5 Best Thermometer for Infants – Guide and Reviews
As a parent, the health and safety of your child are second to none. When they are just a baby, it’s imperative that you’re able to monitor their conditions so that you can stay on top of any kind of sickness or fever.
Thermometers are one of the most reliable ways to tell if something is wrong with your child since any changes in their body temperature will alert you to any potential issues going on inside. As such, we’ve compiled a list of the best thermometers for infants.
These handy devices will make it super easy to check your little one’s temperature, even while he or she is sleeping. Let’s see how they can work for you.
How to Choose the Best Thermometer for Infants
Method
Dealing with a fussy baby is never fun, and they usually don’t calm down so that you can take their temperature. As such, the technique is crucial because it can make a huge difference in how well you can use it. There are several ways that you can monitor your child’s temperature:
When choosing the right method for your baby, you will want something that is both accurate and comfortable. For example, forehead monitors are the preferred choice for many parents because they are so easy to use, but they are not always as accurate as other methods, particularly oral or rectal options.
There is another option, though, that uses infrared light to see your child’s temperature. These don’t require contact with the skin, so they can also be desirable. The tradeoff, however, is that they are more expensive and the temperature may fluctuate depending on where you’re aiming it.
Consistency
Although accuracy is always the primary objective with a thermometer, if you have nothing to compare it to, then how do you know if it’s accurate? We don’t suggest buying several models and seeing how they differ from each other. Instead, it’s better to take multiple readings from the same model and make a comparison.
For the most part, thermometers that vary wildly in temperature readings are not going to be that accurate. However, if they offer the same temperature (or minimal variation, such as one or two degrees), then they are probably much better for you and your baby.
To get a clear picture of how well a thermometer works, try it at least three times on your child. If you’re going to check multiple parts of their body, however, make sure to do at least two readings in each area. For example, two on the forehead and two under the armpit.
Doing it this way will ensure that you can monitor consistency in the same spot as well as how the temperature changes in different parts of your baby’s body. Some places may register differently than others based on environmental factors (i.e., your baby is swaddled and warmer on the outside).
Fast Acting
If you have to wait more than a few seconds for a readout, then you will probably hate your thermometer. With a sick infant, several seconds can feel like a lifetime, so you want something that won’t take forever to work. Ideally, it shouldn’t take more than five seconds to get a reading. Any more than that and you’ll probably be cursing your thermometer.
Readout Screen
Finally, when choosing a model for your baby, you want to see the number as clearly as possible. We recommend getting a thermometer with a back-lit screen so that it will always be visible, even in low light. It may seem like a minimal thing to worry about, but it can make a huge difference in the moment.
Recommended Thermometers for Infants
1- QQCute Digital Medical Infrared Forehead Thermometer
Editor Rating
Starting us off is this infrared model from QQCute. As we mentioned, these kinds of thermometers can be a little pricey when compared to more analog versions, but they are much more convenient and easier to use.
What we like about this model is that it takes your baby’s temperature in just one second. Again, we highly recommend that you check it a few times to see if it changes, so one-second readings make that a lot easier.
This thermometer also comes with a warning system. If your child’s temperature is too high, it will flash red on the screen. It will even softly beep. You can recall the last 20 readings for comparison, and this unit has a large LCD screen.
Finally, to keep the infrared scanner in pristine condition, there is a holding base for this thermometer. If you don’t keep it in the holder when not in use, it could affect the reading. This can be a little bit of a hassle, but it’s better to ensure accuracy so try to use it as much as possible.
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2- Medical Baby Forehead & Ear Thermometer FULLLIGHT TECH
Editor Rating
Next, we have another infrared thermometer, although this one is a bit more reliable and high tech than the QQCute version. In fact, this unit is approved by the FDA, which means that it had to go through a lot more screening.
Performance-wise, this thermometer has all of the features you could want or expect. First, it offers one-second readings, which is a huge benefit for any parents out there. Second, it can be used on both the forehead and the ear. You simply remove the large cover so that you can check your little one’s ear canal. Also, you can monitor room temperature as well as that of milk or other liquids if you like.
As with the other model, this thermometer offers a fever alarm, which flashes red if the temperature is too high. It works in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, and you can recall the last 20 readings. Finally, it comes with a large back-lit LCD screen.
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3- Digital Medical Thermometer by Enji Prime
Editor Rating
As we mentioned above, the great thing about infrared thermometers is that they are super fast, but they might not be as accurate as a traditional model. In this case, the Digital Medical Thermometer from Enji Prime is the opposite of the units above. It’s much more accurate, but it takes up to 20 seconds to get a reading. This may or may not be a deal breaker for you and your baby, so be aware of that.
What we like about this thermometer is that it’s multipurpose. You can use it rectally or under the armpit; whichever works best for you. It can also take temperatures orally, but we don’t recommend that for infants. Once your child’s older then it will be okay.
Overall, this is a simple and cost-effective thermometer that provides accurate readings. If you’re not concerned about the time it takes to check your little one’s temperature, it can save you some money without sacrificing performance.
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4- Temporal Medical Thermometer by Paryvara
Editor Rating
Next, we have another infrared model, although this one is professional-grade material. When compared to other infrared thermometers, this one is much more accurate and reliable than most, although that does mean that it comes with a hefty price tag. This is probably the most expensive thermometer on the market, but if you value accurate readings that much, it could be worth it.
Overall, we like this thermometer for a lot of the same reasons as we do the others. It comes with a large back-lit LED screen, one-second readings, and the ability to recall the last 20 temperatures. It works on the forehead or the ear canal, and it displays in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.
The one downside we noticed is that it only comes with a one-year guarantee. Most of the thermometers we’ve seen have a lifetime replacement warranty, which is a pretty significant difference. Overall, if you aren’t turned off by the price tag, this is an excellent thermometer.
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5- Metene Medical Forehead and Ear Thermometer
Editor Rating
Our final stop is with this infrared thermometer from Metene. Much like the other ones on this list, this model is somewhat expensive but convenient and reliable. It works on both the forehead and the ear, and this unit even comes with corresponding buttons for accuracy.
Overall, the performance of this thermometer is about the same as the others. We like that it comes with a backlit LED screen, as well as the option to recall the last 20 readings. It’s both lightweight and compact, and the design is soft and ergonomic.
As with most thermometers, this one can switch from Celsius to Fahrenheit, and it provides one-second readings. This unit also comes with a one-year limited warranty.
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Final Verdict
When comparing all of these thermometers, we have to say that our top pick is the infrared model from Full-light Tech. This unit is highly accurate, reliable, and more cost-effective than most of the other thermometers out there. Overall, it’s perfect for your baby.
