The 6 Best Instant Read Thermometers for 2024

best instant read thermometers

SmokedBBQSource is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page. Learn more

Here’s a secret you wouldn’t know from watching celebrity pitmasters cooking on TV.

Everyone who takes barbecue and grilling half-seriously uses an instant-read meat thermometer.

Even if you have years of experience around the grill, the only surefire way to deliver perfectly cooked meat to the table is by using an instant-read digital thermometer.

After testing dozens of instant-read digital thermometers, we think the ThermoWorks Thermopop 2 is the best instant-read thermometer for most people. You get fast read times, a high-resolution display, and a high level of accuracy all at a low price point.

If you want crazy fast one-second, read times and better build quality, the Thermapen ONE, also from ThermoWorks, is the best option money can buy.

Best Overall
Best Budget
  • Crazy fast one second read times
  • Large, bright, backlit screen
  • Five-year warranty
  • Great quality for the price
  • Improved display
  • Multiple color options
  • It's an expensive piece of kit
  • Probe case easy to lose
Best Overall
  • Crazy fast one second read times
  • Large, bright, backlit screen
  • Five-year warranty
  • It's an expensive piece of kit
Best Budget
  • Great quality for the price
  • Improved display
  • Multiple color options
  • Probe case easy to lose

The Best Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometers Reviewed

1. The Best Digital Meat Thermometer – ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

Read our full ThermoPop 2 review.

thermopop 2 thermometer testing turkey breast temperature
ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 Meat Thermometer

The original ThermoPop was our pick for best budget meat thermometer with its fast and accurate read times and user-friendly design.

The recently released ThermoPop 2 has a 33% larger screen, with a 20% thinner case, faster read times, and is more accurate.

You also now get an auto-rotating display, a feature which used to be only found on the Thermapen One.

ThermoWorks, are obsessed with fast and accurate temperature measurement. They have a large range of temperature measuring tools available. Years of experience in designing thermometers for professional pitmasters and the food services industry shines through in the clever and thoughtful design of the ThermoPop 2.

The new screen is easy to read from any angle. It’s backlit so you can check temperatures in low light.

It’s also designed to accommodate both left and right-handed users, and the ability to switch between °C and °F.

While all those features I just mentioned make life easy, the all-important questions to consider when choosing a digital meat thermometer center around speed, reliability, and accuracy.

The ThermoPop will give you a reading in around 2 – 3 seconds, a full second faster than the original.

Like all Thermoworks products, the ThermoPop can read internal temperatures between -58 – 572°F and is accurate to within 2°F.

It also boasts a lithium battery (which is included) that will last around 4,000 hours. And if you manage to chalk up that many hours of use, you can easily replace the battery.

The unit is also now IP67 certified fully waterproof. A great feature that makes it easy to clean.

What We Like:

  • Clever design touches – Features such as the rotating display, ergonomic design and backlit screen for use at night might seem like minor details, but they all help to make it so easy to read the temperature quickly and easily.
  • Really long battery life – You can expect 4,000 hours of use with the lithium battery included.
  • Splash-proof design -IP67 rating is a huge plus when you consider that you will be working with sprays, sauces, and marinades when cooking. It also makes cleanup easy.

What we don’t like:

  • Uses thermistor technology – Not as fast or accurate as the more expensive thermocouple tech used in the Thermapen ONE.
  • Probe housing – Most thermometers in this guide let you fold the probe away for safe storing when you aren’t using it. The ThermoPop has a case where you slide the probe in. It’s not a big complaint but it’s a separate part to worry about losing.

The ThermoPop 2 comes in 9 choices of color, from candy pink to classic black.

If you want faster read times and more rugged build quality the Thermapen ONE is better in every way, but it’s got a price point to match. With the ThermoPop, you get a lot of features for a super affordable price.

2. The Best Meat Thermometer for Enthusiasts – ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

Read our full Thermapen ONE review.

thermoworks thermapen one thermometer review

On the outside, the ONE looks virtually identical to its predecessor. It’s not until you drill down into the specifications that you see what a monster this thermometer is.

The Thermapen is the first instant-read thermometer that lives up to its name, with a 1 second read time.

The accuracy has also been improved with your temp reading guaranteed to be accurate within ±0.5°F (±0.3°C) when you are measuring between 4 to 248°F

If you consider yourself a serious grill or pitmaster, there’s really no other choice than the Thermapen One.

You can see the ONE in action in our video review below.

Thermapen ONE Thermometer Review

While there’s no denying the price is steep, this is an incredibly valuable tool to have.

