One of the challenges that any cook will face in the kitchen is knowing exactly when their meat is cooked properly. Serving a rack of lamb to your hungry family or guests can spoil the occasion if the meat is undercooked or overcooked. A meat thermometer is one of the most important cooking tools and it can save you from this embarrassment and take all the guesswork out of cooking and make sure that your meat is cooked to perfection.
The 6 Best Meat Thermometers
- Blacksail Kitchen Analog Meat Thermometer
- CDN IRM200-Glow ProAccurate Meat/Poultry Ovenproof Thermometer – Set of 2
- Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Ambidextrous Backlit Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer
- iDevices Kitchen Thermometer
- ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe (Our Top Pick)
- Alpha Grillers Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer
Our Top Pick for the Best Meat Thermometer
Our top pick for the best meat thermometer is the ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer. The ThermoPro digital instant-read thermometer will have you cooking like a professional with its spot-on, precise temperature readings and will save you the embarrassment of your food from being undercooked or overcooked.
With dual-probe technology, an easy-to-read backlit LCD screen, and a mobile receiver, the Thermopro lets you monitor the temperature of all types of meat, while you enjoy mingling with your guests and family.
Enjoy Perfectly Cooked Meat with a Meat Thermometer
As well as enjoying perfectly cooked meats, a meat thermometer will eliminate the significant health risks like food poisoning from disease-causing salmonella, E. coli, and other nasties that can make you and your family sick.
How to Choose the Best Meat Thermometer
Two Types of Meat Thermometers: Instant-Read versus In-Probe
Meat thermometers come in two varieties: instant-read and in-probe. Instant-read meat thermometers have a single probe or stem that gives you an instantaneous temperature readout. Even though these types of thermometer can take high heat, they are only designed for momentary temperature recording and they are not designed for exceedingly high heat, so it is best not to use them for continuous monitoring in the oven.
An in-probe thermometer, like the ThermoPro TP20, also has a probe but it is attached to a heat-resistant wire, which is connected to a digital display. This type of thermometer is specially designed for very high heating cooking like in an oven so it is the best choice for continuous monitoring of internal temperatures of large pieces of meat like a roast.
– Analog Thermometers
Analog thermometers, like the CDN IRM200-Glow ProAccurate Meat/Poultry Thermometer, offer you a simple approach to checking temperatures. These more traditional types of thermometers are less expensive than their digital counterparts as they do not have all the high-tech “bells and whistles” or extra features.
They are a little slower at giving you a readout, but they are still a good choice as they give readings in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, are very easy to use and are just right for those cooks who are not tech-savvy and do not want to fuss around with more advanced features that they do not need.
– Digital Meat Thermometers
Digital meat thermometer offers you the quickest and easiest way of checking the internal temperature of all sorts of meat and they deliver precise instant-read temperature readings on their LCD screen.
This type of thermometer has an extra thin, tapered probe that penetrates the meat to record the internal temperature and they make a needle-fine mark, so you do not have to cut open the meat which can result in the loss of precious juices.
Digital kitchen thermometers may have a limited set of technical features, like the Lavatools Javelin, while other more complex devices like the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer, can be connected to your phone or tablet by downloading an app that uses a Bluetooth connection. This connectivity allows you to track the temperature on your phone or tablet from as far as 150 feet away.
The ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer offers you a high level of mobility as its additional monitoring/receiving device has an excellent range of 300 feet.
Calibrating the Thermometer
Thermometers need to be calibrated before you use them. While most manufacturers calibrate their thermometers in the factory, you should test the device for optimal temperature readings, as this will make sure that the thermometer continues to provide accurate readings every time.
Wide Temperature Range Capability
A meat thermometer should have a wide range of temperatures on display, for both boiling and freezing temperatures, to be able to check the temperatures of both hot and cold foods. If you are cooking meat in the oven or on the grill, you will need a thermometer that records higher temperatures than 450 or 500-degrees Fahrenheit or 260 Celsius.
Easy to Read and Use Controls
Easy to read controls are a must for any thermometer, so if you want an analog thermometer, look for a large dial or even a glow in the dark dial like the CDN IRM200-Glow ProAccurate Thermometer Set. For digital thermometers, look for large LCD backlit screens that can be seen in low light conditions and easy to use keypads.
