The 12 Best Meat Thermometers in 2024, Tested by Editors

We’ve tested more than a dozen digital thermometers, and Meater’s bestselling option came out on top for its durable design, easy-to-use interface that does its job quickly. Plus, you don’t normally classify a meat thermometer as cool, but that’s exactly what Meater is. This has a range of 165 feet, no wires, and a pair of reliable sensors. You can monitor your meal by way of your mobile device, and the app will even crunch the numbers for you and determine ideal cooking times.

The probe itself is eye-catching, and the wooden case is a nice touch. The app is worth mentioning again, as it can help you organize multiple dishes and give you alerts if you have your hands full. That makes it ideal for guys who love to multi-task in the kitchen. Made of heat-resistance ceramic and stainless steel, this tool can puncture even the toughest of meats and will last a long, long time.

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Sometimes, you just want what you need. That’s exactly what this meat thermometer delivers, with a few extras that are quite useful (the magnetic build is nice for storing on a fridge or hood and the loops is great for clipping onto things). The probe folds in to save space, and it’s one of the sharper ones we tested, meaning it works very well regardless of meat type. That’s even more impressive, considering this is the cheapest option on the list.

The food chart is a nice reference point, and the larger screen means you’ll never be squinting to see results. Readings show up swiftly, after just a few seconds. And because it’s waterproof, you can just hand-wash the thing quickly when done.

Pros

• Great range
• Extremely accurate
• Good app
• Wireless

Bluetooth enabled with an impressive range of 500 feet, the TempSpike is a classy meat thermometer indeed. It’s hard to imagine getting a more comprehensive read on your protein, as the thing comes with a pair of probes and sensors. With zero wires, we especially like it when cooking with more involved equipment, like rotisseries and spits.

The app is a nice blend of customization for individual cooking styles, recipes, and pertinent info like USDA meat temperatures. Though we did find the app was a bit more complicated to use than the Meater. There’s hardly such thing as too much data, and the fact that the thermometer offers both ambient cooking temp and meat temp is a great bonus.

Going the infrared route is just plain fun. You feel a bit like a state trooper with this thing in hand, clocking temperatures by simply aiming it at your various meats and pushing the button. There’s a great prep element here too as the thermometer can properly read a cooking surface before you add your ingredients. That means it’s great to knowing exactly when the barbecue is ready or the griddle for morning pancakes.

You can really nerd out with this thing as because there’s no probe, there are endless possibilities. That means you can even gauge temperatures of cooking oils when operating on the stove top, for perfect sautés. The thermometer reaches an incredible 752 degrees F, and because there’s no contact, there’s no risk of cross contamination. Now that’s a futuristic meat thermometer.

Pros

• Sleek design
• Quick readings
• Useful case

This meat thermometer looks like a small epipen, with an all stainless steel build and matching case. As an All-Clad product, it’s tremendously durable and offers quick and spot-on readings. The backlit screen is great for cooking in the dark, and it’s easy to keep close as the compact design means an easy fit in a pocket (or clip on via the ring).

The small screen can be a bit of an issue if your vision is not good but overall, this thermometer is easy to work with. Admittedly, it’s nice using something that’s not weighed down in plastic.

Pros

• Lean design
• Lightweight
• Useful case

Press the “on” button (the little one on the lower left). Jab the meat thermometer needle into whatever you are temping. Wait for the reading. That’s it. No bull. It’s cheap, simple and straightforward and a good entry-level option. If you’re not doing any over-the-top cooking, this tool will serve you just fine.

We like the leanness of this thermometer and because it’s so small, it stores easily and is just as easy to carry around (like a pen in your pocket). The probe is durable and you get readings to the tenth of a degree.

Pros

• Good value
• Quick response
• User friendly

People sort of geek out over this top meat thermometer, if you can believe that. That’s largely because unlike many less expensive thermometers, the Javelin fires back a reading in just a few seconds. So you spend less time waiting to see if your food is done and more time doing something far more fun. Based on our research, it’s one of the best under-$30 (and most popular) instant-read meat thermometers on the market.

