As you need to measure the temperature of pizzas, steak, or lamb, it’s crucial to get the best non-contact infrared thermometer. But with so many products available on the market, making a perfect selection is no piece of cake. So, check out the main factors you should consider to invest wisely in a non-contact infrared thermometer.
Benefits of a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer
- With a non-contact infrared thermometer gun, you can easily record the temperatures of both non-living and living objects accurately.
- While you're cooking, you can measure the temperature of grilling meat or cooking pizza.
- You don’t have to clean the thermometer after measuring the temperature of food due to lack of contact.
Factors To Keep in Mind Before You Buy a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer
Temperature range
Different non-contact infrared thermometers have varying temperature ranges in both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. While browsing through the products, check the range to ensure the chosen thermometer can accurately read temperatures according to your purpose. For instance, if you want the product to measure cooking temperature or electrical appliances, the scale range should be -58˚F/-50˚C to 1022˚F/550˚F.
Performance
Every non-contact infrared thermometer is equipped with an advanced IR sensor to display the most accurate results. A few products come with environmental and distance sensors as well. They control other variables that might impact the reading and display results with 99% accuracy. If the product emits laser radiation, ensure it points in the right direction without flickering. You also need to ensure the sensor has the least response time (from 500 ms to 3 seconds) to get the value almost immediately.
Measurement distance
Every non-contact infrared thermometer has a pre-defined measurement distance. Maintain this range to get optimal results. Thermometers used only for animate objects feature a minimum distance of 14.17 inches while the products configured for humans can measure temperature from 1 cm minimum.
LCD back-lit display
Ensure the LCD display of the chosen non-contact infrared thermometer is large enough to help you read the value accurately, and the chosen scale. In some products, the back-lit can change its color to green, orange, and red according to the recorded temperature. Some thermometers also feature an auto shut-off feature. Once the sensor detects inactivity for a certain time, the back-lit light will get turned off to extend battery power.
Intelligence
A few non-contact infrared thermometers come with an intelligent memory function that records past values. The number of records can vary from 10 to 35, ensuring you can track temperature readings and easily reach a conclusion.
Grip
You must choose a non-contact infrared thermometer with an ergonomic design to ensure your grip doesn’t falter. Failure to do so may cause an inaccurate temperature reading, as you can lose control of the product and the laser won’t point at the right spot anymore.
Scale switch
Some non-contact infrared thermometers feature a scale switch with which you can toggle between ˚C and ˚F. This way, you can easily read the recorded temperature in a convenient manner.
Lock function
A few non-contact infrared thermometers come with a lock function to hold the displayed result for a certain time, like seconds. This will give you enough time to note down the temperature.
Price Range of Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer
The price range of non-contact infrared thermometers varies from $9.99 to $29.99, depending on multiple factors. For instance, if you choose a thermometer with a measuring distance of 14.17 inches and a lock function, its price will be higher than other products. Similarly, a thermometer with multiple sensors and intelligent memory function will be priced higher than regular products.