Strong Probes
As the probe is the part that does all the hard work, it is very important, especially if you are cooking thick meat or a large roast or a whole pig. The probe should be made out of stainless steel and it needs to be sturdy, sharp and strong for penetrating into thick pieces of meat. Most probes measure either 3.75, 4.5, 5 or 6.5-inches long. If you are cooking extra thick meat, an extra-long probe, like the ThermoPro TP20 is a great choice.
Audible Alarm
An alarm is a very handy feature if you need to leave the kitchen. A thermometer, like the Lavatools Javelin PRO or the Thermopro, have audible alarms that will alert you when your food has reached its optimal temperature.
Preset Temperature
This feature allows you to program the temperatures you want, and some thermometers, like the ThermoPro, allows you to preset temperatures for different types of meat and to cook your meat to suit your taste preference: medium-rare, medium, medium well and well done.
Temperature Hold
The temperature hold button allows the meat thermometer to hold the temperature for at least 5 minutes, or sometimes longer, depending on the manufacturer. The Lavatools Javelin PRO has a hold setting that displays the temperature on the screen in case you forget it.
Timers
A timer feature gives you more control over your cooking. You can set the timer, and get on with other cooking tasks or relax with family or friends, and the timer will sound when the food has reached the right temperature.
Auto Shut-Off Feature
The auto shut-off feature helps to preserve battery life and will also save you money.
Warranty
The warranty should never be overlooked, especially if you are going to be using the thermometer a lot. Warranties can range from 1, 3 or 5 years. Some manufacturers even offer a very generous lifetime warranty or a limited lifetime warranty.
Best Meat Thermometer Reviews
1. Blacksail Kitchen Analog Meat Thermometer
Whether you love cooking lamb, veal, beef, pork or turkey, the Blacksail Kitchen Analog Meat thermometer make it so easy to gauge the right temperature of baked, roasted, and grilled meats.
A great choice for any cook, the analog thermometer is a simple but effective cooking tool. Its old-fashion temperature recording design is very easy to use, highly accurate, and no battery is required.
There is no need to calibrate the unit. Just slide the 4-inch long sturdy and sharp stainless-steel probe into your choice of meat and read the temperature on the large ¾-inch glass dial. For your cooking convenience, the dial displays its temperature range in 130-190° Fahrenheit and 54-88° Celsius.
You do not have to guess whether meat is under-cooked or overcooked as the dial has a very handy color-coded meat temperature cheat sheet.
With an oven-safe design, you can leave the thermometer inside the meat on a grill or inside an oven, but it is not designed for an oven that has temperatures above 392° Fahrenheit.
As the Blacksail thermometer is not fully waterproof, you should avoid long-term immersion as water may seep inside the dial and cause the temperature chart to fade. To keep your thermometer clean, just wipe it over with a damp cloth after use.
Blacksail offers you 2 meat thermometers so you can leave one in the kitchen and another one near the barbecue or smoker.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money 2-pack
- Very affordable price
- Highly accurate analog temperature readings
- Simple old-fashioned design is very easy to use
- Requires no battery
- Can be used for all meats
- Sturdy and sharp stainless-steel probe
- Large ¾-inch glass dial display
- Displays temperatures in Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Color-coded meat temperature cheat sheet
- Oven, smoker, and grill-safe
- Can be left inside the meat in the oven and on the grill
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Metal gets very hot
- Not designed for high temperatures over 392°F
- Not dishwasher safe
- Not designed for long-term water immersion
- No instant reading capabilities
- Can take up to 45 seconds to show a reading
2. CDN IRM200-Glow ProAccurate Meat/Poultry Ovenproof Thermometer – Set of 2
The CDN analog thermometer takes cooking meat and poultry to a new level, and as you get a set of 2 thermometers, the CDN IRM200-Glow ProAccurate Meat/Poultry Ovenproof Thermometer is exceedingly great value for money product. These 2 high-quality thermometers offer you a lot of cooking versatility as you can check 2 pieces of meat at the same time. Or leave one at home and take the other one with you on your next camping trip.
Whether you are cooking meat or poultry on the grill, barbecue or in the oven, this amazing professional style meat thermometer has an NSF® Certified; glow in the dark, extra-large 2-inch/5.1 cm dial, so if you are cooking in low light areas or need to check the temperature of a roast in the oven, the temperature lights up for quick and easy temperature readings.
The dial also has a target marker and a temperature range indication for all sorts of meat, poultry, beef, lamb ham or veal, and the temperature readings are displayed in Fahrenheit and Celsius that range from 120° to 200°F/50° to 100°C.
