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The Best Digital Thermometer | 2023

Last updated on September 20, 2022

We looked at the top 11 Digital Thermometers and dug through the reviews from 25 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Digital Thermometers.

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Our Picks For The Top Digital Thermometers

Show Contents
Our Take
  Top Pick

GoodBaby Battery Powered Multi-Mode Digital Thermometer

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

GoodBaby

Battery Powered Multi-Mode Digital Thermometer

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this digital thermometer comes in a choice of white, blue or black.

  Runner Up

CHOOSEEN No-Touch Backlit Digital Thermometer

CHOOSEEN

No-Touch Backlit Digital Thermometer

Overall Take

Ideal for All AgesGet accurate temperature readings for adults, children and elders with this digital thermometer.

  We Also Like

Hotodeal Infrared Non-Contact Digital Thermometer

Hotodeal

Infrared Non-Contact Digital Thermometer

Overall Take

Prevents Cross-InfectionThis digital thermometer is non-contact to reduce infection between multiple people.

  Strong Contender

Boncare Soft Silicone Tip Digital Oral Thermometer

Boncare

Soft Silicone Tip Digital Oral Thermometer

Overall Take

Soft Silicone TipThis digital thermometer can be used orally, rectally or in the underarm.

  Also Great

Braun Thermoscan 7 IRT6520 Digital Ear Thermometer

Braun

Thermoscan Digital Ear Thermometer

Overall Take

Top-Notch OptionThis digital thermometer is outfitted with a nightlight for evening readings.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, Simplemost analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
18

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the digital thermometers available to purchase.
11

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

25

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources.

137,812

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

The Best Overall

GoodBaby Battery Powered Multi-Mode Digital Thermometer

Our Expert Score

9.6

Our Take

Keep an eye on the health of your family members with this digital thermometer. It has a no-touch design and can read a temperature using infrared technology. Simply aim the thermometer at your forehead and press the button. Readings come in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.


The Best Bang For Your Buck

Boncare Soft Silicone Tip Digital Oral Thermometer

Our Total Score

9.6

Our Take

With a soft silicone tip, this thermometer can be used orally, rectally or in the underarm. It provides results in 10 seconds. The LCD display screen is easy to read and can switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Our Digital Thermometer Buying Guide

When you or a loved one is not feeling well, it’s important to have an accurate digital thermometer around so you can do a temperature check. Knowing whether someone has a fever can help you decide whether they need to go to the doctor or just need to lie down and rest for a day. With young children, high fevers can sometimes lead to more serious health issues, so it’s vital to know you can trust the reading on your digital thermometer.

A digital stick thermometer is best used orally, in the underarm or rectally. They either have a rigid or flexible tip, which affects the way they should be used. The tip senses the temperature which is then displayed numerically on an LCD screen. Another type of digital thermometer is the infrared thermometer. They are designed to measure the heat that your body emits. They work in a short amount of time, typically between one to three seconds. Some infrared thermometers are to be used on the forehead, while others are designed to go in the ear. There are also non-contact infrared thermometers, which detect your body temperature from a few inches away. These are typically used on the forehead as well.

One of the most important features to look for on your digital thermometer is the display feature. It should be large and easy to read the numbers without any confusion. If you will be taking temperatures at night or in a dark room, then having a backlit display is key so you don’t have to turn on the light and disrupt your patient. Having an audible sound that tells you when the thermometer has secured a reading is also important so that you don’t remove it too soon. Having the option to turn off the beep is also helpful if you don’t want to wake someone who is sleeping.

Simplemost Fun Fact

Thermoscopes were the predecessors to thermometers. The first one was developed in 1593 by Galeleo Galilei. This kind of temperature-measuring device showed changes in temperature but did not show any numerical values related to the change. A thermoscope was a glass vial that had water and glass bulbs. As the water rose and fell with the changes in temperature, the glass bulbs rose and fell, too, showing a visibly perceptible change. Later on, thermoscopes were filled with alcohol instead of water, and some had numerical scales. While these rudimentary inventions were not highly accurate, they provided the basic design for the modern thermometer.

The Digital Thermometer Tips and Advice

  • Some digital thermometers have age-specific features, which is handy to use if you have young children. Since high fevers can be particularly dangerous for babies and little kids, using this feature can provide you with custom alerts based on your child’s age.
  • Having a quick response time is a feature many people look for, especially if the thermometer is for children. Digital stick thermometers typically take between 10 to 90 seconds to read a temperature, while infrared thermometers can provide a reading within one to three seconds.
  • If you want to track the progression of a fever over time, then look for a digital thermometer that has a memory capacity. Some thermometers store the last reading while others can store multiple readings. This is a good way to check to see if your patient is getting better or worse over time and decide on your next steps.
  • Some digital thermometers come with a fever alert, where the display shows a different color or makes a different sound if the temperature is elevated. This is particularly helpful when you don’t remember what temperature constitutes a fever.
  • For children under 3 years old, the most accurate temperature reading will be rectally. For older kids, you can use an oral or armpit reading. For adults, using an oral or infrared reading will give you accurate results.
  • If you plan to use a digital stick thermometer rectally, it’s best to get two thermometers. You can dedicate one to rectal use and use the other in the armpit or mouth. Be sure to label each thermometer with its use so you don’t accidentally mix them up.

About The Author

Anam Ahmed 

Anam Ahmed is a professional copywriter and essayist based in Toronto. She has been writing on technology, travel, parenting, and business for over 10 years, and works with a number of high-profile organizations. Highly interested in personal health and wellness, she values finding the best products that help people regain their vitality. Anam earned a master's degree from the University of Toronto and a bachelor's degree from Queen's University.