Our Favorite Instant-Read Thermometers Are Lightning-Fast and Incredibly Accurate

We think every cook needs a good instant-read thermometer. Sure, some folks will only dig it out once or twice a year to make a turkey. But for any sort of roast—as well as for deep-frying, poaching, grilling, and baking—having an instant-read thermometer will help you avoid over- and under-cooking.

We put 18 instant-read thermometers to the test and even included our two favorite inexpensive models in the lineup (the ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 and Lavatools Javelin Digital Instant-Read Thermometer), as sort-of control models to compare the performance of similarly-priced thermometers to.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Instant-Read Thermometer

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

$115 $92 at Amazon View on Thermoworks View on Kingarthurbaking.com

The Thermapen ONE was accurate and easy to use and delivered temperature readings faster than any of the thermometers we tested. Nearly every Serious Eats editor owns this thermometer and highly recommends it.

The Easiest-to-Read Instant-Read Thermometer

OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer

$105 $77 at Amazon $105 at Williams Sonoma $105 at Sur La Table

The OXO Thermocouple thermometer was also accurate and fast. Its stand-out features included a probe that rotated 225 degrees, making it easy to use if you’re left-handed. Its black digital screen and white digits made reading the temperature easy in any setting, whether it was a brightly lit kitchen or the dark interior of an oven.

The Best Mid-Priced Instant-Read Thermometer

Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo Digital Instant Read Thermometer

$58 $40 at Amazon $12 at Walmart View on Lavatools.co

The Lavatools Javelin Pro was accurate and nearly as fast as the OXO. It had a large screen, sharp digits, and a great automatic backlight. It also could hold the temperature reading once taken. At half the cost of the Thermapen ONE and the OXO Thermocouple, it’s well worth its price.

The Best Inexpensive Instant-Read Thermometer

Thermoworks ThermoPop 2

$41 $33 at Amazon View on Thermoworks

This fast, $35 thermometer is an incredible deal. It has an auto-rotating screen, an auto-backlight, and a cap for its probe (that can clip onto an apron).

The Best Compact, Inexpensive Instant-Read Thermometer

Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Thermometer

$27 $23 at Amazon $34 at Walmart View on Lavatools.co

While this budget-friendly thermometer lacks some of the features of the ThermoPop 2 (like a backlight and rotating screen), we liked its fold-out probe. It comes in a plethora of colors, too.

The Tests

• Sous Vide Test: We set a water bath to 134°F using a sous vide machine, then tested the water temperature five times at the same place in the bath, to establish a baseline for accuracy and response time.
• Ice Water Test: We filled an insulated mug with water and ice, then stirred and let it sit until thoroughly chilled. We then tested the water temperature five times, timing how long it took each thermometer to reach the target temperature (about 32°F).
• Boiling Water Test: We brought a pot of water to a rapid boil and tested the water temperature five times, timing how long it took each thermometer to reach the target temperature (212°F).
• Roast Chicken Test: We roasted chicken and tested the temperature of the breast to find out how comfortable it was to use the thermometer in different environments, including the dark interior of an oven.
• User-Experience Evaluation: Throughout testing, we evaluated how simple the thermometer was to use, how easy the screen was to read, how comfortable the thermometer was in hand, and any features the thermometer had.
  

What We Learned

How Fast Were the Instant-Read Thermometers?

Despite the name, most good “instant-read” thermometers (which some people call meat thermometers) actually take a few seconds to register the right temperature. The OXO's readings were, for the most part, within three to four seconds, while the Lavatools Pro's were between three to five seconds. However, the Thermapen ONE registered temperatures the fastest—between two to three seconds, on average. In comparison, the lower-performing thermometers took anywhere from 10 to 21 seconds. 

Considering the act of just opening an oven can drop the interior temperature up to 50°F, the longer you have to wait, the more heat loss there will be. Worse, though, is having to stick your hand in a hot oven or over a blazing hot stove (like when deep-frying) to take the temperature. So, speediness also affects usability.

Which Instant-Read Thermometers Were the Most Accurate?