The CDC thermometer is ready to go out of the box and it is already calibrated but if you want to calibrate it, it can easily be recalibrated with a simple boil test that is on the dial, so you can always count on it to continue to perform for years.
The durable laboratory glass lens is strong and waterproof and the housing and the 5-inch (12.7 cm) probe/stem is made from strong 304 stainless steel.
The thermometer is easy to clean and can even go into the dishwasher. CDN offers a 5-year limited warranty for the thermometer.
Pros
- Great value for money
- High level of accuracy
- Set of 2 thermometers
- Ovenproof
- Extra-large, easy-to-read 2-inch temperature dial
- Glow in the dark temperature markings
- Strong and durable laboratory glass lens
- Waterproof
- Stainless steel housing and 5-inch probe
- Meat temperature guide
- Can be used for all sorts of meat
- Temperature readings in Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Boil test calibration indicator
- NSF® Certified
- Easy to calibrate
- Dishwasher safe
- 5-year limited warranty
Cons
- Limited features
- Stem bend or break in tough meat
3. Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Ambidextrous Backlit Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer
For super fast and highly accurate temperatures, the Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Instant-Read Digital Meat Thermometer is an excellent choice for all foodies. As well as being one of the most consistently accurate thermometers on the market, its response time is within 2 to 3 seconds.
Whatever you need to cook, the Lavatools thermometer can conquer any cooking task. It makes sure that your meat is cooked to juicy perfection, bread is baked with commercial quality, and you can even check the temperature of your coffee so that it is served at just the right temperature.
Specially designed for high-heating cooking and barbecues, this top-of-the-line measuring instrument has a 4.5-inch probe with a tapered edge, and it is made from food-grade stainless steel, and the total length of the thermometer is 10.75-inches, so you can easily check the temperature of the meat at the grill or in the oven, and keep your hands away from the heat.
For quick measurements, the Lavatools Javelin is designed with an ultra-large 2-inch anti-fog, LCD backlit ambidextrous display, which has 360° viewing clarity and a power-saving mode. The numbers on the display automatically rotate depending on how the device is held, which makes it the perfect choice for left-handed cooks and when you need to cook at awkward angles.
A super-smart device, the thermometer has an intelligent stabilization feature and it notifies you with a loud alert or beep, and it can hold the readout so you do not have to re-check the temperature again. It can also automatically turn itself off to save conserve power and it has a very good water resistance level of IP65.
The Javelin PRO has a wide temperature range, from -40°F to 482°F, (-40°C to 250°C), and also has the ability to show maximum and minimum temperatures.
It goes into sleep mode after an hour of inactivity, and you can easily turn it off by folding down the probe, and its magnetic back makes it very easy to store anywhere in your kitchen, or even attach it to your stove for quick access.
One of the most energy-efficient thermometers, the Javelin needs just one CR2032 battery to operate, which is included, and it has a very good battery life of 4,000+ hours. It is ready to go to work as soon as you receive it, but it can be easily calibrated with ice-cold water or boiling water.
The thermometer is covered by a three-year warranty and it comes with an easy-to-read manual with accuracy test instructions and a troubleshooting guide.
For fashion-conscious foodies, the Javelin comes in 6 attractive colors: Chipotle Duo, Indigo Duo, Olive Drab, Sesame, Sesame Duo, and Stealth Ink.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- High level of accuracy
- Fast Instant-Read temperature of 2-3 seconds
- Designed for high-heating cooking
- 4.5-inch food-grade stainless steel probe with tapered tip
- Large 2″ auto-rotating ambidextrous backlit LED display
- IP65 splash resistance
- Intelligent Stabilization Alert + Temperature Hold
- -40~482°F (-40~250°C) temperature range
- Energy-efficient battery life of 4,000+ hours
- Automatic shut-off and motion awake feature
- Audible alarm
- Easy to calibrate
- Foldable design
- Integrated magnet for convenient storage
- 3-year warranty
- Available in 6 different attractive colors
Cons
- Relatively short probe
- Magnet could be more powerful
- Can only be closed by folding the probe
- Can be hard to open and close
4. iDevices Kitchen Thermometer
Love your high-tech devices? Invest in the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer. An excellent cooking tool, the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer is just right for those cooks who enjoy cooking and entertaining. With the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer, you will know exactly when your food reaches the optimal temperature, which means your food is cooked to perfection.