The ONE is great for barbecue and grilling, but it’s also a super versatile general kitchen thermometer that can be used for baking bread, making candy, and brewing beer.

If you are trying to decide between the ThermoPop and the ONE, it’s not just the faster read speeds and better accuracy the make the ONE stand out.

The probe housing is rugged and being able to fold the probe away is super convenient. The automatically rotating backlit display is bright and easy to read even with a lot of glare (or if you are cooking a brisket in the early hours of the morning).

The automatic motion-sensing sleep and wake mode also makes the ONE that much more convenient to use.

You can display temperature in either degrees Fahrenheit or centigrade and can display temperatures resolution to either 0.1 or 1 degree.

Battery life is good for 2,000 hours, and you can easily change the AAA battery.

What We Like:

  • Crazy level of accuracy and super-fast read speeds – When you’ve got the grill loaded up it’s nice to be able to get an accurate temperature measurement within ±0.5°F within 1 seconds.
  • Large auto rotating LCD display – The screen measures 1 H x 1.54 W inches and the temperatue reading is always displayed large and bright no matter what time of day or night. No matter what angle you are using to take a temp the numbers are always rotated correctly.
  • Build quality and warranty– With its thick casing and IP67 waterproof standard, this unit is incredibly durable and has easily with-stood a few knocks off my table. Thermoworks offer a generous five year warranty and is based in the USA so you get a bit of extra peace of mind that you can easily get someone on the phone if you need help.

What we don’t like:

  • Steep price – The ONE is professional-grade quality, and you pay extra for the build quality, accuracy and quick read time.

You can currently choose either red, and ThermoWorks will be adding other colors in the next few weeks.

If you want to save money there’s nothing wrong with buying the cheaper ThermoPop. But if you’re serious about grilling and barbecue then upgrading to the ONE is worth every penny.

3. Best Budget Meat Thermometer – Lavatools Javelin

The Javelin comes with a lot of features similar to the ThermoPop, perhaps with just a few fewer conveniences such as the backlit, rotating screen. It is still a great cooking thermometer, and worthy of consideration if you are in the market for an instant read thermometer.

The Javelin does come out on top in terms of accuracy. It promises a temperature read accuracy of +/- 0.9 degrees fahrenheit. In terms of speed, it will deliver a reading in around 4 seconds.

The battery life of the Javelin, while not as impressive as the ThermoPop, is still nothing to be sniffed at. The Javelin’s battery should last around 4,000 hours before it needs to be replaced.

The probe is a little shorter than the ThermoPop, meaning it might not get right to the middle of some bigger cuts of meat.

The probe has a tapered design, which means the puncture in your meat should be minimal. The probe is also coated with a silver-ion antimicrobial coating. This means that bacteria should not grow on the surface on the probe.

Another handy feature of the Javelin is a magnetized cover, which means you can whack the thermometer on your fridge to save it getting lost in the bits’n’bobs drawer. The probe also folds in neatly to make this thermometer really portable and easy to store.

The Javelin boasts a -40 – 482°F temperature range. While not as wide temperature range as the ThermoPop’s range, there are not many foods I can think of that would require you to be measuring temperatures outside of this range.

What We Like:

  • Value for money – A reliable, thermometer that’s
    accurate to +/- 0.9°F at a very reasonable price.
  • Splashproof design – Similar to the ThermoPop, this unit is splashproof, which is a big plus when working around water and other liquids when cooking.

What We Don’t Like:

  • Missing some smart features – You miss out on a couple of really handy features such as the rotating, backlit screen that the ThermoPop boasts.
  • The probe is short – This could be a little annoying if you plan on cooking large cuts of meat like Boston butt or brisket.

While there are a couple of areas in which the Javelin comes up a little short when pitted against the ThermoPop, we don’t think any of them are deal-breakers.

If you are interested in the Javalin they also sell a Pro version with faster reading times and a larger screen.

Get the latest price on Amazon.

4. Best Budget Alternative to the Thermapen – ThermoPro Lighting

Read our full Thermapen Lightning review.

If you like the look of the Thermapen One but can’t justify the cost, the Lightning is a good alternative.

Our reviewer really liked how the Lightning’s display rotated automatically to make the temperature easy to read from any angle.

She also thought the automatic shut-off feature was a lifesaver.

In terms of read times, the Lightning promises sub-one second. In our tests, it was definitely fast, but it did seem to take ever so slightly longer with large cuts of meat like brisket.

5. The Best High Tech Instant-Read Thermometer – FireBoard Spark

Read our full FireBoard Spark review.

fireboard spark review

While we picked the Thermapen ONE for our top enthusiast choice, the Spark from FireBoard is a great alternative if you want a do-it-all thermometer.

