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The Best Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer of 2024
Instead of using a regular thermometer to test your cooked food, which would require you to stick holes in your dish, a non-contact infrared thermometer can test the temperature of your meal in seconds without affecting your beautiful roast or baked salmon. You can even find models featuring intelligent memory functions, smart back-lit color change, and hold functions. Along with our buying guide, we've crafted this curated list with some of the best non-contact infrared thermometers of 2024 to help you make dinners without overcooking or undercooking your food. Our top pick is the Elekcity Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer, but the other recommendations are just as efficient!
View all ContentsThe Best Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers
Best Overall
With less than 500 ms response time, this no-contact infrared thermometer measures the temperatures of inanimate objects accurately. Its laser grip precisely reads temperatures from a safe distance of 14.17 inches. It also holds the reading for 15 seconds to help you record the value.
With a scale range of -58˚F/-50˚C to 1,022˚F/550˚C, this thermometer helps you check if your steak inside the oven is cooked to a perfect medium rare or not. The ˚F/˚C button enables you to switch between temperature scales and get the desired value on a back-lit LED screen. Its auto-shut-off feature extends battery life when not in use. With a Class 2 laser and an optical power of 0.9 Mw, this no-contact thermometer is the best overall product on the list.
Pros
- The backlight display can be turned off
- Multipurpose thermometer
- Generates rapid results
Cons
- Cannot measure the internal temperature
Most Versatile
With a measurement accuracy of 0.1˚C, this no-contact infrared thermometer measures the temperature of mocktails, cocktails, and other drink types. Its advanced infrared laser and sensor give accurate results. It also records and stores the last 10 readings, allowing you to refer to past data.
The back-lit LED screen changes its color to green, yellow, and red according to the measured temperature. If the value is out of range, you will get a warning beep sound. You can switch from ˚F to ˚C and vice versa to read values conveniently. It features a temperature range of 95˚F/35˚C to 109.2˚F/43˚C for people and 32˚F/0˚C to 199.4˚F/93 ̊C for inanimate objects.
Pros
- Smart back-lit color display
- It stores past 10 results
- Measures temperature from 3 cm
Cons
- Won’t shut off automatically when not in use
Best Design
This non-contact infrared thermometer measures temperature from only 1.18 inches and displays accurate results within 1 second. Its tri-point sensory infrared sensor collects data while the environmental and distance sensors work on maintaining other measurement variables.
As a result, the value displayed is most accurate. The large, easy-to-read LED display has enhanced its visibility. Instead of any beep or alarm sound, it vibrates subtly to inform you measurement is completed. On top of this, its sleek, slender design ensures proper grip while taking measurements of a freshly prepared rack of lamb or poached salmon for the barbeque.
Pros
- Three sensors record temperature accurately
- Easy to hold
- Aesthetically pleasing design
Cons
- Doesn’t feature a back-lit display
Best Value
Made from durable ABS material, this no-contact infrared thermometer features an ergonomic grip. It is equipped with a smart IC chip to display accurate temperature within one second. Its back-lit changes its color to green, orange, and red according to the measured temperature.
If it is an abnormal temperature, an alarm will be triggered to make you more aware. You can put it on mute mode to measure the temperature quietly. It can recall the past 35 readings, so you can check if the food in your oven or on the grill is cooking perfectly.
Pros
- Displays accurate results
- A larger LCD screen enhances visibility
- Easy-to-hold thermometer
Cons
- Does not read extreme temperatures
Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers: A Buying Guide
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.
People Also Asked
Can I replace the batteries of a non-contact infrared thermometer?
Yes, all non-contact infrared thermometers come with replaceable batteries to ensure you can use the product for a long time.
How will I know if the battery is less in a non-contact infrared thermometer?
Some non-contact infrared thermometers display low battery symbols on the screen, ensuring you can replace the battery as soon as possible.
How long will a non-contact infrared thermometer last?
The longevity of a contact infrared thermometer depends on your usage. For instance, you need to use high-quality batteries. Similarly, you cannot expose the non-contact infrared thermometer’s sensor to smoke or smog.
