An infrared thermometer is an extremely handy tool to check temperature quickly and accurately. This non-contact temperature recording instrument is designed with smart infrared technology and highly sensitive digital sensors that accurately detect hot or cold temperatures that radiate from any surface.
Not only does an infrared thermometer detect slight changes in temperature but it displays these results on an LCD screen. Whether you use this device for the home or professional projects, it will increase your level of safety as you do not have to touch a surface and you can read the data even in the dark.
This multipurpose thermometer offers you plenty of versatility. It can be used alongside a standard meat thermometer in the kitchen or on the barbecue grill to record the temperature of a large piece of meat.
You can use the thermometer to safely monitor high-temperature substances like metals or plastics. Scan an air conditioning system or an appliance. Check thermal temperatures in the ceiling that may indicate potential water damage or electrical problems.
The 7 Best Infrared Thermometers
- Fluke 62 Max Plus Infrared Thermometer
- Klein Tools IR5 Infrared Thermometer
- Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer
- Etekcity 1022 Lasergrip Infrared Thermometer
- FLIR TG165 – Spot Thermal Camera
- MASTERCOOL 52224-A Infrared Thermometer
- BLACK+DECKER TLD100 Infrared Thermometer
Our Top Pick for the Best Infrared Thermometer
Our top pick for the best infrared thermometer is the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022 Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer.
We highly recommend the Etekcity IR thermometer for any type of temperature recording tasks you have to do around your home.
Designed with grounding breaking technology and a fast data recall capability, the multipurpose Lasergrip will help you to effortlessly and safely measure high temperatures on hazardous and inaccessible objects, moving targets, hot engine parts, cooking surfaces, swimming pools, appliances, electric bearings, and so much more.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Infrared Thermometer
Types of Infrared Thermometers
There are two types of IR thermometers: an infrared scanning thermometer and a spot infrared thermometer.
– Scanning Infrared Thermometer
Infrared scanning thermometers like the Kizen Infrared Thermometer are ideal for scanning a wide area or a large object. Although they can be used for hot and cold temperatures and provide very good accuracy, you may have to hold the sensor closer to a surface or object to get the best reading.
– Spot Infrared Thermometer
A spot infrared thermometer like the Black+Decker Thermal Detector offers you a high level of temperature detecting accuracy. It is an excellent tool for home use and especially building, plumbing or automotive industries.
This type of infrared thermometer has a single or dual laser system that projects bright points of light or a green, red or blue spot on a surface depending on the hot or cold temperatures that it is detecting.
Thermal Camera
A thermal camera is a great investment for a professional tradesperson. As well as using cutting edge IR technology and powerful sensors, a thermal camera gives you a visual image of the temperature as well as the digital data. The only real downside to these types of IR thermometers is that they can be quite expensive.
Accuracy
The accuracy of an IR thermometer is extremely important but you need to be aware that these devices may not provide a 100% accurate reading. All IR thermometers have a slight margin of error, but the better the quality of the infrared and laser technology, the higher the level of accuracy the thermometer will deliver.
Professional-style models have an accuracy of ±1%, while entry-level models may have variations within ±2%. The accuracy will also depend on how far away the thermometer is from the surface area or object that you want to scan.
Always read the manufacture’s instructions as to how far away you need to hold the device to make sure you get the best reading.
Emissivity
Emissivity refers to the efficiency with which an object absorbs and emits infrared energy. As different types of surfaces absorb and emit radiation differently, infrared thermometers should factor in these changes in surface emissivity.
While most thermometers have fixed emissivity, advanced infrared thermometers have adjustable emissivity like the Etekcity Lasergrip Infrared Thermometer. Adjustable emissivity helps you to achieve accurate readings regardless of the surface.
Temperature Range
The temperature range of an infrared thermometer will depend on the overall design of the device. To get the right temperature range to suit your needs, you need to think about whether you will be using the device for general home use or professional projects.
If you need to use the IR thermometer for general household tasks like checking for temperature changes on the ceiling or monitoring food, a thermometer with a temperature range from -22° or -30° to 900° or 1000° degrees should be sufficient.
For professional tradesmen, a wider temperature range between -58° to 1000° or 1202° Fahrenheit provides a lot of versatility for different tasks.
