As a mom, having a reliable and accurate thermometer at home is now more important than ever. A sick child is nothing to take lightly. If you’re dealing with a fever, you need to know how it’s progressing and what the exact temperatures are so you can make the decision to give medicine or seek help if the time comes.
Knowing the importance of tracking a fever, we’ve scoured the market to bring you a handpicked selection of the most trusted, reliable, and fastest-shipped thermometers available. From your traditional thermometers to contactless and even smart digital ones with app integration, we’ve considered every aspect to ensure you find the perfect fit for your family’s needs.
How to Choose a Thermometer for Different Ages
When selecting a thermometer for your family, age is a significant factor. Not only are certain thermometers easier to use at different ages, but doctors also have specifics on what types little ones need to use. So before purchasing a new thermometer, take a look at the guidelines below from the Mayo Clinic on what type of thermometer is best for each age.
- Birth to 3 months. To get the most accurate temperature readings at home, newborns should use a rectal digital thermometer. Rectal temperatures give the most accurate readings, which is critical for new babies. However, new research suggests that non-touch forehead thermometers might also provide accurate digital readings in newborns.
- 3 months to 4 years. You can use a digital thermometer to take rectal, armpit, or non-touch forehead temperatures in this age range. The choice is up to you based on preference or which type is easiest to do.
- 4 years and older. At this age, most kids can use an oral thermometer. There is more patience and understanding, making temperature readings more effortless. Parents can also use an underarm or non-touch thermometer.
Choosing a thermometer is easier when you know what type your family needs. You may even need to get two different thermometers if you have various ages in your home. Keep reading–this roundup will give you options for all your temperature-taking needs.
2023’s Best Thermometers For Your Family
Best Overall Thermometer: iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer
With a 1-second reading time and non-touch design, there’s no wonder this iHealth thermometer made our list as the best overall family thermometer. Infrared thermometers are an excellent solution for families looking for easy temperature reading, no matter your kid’s age! Parents can also appreciate the silent notification feature on this thermometer. There are no beeps, dings, or sounds, just a gentle vibration when the reading is complete–perfect for sleeping babies! With over 164,833 reviews on Amazon and a 4.4/5 star rating, in our eyes, this family thermometer is a no-brainer.
What we love
- Non-touch temperature readings
- Ultra-fast 1-second results
- Extra-large LED display
- No beeps or loud sounds
Things to note
- Multiple readings might be necessary to gain accurate results
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Oral Thermometers
Best Oral: Vicks ComfortFlex Digital Thermometer
Vicks has been in the health game for over 125 years. Their products are reliable, durable, and straightforward. And their ComfortFlex digital thermometer matches right up with their brand pillars. If you want an oral thermometer that gets the job done quickly and accurately, this is for you! Not a pro at figuring out temperature baselines? When you have a sick kid on your hands, you’re stressed enough as it is. That’s why we absolutely love the color-coded temperature indicators on this thermometer. A green display suggests a normal temperature, yellow signifies an elevated temperature, and red indicates a high temperature.
What we love
- 8-second reading time
- Color-coded temperature indicators
- Waterproof outer casing
Things to note
- Temperature beeps can’t be adjusted
- Can be tough to take out of packaging
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Oral Runner-Up: Boncare Digital Oral Thermometer
No more rushing to grab your thermometer only to find out it’s dead because you forgot to turn it off last time. Boncare saves parents the headache of having to remember to turn their thermometers off with their auto shut-down feature, ultimately saving battery life. We also love that it’s a 3-for-1 thermometer. Whatever your favorite method is to take a temperature reading, you can use it orally, rectally, or under the arm.
