TechGearLab

The Geratherm Mercury Free Oral Glass is a traditional glass model. No batteries, no buttons; the benefit of this product is that it is as simple as it gets. It comes with a calibrated insert that allows you to see both Fahrenheit and Celsius readings simultaneously. It is also highly accurate if the patient can hold it in place properly.
There are a few drawbacks to this model. First, readings take over three minutes, compared to an average of a couple of seconds for all other products in this review. Readings can also be difficult to discern since the glass has to be held at the right angle, and the font is small and thin. It is also not ideal for small children or adults who might have trouble keeping it adequately positioned under the tongue for that long. However, this is the perfect choice for those who prefer a conventional and precise option.

Best for Most

amazon.com

walmart

trustpilot

bazaarvoice

The iHealth No-Touch Infrared Forehead is a sleek, no-frills infrared contender. Its simple one-button interface is straightforward to use &mdash; just one press to turn it on and a second to take a reading, and it shares results almost instantaneously in a large font digital readout. Many models beep to indicate a final reading, but we appreciate that the iHealth vibrates instead. Best of all, it is highly accurate, not only taking the correct temperature but returning the same result again and again.
Some folks might like the simplicity that this device offers, but it is also very basic. This model can only take forehead readings despite the infrared technology and futuristic aesthetic. It has no memory or color-coded backlights and does not measure the temperature of inanimate objects. It also tends to be one of the more expensive models. However, if you need a straightforward and highly accurate product, this one is your best bet. 

BabyGearLab

The iHealth No-Touch Thermometer thermometer has a fancy look that reminds us of Apple products, but it isn't. It feels sturdy with a nicer overall quality than some of the competition we tested. It is easy to use with a single button, has a no-contact design, and takes regular batteries most families have on stand-by. 
Unfortunately, this model suffers from the same limitations and potential for inaccuracies as the other infrared thermometers, making us worry about parents following directions. However, if you follow the instructions, have a plan in place, and have some patience to wait, the iHealth is a quality selection most parents can master. 

arcus-www.amazon.com

Wirecutter

The Fluke Raytek Non-Contact Thermometer can tell the temperature of something from across the room, so it’s an effective tool to monitor the temperature of your water pipes, even those in a crawl space.

The Famidoc Touchless is a large, trigger-style infrared thermometer. It was one of the most accurate and precise devices we used throughout our testing, providing readings almost instantaneously &#40;in about a second&#41;. It can take both forehead temperatures and readings of inanimate objects. It automatically turns off after approximately 30 seconds to save battery power and displays 'lo' or 'hi' when forehead readings fall outside of a normal range. The Famidoc's memory function holds 32 readings and can record both forehead and inanimate object temperatures &#40;most models with a memory function only retain the former&#41;.
Our main gripe with this product is the user interface. The buttons &#40;memory recall, volume, C/F, mode&#41; are small, difficult to press, and may be difficult to read for some folks. They also take up valuable real estate, requiring the readout screen to be smaller. Though you won't have to access it often, the battery compartment latch is hard to open. All in all, this multi-purpose device is an excellent, highly precise option that we would gladly recommend  keeping on hand in your bathroom's medicine cabinet.  

stamped

Fast, accurate, and reliable, this oral/rectal/axillary (armpit) thermometer has a backlit, easy-to-read display with a clear fever-alert feature.

The Vicks Comfortflex is a basic digital probe model that is easy to use and read. It has a single button and a large, bold font screen and displays a green/yellow/red backlight color corresponding to the severity of its temperature reading. Press the power button once to turn it on, and the device displays the previous temperature reading for a couple of seconds while it gets ready to take the next one. It comes with a few disposable probe covers and a hard plastic storage case. If you are looking for a basic, intuitive thermometer and don't need a ton of features, this is the one.
The downsides of this model are minor. Its memory only records one previous temperature reading, and it only displays this for a couple of seconds, and then it's gone. As a traditional probe model, it takes between 5-10 seconds to yield a reading instead of the near-instantaneous output of infrared styles. Still, we love this model and think it's a great option for anyone who needs a basic digital probe thermometer.

yotpo

target

The Kinsa Smart is an app-enabled smart thermometer that tracks information well beyond your current temperature. The device itself has basic digital features, including a large, easy-to-read display and color-coded backlight alerts that make it clear whether or not the patient has a fever. Once paired with the app via Bluetooth, it unlocks a variety of useful features for the data-obsessed. For example, it allows you to create unique profiles for each family member. Each profile has a home screen that shows a timeline of the readings taken and any symptoms noted at the time of the reading. It also provides basic county-level Covid and flu data specific to your location. You can also track medications, diagnoses, and set reminders.      
As with many basic devices that incorporate smart features, sometimes the technology gets in the way. We could not easily use the thermometer out of the box without first downloading the app. The power button is small and in a somewhat non-intuitive location at the top of the device. We also found for oral readings that the thermometer stick is quite floppy. Though this would be protective in a rectal reading, it makes it difficult to hold in your mouth. These issues aside, we think the Kinsa is the best smart option for those needing to take temperatures and keep records.

cnet.com

pcmag.com

It is practically impossible to find a more accurate thermometer than the Vicks SpeedRead. This thermometer works orally, rectally, or under the armpit. In our tests, the Vicks provided the best and most consistently accurate readings in the bunch, and we were most confident that the readings accurately reflected the test child's health. Unlike infrared technology, this thermometer gives you the child's actual temperature instead of the ambient heat around the child's body. This difference in technology is likely why many pediatricians require baby temperatures, especially infants under six months, only be taken using this type of thermometer &#40;usually rectally&#41;. This baby and kids' thermometer is super easy to use, and we love the giant backlit digital display that is easy to read under any lighting conditions.  
This thermometer requires more patience than the competition as you may need to briefly wait for a final reading. Our oral tests were only a few seconds or less, but the armpit and rectal temperatures can take longer. To avoid possible contamination, you'll also need to keep this thermometer ultra-clean and consider buying two, one for oral and one for the "other place," to avoid possible contamination. However, the price is low enough for most families to buy multiples. Overall, we think that sometimes old-fashioned and straightforward is the way to go. This thermometer had the competition beat for consistent accuracy with the fewest number of limitations or environmental requirements. We believe this is something parents can appreciate. Even if you want the convenience of a no-contact product, we recommend the Vicks as a good backup product to double-check readings, especially if you are on the fence about your child's well-being or need for care. 

powerreviews

The Vicks SpeedRead V912US is a basic digital probe model that is easy to use and read. It has a single button and a large, bold font screen and displays a green/yellow/red backlight color corresponding to the severity of its temperature reading. Press the power button once to turn it on, and the device displays the previous temperature reading for a couple of seconds while it gets ready to take the next one.
The downsides of this model are minor. Its memory only records one previous temperature reading, and it only displays this for a couple of seconds, and then it's gone. As a traditional probe model, it takes between 5-10 seconds to yield a reading instead of the near-instantaneous output of infrared styles. Still, we love this model and think it's a great option for anyone who needs a basic digital probe thermometer.

Thermometer Comparison