Distance to Spot Ratio
The distance to spot ratio or optical resolution relates to the distance from the thermometer to the surface or object that needs to be scanned. Most IR thermometers have a DS ratio of 12:1, 20:1, or 24:1 which helps you to get the best accuracy possible.
Best Infrared Thermometer Reviews
1. Fluke 62 Max Plus Infrared Thermometer
The Fluke 62 Max Plus Infrared Thermometer is a great choice for monitoring leaks from electrical equipment or checking automotive systems.
Built with the latest laser technology, this IR thermometer provides repeatable accurate temperature measurements. Its dual lasers ensure superior targeting as they rotate to pinpoint the edges of the measurement area and have a high accuracy of ±1%.
As the 62 Max Plus has a wide temperature range from -22° to 1202° Fahrenheit, you can use the thermometer to record extremely hot and cold temperatures. It also has a fast response time of <500 ms.
Easy to use, the large bright LCD screen displays the minimum and maximum temperatures, the difference between two temperatures, and the average temperature.
This ergonomic thermometer is small and lightweight and it has a belt clip, so it is perfect for everyday carry. The durable IP54 dust and splashproof plastic housing have a tough impact resistance rating to 3 meters. Its bright yellow color helps you to locate the thermometer in your toolbox.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal for home and professional use
- Wide temperature range from – 22 to 1202° Fahrenheit
- Latest IR technology and dual rotating lasers
- Reliable and consistent accuracy
- Displays minimum and maximum temperatures, the difference between the two temperatures, and the average temperature
- Large, bright LCD screen is easy to read in dark areas
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
- 3-meter impact resistance
- Ergonomic design
- Small and lightweight
- Belt clip
- Bright yellow color
Cons
- Expensive
2. Klein Tools IR5 Infrared Thermometer
Solid and reliable, the Klein Tools IR5 Infrared Thermometer is a must-have device for your toolbox.
The Klein Tools IR thermometer has a dual-laser targeting system that provides better accuracy than similar devices. It has a good 12:1 distance to spot ratio and a good measurement range from -30° to 400° Fahrenheit.
Impressive features for recording hot or cold temperatures include adjustability emissivity, an auto-scan mode, several calculation modes such as maximum, minimum, and average temperatures that are displayed in Fahrenheit and Celsius, and it has a high/low alarm.
You can use the IR5 indoors, outdoors, or in a dark space as it has a large, bright backlit display. Easy to use, the ergonomic soft-touch over-mold design fits comfortably in your hand. Built for rough environments, the thermometer has a durable housing with drop protection to 6.6 feet (two meters).
The device also comes with a custom pouch and a 9-volt battery with a long life expectancy of 10 hours.
Klein Tools also offer an infrared thermometer with a 20:1 distance to spot ratio.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for home and professional use
- Reliable and accurate performance
- Good 12:1 distance to spot ratio
- Good measurement range
- Impressive features
- Dual-laser targeting
- Several temperature calculation modes
- Fahrenheit and Celsius units
- Adjustable emissivity
- Auto-scan mode
- High/low alarm
- Large, bright LCD screen
- Easy to use
- Durable design
- Drop protection to 6.6-feet (2 meters)
- Ergonomic soft-touch over-mold housing
- 9-volt battery provides 10 hours of continuous use
- Comes with a custom pouch
Cons
- Accuracy will depend on the emissivity of the surface
- Small temperature range may not be suited for professional use
3. Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer
In just one swipe, the Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer delivers precise accuracy for extremely hot and cold temperatures.
Perfect for home repairs, cooking, or performing auto/motor maintenance, the LaserPro has a wide temperature range from -58° to 1112° Fahrenheit and a fast response time of ≤500ms. You can even toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit measurements as needed.
The Kizen uses innovative temperature sensor technology and an advanced Fresnel lens to deliver reliable accuracy. It also provides instant temperature targeting with its 12:1 distance to spot ratio. You can improve the accuracy by adjusting the device’s emissivity according to the surface material being measured.
Reading temperatures in the dark will be so easy as the backlit LCD screen is ultra-bright. Ideal for working in rugged environments, the thermometer has a durable plastic housing with a UV paint coating that reduce scratches and everyday wear and tear.
