5 Best Meat Thermometers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
We tested 20 meat thermometers by checking the temperatures of roast chicken, ice water and steak to find the best models for every kitchen.
Tested by Layla Khoury-Hanold, Taylor Murray, Amanda Neal and Stevie Stewart
Our test kitchen staffers swear by instant-read thermometers for accurate cooking every time, from weeknight dinners to special occasions. We've reviewed multiple meat thermometers from popular brands and have found that the best meat thermometers read temperatures accurately and quickly. In addition to testing the temperature of meat, you can use a meat thermometer to test the temperature of baked bread, cooking oil and tempered chocolate.
For this test, we ran 20 meat thermometers through a series of tests, including testing the temperature of roast chicken, ice water and steak. No more poking or cutting into the meat to find out if it is cooked through. These top-rated meat thermometers can guarantee you an accurate reading without damaging your meat in the process.
Our Top Meat Thermometer Picks
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Taylor Murray
Stevie Stewart
How We Tested
In order to choose the best meat thermometers for testing, we scoured multiple editorial buying guides online, as well as bestseller lists from top retailers like Amazon and Williams Sonoma. We also asked our team of recipe developers and Food Network Kitchen staff for their meat thermometer recommendations. From there, we purchased 10 top-rated meat thermometers to test and have continued to test 10 more as new meat thermometers are released by brands we trust and new brands on the market. In total, we've tested 20 meat thermometers.
To test the meat thermometers, we roasted chickens and checked the temperature throughout the cooking process to see how quickly the thermometers registered the temperature of the meat. We seared steak and tested the temperature throughout the cooking process. We also tested for accuracy by placing each thermometer in a glass of ice water to see how quickly and precisely they measured the freezing temperature.
In addition to those tests, we noted how easy the thermometer probes were to clean and the size for storage. We also read through any included user manuals and considered the company warranty, customer service channels and price to choose the best meat thermometers on the market. Read on for our list of top-rated meat thermometers.
Our Top Meat Thermometer Reviews
- Full reading in one second
- Accurate temperate readings
- 5-year warranty
- Higher price tag
The ThermoWorks Thermapen comes with a great reputation for good reason. We loved the original Classic Thermapen more than any other meat thermometer out there until ThermoWorks released an updated version: the Thermapen One. Also handmade in England, it gives accurate readings in just one second — faster than any other meat thermometer we've worked with. It still has a temperature range of -58 to 572 degrees F.
We found this thermometer just as accurate (if not even more so) and faster when testing the temperature of our meats. In extensive testing, we used the Thermapen One to test the temperature of steak, chicken breast, boiling water and ice water. In each test, the meat thermometer took an accurate reading faster than any other thermometer we've tested. The Thermapen One comes with a higher price tag, but the extended battery life and high quality of the product make it worth it.
- Type Instant read
- Temperature Range -58 to 572 degrees F
- Special Features Motion-sensing sleep and wake mode, waterproof, automated backlight
- Warranty 5 years
- Auto on/off
- Accurate temperate readings
- Long battery life
- Higher price tag
Our original best overall pick, the ThermoWorks Classic Super-Fast Thermapen, is still a solid bet. The battery should last you 1,500 hours (basically, years), and it automatically turns off after 10 seconds, so you don’t have to worry about wasting any of the battery life. It comes with a very thorough guide, which offers an explanation of how to use the thermometer, tips for resting meat, information on food safety and temperatures, as well as troubleshooting. We found the ThermoWorks Classic thermometer accurate and fast when testing the temperature of our chickens and one of the fastest readers when we did our ice water test. The price tag is still on the higher side, but worth it for the quality.
- Type Instant read
- Temperature Range -58 to 572 degrees F
- Special Features Automatic shutoff, splashproof
- Warranty 2 years
- Long probe
- Easy to use
- Simple design
- Affordable price tag
- Small display
We found that the TempPro TempSwif Meat Thermometer took readings in just a few seconds that were just as accurate as its more expensive counterparts. It has a longer probe than some of the others we tested, helping to keep your hands away from hot flames when grilling or cooking on the stove. The thermometer also has a very simple design with just three buttons, making it easy to navigate. It comes with a backlight, which would be very useful for grilling outdoors in the dark, as well as a "hold" button that keeps the temperature displayed instead of clearing it or immediately dropping it when removed from the meat.
- Type Instant read
- Temperature Range -58 to 572 degrees F
- Special Features Automatic shutoff, backlight display, lock function, convenient hook for storage
- Warranty 3 years
- Oven-safe
- Long probe
- Temperature alert feature
- Shorter temperature range
If you're looking for an oven-safe thermometer, this digital probe thermometer is for you. This affordable Taylor Digital Cooking Thermometer measures temperatures from 32 to 392 degrees F. We found this very helpful, as some of the other thermometers we tested only had a range of general meat temperatures up to 170 degrees. This model comes with a magnet on the back, so you can tack it on your oven door for easy readings while cooking. It also comes with a temperature alert feature, so you can be notified when your meat reaches the desired temperature. The probe is nice and long, with an insulated wire making it easy to handle no matter what your meat size.
