Your Ultimate Guide To The Best Meat Thermometers

Best Overall Kitchen Thermometer

• Temperature range: -58 to 572°F
• Special features: Auto-rotating screen; motion-sensing sleep and wake mode; automated backlight; auto-on/off
• Warranty: 5 years
• More specs: Available in 10 colors

Price at ThermoWorks: $109

The Thermapen One is a top-notch instant-read thermometer known for its super-fast response times and accurate readings. Its name, "One," comes from its impressive one-second response time, making it almost as fast as its namesake.

The pull-out probe, large 360-degree auto-rotating screen, and auto-backlight feature set it apart from the rest. While it may come with a higher price tag, the extended battery life and overall high quality make it a worthwhile investment.

Best Leave-In Probe Thermometer

• Temperature range: -58 to 572°F
• Special features: Probe-style alarm thermometer; probe cable (47" long) survives 700°F; straightforward display
• Warranty: 2 years
• More specs: Available in nine colors

Price at ThermoWorks: $45

The DOT alarm thermometer is unbeatable when it comes to a simple yet accurate temperature monitoring solution. Just set your desired temperature using the up or down buttons, insert the probe into your food, and DOT will beep when it reaches the target.

Press any button to stop the beeping, and the display continues flashing until the temperature drops below the setpoint. DOT is compatible with Pro-Series probes, including the 4.5-inch probe provided, which reads temperatures up to 572°F with a cable that can withstand 700°F.

Best Affordable Meat Thermometer

• Temperature range: -58 to 572°F
• Special features: Auto-rotating; sleep mode after 10 minutes; backlit display
• Warranty: 2 years
• More specs: Available in nine colors; you can pick either a 4.5-inch or 8-inch probe (we suggest the 4.5-inch for most home cooks)

Price at ThermoWorks: $35

ThermoPop 2 offers the best temperature measurement experience for those on a budget. Enjoy super-fast readings in just 2-3 seconds, with guaranteed accuracy within ±1°F, making it perfect for checking frozen foods and testing deep fryers. Its molded-in seals and buttons give it a waterproof IP67 rating, providing durability and reliability in various conditions.

Top Choice For Tech Enthusiasts

• Temperature range: Internal meat temperature up to 212°F, external temperature up to 527°F
• Special features: Bluetooth; timer; fast reading system; can monitor multiple meats at different temperatures simultaneously
• Warranty: 1 year
• More specs: Includes Bluetooth booster, Bluetooth temperature probe, AAA battery

Price at MEATER: $99.95

Meater Plus stands out as a top-selling wireless smart meat thermometer, eliminating the guesswork from both indoor and outdoor cooking to deliver perfect results consistently.

The 100% wire-free design provides complete freedom and flexibility in your cooking process. The Long Range Model utilizes Bluetooth 5 technology, offering a range of over 1000 feet for extended connectivity and convenience.

Best Budget-Friendly Meat Thermometer for Roasts

• Temperature range: 32 to 392°F
• Special features: Programmable timer and thermometer; flip-top display; extra long probe withstands high heat and measures 43" long
• Warranty: 1 year
• More specs: Memory function saves last used temperature

Price at Amazon: $25

The Polder leave-in probe thermometer is a budget-friendly option for most home cooks. Compact and lightweight, it strikes a balance between accuracy and precision.

With a well-organized interface and adjustable screen, it's user-friendly despite having a few buttons. The inclusion of a pot clip and a silicone-coated cord adds convenience, making it easy to wrap up and preventing any kinking issues.

Best Meat Thermometer For BBQ Rigs

• Temperature range: -58 to 572 degrees F
• Special features: Automatic shutoff; splashproof; long battery life
• Warranty: 2 years
• More specs: Includes Polygiene Biomaster silver ion technology to reduce microbial growth

Price at ThermoWorks: $85

The classic Thermapen earns its name with super-fast readings, a large display, and a splash-proof design, making it a timeless favorite. Professional chefs and BBQ pitmasters have trusted it for over a decade.

Widely popular among celebrity chefs, cooking magazines, top food enthusiasts, bloggers, and competition BBQ teams, the Thermapen has become an essential tool in well-equipped home kitchens and backyard BBQ setups.

Best Meat Thermometer for Grilling

• Temperature range: -58 to 572°F 
• Special features: Backlit large digit displays; 300-feet line of sight wireless transmission range
• Warranty: 2 years
• More specs: Available in nine colors

Price at ThermoWorks: $64.35

Smoke, designed for competition BBQ teams and professional chefs, surpasses its competitors in both durability and performance. It's not a cheaply-made household product; Smoke boasts a rugged housing with molded-in seals, providing splashproof protection.

Compatible with Pro-Series Probes, which can be interchanged with Smoke, ChefAlarm, and DOT, this tool is versatile.

