Keeping track of your baby's, child's, or your own health is an important responsibility, and you want this task to be less challenging. Luckily for you, technology has made it even easier to keep track of important health factors. With the latest technology, keeping track of a baby’s temperature or your own (or anyone else in your care, for that matter) has been made pretty effortless these days. Unlike old mercury thermometers, new digital thermometers are very efficient and safe.

Apart from just having with them safety features, these thermometers come with a feature that offers you the capability to record your child’s health progress or monitor your own. Some even give you health advice through an app.

With that, keeping track of a person's temperature should be uncomplicated and effective. Here is a review of the best thermometers that you can get right now.

When looking for a thermometer that won’t worry you about not positioning the device correctly in the ear, then the Braun Thermoscan5 Digital ear thermometer is it. It is the best ear thermometer with a unique guidance system that sends a light and beep alert to confirm the correct positioning. It is also comfortable to the ear and easy to hold.

It’s one of the most used infrared thermometers by healthcare professionals because of its accurate results every time. It has a pre-warmed tip that gives you these accurate and consistent measurements and gives you the freedom to select between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

The Braun Thermoscan5 ear thermometer comes with 21 disposable lens filters making it safe to share with anyone else in the family. The device is easy to use and recalls the last temperature it took. When it’s done measuring temperature, it alerts you by lighting up and beeping, as well.

Key Features
  • Ear thermometer
  • Digital readings
  • Reliable and accurate
  • For kids and adults
Specifications
  • Baby: 3 months to 4 years
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Tympanic temperature
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Power Source: Battery
  • Product Weight: 6.2 ounces
Pros
  • Suitable for infants, toddlers, and adults
  • Gives accurate readings
  • Fast and easy to use
  • Disposable lens covers which increase accuracy and prevent the spread of germs between readings
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a backlit screen
  • Doesn’t have a color-coded temperature display

Another thermometer for all ages is the Exergen Temporal Scan Forehead Artery Baby thermometer. Designed with a soft glow feature that enhances visibility, and that’s not even half of it yet as it’s also programmable. Giving you the freedom to alter the calibrations to your preferred choice, whether it’s Celsius ⁰C or Fahrenheit ⁰F, Exergen Temporal Scan Forehead Artery Baby thermometer got you covered.

Apart from that, you can also turn off the beeper when taking the temperature of a sleeping baby; this reduces the chances of startling the baby. Once you turn off the beeper, the LED light that turns on when taking the temperature turns off too.

It also automatically retains the last eight temperature readings; this saves you a lot as it helps you monitor the progress of the fever and instantly recall whenever you need the progression. All these are achievable through an elegant one button that gives you access to the memory and the customizability features.

Key Features
  • Soft lighting for easy display
  • FDA approved
  • One button to access memory and customizability features
  • Programmable scale
Specifications
  • Baby: Yes
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Temporal artery
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 5.6 ounces
Pros
  • You can program the scale to your choice
  • Can keep up to 8 previous readings
  • One ergonomic button for programmability and memory access
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Can easily break

The Purple Safety Baby Digital Thermometer is an FDA-approved thermometer that is highly affordable and very safe for your baby. Its simple design makes it easy to use yet still effective. All these features make buying Purple Safety Baby Digital Thermometer a wise decision. It lacks all the fanciness of most thermometers but again functions effectively the same way as expensive thermometers.

As if that was not enough, the Purple Safety Baby Digital Thermometer comes with an extra battery for convenience. So, you don’t have to worry when your thermometer battery dies for a backup plan is readily available.

The thermometer is a rectal, oral, and axillary thermometer. The flexible tip is vital while taking rectal measurements. Overall this thermometer does not come with all the extra features that come with most fancy thermometers. However, at its basic, it performs the job of a thermometer at a reasonably low price.

Key Features
  • Flexible tip
  • Used for taking rectal, axillary and oral temperature measurements
  • Waterproof
  • FDA approved
  • All-in-one button operation
  • Easy to clean
Specifications
  • Baby: Newborns, toddlers, and kids
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Rectal, axillary and oral temperature
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 1.6 ounces
Pros
  • Relatively affordable hence available to everyone
  • Comes with an extra battery for convenience
  • All-in-one button operation making using it easy
  • Waterproof thus durable
  • Easy to clean after use compared to most rectal thermometers
  • Provides accurate results
Cons
  • Lacks most digital health tracking features
  • You have to clean it after use

The iProven DMT-498 is an FDA-approved thermometer clinically calibrated for medical use. It’s a thermometer for fever and is comfortable to use for babies as well as adults. It works great in giving you consistent and accurate measurements every time you use it. The best thing about this product is that it has two functionalities; forehead and ear function.

