6 Best Grill Thermometers of 2024, According to Testing
Our grilling experts share the top wireless, probe and instant-read grill thermometers.
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Don't ruin a perfectly good cookout by guessing the doneness of your grilled chicken or pork. Use a meat thermometer when grilling or smoking so you know the foods you're serving are cooked to a safe temperature. An instant-read thermometer or wireless probe thermometer, which tracks the meat's internal temperature during cooking, can also prevent you from blowing past your preferred doneness and winding up with overcooked food.
Our top picks:
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab have tested nearly 60 cooking thermometers over the years, and for our most recent tests, we put 15 grill thermometers through controlled temperature tests and used them on the grill while cooking steak. The best models had clear displays, provided quick response times and, most importantly, produced accurate readings.
Read on for more on how we tested as well as tips on what to look for when shopping for a grill thermometer.
Pros
- Perfect accuracy scores in Lab tests
- Thin probe works for many foods
- Display autorotates
Cons
- Display may be affected by outdoor storage
The Javelin Pro got perfect scores on our temperature accuracy tests, and it gave results in less than three seconds. It's our top pick for the best grill thermometer because it works for large cuts of meat like a pork butt yet is thin and nimble enough for a fish fillet.
The lightweight handle has an ergonomic design, and the display autorotates, making it comfortable for right- and left-handed users. It features a one-touch backlight option for improved readability. We also love the smart design: It has a hole for hanging from a hook for simple storage. It's also magnetic for quick access when you're at the grill. "I love that it can stick to my grill shelves and on my fridge where I can always find it," says Kitchen Appliances Lab Director, Nicole Papantoniou.
But be careful about storing the thermometer safely: The manufacturer says it's splashproof, but when we left a model outdoors for a couple of days, the heat and rain did make it hard to read.
| Accuracy claim | ±0.9°F |
| Temperature range | -40°F (-40˚C) to 482°F (250°C) |
| Power source | Lithium metal battery |
| Battery life claim | More than 4,000 hours |
Pros
- Affordable
- Suggests doneness temperature based on meat
Cons
- Slower to reflect temperature than similar instant-read models
This wasn't the fastest digital instant-read thermometer in our test — it can take up to 10 seconds, compared with three or four seconds for other models — but it did give accurate temperature readings. What we like most is that for around $25, you get a lot of the functionality available with higher-end thermometers: This model lets you select a preset doneness level for seven meat types — meaning the recommended temperature is at your fingertips. Or you can set your own target temperature.
An alarm will sound to let you know when your meat has hit its target temp, and it folds up neatly for easy storage. We wish it had a hanging loop or a built-in clip to make it easier to keep within reach when cooking.
| Accuracy claim | Not provided |
| Temperature range | 32°F (0˚C) to 392°F (200°C) |
| Power source | Two AAA batteries |
| Battery life claim | Not provided |
Pros
- Bluetooth capabilities for remote monitoring of up to four probes
- Probe can stay in meat during cooking
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Must use app to track temperatures unless you upgrade to the pricier Meater Block
The Meater+ is one of our picks for best meat thermometers, and it's also very well-suited to grilling. You can leave this wireless digital probe in large cuts without having to untangle wires. The probe relays the internal temperature, and the external sensor reads the ambient temperature. We love that the handy storage case is also a charging station.
The wireless probe pairs with an app via Bluetooth so you can monitor the temperature without being tethered to the grill — the manufacturer claims a range of 165 feet. The intuitive app lets you choose the desired doneness of what you're cooking and then estimates the time it will take to cook it. It will alert you when it's time to rest the food so that you end up with the perfect texture. We were also impressed with the new Meater Block, which stores four probes so you can monitor different zones in a large cut or four different foods. The probes have all the functionality of the original, but the Block allows you to track temps in "Stand Alone Mode," if you don't want to use the app.
| Accuracy claim | ±1°F |
| Temperature range | Maximum internal temperature for probe: 212°F (100˚C); maximum ambient temperature for external sensor: 527°F (275˚C) |
| Power source | One AAA battery for the charging station |
| Battery life claim | More than 24 hours for the probe; more than 100 charges for the charging station |
Pros
- Affordable and intuitive
- App can be used in eight languages
Cons
- Must remember to turn the hub off when not in use
This easy-to-use multi-probe grill thermometer is a steal for the price. The rechargeable hub has a simple on/off switch for its display screen that cycles through the readouts for each probe, keeping you informed about the progress of your cook. It scored well in our accuracy tests and had quick response times for the probes. In addition to the three probes, it comes with an ambient temperature probe that tracks the temperature inside your grill or smoker so you can adjust the heat as needed.
This multi-probe pick connects wirelessly with its well-designed app, which lets you monitor the probes as a readout or scroll through them as graphs. We love that the app has helpful (and cute!) iconography that makes it easy to set a cook time or select doneness alerts for different proteins as well as BBQ smoke, hot smoke and cold smoke. We did wish that the hub had an auto-shutoff function to preserve the battery life.
| Accuracy claim | ±2°F (1˚C) |
| Temperature range | 32°F (0˚C) to 572°F (300˚C) for short-term measurement; 32°F (0˚C) to 482°F (250˚C) for continuous monitoring |
| Power source | Lithium polymer battery |
| Battery life claim | 40 hours |
Pros
- Displays temp on device and via app
- Versatile; can be used with leave-in probe
Cons
- Probe sold separately
We were impressed with the versatility of this grill thermometer, which scored well in our accuracy tests. It has a straightforward instant-read base with a thin tip that works well for multiple foods, and it includes the option to attach a probe (sold separately) that you can leave in food during cooking.
