We tested and reviewed digital leave-in meat thermometers to find the best option. These tools also double as candy thermometers, fry oil monitors, and even oven thermometers.
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What You Need to Know
The best leave-in thermometers are accurate, easy to use, and capable of measuring high temperatures. Our co-winners are the ThermoWorks ChefAlarm and ThermoWorks Square DOT. The ChefAlarm has a single probe and is rich with special features, including a timer, both high- and low-temperature alarms, and maximum and minimum temperature recording. The Square DOT is a much simpler tool that comes with two probes, allowing you to take the temperatures of two things simultaneously—two foods, two locations on the same food, or food and air. It also has a feature that lets you take running average temperatures, which comes in handy for testing your oven’s accuracy; we’ve named it our favorite oven thermometer as a result. Neither is cheap, but both are durable, useful, well-designed tools; ultimately, the choice of which to get depends on how you intend to use your thermometers most frequently. We also recommend the ThermoPro TP16 as our Best Buy. This no-frills model is highly accurate; it’s just got a few quirks that make it a little less smooth to operate.
A good digital leave-in thermometer is a truly versatile instrument that measures temperature over time. We most commonly use these handy tools to monitor the temperature of long-cooking foods—a roast turkey or brisket, for example—without ever having to open the oven or grill. But leave-in thermometers can also be used to track the temperatures of oil when you’re deep-frying and sugar syrups when you’re making candy. They can even be used to take air temperatures—in fact, they’re our top choice for checking the accuracy of your oven.
Leave-in thermometers are great for monitoring the temperature of your fry oil, ensuring that you never burn or undercook your food.
All leave-in thermometers work the same way. They have two basic parts: a display and a temperature probe attached to a heat-resistant wire. You connect the wire to an input on the display. Then, you insert the probe into your food, oil, or syrup, or stick it in the air, and, as the thermometer’s name implies, leave it there. The wire transmits data from the probe to the display, so you get a constant readout of temperatures as they change.
You’ll need a pot clip to attach the probe to your cookware while deep-frying or making candy, and you might find it handy to have a separate grate clip to test your oven temperatures, though you don’t absolutely need one. Most leave-in thermometers don’t come with both accessories, so if you plan to use your thermometer often for these tasks, see our recommendations below in the FAQ, “What should I use to stabilize my digital thermometer?”
What to Look For
Accuracy: Accuracy is paramount, as anyone with a faulty thermometer knows. A few degrees in the wrong direction can spell scorched caramel or soggy fried chicken. Our favorite models were accurate within a degree of the correct temperature, as evaluated by a lab-grade thermometer.
Relatively Fast Response Time: A lightning-fast response time isn’t as essential for a leave-in thermometer as it is for an instant-read thermometer. That’s because, in general, temperatures change much more slowly during most of the tasks you use a leave-in thermometer for, such as roasting a turkey or heating oil for frying—you’re not going to see big shifts over the course of 5 seconds. Still, a moderately speedy response time is better than a slow one, especially if you’re making candy. We preferred models that read out the right temperatures relatively quickly.
Simple Interface: We liked leave-in thermometers with well-labeled buttons that made it a cinch to set temperature alarms or choose other functions.
The best leave-in thermometers had displays that were easy to read.
Large, Clear Displays: We liked thermometers with large displays that made it easy to read out temperatures.
Higher Temperature Maximums: We liked thermometers that could take and withstand temperatures above 500 degrees. These were more versatile than thermometers that had much smaller temperature ranges, allowing us to safely monitor the temperature of hot fry oil and blazing-hot ovens. That said, if you only plan on using your thermometer in lower-heat applications—monitoring meat temperatures, for example—a smaller temperature range can be fine.
Nice to Have
Extra Functions: Most users won’t need their thermometer to have functions beyond a high-temperature alarm, which tells you when your food or oil or sugar has risen to your target temperature. But some of our test cooks also appreciated models that had a low-temperature alarm. This comes in handy if you’re frying and don’t want your oil temperature to drop below a certain point—some food can get soggy if fried at cooler temperatures—or if you’re monitoring the air temperature inside a smoker or grill and don’t want it to get too low. We also liked models that had a built-in timer, letting us count down the cooking time or count up the amount of time that had elapsed. And one of our co-winners also has the ability to take running average temperatures instead of current ones—this comes in handy when you’re testing the accuracy of your oven’s settings, as oven temperatures can fluctuate during use but still be on target when averaged out. A few models had other features, including preset alarms for the doneness of different proteins, or the minimum and maximum temperatures achieved during a cook. Our top picks have different levels of sophistication. One of our co-winners is very feature-rich, while the other co-winner and our Best Buy are much simpler.
