Each of the thermometers recommended in the table below has aced our rigorous lab tests, which include assessments of accuracy, speed and ease of use.

However, the type of thermometer you’re using can alter what’s considered a normal reading: An oral reading of 100 degrees or higher may be considered a fever, as is an armpit reading of 99 degrees or higher. It’s important to read the manual that comes with your specific thermometer, so you know how it’s calibrated. The manual should specify what’s considered a normal temperature versus a fever based on the device you’re using. The Braun No-Touch also works by holding it directly on the forehead, which might be easier if you’re taking your own temperature. This is not an option available on many other no-touch thermometers. If you need to take the temperatures of multiple people, the no-touch option will reduce cross-contamination and lessen the risk of spreading germs. The Braun Digital No-Touch Forehead Thermometer was by far the best we tested. This thermometer guides you through the entire temperature-taking process with directions conveniently printed right on the front of the thermometer. Our medical experts emphasized the importance of following directions for any particular thermometer used since they all work a little differently. As the name suggests, the iProven Forehead and Ear Thermometer allows you to take your temperature two ways: a swipe across your forehead or in the ear canal. Using this thermometer right out of the box was extremely easy, especially with the clearly indicated “ear” and “head” buttons.Dr. Johnston also flags the issue of cleaning and caring for your thermometer. Thermometers with a probe will require cleaning after use, she explains, while infrared thermometers won’t since they’re not used internally. The Kinsa Smart Thermometer offers the exact same app as the Kinsa Smart Ear Digital Thermometer, but it allows you to take your temperature orally, rectally or under the armpit. We found the thermometer incredibly easy to move across the forehead, and it felt better than some of the other forehead thermometers that go against your skin, some of which felt a little too rigid and hard. When we tested against a 4-year-old’s forehead, he concurred that this one was smooth and in fact actually felt “nice.” He even asked for his temperature to be taken with the Elepho eTherm over and over again, just for fun. The thermometer is one of the easiest to clean, as it’s fully waterproof, meaning you can use just soap and water. It also comes with a plastic container to ensure the entire thermometer is kept clean when it’s not being used. The app will also help guide you on what to do when you have a fever, such as when to take medication and when to see a doctor. You can also set up medication reminders if needed. There are also some animations on the app to keep kids entertained while their temperature is being taken.

We took our temperature with both methods and found about a degree difference between the two. Our ear canal readings were more accurate — and consistent — which is exactly what we expected, since the instructions state that the ear is more of an “exact measurement” and head mode is an “indicative measurement.” This is why your doctor will ask you the method by which you took your or your child’s temperature, as they will many times add or subtract a degree to determine if the temperature reading is concerning. To test each thermometer, we started off by reading through the manual to learn the ins and outs of the design, including how to take temperature, change the reading from Fahrenheit to Celsius, and details on how the readings will be displayed. From here, we took three temperature readings and compared the speed and consistency, assessing the memory recall feature if there was one.

Why You Should Trust Us

With the supervision of medical professionals, the Health team tested 25 digital thermometers in our Lab, and at home over the course of a month to see how easily and accurately they took our body temperatures. We evaluated each device for setup, response time, accuracy, ease of use, data readability, and durability since these are the factors we determined to be the most important when choosing between digital thermometers for at-home use. This thermometer allows you to take your temperature readings three different ways — orally, rectally or under the armpit. First, we tested our temperature orally — with and without probe covers (disposable casings that go over the thermometer tip to keep the device sanitary), and we received similar readings between 98.3 degrees Fahrenheit and 98.8 degrees Fahrenheit with each method. That wasn’t the case with all of the oral thermometers we tested — such as the Femometer Infrared Thermometer, which had up to a 1.64 degree Fahrenheit difference with and without probe covers — making this thermometer much more desirable. This no-touch forehead thermometer has a very similar look and feel as one of our favorites, the Elepho eTherm Infrared Ear & Forehead Thermometer, although it doesn’t offer an ear recording option. The thermometer is sleek and slim in design, and much smaller than some of the other no-touch forehead options. When you are looking for a thermometer, you should focus on finding the one that is easiest for you to read and use,” says Srini K. Hejeebu, MD, internal medicine specialist at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, adding that this will probably be some kind of digital thermometer for the majority of people. It’s not always a given that a higher-priced thermometer will last longer than a cheaper one; sometimes, all the technology that gives a higher-priced device its costly price tag makes it more prone to failure. But whatever type you choose, you may want to focus on buying one made in the U.S.