To find the best options for your family’s needs, we purchased 13 thermometers and tested them on our own families. With the guidance of pediatrician Lyndsey Garbi, MD, and the how-to instructions outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we spent three days capturing oral, axillary (armpit), temporal (forehead), and rectal temperature readings. After taking our temperatures over 50 times, we evaluated how easy each thermometer was to set up and use straight out of the package, as well as how easy it was to read the temperature on the display screen. We also evaluated the response time of each thermometer and the consistency between readings. Here are the best thermometers for you and your family. Between the ergonomic design and the incredibly intuitive app, we rated the Kinsa Smart Thermometer best overall because of its fast response time, consistent readings, and easy setup. While a mobile health app may seem like an unnecessary extra step when it comes to capturing your temperature, we found that downloading and setting it up wasn’t difficult, and it turned out to be useful. It easily organizes an infinite amount of temperatures which a great for a large family. We also loved that if you enable the GPS feature, the app can track viruses going around in your area so that you can stay in the know. As far as the actual thermometer goes, we appreciated the one-button design that made taking a temperature straightforward and simple. The lollipop-shaped design is easy to hold, and the screen is backlit, so users can clearly read the results in a dimly lit room. Whether you are taking an armpit, oral, or rectal temperature with the Kinsa thermometer, the soft and flexible tip makes the process far more comfortable. Aside from the quick reading, flexible tip, and consistent results, the app component of the Kinsa sets this one apart from the other thermometers that we tested. Within the app, users can create a profile for every family member and track their temperature over time. This means you don’t have to guess which temperature belongs to which person. The app also allows you to add reminders for medicine and take notes on symptoms. While our testers agreed that it is a bit pricier than other options, it is a worthwhile purchase that will get plenty of use and last for a while. Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $10 Like many of the forehead thermometers that we tested, the results appeared almost instantaneously, but the Elepho eTherm provided the most consistent results with the lowest standard of deviation, which is why we rated it a 4.5 for the consistency attribute. The display screen is large and bright, which is great for late-night readings, and the beeping system alerts users of an elevated temperature or fever. We rated this thermometer high for its ease of use because of its ergonomic design and helpful beeps. Price at time of publication: $30 For caregivers who are nervous about taking a baby’s temperature rectally for the first time, our tester noted that the shape of the thermometer helped them avoid inserting it too far, and the loud beeps let them know when the temperature was ready to read. We rated the Vicks Rectal thermometer a 5 out of 5 for the ease of use attribute because of its helpful dome-like shape and short tip. While the price point is a bit higher than the average thermometer (and the lifetime value is limited because it is designed for babies), the intuitive design and quick response make it a worthwhile investment. Price at time of publication: $18 The instructions noted that the thermometer needed to be angled up to ensure an accurate reading, which required a bit of a learning curve. The digital screen is large, backlit, and has a color-coded fever indicator to alert a caregiver of an elevated temperature. While this was one of the pricier thermometers that we tested, we rated this one high for its unique features like the age-adjustable fever guidance and easy two-click design. Price at time of publication: $46 This one lost points in the response time category when we tested it orally versus rectally, which is why we rated it a 4.3 for its slower response time, depending on how you use it. Our tester found that the oral temperature took up to 10 seconds to produce a result, while the rectal temperature was almost immediate. Since this is a cost-effective option, it doesn’t have any of the extra features like previous reading storage or a backlight for nighttime readings. Price at time of publication: $15 4.5 to 4.7 stars: These thermometers are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. 4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great thermometers, but others are better. 3.5 to 3.9 stars: These thermometers are just average. 3.4 and below: We don’t recommend thermometers with this rating. You won’t find any on our list. Our testers included two Verywell Family editors and three of their children, who were 8 months old, 2 years old, and 9 years old. With the guidance of Dr. Garbi and the written instructions provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we asked our testers to take their resting temperature, wait five minutes, and then repeat the process. Our adult testers took their own temperatures to determine how easy each one was to use on themselves. Our editors then took their children’s temperatures to evaluate the thermometers from a caregiver’s point of view. During each test, our editors noted how comfortable it was to hold the thermometer, how useful the extra features were, and how long it took to move from package to reading. To evaluate the consistency of each thermometer, testers captured their temperatures twice, five minutes apart. To ensure the readings were not impacted by external factors, like a change in body temperature due to increased activity, the testers maintained a relaxed position between readings. From there, we calculated the standard deviation between the readings to help determine consistency and reliability.
What to Look for in a Thermometer
Features
Beyond simple temperature readings, some thermometers will store a history of your family members’ temperatures, and some will even provide advice on when you should see a doctor. There are also thermometers that do double duty and can be used to check the temperature of things like baby formula or the air in the room. Let the size of your family and your estimation of how often you’ll use the thermometer determine how many bells and whistles you’ll need.
Types of Thermometers
Every thermometer isn’t right for every person in your family. Here’s how thermometers are classified: Oral: Oral thermometers have a tip that is designed to slide under the tongue. The user has to hold it in place until the thermometer has time to capture their temperature. While this type of thermometer is safe for everyone, it is more difficult for little kids, toddlers, and babies to sit still long enough for an accurate reading. Forehead and Ear: Many ear thermometers are designed to be used as a forehead thermometer as well (with the use of a cap). Both formats are accurate, but we’ve found that forehead thermometers can be a little less intuitive and lead to discrepancies the first few times you use them. Ear thermometers are great, less invasive options for toddlers and children. Armpit: More of a technique than a type of thermometer, taking your temperature via your armpit isn’t the most accurate option. Still, it can give you a general reading that will let you know if you are running a fever or not. Most babies and toddlers won’t be able to sit still while holding their arm in place to capture an accurate reading, so we suggest this method for a school-aged child. Non-touch: Usually used in communal spaces like schools or a doctor’s office, non-touch thermometers use infrared to read your temperature. While these are safe for everyone to use and offer a very fast response time, we found that they lag when it comes to consistency. Rectal: According to the American Pediatrics Association (AAP), rectal thermometers are the most accurate way to capture temperatures for infants under 3 months old. Rectal thermometers read your body’s core temperature to offer the most accurate reading. Some rectal thermometers are designed to be used orally and under the arm, but we suggest marking rectal thermometers for exclusive use.
Ease of Use
From cleaning the thermometer to getting a temperature reading no matter the circumstances (think squirmy or sleeping children), some thermometers make the job a lot easier than others. Also, consider the battery life of a thermometer. There are few things more frustrating than trying to care for a sick loved one in the middle of the night only to find that the thermometer is out of batteries.
Accuracy
One of the most important qualities of a thermometer is accuracy. You want to be able to rely on the results to help you make the best health decisions for yourself and your family. While rectal readings are recommended for children under 3, for older children and adults, there are a variety of methods thermometers use to produce accurate results, including some models that don’t even have to touch the skin.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Latifah Miles is the Commerce Editor for Verywell Family and a mom to a 9-year-old son. For nearly a decade, she has taken more temperatures than she can count and is a self-professed expert on the process. From her son’s infancy to toddlerhood to now school-age, she certainly feels like she has taken his temperature in just about every possible way.
