Best infrared thermometer for adults and children: how to choose it?
At a time like this, when we are all still struggling with the Covid19 pandemic, having a precision instrument available to measure the temperature is absolutely essential. Since the mercury thermometer is defined as potentially dangerous for our health and, obviously, not very ecological, the infrared one is certainly the most suitable alternative for a family.
There is a wide range of models available on the market and choosing the right one for your needs can be really complicated. It is for this reason that we have decided to write this buying guide: by providing you with technical characteristics, prices and reviews, we want to help you find the best infrared thermometer to use on a daily basis.
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What is an infrared thermometer?
The infrared thermometer is a device that can detect a person's temperature from a distance. Thanks to a pointer that emits infrared rays, this thermometer processes the radiation emitted by the human body thus obtaining the temperature. It is an extremely precise and practical accessory to use. Indispensable not only for children who do not like the classic thermometer, but also for adults who must necessarily measure their own temperature daily or that of collaborators and customers.
With what criteria did we make this product selection?
The products we have selected for you have been evaluated on the basis of:
- given temperature accuracy (maximum deviation +/- 0.2 ° C)
- ease of use
- clarity in reading and understanding the result
- consumer reviews
- value for money.
Furthermore, these measuring devices have all been certified by the medical profession.
Withings Thermo: the perfect model for families
Product description:
This model allows you to measure the temperature instantly, in a non-invasive and absolutely hygienic way. To get the most reliable data possible, it is advisable to aim Thermo at 1 cm from the forehead, so as to detect the temperature in the temporal artery, which is considered the most reliable area since the blood flow comes directly from the heart. The result obtained will appear on the LED display. The color green, orange or red indicates, respectively, if the temperature is normal, high or worrying, taking into account the age of the person undergoing the measurement.
The advantages:
- The measurements are automatically synchronized with the smartphone (via Bluetooth), thanks to the free Thermo app (available for iOS and Android). Depending on the fever lines and symptoms, here you can also get advice on how to cover yourself and lower your temperature.
- Through Thermia, Boston Children's Hospital's educational information tool, you will know which drugs to take and in what dosage.
- The application also offers the possibility to create a real complete health diary, in which you can add comments and record information, to keep a history to share with your doctor.
- The device supports up to 8 user profiles: it is ideal for recording the data of entire families.
- The 2 AAA batteries are already provided for operation.
You can buy Withings Thermo on Amazon on a special offer for € 79.95
IDOIT 4 in 1: the most versatile device
Product description:
This digital thermometer allows you to measure the temperature in two ways: at a distance or from the ear, so as to be able to evaluate which of the two is more suitable for the subject and for the circumstances. The device is equipped with an infrared sensor, particularly sensitive, capable of detecting even the slightest temperature variations. The clear and bright OLED display can take on 4 colors: blue when the device is measuring, green to indicate a normal level temperature, orange in case of fever and red for a very high fever.
The advantages:
- This product has 4 modes: forehead thermometer for adults, forehead thermometer for children and babies, ear thermometer and room or object temperature meter (such as baby food).
- Stores up to 40 temperature readings, making it easier to monitor the situation.
- It is silent so that you can measure the temperature of children without waking them.
- The result is displayed quickly, in 1 second, on the backlit display.
- With the button on the back you can choose between degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Works with 2 AAA batteries already included in the box.
The IDOIT 4 in 1 digital thermometer can be purchased on Amazon for € 34.99
Braun Thermoscan 7: the most accurate for children
Product description:
This Braun Thermoscan 7 ear thermometer is designed with the unique Age Precision technology. It is one of the most recommended models by doctors and the user reviews are very positive. This patented technology helps to interpret your baby's temperature taking into account his or her exact age. Age Precision is a guarantee of quality for all parents!
The advantages:
- Age-based thermometer setting: 0 to 3 months, 3 to 36 months or for adults.
- Preheating of the disposable tip to avoid the unpleasant discomfort when it is inserted and to avoid the risk of temperature alterations.
- LCD digital screen has a "night light" mode to not wake your baby if you measure his temperature while he sleeps.
- Comfortable ergonomic handle to facilitate correct positioning of the device.
- Disposable hygienic tips already supplied, thus avoiding any possible contamination or false results due to residual earwax.
- Measurement accuracy: the screen is displayed in green, yellow or red according to the measured temperature and the age of the subject, with a variability of 0.2 °.
- Package includes 2 AA Duracell batteries
Braun Thermoscan 7 is available online on Amazon at a price of € 48.61
ANKOVO Laser Thermometer: best quality / price ratio
Product description:
The ANKOVO laser thermometer is a digital thermometer, particularly suitable for children but also excellent for adults, which detects the temperature in less than 1 second. It is multifunctional: it can measure fever from the ear, remotely by pointing the forehead and can also detect the temperature of a room, objects or liquids (such as baby food and milk). Thanks to a switch you can select the reading in degrees Celsius (℃) or Fahrenheit (℉).
The advantages:
- Mute and Unmute mode switch and backlit screen allow you not to wake up children while they sleep
- The temperature alarm is both acoustic and with colored lights: if the temperature is low the green light lasts 3 seconds with a long beep, if it reaches 37.9 ° the orange light lasts 3 seconds with 3 short beeps and if it exceeds 38 ° the red light lasts 3 seconds with 5 long beeps.
- The thermometer can turn off automatically after 10 seconds of non-use, saving energy.
- Can store up to 35 results.
- It is powered by 2 AAA batteries, included in the package.