You will save on battery life as the thermometer automatically turns itself off when not in use.
The thermometer also comes with two AAA batteries and a helpful emissivity table.
Kizen offers a 100% money-back lifetime warranty on the infrared thermometer.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for home and industrial use
- Very accurate
- Innovative temperature sensor technology
- Advanced Fresnel lens
- Adjustable emissivity
- Good 12:1 distance to spot ratio
- Wide temperature range of -58° to 1112° Fahrenheit
- Fast response time of ≤500ms
- Toggle between Celsius/Fahrenheit measurements
- Bright LCD backlight
- Durable body has a UV coating
- Battery saving auto-off feature
- Comes with two AAA batteries
- 100% money-back lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not designed to measure the internal temperature of an object
- NOT to be used on humans or animals
4. Etekcity 1022 Lasergrip Infrared Thermometer
Accurate, functional, and extremely affordable, the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022 Infrared Thermometer is an essential temperature recording tool for home use or professional projects.
In just three easy steps, the Etekcity infrared thermometer records and displays information without having to touch a surface or object.
This versatile device can be used on any type of surface as it has adjustable emissivity and has a wide temperature range of -58 ~ 1022° Fahrenheit. You can safely scan surfaces that have dangerous temperatures that are at boiling point or below freezing.
Extremely accurate, the Lasergrip uses smart infrared technology and a precise built-in laser pointer guidance system. It has a good 12:1 distance to spot ratio, improved accuracy of ±2%, and a fast response time of ≤500ms.
The crystal clear backlit display makes it so easy to view Fahrenheit or Celsius readings in any indoor or outdoor setting. You can use this thermometer to tackle tough jobs as its scratch-resistant plastic housing has a weather-resistant UV coating.
Bonus features include a 15-second scan-and-lock mode, an auto-off mode, and a low battery indicator. The included 9-volt DC battery has an extra-long battery life of 12 hours.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for home use or professional applications
- Easy to use
- Smart laser guidance system
- Precise built-in laser pointer guidance system
- Improved accuracy
- Good 12:1 distance to spot ratio
- Adjustable emissivity
- Wide temperature range of -58 ~ 1022° Fahrenheit
- Ideal for dangerous temperatures that are at boiling point or below freezing
- Displays readings in Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Fast response time
- Crystal clear LCD screen
- Scratch-resistant plastic housing has a weather-resistant UV coating
- 15-second scan-and-lock mode
- Auto-off function and a low battery indicator
- Comes with a 9-volt battery
- 12-hour battery life
Cons
- May not be suited for heavy-duty industrial use
- Cannot test the temperature of target objects through glass
5. FLIR TG165 – Spot Thermal Camera
Equipped with an exclusive Lepton® microthermal sensor, the FLIR TG165 Spot Thermal Camera is the perfect temperature scanning tool for DIY maintenance enthusiasts or professional tradespeople. It lets you see the heat so you know exactly where to target the measurement spot.
Not only does the FLIR TG165 show you digital temperature readings, but it also shows you the heat or cold in vivid color on the large screen. You can even mount it onto a tripod for hands-free infrared temperature scanning.
This legendary camera bridges the gap between single spot infrared thermometers and thermal cameras. It instantly reads surface temperatures with precise accuracy of ±1.5%.
You can easily find unseen hot and cold spots for instant troubleshooting, and store images and data on a USB stick with the included cable or a micro SD card.
The TG165 has a wide 50-degree field of view, a very good 24:1 distance to spot ratio, a minimum focus distance of 4 inches, a minimum measurement distance of 10-inches, a temperature range of -13° to 716° Fahrenheit, a high 80 x 60 resolution, <150mK sensitivity, and a fast 9Hertz refresh rate.
This thermal camera is very easy to operate and there is no special training required. As it has a durable design, you can use it in rough indoor and outdoor environments.
The thermal camera comes with 2 AAA batteries so you can start scanning surfaces or objects straight away.