The fastest reading thermometer means nothing if the temperature is wildly off or inconsistent. Testing a sous vide bath set at 134°F, ice cold water (32°F), and boiling water (212°F) gave us a fair assessment of how accurate each thermometer was. 

It was actually no surprise that the fastest thermometer, the Thermapen ONE, was also one of the most consistent and accurate. The other winners gave consistent and accurate temperatures and for all of our favorite thermometers, the sous vide bath consistently checked in at 134°F and the ice water 32 to 33°F. The three thermometers read boiling water consistently at 211°F. The worst-performing thermometers were often off by two to three degrees—and, again, they were also the slowest. It was a double whammy if you will.

How Screen Differences Impacted Usability

The thermometers that were easiest to read were the ones we'll reach for again and again. They had larger screens, decent backlights, and higher contrast numbers and auto-rotated so you could read the temperature at different angles. The Thermapen ONE's screen was an improvement over the previous model, the Mk4. It was brighter and had a more neutral-white backlight, making it easier to read. Our other two favorite thermometers had stand-out usability features as well: The Lavatools Pro had a large screen with a light blue backlight that made it easy to read and the OXO had a black screen with bright, white digits that really popped.

Conversely, thermometers with small screens or bad backlighting (or both) were harder to use. It's worth noting that not all backlighting is the same. Some models had bright lights that caused glare and made reading the screen more difficult. Others didn’t have backlighting at all, making them harder to read in dim situations (i.e. in an oven when roasting a chicken or, perhaps if you have a low-lit kitchen).

Fold-Out vs. Stationary Probe Thermometers

It's also worth noting that most of the higher-end thermometers featured a fold-out probe, rather than a stationary one. The latter comes with a cover to house the probe when the thermometer's not in use. Fold-out probe models likely have larger screens, are more compact, are possibly easier to store, and are easier to hold, as they simply offer a larger body to hold onto. Plus, you can use them vertically or horizontally. We still think the stationary ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 is a phenomenal thermometer (especially for the price). But, if you're trying to decide between the Thermapen ONE and the ThermoPop and have the budget, it's hard to beat the versatility and the features of the ONE.

What to Use an Instant-Read Thermometer For

• Checking the temperature of meat during roasting, searing, smoking, or grilling.
• Cooking fish!
• Checking poaching liquid temp (to, say, avoid rubbery shrimp).
• Making sure oil is at the right temp for deep-frying.
• Making caramel sauce.
• Seeing if baked goods are cooked-through.
• Checking if an ice cream base is properly chilled.

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Instant-Read Thermometer

Most of the thermometers we tested were fairly accurate (off about three degrees max, which isn't ideal but is something most folks can probably live with, like a clock that's accidentally set three minutes faster but you wait years to fix). However, the best thermometers were not only accurate. They read temperatures quickly, were comfortable to hold, had an easy-to-read screen with bold numbers, and had helpful features like automatic on/off (no having to press a button) and an automatic backlight.

Our Favorite Instant-Read Thermometers

The Best Instant-Read Thermometer

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

$115 $92 at Amazon View on Thermoworks View on Kingarthurbaking.com

What we liked: The Thermapen ONE gave accurate readings super quickly—always under three seconds and sometimes under two seconds (the fastest of all the thermometers). The pull-out probe allowed the thermometer to be used in almost all situations and orientations and the numbers on its screen auto-rotated, which meant you could hold the thermometer in any direction and still read it. In fact, it’s the only instant-read thermometer we tested with a 360-degree auto-rotating screen. Most instant-read thermometers only offer 180 degrees (upside down), if they rotate at all.

The ONE also automatically lights up in dark situations, making its temperature readings easier to see. The perimeter of this thermometer's body had a gray nonslip rubber strip that made holding the thermometer easy, even if your hands were wet or greasy.

The ONE also automatically turned on when you pulled the probe out or, if the probe was already out, when you picked it up, which meant not having to fumble with an on/off button. Its waterproof rating of IP67 was the highest of all the thermometers we tested, which made it easy to clean and gave you added security should kitchen accidents happen,

What we didn’t like: The screen didn't have as much contrast as the OXO or Lavatools Pro, both of which are slightly easier to read. 

