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3 of the Best Baby Thermometers Out There

3 of the Best Baby Thermometers Out There
Latest posts by Keith Lindner (see all)

For babies, it is best to buy forehead thermometers or ear thermometers as these are the safest and most accurate among the different kinds of thermometers.

Rectal thermometers and oral thermometers are also accurate but they need to be held in place for a few minutes, which may not be possible with a fussy and squirming baby.  In addition, oral thermometers are not recommended for children below a year old because they might bite these hard and break them.  Pacifier thermometers might be convenient for babies, but these are not accurate and are not recommended by doctors.

So what are the best and most recommended baby thermometers out there?

Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

With the Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer, you can measure your baby’s temperature in two ways: inside the ear or on the forehead.  It uses infrared scanning technology for a more accurate and reliable reading.

You can easily change the measuring mode by pressing F1 for the forehead and F2 for the ear.  To check your baby’s temperature using the forehead, you would need to press down the F1 button and scan your baby’s forehead going from side to side. 

You will hear a faint clicking sound while the thermometer is at work, which means that you should move the thermometer across the forehead to get a more accurate reading.  When it is done, just release the F1 button and take look at the reading on the small LCD screen.

The forehead temperature measurement is very convenient because you do not have to touch the thermometer to your baby’s forehead, which means that you do not have to wake the baby up.

Meanwhile, if your little one is more than a year old, you can use the ear temperature measurement mode.  Just remove the sensor cover and put the sensor inside the ear canal, making sure that the sensor is aligned with the eardrum.  Press the F2 button to get a reading.

Some Pros of the Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

The Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer is very easy to use and is very accurate, no matter what measurement mode you use.  You can be very sure about your baby’s correct temperature.  If in doubt, you can immediately take a second measurement without having to wait.  Just press F1 or F2 again and take a measurement again.

Additionally, the thermometer records the previous 20 readings, allowing you to easily keep track of your baby’s temperature.  You can access this by pressing the F2 button for at least three seconds.

You can also measure in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, and there is an auditory and visual alarm that tells you when your baby’s temperature is too high.  The package also comes with a pair of AAA batteries, which can last for thousands of readings.

  Visual Signal Auditory Signal
With fever Red backlight Seven rapid beeps
Normal temperature Green backlight One long beep

Some Cons of the Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Innovo Medical Forehead and Ear Thermometer
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The sensor is very sensitive and a small amount of dust, dirt or oil may mean an inaccurate reading.  This makes constant checking and cleaning of the sensor necessary. 

The good news is that you only need cotton buds and alcohol to do this.  The thermometer is also prone to interference, which means that you should avoid using it near mobile phones, microwave ovens, and other appliances that give off an electromagnetic signal.

You should note that the readings you take on the forehead and the in-ear modes will not agree with each other.  This may cause some degree of confusion, especially for new parents.  However, this is not the thermometer’s fault.  It is actually normal for the ear temperature to be higher than the forehead temperature.

A good rule of thumb is to remember that ear temperatures are usually higher than the oral temperature, while the oral temperature is higher than forehead temperature.  Check out the table below to see the average range of normal temperatures depending on the type of thermometer used:

  °F °C
Oral thermometer 95.9 – 99.5 35.5 – 37.5
Ear thermometer 96.4 – 100.4 35.8 – 38.0
Forehead thermometer 94.5 – 99.1 34.7 – 37.3

Therefore, having two different readings between the forehead and ear measurement modes is normal and does not affect the accuracy and reliability of the Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Braun Forehead Thermometer

braun thermometer

The Braun Forehead Thermometer makes it easier for you to take your baby’s temperature.  All you need to do is to swipe the thermometer diagonally to get a reading in just a few seconds.  And if your baby really does have a fever, you would instantly know just by checking the LED screen.

You would love the minimalist design on this thermometer.  There are only two buttons: the power button and the temperature button.  You just press the power button, wait for the LED screen to register a steady 00 reading, then position the thermometer just above one eyebrow and press the temperature button. 

Swipe or run the thermometer diagonally from the eyebrow to the forehead.  While doing this, you will hear a subtle beeping sound.  Once the thermometer finishes the measurement, it will give out a long confirmation beep that lasts for two seconds.

