The best budget thermometer
The Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer was the most affordable out of the thermometers tested, easy to use, and has a large digital screen with color-coded readings to indicate fever.
Pros: Affordable, multiuse, precise, large digital display, comes with probe covers
Cons: Very loud beep, must turn off and on between readings, colored fever alerts misleading
When it comes to using this thermometer right out of the box, the words "no- brainer" seem an appropriate description. A coin cell button battery is already included in the device, there's only one button to operate it, and you have the option to use it orally, rectally, or under the arm. I found the large digital display on this model to be the easiest to read of all the thermometers I tested, too. The beeping was also the loudest of the group, making it especially helpful for seniors with visual and hearing impairments. The beeping could, however, be a nuisance for those taking temperatures on sleeping children and infants. (It also beeps for a full eight seconds once peak temperature is reached).
Along with showing the temperature reading, the LCD screen on the Vicks Comfort Flex Thermometer lights up for various temperatures: green (98.6 F to 99.8 F), yellow (99.9 F to 101.4 F), and red (101.5 F), as described in the manual. While this alert methodology raised some red flags because fever is not the same for everyone, the precision and repeatability of the thermometer was quite good and only varied by approximately 0.5 degrees.
On the box, the speed of response is advertised as eight seconds, but the fine print in the manual says results may vary by method: orally (usually 12 seconds), rectally (usually 10 seconds), or under the arm (11 seconds but sometimes more). I found the thermometer actually overperformed with a response time of around 5 to 6 seconds orally and about six to seven seconds when I tested it rectally on my 4-month-old niece.
A minor inconvenience: You have to turn it off and back on to take another reading, and it only recalls the last reading taken. I did like the fact that this model comes with 100 disposable probe covers and a protective holder. The device also comes with a one-year limited warranty and instructions in English and Spanish that say to clean the thermometer with soap and warm water or rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol). Do not boil or clean the device in the dishwasher, as it will cause the thermometer to no longer function while also voiding the warranty.
The best infrared non-contact thermometer
The iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 reads in only one second and makes it easy to accurately take anyone's temperature while being socially distant.
Pros: Fast reading, precise, no beeping, helpful content in user manual
Cons: Vibration may be missed, prone to user error
Prior to testing the iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 thermometer, I'd already had my temperature taken with it at the dentist and watched my daughter's day care use it on her every morning. It seemed like a good product that offered quick readings. Instead of a beeping alarm, the device vibrates once a reading is obtained and while the vibrations could be missed, you can easily see the numbers light up in the LED display area in well-lit or dark rooms. If the measurement fails, it won't vibrate and the screen will display "---." Upon testing, I found the precision and repeatability varied only by 0.5 degrees.
A user manual in English and Spanish, a quick guide with pictures, and two AAA batteries come with this thermometer. Knowing how to use this thermometer correctly is essential for getting accurate readings. I did notice upon testing that the device won't even read if it's too far away from the skin — a good thing! For accuracy, hold the no-touch thermometer within 1 inch of the forehead and aim at the center. Press the scan button and watch for the temperature reading on the screen.
The iHealth also comes with a one-year limited warranty. Cleaning instructions are included in the manual that say to gently swab the surface of the probe using a cotton bud soaked in > 75% medical alcohol and use a piece of soft, dry cloth to clean the display screen and external surface of the thermometer. If the thermometer is very dirty, the cloth can be moistened with some medical alcohol to clean the device. The product is not waterproof, so do not clean it with detergents.
The best thermometer for children
The Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer with Smart Glow was the most accurate and consistent out of all the thermometers I tested with over 80 peer-reviewed clinical studies to back up its use on children.
Pros: Most precise tested, suitable for all ages older than three months
Cons: Unintuitive, dim display, plastic cap to protect the sensor easy to lose
Next to rectal thermometers, temporal artery thermometers are the most reliable way to get an accurate reading on children and babies over 3 months of age. Infants under 3 months should still have their temperature taken rectally, if possible.
With the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer , a gentle stroke across a child's forehead captures the naturally emitted heat waves coming from the skin over the temporal artery to give a temperature reading in two to three seconds. Simply swipe the thermometer across the forehead to hairline. You'll hear beeping and see a red light flashing during the scan. Once you reach the hairline, release the scan (on/off) button to view the reading. Unlike other models I tested with backlight displays, the Exergen has a relatively small LCD display screen with a dim readout. It may be hard to see if you are in a dark room.
