Cooking meat to the perfect temperature is crucial for both taste and safety. With a plethora of meat thermometers available in the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve reviewed the three most accurate and three most unreliable meat thermometers. This review will guide you in selecting the best tool for your kitchen while avoiding those that may lead to disappointing results.

Our Top Picks

1. ThermoPro TP25 4 Probe Bluetooth Remote Meat Thermometer at Amazon
2. Taylor Precision Products Digital Thermometer at Amazon
3. Meater Plus with Bluetooth Repeater at Amazon

Best 4-Probe

ThermoPro TP25 4 Probe Bluetooth Remote Meat Thermometer

About this item

• Extended 650FT Range & Bluetooth 5.0 Certified by SIG: Rechargeable bluetooth thermometer adopts advanced Bluetooth 5.0 technology that provides the strongest, most reliable connection to 650FT away; With the out of range alert function, you’ll never miss the moment to remove your meat from the grill!
• 4 Different Color Coated Probes: 4-probes wireless meat thermometer allow you to conveniently monitor 4 different meats and ambient temperature while being highly accurate; Meat probe winders are perfect to neatly store your wireless thermometer after use
• Simplistic, Multi-Functional App: ThermoPro meat thermometer wireless App contains editable preset temperatures for 9 meat types and their various doneness levels recommended by USDA; Keep your smoker in the ideal ambient temperature with HI/LOW alarm function
• Timer & Smart Alarms: Smoker thermometer lets you program up to 4 timers to assist with monitoring your side dishes; Stay alert with alarms for both passing your target temp or running out fuel for your smoker; Kitchen thermometer features pre-alarm to notify you when the temp is 5/10/15 degrees away from target temp, so you pull the meat off at the perfect time
• Advanced Cook Time Estimator & Temp Track Graph: Better manage your time with the help of the intelligent cook time estimator, which informs you how much time until target temp is reached; Bluetooth grill thermometer records a history of your probes’ temperatures, then creating a chart in real time

Best 2-Probe

Taylor Precision Products Digital Thermometer

About this item

• Monitor food without removing it from the oven: durable stainless steel probe with a 4-foot silicone cord allows monitoring of food inside oven without opening the door.
• Programmable temperature and timer alarm: set the target temperature and monitor the ACTUAL temperature on the display. Also has timer feature that has a range up to 24 hours.
• Versatile design: Display can stand up to be seen easily, and the magnetized back can be used to attach to oven door.
• Highly accurate: this digital thermometer measures temperatures from 32°F to 392°f.
• One Year limited : this thermometer is backed with a 1-year so you can make your purchase with Confidence.

Also Read: iPhone Accessories for Effortless Cooking

Best Wireless

Meater Plus with Bluetooth Repeater

About this item

• The ideal choice for indoor and outdoor cooking enthusiasts. MEATER Plus is 100% wire-free, allowing you to cook with complete freedom and flexibility. This Long Range Model features Bluetooth 5 with a range over 1000ft. (330m) open air, direct-line-of-sight. With walls and obstacles like a typical home, the average range is 165ft. (50m). You can easily monitor your cooking progress using the free app, which is available for both iOS (version 12.2.0 and later) and Android (version 8.0 and later) smartphones and tablets. Please note that the smart phone is not included in the package.
• The perfect gift for the chef in your life. Whether it’s for your husband, dad, brother, wife, mother, sister, or a food-loving friend, this versatile kitchen gadget is a must-have for anyone who likes to BBQ or is a home chef in the kitchen. Achieve perfect results every time with this high-precision thermometer that takes the guesswork out of cooking.
• 2 Sensors, 1 Probe. The dual temperature sensors on this meat thermometer enable you to monitor both the internal meat temperature (up to 212°F) and the ambient/external temperature (up to 527°F) at the same time. This means you can achieve the perfect level of doneness for your meat, while also ensuring that your grill or oven is operating at the right temperature. And when it comes to cleaning up, you’ll appreciate the fact that this thermometer is dishwasher safe.
• Say goodbye to guesswork with our Guided Cook System. This innovative feature in the app walks you through each stage of the cooking process, ensuring perfect and consistent results every time. You can even set up custom alerts and notifications based on temperature and/or time to keep you on track. The algorithm can estimate the ideal cooking and resting times for your food, taking the stress out of meal planning and allowing you to sit back and relax while your meal cooks to perfection.
• Extend your wireless range over WiFi with MEATER Link. All you need is a 2nd smart phone/tablet to bridge the connection to your home WiFi network.
• Stainless steel, water resistant, and easy to clean. Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connection. Max internal temp: 212°F. Max ambient temp: 527°F.
• Bamboo Block Charger: The stylish bamboo block not only holds your MEATER probe but also serves as the charger, ensuring your wireless meat thermometer is always ready for use.

What to Look for in a Meat Thermometer

When choosing a meat thermometer, there are a few key features you should consider to ensure you’re getting the most out of your purchase.

1. Accuracy: The most important aspect of any meat thermometer is its accuracy. Look for a thermometer that offers a low margin of error, ideally within ±1°F. This will ensure that you’re getting a true reading of your meat’s internal temperature, which is crucial for both safety and taste.

2. Response Time: Speed matters, especially when you’re cooking over high heat or need to check multiple items quickly. A good meat thermometer should give you a reading within a few seconds, ideally under 3 seconds. Faster response times help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your food.

3. Durability: Since your thermometer will be exposed to high temperatures, moisture, and frequent use, it needs to be built to last. Look for a model with a sturdy, heat-resistant design that can withstand the rigors of the kitchen or outdoor grilling.

4. Ease of Use: A meat thermometer should be simple to operate, even when you’re in the middle of cooking. Features like a large, easy-to-read display, intuitive controls, and an auto-shutoff function can make using the thermometer more convenient.

5. Versatility: Some thermometers come with extra features, such as preset temperature settings for different types of meat, a backlight for low-light conditions, or the ability to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit. These added features can be helpful, depending on your cooking style and needs.

6. Probe Length: The length of the probe is important, especially if you cook large cuts of meat. A longer probe allows you to reach the center of thick roasts or turkeys more easily, ensuring you get an accurate reading.

7. Price: While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing a bit more in a quality thermometer can save you money and frustration in the long run. That said, there are plenty of reliable thermometers available at different price points, so you don’t have to break the bank to get a good one.

FAQs

1. What’s the most accurate way to use a meat thermometer?

To get the most accurate reading, insert the thermometer’s probe into the thickest part of the meat. Make sure to avoid touching any bones or fat, as these can give you a false reading. It’s also important to insert the probe deep enough into the meat—just sticking it into the surface won’t give you an accurate internal temperature. This method will help you gauge the meat’s doneness more precisely. For the best results, always check the user manual for specific instructions related to your thermometer.

2. How should you clean and maintain a meat thermometer?

Since meat thermometers often come into contact with raw meat, keeping them clean is crucial to avoid cross-contamination. Typically, you can clean the probe by wiping it down with a soapy, damp cloth, and then drying it thoroughly before using it again. It’s a simple but important step. Additionally, consult your thermometer’s user manual to see if there are any specific cleaning instructions or maintenance tips to follow.

3. Which types of thermometers can be left in a grill or oven?

Some meat thermometers are specifically designed to withstand the high temperatures inside an oven or grill. These thermometers can be left in the meat as it cooks. To determine if your thermometer can handle the heat, check the specifications and instructions. Make sure the materials are heat-resistant and safe for extended use in an oven, smoker, or barbecue grill.