7 Best Instant Read Thermometers On the Market

Unless you are an experienced chef who’s been cooking meat for years, you can’t truly rely on pressing the meat to tell if it’s done. Using this method is a matter of trial and error. Sometimes you get it right, most of the time you don’t. But when it comes to your food, you really cannot afford to be wrong. Investing on the best instant read thermometer is what you need to precisely and accurately know the internal temperature of your food so you are confident it is safe to serve and is perfectly cooked.

What is an Instant Read Thermometer?

An instant read thermometer is exactly that – a type of meat thermometer that is designed to give you instant temperature readings that are precise and accurate. An instant read meat thermometer can provide temperature readings within a second or two. It is an essential tool in the kitchen because certain types of food cook fast and every second matters. If you are a few seconds too late or too soon, it can ruin the meal.

The temperature display for instant thermometers is shown digitally. This is what makes them easier to use in comparison to analog-style thermometers. Traditional thermometers take at least a minute to give you an accurate reading. Meanwhile, instant read types do not sacrifice accuracy for speed.

Given the advantages offered by an instant read meat thermometer, it’s no wonder why they are a coveted item for chefs and home cooks. If you are looking to add one to your kitchen arsenal, then you have come to the right place.

7 Best Instant Read Thermometers

Here, we list some of the best instant read meat thermometers that are worth every penny you spend.

ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 Instant Read Thermometer

Starting off our list of the best instant read thermometer is the ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 Instant Read Thermometer. This product is the recipient of the Red Dot Product Design award for 2022. This is one of the most prestigious professional design competitions worldwide, so it speaks a lot to how great this thermometer is. A leader in design and technology, it’s no wonder why ChefsTemp leads the way when it comes to instant read thermometers. In fact, this is one of the best-selling thermometers from ChefsTemp for 2021.

The ChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 is the world’s fastest and most accurate instant read meat thermometer. It has an accuracy rating of ±0.7°F/0.4°C with 1-second reading time. This makes this thermometer the fastest of its kind in the world. Since it is equipped with technology to deliver an accurate temperature reading, you can expect the perfect cook on your meat every single time.

The Finaltouch X10 also features a 270-degree rotating probe that is the ideal solution for left-handed cooks or dealing with those awkward angles when inserting the probe into the meat. A large screen display makes it easy to view the temperature reading, which also makes it practical for day or night grilling. Other notable features of the Finaltouch X10 include backlit motion-sensing display, waterproof rating, motion-activated idle/wake up mode, magnetic backing, and a long battery life.

ThermoWorks Thermapen One

The Thermapen One from ThermoWorks is one of the top instant read meat thermometers on the market and can provide readings within seconds. It also does not sacrifice the accuracy of the readings in the process, so you know that when the reading says your food is done, then it is absolutely done.

It has additional features that make it a suitable option for those in search of an instant read thermometer such as waterproof rating, auto-shut off functions, and a brightly lit display. The only downside is that this thermometer comes with a hefty price tag, which makes it impractical if you intend to use it for occasional grilling.

ThermoPro TP15 Digital Thermometer

This meat thermometer is known as a workhorse. It instantly and accurately reads the temperature of the meat and food you are cooking with an average of 3 to 4 seconds. It is able to read temperatures as high as 572°F/300°C and also comes with a backlit display that is suited for nighttime grilling, as well as a 5.4-inch long probe and a calibrate function.

Taylor Thermocouple Thermometer

The Taylor Thermocouple Thermometer is another one of the top-rated meat thermometers with instant reading capabilities on the market. This is a two-in-one thermometer as it can read the internal temperature and surface temperature at once. It is equipped with a 5-inch probe that allows you to get deep into the center of larger cuts of meat, such as for roasting. It can also measure up to 482°F/250°C, giving you more flexibility with its use.

This is a thermometer that is meant to be splashproof, but it isn’t waterproof. It runs on two AAA batteries and has an auto-shutoff feature.

Oxo Good Grips Chef’s Precision Instant Read Thermometer

If you are looking for an inexpensive yet effective instant read thermometer, the Oxo Good Grips is what you need. It features a dial-style instant read design that makes it suitable for cooks that prefer using the analog-style thermometer over the digital ones. The probe comes with a shaded indicator so you know exactly how deep you must insert this into the meat for more accurate readings.

The only downside to this particular thermometer is that it isn’t as fast as the others on this list. A reading takes about 7 seconds. But if you prefer analog styles, then this is definitely faster than other ones on the market.

Cuisinart Surface Thermometer

This type of instant read thermometer is specifically designed for reading surface temperatures. It does have an instant read capability, but it isn’t suitable for monitoring the meat’s internal temperature as it cooks. It is powered by infrared technology so you can rely on it to check the temperature of your grill grates, oven, frying pan, and so on.

The thermometer comes with a visible laser light that you can use as a guide to target the specific area that you want to check the temperature of.

SMARTPRO ST59 Digital Meat Thermometer

This type of instant read meat thermometer is ideal for smoking meat. When you are smoking, you want to seal in that flavor as much as you can. Opening the smoker constantly to check for the meat’s internal temperature can affect the result of smoking meat. Thus, using this thermometer allows you to monitor from outside of the smoker for precision results and accurate readings.