Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of thermometers from various brands and types and authored numerous articles of the “best grilling thermometer” style. So you’ve come to the perfect place if you’re looking for a fantastic thermometer or want someone to review a specific thermometer for your website. If you’d like to commission me to write an article about a thermometer, visit the contact page. However, if you just want info on what are the best grilling thermometers available today, keep on reading.
I’ll break down the numerous varieties of thermometers available in this article and provide links to other websites where you can discover in-depth articles I’ve written on each category. To assist you in making your choice, you can also locate buyer’s guides and recommended thermometers. You could also find video reviews I’ve created for some of the articles.
Lid Thermometers
The thermometer that comes with your grill, typically in the lid, is most likely the first thermometer you will have purchased. Additionally, this thermometer may first appear to be accurate given that the majority of novice grillers will only be grilling burgers, sausages, and chicken legs. But as your passion for BBQing increases, you’ll read more books, watch innumerable YouTube videos, and trawl discussion boards and Facebook groups in search of fresh and interesting grilling concepts.
As you’ll rapidly learn from this research, the lid thermometer on the majority of grills are close to useless, and it should only be used as a very rough guide to the actual temperatures. Why? The lid thermometer does not measure the temperature of the grill grate where your meat is, but rather the temperature up at the lid. Additionally, the thermometer is frequently placed over the hot coals on some common grills, such as a kettle grill, rendering the reading all but worthless for determining the ambient temperature of your meat.
A new lid thermometer should be purchased and installed in a better location on the lid, down much closer to the grill grate, and on the side where your meat will be placed, if a lid thermometer is something you 100% want. I don’t advise you to do this. One reason is that you might unintentionally damage your lid’s enamel coating or other weather-protective coatings, allowing water to seep in and cause corrosion. But the primary deterrent is that doing so will terminate your warranty.
Due to these factors, I won’t suggest a lid thermometer and will instead encourage you to check out my probe and grill grate thermometer sections. These two types of thermometers will perform better and cause less harm to your grill.
Instant Read Thermometer
When I was first trying to pick which grill thermometer would work best for my needs, as you probably are now, I decided to get an instant-read model. I don’t regret making that choice, and if I had to make it again today, I would still buy an instant-read thermometer and advise you to purchase one if you haven’t already.
A single probe thermometer with an immediate read feature is made for fast checking of temperatures. This probe must not remain in the meat while it is being cooked. What sets a good instant-read thermometer apart from a bad one? precision and quickness.
These two qualities are essential for a good instant-read thermometer, but you’ll also want it to have a pleasant display screen that automatically rotates and has backlighting, be portable without ripping a hole in your pocket’s lining and be easy to use. Additionally, having it be waterproof is an advantage because you could occasionally forget about it and leave it outside.
The Thermomworks Thermapen One thermometer is the greatest overall instant-read thermometer, but it is very pricey when compared to other thermometers, thus I will only be recommending it if money is of no object. You should also keep an eye out for any older Thermomworks instant-read thermometers that may be on sale, due to the high caliber of every thermometer produced by this manufacturer. I’d be pleased to suggest the ThermoPro TP620 as a midrange instant-read thermometer, and the Inkbird IHT-1P as a budget option.
Check my best instant-read thermometer roundup
Leave-in Probe Thermometers
The leave-in probe thermometer is the sort of thermometer that causes the most confusion with its technical jargon. Although single-probe thermometers are also available, the majority of grilling thermometers fall under the umbrella category of dual-probe thermometers. You will then have wifi and non-wireless alternatives within these two groups. There are three types of wireless technology: WiFi, Bluetooth, and radio frequency. Yes, that’s a lot to take in from a brief introduction, so let’s examine each of these types in more detail.
Dual Probe Thermometers
A broad phrase used to describe a variety of thermometer types is a dual probe thermometer. It simply means that a thermometer has at least one probe for measuring the internal temperatures of meat and one probe for measuring the ambient temperature. And the probes can stay in place for the entire cook.
All that is required for a thermometer to be referred to as a dual probe thermometer are these fundamental components. When discussing the terminologies for thermometers that fall under this main group, confusion arises because many people mistakenly believe that they relate to entirely separate types of thermometers when in fact there is significant overlap between the categories. For instance, when someone mentions a wireless thermometer, they will also likely be referring to a dual probe thermometer.
