All parents know how difficult taking their baby’s temperature can be. As infants tend to run a fever rather often, it’s best to have an easy-to-use and accurate thermometer at hand. Choosing a thermometer may not seem like a complicated task, but you will see that once you start looking, you’ll come across abundant options. So, we have decided to help the parents find the best baby thermometer for their needs.
The market offers multiple thermometer types and even more brands — from the traditional rectal thermometers to the latest digital ones. So, keep reading to find the perfect choice for your little one.
How to Choose the Best Thermometer for a Baby
To help you pick the best for your needs, we’ll go through the most common thermometer options.
Digital Thermometer
Digital thermometers use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature. You can use them under the tongue, the armpit, or in the rectum. Since specialists recommend rectal as the most accurate baby thermometer, it is good to have one of these for the first year or two.
Ear Thermometer
Ear thermometers are also known as tympanic thermometers. They use infrared rays to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. They are suitable for babies over six months old.
Ear thermometers are very quick and generally comfortable for both children and adults. Still, if your child is suffering from an ear infection, measuring temperature this way could be uncomfortable and inaccurate.
Forehead Thermometer
Forehead thermometers are often considered the best baby thermometers on the market due to their convenience. They use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery — the central vein on the forehead.
These thermometers read temperature fast and are non-invasive. However, they are not as reliable as the digital ones. You can start using them once your child is three months old.
Smart Thermometers
A smart thermometer might be the best baby thermometer in terms of accuracy and convenience, but you can expect it to be the most expensive. You can often pair it with an app that collects data to analyze or offers additional readings.
Some models measure the forehead, ear canal, or mouth temperature, and there are even non-contact options.
Pacifier Thermometers
Pacifier thermometers aren’t as convenient as they sound because your baby would need to hold the pacifier still for three to five minutes straight to get the correct reading. So, unless they are asleep, most babies won’t be able to do that.
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Best Baby Thermometer For This Year
This thermometer is suitable for taking the temperature in the ear and the forehead region. It features a clinically accurate algorithm, which ensures on-point reading — with a minimal error margin (only 0.1oF for body mode).
The Goodbaby thermometer has an infrared scanner that measures body and object temperature and an LCD screen, convenient for nighttime use. Its memory recalls up to 35 readings.
The feature that might make it the best thermometer for a baby is the color temperature indicator. Yellow comes up when the baby’s temperature is normal, orange is for a need of attention, and red signifies high fever or hypothermia. The thermometer comes in a trendy velvet-like soft pouch and a set of batteries.
It will cost you around $12.99.
Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer
Pros
- Affordable price
- Ergonomic design
- Waterproof and easy to clean
Cons
- The measuring can be disturbing for the baby
This compact and ergonomic rectal thermometer is an excellent choice for accurate readings. It is proclaimed the best baby rectal thermometer for a good reason.
The thermometer design is practical and easy to hold. It has a conveniently large display with a backlight, showing reading in just ten seconds. It is also waterproof and convenient for cleaning.
Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer features a soft, flexible tip that won’t be uncomfortable for your baby. It has an indicator to let you know when the battery is low and a beeping alarm to inform you the reading is ready.
You can buy it for around $12.99.
FridaBaby Quick-Read Rectal Thermometer
Pros
- High-speed readings
- Parent-proof insertion stopper
- Affordable price
Cons
- Varying accuracy
This digital rectal thermometer for babies will provide you with a high-speed reading within ten seconds. Among its best features is the parent-proof rectal insertion stopper that prevents you from inserting the thermometer too far when taking the temp.
The thermometer is made of BPA and latex-free materials, and it has a large display with a backlight, making nighttime checks easier. Moreover, it is water-resistant, and thus, easy to clean. It has a memory capacity to store the last ten reads. It also comes with a carry pouch.
The price of this top-rated baby thermometer is only $13.59.
FridaBaby 3-in-1 True Temp Thermometer
Pros
- Multifunctionality
- Fast readings
- No need to wake up the baby to use
Cons
- Required to install the app to use it
That is another multifunctional option. You can use it as an oral, rectal, and underarm thermometer. This model has all the same helpful features as the previous FridaBaby Thermometer.
It has a 10-second reading and an additional 30-second accurate read. You can use water and soap to maintain hygiene.
It costs around $9.99.
iProven Dt-R1221AWG Medical Thermometer
Pros
- Interactive digital display with smiley faces
- Very low price
- Fast reading
Cons
- Occasional lower reading
That is one of the best toddler thermometer options that you can use orally or rectally. It takes only ten to twenty seconds to check for a fever. It features a flexible soft tip to lower the discomfort.
The thermometer is also waterproof, ensuring high levels of hygiene — you can simply wash it using running water and some soap. It comes in a hard case for safe storing. The digital display with smiley faces is one of its best features. This model is not only one of the best thermometers for a baby but one of the most affordable, as well — only $4.97.
Braun ThermoScan 7 Ear Thermometer
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Innovative case
- Includes disposable tip filters
Cons
- High price
That is an excellent thermometer you can easily insert into the baby’s ear. It won’t startle them because the tip is pre-warmed.
This Braun baby thermometer features the Age Precision option that allows adjusting the settings to match your baby’s age. It is a valuable feature because the normal fever range varies in different ages.
The thermometer has a practical color-coded display to inform you whether your child’s temperature is average. The package also includes disposable tip filters so you can maintain hygiene when sharing the thermometer among family members. It has memory to store the last nine readings.