Buy ANKOVO Laser Thermometer on Amazon on offer at € 16.99
Beurer FT 58: the easiest professional thermometer to use
Product description:
This Beurer thermometer is designed with a highly sensitive sensor and offers an alarm as early as 37.5 ° C. It is cheap but has a good basic quality, it works extremely simply, although it has less functionality than other models ..
The advantages:
- The ease of use of this very simple and practical model
- The ability to measure, in addition to body temperature, also surfaces: food, bath water, milk for babies and the environment.
- The display is very clear to read and the result is clearly visible.
- The ear tips are disposable and interchangeable to ensure optimal hygiene
The Beurer FT 58 model is available on Amazon discounted for € 22.99
SOYES Wall Thermometer: the perfect model for schools, companies and workplaces
Product description:
This thermometer can measure the temperature without any contact, allowing you to maintain a safe social distance. It is particularly suitable for schools, shopping malls, offices and clinics.
It is well suited for corporate contexts, where it can happen to receive international guests, because in addition to having the dual measurement of Celsius and Fahrenheit, it can be set, in addition to Italian, in English, German, French and Spanish.
The advantages:
- Fast and accurate temperature measurement in 0.5 seconds
- Three placement methods: bracket, adhesive paste and wall hanging.
- The temperature detection has 2 colors: normal green, high orange and very high red.
- Perfect in those places where the passage of a lot of people makes control difficult.
- Can be used with USB cable or with 3 AA batteries (cables and batteries are excluded at the time of purchase).
You can buy SOYES Wall Thermometer online on Amazon for € 43.99
What are the best ways to measure body temperature?
Especially in this pandemic time, when fever is one of the suspicious symptoms, the first thing to check in a person is the temperature. To do this professionally and reliably, there are 3 different ways:
- with the ear thermometer: it is the most reliable device and works very simply. The infrared sensor on the tip of the device measures the temperature inside the ear cavity. Since the blood flow comes directly from the heart, the temperature reading is extremely accurate. The result is displayed in less than 5 seconds.
- with the oral, rectal and axillary thermometer: ie with the classic thermometer to be placed under the tongue, in the anus or in the armpit. In this case the result is a little less precise, but still enough to understand the subject's temperature
- the forehead or distance thermometer: it is a medical device for measuring the temperature mainly of the forehead. Some models require no skin contact and are known as "infrared". Appreciated for their practicality, however, attention must be paid to the accuracy of the results.
Our opinion: A remote thermometer is very useful, but the ear model remains the most reliable.
Now that the whole world is grappling with this virus, interest in thermometers is on the rise. The most sought after models are the so-called remote, contactless ones, for several reasons: greater precision, guaranteed hygiene, multiple functions, quick results. and evident ease of use (especially for measuring the temperature of newborns).
Despite this, however, the most accurate thermometers are still the ear thermometers, the most effective for obtaining reliable results, provided they are used correctly.
The advantages of the non-contact thermometer
- The result is very fast, just a few seconds "wait. The polar opposite to mercury thermometers.
- No contact with the patient is required, in fact the forehead thermometer does not touch the person.
- It is ideal for taking a baby's temperature without disturbing him in his sleep.
- It is the most hygienic in case you have to measure the temperature of several people.
- The use is versatile as infrared thermometers can also measure the temperature of food, objects, liquids and surfaces.
- Some of these models offer advanced features, such as synchronization with the phone for more accurate temperature monitoring.
Basically, for families, medical personnel and companies, this is the most suitable device! In these cases, it makes sense to have one or more forehead thermometers: they are easy to handle, quick to use, autonomous and reliable.
The disadvantages of non-contact infrared thermometers
It should be noted that, although these models are often criticized for their lack of accuracy, the ones we select are reliable and have all been positively reviewed by those who have used them (all have a minimum rating of 4/5 stars from Amazon users) .
The only negative is that the price is undoubtedly higher when compared to a traditional thermometer, but we have shown that there are also models with an excellent quality / price ratio.
Our final opinion
In our opinion, the best thermometers remain the earphones, they have the advantage of being very precise and minimally invasive, especially for children. The ideal is to choose an ear thermometer with disposable tips. In this case, remember to buy replacement tips right away, to be replaced after each use, in order to protect hygiene.
You can buy Braun Caps for Thermometers, 40 Pieces on Amazon on offer at 7,30 €
Proper maintenance of the infrared thermometer
These devices for measuring temperature, being so technological, are also particularly delicate and it is therefore necessary to pay attention to some small details to allow them to function correctly over the years.
- Infrared thermometers are sensitive to magnetic fields and must be kept away from other electronic devices such as smartphones, TVs, computers etc.
- Before being activated, a thermometer must have the need to settle at the ambient temperature.
- The pointer must always be kept clean. The accuracy of the measurement also depends on hygiene.
- It is a good idea to avoid sudden changes in temperature and to store the thermometer at room temperature.
Why is it so important to measure fever during this period?
One of the symptoms not only of Covid19 virus infection, but also of seasonal flu, is sudden fever. It is therefore advisable to always have an effective and accurate thermometer at home, especially for people at risk: children, the elderly and immunosuppressed patients. Regular temperature monitoring therefore requires precise measurement.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Our advice is not a substitute for a doctor's advice. In case of suspicion of contagion by an influenza virus (Covid-19, H1N1, etc.), avoid any contact with close people and proceed immediately to measure the temperature and contact the appropriate emergency services (1500 is the free public utility number of the Ministry of Health).
