These Are the Best Thermometers to Have at Home (2023)

This flexible, affordable, and easy-to-use contact thermometer gave consistent readings time after time in our testing, making it the best thermometer for most people — and at the most affordable price point on the list. The large digital display clearly indicates body temperature after 10 to 20 seconds, with an accompanying smiling or frowning emoji that makes it simple for children to understand when they have a fever. The flexible tip of the thermometer is also longer than that of the competitors, which is more comfortable for children and particularly useful when taking rectal temperature in infants.

This simple stick thermometer from Vicks has a large, color-coded bulb display that makes it easy to see when your child has a fever. It can provide a reading in as little as 8 seconds, and it can be used for taking oral, rectal, or underarm temperature, making it suitable for babies. It also has a flexible tip that makes it more comfortable for children, although the tip is shorter than that of the model from iProven.

If you have a child or infant who doesn't enjoy the discomfort of contact thermometers, or you need to take the temperatures of multiple users one after another, this non-contact in-ear thermometer from Equate is a simple and sanitary solution. Although it’s bulkier and more expensive than most contact thermometers, this device has disposal tips that can be changed out between users, with a large, bright display for quick temperature reads. Keep in mind that in-ear thermometers may take some practice to get accurate, consistent readings.

Our tester’s kids loved using the Sesame Street version of this smart in-ear thermometer from Kinsa to take their temperatures. It provides readings faster than contact thermometers, and the compatible Kinsa app can be used to log and track the temperatures of multiple users. But in-ear thermometers take some practice to use accurately, and this one doesn’t come with disposal caps, meaning ear wax can get stuck to the tip.

This dual non-contact thermometer can be used to take both forehead and in-ear temperature readings, making it suitable for users of all ages. The super fast, contactless readings are especially useful for fussy or sleeping children. Keep in mind that non-contact thermometers like this iProven are more difficult to use accurately, and we got less consistent measurements with this device than with our winning contact thermometers.

This highly-rated forehead thermometer from Braun gives quick readings from up to two inches away. It has a color-coded, easy-to-read display, and it’s safe and sanitary to use with the whole family. Like with other non-contact thermometers, however, it can be difficult to get consistent results from this Braun without practice.

If you’re looking for a non-contact thermometer that can be used with many people in an office, school, or other professional environment, the ThermoWorks Wand is a popular, highly-rated option. It gives near-instant readings, can store up to 25 temperatures at once, and provides results from 1.5 inches away, making it safe and sanitary for groups. It still might be less accurate in practice than most contact thermometers, and it’s the most expensive option we’ve seen.

This popular fertility kit is designed for women who are looking for an entire fertility tracking system that goes beyond a basal body temperature thermometer. The kit includes the Mira Analyzer and 10 LH test wands, used to track LH hormone levels, as well as a carrying pouch and charging accessories. While many users have become successfully pregnant using this kit to track ovulation, it can take a while to acclimate to using it, andit's much more expensive than a standalone BBT thermometer.

This standard contact thermometer designed for women tracking their basal body temperature for fertility gives consistent readings and is easy to use and read. While it’s branded for use as a BBT thermometer, keep in mind that it’s just a more sensitive version of a standard oral thermometer, and it won’t connect with any apps you have for tracking your temperature — you’ll have to input your data manually.

A wearable thermometer patch like the TempTraq allows parents or caretakers to track a child’s body temperature without disturbing them. This patch continuously senses, records, and sends alerts of a child's temperature to your smartphone, which can bring a lot of peace of mind during an illness. Some users complain of the patch’s inaccuracy, however, and its adhesive and disposal design makes it a pricey single-use purchase.