This model might be the best ear thermometer for a baby but will cost you around $54.88.
Hotodeal Non-Contact Infrared Forehead Thermometer
Pros
- Convenient to use.
- Measures body and surface temperature.
- Alarms you if the temperature is too high
Cons
- Not entirely accurate
If your goal is to keep the baby sleeping while getting a read, this non-contact infrared thermometer is the one for you. What makes it the best thermometer for kids is the detection range of three to five centimeters and the quick result display of one second.
The thermometer has two modes of detecting — body or surface. It means you can also take the temperature of liquids, food, or even the room. It features an LCD screen with a backlight.
This digital thermometer for babies has an alarm to inform you if the baby’s temperature is too high. It also has an automatic shutdown function to save battery life, and it stores the data for up to 99 measurement records.
You can find this model on Amazon for only $39.75.
Kinsa QuickCare Digital Thermometer
Pros
- Very accurate
- Easy to operate
- Effortless cleaning
Cons
- The app allows a single account to connect
You can use this multifunctional thermometer orally, under-arm, or rectally. It provides reading in eight seconds, and the illuminated display makes it convenient to use during the night. It might be the best infant thermometer due to its comfortable tip, modern design, and effortless cleaning.
You can link the thermometer to your smartphone via Bluetooth to give you tips and advice on interpreting the readings. It uses the free Kinza app to help you — it can suggest getting some rest or fluids or a trip to the doctor. It even has a fun bubble popping game to distract your child as they wait eight seconds for the read.
The price of this digital thermometer for a baby is $24.98.
Kinsa Smart Ear Thermometer
Pros
- Fast reading
- Ergonomic design
- Works with or without the app
Cons
- It isn’t waterproof, only water-resistant.
If you prefer in-ear temperature readings, this is likely the best thermometer for toddlers. It gives readings in under two seconds and features an illuminated display and a comfortable, ergonomic design.
While it isn’t waterproof, it is water-resistant and made from BPA and latex-free materials.
This model also gives you the option to link it to the Kinsa app for further assistance.
Its price starts at $30.99.
Happy Care by Enji Thermometer for Oral Rectal Armpit and Underarm
Pros
- Multifunctionality
- Handy digital read-out
- Cheap and easy to use
Cons
- Slow reading
Doctors usually use rectal thermometers as they give the most accurate readings. Happy Care is the best children’s thermometer if you want a thermometer that has all three options — oral, rectal, and underarm.
It provides a reading in just a few seconds, and you can use it for babies, adults, and even pets. You will also get access to their free e-book, which provides helpful solutions to multiple health problems.
This thermometer is budget-friendly and also offers a lifetime ‘accurate temperature’ guarantee.
It will cost you only $9.98.
Vava Baby Thermometer
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- LCD screen and high-temperature warning
- Battery lifespan indication
Cons
- High price
This top-rated baby thermometer monitors temperatures through a wireless patch. The patch is made of skin-friendly silicone that you should attach to your baby’s armpit. It will display the reading on an LCD screen and alert you with beeps and a blinking LED light if it detects a high temperature.
The patch holds its charge for 24 hours and takes an hour and a half to recharge. Moreover, it has an indicator to let you know how much battery life it has left. One of these baby digital thermometers will cost you $94.63.
Motorola Care+ 3-in-1 Smart Non-Contact Baby Thermometer
Pros
- Light to match the reading
- Measures body, food, and liquid temperature
- Excellent Hubble app
Cons
- No OFF button. You need to take the batteries out after each measurement or let the thermometer turn off by itself after nearly an hour
This digital thermometer for babies measures temperatures within an inch range in less than a second. Plus, it can also take temperature readings of foods and liquids (for example, measuring milk or bath water temperature).
What makes this thermometer stand out is its pairing function with the Hubble app. You can use the app to track temperature history and monitor fevers over time. You can also share readings, set medicine alarms, log systems, and even get health and nutrition tips.
The light detector might make this model the best baby thermometer for you. If it detects a high temperature, the light will turn red, otherwise, it will remain green.
The nighttime mode is incredibly convenient since it turns off the beep sound so that it won’t wake up your sleeping baby. The thermometer automatically powers off and has a low battery alert.
The price of this thermometer is $21.63.
People Also Ask
What type of thermometer is the most accurate?
In general, the most accurate thermometers are the digital ones. However, there are different types of digital thermometers — rectal, ear, oral, etc. Of course, the accuracy of the reading depends on the quality of the product itself.
Is a forehead thermometer accurate for babies?
These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the central vein in the forehead called the temporal artery. They are non-invasive and feature a fast temp reading.
Still, you will have to wait for your baby to be at least three months old to start using them. Also, these thermometers aren’t as accurate as the digital ones.
What thermometer do pediatricians use?
Most often, pediatricians use rectal thermometers in the first year of a baby’s life. Some of them even prefer using it in the first three years.
Still, these thermometers can be somewhat hard for at-home usage, especially if your baby is asleep and you don’t want to wake them up. So, it might be more convenient to use some of the other options.
Which type of thermometer is most accurate for babies?
Accuracy depends primarily on the manufacturer and the product itself.
Medical professionals consider rectal thermometers to be the most accurate ones. However, with the new technologies and medical advancements in recent years, we can confidently say that every thermometer type (digital, ear, oral, rectal, etc.) can be the best baby thermometer depending on your preference.