So you can cook your guest’s dish however they want it. Modern meat thermometers are capable of much more. Some have smart connectivity, allowing you to monitor the cooking progress from your phone. Others have multiple probes, allowing you to cook multiple dishes at the same time. While all of this sounds impressive, keep in mind that the most important factors to consider when selecting a meat thermometer are accuracy, responsiveness, and ease of use. That means you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good performer. To find the best options available, we tested a variety of meat thermometers, taking into account everything from the available settings to the speed and accuracy of readings. These are the best meat thermometers available.
Here is the list of Best Meat Thermometers
Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo
Easily one of the best Meat Thermometers available on the market, The Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo instant-read thermometer falls somewhere between the ThermoPop and the best-in-class ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4. In our tests, the Javelin reached a true temperature nearly a second faster than the ThermoPop, and its folding probe allows you to take readings from unusual angles. It lacks a few features that the ThermoPop has, such as a beep that indicates when it has reached a temperature, a button for holding the reading, and the ability to track minimum and maximum temperatures. It also shows temperatures to the tenth of a degree. In addition, unlike the ThermoPop or Thermapen, the Javelin has a magnet that allows you to stick it to your fridge or stove rather than storing it loose in a drawer.
Char-Broil Instant-Read Digital Thermometer
In our tests, this small digital instant-read thermometer performed admirably, providing accurate temperature readings in less than 10 seconds and earning a four out of five for responsiveness. It has a few tricks up its sleeve, such as auto-off and seven different meat types with recommended doneness levels — and it speaks seven languages! It also has an alarm to notify you when your meat is done. The Char-Broil Instant Read Digital Thermometer has a foldable design that allows you to take readings from various angles. When not in use, the temperature probe folds up into the handle for compact storage. The LCD screen has large, easy-to-read digits and displays both the current and target temperatures.
Taylor Digital Cooking Thermometer
This digital probe thermometer is ideal if you need an oven-safe thermometer. This inexpensive thermometer measures temperatures ranging from 32 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit and costs less than $10. We found this to be extremely useful, as some of the other thermometers we tested only had a general meat temperature range of up to 170 degrees. This model has a magnet on the back that allows you to affix it to your oven door for easy reading while cooking. It also has a temperature alert feature that will notify you when your meat reaches the desired temperature. The probe is nice and long, with an insulated wire that makes it easy to handle regardless of the size of your meat. Currently, this is one of the best Meat Thermometers that you can buy right now.
OXO Good Grips instant-read thermometer
We found this digital thermometer to be consistently accurate when testing beef, roast chicken thighs, and a whole chicken. The head tilts into three different reading positions, and the digital display is large and clear. To turn it on or off, press a button at the top, and another at the back to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The size of this thermometer appealed to us; the probe is thin, but the chunky head makes it difficult to lose in your utensil drawer while still taking up little space. To keep it safe, it comes with a protective sheath. Cooking temperatures for red meat, ground meat, pork, ham, and poultry are listed on the cover, with different temperatures for different levels of doneness.
ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Meat Thermometer
This wireless meat thermometer is the solution if you want to enjoy the party rather than being stuck manning the grill or oven all evening. Multitaskers in the kitchen require a tool like this to keep things moving along at a reasonable pace and at the appropriate level of doneness. The dual-probe can track two types of food at the same time and can work from up to 300 feet away on your oven, grill, or smoker. There are barbecue presets for nine different types of meat and five “tastes” ranging from rare to well done, all based on USDA recommendations, so you can be confident that the results will be perfect. The display shows the temperature of the food, the temperature of the surrounding environment, and a timer that can count down or up. Because the probe wires can withstand temperatures of up to 716°F, you won’t have to worry about them touching the sides or grates of the oven or grill. The transmitter has a wire hook or can stand on its own, and the receiver has a belt clip and a rubber sleeve to protect it from drops. Thus, this product is one of the best Meat Thermometers available right now.
Kizen Digital Meat Thermometer
The Kizen performed admirably for such a low price. It took less than four seconds to read the temperature and was nearly as accurate as the Thermapen One, coming up 0.5 degrees short for the turkey. We weren’t crazy about the design or the display, but it has a manual light option and was the easiest digital thermometer to calibrate, so it gets bonus points for that. A meat doneness chart is also printed directly on its face. It made the overall look a little cluttered, but it adds a layer of convenience because you can quickly refer to it when cooking if you’re unsure of proper meat temperatures.
Polder Dial Meat Thermometer
If you don’t need any of the fancy features found on more modern thermometers, the Polder Dial Meat Thermometer might be a good fit for your minimalist cooking style. With a simple design that includes a large dial with USDA-recommended temperatures printed on its face, this no-frills dial model is as simple as it gets. During testing, the Good Housekeeping Institute thought this model was a good “basic dial thermometer,” but it was “slow” and “a little difficult to read the temperatures on the dial.” The Polder Dial Meat Thermometer, on the other hand, is a solid choice if you value simplicity and getting the most bang for your buck, thanks to its solid, bi-metal construction and temperature range of 140°F to 190°F. Still, it is one of the best Meat Thermometers that you can consider.
CDN DT450X Digital Pocket Thermometer
This CDN pocket-sized is best meat thermometers does the job and has the same features as more expensive thermometers (digital display, instant read, and the ability to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures). If you look closely at the handle, you’ll notice a handy temperature guide printed along the edge. It even distinguishes between medium and rare temperatures for beef, veal, and lamb. The main disadvantage — and likely the reason for the low price — is that both the handle and sheath are made of plastic, making it incompatible with ovens. This probe may not be long enough for larger, thicker pieces of beef, depending on how many different cuts of beef you cook at home.
Final Words
The best Meat Thermometers remove some of the guesswork from cooking. Download the appropriate app for your smartphone or tablet, and you’ll be able to choose from presets that include food type, temperature, and cooking time – as well as whether you want your food rare, medium, or well-done – with alarms alerting you when the food is up to temperature or the cooking time is up – with alarms alerting you when the food is up to temperature or the cooking time is up.