Some Pros of the Braun Forehead Thermometer

You can get an accurate reading in less than three seconds.  Plus, it is not invasive and the LED has backlights so that you do not have to turn the lights on.  You can check while your baby is asleep!

Unlike other thermometers, this one uses advanced technologies to measure the amount of heat that the forehead gives out and it also gives you the oral equivalent.

It has a fever guidance feature, too, so you will know when your baby has a normal temperature and when he or she has a fever

Color range Reading (°F) Reading (°C) Meaning
Green 96.4 – 99.4 35.8  – 37.4 °C Acceptable
Yellow >99.4 – 101.3 >37.4 – 38.5 °C Elevated
Red >101.3 – 108.0 >38.5 – 42.2 °C Possible high fever

Some Cons of the Braun Forehead Thermometer

Braun Forehead Thermometer
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Braun Forehead Thermometer does include a memory mode, but you can only see the last temperature recorded when you turn the thermometer on.

Braun Forehead Thermometer
$84.99


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02/24/2024 09:14 pm GMT

 iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer

iproven thermometer iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer is designed so that you can easily take a baby’s temperature with one hand.  Not only is it easy to handle, but taking your baby’s temperature takes only 3 to 4 seconds.

iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer is very accurate.  There are two ways to take your baby’s temperature: through the forehead and through the ear.  It also comes with a backlight, helping you see in the dark so that you do not have to turn the lights on to check on your sleeping baby.

You can display the temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit and check the past 20 readings to conveniently see if your baby’s temperature is escalating or if the fever is going down. 

Additionally, it has a fever alarm that alerts you when your baby has a fever.  If your baby has a fever, the LCD screen blinks while giving out seven short and rapid beeps.  No more second-guessing or remembering normal temperatures; you just know.

iProven Forehead and Ear Thermometer
$29.97
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03/08/2024 01:40 pm GMT

The pros of the iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer

iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer have a very simple design that incorporates only two buttons and a big LCD display.  The big display and the backlight also make it convenient to get your baby’s temperature at night, with the beep telling you that the thermometer has finished its job.

Final recommendations: What to Buy

After learning about what the three different thermometers can do, here are some final thoughts on the top baby thermometers available in the market today.  But first, a brief side by side comparison

  Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer Braun Forehead Thermometer iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer
Price  $32.99

 

$35.77

 

$29.99
Type Dual: forehead and ear Forehead Dual: forehead and ear
Previous readings logged in memory 20 1 20
Fever indicator Visual and audio alerts Visual alert Visual and audio alerts

Braun Forehead Thermometer may be a good choice if you are in the United States or anywhere that uses the Fahrenheit scale to read the temperature.  The thermometer does not display the temperature in Celsius scale as pointed out by some reviews on Amazon. 

Its manual also does not give instructions on how to convert the scale from Fahrenheit to Celsius.  Moreover, despite being the most expensive among the three, Braun Forehead Thermometer does not offer an ear temperature measurement mode. 

Forehead thermometers are prone to giving you different readings and you have to be careful to swipe around the same place in order to get accurate readings. 

Braun also recommends that you keep the patient in the room for 30 minutes before taking his or her temperature.  If you have just wiped the forehead with a cool or warm cloth, you would need to wait 15 minutes as well.

Both the Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer and the iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer allow you to avoid this by offering an ear thermometer mode.

It is worth noting that iProven’s thermometer has Class II FDA approval and a 510K certificate, and is considered a professional medical device.  Its manufacturers claim that it is a great alternative to the old mercury thermometers.

Meanwhile, Innovo’s thermometer is cleared by FDA, which means that it was able to submit a 510K certificate.  There is a difference.  It means that the iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer has been proven safe and effective by the FDA, while the Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer is only certified to work as well as the other legally marketed products available.

At $29.99, iProven DMT-116A Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Thermometer have the lowest price of the three, plus the features and the backing of the FDA to make it the best of the top three baby thermometers we reviewed here.

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  1. Beth Bishop says:

    Rectal thermometers are the most accurate way to check a child’s temperature. You might cringe at the thought, and yes, they are uncomfortable, but they are vital for checking the temperature of infants. If you buy one of these, look for one that has a flexible tip and a wide base; these features prevent you from inserting the thermometer too far, which is dangerous.