The Spark is marketed as an instant-read, but it can also be used as a leave-in style thermometer thanks to the probe port.

Buying a 100K Thermistor FireBoard Probes probe will set you back an extra $17, but adds a lot of versatility. If you want to smoke a pork butt low and slow you can leave the Spark next to your smoker and keep an eye on the internal temperature via the FireBoard app.

What we like:

  • Easy to read screen – The LED screen is bigger than any other instant-read we’ve tested and makes it easy to check temperatures in any level of light.
  • Pairs with other FireBoard devices – If you own a Fireboard 2 you can use the Spark as a dispaly to check your tempertures on
  • High tech features – You get WiFi & Bluetooth to connect to the app and FireBoard cloud to keep an eye on your cook data. There’s also an NFC scanner to instantly label and store food safety checks.

What we don’t like:

  • Expensive – This is the most expensive instant-read we’ve tested, and the leave-in probe will set you back an extra $17.

You give up a little bit of speed compared to the Thermapen ONE but you gain a better screen and more tech features. Whether or not that trade-off is worth it to you will come down to your individual preferences.

6. A Decent Budget Waterproof Meat Thermometer – ThermoPro TP19 Digital Meat Thermometer

Read our full review.

ThermoPro (not to be confused with ThermoWorks) produce a wide range of budget-priced digital thermometers.

We’re fans of their dual probe grill thermometer the TP-08.

The TP-19 is a solid upgrade over the popular TP-15 instant read digital meat thermometer (which is itself an upgrade on the TP03A model).

With IPX6 waterproof rating, you can wash this kitchen thermometer without any concerns.

The main specs are also impressive, with 2-3 second read time and accuracy of ±0.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

thermopro tp19 testing meat temperature

The LCD screen turns on automatically when you extend the probe, and will go to sleep after 90 seconds without being used (or if you retract the probe).

What we like:

  • Bang for buck – In terms of features, this thermometer comes close to the Thermapen Mk4 at a fraction of the cost. The build quality isn’t quite the same, but it’s impressive to see how close the TP-19 gets.
  • 100% Waterproof – It’s handy to be able to wash the probe under running water, not to mention not having to worry about splashing it or leaving it in the rain.

What we don’t like:

  • Read time – The read time isn’t quite as quick as some of the best thermometers we’ve tested.

The construction feels on the cheap side, which is to be expected for an instant read thermometer of this price.

Get the latest price on Amazon.

Other Instant-Read Thermometers You Should Consider

ThermoPro TP03A – An older version of the TP-15 we reviewed above. The read time is slower at 4-7 seconds and not waterproof so I would only recommend buying if you can get it on special. On the plus side, the probe folds in which is better than the tiny protective cap on the TP-15

Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo – This is definitely an upgrade over our budget pick the Lavatools Javelin. With read times of 2-3 seconds (compared to 4 seconds) and a large 2″ auto-rotating backlit display, the Javelin Pro is an excellent digital meat thermometer. The only problem we have with it is that for the price, I think you would be better off spending a bit extra and getting the Thermapen ONE.

Maverick Pro-Temp PT-100 Commercial Thermometer – Maverick is better known for producing WiFi digital thermometers. The PT-100 boasts commercial features including +/- 1 degrees Fahrenheit accuracy. But it lacks some of the features we expect from a quality digital thermometer, including the auto rotating screen. It’s also more expensive than similar thermometers in this guide.

Cooper-Atkins DFP450W – The Cooper-Atkins shares a very similar design to our best overall pick, the ThermoPop. In this case, you get the added functionality of a temperature alarm. I wouldn’t use this feature as I don’t leave the thermometer in, but it would be useful for deep frying. Sub 6 second response time and +/- 2°F accuracy are both fairly average.

How instant read thermometers work

Instant read thermometers work by using electricity to measure the resistance of a piece of metal.

The physics behind how they work is quite interesting (to some people).

Essentially the thermometer works by putting a voltage across its metal probe and then measuring how much current flows through it.

A microchip in the thermometer converts the resistance into a temperature that is displayed for you on the screen.

Why You Need an Instant Read Thermometer

You might be thinking that a leave in thermometer is really all you need. And in cases where you are smoking over many hours, a leave in kitchen thermometer will do the job perfectly.

