thermometers for each task. The durable plastic housing makes this thermometer long-lasting and safe to use, especially with children. This option comes with about 10 sets of measurements and three different LCD backlights that allow you to fully customize the reading results. This thermometer also has a red light that goes off when your body temperature exceeds the normal limit, indicating that you need to seek professional care.
Key Features:
- Includes free batteries
- Durable and safe to use in any setting
- Various measurement and backlight settings
Easiest to carry: Femometer Thermometer
This non-contact thermometer, manufactured by Femometer, measures people’s body temperature from a distance. Its small size makes it very portable, which is a great for unexpected emergencies. This infrared device has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use and hold, providing a perfect option for most doctors.Femometer’s thermometer has a memory mode that saves your temperature data, which allows your doctor to view and judge your temperature results. The product can also easily switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures, making it suitable for all users. You will also receive two batteries in the package to make the thermometer ready to use.
Key Features:
- Small-size for portability
- Memory board saves temperature results
- Batteries included
Most convenient: Goodbaby Thermometer
The last one on our list is a thermometer that is clinically approved by Good Kids and provides a one-second reading. The device is suitable for all ages, whether they are adults, infants or seniors. Since this option is non-contact, you can also keep a safe distance from infected people, helping to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. This option has a bright digital display that allows you to easily read the temperature, even in low-light conditions. It is also equipped with a red indicator light that warns you when the temperature reaches dangerous levels. This thermometer allows you to keep a history of your temperature readings so you can take them to your doctor. To save power, this thermometer has an auto shut-off button that automatically turns off the thermometer when it’s idle, saving you the trouble of changing batteries frequently. In addition, Goodbaby promises that if you contact them with any information about their products, they will respond within 12 hours!
Key Features:
- Records previous readings
- LED indicator for when temperatures reach dangerous levels
- Automatic turn-off feature when idle.
How to Find Your Next Thermometer: A Buyer’s Guide
When there are so many types of thermometers on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the unique features that each product offers. With that in mind, we’ve put together a detailed guide to help you find the perfect thermometer for your needs.
Factors to consider when purchasing a thermometer
- Simple readability
When taking your temperature, you should be able to read the thermometer effortlessly. Contact thermometers are usually difficult to read. Therefore, the best option is a non-contact digital thermometer that displays temperature readings on a bright LED screen, making it easy to read. - High sensitivity
Sensitivity means that the thermometer’s reading varies with the temperature. A good thermometer has a high sensitivity, allowing the user to get an accurate reading. Devices with low sensitivity are not suitable for measuring temperature because their readings may be inaccurate and they do not change easily. - Small size
The size of the thermometer is important. For convenience, the size of the thermometer should be smaller. This increases its portability and allows you to carry it anywhere with you. This will ensure that you always have the thermometer with you for use in case of emergency. Larger versions are difficult to carry around and are awkward to use. - Noiseless
Contact thermometers are usually noiseless, while digital thermometers are not. In order for thermometers to be used in any environment, they should be equipped with noiseless technology. Versions with this feature will not disturb people in the surrounding area. In hospitals, patients are also not disturbed while sleeping, which makes the thermometer both easy and considerate to use.
How does the thermometer work?
When the tip of a contact thermometer comes into contact with the material being measured, the medium transfers heat energy to the mercury. The mercury expands and rises in the test tube as it is converted to a liquid. Non-contact thermometers work by measuring the infrared energy radiated by the body, especially the forehead.
How to clean and store the thermometer
The thermometer comes with an instruction manual, which will give you some tips on keeping your thermometer clean. These manuals help you to clean your gadgets properly and maintain hygiene. In general, all thermometers should be cleaned or disinfected before and after use.
You can use alcohol wipes to clean the tip of your digital thermometer. After wiping, wash it with warm water. The handle of the thermometer is a very sensitive area and should be disinfected with a strong topical alcohol to remove any bacteria.
After the handle is disinfected, it needs to be rinsed with water to keep the thermometer working properly.
Digital thermometer or mercury thermometer, which is better?
Digital thermometers are safer and give more accurate readings than mercury thermometers. Only adults should use mercury thermometers because they are made of glass and because mercury is a toxic substance, especially for children.
If used carelessly, the glass may break and the chemicals may leak. Therefore, people are advised to avoid using such thermometers, especially children. Children are better off using a digital thermometer.
Types of thermometers
It is very important to know the different types of thermometers so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Contact
Contact thermometers are the most widely used and commonly used type of thermometer. These models use an electronic heat sensor to record body temperature. Forehead, mouth, armpit and rectal temperatures can all be measured with these devices. The readings are displayed on the digital display of most electronic thermometers. Because they are not non-contact, you cannot keep your distance from a sick person. In some cases, this is detrimental.
Temporal artery
An infrared scanner is used to measure the temperature of the anterior temporal artery. A distal temporal artery thermometer can measure a person’s body temperature immediately without causing any discomfort.
These versions are convenient because they are suitable for people of all ages. Accuracy may be affected by some common errors, such as the temperature scanner being positioned too far from the forehead. As a result, this thermometer may not be as accurate and reliable as other types of thermometers.
For tympanic membranes
Infrared light is used to measure the temperature in the ear canal with tympanic thermometers. Infrared ear thermometers work quickly and are comfortable to use when positioned correctly.
Infrared ear thermometers can be used by infants over 6 months of age and adults. Ear wax, or tiny or curved ear canals, can affect the accuracy of infrared ear model readings.
Mercury
Mercury thermometers use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature. These versions used to be a very common sight in most medical cabinets. However, these thermometers are no longer desirable to use because they run the risk of breaking and allow dangerous mercury to escape. Remember, if you still have a mercury thermometer, don’t throw it in the trash; they need to be disposed of properly.
Types of strips
The strip version uses a thermal liquid crystal that displays different temperatures by changing colors. Two metal strips are soldered together and held together at one end. These two strips create a bending effect by expanding from both ends.
This effect is used to measure temperature. There are not many studies on the use of band thermometers, but most people agree that they are 35-50% accurate in detecting fever.
People also ask
Q:What are the three main scales of temperature?
Answer:There are usually three main scales for measuring temperature: Fahrenheit (°F), Celsius (°C), and Kelvin (K).
Q: How long does it take for a digital thermometer to measure temperature?
A: Digital thermometers can provide accurate readings in 1 minute or less.
Q: Where is the best place to take my temperature?
A: The most accurate temperature readings come from the rectum, followed by the mouth.
Q: Is the armpit temperature correct?
A: Armpit temperatures should only be taken if there is no other option, which is inaccurate. They are also not very hygienic.