What we love
- 10-second read time
- Auto shut off feature to save batteries
- Can also be used rectally or under the arm
Things to note
- LED display can be hard to read in the dark
- Button is hard to push if you have larger fingers
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Non-Touch Thermometers
Best Non-Touch: DISEN Non-Contact Thermometer
Non-contact thermometers are great at helping prevent sickness in the family by avoiding cross-contamination. This DISEN thermometer not only made our list because it’s more sanitary, but it also holds up to 35 historical temperature readings so families can track any major temperature changes. Find out what a normal range baseline is for your child, or spot if a fever worsens over time. Not only that, but you can check how hot the water is or the temperature of any room you are in. Kind of a bonus feature of this thermometer!
What we love
- 1-second read time
- Holds 35 historical readings for wellness tracking
- Fevers will have a warning sound
Things to note
- Can be confusing to navigate at first
- Switching from Celsius to Fahrenheit can be tricky
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Non-Touch Runner-Up: GoodBaby Digital Infrared Thermometer
With ultra-sensitive sensors and the latest smart chip with an optimized algorithm, this thermometer delivers reliable readings and ensures excellent performance for your family. It’s fast, reliable, precise, and hygienic. Track your family’s last reading with up to 35 sets of data history held in your thermometer’s memory. Plus, a large backlit LCD screen display allows you to easily read temperatures day and night!
What we love
- Keeps track of historical temperature readings
- One-button control
- Fever alarm
Things to note
- Won’t read accurately if you’re not within the recommended forehead distance
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Underarm Thermometers
Best Underarm: Kinsa Smart Thermometer
If you’re looking for an underarm thermometer that does it all and more, this one’s for you. Not only do you get super-fast 8-second temperature readings, but you can also track every family member’s history in the Kinsa app. Set everyone up with their own profile and have all readings logged onto their personal charts. It even gives you suggestions for care and next steps based on temperatures. This thermometer is the perfect option for modern and techy parents.
What we love
- Smart app auto-tracks readings for everyone in the family
- 8-second temperature readings
- In-app suggestions for care based on temperature
Things to note
- App download is required for initial setup
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Underarm Runner-Up: Safety 1st 3-in-1 Nursery Thermometer
Safety 1st is a popular thermometer choice recommended by many hospitals. We love this thermometer because it’s simple, accurate, and super affordable at less than $6 to purchase. You can also choose your own way to check temperatures when your family isn’t feeling well–under the arm, orally, or rectally. But the flex tip is also something to note. Its comfort and flexibility are appreciated by both kids and parents.
What we love
- Flex-tip for comfort
- Can also be used orally and rectally
- Batteries included
Things to note
- Longer 30-second reading time might be difficult for awake babies
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Rectal Thermometers
Best Rectal: Easy@Home Baby Rectal Thermometer
When it comes to rectal thermometers for babies, you want speed, accuracy, comfort, and ease. The Easy@Home baby thermometer checks all those boxes. In only 10 seconds, determine if your baby is in the green, yellow, or red zone based on their temperature. Parents are also raving about this thermometer’s long battery life. You can use this thermometer three times a day every day for one year before its battery dies. No more wasting your time and money replacing batteries often or ordering multiple thermometers.
What we love
- 10-second reading time
- Long battery life
- Temperature tip is short to avoid over-insertion
Things to note
- Cannot be used orally or under the arm
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Best Rectal Runner-Up: Frida Baby Quick-Read Rectal Thermometer
Rectal thermometers can get, well… messy. We love that the Frida rectal thermometer has a carry case to avoid some of those yucky contaminating feelings. Plus, its large display has a well-lit backlight making nighttime temperature checks much easier. And no more worrying about over-inserting the rectal tip; its stopper keeps you from pushing the device in too far. That means new moms can feel more confident giving their babies a rectal reading.
What we love
- 10-second reading time
- Short, gentle, and safe flex tip
- Includes a carry case
Things to note
- Batteries included might not be the best quality for long-term use
Shipping: Amazon Prime ✔
Shop now
Choosing the Best Family Thermometer for Peace of Mind
With so many thermometer options available online these days, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice. But as long as you know the recommended style for each age and have a trusted source of the best thermometers online, you can narrow down your options easily. Your perfect family thermometer match is somewhere on this page!