But there are many instances where an instant read meat thermometer is an essential piece of equipment:

  • Even those most dedicated to the art of smoking low and slow will inevitably throw a steak on the grill at some point.
  • When cooking these thinner cuts of meat, leave in thermometers will not work well. They take a longer time to read the temperature than instant read thermometers and are best used to monitor temperatures over a long cook. We will talk more about the differences between leave in thermometers and instant read thermometers later in this article.
  • Another instance in which you will be glad to have an instant read thermometer is when you have a few things on the go at the one time. At some point in the cook, you will need to do a quick check of where everything is at.

Because all barbecues have hot spots, your steaks/ chicken breasts/ burgers (or whatever you are cooking) will not all be ready at the same time. The only way to ensure you serve up perfectly cooked food is to have a quick check of the internal temperature in each item before you pull them off.

Another important consideration is safety. If you use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of your meat, you can confidently serve your food up without worrying whether it was brought up to a safe temperature or not.

A good quality instant read thermometer can give you an accurate reading within 3 or 4 seconds. It is an invaluable tool to make sure you cook each item just right.

Instant Read vs Leave in Style Probe Thermometers

We have touched on this in the section above, but if cooking thermometers are new to you, then we will go back to basics and describe the differences from the top.

Instant read thermometers are designed to spot check the internal temperature of your food and are best suited to thinner cuts of meat like chops. They come into their own when you are grilling over high heat.

They are usually a smaller unit and easily fit in one hand. They have a metal probe and a temperature display. These days, the displays are usually digital.

To use an instant read thermometer, you stick the probe into the meat and wait until you have the temperature reading. Most good instant read thermometers these days should have that reading back to you in under 5 seconds. Once you have the temperature, take out the probe and either keep cooking or take your meat off the heat if it is done.

Leave in probe thermometers are more suited to larger cuts of meat that need to be monitored over a long period of time, such as brisket, pork butt or turkey.

Thermometer probes in meat

Even if you have a good dual probe leave-in style thermometer like the Smoke setup, it’s often handy to be able to quickly check the temperature at different points in a piece of meat.

They give you a reading of the temperature throughout the duration of the cook as the meat is coming up to temperature. By regularly checking this temperature, you can determine if the airflow or fuel needs to be adjusted to keep the temperature consistent.

Although the name gives it away; yes, you leave the probes of these thermometers in the meat throughout the cook. The information is then displayed on a separate unit that sits outside the cooker.

Often these units are a little more complex than an instant read thermometer.

Quality units will usually have two probes, one that lets you know the temperature inside the meat, and the other lets you know the ambient temperature inside the cooker.

You can also do clever things like set the minimum and maximum temps, and set an alarm if these limits are reached.

We have a guide to the best wireless leave in style thermometers that are on the market are at the moment.

As you have no doubt figured out by now, these two different types of thermometers fill two very different roles. Really, it is ideal to have one of each.

What We Look For in an Instant Read Thermometer

Type of probe

Thermocouple probes are best for fast and accurate temperature readings. They have two tiny wires at the tip of the probe. The heat causes the voltage to appear across the metal tips and a meter uses the voltage to calculate the temperature.

The Thermanpen ONE uses a thermocouple probe and it is an incredibly accurate thermometer

The other main type of probe is known as a thermistor type probe. They are not as suited for fast temperature reading and have a larger margin of error.

Accuracy and precision

If you can’t trust what your cooking thermometer is telling you, you may as well toss it out and take a guess.

The good news is that even amongst more affordably priced units, such as the Lavaworks Javelin which we mentioned earlier in this article, you can expect a reading accuracy of +/- 0.9OF.

Speed of temp reading

Instant read thermometers that take more than 10 seconds to get a reading back to you are only going to cause you a headache in the long run.

For starters, you don’t want to be waiting for ages with the lid off your cooker while you wait for the reading. And I’m not really talking about heat loss here.

You will need to get up close and personal to the grill/oven to physically stick the thermometer into the meat. The sooner you can get a reading, the less time you will spend reaching into or over a stinking hot cooker!

Price

While you may want to fork out some cash to get a quality leave in thermometer with some serious functionality, a instant read food thermometer is a smaller, less complicated unit. As such, you can get accurate, fast instant read thermometers at reasonable prices.

Why outlay loads of cash when you can get one that does the job well at an affordable price?

Temperature Range

If you only ever use your instant read thermometer to check the temperature of meat, then a temperature measurement range of 32°F to 392°F will be adequate.

But we can tell you now, that once you have one of these, you will be checking the temperature of everything.

If you start to get adventurous in the kitchen (and why not) a wide temperature range is a must.

Build quality

Like anything you purchase, you want it to last no matter how much you spend.

Instant read thermometers may be small, but they need to be built to withstand use around high temperatures and moisture.

Additional features

Some other features I like to see include automatic turn on and shut off to save battery life, water-resistance, and backlit screen.

