Buying guide for Which meat thermometer is best?
Those with a knack for whipping up delicious meals in the kitchen know how important temperature control is. It’s even more critical when cooking roasts or grilling poultry, red meat and fish. It prevents food from being undercooked, which can be harmful when consumed, and lets you closely monitor cooking temperatures so you can cook your meals to perfection.
The best meat thermometers are easy to use and offer fast response times to alert you when cooking temperatures meet or exceed a set threshold. Smart thermometers allow you to receive notifications straight to your smartphone, but traditional thermometers are cheaper, and if they’re equipped with a high-grade probe, they’ll also do the trick.
We researched numerous meat thermometers and found the Meater Plus Long-Range Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer to be the very best for most cooks. Thanks to its app, you can monitor the progress of your food and receive an alert when it’s done.
Our top picks
Best of the best
Product Specifications: Temperature Range: Internal Max up to 212 degrees and Ambient Max up to 527 degrees | Response Time: 3 seconds | Probe Length: NA | Display Type: Smart | Waterproof or Water Resistant: Water resistant
A smart thermometer is excellent for monitoring meat temperature no matter where you are. This smart meat thermometer has an open-air wireless Bluetooth range of over 1,000 feet. In homes with walls and obstacles, the average range is approximately 165 feet.
The app works with iOS and Android tablets and smartphones and provides estimated cook times. The guided cook system removes all the guesswork so you get consistent results every time, and you can set up custom alerts and notifications. Plus, you can monitor multiple meals cooking simultaneously, and if you need a range boost, you can bridge the connection with a second smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
This smart thermometer is suitable for preparing meals in various ways, including BBQ, oven, grill, kitchen, smoker and rotisserie. The wireless design makes it convenient for those who want to multitask around the house without worrying if the meat is cooked at the right temperature.
Best bang for the buck
Product Specifications: Temperature Range: Up to 300 degrees | Response Time: 2 to 3 seconds | Probe Length: NA | Display Type: LCD | Waterproof or Water Resistance: IP67 waterproof rating
Those who want a traditional thermometer that monitors temperatures when cooking foods such as meats, liquids, deep-fried appetizers and candy will not be disappointed. This thermometer is easy to use thanks to a large LCD and adjustable probe, and it comes with two batteries so you can use it as soon as you open it.
It has a large dial with a bright blue backlight to monitor temperature easily, whether you’re grilling outdoors in low light or baking in the kitchen. It has an IP67 protection rating, meaning it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to two minutes without damage, and it boasts a response time of 2 to 3 seconds. It has a meat temperature chart and four hook-and-loop dots for storage, and it’s pre-calibrated and ready to go right out of the box.
It’s a simple thermometer, and sometimes, that’s all you need to get a thoroughly cooked meal the way you want. It’s one of the cheaper meat thermometers on our list, but it works well in most cases and offers fast response times while delivering consistent results.
Responsive and intuitive
Product Specifications: Temperature Range: 14 to 572 degrees | Response Time: 0.5 seconds | Probe Length: 8.5” | Display Type: LCD | Waterproof or Water Resistance: NA
This thermometer is slightly more advanced than traditional meat thermometers but isn’t overly complicated. It’s an excellent smoker thermometer that flashes and beeps to tell you if your grill’s temperature exceeds your desired temperature range and when to add more fuel.
We love this thermometer because you can monitor two pieces of meat or grill temperatures without changing probes or using different devices. It features USDA preset temperatures, but you can manually adjust and set your preferred temperature. The large display features temperatures and a timer for an intuitive experience, and the backlight makes it easy to see temperatures in low-light conditions.
It offers terrific response times, immediately alerting you of temperature changes. What’s more, it’s certified by the National Sanitation Foundation Institute, making it safe for all foods. It’s slightly more expensive than a traditional thermometer, but it’s a terrific mid-tier probe thermometer considering its additional features.
Bargain pick smart thermometer
Product Specifications: Temperature Range: 15.8 to 572 degrees | Response Time: 2 seconds | Probe Length: NA | Display Type: Digital | Waterproof or Water Resistance: NA
This smart thermometer offers wireless connectivity so you can multitask without worrying about monitoring your cooking temperatures closely. It has a 650-foot Bluetooth range and features dual probes to get simultaneous temperature readings for two different meats at once.
The app is highly intuitive and provides real-time alerts when meat temperature changes. You can set your preferred food temperatures, customize alarms and timers and view graphs on your phone that show temperature trends. Plus, it comes loaded with USDA presets, which takes the guesswork out of cooking.