Due to the significant overlap in the features that each thermometer offers, many of my suggestions will fall into a few distinct categories. Thermoworks Signals is one such thermometer and my strongest recommendation for a thermometer that’s dual probe. This four-probe thermometer also qualifies as a wireless, Wifi, and Bluetooth thermometer. Everything about this thermometer is excellent; the only drawback is the cost.
A dual probe thermometer that provides a feature that the Signals don’t is my second pick. The thermometer is the Meater Plus. Since it is made to look like a single probe, most people do not recognize this thermometer as having two probes. However, the flat end is the ambient probe, whereas the pointed end is the meat probe. This thermometer should be purchased if you enjoy grilling on a rotisserie as it’s one of the few thermometers that hasn’t got any external wires that can get caught on the rotisserue spit – this is the feature the Thermoworks Signals doesn’t have.
The ThermoPro TP930 is the final product I’d advise buying. I chose this one mostly because I believe it offers excellent value for the money. You receive a wonderful tiny display unit, a great Bluetooth-connected app, and four incredibly accurate probes.
Have a read of my best dual probe thermometer roundup.
Wireless Thermometers
There are several kinds of wireless thermometer technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and radio frequency, as will be demonstrated in the following sections. But regardless of the technology, wireless thermometers all share one feature. Data is wirelessly transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver.
There are two primary types of receivers. One of the two options is that you are given a compact, portable gadget that enables you to check the temperature away from the grill. The more sophisticated ones allow you to send data back, such as disabling an alert or modifying the alarm ranges. The second form involves using your phone as a receiver and having the data shown on an app, which is the direction the market is headed.
I’ll suggest one wireless thermometer from each of the three available technological possibilities (WiFi, Bluetooth, and radio frequency). Thermoworks Signals would be the WiFi thermometer of my choice. The only area where it falls short is price. I’m going to choose a thermometer that only has Bluetooth as my top Bluetooth thermometer (meaning it doesn’t have WiFi and Bluetooth like several top models). The ThermoPro TP930 is that thermometer. This thermometer is an outstanding bargain given what you receive for the price.
I’m going to select another ThermoPro thermometer as the best radio frequency thermometer. Once more, pricing has a significant impact on this decision. The ThermoPro TP27 is the product I have chosen since, in my opinion, it offers great value when compared to its rivals in the radio frequency market.
Have a read of my best wireless thermometer roundup.
Wi-Fi Thermometers
Modern technology lets you include a grilling thermometer with WiFi. And the cost of this technology is enormous. It is very unlikely that you would get a good WiFi thermometer for less than $80. Additionally, it implies that, whichever WiFi thermometer manufacturer you choose, if they have a WiFI thermometer model they are probably experts in what they are doing and that you will be purchasing a quality piece of BBQ equipment.
For a device to be referred to as a WiFi thermometer, WiFi is the only necessary component. Typically, a dual probe thermometer is meant when someone refers to a thermometer as a WiFi thermometer. However, there are alternative thermometers that employ WiFi, such as the temp controller thermometers. I’ve only seen WiFi thermometers that also require you to use your own phone as a receiver (meaning you need a smartphone for WiFi thermometers). WiFi thermometers use a free app to display the temperature data.
I’ll again mention Thermoworks Signals as my top pick for WiFi thermometer suggestions. I’m not sure which direction to go with my final two suggestions. The Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub and the Inkbird IBBQ-4BW are both excellent products. And never would I try to dissuade anyone from purchasing these items. But because the offerings of these two thermometers are so close to those of the Signals, I’m going to choose the Inkbird IBBQ-4T as the WiFi thermometer best deal, and in order to have a little bit of diversity the Meater Block. The four probes that come with this thermometer can all be utilized on a rotisserie.
Have a read of my best wi-fi thermometer roundup.
Bluetooth Thermometers
You may have noticed that Bluetooth thermometers have a terrible reputation if you’ve read a lot of articles about them – mainly because these articles are out of date. Specifically, the maximum distance away from the grill before the Bluetooth connection breaks. And I must admit that I was a strong proponent of eliminating Bluetooth as a wireless thermometer option.
However, thanks to continued advancements in Bluetooth technology, I believe these thermometers can now compete with radio frequency thermometers due to the increased range of the most recent models. They definitely provide you with enough range to handle the majority of domestic barriers, including solid brick walls.