Extra Probes and Inputs: Most leave-in thermometers can only use one probe at a time, and that single probe should be more than adequate for the average home cook. But it can sometimes be handy to have a thermometer that can take two or more probes. With two probes, you can monitor air temperature and food temperature simultaneously—a useful thing if you’re making barbecue and want to manage the heat on your grill or smoker, for example. You can also take the temperature of two pieces of food at once, or the temperature of two different locations of the same food—the breast and thigh of a turkey, for example. Basically, the more probes you have, the more information you’re able to gather about your food and cooking conditions. One of our co-winners has a single probe, while the other comes with two; the choice is ultimately yours.
What to Avoid
Inaccuracy: An inaccurate thermometer is worse than no thermometer at all, giving you temperatures that will compromise your final dish.
The Tests
Evaluate accuracy using ice bath and lab-grade thermometer
Double-check all temperatures taken throughout with lab-grade thermometer
Monitor brisket and grill air temperature (where applicable)
Monitor oven temperature
Evaluate compatibility with a range of cooking vessels
How We Rated
Accuracy: We rated the thermometers on how accurate they were.
Ease of Use: We rated the thermometers on how easy they were to use in different applications.
Functionality: We rated the thermometers on how versatile they were and how many special features they provided.
FAQs
There’s less of a difference than you might think, since they both use similar, if not identical, temperature sensors. Ambient temperature probes only take air temperatures. They are shorter and thicker than food temperature probes, and their tips are blunt. These characteristics make them harder to insert into food and a little slower to register temperatures but a bit safer and less cumbersome to use when checking your oven or grill temperatures. Food temperature probes, by contrast, can actually be used to take both food and air temperatures. They’re longer, thinner, and have pointy tips—all characteristics that make it easier to insert the probe into food without leaving big holes. Having an ambient temperature probe can make it a little easier to take oven or grill temperatures with your leave-in thermometer, but you don’t need one if you already have a food probe—it’ll work just fine.
Everything We Tested
Good 3 Stars out of 3.
Fair 2 Stars out of 3.
Poor 1 Star out of 3.
Highly Recommended
Accuracy
Ease of Use
Functionality
Co-Winner: Best One-Probe OptionThermoWorks ChefAlarm
Small but mighty, our longterm favorite leave-in thermometer is still one of the most accurate we tested. It’s got a large, easy-to-read display and is rich in smart, helpful features. You can set a timer and both high and low temperature alarms and even monitor the maximum and minimum temperatures achieved during your cook. Other user-friendly features include the ability to adjust the display brightness and even control the volume of the alerts. It’s equally useful for tracking meat temperatures and oil or candy temperatures, using the included pot clip. You can also use it to test the accuracy of your oven and grill temperatures, securing the probe to your oven rack or grill grate with a grate clip, available for separate purchase. An added bonus: it comes with a case for storage. The only thing that could make this thermometer better? A second probe.
Model Number: TX-1100Temperature Range: -58°F to 572°FFeatures: High and low alarms, maximum and minimum temperatures, timer, volume control, magnetic back, standComes With: 1 food probe, pot clip, casePrice at Time of Testing: $65.00
Small but mighty, our longterm favorite leave-in thermometer is still one of the most accurate we tested. It’s got a large, easy-to-read display and is rich in smart, helpful features. You can set a timer and both high and low temperature alarms and even monitor the maximum and minimum temperatures achieved during your cook. Other user-friendly features include the ability to adjust the display brightness and even control the volume of the alerts. It’s equally useful for tracking meat temperatures and oil or candy temperatures, using the included pot clip. You can also use it to test the accuracy of your oven and grill temperatures, securing the probe to your oven rack or grill grate with a grate clip, available for separate purchase. An added bonus: it comes with a case for storage. The only thing that could make this thermometer better? A second probe.
Model Number: TX-1100Temperature Range: -58°F to 572°FFeatures: High and low alarms, maximum and minimum temperatures, timer, volume control, magnetic back, standComes With: 1 food probe, pot clip, casePrice at Time of Testing: $65.00
Accuracy
Ease of Use
Functionality
Co-Winner: Best Two-Probe OptionThermoWorks Square DOT
This minimalist model is a fantastic option for people who want a leave-in thermometer with two probe inputs. It comes with both a food probe and an ambient temperature probe, making it ideal for monitoring the temperature of both your food and your grill, oven, or smoker simultaneously. It’s actually our top pick if you need to test your oven’s accuracy; you can set the console to read out a rolling average of the temperatures it takes instead of reading temperatures on a moment-to-moment basis, as it does by default. The average makes it easier to see how closely your oven hews to the temperature you set; other leave-in thermometers simply read out temperatures as they rise and fall throughout your oven’s heating cycle. You can also use an additional food probe with the console if you prefer; this lets you track the temperature of two pieces of food at the same time or monitor the temperatures of two parts of the same food, such as the breast and leg of a turkey. Overall, this thermometer is accurate and a breeze to use, and its large display clearly reads out both your target temperature and your current temperature. Our only quibble? While we appreciated the simplicity of the thermometer’s design and loved the versatility that its two probes gave us, we sometimes missed the extra features found in our other top choice, such as a timer or a low alarm.
Model Number: Square DOTTemperature Range: -58°F to 572°FFeatures: High alarm, average temperature, magnetic backComes With: 1 food probe, 1 ambient probe, grate clip, standPrice at Time of Testing: $69
This minimalist model is a fantastic option for people who want a leave-in thermometer with two probe inputs. It comes with both a food probe and an ambient temperature probe, making it ideal for monitoring the temperature of both your food and your grill, oven, or smoker simultaneously. It’s actually our top pick if you need to test your oven’s accuracy; you can set the console to read out a rolling average of the temperatures it takes instead of reading temperatures on a moment-to-moment basis, as it does by default. The average makes it easier to see how closely your oven hews to the temperature you set; other leave-in thermometers simply read out temperatures as they rise and fall throughout your oven’s heating cycle. You can also use an additional food probe with the console if you prefer; this lets you track the temperature of two pieces of food at the same time or monitor the temperatures of two parts of the same food, such as the breast and leg of a turkey. Overall, this thermometer is accurate and a breeze to use, and its large display clearly reads out both your target temperature and your current temperature. Our only quibble? While we appreciated the simplicity of the thermometer’s design and loved the versatility that its two probes gave us, we sometimes missed the extra features found in our other top choice, such as a timer or a low alarm.
Model Number: Square DOTTemperature Range: -58°F to 572°FFeatures: High alarm, average temperature, magnetic backComes With: 1 food probe, 1 ambient probe, grate clip, standPrice at Time of Testing: $69
We liked many things about this moderately priced leave-in thermometer. It’s very accurate, and it has not only a high alarm, but also an early warning alarm that lets you know when your food is within 10 degrees of its target temperature—a surprisingly handy feature. We also appreciated its timer and menus of preset alarms for chicken, pork, and other types of proteins. Like other leave-in thermometers, it can also be used to test the accuracy of your oven temperatures. A few minor detractors: The console is fairly large and cumbersome, it lacks a low alarm, it reads temperatures a bit more slowly than higher-ranked models, and it takes a lot longer to change alarm temperatures on this unit than on others.
Model Number: 11231300Temperature Range: -32°F to 482°FFeatures: High alarm, early warning alarm, preset alarms, timerComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $43
We liked many things about this moderately priced leave-in thermometer. It’s very accurate, and it has not only a high alarm, but also an early warning alarm that lets you know when your food is within 10 degrees of its target temperature—a surprisingly handy feature. We also appreciated its timer and menus of preset alarms for chicken, pork, and other types of proteins. Like other leave-in thermometers, it can also be used to test the accuracy of your oven temperatures. A few minor detractors: The console is fairly large and cumbersome, it lacks a low alarm, it reads temperatures a bit more slowly than higher-ranked models, and it takes a lot longer to change alarm temperatures on this unit than on others.
Model Number: 11231300Temperature Range: -32°F to 482°FFeatures: High alarm, early warning alarm, preset alarms, timerComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $43
One of the most accurate models we tested, this inexpensive leave-in thermometer did a great job of reporting temperatures in food, oil, caramel, and even air. It was relatively easy to set the alarm or timer and even had a few preset alarms for different types of protein. We also liked that its probe was bent at an angle, making it easier to position in certain types of roasts and get closer to the center of the pot when monitoring fry oil or candy temperatures. Two small issues: It lacks a low alarm, and you can’t display the temperature and time simultaneously—you have to toggle between the two functions using a switch on the back of the unit, which isn’t superconvenient.
Model Number: TP-16Temperature Range: 32˚F to 572˚F Features: High alarm, preset alarms, timer, magnetic back, standComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $21.99
One of the most accurate models we tested, this inexpensive leave-in thermometer did a great job of reporting temperatures in food, oil, caramel, and even air. It was relatively easy to set the alarm or timer and even had a few preset alarms for different types of protein. We also liked that its probe was bent at an angle, making it easier to position in certain types of roasts and get closer to the center of the pot when monitoring fry oil or candy temperatures. Two small issues: It lacks a low alarm, and you can’t display the temperature and time simultaneously—you have to toggle between the two functions using a switch on the back of the unit, which isn’t superconvenient.
Model Number: TP-16Temperature Range: 32˚F to 572˚F Features: High alarm, preset alarms, timer, magnetic back, standComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $21.99
Accuracy
Ease of Use
Functionality
Polder Classic Combination Digital in-Oven Programmable Meat Thermometer and Timer
This simple, no-frills leave-in thermometer accurately reported temperatures in food, oil, and even caramel. Its display is large and easy to read, and it’s a cinch to set alarms or a built-in timer. Its main problem: It can only be used to take temperatures up to 392°F. That means you can’t use it to track oil or air temperatures higher than that—an issue if you want to use it while deep-frying tempura or checking your oven’s accuracy at 450°F. That said, if you only plan to use this thermometer for tracking the temperature of a turkey or roast, this is otherwise a great, relatively inexpensive option.
Model Number: THM-362-86Temperature Range: 32°F to 392°FFeatures: High alarm, timer, magnetic back, standComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $19.99
This simple, no-frills leave-in thermometer accurately reported temperatures in food, oil, and even caramel. Its display is large and easy to read, and it’s a cinch to set alarms or a built-in timer. Its main problem: It can only be used to take temperatures up to 392°F. That means you can’t use it to track oil or air temperatures higher than that—an issue if you want to use it while deep-frying tempura or checking your oven’s accuracy at 450°F. That said, if you only plan to use this thermometer for tracking the temperature of a turkey or roast, this is otherwise a great, relatively inexpensive option.
Model Number: THM-362-86Temperature Range: 32°F to 392°FFeatures: High alarm, timer, magnetic back, standComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $19.99
A model of simplicity, this clip-on probe thermometer has only one function—a high-temperature alarm—but it performs this function as accurately as our winner. Its stripped-down, three-button interface makes the alarm particularly easy to set; a display with large numbers makes it easy to read; and a pot clip, purchased separately, helps this thermometer fit on a wide range of pots and pans. Finally, it has a handy kickstand and a magnet on the back that allow you to place the interface on a variety of surfaces for handier reading. It can also be used to test the accuracy of your oven, using a grate clip, which is available for separate purchase.
Model Number: Model TX-1200-OR (orange)Temperature Range: −58°F to 572°FFeatures: High alarm, magnetic backComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $45.00 ($4.00 for pot clip)
A model of simplicity, this clip-on probe thermometer has only one function—a high-temperature alarm—but it performs this function as accurately as our winner. Its stripped-down, three-button interface makes the alarm particularly easy to set; a display with large numbers makes it easy to read; and a pot clip, purchased separately, helps this thermometer fit on a wide range of pots and pans. Finally, it has a handy kickstand and a magnet on the back that allow you to place the interface on a variety of surfaces for handier reading. It can also be used to test the accuracy of your oven, using a grate clip, which is available for separate purchase.
Model Number: Model TX-1200-OR (orange)Temperature Range: −58°F to 572°FFeatures: High alarm, magnetic backComes With: 1 food probePrice at Time of Testing: $45.00 ($4.00 for pot clip)
This thermometer was easy to read and kept a firm grip on all pots. But both models we tested averaged about 5 degrees off and weren’t responsive with quickly changing temperatures. It has a timer, clock, and temperature alarm but no on/off button, so it beeps if it’s jostled when not in use.
Model Number: DTTC-WTemperature Range: 14°F to 392°FFeatures: High and low alarms, memory recall, timer, magnetic backComes with: 1 food probe, pot clipPrice at Time of Testing: $24.99
This thermometer was easy to read and kept a firm grip on all pots. But both models we tested averaged about 5 degrees off and weren’t responsive with quickly changing temperatures. It has a timer, clock, and temperature alarm but no on/off button, so it beeps if it’s jostled when not in use.
Model Number: DTTC-WTemperature Range: 14°F to 392°FFeatures: High and low alarms, memory recall, timer, magnetic backComes with: 1 food probe, pot clipPrice at Time of Testing: $24.99
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