The forehead function allows you to monitor your baby’s temperature without waking him/her up. You only need to swipe the thermometer across the forehead to measure the temperature. In case it detects fever, the backlit display lights up red. The brand recommends using the ear function for babies older than six months and the forehead function for squirmy infants

It's fast and easy to use with the ability to save up to 20 measurements and track how fever develops. It beats other devices that you have to turn on, wait for the self-test and wait to pre-warm the tip first e.t.c

Key Features
  • Ear thermometer with forehead function
  • Clinically calibrated for medical use
  • Backlit display with fever indicator
  • Accurate reading
  • Memory remains (20X)
Specifications
  • Baby: Above six months
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Temporal artery temperature
  • Warranty: N/A
  • Power Source: Battery
  • Product Weight: 4 ounces
Pros
  • Accurate and quick
  • Large screen and easy to use
  • Remembers the last 20 temperature
  • High-fever alarm
  • Dual model
Cons
  • High fever alarm can’t go off when fever is detected

The Kinsa QuickCare thermometer is structured to act as an oral, rectal, and underarm thermometer and is suitable for all ages, including your baby. It’s a digital thermometer that allows you to connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth.

It provides a free app that instructs you on what to do, tracks measurements, and also gives medical advice making it simple to monitor your child’s progress. It could be the best choice if looking for a thermometer that will make it easier for you to take care of your baby. You can use the app as an alarm to alert you when it’s time to administer doses to your child.

It also keeps a record of up to 50 previous readings making it easy to track fever progression, and it’s convenient to use as it gives you results within eight seconds. The fact that its clinically tested guarantees accurate measurements every time.

Key Features
  • Large backlit display which makes it easy to read the temperature
  • FDA approved
  • Accurate digital temperature readings in 8 seconds
  • Flexible comfort tip
Specifications
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Oral, rectal, and axillary temperature
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 2.4 ounces
Pros
  • Fast and accurate
  • Tracks up to 50 previous readings
  • Has a good battery life
  • Reliable oral, underarm and rectal temperature readings
Cons
  • Not rechargeable

This thermometer is for all ages as it is both an ear and forehead thermometer. It detects the infrared energy emitted in the ear and records the temperature. It’s also non-contact, making it great for use with the whole family, from babies on up to adults. It is a medical infrared thermometer, hence a recording rate that’s fast than other devices.

Another rather unique feature is that it automatically turns off after thirty seconds of inactivity. To top it up, it comes with an intelligent display of LED light that beeps and displays light according to different temperature conditions. Being an all age thermometer getting it means getting only one for your baby and the whole family.

Perhaps the most important feature is its memory slot. You can save up to 32 recordings and keep track of your baby’s progress. Need an all-rounded thermometer, then Caroune Ear and Forehead Thermometer is your answer.

Key Features
  • LED display with intelligent light
  • Multiple measurement modes
  • 32 sets of data memory
  • One elegant button for performance
  • Warranty guaranteed
Specifications
  • Baby: 3 months and above
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Temporal temperature
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 4 ounces
Pros
  • Provides instant results
  • Can record and store up to 32 temperature recordings
  • Easy to use due to its all-in-one button feature
  • Displays intelligent lighting as per temperature conditions
  • Comes with a 36-month replacement warranty
  • Provides multiple measurement modes, both forehead, and ear and has both Fahrenheit and Celsius options
Cons
  • Small display screen

This FDA-approved thermometer is a digital thermometer that is designed to take temperature readings on the forehead and in the ear. Its infrared technology offers the ability to take measurements without direct contact making it ideal for infants. So, if your baby is asleep, you don’t have to worry as you can take the readings without contact.

It also comes with a smart chip that comes in handy when you need to keep track of your baby’s temperature. Also, it provides fast and accurate results through infrared technology that almost comes with every digital thermometer.

Proshine Thermometer PC809 also tags with it a memory slot of 32 recordings, which means that you can save up to 32 previous readings; this is very efficient in keeping track of your baby’s progress. With this digital gem taking measurements at night is a smooth ride as its large backlight LED display offers clear measurement readings.

Key Features
  • Backlight LED display
  • Non-contact feature
  • An intelligent light display and fever alarm in that different colors indicate different temperature levels
  • Dual-mode of measurements
  • FDA-approved
Specifications
  • Baby: suitable for all ages
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Tympanic and temporal artery temperature
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 0.96 ounces
Pros
  • Offers two scales of measurements both Fahrenheit and Celsius
  • Provides instant results
  • Easy to use
  • Safe to use for all ages
  • Its 32-memory slot gives the capability to store up to 32 previous readings
  • Safe to use as it’s a mercury-free thermometer
Cons
  • The beep might be loud to some

The best baby rectal thermometer has to be Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer. It is specifically designed to measure a baby’s rectal temperature. Unlike most rectal thermometer Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer is easy and comfortable to use as its small tip helps you avoid cases over-insertion.

If you’re a new mom and confused about the right rectal thermometer to use, worry no more as this thermometer is easy to use and offers instant results for at ten seconds your recordings and results provided.

Using rectal thermometers can still be a daunting task even to experienced mothers. However, that’s settled for you, as Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer comes with a manual of instructions on how to use it. It is also safe to note that before using it, make sure your child has taken no fluids 15 minutes before taking the measurements.