If cost is a concern for you, the selection of Bluetooth thermometers offered is unquestionably where you will get the best value. The technology is less expensive than WiFi, and since your phone will act as the receiver, there is no need for separate receiver equipment, as there is for radio frequency thermometers. So, I’ve gone from advocating the replacement of Bluetooth with thermometers to now suggesting that Bluetooth is likely the best choice for the typical backyard grill master.
Instead of the more expensive thermometers that also include WiFi, I’m going to choose thermometers that only have Bluetooth as their wireless technology as my recommended Bluetooth thermometers. ThermoPro TP930 is the top option since, as was already mentioned, it offers excellent value for the money.
The Inkbird Waterproof Cook Thermometer IBT-4XC is my second suggestion; I plainly suggest this thermometer for those who grill outdoors in inclement weather. Since thermometers are pricey pieces of equipment, you’ll be glad you bought a waterproof thermometer if there is even a remote prospect of rain.
Due to the Meater Block thermometer’s inclusion in my recommendations for the finest WiFi thermometers, my third suggestion, the Meater Plus, may cause some confusion. However, the block has WiFi whereas the Meater probe uses Bluetooth technology. Thus, if you want WiFi, you must get the Meater Block. Unless you have a second phone or tablet that can take the place of the block to serve as a WiFi bridge, if you only purchase a single Meater probe, you will connect through Bluetooth.
Have a read of my best Bluetooth thermometer roundup.
Radio Frequency
While radio frequency wireless thermometers provide something entirely different from WiFi and Bluetooth for the general user. Until recently, these thermometers were the most widely used, but now they are typically associated with non-technical individuals. And certainly, if you’re uncomfortable utilizing WiFi, Bluetooth, and applications, these are the better option. A radio frequency thermometer is still a good choice for other reasons, though.
Radio frequency thermometers should be chosen primarily because they are excellent thermometers. They have a wide selection, and you won’t lose connection unless you reside on a ranch. Additionally, you might not have a high-end smartphone, which WiFi and Bluetooth thermometers require. Also, a radio frequency thermometer is preferable to a WiFi thermometer if you take your smoker or grill camping or to other locations without internet connectivity. Another factor is that some individuals simply don’t like installing apps on their phones because of the tracking software that frequently accompanies them.
Typically, a radio frequency thermometer includes two unique components. a receiver device that the pitmaster can carry about and a larger transmitter device into which the probes plug. The receiver will either have a belt clip or lanyard attached to it, or it will be small enough to fit neatly in your pocket.
So, the ThermoPro TP27 is my top suggestion if you’re seeking a fantastic radio frequency thermometer. This well-made product provides excellent value for the money. Second, I would advise choosing the Thermoworks Smoke X4. Like every product that Thermoworks makes, this thermometer is on the higher end of the price range. The only reason I didn’t think this thermometer was the greatest radio frequency thermometer is because of the price. The Maverick XR-50 thermometer is my final suggestion.
No Wires Probe
What I’m referring to as a no-wires probe thermometer is the most recent type of grill thermometer. These thermometers are likely the main cause of the misunderstanding of thermometer terminology. All of these thermometers are essentially Bluetooth dual probe thermometers – while some of them include a WiFi bridge choice.
The problem is that these thermometers advertise themselves as “really wireless” or “100% wireless,” which muddles the concept of wireless. Since they send data using airwaves, all other wireless thermometers are also “really wireless” or “100% wireless.” However, the marketing makes you think that a wireless device must not use any wires. If you were to open up one of these “no wire probes,” it’s likely that this isn’t even the case.
These thermometers are wireless and do not have any wires outside of them. I hope this is clear. The fact that these thermometers are clearly the best thermometers for rotisserie cooking is one thing that is simple to understand. Other types of wireless thermometers can be used on a rotisserie, as my previous post demonstrates, but it’s much trickier.
Meater is the industry leader for this kind of thermometer, and they are my recommendation for the top no-wires-probe thermometer. The Meater Plus is the variation I advise. But of course, the Meater Block is also a fantastic choice if you anticipate needing four probes.
There isn’t much difference between my second and third suggestions, so I’ll declare a tie. The MeatStick X and the Yummly Smart Thermometer are the second and third choices, respectively, in no particular order.
Single Probe Thermometer
KISS, or Keep It Simple, Stupid, is wise counsel that is all too frequently disregarded. Do you require a wireless thermometer with all the bells and whistles included in contemporary dual-probe thermometers? I don’t need them, but I do enjoy playing with new technology.
