"We independently review the products we recommend! When you buy through links on AHealthyBowl.com, We may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more"
Tested and Approved: The Fluke 62 Max+ is the best infrared thermometer for cooking, grilling and smoking. Its sturdy build, affordable price, and precise temperatures measurement (58-716°F), make it stand out among all the infrared temperature guns. So, whether you are cooking chicken, grilling bacon or frying veggies, this thermometer is a must have to monitor precise temperature changes.
Looking for the best infrared thermometer to monitor the temperature while making Mini Pizza Bites and BBQ from far away? Infrared temperature guns are the right tool for you. For your convenience, we’ve curated a listed of the top 10 infrared thermometers tested by our home chefs. If you like infrared tools, see one of our top-rated infrared hot plates.
7 Best Infrared Thermometers For Cooking And Grilling
- Best Overall – Fluke 62 Max+
Read Review – Buy At Amazon - Best For Everyday Use– Etekcity Lasergrip 1080
Read Review – Buy At Amazon - Best Budget – SovarCate HS960D
Read Review – Buy At Amazon - Best for Pizza Oven – ThermoPro TP30
Read Review – Buy At Amazon - Best for Cooking Oil – Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D
Read Review – Buy At Amazon - Best Design – Cuisinart CSG-625
Read Review – Buy At Amazon - Best Thermometer with Probe: Taylor Precision Thermometer
Read Review – Buy At Amazon
1. Fluke 62 Max+ Infrared Thermometer
Specifications
Pros.
Cons.
The Fluke 62 Max+ is an excellent Infrared Thermometer for measuring temperature readings of both indoors and outdoors. Since approximately 700 degrees Fahrenheit is required in a wood-fired oven for an ideal crust, the Fluke 62 Max+ allows effortless measurement of this critical temperature. It even works perfectly to measure the temperatures of electronic equipments and indoor or outdoor environments.
The Fluke features premum plastic for a comfortable grip, and the large, bright display makes readings simple to view even in low light.
Though comparatively expensive, the Fluke’s adjustable emissivity calibration allows for accurate readings on various surface types, including reflective materials.
Some initial confusion may arise from unclear instructions on switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Overall, the Fluke 62 Max+ is the best all-in-one infrared thermometer for for accurate temperature readings.
You can also buy this thermometer at: Walmart – Fluke
Watch This Video Review And How to Use This Infrared Thermometer
2. Etekcity Lasergrip 1080
Specifications
Pros.
Cons.
When it comes to measuring temperatures right, the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer stands out as an excellent kitchen gadget. Its wide temperature range and pro-EMS mode make it the best infrared thermometer for cooking and grilling meat. The rapid 500ms response time guarantees quick and efficient output to keep an optimum temperature while cooking chicken, turkey, bacon or salmon.
The Lasergrip 1080 features a professional EMS mode for precise readings across different surfaces and conditions. Adjusting the emissivity is a breeze; simply press and hold the Up and Down buttons to fine-tune your measurements.
Thanks to its 12:1 distance-to-spot ratio (D:S), the Lasergrip 1080 lets you precisely check targets from a distance of 12 inches. This is great when monitoring things that could be risky or hard to reach. Overall, the Lasergrip 1080 is one of the best premium infrared thermometers that is built to last.
You can also buy this thermometer at: Etekcity – Walmart
Watch This Video Review of Etekcity Lasergrip 1080
Here are the best BBQ Temperature Controllers.
3. SovarCate HS960D
Specifications
Pros.
Cons.
The SovarCate HS960D infrared thermometer has become an indispensable part of my daily routine. Whether I’m cooking in the kitchen, grilling outdoors, or troubleshooting appliances, it allows contactless temperature measurements with ease and accuracy. No longer do I need to compromise hygiene or risk cross-contamination when checking food temperatures? With a simple trigger pull, I can verify meats are cooked to the desired doneness.
Caroline
The laser delivers pinpoint readings, while the clear display presents results intuitively. This eliminates uncertainty, empowering informed decisions based on data. Measurements are fast, ranging from deep freeze to oven temperatures. From pizza baking to vehicle maintenance, its temperature measurement for varied surfaces, like cast iron or aluminum, is excellent.
As a bonus, the integrated meat probe works flawlessly to ensure that meat is cooked at the right temp. Contactless reading, precision laser targeting, customizable settings, and a wide measurement range combine to make the SovarCate HS960D the best multipurpose infrared thermometer for cooking. It gives confidence that temperature assessments, from the kitchen to the garage, reflect real-time conditions. Whether cooking or troubleshooting, this thermometer empowers accurate, well-informed decisions.
Watch This Video Review of SOVARCATE Infrared Thermometer
4. ThermoPro TP30
Specifications
Pros.
Cons.
I purchased the ThermoPro TP30 infrared thermometer during an Amazon Prime Day sale, because I needed a reliable way to check temperatures for homemade pizza baking in my oven. Although the TP30 delivers fast and accurate readings, the small screen size and lack of brightness in certain lighting conditions can make viewing angles less than ideal at times.
Maria
This thermometer lets you measure heat of food items from a distance thanks to its latest thermopile sensor technology that provides the highest accuracy when recording the temperature of a Pizza oven.
While not designed for measuring internal meat temperatures, the TP30 infrared thermometer excels at measuring the surface temperatures of various objects quickly and effortlessly. It delivers excellent results for checking oven, grill, and refrigerator temperatures with simple point-and-shoot operation.
Particularly for outdoors, the TP30 stands out. Its standard AAA batteries are much better than the costlier 9-volt options. Overall, the ThermoPro TP30 is the top-rated thermometer gun to measure temperature while cooking, as well as to monitor the heat of various objects.
