The 8 Best Meat Thermometer Options for 2022 to Keep You Safe

cutting the  cooked beef

The best meat thermometer may not be the most important thing on your mi9nd. It may not even exist in your kitchen. Meat thermometers aren't exactly an item you think about replacing or upgrading often. You may not even know about the options available in today's best meat thermometer.

Unfortunately, with all the reports of food-borne illness and meat recalls, choosing to use an inferior meat thermometer can be costly to your health and the well-being of your family. It's never the wrong time to learn all you need to know about the best meat thermometer.

Comparison Table

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Why Finding the Best Meat Thermometer Is Important

thermomether

image via pixabay

U.S. food safety websites offer specific safe temperature ranges for cuts of beef and pork, poultry, ground beef, and ground turkey. Surprisingly, there are even specific guidelines for cooking hot dogs. Because you can't tell the doneness of meat by looking at it, significant research has been done that makes this a precise science. Therefore, staying in the safe range is important for the process of killing harmful food bacteria. Having an accurate meat thermometer helps you to avoid overcooking your meats.

Here is a basic chart from USDA.gov, but please check the links in the paragraph above for more detailed information about whichever meat you're cooking. Even if you have the best meat thermometer, you need access to this valuable information.

Meat Thermometer Types

The different types of thermometers that are available can be overwhelming. Here is the skinny on what you may find when you go looking for the best meat thermometer.

Leave-in analog thermometers

Digital instant-read thermometers

Leave-in digital probes

Leave-in wireless digital probes

Calibrating Your Meat Thermometer

The first step you should take when you buy the best meat thermometer is to calibrate it. Here is a video that shows you exactly what to do.

How We Reviewed

We reviewed the following thermometers on ease of use, price, warranty, and durability. While those things are important, the most important feature of the best meat thermometer is that it be accurate. Therefore, we put extra emphasis on accuracy. We examined the features that each thermometer had to offer. Then, we examined feedback from customers who bought these thermometers.

Our Picks for the Best Meat Thermometer

There are tons of meat thermometers on the market. We've plowed through the good, the bad, and the ugly to find what we believe is the best meat thermometer. Below, we have reviewed eight of the most popular meat thermometers we could find.

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Habor's instant-read meat thermometer will give you a reading in four to six seconds. This thermometer measures 4.7 inches long. It comes with a protective sheath and features a 10-minute auto-shutoff. However, it can't be left in meat as it cooks as the high temperature of the oven will destroy the thermometer.

Amazon reviewers rated this thermometer 4.4 out of 5 stars. Most raved about the quality of thermometer they received for the price. One person had a problem with her first thermometer but received excellent customer service. Although the first one was glitchy, she's delighted with her replacement. One customer used it for cheesemaking and bread baking as well as for meat.

While 76 percent of the people who reviewed this thermometer on Amazon gave it a five-star review, the bad reviews were really bad. One customer even said, "You had one job..." That customer had the horrible experience of sitting down to dinner and carving into an undercooked pork roast. More than one customer complained that the battery cover was cheap and flimsy and popped off easily.

This thermometer costs between $11 and $15. Habor offers a three-year limited warranty.

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Habor's instant-read meat thermometer will give you a reading in four to six seconds. This thermometer measures 4.7 inches long. It comes with a protective sheath and features a 10-minute auto-shutoff. However, it can't be left in meat as it cooks as the high temperature of the oven will destroy the thermometer.

Amazon reviewers rated this thermometer 4.4 out of 5 stars. Most raved about the quality of thermometer they received for the price. One person had a problem with her first thermometer but received excellent customer service. Although the first one was glitchy, she's delighted with her replacement. One customer used it for cheesemaking and bread baking as well as for meat.

While 76 percent of the people who reviewed this thermometer on Amazon gave it a five-star review, the bad reviews were really bad. One customer even said, "You had one job..." That customer had the horrible experience of sitting down to dinner and carving into an undercooked pork roast. More than one customer complained that the battery cover was cheap and flimsy and popped off easily.