A single-probe thermometer might be for you if you decide you don’t need all the fancy gadgets and simply need something simple to tell you the temperature of the meat you are cooking. I will suggest two various designs of single-probe thermometers. The first will be a simplified version of a contemporary dual probe thermometer, and the second will be a very straightforward vintage gauge thermometer.
The Thermoworks Dot is the best single-probe thermometer I suggest. For the one probe that is linked through a high-heat cable, you still get a digital display panel. There are no wireless technologies or phone apps to worry about. According to Thermoworks, winning BBQ teams buy stacks of them. Thus, if you want something straightforward and precise, this thermometer is for you.
The following two single-probe thermometers I suggest you buy have the gauge attached directly to the probe. The longer probe of one is better for larger portions of meat like pork shoulder, while the shorter probe of the other is better for steaks. The OXO Good Grips meat thermometer has the longer probe. The Char-Broil leave-in thermometer, which comes in a four-pack, is the smallest probe thermometer.
Infrared Thermometer
Infrared thermometers add a third type of temperature to be measured — surface temperatures — to those thermometers that already measure internal and ambient temperatures. What would require a BBQer to measure surface temps? Even though it’s not the most crucial kind of thermometer, you should be aware of the surface temperature before adding your meal to a pan, griddle, or pizza stone if you plan to sear anything with them. You’ll also want to measure surface temps if cooking on a flat-top grill.
I won’t pretend to understand the complex scientific principles underlying the operation of infrared thermometers. To a layperson, though, it appears to emit infrared light onto a surface, perform some magic, and then a digital display reveals the surface temperature. In order to create a high-quality infrared thermometer, the accuracy of this magic is all that counts.
The Etekcity Infrared Thermometer 1080, a traditional gun-shaped thermometer, is the first infrared thermometer I’ll advise you to get. Anyone who plans to cook mostly on a griddle-top grill should have this thermometer. However, the majority of people will only use an infrared thermometer a few times. Therefore, I believe a combination thermometer is preferable for the majority of grillers – a thermometer with infrared capabilities and an instant-read probe.
I’ll suggest a combined infrared thermometer that falls between two pricing ranges. As you might have predicted, Thermoworks’ Thermapen IR is the priciest recommendation. And the affordable option comes from Blackstone, the industry leader in griddle technology. The Blackstone Infrared Thermometer with Probe Attachment is the name of their thermometer.
Have a read of my best-infrared thermometer roundup.
Grill Grate Thermometer
The lid thermometer, as I already indicated, isn’t the best at providing ambient temperatures, but a dual probe thermometer is also expensive. So the purchase of a standalone grill grate thermometer is an additional choice.
These thermometers are straightforward gauge-style devices that you just put next to the meat on your grill; they aren’t particularly fancy. Since there aren’t many differences between grill grate thermometers, I can’t really rank them as the best, second best, or third best. I will thus only present you with three options in random order.
- Cuisinart CSG-100 Surface Thermometer
- Rubbermaid Commercial Grill Thermometer
- Blackstone Infrared Thermometer
Temp Controller Thermometer
If you frequently smoke food slowly at low temps, you’ll often start the cook the night before or really early in the morning. Or perhaps you enjoy making ribs while working from home. Or perhaps you frequently have errands to go on, children to watch, or housework to finish while grilling your favorite meal. A temperature controller thermometer is an ideal thermometer for you in that case.
A temp controller thermometer acts as an invisible assistant that constantly monitors the grill’s temperature to ensure that it is kept at the appropriate level. In order for these thermometers to function, you typically place an ambient probe on the grill grate, which measures the temperature and transmits that data to a fan that is mounted in a lower vent. If the temperature is lower than what you want it to be, the fan will run faster, allowing more oxygen to reach the coals and causing the grill to heat up. Of course, the fan will slow down if the temperature is already too high.
The type of grill you own will determine which temperature controller thermometer is best for you to purchase. Check before you buy because the majority of manufacturers of these thermometers also offer extra accessories that make it easier to install them on common grills.
I would suggest two thermometers that are reasonably flexible and one that is made expressly to fit the Weber kettle grill, which is the most widely used grill in the world.
Although temperature controller thermometers are very pricey, my first suggestion is on the more affordable end of the spectrum. The ISC-007BW Inkbird Smoker Thermometer. Although I still wouldn’t call this thermometer inexpensive, the Inkbird is a steal when compared to what some of the competition is charging.
