The 10 Best Baby Thermometers
Special Honors
CVS Health Flexible Tip Designed with comfort in mind, this soft model can be used orally, rectally, and under the arm. It can display readings in either Fahrenheit or Celsius, and provides results in just a few seconds, with a fever alarm when a high temperature is detected. It remembers the last temperature taken, so you won’t need to bother writing anything down. The required batteries are included, and its water-resistant build makes it easy to clean. cvs.com
Walgreens Infrared Instant Rendering results within two seconds, this certified accurate device features a bright LED temperature indicator and conveniently can recall the last 10 results. The screen lights up green, orange, or red to correspond with the temperature. Its curved, ergonomic shape makes it comfortable to use, and the required button battery is included. walgreens.com
Editor's Notes
April 19, 2020:
Anyone with an infant knows how nerve wracking a fever can be, but fortunately there are multiple thermometer designs that can read a baby’s temperature quickly and accurately. In this update, we added the iProvèn DMT-489, a model that’s both reliable and easy to use. It can be placed on the forehead for a quick reading, and its bright light-up display makes it convenient when you need to take a child’s temperature in the middle of the night. Another high-tech digital thermometer is the Withings Thermo, which utilizes 16 infrared sensors that take more than 4,000 measurements to ensure accurate results. It conveniently can pair with your smartphone to track up to eight family members' symptoms and medication history, receive reminders, and keep notes.
We also added in the popular Braun BFH-125, which provides results in seconds and color codes them so you can tell at a glance whether your baby has a fever. The newly added Exergen Temporal is from a company that was a pioneer in the early acceptance of temporal artery thermometry. It provides a reading with a simple stroke across the forehead and can remember the last eight readings, so you can check a fever’s progression with just a few presses of a button. It’s made in the United States and is backed by a five-year warranty.
Those interested in a rectal model, which is recommended by many pediatricians for very young infants, should check out the Vicks V934 and the Safety 1st Gentle Read, both of which provide a short probe to avoid over-insertion, which is a worry of many parents using this type of model. They both come with a storage case that makes them easy to take along in a diaper bag or a purse. The Summer Infant Pacifier allows you to provide soothing comfort while you check a little one’s temperature. It beeps when a reading is complete and glows red when there’s a fever. Be aware that the battery isn’t replaceable, so you’ll need to throw it away when it dies.