The 05 Best Baby Thermometers In 2018 (Reviews & Buying Guide)

The concept of using thermometers began from theolden days when people placed their palms on the foreheads of their children to feel how warm they were.

With thegrowth of aculture of accuracy and precision, mercury thermometers were introduced. Unfortunately, there were a number of shortcomings associated with these mercury thermometers.

They were very slow in taking readings, very inaccurate and also in case of a mercury leakage they could cause adverse effects.
Infants generally have low immunity to infections; theseinfections come with symptoms such asa high fever that is hardly noticeable at times hence the need for thermometers.

 You can imagine waking up in the middle of the night seeing your baby profusely sweating.You will most likely be in a dilemma trying to figure out if the baby is sweating because of the increased room temperatures or a fever.

*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.


Factors To Consider When Buying A Baby Thermometer

  • User friendliness
    Can you imagine buying your baby a thermometer and when an emergency situation arises, you find yourself wondering how it works? To avoid such situations you might want to consider buying a thermometer that will be easy to use.
  • Accuracy
    By accuracy, we mean how precise the thermometer will be able to translate your baby’s temperature into readable figures. A good thermometer should give anexacttranslation so that incase a prescription is to be taken then you get exact values. This is because some thermometers might scale up your baby’s temperature and leave you getting worried about nothing while others might work vice versa and leave you comfortable while your baby is suffering
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  • Effectiveness and efficiency
    Imagine a fever has hit your baby and you are in a rush to know his temperatures, and the thermometer you are using takes longer to give an accurate reading.A situation like that might end badly.An efficient and effective thermometer will be a remedy to a situation like thisbecause it will give results instantly.
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    Consistency
    As a parent, you mightmost likely be required to take your baby’s temperatures regularly. What will happen if every time you take a reading, you get different results? That might lead to thewrong inference that will result inwrong prescriptions. A reliable thermometer should give consistent results no matter how many times per case you use it.
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    Safety
    Some thermometers are excessively fragile that in the course of handling, they may fall or malfunction. You should, therefore, make sure that the thermometer you buy your little one has asafety casingthat will protect it against damage.
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    Application
    There are different ways to determine your baby’stemperature reading. They include placing the thermometer in the ear, mouth, rectum or forehead. Before buying a thermometer, you should consider this factor because you might not want to find yourself in a situation where you want to determine a rectal temperature reading while the thermometer you own is a forehead thermometer.

Types Of Thermometers Available

Infrared Thermometers

They use infrared technology to detect changes in temperature. They are quick in giving theresults. They take 3 to 10 seconds. Their accuracy reduces with increase in the distance between them and the point you intended to measure from. If used as ear thermometers it is advisable to buy one that has a probe.

This will help you insert it inside the ear. Forehead Infrared thermometers are the best as they give accurate results and are simple to use. When using a non-contact infrared thermometer, watch the distance between the thermometer and your baby.

Where applicable: Forehead and ear.

Digital Stick Thermometers

Digital thermometers have a temperature sensing tip, display LCD screen and power button. Their mode of operation is simple, just place it on the point you are planning to take the readings from, power it and your results will be displayed.

Their probes come in two different forms, flexible probe or a rigid probe. Sincethey are powered using batteries, you might be required to at least have an extra one.


Where applicable: Armpits, Rectal and Oral.


So How Are Baby Thermometers Classified And How Accurate Are They?

Oral Thermometers

This type of thermometeris operated by placing itinyour baby’s mouth. Most of these thermometers use heat sensors to detect temperature changes.

They are well designed to make sure that they well fit your baby’s mouth. They are normally not accurate with fever temperatures.

Rectal Thermometers 

This is the most favourable type of thermometer that is suitable for taking fevertemperatures. It is administered by carefully inserting it into your baby’s rectum.

It can be hard and frustrating at times, but for a parent with guts, it is easy. Difficulty kicks in when maybe you are using it on a finicky and whirly baby.

Forehead Thermometers

This type of thermometeris best used by swiping it across your baby’s forehead. Using an infrared scanning feature, it reads temperatures from veins that are closely located near the surface of the forehead.

Because of this feature, you might need to be generous with your wallet.

Tympanic Thermometers

This type of thermometer measures the temperature of theear drum. They are the most comfortable thermometers to use provided you lap your baby well.

They best suit babies who are more than six months old.

Armpit Thermometers

They measure the temperatures of the armpits. They are the second most recommended accurate thermometers after the rectal thermometers.


What Are Some Of The Experts’ Recommendations On Which Thermometers To Use For Your Baby?

  • For newborns up to 3 years old
    The American Academic of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends rectal thermometers should be used on babies younger than three years old because they are accurate. Armpit thermometers become the second most accurate thermometers to use for babies of this age. It is recommended that while using armpit thermometer, if you find the temperature is above 99 F then it will be better to use a rectal thermometer.
  • For babies above 3 years and above
    For this group of infants, oral thermometers are suitable. However, sometimes they might be fidgety preventing you from getting anaccuratereading. A second option might be tympanic thermometers which give quick results and are simple to position. If you fail to get consistent results, checking with forehead thermometers will be the better to cross check to becertain about your baby’s temperatures.
  • For Teenagers and Adults
    For teenagers and Adults, oral thermometers and forehead are the most suitable.
    Here are some of the bets baby thermometers to consider buying this year.