Key Specs

• Features: Backlight display, rotating screen, rubber nonslip grip edge
• Accuracy: +/- 0.5°F (+/- 0.3°C) from -4° to 248°F (-20° to 120°C)
  
• Probe length: 4.3 inches
• Measurement range: -58°F to 572°F
• Waterproof: IP67
• Battery life: 2000 hours
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.7 x 0.74 inches 

The Easiest-to-Read Instant-Read Thermometer

OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer

$105 $77 at Amazon $105 at Williams Sonoma $105 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The OXO thermometer gave accurate readings across all of our temperature tests. The thermometer was slightly slower than the Thermapen ONE, but the reverse black screen and white digits make the OXO incredibly easy to read.

The pull-out probe can rotate to a 225-degree angle, which makes it the easiest-to-use thermometer for left-handed people. Its screen auto-rotated 180 degrees as well.

What we didn’t like: However, because the numbers only rotated 180 degrees, not 90 degrees, if you pull out the probe 180 degrees and use the thermometer vertically, you have to turn your head to read the screen. The batteries were also a bit of a pain to install, requiring a screwdriver with a small Phillips head. Other thermometers already had the batteries installed and ready to use. The price is also slightly eye-popping.

Key Specs

• Features: Reverse white digit black screen, 225-degree pull-out probe, rotating screen
• Accuracy: +/- 0.9°F (+/- 0.5°C) from -22° to 302°F (-30° to 150°C)
  Probe length: 4.2 inches
• Measurement range: -58°F to 572°F
• Waterproof: IP66
• Battery life: NA
• Warranty: 2 years
• Dimensions: 1.6 x 3.45 x 8.75 inches
  

The Best Mid-Priced Instant-Read Thermometer

Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo Digital Instant Read Thermometer

$58 $40 at Amazon $12 at Walmart View on Lavatools.co

What we liked: The Lavatools Javelin Pro was also very accurate and, unlike the Thermapen ONE or the OXO Thermocouple, the Pro can read temperatures down to the 0.1 decimal. This seems like a great feature, but in practice, likely isn’t something most folks need in their home kitchen. (Both the Thermapen and OXO have the option to display temperatures down to the 0.1 decimal as well, but the default factory setting is to give whole number temperatures.)

The Pro's speed is comparable to the OXO, with an average reading of about four seconds. The automatic backlight screen had large digits that made it easy to read the temperature. The screen's digits flipped upside-down if you plan on reading the screen in that orientation, with the pull-out probe rotated 180 degrees. The Pro also had a “hold” feature that allowed you to stop the temperature reading as you put your finger over the starburst-shaped sensor, so you could bring the thermometer closer to you to read it if need be. Just keep in mind that the hold feature stops the temperature at whatever it is when you press the sensor, not necessarily at the thermometer’s final reading.

The Javelin Pro had a large “lanyard hole” in the end which made it easy to grip as you take the temperature as well as attach it to a lanyard, should you want to hang the thermometer around your neck. It also made it easy to hang up, if you have a place to hang tools and gadgets. However, the back of the thermometer is also magnetic, making it convenient to store on the side of your microwave or fridge. Finally, the thermometer is priced at half the cost of the ONE and OXO.

What we didn’t like: The Pro's temperature maxes out at 482°F while the ONE and OXO both max out at 572°F. Rated at a water-resistant IP65, you can rinse it with water but not immerse it.

Key Specs

• Features: Backlight display, rotating screen, magnetic backing, storage hole, hold feature
• Accuracy: +/- 0.9°F (+/- 0.5°C) from -22° to 302°F (-30° to 150°C)
  Probe length: 4.5 inches
• Measurement range: -40°F to 482°F
• Waterproof: IP65
• Battery life: 4000+ hours
• Warranty: Limited 3 years
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.4 x 0.8 Inches
  

The Best Inexpensive Instant-Read Thermometer

Thermoworks ThermoPop 2

$41 $33 at Amazon View on Thermoworks

What we liked: For just $35, the ThermoPop 2 offers a ton: fast, accurate readings, an auto-rotating, large screen (bigger than the original ThermoPop), an auto-backlight, and a long probe. We liked its probe sheath, too, which comes with a clip to attach to your apron or shirt pocket. It's also available in nine colors.

