$12.48
Walmart
$22.49
CVS
Get accurate temperature readings with these home thermometers
Doctors recommend keeping a thermometer at home in case someone feels sick, and buying a digital option that is easy to read.
This thermometer is flexible and can be used as an oral, rectal or underarm thermometer, making it the best option for most people. It can take a temperature reading in eight seconds, according to the brand. The digital display changes color based on its readings: a green display means no fever, a yellow display means the temperature is slightly elevated and a red display means a fever is present. The thermometer automatically shuts off after use and its memory settings recall the last temperature taken if you need to compare them. It comes with batteries and a storage case.
This thermometer is specifically designed for taking a baby’s temperature rectally. The probe is shorter than most thermometers and shaped to prevent over-insertion. It delivers a reading in 10 seconds and stores up to 10 previous readings, according to the brand.
This ear thermometer is pricier but more advanced than other options. It helps you position it for the best possible reading — the screen flashes and emits a beep when it’s properly positioned in your ear. It takes a reading in seconds, and you can input the age of the person whose temperature you’re taking — the screen changes color based on the age and reading you get. The thermometer comes with lens covers, a case and batteries.
This thermometer can connect to a companion app, allowing you to keep track of temperatures over time (plus track medication and set reminders, if you want). Like our other options, it delivers a reading in less than 10 seconds, beeps when it is finished and shows temperatures on a clear, digital screen. It comes with a storage case.
This option can act as a forehead or ear thermometer — it has a built-in infrared sensor you can insert into the ear and comes with a cap you can place on top of the sensor to get a reading from the forehead. The thermometer can deliver a reading in one to three seconds and can recall 20 past temperatures, according to the brand. The thermometer also beeps and displays a red light on its screen when it detects a fever. It comes with a storage pouch and batteries.
A temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever, says Fisher. An elevated temperature is a normal part of the immune response — if you have a cold, flu, Covid or other infection, a fever is “likely just a reflection of the immune system doing what it’s built to do: fight off infections,” says Fisher. But if you have a very high fever (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit) or a prolonged fever (over 4-5 days), Fisher recommends calling your healthcare provider.
Additionally, a fever in a newborn baby under 28 days old should always prompt you to call your doctor, he says.
You should always clean thermometers before and after use. Viola recommends using rubbing alcohol or soap and water to clean thermometers, and storing them in a dry place that won’t drastically change temperatures. If you’re using a thermometer as a rectal thermometer, clean it thoroughly and label it for that use only, says Viola.
Yes. According to the FSA eligibility list, thermometers are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA) and health reimbursement account (HRA). However, they’re not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Zoe Malin is a reporter at NBC Select who has written about health since 2020, including topics like face masks, toothpaste and fluoride. For this story, she interviewed two medical providers about thermometers and illness.
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology including recent stories on blood pressure monitors, air purifiers and smart scales. He researched thermometers and selected different types that met our expert guidance.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
