The pandemic has brought us a touchless world that extends to thermometers. Gone are the traditional under-tongue thermometers when you’re sick, now there are non-contact thermometers that use advanced infrared sensors to take your temperature.
Smart thermometers take the guesswork out of taking your temperature and offer companion apps to help you track your vitals and improve your health over time.
When just any thermometer won’t do, these are the best thermometers for your family.
Likewise: The 5 best thermometers: measure the exact temperatures at home
- Free app
- Touchless reading
- Super fast readings
- Requires batteries
- Some users find it difficult to set up
Specifications: Reading method: Contactless Forehead | Reaction time: 1 second | Application: Kinsa App | Perfomance: 2 AAA batteries
The Kinsa Quick Scan Smart Thermometer is a battery-powered, FDA-cleared smart thermometer with a non-contact design that provides instant readings at the touch of a button. Because it’s touchless, it’s easy to share with the whole family. When using the Kinsa app, you can create customized profiles with medication reminders and medical history to get a comprehensive view of each person’s overall health. The app helps you easily track symptoms and temperatures. It also creates schedules so you know how long you’ve been sick and when to seek professional help based on your symptoms and age. The built-in HealthWeather map uses data from over 2 million Kinsa smart thermometers, so you’ll always know what’s going on around you.
- Helpful color indicators
- Easy to use
- Memory recall function
- No non-contact temperatures
- Users report a limited lifespan
Specifications: Reading method: ear | Reaction time: 1 second | Application: Braun Family Care App | Perfomance: 2 AA batteries
The Braun ThermoScan 7 is an ear thermometer that couldn’t be easier to use. It includes infrared technology to provide your temperature in just a few seconds. Its accuracy comes from its exclusive ExactTemp system, which relies on a light and beep to confirm the thermometer is positioned correctly. The ThermoScan 7 uses your age to provide specialized guidance with a color-coded display for easy reference. Once your temperature is ready, a helpful chart will help you decipher your results. It’s versatile enough to work for both kids and adults, and even babies.
- Contactless design
- Easy to use
- backlight
- User error common
- Vibration too light for some users
Specifications: Reading method: Contactless Forehead | Reaction time: 1 second | Application: iHealth MyVitals, iHealth Gluco Smart | Perfomance: 2 AAA batteries
The iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 is another non-contact thermometer based on infrared forehead measurements. It takes just a second to measure and report your temperature, using special technologies like a built-in distance sensor and an environmental sensor to reduce inaccuracy and provide more reliable results. It’s capable of collecting more than 100 data points per second while measuring your forehead’s IR energy to calculate your temperature. When the measurement is complete, a slight vibration alerts you to check the LED-backlit display.
- Long battery life
- 24-hour surveillance
- Including travel bag
- Some inaccuracies in younger infants
- May require additional readings
Specifications: reading method: Body Patches | Reaction time: Immediately | Perfomance: 1 lithium polymer battery
The VAVA Smart Baby Thermometer is specially designed to help you monitor your baby’s fever.
It works for you 24/7 and notifies you immediately if your child has a fever. This means fewer wake-ups for sleep-deprived parents, which is certainly appreciated in homes with newborns. You have the option to preset a certain number in advance, or you can rely on the built-in notifications to keep you up to date. You will be notified immediately when your child’s temperature is over 100℉ so you can take immediate action. The 24-hour battery life is an added reassurance, and using it couldn’t be simpler with an FDA-approved soft silicone patch that applies directly to your baby’s armpit for constant monitoring.
- Super fast
- Contactless design
- FSA Eligible
- Expensive
- Setup can be tedious
Specifications: Reading method: forehead | Application: Thermo App | Perfomance: 2 AAA batteries
The Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer is FDA cleared as a non-contact forehead thermometer. As a battery-powered option, it uses 16 different infrared sensors to better ensure accuracy. It can take your temperature instantly, using a color-coded fever indicator to take your temperature without contact. By downloading the Thermo app, you can save readings for future reference and get helpful health advice. Up to eight users can create profiles to access their past temperatures, but unlimited users are available in guest mode. The Thermo is also available without a prescription if you use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Our pick for the best smart thermometer is the Kinsa Quick Scan Smart Thermometer. With an FDA-approved design, it is easy to use thanks to instant non-contact readings. The app is an added convenience that allows you to store your family’s information with medical providers.
To see how it compares to other smart thermometers, here’s a rundown of our top picks.
|
Best smart thermometer |
Costs |
Type |
result time |
|
Kinsa QuickScan smart thermometer |
$39.49 |
Non-contact forehead |
1 second |
|
BraunThermScan 7 |
$54.88 |
Ear |
1 second |
|
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 |
$19.99 |
Non-contact forehead |
1 second |
|
VAVA Smart Baby Thermometer |
$51.98 |
body patches |
Immediate |
|
Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer |
$77.09 |
Non-contact forehead |
1 second |
To help you find the best smart thermometer, here are our expert recommendations.
|
Choose this smart thermometer… |
If you want… |
|
Kinsa QuickScan smart thermometer |
A reliable, easy-to-use thermometer |
|
BraunThermScan 7 |
A smart thermometer specially designed for your ears |
|
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer PT3 |
A no-touch option |
|
VAVA Smart Baby Thermometer |
A smart thermometer specially designed for your baby |
|
Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer |
To use your forehead to take your temperature |
When choosing the best smart thermometers, we considered several factors, including:
-
Type: We’ve selected options that are both touch-based and non-touch to ensure there’s the right smart thermometer for everyone.
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User: We look at smart thermometers that suit a range of users, from babies to adults.
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Time: It’s important to find smart thermometers that offer quick readings so you don’t get your results with a huge delay. The best smart thermometers give results in about a second.
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Price: Cost is always a factor, so we look for budget-friendly smart thermometers that won’t break the bank.
A smart thermometer is similar to a regular thermometer, collecting and reporting your data. However, a smart thermometer is different in that it can store your data and even create separate profiles to accommodate multiple users.
There are different types of smart thermometers that you can find.
-
Orally: You put this thermometer in your mouth to take your temperature.
-
Temporal: This uses your forehead to take a measurement.
-
tympanum: These readings are taken at your ear.
-
Rectal: These are taken from the anus and are considered the most reliable as they check internal body temperature, but are rarely used on anyone other than babies.
-
armpit: These thermometers use the armpit to take your temperature.
-
Contactless: These use infrared technology to completely skip touch and enable contactless reading.
While searching for the best smart thermometers, we also found these options that might be worth your consideration.