FLIR offers a 2-year warranty on the camera and a 10-year warranty on the thermal imaging detector.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Rugged and reliable
- Ideal for home and commercial use
- Equipped with exclusive Lepton® microthermal sensor
- Precise accuracy
- Shows digital data and vivid hot or cold images on the large LCD screen
- Good temperature range of -13° to 716° Fahrenheit
- 24:1 spot size ratio
- High 80 x 60 resolution
- 150mK sensitivity
- Fast 9-hertz refresh rate
- Intuitive design
- No special training is required
- Download images onto a USB stick or SD card
- Can be tripod mounted
- Durable design
- 2-year product warranty and 10-year thermal imaging detector warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- The smaller temperature range may not be suited for some industrial applications
6. MASTERCOOL 52224-A Infrared Thermometer
Offering instant laser targeting accuracy, the Mastercool 52224-A Infrared Thermometer is the perfect tool for a variety of home or commercial applications.
The built-in circular laser has a 12:1 field of view, which lets you safely measure temperatures from a greater distance. The thermometer has a wide temperature range from -58° to 932° Fahrenheit, a good accuracy of ±2° Celcius/4° Fahrenheit and a super-fast 0.5 second response time. Its fixed emissivity of 0.95 is suitable for most surfaces.
With just a press of the trigger, you can easily view the surface temperature, maximum temperature, battery life, and Fahrenheit or Celcius units on the large backlit color LCD display. When the trigger is released, the reading will automatically be held on the screen for an additional 15 seconds.
The Mastercool thermometer comes with a plastic molded carrying case, a bonus thermometer, and the two included AAA batteries can last up to 14 hours.
Mastercool offers a 1-year warranty on the infrared thermometer.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Perfect for home and commercial use
- Highly accurate infrared sensor
- Built-in 12:1 DS circular laser allows for the accurate measurement of targets at greater distances
- Expanded temperature range from -58° to 932° Fahrenheit
- Large backlit color LCD screen displays surface temperature, maximum temperature, battery life, and Fahrenheit or Celcius units
- Automatic power off after 15 seconds
- Comes with a molded plastic carrying case
- Included two AAA batteries can last up to 14 hours
- Bonus dial thermometer
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Battery compartment is hard to open
- May not provide accurate results when used with food
- No mention of adjustable emissivity
7. BLACK+DECKER TLD100 Infrared Thermometer
One of the most multi-purpose IR thermometers available, the Black+Decker TLD100 Infrared Thermometer is an excellent recording tool for detecting thermal leaks around your home.
The TLD100 uses a highly sensitive infrared sensor that detects hidden energy leaks around doors, floors, walls, pipes, and windows, HVAC systems, fridges or freezers.
This IR thermometer is very easy to use. Simply scan the light across the surface or object you want to inspect. When the temperature changes by 1, 5 or 10° Celsius or Fahrenheit, the light will change to red or blue to indicate a hot or cold spot.
The thermal thermometer has a temperature range from -22 to 302° Fahrenheit and the temperatures can be displayed in Fahrenheit or Celsius on the extra-bright LCD screen.
You can use the TLD100 indoors and outdoors as the housing is made from sturdy fiberglass. Ideal for everyday carry, the Black+Decker thermometer is very compact and lightweight.
Black+Decker also includes a 5-step guide on how to fix basic energy leaks and how to improve insulation. The IR thermometer is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Highly sensitive infrared sensors accurately measure surface temperatures
- Detects hidden energy leaks around doors, floors, walls, pipes, and windows, HVAC systems, fridges or freezers
- -22 to 302° Fahrenheit temperature range is suitable for most home maintenance projects
- Detects temperature differences of 1, 5, or 10°
- Displays Fahrenheit and Celcius units
- Bright LCD screen
- Sturdy fiberglass design
- Compact and lightweight
- Bonus 5-step guide for fixing basic energy leaks and improving insulation
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- No adjustable emissivity
- The temperature range may not be suitable for professional use
- Does not come with a 9-volt battery
Our Top Pick for the Best Infrared Thermometer
Our top pick for the best infrared thermometer is the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022 Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer.
We highly recommend the Etekcity IR thermometer for any type of temperature recording tasks you have to do around your home.
Designed with grounding breaking technology and a fast data recall capability, the Lasergrip will help you to effortlessly and safely measure high temperatures on hazardous and inaccessible objects, moving targets, hot engine parts, cooking surfaces, swimming pools, appliances, electric bearings, and so much more.
Check the price on Amazon