Upon repeated testing, the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer with Smart Glow delivered the most consistent and precise results of any model tested on myself and my kids — within 0.3 degrees — within two to three seconds. This thermometer also stores up to eight readings. However, unlike some of the other thermometers that were easy to use straight out of the box, this one wasn't as intuitive — even with use instructions printed directly on the back of the thermometer, I wasn't sure if I was correctly stroking the top of the unit across the forehead. It's a good thing the instruction manual included a QR code to watch videos demonstrating its use."
The model comes with a 9V battery already installed. Cleaning instructions are included in the manual that note to wipe the silver cone with a small cloth moistened with alcohol. The lens should be cleaned with an alcohol dampened cotton swab. The thermometer comes with a small plastic cap to protect the sensor, but it isn't the greatest quality and can easily pop off and get lost. The thermometer has a five-year limited product warranty.
Read our guide to the best thermometers for babies and children for additional options.
What else we considered
Molly Hebda/Business InsiderBraun Thermoscan 7 Ear Thermometer : This is a fantastic thermometer and many of the parents I spoke with had this model at home already. If you are looking for an ear-only thermometer with plenty of peer-reviewed research to back it up, I highly recommend the Braun Thermoscan 7. Precision and repeatability varied by 0.5 degrees, but the measurement in one ear may differ from that of the other ear. The Age Precision color-coded display is the only thermometer to factor in how the definition of fever changes as newborns grow into children and children grow into adults. The only downsides are the 10-second read time and the cost. It was the most expensive out of the ones I tested. You also need to replace the disposable lens filters to maintain accuracy and hygiene — more money.
Dr. Talbot's Infrared Forehead Thermometer, Non-Contact : The precision and speed of Dr. Talbot's thermometer was very comparable to the iHealth varying only by 0.5 degrees. It's designed for infants over 3 months through adults and measures a temperature in one second from a large digital display. It can take a forehead temperature from up to almost 2 inches away, making it a good option for many businesses screening temperatures at the door. While it was easy to operate after I installed the provided batteries, it was difficult to change the settings using only the trigger. It is also more expensive than the iHealth.
Kinsa Smart Ear Thermometer : The Kinsa is super sleek and easy to use on yourself, which can be tricky for the ear. I also found the app to be tremendous in terms of content with very helpful instructions. Even though the readings only took a second, the precision tended to vary by 1.5 degrees.
CVS Health Flexible Tip Digital Thermometer : This unit was disqualified because did not function at all.
Vicks SpeedRead Digital Thermometer with Fever InSight : When it has "SpeedRead" in the name, one would think that meant not waiting eight seconds (as advertised) with a thermometer in your mouth. The Vicks Comfort Flex , our best budget thermometer, also advertises 8-second response time, but overperformed with readings as fast as five seconds. When testing the SpeedRead orally, it also gave off a metallic taste in my mouth — something the Comfort Flex did not. Precision varied by 1.5 degrees.
Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer Original : We were unable to test this due to an inventory shortage at the time we were evaluating thermometers for this guide.
Home thermometer types
With so many thermometer options on the market — and plenty of COVID-19 misinformation circulating — deciding on which model is best for you and your family can be a little confusing. And if you have young children like I do, you may be looking for a certain type of age-appropriate thermometer.
Here are your basic digital thermometer options to pick from:
- Single-use stick thermometer (marketed for rectal only)
- Multiuse stick thermometer (rectum, mouth, or armpit)
- Tympanic thermometer (ear)
- Temporal artery thermometer (forehead)
- Tympanic and temporal thermometer (ear and forehead)
- Infrared non-contact thermometer (forehead)
Though there's plenty of apprehension about no-contact thermometers, a column in Ask a Pediatrician by Dr. Elizabeth Murray, an official spokesperson for the AAP, addresses those concerns directly. Murray says that "the claims about their danger are false … It is the infrared energy coming from the person that is being gathered by the thermometer, not infrared light being projected to the person."
No matter if you opt for an infrared thermometer or a strictly ear-based model, it's important to know fever isn't the same for everyone and that it varies by age, gender, and time of day, among other variables. Using a thermometer at various times of the day when you're feeling well gives you an idea of what's normal for you, or your baseline temperature.