What we didn't like: The on/off button is on the back of the thermometer, which isn't as as intuitive of a placement as the front (where the first ThermoPop had it). You have to hold down the off button for a few seconds before it'll shut off (though it'll turn off by itself after 10 minutes).

Key Specs

• Features: Backlight display, rotating screen, auto shut-off after 10 minutes, probe sheath
• Accuracy: ±1.0°F (±0.5°C) from 14 to 208°F (–10 to 98°C)
• Probe length: 4.5 inches
• Measurement range: -58 to 572°F
• Waterproof: IP67
• Battery life: 4000 hours
• Warranty: 2 years
• Dimensions: 7 x 1.8 x 0.7 inches 

The Best Compact, Inexpensive Instant-Read Thermometer

Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Thermometer

$27 $23 at Amazon $34 at Walmart View on Lavatools.co

What we liked: Comparative to the ThermoPop 2 in terms of accuracy and speed, the Lavatools is well-built. It's also splash-proof, comes with a fold-out probe, and is available in nine colors. We don't think you'll be disappointed with this thermometer, at less than $30.

What we didn't like: It lacks an automatic backlight or rotating screen. And while some people (including Kenji) don't mind this thermometer's lack of features, others might. Its probe is shorter, too.

Key Specs

• Features: Fold-out probe; magnetic back
• Accuracy: ±0.9°F (±0.5°C) from -4 to 302°F (-20 to 150°C) 
• Probe length: 2 7/8th inches 
• Measurement range: -40 to 482°F (-40 to 250°C) 
  
• Waterproof: IP65
• Battery life: 4000+ hours
• Warranty: 3-year limited
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches

The Competition

• Taylor Precision Products Instant Read Digital Thermometer: This thermometer was the slowest of all the models we tested, taking nearly 20 seconds to come to a final reading.
• Taylor Precision Products Thermocouple Thermometer: Slightly confusing to use with multiple buttons and functions (including an infrared sensor), this thermometer was expensive, slow to give readings, and had a small screen.
• Alpha Grills Instant Read Meat Thermometer: This thermometer was fairly quick, very reasonably priced, and had a lifetime warranty, but gave more inaccurate, slightly higher temperature readings.
• ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer: This thermometer gave readings at a slower rate, had a small screen, and felt like it was made of cheap plastic.
• Weber Instant Read Meat Thermometer: Though fairly accurate in temperature, this thermometer was slow to give readings, awkward to hold, and difficult to read, with no backlight.
• OXO Good Grips Chef's Precision Digital Instant Read Thermometer: This instant-read thermometer was slow and slightly awkward to hold.
• Precision Pro Commercial Thermometer: The Precision Pro was also slow and one of the more inaccurate models.
• All-Clad Instant Read Digital Thermometer: The All-Clad digital thermometer had a tiny screen that was difficult to read, and the thin metal body was hard to hold.
  
• Cuisinart CSG-200 Infrared and Folding, Infrared & Folding Grilling Thermometer: While fairly accurate and quick to respond, this model was more expensive than our other budget-friendly options.
• KIZEN Digital Meat Thermometer with Probe: At half the price of our budget picks, this thermometer felt very cheaply made.
• Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Digital Instant Read Cooking Kitchen Grilling Smoker BBQ Probe Meat Thermometer: This option performed solidly, but our top picks were faster and more accurate. 
• Cuisinart CSG-466 Digital Folding Probe Thermometer: Slow and inaccurate, this thermometer performed poorly across the board. 
• Venigo Digital Meat and Food Thermometer: Initially very responsive, this thermometer was at least one degree off on every reading.

FAQs

How does the Thermoworks Thermapen ONE compare to the Mk4?