The data for both the instant-read and probe can be viewed on the large, clear display, which autorotates for easy viewing at any angle, or via a smartphone app. The app lets you view each number as a readout but also offers a graph mode for the probe. We did notice that the app lagged very slightly behind the device itself but was accurate within seconds.
| Accuracy claim | ±0.7 ̊F (0.4 ̊C) |
| Temperature range | -58˚F (-50˚C) to 572 ̊F (300 ̊C) |
| Power source | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Battery life claim | More than 12 months of normal use |
Pros
- Fast and accurate in Lab tests
- Display autorotates for reading at any angle
- Comes in nine fun colors and two lengths
Cons
- Can't be left in food during cooking
We tested the original ThermoPop, which has been discontinued, but we feel confident recommending the ThermoPop 2. The brand's lollipop-style pen aced our accuracy tests. We love that this straightforward display autorotates making it easy to read from any angle. There is a button to push to make the display backlit, which helps in low-light situations. Even better: It's splash-proof and compact for storage. It comes with a sleeve that includes a built-in clip for easy (poke-free!) stashing in a shirt pocket on an apron. The ThermoPop 2 also comes in two lengths: 4.5 inches and 8 inches.
We also love Thermapen One from Thermoworks. The claim to fame here is a temperature readout in just 1 second. It's about three times the price of the ThermaPop 2, thanks to that superresponsive technology and its ±0.5°F (±0.3°C) accuracy, but we have always found the pen fast and accurate. Lab Director Papantoniou notes that the folding Thermapen One "stores easily and has a really great, large screen that you can read easily."
| Accuracy claim | ±1°F (±0.5°C) |
| Temperature range | -58 to 572°F (-50 to 300°C) |
| Power source | Lithium coin cell battery |
| Battery life claim | 4,000 hours |
How we test grill thermometers
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab test thermometers in controlled Lab tests to determine accuracy as well as on the grill to assess ease of use. For each thermometer, we assess 10 data points; those with apps are evaluated for two additional data points. For this round of results, we spent 18 hours charging, reading, syncing and testing.
For the first controlled-temperature test, we bring water to a boil in a stainless steel pot and measure the temperature of the water in the same location with each thermometer; to ensure accuracy, we compare these numbers to the known boiling point for the elevation of the test site and the atmospheric pressure of the test day. For thermometers that will not read up to 212˚F, we use a thermocouple to monitor a pot of 150˚F water and compare the readings for each model. The second controlled temperature test is similarly conducted, with very icy water used to assess the thermometer's accuracy at measuring low temperatures.
When testing on the grill, we probe thick sirloin steaks and evaluate the doneness of the meat and the overall experience of using the thermometer. We note how easy it is to read the temperature on the interface or an app, how simple it is to set up and connect with an app (where applicable) and note special features like notifications or automatic shut-off.
In addition, we evaluate whether it is simple to install the batteries and/or quick to charge (as applicable), whether the probe or tip is easy to clean and the helpfulness of the user guide and app (as applicable).
What to look for when buying the best grill thermometer
✔️ Temperature accuracy: Look for thermometers that are advertised with an accuracy within ±2˚F, which is a range of accuracy most good thermometers can promise. This will help you ensure food safety and hit target temperatures for your preferred doneness.
✔️ Temperature range: Thermometers with a narrow range — i.e. not a wide difference between the lowest and highest temperatures it can report — can have good accuracy and are helpful for smaller foods that need short cooks and quick response times. But a wider temperature range is handy for bigger foods with longer cook times so you can track from cool starting temps to full doneness. You also want to consider what the thermometer itself can withstand: Read the manufacturer's instructions to determine the uppermost temps to ensure the device can handle direct cooking as well as flare-ups.
✔️ Probe size: The length of the probe is important because you want to be able to reach the thickest part of the food so you can accurately determine the doneness. For thin items like fish or chicken breast, a shorter probe is fine, but for thicker items like a large steak or a pork shoulder, a longer probe — around 5 inches — is better. You'll also want to look for a thin tip, which is helpful for piercing the meat cleanly, and a thinner shaft diameter so that there's less damage to the food.
✔️ Interface: Whether it's a simple display screen or a connected app, the thermometer's interface is your means of communication with what you're cooking. You want at-a-glance readability so you can make quick decisions about adjusting the heat or the food's placement on the grill and so you'll know when it's time to remove the food for resting or serving. Sometimes the packaging for the thermometer will include a sticker that lets you see how the display will appear when in use. You can also watch product videos or preview the app to see if you like the interface and the data it provides.
✔️ Battery life: Some grill thermometers have replaceable batteries while others require charging. Check the manufacturer's claims about battery life for a ballpark of how long you can use the device per grilling session. This will help you differentiate between a pick that's good for checking a quick steak versus one that can track a brisket cooked low and slow.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Sarah Wharton is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has been cooking professionally and testing kitchen gear since 2017. She led the testing for these thermometers, and she has tested a variety of other products, including fish spatulas, immersion blenders and carbon steel pans. She loves a medium-rare steak and consistently uses a thermometer to ensure it.
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