This thermometer costs between $11 and $15. Habor offers a three-year limited warranty.

ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe

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The ThermoPro TP20 is one of the most popular meat thermometers on the market. It's a dual-probe wireless thermometer and allows you to cook by monitoring both your meat and your oven or grill temperature from up to 300 feet away. It features a large backlit LCD for nighttime grilling and an alarm alert for programmed temperatures. Furthermore, this thermometer has preset USDA temperatures for nine types of meat. The preset temps are what differentiates this ThermoPro wireless thermometer from similar ThermoPro thermometers.

Amazon reviewers rated this thermometer 4.4 out of 5 stars. One reviewer changed her initial review of two stars to five stars after she received amazing customer service. Another customer tested this thermometer with boiling, tepid, and cold water alongside her more expensive analog thermometer and there was no variation between leads.

Negative reviewers commented that the grill clip is not very functional. They say it slips around easily and isn't useful. Customers like the alarm but complain that it's excessively loud. One customer said that the probes do not last, but again, customer service was good. As with all thermometers, there were some complaints about accuracy.

This thermometer is priced at $59 to $99 and comes with ThermoPro's standard one-year warranty. However, the company offers a three-year warranty for registered products.

GDEALER Instant Read Super Fast Digital Electronic Food Thermometer

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The GDEALER thermometer reads temperature within four to six seconds. It has a nicely sized LCD display and an auto-shutoff feature. You can't leave this thermometer in the oven while you're cooking. Also, you have to press the hold button before withdrawing it from the food.

Amazon reviewers rated this thermometer 4.3 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers said that this thermometer is accurate. They also love that it's waterproof. Additionally, this thermometer comes calibrated right out of the box. Reviewers liked this feature.

Reviewers were annoyed that you have to pull this out of the meat to read it if you're grilling outside at night. One reviewer noted that the battery specs were wrong, so if you buy this thermometer, be sure to buy CR2032 batteries instead of CR2. However, even the negative reviews raved about the customer service of the Amazon seller.

This thermometer costs between $13 and $20. We were unable to find warranty information on the GDEALER website. This company is based in China. However, as noted above, Amazon reviewers said that the seller on Amazon responds quickly with replacement devices.

Inkbird Smart Wireless BBQ Bluetooth Thermometer

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The Inkbird IBT-4XS thermometer features Bluetooth wireless readings. It comes with a 1000mAH Li-Battery, which stays charged for up to 60 hours, and is rechargeable via USB. It has a magnetic back, making it convenient for putting on the fridge. Additionally, the large LED display and temperature graph makes it easy to read. Also, you can download a free app for iOS or Android. Bluetooth readings are accurate up to 150 feet.

On Amazon, this thermometer received 4.3 out of 5 stars. Reviewers praised the accuracy of this thermometer. Also, they said the alarms would definitely get your attention. Multiple reviewers appreciate the good customer service they received. Another reviewer enjoyed having four probes. All four probes tested accurately in ice water and boiling water. Additionally, reviewers loved the smartphone apps.

The negative reviews reported the same type of complaints we saw with most thermometers. There are always reviewers who say that the thermometers are inaccurate. It's important to test and calibrate your thermometer as even the best meat thermometer can be faulty. Glitchy wiring was a complaint about this thermometer.

The Inkbird thermometer is priced from $49 to $55 and is backed by a 12-month warranty.

iGrill 2

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The iGrill 2 is manufactured by Weber, one of the most respected brands in outdoor cooking. This is an app-connected and Bluetooth capable thermometer which can be used with both iOS and Android. While it comes with two heat-resistant meat probes, it has a four-probe capacity.

Additionally, this thermometer features popular temperature presets and a digital display. It has a higher temperature sensitivity than most thermometers. It can withstand temps of up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit.