This unit doesn’t offer as many premium features as other smart thermometers. However, for the relatively low cost, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better smart thermometer that delivers accurate results.
Easiest to use
Product Specifications: Temperature Range: 32 to 446 degrees | Response Time: 15 seconds | Probe Length: 8” | Display Type: Digital | Waterproof or Water Resistance: No
This is as close to a traditional thermometer as you’ll get. However, this meat thermometer features a digital screen instead of a dial, which makes it easy to read temperatures. It provides fast, accurate readings, and you can toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
It boasts a temperature range of 32 to 446 degrees and works well whether you’re grilling over gas or charcoal. It’s powered by a single CR2032 battery, and it’s easy to clean — just wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. This simple maneuver helps prepare it for future use and keeps it in mint condition so it always provides accurate readings.
Although it isn’t nearly as advanced as the other meat thermometers on our list, this is an excellent bare-bones unit for anyone who wants a simple thermometer to monitor cooking temperature. It’s easy to use, works fast and provides consistent results.
Meat thermometer types
A meat thermometer may be a simple tool, but there are several different kinds of meat thermometers available for today’s cook. Let’s take a look.
Leave-in analog meat thermometers
These old-fashioned dial thermometers remain in the meat while it cooks. While inexpensive and easy to use, they’re also difficult to read without removing the meat from the oven since you have to look closely to see the reading on the dial.
Although they take longer to provide accurate temperature readings, analog meat thermometers are sturdy and, unlike digital thermometers, they don’t require batteries.
Instant-read analog meat thermometers
Inexpensive and readily available, these dial-top thermometers require a minute or less to provide a temperature reading once you insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat. It can be difficult to read the temperature because you have to look closely at the dial, and you’ll get an inaccurate reading if you insert the thermometer incorrectly.
To get accurate readings, make sure the stem of an analog instant-read thermometer is inserted at least 2 inches into the food. Instant-read analog thermometers do not remain in the meat while it cooks.
Digital instant-read meat thermometers
Just push the probe into the thickest part of the meat, wait a few seconds, and read the temperature. Digital instant-read meat thermometers don’t stay inside the oven while the meat cooks. They work the same as analog thermometers, but they have an LCD screen that makes it easier to read temperatures and get faster readings. They also provide more accurate readings since they can measure temperature to a 10th of a degree, while most analog thermometers can only do so by increments of 1 degree.
Leave-in digital probes
These thermometers provide the best of both worlds: The probe remains inside the meat as it cooks, and the base unit sits on a nearby counter where you can easily read it. A cord, which is thin enough not to break the oven door seal, connects the two. These are accurate and easy to use and often have additional features, such as a timer and alarm.
Disposable pop-up indicators
You’ll most often use these in whole turkeys, and some meatpackers sell their turkeys with the pop-up indicator already in place. The indicator should pop up when the bird’s interior reaches the recommended temperature of 165 degrees.
Pop-up indicators are manufactured under strict quality-control measures to ensure accuracy within 2 degrees.
Leave-in wireless digital probes
These thermometers are similar to digital leave-in probes, but they transmit wirelessly to the base unit and, like most digital thermometers, are highly accurate to a 10th of a degree. That makes this type of thermometer a great choice for both outdoor grilling and indoor cooking.
Valuable meat thermometer features
Some meat thermometers do nothing more than indicate temperature; others have lots of bells and whistles. Every meat thermometer, whether simple or fancy, should provide accurate, easy-to-read results in a timely manner.
If you prefer something beyond basic, here are some of the handiest features to look for.
- Temperature alarm/alert: A beep, flashing light, or combination of the two alerts you when the meat reaches the recommended or programmed temperature.
- Stabilization alert: A beep lets you know that your instant-read thermometer has reached a stable temperature reading.
- Timer: This counts down your cooking time.
- Preset temperatures: These thermometers are preset with the USDA recommendations for safe cooking temperatures.
- Programmable temperature: You can choose your target temperature.
- High-temperature alert: You’ll receive an audible alert or flashing light if the meat’s temperature goes above the programmed setting.
- Dual probes: One probe goes into the meat; the other monitors the temperature of your grill.
- Rotating display: The digital readout rotates to accommodate different angles. This is a useful feature if you cook a wide range of meats.
- Temperature range: The best meat thermometers have a wide temperature range. Some measure up to 600 degrees.
- Backlight: It’s handy to have a backlight if you use your thermometer on the grill or want to be able to peer into the back of the oven.