How to Check if your Instant Read Thermometer is Accurate

There are two easy tests known as the boiling water and the ice water tests you can do to check if you have an accurate reading thermometer.

It is a good idea to check the accuracy of your instant read thermometer when you first unbox it to make sure it has been correctly celebrated.

You should also check the accuracy of your thermometer every year, or after it has received some abuse, such as if you drop it or get it wet (more than a splash).

How to check if your thermometer is accurate
Testing my Thermapen Mk4 with the boiling water test

There are a couple of ways you can check your instant read thermometer to make sure everything is working properly.

1) The Boiling Water Test

Before you start this test, there are some additional measurements you will need to take into consideration.

Water boils at different points depending on the altitude you are at and the atmospheric pressure, which varies from day to day.

If you like a bit of maths, then proceed with this method! Alternatively, use this handy calculator that will tell you your boiling point.

It is also worth noting that hard water will boil at 1-2°F higher than soft water and that if you use a tall, narrow pot to boil the water for your test, the water will boil at about 1°F higher than if you boil it in a shorter, wide-mouthed pot.

How to check your food thermometer accuracy with the boiling water test:

  1. Determine your boiling point.
  2. Pour 4 inches of water into a wide-mouthed pot.
  3. Bring the water to a vigorous boil.
  4. Insert the thermometers probe about 2 inches into the water. Gently stir the water with the probe for about 10 seconds, and then take the reading.

Don’t forget to take into account the accuracy your thermometer has been rated for.

If the temperature reading you get falls within the +/- accuracy limits promised by the manufacturer, you have a thermometer that is working well.

2) The Ice Water Test

The ice water test is a little less complicated than the boiling water test, as altitude and atmospheric pressure don’t come into play. If you have prepared your ice bath correctly, then the reading should always be 32°F.

The video from Thermoworks does a great job of explaining how to correctly set up an ice bath.

Creating a Proper Ice Bath

How to use an ice bath to test the accuracy of your thermometer:

  1. Use a tall glass, and fill it with ice cubes right to the top. If possible use ice cubes instead of crushed ice.
  2. Fill the glass with chilled water.
  3. Gently stir the ice water for about 15 seconds, just to get the temperature even throughout.
  4. Place your thermometer probe about 2 inches into the water.
  5. Gently stir the water with the probe for about 15 seconds before you take the reading.

Be sure to keep the probe moving. Don’t sit it against the ice, the surface of the glass or leave it in the water below the ice, as this could affect the reading.

What to do if your Thermometer is Inaccurate

Before we launch into this, we should qualify what “inaccurate” really means.

Even high quality, industrial-grade thermometers can be out by 1 or 2 degrees fahrenheit.

So if you find this is the case with yours, there is absolutely no need to contact the manufacturer with a letter of complaint.

This is normal, and you just need to take this difference into account when reading your temperatures.

If your food thermometer is old, or a cheaper model, then you can expect a difference of up to +/-5°F. If this is the case, and this difference is bothering you, it might be time to upgrade!

Take into consideration how accurate you need your thermometer to be and if you can justify it, you have just found an excuse to buy a new toy!

This advice from Thermoworks is solid:

“As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to keep track of your calibrations to monitor the performance of the thermometer over a period of time. Misuse can cause the instrument to fall out of spec more often, and a record of temperatures may help you take corrective actions to preserve the useful life of the thermometer.”

If your thermometer is out by +/-20°F, then you might have some problems. If your thermometer is a high quality one, you should be able to contact the manufacturer and they may be able to re-calibrate it for you. Some models may allow you to re-calibrate it, so refer to the owner’s manual and see what your options are.

Unfortunately, if you purchased a cheaper thermometer, re-calibration may not be an option. But it is still worth checking the warranty to see if you have any recourse.

Wrapping it up

Over the years I’ve always found that you never regret spending extra on tools.

So if you can afford it, out of all the digital meat thermometers we tested the best is definitely the Thermapen ONE.

However, given the only slightly worse stats, we think for most people the best instant-read thermometer is going to be the more moderately priced ThermoPop.

We hope you have found this roundup of instant read thermometers helpful.

Understanding when and how to use these types of thermometers will take the guesswork out of barbecuing, and will also mean you can be confident that you have served food that was cooked at safe temperatures.

Do you use instant read thermometers? What make and model do you love? If you have anything to add or any questions we have not covered in this post, be sure to leave a comment below.

Similar Posts

One Comment

  1. 2 to 3 second readouts may be fine with low and slo cooking but pretty much obsolete on the stovetop.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *