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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some or all of our picks may be sold out. Any digital thermometer you find at a pharmacy right now should be okay at reading body temperature. Also, keep in mind that it’s fine to borrow a thermometer, as long as you sanitize it between uses. But if you want to buy a thermometer online right now, we’ve found a few options that are still available. The following models were in stock at the time of our updating this guide, but things are changing fast:
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The iProven DTR-1221A, an oral/axillary thermometer, is a less expensive option compared with the ear and forehead model we recommend from the company ($20 at the time of publication).
Baby thermometers use the same heat-sensing technology as that in thermometers for adults. We’ll continue monitoring stock on these. BBT thermometers, which are often used for fertility tracking, should also work. Just make sure the one you buy has a wide enough range to measure a fever.
Our pick
Vicks ComfortFlex
The best oral thermometer
Fast, accurate, and reliable, the Vicks ComfortFlex features a backlit, easy-to-read display with a clear fever-alert feature.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $15.
The Vicks ComfortFlex was faster than any thermometers in its class. The clear, backlit display is larger than those on its competitors and delivers easy-to-read measurements. The fever alarm—which lights up the display in green, yellow, or red depending on the temperature reading—is a straightforward guide for anyone unsure of what qualifies as a fever.
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Our pick
iProven DMT-489
The best ear and forehead thermometer
Pulling double duty as both an ear and forehead thermometer, the iProven DMT-489 offers fast and reliable readings. It’s good for households with kids (but not for children younger than 6 months).
Buying Options
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $65.
Although adults may appreciate the speed of ear and forehead thermometers, where these devices really shine is when you’re taking a kid’s temperature. The iProven DMT-489 switches easily from forehead to ear functionality and features an easy-to-read, color-coded display that takes the guesswork out of classifying a fever.
Runner-up
Sanpu Digital
A little slower and bulkier
Accurate and reliable, with a backlit display, this thermometer is not as consistently fast as our top pick, but it can switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
Our runner-up, the Sanpu Digital, features the largest display of all oral thermometers we tested and, like our top pick, is backlit. It provides a measurement that’s as accurate as the competition’s. However, like several thermometers we tested, it’s slower than our top pick, taking as long as 25 seconds to provide a reading.
Runner-up
Kinsa Ear
Syncs with iOS or Android
This smart thermometer doesn’t need to be synced with your device to display the temperature. It’s intuitive to use but can be used only with the ear.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
If the iProven is sold out or you don’t plan to use the forehead mode, we recommend the Kinsa Ear. It’s a smart thermometer that can record your temperature by syncing via Bluetooth with any iOS or Android device (though you don’t need an app to see the temperature readings). However, unlike the iProven, it doesn’t work for forehead readings, and it lacks the easy to read, color-coded display.
Also great
Braun No Touch Forehead Thermometer
Silent, but forehead only
The Braun No Touch Forehead Thermometer offers a completely silent reading, which means it’s good for sleeping children.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
May be out of stock
If beeps or other noises are a concern, we recommend the Braun No Touch Forehead Thermometer. This forehead-only device is easily silenced and produces exceptionally speedy readings. It also offers a no-touch option.
source: hafta-ichi.com/wirecutter/