- Type Instant read
- Temperature Range 32 to 392 degrees F
- Special Features Temperature and timer alarm, magnetized back, wired probe
- Warranty 1 year
- Helpful app features
- Wire-free
- 165-foot monitor range
- Wider probe isn't ideal for delicate proteins
- Long set-up time
We tested the first version of the Meater thermometer and previously reviewed the Meater Plus. This new version of the Meater, the Meater Pro, is our new favorite meat thermometer for serious grillers. The Meater Pro is wireless and uses Bluetooth technology to transmit second-to-second information from the probe to an app on your phone. We found the app intuitive and easy to navigate. You can easily set alerts for desired temperatures, and if you are unsure of what the temperature should be, the app has loads of options for different meats, cuts, cooking equipment and more to help you cook your product to your liking. The app also gives alerts for resting time and when the food is ready to eat. The app has an easy-to-read display and gives helpful updates and alerts.
In testing, we loved the sleek, unique design of the thermometer as well as the accompanying charger. The probe is small at just around 5 inches and 5 mm wide. It fits nicely in the accompanying charger that is just 6 inches and 1 ½ inches wide. We found that the charger needed to be in closer range of the probe while cooking in order to get the information on our phones.
The price of the Meater Pro is not low at around $100. However, if you are really an avid griller, use a smoker or cook a lot of temperature-sensitive foods, we feel it is worth it. Added special features include a super-fast charging time: We found the claim that five minutes of charging yields two hours of cooking while 15 minutes of charging yields 12 hours of use rings true. The probe can also take the heat of up to 1,000 degrees F and can be used over the direct heat of a grill. Another feature that we found extra special is that the probe is waterproof and can be used in both sous vide and deep-frying preparations. A lot of oven-safe meat thermometers have a cord but we really liked not having a cord to worry about handling hot or getting tangled up while using the thermometer.
- Type Instant read
- Temperature Range Up to 1000 degrees F
- Special Features Smart technology with coordinating phone app, fast charging time, high heat resistance, waterproof probe, long range
- Warranty 1 year
What to Consider Before Buying a Meat Thermometer
Accuracy
The most important element of a good meat thermometer is accuracy. You want to be sure the thermometer is reading the temperature of your food correctly to ensure proper cooking time. To test the accuracy of the meat thermometers we tested, our tester put the thermometer in a cup of ice water to make sure it read 32 degrees F (freezing temperature).
Style
If you want to follow a cook-to-temperature method with your food (which our test kitchen chefs often recommend), you'll want to opt for a meat thermometer with a probe and wire long enough to be used in the oven during cooking. The Taylor Digital Cooking Thermometer With Probe and Timer is ideal for use in the oven, and the Meater Pro can be used in the oven and on the grill and is compatible with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Price
While you don't need to spend a fortune on your meat thermometer, we do recommend investing in one for your kitchen. Both the ThermoWorks Thermapen One and Classic Super-Fast Thermapen models have lasted our test kitchen chefs for years and continue to read temperatures accurately and quickly.
Stevie Stewart
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between digital probe and instant-read thermometers?
The benefit of a digital probe thermometer is that it can stay in the meat in the oven from the moment you start cooking, so you know exactly when it comes to the correct temperature. The probe is ideal for larger pieces of meat that cook for extended hours, like a turkey or a larger roast. Most come with digital displays that are visible outside the oven. They are usually equipped with alarms you can set to alert you when they reach a desired temperature, so you are always aware of the cooking progress.
Instant-read thermometers are designed to be used outside the oven, during cooking or toward the end of cooking to confirm doneness. These tend to have a small footprint, take up little space in a drawer and are ideal for checking temperatures quickly.
Who needs a meat thermometer?
A meat thermometer is ideal for any home kitchen. Our test kitchen chefs swear by these meat thermometers when they're making a Thanksgiving turkey or tempering chocolate. We recommend cooking food to temperature rather than trying to guess the doneness of a cut of meat by feel.
What else can a meat thermometer be used for?
You can use a meat thermometer for more than just checking the doneness of poultry, beef and pork. Bread bakers use an instant-read thermometer for checking the doneness of a loaf of sourdough bread. As we mentioned above, these can also be used to temper chocolate and bake cakes to the proper doneness, too.
Looking for a new meat thermometer? Sarah Holden, culinary producer for Food Network Kitchen, breaks down three of our top picks above.
Why You Should Trust Our Testers
Layla Khoury-Hanold is a James Beard Award-nominated journalist with more than 12 years' experience covering food, travel and lifestyle. She has been a contributing writer at Food Network since 2015, where she has written over 300 stories spanning dining and food trends, restaurant and travel guides, shopping guides and product testing, including ice cream makers, cutting boards, chef's knives and more.
Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon steel pans to food dehydrators.
Amanda is the Lead Recipe Developer at Food Network, where she creates original recipe content for Food Network's digital and linear platforms. She also writes instructional cooking articles, as well as creates video content both in front of and behind the camera. She is also a graduate of the French Culinary Institute with a Farm to Table Concentration.
Stevie Stewart is a freelance writer, professional product tester and recipe developer. She earned a grand diplome from culinary school, worked the line at a Michelin-star restaurant in NYC and has been recipe developing and testing cooking equipment for almost a decade. For Food Network, she has tested an array of kitchen tools and cookware, including nonstick fry pans, meat thermometers, cast-iron skillets and more,
Why You Should Trust Food Network Shopping Experts
Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.