- Auto-off: The thermometer shuts off when not in use to preserve battery life.
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Your thermometer should be able to tolerate cooking juices, splashes of sauce and occasional dunks in water for washing or calibrating.
- Bluetooth compatibility: Some wireless digital probes don’t require a base; they connect right to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
- Price: No need to break your budget on a meat thermometer. You can buy a good, albeit simple, digital thermometer for around $20. For a fancier model, expect to spend $50 or more.
How to use a meat thermometer
The key to accurate results with a meat thermometer is to place it in the meat correctly. No matter what type of meat you’re cooking, the thermometer should not touch bone. Generally, you want the probe tip in the thickest portion of the meat.
- If you’re cooking a turkey or chicken, check the temperature in the bird’s thigh near the breast. It’s easy to find the perfect spot by pushing the probe in until it hits the bone, then drawing the probe back a couple of inches.
- For a large, boneless roast or ham, slide the thermometer’s probe into the thickest section of meat. Try to avoid the gristle and fat.
- When checking hamburgers or thin cuts of meat, push the probe in sideways.
- Once the probe is positioned correctly, leave it in place until you have your reading. Even an instant-read thermometer takes a few seconds to reach peak temperature.
- Remember that meat continues to cook for up to 10 minutes after you remove it from the oven or grill. Adjust your cooking time, if necessary.
Calibrating your meat thermometer
An inaccurate thermometer isn’t useful, but how do you know if yours is accurate or not? The answer: You should calibrate your thermometer before its first use and then at least yearly — or anytime the thermometer is dropped or otherwise treated roughly.
- Start by dipping the thermometer probe into a glass filled with ice and water. You should get a reading within a couple of degrees of 32 degrees.
- Next, dunk your thermometer into a pot of boiling water. The reading should be within a degree or two of 212 degrees.
- If your thermometer is out of calibration, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for recalibrating it. If your thermometer does not allow recalibration, it’s time to buy a new one.
Maintaining your meat thermometer
Meat thermometers are like any other kitchen utensil in that if you want yours to last, you need to know how to maintain it. Thoroughly clean your meat thermometer after each use to prevent bacteria build-up and ensure you get accurate readings every time.
The best way to clean your meat thermometer is to soak the prong in hot water and air-dry it on a clean towel. If you want to disinfect it, you can clean the prong with rubbing alcohol. However, avoid wetting the dial, whether it’s digital or analog, as water can damage the unit and render it ineffective.
If you have a digital meat thermometer, it’s best to turn it off before cleaning and after each use to preserve battery life.
How we analyzed
For this guide, we researched a wide range of meat thermometers, from traditional designs to high-tech smart models. We studied customer reviews and the product’s design and specs to narrow down the dozens of options to our top five. The best meat thermometers offer fast response times and accurate readings with easy-to-read analog or digital dials. Our list offers thermometers that deliver high-grade performance and premium features to make cooking more manageable.
Tips and caution
- As you approach the meat’s internal center, your thermometer’s reading may dip. This is normal. You want to make sure the coolest part of the meat is within the safe temperature range before you consume it.
- A meat thermometer and a candy thermometer are two different things. If you want to use a meat thermometer to make candy, first make sure the temperature goes high enough for your candy recipe.
- Just about every professional chef and top cooking website recommends digital meat thermometers over analog meat thermometers. Digital devices tend to be far more accurate.
- For accurate (and safe) cooking results, don’t forget to calibrate your meat thermometer. Do this when you first buy it and at regular intervals after that.
- Sanitization is highly important when it comes to meat thermometers. Sanitize your meat thermometer before use, after use and in between uses if you’re switching the thermometer from one dish to another.
- Salmonella is a foodborne illness that you can contract by eating undercooked meat. The CDC of the U.S. tells us that approximately 420 Americans die per year of salmonella poisoning.
- Trichinella spiralis is a worm larva found in some undercooked game and pork. Ingesting this larva causes trichinosis, an illness that involves gastrointestinal issues and other symptoms. The severity of trichinosis may be affected by how much is ingested.
- Wash your thermometer’s probe by hand with gentle dishwashing soap and warm water after every use. Few are safe for the dishwasher.
- If you’re cooking stuffing inside a turkey, both the turkey and the stuffing need to reach at least 165 degrees before they are safe to eat.
- If you have an induction cooktop, be aware that its magnetic field can temporarily interfere with a digital thermometer. You may need to turn off your cooktop to get an accurate reading or use an analog thermometer instead.