Amazon reviewers rated this thermometer 4.3 out of 5 stars. One reviewer said that he got 75 feet of distance when outdoors, but less when separated by a french door. Most reviewers loved the smartphone apps that come with this thermometer. Several reviewers loved the color-coded probes.

Although many Amazon reviews were decent, reviews on the Weber website weren't so generous. This thermometer earned only 3.7 out of 5 stars. One reviewer said that Bluetooth range is not more than eight or 10 feet, which makes the feature nearly useless. Likewise, other reviewers complained about the range. Also, if you get out of range, the app has to be shut down, restarted, and reconnected. One reviewer pointed out that this thermometer would be better if it were Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. Most of the complaints were about the range and connectivity.

You can buy this thermometer for $99 to $116. Weber offers a one-year warranty on their thermometers.

Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo

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The Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo features a motion-activated two-inch backlit antifog display that rotates with a 360-degree global viewing angle. This thermometer has an integrated storage magnet, silver-based antimicrobial protection, and IP65 splash resistance. The company claims that the included battery will last for more than 4,000 hours.

Reviewers on the Lavatools website rated the Javelin PRO Duo 5 out of 5 stars, with 182 of the 204 reviews being five-star reviews. With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, Amazon reviewers were equally enthusiastic. One of the reviewers said that this thermometer is just as good as the pricier Thermapen. Customers loved the hold features, which allow you to stick it into hard-to-reach places. Foremost, customers loved the accuracy of this thermometer.

As with any product, there were a few negative reviews. Most were complaints that the item stopped working after minimal use. One person said it was larger than many thermometers and better suited for people with larger hands. Also, it may have a problem with getting damp when put in water.

This thermometer costs anywhere from $49 to $59, but it does come with a three-year limited warranty.

ThermoPro TP-02S Digital Instant-Read Thermometer

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The ThermoPro TP-02S is one of the least expensive ThermoPro thermometers. Made of rustproof metal, this thermometer comes with a handy keyring that is compatible with most kitchen hooks. It has a large LCD and 10-minute automatic shutoff. The probe length is 5.3 inches.

One of the most popular low-end thermometers on the market, the ThermoPro TP-02S is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Reviewers say that it exceeded their expectations, especially given the low price. Customers also praised its accuracy. One reviewer is more pleased with this little thermometer than he is with more expensive brands.

Reviewers who were unhappy with this thermometer were vocal about their complaints. One common wish was for a bigger and brighter screen that is easier to read. Other reviewers said that the accuracy is inconsistent. One user specifically said it's "50/50." More than one reviewer reported that the Amazon seller doesn't take returns. With that said, registering any ThermoPro product on ThermoPro's website earns a three-year warranty.

This thermometer costs between $8 and $10. Like all ThermoPro products, this thermometer comes with ThermoPro's standard one-year warranty. However, the company offers a three-year warranty for registered products.

Which Meat Thermometer Makes the Cut?

When it comes to the best meat thermometer, one size doesn't fit all. In our research, we found that people are most concerned with durability and accuracy. Many customers don't mind paying a higher price for a quality product. We've chosen two products in our search for the best meat thermometer, both of them ThermoPro. One of our primary concerns, in addition to accuracy, is reliability. ThermoPro's warranty is unbeatable and they have first-class customer service.

For a low-end thermometer, we recommend the ThermoPro TP-02S Digital Instant-Read Thermometer. While some of the other low-end thermometers we reviewed had a slightly better Amazon rating, they had a few consistent problematic issues that we don't see in the ThermoPro TP-02S.

For a high-end thermometer, we recommend the ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe. This beast of a meat thermometer is feature packed. The pre-set temperatures make it easy to safely cook any meat. It's also backed by ThermoPro's three-year warranty, which is a must when you're paying this price for a meat thermometer.

First and foremost, we hope you're convinced that cooking can be sheer joy when you're using the best meat thermometer. Safe and happy cooking!

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