Top Reviews

*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Top reviews

(Via Amazon.com)

Overview

Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometertops our review because of its certified design; it has a short probe that will deter you from over inserting it into the baby’s rectum. It is also takes readings quickly so that for an uncomfortable baby, it will only be a matter of seconds before you get your results. It has and audible signal that will alert you when it is done.

Top features

  • It has a bulbous shape.
  • Has a short probe.
  • Has an LCD unit.
  • Quick response rate, within 10 seconds.
  • It has a waterproof body.

Pros

  • It has awaterproof body hence eliminating worries while cleaning
  • It has a quick result display rate.
  • It has a short probe that will prevent you from over inserting it.
  • It is accurate and most preferred for rectal use.
  • It has a nice grip layout making it most suitable for rectal use.
  • If you’re a cautious mum, this one will be the best suitable.

Cons

  • It is only limited to anal

(Via Amazon.com)

Overview

iProven medical DMT- 489 Forehead thermometer is an elegant looking thermometer. It is slightly curved with an LCD unit that will display your results within seconds. This forehead thermometer is the best substitute for rectal thermometers because of itsaccurate results. This beautiful Thermometer has an adapter that will enable you to change the probe to best suit the surface you are planning to take themeasurementfrom. It can accommodate wide or narrow probes.


Top features

  • Has an adapter that enablesyou to change the size and shape of the probes.
  • Has quick result response rate of between 5-10 seconds.
  • It has an LCD unit that will display results just after powering on the infrared light.

Pros

  • It is very accurate
  • It can still be used for ear measurement.
  • It is faster when giving results.
  • The adapter feature allows changing of probes.

Cons

  • Very sensitive to dirt.

(Via Amazon.com)

Overview

If you need the best rectal thermometer, then the iProven Oral and Rectal Thermometer is the perfect one for the job. This dual purpose thermometer is an excellent digital thermometer with high accuracies and response rate of fewer than 10 seconds. What’s more, this thermometer is waterproof and can be used to take readings from both the mouth and the rectum.


Top features

  • It is dual purpose thermometer.
  • Gives accurate and first results.
  • It is waterproof
  • Has flexible probe.
  • It has a display unit that categorises the temperatures whether they are high, low or moderate.

Pros

  • Its ability to categorise temperatures will ease your decision making and quicken prescriptions.
  • The dual purpose feature will save you from spending money buying either an oral or a rectal thermometer since you will only need to buy one thermometer that serves both purposes.
  • It can also be used as armpit thermometers.
  • It is waterproof making it easy to wash
  • Its ability to give fast results will quicken your decision making.

Cons

  • They are somehow fragile if not well handled and can get damaged.

(Via Amazon.com)

Overview

Dr Madre Infrared thermometer is among the best infrared thermometers available today on the market. It uses its laser technology to detect temperature changes. All you need to do is just swipe it past your child’s forehead, and within no time you will have your accurate data. It is also designed to keep readings of the temperatures you already took making it easy to make references, isn’t that an impressive feature?


Top features

  • Ability to use infrared technology makes it the best.
  • Has capabilities to store readings.
  • Has high response rate.
  • It can speak out the results in different languages.
  • Distance does affect its accuracy; there are limits though.

Pros

  • Give fast and accurate results.
  • It can speak out results in different languages like Spanish and English.
  • You do not have to be close to your baby’s forehead for it to measure accurately.
  • It beeps to alert you when the results are available
  • It is also sold with areplacement warranty.
  • You can do a sneaky reading for your child while asleep without waking him up.

Cons

  • Exposure to excessive infrared light is sometimes harmful.

(Via Amazon.com)

Overview

Despite the fact that Braun Ear Thermometer is the last in our review, it is one of the most user-friendly thermometers. We are very sure you will love the experience with this one. Its pre-warmed probe will make your baby even not realise that it is on him. Its quick response rate will save your time while taking temperature readings. What’s more, the presence of the sanitation and safety case means that it is durable when handled carefully.


Top features

  • It has a soft and gentle probe tip.
  • Has a memory function making it easy to monitor your baby’s body temperatures.
  • Has a guideline which guides you if you have positioned it properly.
  • Has a sanitation and safety case.
  • Has a quick response rate.
  • Has a beeping sound that will alert you if it is ready for use or it is done taking the readings.

Pros

  • It is user-friendly to both you and your baby.
  • The storage memory will enable you to keep results in case you need to consult with your baby’s doctor.
  • It gives accurate and faster results.
  • The guideline feature allows you to take readings properly.
  • The tip of the probe is soft and gentle making it suitable for your baby.

Cons

  • It is relatively expensive compared to other thermometers.

Conclusion

Baby thermometers are basic requirements for any household with an infant because with most babies’ fragile immunity, there will be high cases of fever.

To ensure that you are adequately prepared to deal with such situations, you should have good and reliable thermometer in your arsenal. Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer (model v934)is a good example of such thermometers.

 It is cheap, accurate, fast and has a short probe that will make you comfortable while using it on your baby.

Kristi Cathey
 

Hi everyone! My name is Kristi Cathey and I’m glad you found your way to my blog. I am a mother of 3 beautiful angels. This blog was created in order to share my personal experiences in baby care and general health care for pregnant women. If you'd like to get in touch with me, please contact me by sending me an email via kristicathey.intelligentmother@gmail.com. Welcome to Intelligentmother.com

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