Loaded with heaps of intelligent cutting edge tech that will have you cooking like a professional, the kitchen thermometer allows you to monitor two temperatures simultaneously, so you can check the temperature of beef, fish, pork, lamb, and poultry, all from your smart device.
With a high level of connectivity, you can monitor and set custom or preset alarms for both probes, check the minimum and maximum temperature setting, pair multiple iDevices products to your smart device, use graphing and exporting, as well as having access to exclusive recipes that you can share with your social networks. The iDevices thermometer is compatible with iPhone 4S+, iPad mini, iPad 3+, iPod touch and with most Bluetooth Smart Ready Android devices that run 4.3+ operating systems.
If you are entertaining guests, you do not have to miss out on the festivities, as the thermometer has a very good 150 feet Bluetooth range. For worry-free cooking multi-tasking, the iDevices thermometer has got you covered. The digital screen will flash “On” or “Off” to alert you to its power status. You can use the arrow keys to switch between the temperature readings, and the LED indicators lights line up with each probe.
The Bluetooth LED indicator light blinks blue when it is pairing and stays illuminated when it has successfully paired with your choice of device. There is a large, easy to read, LED display, which illuminates once you and your smart device are within close proximity and it has an excellent temperature of between -22° F (-30°C) to 572° F (300°C).
The Kitchen Thermometer has a white plastic finish and metal accents and the metal probe measures 3.75 inches and the whole thermometer weighs 5.9 ounces, so it very compact and fits into the palm of your hand.
For quick and easy access, the magnetic base allows for seamless mounting to your oven, but an industrial-strength adhesive will be needed for mounting to non-magnetic surfaces.
You will need a battery to operate the device and it has a 150-hour battery life, and iDevices offer a one-year limited warranty for the device and 90-day warranty for the meat probes.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Great accuracy
- Ideal for multi-task cooking
- Solid white plastic construction
- Compact design
- Dual 3.75-inch probes can track two temperatures at once
- Wide temperatures range from 22° F (-30°C) to 572° F (300°C)
- Minimum and maximum temperature settings
- 150 foot Bluetooth smart range
- Magnetic mounting with illuminated display
- iDevices app
- Large, illuminated, easy to read LED screen
- Compatible with lots of devices and operating systems
- Pair multiple iDevices products to your smart device
- Custom and preset alarms
- Easy to use keypad
- Graphing and exporting
- Exclusive recipes
- Social sharing
- 1-year warranty
- 90-day warranty for the meat probes
Cons
- Expensive
- Takes a while to get used to it
- Limited battery life
- Not very accurate with large turkeys or roasts
5. ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe
For highly accurate meat temperature readings on demand and lots of other handy cooking features, the ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Meat Thermometer offers you a lot of cooking versatility. Whether it is cooking up a storm in your smoker, on the grill or outside on the barbecue, the ThermoPro is your best choice for perfectly cooked meat.
The ThermoPro has dual 6.5-inch food-grade stainless steel probes that allow you to monitor two lots of food at once. If you are entertaining, you do not have to miss out on the action, as the wireless digital meat thermometer has an excellent range of 300 feet and the additional mobile receiver will keep you updated on the temperature of your meal, so you can cook your least culinary creations, while taking some time out to mix with family and friends, do chores or watch TV without ever having to physically check on your food!
The TP20 displays both Fahrenheit and Celsius readings for temperatures from 32°F to 572°F (0°C to 300°C) It has an audible alarm or beeper alert for programmed temperatures, a countdown and count up timer with two different time duration options
With a high level of cooking versatility programmed in, theThermoPro has preset USDA-approved temperatures for 9 types of meat: Ground Beef, Ground Poultry, Beef, Veal, Chicken, Pork, Poultry, Lamb, and Fish. You can also check how well the meat is cooked according to taste such as: Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, Medium Well and Well Done, or set your own temperature settings manually.
There is no syncing required, and the large intuitive backlit LCD display is easy to read, so the ThermoPro is ideal for use in low light conditions, and the keypad also has easy to read control buttons.
You can expect reliable temperature readings as the food-grade stainless steel probe has a special step-down tip design that allows it to measure temperature more precisely and quickly, and the probe wires are rated for high temperatures of 716°F.
Both of the thermometer transmitter and receiver has a splash-proof rubber case sleeve, and the receiver has a pull-out countertop stand or belt clip so you can stand it up or carry it with you while you mix with your party guests, or you can use the included wire to hook the transmitter on the oven door or use as a stand.