You can also buy this thermometer at: Walmart – ThermoPro – HomeDepot
Watch This Video Review of TP30
5. Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D
Specifications
Pros.
Cons.
Purchasing the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D infrared thermometer has allowed me to precisely control cooking temperatures to elevate the flavors of dishes, I make, to a new level. The fried eggs, I make, are now consistently restaurant quality rather than overcooked.
The setup and use of the Etekcity 1022D was not simple for me. Testing it against my oven calibrated it accurately to 300 degrees. For making authentic Neapolitan pizza in my outdoor oven, reaching the proper stone temperature of around 800 degrees Fahrenheit is critical—an impossible task without the thermometer.
I rely on the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D daily when baking pizza or using my griddle top. Temperature readings are consistently on target, giving me confidence food is cooking as intended. Chocolate tempering no longer requires the slow dip-and-wipe method, thanks to Etekcity’s fast, contactless readings. Its ease and precision also proved helpful when monitoring the temperature in my bearded dragon’s terrarium.
Considering its affordable cost, some limitations are understandable. However, taking multiple spot readings and averaging eliminates inaccuracies, making the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D an extremely useful tool. Whether measuring cast iron skillets, pizza stones, grills, or other surfaces, it helps me monitor the proper preheat temperatures.
Apart from ThermoPro TP30, the Etekcity Lasergrip 1022Dt is also ideal for measuring object temperatures, such as Air conditioners, refrigerators, and stovetops. Overall, ThermoPro TP30 is the best IR thermometer to accurately preheat the oven for making pizza or desserts.
You can also buy this thermometer at: Etekcity – Walmart
Watch This Video Review of Etekcity Lasergrip 1022D
6. Cuisinart CSG-625 Infrared Thermometer
Features & Specs:
Pros.
Cons.
Cuisinart’s Infrared surface thermometer lets you measure the temperature of any cooking surface. Be it a grill, a pizza stone, or a grate, the accuracy of this thermometer is excellent.
Not only does it give readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, but its laser infrared technology can precisely detect the temperature of foods as small as one inch. While using this temperature gun to check the steak’s heat, I noticed that it measures temperature from a distance of 12 inches.
With this Infrared thermometer, you’ll no longer need a probe to measure the temperature of your steak, and you can find the perfectly heated spot to place your steak on the pan!
Besides, I also tried using the device to detect the temperature of other equipment, such as a refrigerator, freezer, steamer, and sandwich maker. And, Yes! The Cuisinart thermometer worked well here too.
This infrared thermometer shows the surface temperature of your food on its digital LED screen. You can turn it on or off with a simple button. It has an auto-off feature which helps save its battery life. However after frequent use, I noticed that its battery life is small, and it lasted for only 3 weeks. You would have to replace them. Overall, this is the best infrared temperature gun that you can use for regular cooking.
You can also buy this thermometer at: GetUSCart – Walmart – Cuisinart
7. Taylor Precision Splash-Proof Thermometer
Specifications
Pros.
Cons.
A fast-reading probe is essential for grilling and roasting foods accurately. The Taylor IR thermometer delivers precise temperature readings in a couple of seconds, allowing home cooks to closely monitor food doneness. While I have not performed independent accuracy tests on the probe, readings tend to be within a degree of expected temperatures like boiling water.
What sets the Taylor Precision apart from similar models is its integrated infrared thermometer. This function measures the surface temperature of objects without touching them using infrared light. Home chefs will find this IR thermometer best for checking preheated pan temperatures, whether it’s a frying pan, wok, or other cookware.
With practice, you can determine ideal browning temperatures for meats, vegetables, and more. This prevents oversteaming or burning foods in oil or butter. Though not perfect, this infrared thermometer reads temperatures up to around 500°F.
The IR feature performs well on cast iron, anodized aluminum, and non-stick surfaces. However, Highly reflective surfaces like stainless steel can interfere with readings, presumably reflecting the probe’s own temperature.
Although this Taylor IR thermometer is comparatively expensive, it appeals to serious home cooks thanks to its fast and accurate probe readings combined with the ability to calibrate pan temperatures using infrared technology.
You can also buy this thermometer at: Walmart – TaylorUSA
Watch This Video Review
Why Trust AHealthyBowl
Adalynn Ward is a food writer and editor at AHealthyBowl. As an avid home cook, she knows the importance of finding the right kitchen gadget and how to test that thoroughly. She loves trying different recipes in her oven from Mini Pizza bites to Eggnog Sugar Cookie Bars. After a thorough research and testing process she tests the kitchen products with her team to find the right product for the right job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Infrared thermometers accurately measure food items, boiling points, freezing points, and household objects such as refrigerators, ovens, and air conditioners. However, measuring shiny and reflective surfaces can be challenging as glossy paint or surfaces can disturb the accuracy.
Infrared thermometers are safe, so you don’t have to worry. Ensure that you stay away from the laser beams, do not point them at someone, and wear safety goggles when using the thermometer for measuring temperature.
Yes, you can use infrared thermometers on humans. Still, the infrared thermometers mentioned above are for non-humans, which means you can only use them to measure different surfaces, objects, kitchen appliances, and boiling, and freezing points.
Infrared thermometers are more accurate and faster than stem thermometers when it comes to cooking or deep frying. Infrared thermometers can even measure food or oil from a distance when it is hot. They hardly have a margin of error from 0.1 to 0.2
Remember that infrared thermometers are designed for industrial applications and unsuitable for domestic use or measuring human body temperature. It has much higher accuracy and temperature rate, which cannot accurately keep the body temperature reading.
Infrared thermometers deliver fast, precise, and accurate temperatures. They are easy to use and not technical. Moreover, advanced features of infrared thermometers include adjustable emissivity, which gives even more flawless temperature readings.