Best Wireless Thermometer for Serious Grillers

• Temperature range: Up to 1400°F
• Special features: App-compatible; LCD display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
• Warranty: 1 year
• More specs: Six probe channels

Price at FireBoard: $199

Featuring six separate probes and an intelligently designed app interface, this wireless grill thermometer stands out as one of the most advanced options. Ideal for those aiming to cook multiple cuts of meat simultaneously, the thermometer allows you to name, track, and store information from your smoking sessions.

While it may be a bit more expensive compared to other models, if you're ready to elevate your cooking experience from a basic thermometer, this one offers unmatched functionality and is well worth the investment.

Best Midlevel Instant-Read Option For Enthusiasts

• Temperature range: -40°F to 482°F
• Special features: 4.5" probe; auto-rotating backlit display, splash resistant
• Warranty: 3 years
• More specs: Available in eight colors

Price at Lavatools: $49.99

The Javelin PRO Duo is a professional-grade foldable thermometer designed with an ultra-large 2" display that automatically rotates based on how it's held. Renowned for its speed and accuracy, it provides ultra-fast 2-second readouts, courtesy of a proprietary high-performance Japanese temperature sensor.

With an expected battery life of 4000+ hours, along with auto-sleep and motion-activated wake functions, it proves to be the perfect meat probe thermometer for extended cookouts.

Best Meat Thermometer For Roasts

• Temperature range: -58 to 572°F
• Special features: Count-down and count-up timer
• Warranty: 2 years
• More specs: Available in nine colors

Price at ThermoWorks: $65

The ChefAlarm stands out as the top pick for a leave-in probe thermometer due to its accuracy, responsiveness, large and well-organized screen, and clearly labeled buttons. It features a magnetic base for flat resting or easy attachment to an oven or fridge.

The screen can tilt up at a 45-degree angle for convenient viewing. This thermometer allows you to set high and low-temperature alarms and includes a timer function. With a large temperature probe, pot clip, and storage case included, the ChefAlarm offers a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.

Best Digital Probe

• Temperature range: 32 to 392°F
• Special features: Magnetized back; wired probe; automatic temperature and timer alarm
• Warranty: 1 year
• More specs: Monitor food without removing it from the oven

Price at Amazon: $33

If you need an oven-safe thermometer, this digital probe thermometer is an ideal choice. The thermometer comes equipped with a magnet on the back, allowing you to easily attach it to your oven door for convenient readings while cooking.

With a temperature alert feature, you'll be notified when your meat reaches the desired temperature. The long probe, along with its insulated wire, makes it easy to handle regardless of your meat size.

Best Multi Probe

• Temperature range: 14 to 572°F
• Special features: Timer and smart alarms; simplistic, multi-functional app
• Warranty: 1-3 years
• More specs: 4 different color-coated probes

Price at Amazon: $53

The TP25 allows you to simultaneously monitor up to four temperature ranges. Equipped with two grill clips, it enables the monitoring of heat zones, or the probes can be used to monitor individual pieces or types of food.

The base unit prominently displays quadrants for each probe's temperature, while the app provides additional versatility and information. Notable app features include a heat graph for each probe, offering a comprehensive view of the entire cooking process.

Best Value Thermometer

• Temperature range: 58 to 572°F
• Special features: High accuracy; large display; ultra clear screen; fast reading system
• Warranty: No applicable warranty
• More specs: Available in Red/Black color

Price at Amazon: $13

The Kizen thermometer offers all the essential features at a significantly lower cost compared to other models on this list. With a bright backlight and a large LED display, it ensures easy readability, and its readings are both fast and accurate.

The thermometer even includes a handy list of temperatures for various meats and doneness levels printed directly on the body. The Kizen's design is theoretically crafted to fit comfortably in your hand.

Best Infrared

• Temperature range: up to 572°F (probe), up to 932°F (infrared)
• Special features: Easy-to-read LED screen; probe folds away for storage and safety; battery saving auto-off after 90 seconds
• Warranty: 1 year
• More specs: Two thermometers in one

Price at Cuisinart: $39.99

The Cuisinart Infrared & Folding Grilling Thermometer is an easy and efficient tool for monitoring the doneness of your grilled meats and checking the temperature of the cooking surface.

This thermometer has a 2-in-1 design, including a non-contact infrared thermometer and a folding probe thermometer. It provides instant and accurate temperature measurements, making it a practical choice for your grilling needs.

Best Wireless Meat Thermometer

• Temperature range: -58 to 572°F
• Special features: 95 feet line-of-sight transmission; 24-hour countdown timer
• Warranty: 2 years
• More specs: Available in one color; backlight

Price at ThermoWorks: $69

The wireless grill thermometer is user-friendly and works seamlessly with a companion app, offering users a wealth of data. It enables you to set alarms for high and low temperatures, and it comes at a reasonable price. Simply use the up and down buttons to set your target temperature, insert the probe, and wait for BlueDOT to notify you when it's reached.