At first glance, the Thermapen ONE looks almost identical to the Mk4 (the Mk4 was our longtime recommendation before it was discontinued). The main physical difference is that the old Mk4 has a gray rubber strip on the end of the thermometer body, which allowed for a waterproof seal where the battery compartment went.

The newly designed Thermapen ONE moved the battery compartment to the back of the body, making that gray strip unnecessary. This results in a cleaner, more streamlined design. Beyond the superficial aesthetics though, the Thermapen ONE has a brighter screen that lights up a neutral white, compared to the Mk4's warm, dim, yellow light. This brighter light gives more contrast to the screen, making the temperature easier to read. 

But the biggest change is the speed at which the temperature is read. The Thermapen ONE claims to give accurate temperatures in one second. In practice, we found it took a little longer, but was, indeed, faster than the Mk4.

Can you re-calibrate an instant-read thermometer?

Unlike analog dial thermometers that can often be re-calibrated with a simple pair of pliers, re-calibrating an instant-read thermometer is a little more involved. A few instant-read thermometers, like the Thermapen ONE and Lavatools Javelin Pro, will give you the option to change the internal temperature reading up and down to match known temperatures (like boiling water or ice water). But this requires you to open up the battery compartment and manually adjust things.

Other instant-read thermometers don’t have this option and require you to send the thermometer back to the company to get it fixed, including the OXO Thermocouple. If your thermometer is in need of re-calibration, check your product operation manual to see if there are instructions on re-calibrating your thermometer. If not, check your warranty to see if repairs are covered, or contact customer service and ask them the best way to return the thermometer for re-calibration and repair.

Do I need an instant-read thermometer?

While our winning pick from Thermoworks isn't cheap, we really do recommend investing in an instant-read thermometer. Why? Because it takes the guesswork out of cooking foods safely, specifically meat; no one wants to bite into a semi-raw piece of chicken. A reliable instant-read thermometer also opens up whole new worlds when it comes to smoking and barbecuing, and can even come in handy when baking. If you're not convinced, check out this article for an even more persuasive argument.

What is the best way to clean an instant-read thermometer?

Thermoworks sells sanitizing wipes that you can use to wipe down your thermometer's probe (you can use these on other brands' thermometers as well). Alternatively, you can also use a food-safe sanitizing solution on the probe, or stick the probe in a pot of boiling water—both of these options will kill any lingering bacteria. As far as the thermometer face, we recommend wiping it down with a sanitizing wipe or damp towel.

How do you use an instant-read thermometer?

To use an instant-read thermometer, pull out (or uncap) the probe. Many thermometers will turn on automatically, but others have an on/off button that must be pressed. Insert the tip of the probe into what you're taking the temperature of, then wait a few seconds for the reading to register.

Can you use an instant-read thermometer for making candy?

You can use an instant-read thermometer to take/the temperature of the candy. However, a probe thermometer (like the ChefAlarm) is easier for this task, as it has a clip that attaches the probe to the side of a pot and a display that continually registers the temperature.

Is an instant-read thermometer the same as a meat thermometer?

All instant-read thermometers can be used for meat, but not all meat thermometers offer instant readings. That's because some meat thermometers are leave-in probes that steadily monitor the temperature of meat as it cooks. You can read more about meat thermometers (of all types!) in our review here.

Why We're the Experts

• For this review, we tested 18 instant-read thermometers. We've continued to test new models as they've come out, too, including the ThermoPop 2.
• We constantly use instant-read thermometers in our test kitchen and at home. In fact, nearly all of our editors own one. Since this review was published, we've continued to use our winners (particularly the Thermapen ONE and ThermoPop 2), gathering long-term feedback on them. After about a year, they both still work great.
• Irvin Lin is a cookbook author and contributing writer for Serious Eats. He's also an IACP-award-winning photographer. As a professional baker, he uses an instant-read thermometer constantly.
• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate commerce editorial director at Serious Eats. She's worked for the site since 2021 and has reviewed equipment professionally for the past five years. She's written many equipment-focused pieces for Serious Eats, including how air fryers work and an Ooni pizza oven comparison.