It should ease your mind to know all thermometers sold in the United States must meet federal standards and are already calibrated for home use at the time of purchase. As a public health communications consultant, certified medical writer, and former editor of HealthyChildren.org at the AAP, facts, health literacy, and health equity are central to my work and are all components I factored in when selecting and testing the 10 thermometers included in this guide. I'm also a mother of three young children who has dealt with plenty of fevers over the past eight years.
Over the course of three days, I tested each of the 10 thermometers for precision and repeatability nine times on myself (a healthy adult without fever) and nine times on each of my two school-age kids. I also tested them on my sister (a healthy adult without fever) and two of my nieces, one of whom is an infant. All of the children were healthy and without fevers at the time of testing. Factors included practical features like availability, speed, sounds, memory, warranty options, storage containers, and ease of cleaning and disinfecting. Read more about our testing methodology here.
Each of the two infrared no-contact thermometers included in this guide were also given to an essential business that screens adults and children daily. After one week, I interviewed them for feedback.
What constitutes a fever?
According to a national survey of 1,000 adults, 56% of Americans polled did not know what temperature is considered a fever, falsely believing that anything over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is a problem.
Despite what ranges your thermometer manual might provide, Rik Heller, a biomedical engineer and thermographic expert, contends that fever is not the same for everyone. "98.6 degrees Fahrenheit should certainly not be universally applied — nor should 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit be a magic number to indicate elevated body temperature," he said. "Age, gender, and even time of day impact normal body temperatures."
What you'll want to do is find your baseline temperature (i.e., what's normal for you) by checking your temperature at various times of the day when you are feeling well.
Dr. Jesse Hackell, a practicing pediatrician with New York-based Pomona Pediatrics , said some children's temperatures just run higher than others, but any reading of 100.4 F or higher in a baby younger than 3 months is reason to call the pediatrician . "Another reason to call is if the fever persists for more than 24 hours in children younger than two and more than three days in a child 2 years of age or older," he said.
Older adults tend to have lower baseline temperatures than younger adults; sometimes fevers in the elderly are completely absent. When I asked Dr. Johnson why this happens, she said it's thought to be part of the aging process, yet it can contribute to an infection in an older adult being missed or a delayed diagnosis.
Are these temperature anomalies a big deal? Heller, who founded the clinical-grade thermometer company, Wello , said "not really when we are under normal circumstances," but he warns not accounting for them is "a grave mistake from a public health standpoint in the middle of a pandemic or during any heightened season of infectious disease."
How to use HSA or FSA funds
If you have an HSA or an FSA account, you may want to use it to purchase a thermometer listed in our guide. Over-the-counter digital thermometers are eligible for reimbursement without a prescription.
Many employers offer flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) as part of a benefits package, so be sure to see if one's available to you. If you have one already, check the balance. FSAs have a "use-it-or-lose-it" policy and any money you have left at the end of the calendar year disappears. HSAs do not have deadlines and funds roll over from year to year.
Here's how it works:
- If you pay with cash or credit card in a store or online, you can request a reimbursement from your HSA/FSA account. Different HSA/FSA plans have different requirements about what's needed for reimbursement but usually, a copy of your thermometer receipt will be enough. Many providers let you file claims online or through an app on your phone. Snap a picture of the receipt and you're good to go.
- There are HSA and FSA-specific retailers, like the HSA Store and the FSA Store that make shopping for items that qualify for reimbursement really simple. According to both websites, when shoppers use an HSA or FSA card to pay, they typically don't have to submit receipts; purchases on these websites automatically substantiate. It is worth noting, however, that the thermometer options available on these websites are limited and cost more than other retailers.
Note: Thermometers are not eligible for reimbursement with a limited care flexible spending account (LCFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
What is fever phobia?
Molly Hebda/Business InsiderFever is a general indicator of infection or inflammation in the body, but I think it's fair to say that most of America are suffering from "fever phobia" — a concept first introduced by pediatrician Dr. Barton Schmitt in 1980 to describe excessive and sometimes unrealistic fear of fevers. It's easy to let our minds "go there," yet there are many different reasons why an adult or a child would spike a temperature.
According to Hackell, who also chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, people lose sight of an illness by focusing on the number on the thermometer. "Whenever parents call me about fevers, the first thing I say is 'tell me how your child is acting.' If they're hot, you'll know it," he said, "and if you screen everybody for fever it gives a false sense of security ."
How we test thermometers
Molly Hebda/Business InsiderWhen I first started working on this buying guide in August 2020, I reached out to a number of pediatricians for their general thoughts on thermometers.