Here’s a small variation on what I’ve been talking about throughout this article and on how the traditional temperature controllers function. My second suggestion is a Thermoworks device, and this time it’s not a pricey one; in fact, I believe this choice offers the finest value.
The Thermoworks Bellow is not a stand-alone temperature controller like the majority of other products; rather, it collaborates with a few of the company’s other premium thermometers, such as the Signals or Smoke 4X. These high-end thermometers, as I said, are pricey on their own, but when coupled with the Bellows, you have a temperature controller at a cost that is typical for this kind of thermometer. However, when not in use as a temperature controller, it doubles as one of the best dual-probe thermometers.
Do you possess the most well-liked grill ever? The Weber Kettle! Then it will be very challenging for you to use any of the popular brands of temperature controllers without making a hole in your kettle. That is until the Spider Grills Venom Fan-Powered Temperature Controller was created recently.
The fan and air-tight ash catcher from Spider Grill are simply installed in place of your current ash catcher. Then you can let all of your cooks use this ash catcher and thermometer combination. unlike other temperature controllers, there is no need to remove and reinstall.
Have a read of my best temp controller thermometer roundup.
How to Choose the Best Grill Thermometer for you
I’ve provided a ton of information on various thermometers, along with my picks for the best thermometers for grilling and smoking. But it’s not about what I think or about me. I have no knowledge of your unique situation or grilling setup, so please accept my recommendations as a starting point and consider the following issues carefully before making your purchasing decision.
Type of Thermometer – Intended Use
Since there are so many kinds of thermometers, the first thing you should consider is what the thermometer is meant to be used for. If you only use a griddle grill for cooking, there is no use in investing in a dual probe or temperature-controlling thermometer. You are better off using an infrared or instant-read thermometer for this.
Is it worthwhile to upgrade or purchase an entirely new type of thermometer if you currently own one type? In general, I’d suggest it’s better to have a few necessities taken care of before upgrading your equipment, but only you can decide. Perhaps your thermometer is malfunctioning or is so inaccurate it is practically unusable.
The first step in selecting the best grill thermometer for you is determining the type of thermometer you require depending on the intended application and your current list of equipment.
Price
I would advise purchasing one thermometer from each segment if money is no object. Heck, why not purchase a few? But as we all know, everyone – with the exception of the top 1% – cares about money. Thus, examining your money to determine how much you can spend will aid in decision-making.
To make it simple for you to choose, I’ve tried to suggest thermometers in a variety of price ranges. However, if you just have $50 to spend, you won’t be purchasing a temperature controller or a dual probe WiFi thermometer. That being so, you can still get a high-quality thermometer from one of the other categories. Work out your budget so you can be aware of where you stand right away.
Brand Reputation
Too many thermometer businesses have come and gone, many of them making grandiose claims and vows, in my opinion. However, a lot of these businesses are merely consumers who shop online from the same Chinese factory and ask for a different logo to be applied to the front or a minor change in the casing. Once it is delivered to an Amazon warehouse, Amazon handles the rest.
The quality of the goods is not important to these people. With statements that are almost certainly false, they just promote the product as the best grilling thermometer you can buy. They began selling the thermometers after purchasing a few phony reviews. They will have sold their stock and will be resuming the process with a different logo by the time actual real reviews arrive to refute the false claims.
Consequently, brand reputation is crucial. You should look for a brand that has a number of products to its name and, in most cases, a history dating back a few years. Of course, you’ll want to check out some authentic product reviews from YouTube or Facebook groups for barbecue.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a single “best grill thermometer,” as you should know if you’ve read this post in its entirety. Everything relies on the characteristics you need and the tasks you need a thermometer to do.
If you’re as obsessed with grilling as I am, you’ll probably purchase a thermometer from each of the major categories. Even after covering all your bases, your collection still appears to expand every Father’s Day, birthday, and Christmas.
Therefore, I would have a difficult time identifying the best type of thermometer in addition to being unable to tell you which grill thermometer is the greatest. Although an instant-read thermometer and a dual probe thermometer will typically be tied for first place.
I can assure you that whatever thermometer you purchase based on this guide’s recommendations will be a high-quality piece of equipment. In fact, you can be very certain that any thermometer you purchase from the major firms mentioned will be of great quality and may even be the finest grill thermometer for your purposes.