Key Features
  • Comes with a manual of instructions on how to use it
  • Has an automatic night glow display
  • Large display screen
  • Spall tip
Specifications
  • Baby: Most suitable for newborns through 3 months
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Rectal temperature
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 0.8 ounces
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Its small tip makes it comfortable to use by preventing over-insertion
  • Has a large display screen improving visibility
  • Nigh glow feature aiding in recording temperature at night
  • Provides quick results
Cons
  • Has only one scale of measurement

Looking for the right thermometer for your infant? Then Dr. Madre Digital Infrared Forehead Thermometer is the ideal choice for you. This non-contact thermometer helps you take readings without touching your baby, making use of its infrared feature (and you can use it for the whole family, too). Its quickness is another reason you should go for it. In less than a second, you have your results, and your baby sleeps undisturbed a win-win scenario.

Its prominent display screen makes the readings much visible, and to top it up, it has a backlit display, meaning you can read the temperature even at night. It also gives you the freedom to switch to your preferred choice of scale and comes with a switchable beeper that can be turned on or off.

Its fastness and non-contact feature make it the right choice for infants. Also, it can store up to 12 of the last readings taken.

Key Features
  • Big display screen
  • Backlit display
  • Text to speech feature
  • English and Spanish options
  • FDA approved
  • Comes with a case for safe storage
Specifications
  • Baby: Yes
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Temporal artery temperature
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 9 ounces
Pros
  • Two reading modes, text or speech
  • It is fast
  • Provides up to 12 previous readings
  • Provides a Spanish option of getting the readings
  • Programmable scale and can switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius
Cons
  • Loud beep

Another digital thermometer that offers you a wide variety of options is the Ankovo Digital Thermometer. This digital thermometer provides instant results and tailored for both your ear and forehead. Its ability to take immediate results works perfectly if your baby can’t keep still.

All digital thermometers are medical infrared thermometers, and Ankovo Digital Thermometer is not an exception. Its infrared feature records temperature through taking measurements of the infrared energy; this is vital in recording temperature through the ear and forehead. All these translate to it being a non-contact thermometer.

Replace that mercury thermometer with this digital mercury-free thermometer. However, one thing to note about Ankovo Digital Thermometer is that its beep sound is rather loud; otherwise, this is not only an ideal thermometer for your baby but also your family.

Key Features
  • Infrared feature
  • Dual-mode for both forehead and ear
  • Large display screen
  • FDA approved
Specifications
  • Baby: 3 months
  • Compatible Measurement Methods: Tympanic and temporal temperature
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Power Source: Batteries
  • Product Weight: 4.2 ounces
Pros
  • Instant results
  • Stores up to 20 previous recordings
  • Provides high levels of accuracy
  • Has a large display screen that aids in delivering visible results
  • Dual-mode of measurements in that it can be used for both the forehead and ear
  • Easy to use as it provides two buttons both for head and ear
  • Offers two scales of measurements, Fahrenheit and Celsius
Cons
  • Beep sound is rather loud

Thermometers are not what they used to be when those of us who are adults now were growing up. They come designed with features that put your health first. They guarantee your child's (or your own) comfort and safety when using them.

Thermometers may be oral or rectal or scan quickly across the surface of the skin. Most have names according to the tasks they perform, giving you a first glance into how they are meant to be used. For an overview of what's available, check out the different types of thermometers below.

Digital Thermometers

Digital thermometers give the most accurate results and take a minute or less to record the temperature readings. At the end of the thermometer, there’s a sensor that touches the body part and reads the body’s temperature. You can use a digital thermometer in three different ways; orally (in the mouth), rectally (in the bottom), axillary (under the arm).

Rectal temperature measurement has been said to be the gold standard for newborns, older babies, and toddlers. That’s because it's quite challenging for babies to hold thermometers still in their mouths. If the thermometer is for use with your baby and they are under the age of 6 months, then a rectal thermometer may be the best choice. For proper sanitation, ensure you label your digital thermometer for either rectal or oral use (not both).

Ear thermometer

It measures the temperature inside of the ear by taking infrared heat readings from inside of the ear. For accurate readings, ensure that you correctly position the thermometer and for the best results, follow the device’s instructions on how to place the thermometer inside the ear.

Too much earwax is likely to give you inaccurate results, its therefore advisable to clean the ear before using the device. It’s safe to use on babies above the age of six months. Also, consider an ear thermometer manufactured for a small ear canal to ensure an accurate reading.

Forehead Thermometer

They are mostly known as temporal artery thermometers. They are swiped across the temporal artery of the forehead to read the infrared heat that comes off of the head. It's an easy, fast, and non-invasive way of taking temperatures on babies older than six months when you prefer not to do a rectal temperature.

Oral Thermometer

Babies do not have the oral capability to hold a thermometer still in their mouths; that’s why its not recommendable to use an oral thermometer to take a baby’s temperature. Medical professionals widely agree that oral thermometers, for instance, pacifier thermometers, which are a combination of the oral and digital, aren’t reliable on detecting the body's temperature accurately. For older children or adults, though, they can work quite well and are still widely available and commonly used.

Resources— Cleveland Clinic, Healthline, Babylist

Share this Buyers Guide About The Author