Dr. John Vann, a pediatrician in Omaha, Nebraska, told me that only a rectal temperature offers a true outpatient reading. "Everything else is an estimate," he said. "Luckily, the exact number is not usually as important as how the patient looks." There are also reliable methods for checking your temperature even if you don't have access to a thermometer .
I went on to read journal articles, "Consumer Reports," and customer reviews on retailer sites and spoke with 20 parents about their temperature-taking experiences. One mom told me she finally convinced her own parents to get rid of their old mercury thermometer, which are is no longer recommended because mercury is poisonous and glass thermometers can break.
After this rather extensive research, I landed on the 10 thermometers included in this guide. In addition to standard features found on all thermometers, I considered each product's speed, size of display, mute options, memory recall, batteries, warranty options, and storage containers. I also took a hard look at the following during my tests:
- Accuracy, precision and readability of thermometer instructions: More than 80 million Americans have limited health literacy, according to a systemic review in the "Annals of Internal Medicine," and the majority of Americans have difficulty understanding and using available health information and services. With that in mind, I evaluated the information included on each thermometer's box and inside its user manual from a health literacy perspective, including the quality and readability of the instructions. Some models include a quick guide with pictures, some include information in Spanish, one includes a QR code for video instructions, and some have print so tiny you need a magnifying glass to read it.
- Cost and availability: Like toilet paper, thermometers were a hot commodity at the start of the pandemic and inventory in stores and online has fluctuated for some models. I asked all of the representatives of these thermometer manufacturers about any stock issues we should know about. From a health equity standpoint, I considered a range of price points. Read about how you can save money on a thermometer by using your health savings account or flex spending account .
Over the course of three days, I tested each of the 10 thermometers nine times on myself (a healthy adult without a fever) and 9 times on each of my two of my school-age kids (also without fevers). I marked down readings to look for accuracy and repeatability. I also tested each thermometer on my sister (also a healthy adult without a fever) and two of my nieces, one of whom is an infant .
For testing infrared thermometers, I reached out to A.C.E Behavior Solutions , an essential business screening adults and children with special health care needs upon entry. Owner, Cindy Mrotek, said they were previously using other thermometer brands, so I provided them with both the Dr. Talbot's Infrared Forehead Thermometer, Non-Contact and the iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 for use over the course of one week.
"We found both infrared thermometers to be accurate but felt the iHealth was a faster read," Mrotek said. Because her clinic treats children with autism spectrum disorder, she noted that the iHealth was more difficult to use on kids who can't stand still or need to rock. She preferred the Dr. Talbot's for children who needed more input from moving. Beyond screening and tracking temperatures of children and staff, Mrotek added that her clinic is following CDC guidance .
Expert sources
- Jesse Hackell MD, FAAP, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine and a practicing pediatrician with New York-based Pomona Pediatrics , a division of Boston Children's Health Physicians
- John Vann, MD, FAAP , a pediatrician at Omaha Children's Clinic in Omaha, Nebraska
- Dr. Jenifer Johnson , a family medicine physician and internist at Westmed Medical Group in Westchester, NY
- Rik Heller , a biomedical engineer and thermographic expert who founded the clinical-grade thermometer company, Wello
- Cindy Mrotek , business owner of ACE Behavior Solutions
- AP News. Infrared thermometers used for COVID-19 testing do not pose risk to pineal gland . July 28, 2020
- Consumer Reports. Thermometer Buying Guide . September 23, 2016
- NASA. Ingestible Thermometer Pill Helps Athletes Beat the Heat . January 8, 2007
- EPA. Mercury Thermometers . June 26, 2018
- CDC. How COVID19 Spreads . October 5, 2020
- Business Insider. Coronavirus temperature scans are nothing more than pandemic security theater. In some cases, they're dangerous .
- Mayo Clinic. Thermometers: Understand the options . September 15, 2018
- HealthyChildren.org. When to Call the Pediatrician: Fever . November 21, 2015
- HealthyChildren.org. How to Take Your Child's Temperature . October 12, 2020
- HealthyChildren.org. Are Infrared Thermometers Safe? October 15, 2020
- New York Times. Can Smart Thermometers Track the Spread of the Coronavirus? March 18, 2020
- Kaiser Permanente. Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison . June 26, 2019
- HSA Store website
- FSA Store website
Via PakApNews