Bonus points for the color flair and foldout probe. We also like the sleek and modern design. This could double as a small piece of Ikea furniture, and we’re cool with that.

Pros

• Great reviews
• Durable
• Simple design
• Two probe lengths

ThermoWorks makes one of the quickest, accurate and easy to use meat thermometers on the market—and for under $50. It hits the trifecta of the basics when it comes to this handy kitchen accessory. With tons of tons of favorable reviews from our testers, it’s pretty durable with a molded seal- and splash-proof marker. Plus, it comes in several different colors to match your kitchen décor. It’s simple, but reliable, and sometimes that’s all you need.

The screen autorotates, which is a great feature when you’re under the gun cooking and managing multiple tasks at once. The ergonomic design is smart, and it’s even great for frying.

Tech-loving chefs will want to get their hands-on the Bluetooth Maverick BT-600. It’s the perfect meat thermometer for multi-tasking, especially if you’re busy outside the kitchen. You can monitor your food from up to 300 feet away. It provides a precise temperature display with two waterproof probes, meaning you can measure two pieces at once.

This is the one to have for the chef who likes to make multi-course meals with a variety of proteins and temperature-sensitive ingredients. It even comes with grill clips and a stand, so you can place it just about anywhere.

When you live in a small apartment, with an even smaller kitchen, there is nothing worse than junking up your drawers with kitchen tools you will only use sometimes. This Char-Broil meat thermometer is the best for small cooking spaces. With a fold up design, it can fit just about anywhere. That makes it great for packing to the campsite or tailgater too.

Plus, it’s super easy to read with an audible temperature alarm and the ability to read seven different meat types. It’s like having a little magic wand you can wave around with confidence every time you cook.

Pros

• Color options
• Fast functioning
• Lighted screen
• Useful and programmable modes

As one of them most trusted meat thermometers from chefs all over, the Thermapen MK4 deserves an award. (This list counts as one, right?!) Sure, it comes at a higher price point, but you get a super fast and accurate reading, waterproof seal, smart backlight, auto-rotating display, and a motion-sensing sleep and wake mode.

It’s an advanced and intuitive kitchen tool that can handle just about anything. Some of the extra features seem like extras until you get used to them, rely on them, and love them. The design is welcoming, and the size and weight are ideal.

Pros

• Decent range
• Great heat resistance
• Helpful pager

Great kitchen tools bring efficiency to your process. This portable meat thermometer from AcuRite allows you to monitor your roast from up to 100 feet away. It even has a remote pager for when your meat reaches the desired temperature (or you just want to relive the 90s). If you’re looking for the best cheap wireless meat thermometer, look no further.

We love it for al fresco cooking (i.e. barbecuing), especially when friends are over and it’s easy to get distracted (it will remind you when things are done). While a little bulky, there’s a lot of value to this meat thermometer.

How to Use Meat Thermometers

The trick to using meat thermometers is to stick it into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding fat and bone. That will give you a proper read, evaluating the deepest set section, the one most likely to be underdone. The last thing you want, especially if you’re hosting, is to serve your famous beer can chicken only to cut into it and see some pink parts.

You’re looking to record the lowest possible internal temperature in the deepest darkest center of the meat. If you at any point see the temperature on the thermometer start to rise, know that you’ve gone too far. There’s no harm in taking multiple readings to confirm initial results. In fact, we recommend it because, well, science. The more data you have to work with the better.

But don’t overdo it as the meat thermometers on the market in 2024 are wildly accurate and efficient. You won’t need more than a quick single reading with these handy gadgets. A better approach involves timing. Check the meat temperature about 30 minutes before the recipe expects it to be fully cooked, to make sure you’re on track. The meat will continue to cook once taken off the heat, so allow about five minutes of resting time as a part of the “cook time.” Check out the Food Safety’s Safe Minimum Cooking Temperature Chart for a more specific guideline on cooking and resting temperatures.