The digital Thermometer Receiver comes with a digital Thermometer Transmitter, 2 x Food/Oven Temperature Probe, 4 x AAA batteries, and a manual.
ThermoPro offers a 1-year warranty and a lifetime sensor probe warranty.
Pros
- Great value for money
- High accuracy
- Thermometer transmitter and receiver
- Dual extra-long 6.5″ food-grade stainless steel probes
- Can be used for the BBQ, Oven, Smoker or Grill
- No syncing required
- A simple interface and easy setup
- Preset USDA approved temperatures for different types of meat
- Cook food according to taste: Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, Medium Well, Well Done
- Set your own temperature settings manually
- 32°F to 572°F (0°C to 300°C)
- Fahrenheit and Celsius readings
- Audible alarm alert
- Countdown and count up timer with 2 time durations
- Timer and temperature settings can be saved when the unit is powered off
- Remote Range: Up to 300 feet
- Splash-proof rubber sleeve cases
- Large, backlit LCD display
- Special step-down probe tip design
- Probe and wire can withstand up to 716°F (380°C)
- Receiver pullout countertop stand and belt clip
- Thermometer transmitter has a wire hook for easy portability
- 1-year warranty for the thermometer
- Lifetime sensor probe warranty
Cons
- The second probe isn’t as effective at monitoring meat
6. Alpha Grillers Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer
Become a grill master with the Alpha Grillers Meat Thermometer.
Undercooked or overcooked food will be a cooking faux pas of the past as the Alpha Grillers thermometer is an easy-to-use, ultra-fast, and an extremely accurate instrument that will help you to cook with confidence and enjoy properly cooked meals every time.
The Alpha Grillers smart digital temperature reading abilities begin as soon as you flip out and insert the strong 4-½-inch metal probe into steak, beef or pork. The probe also folds back in against the body for easier storage when not in use.
In just 4-7 seconds, the thermometer provides an extremely ±1°F accurate temperature on the large 1¼-inch x 3/8-inch back-lit screen that clearly displays the digits.
Perfect for outdoor cooking, the device is fully waterproof, and the display can be easily read in bright sunlight, so you can also use the thermometer while you grill steaks on a barbecue or smoke a ham in your smoker.
Designed for food and beverage versatility, you can also use the thermometer for turkey, deep frying with oil, making bread and cheese, and brewing beer or wine Alpha Grillers has incorporated additional user-friendly features to help you to work smarter. Individual meat temperatures for beef, lamb, pork, or veal are clearly displayed on the body of the thermometer.
The measurement device has a wide temperature range in both Fahrenheit and Celsius: -58 to 572-degrees Fahrenheit, and -50 to 300-degrees Celsius. The thermometer also has a back-lit button, a hold temperature button, a min/max temperature function, a calibration button, and an automatic on/off button.
For easy storage, you can use the large hanging loop to hang the thermometer up in your kitchen. A magnet on the back of the device allows you to attach the thermometer to a fridge or any metal surface. The bright red color makes it so easy to locate it in your kitchen drawer.
The meat thermometer also comes with a laminated detailed meat temperature chart and a lithium battery.
Alpha Grillers offers a lifetime guarantee on the meat thermometer.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Easy-to-use smart digital design
- Extremely accurate
- Ultrafast temperature reading in 4-7 seconds
- Large back-lit dial clearly displays digits
- Strong foldable metal probe
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor use
- Fully waterproof body
- Wide temperature range is displayed in Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Beef/lamb/pork/or veal temperatures are clearly displayed on the device
- Can be used for turkey, deep frying with oil, making bread and cheese, and brewing beer or wine
- Back-lit button
- Hold temperature button
- Min/max temperature function
- Calibration button
- Automatic on/off button
- Large hanging hook
- Magnet on the back
- Bright red color
- Laminated detailed meat temperature chart
- Lithium battery is included
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Plastic is not very strong
- Not recommended for oven use
- Cannot be submerged in water
Our Top Pick for the Best Meat Thermometer
Our top pick for the best meat thermometer is the ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer. The ThermoPro digital instant-read thermometer will have you cooking like a professional with its spot-on, precise temperature readings and will save you the embarrassment of your food from being undercooked or overcooked.
With dual-probe technology, an easy-to-read backlit LCD screen, and a mobile receiver, the Thermopro lets you monitor the temperature of all types of meat, while you enjoy mingling with your guests and family.
