The best infrared forehead thermometer (no touch) can check for fever in less than 3 seconds and is the quickest and most convenient device for checking for fever in any baby, child, or adult.
When a person is ill, the ability to quickly and accurately determine their body temperature is important for evaluating their condition.
However:
The traditional oral/armpit thermometers are impossible to use on most babies, children, or irritable adults. 😉
We set out to find the most accurate, consistent, fast and easy-to-read forehead (temporal artery) thermometers – of 2021.
Below you’ll find our top picks and our detailed forehead thermometer reviews.
👉 In a Hurry? see the 6 best infrared forehead thermometers – below:
| Our Verdict/Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|
ThermoDetect Pro | 🥇Best Overall Jump to Review Most accurate Budget-friendly | $39 at Thermodetect |
iProven DMT-489 | Best Forehead & Ear Thermometer Jump to Review Best for kids | $29 at iProven |
Withings Thermo | Best with App Jump to Review History tracking for 8 people | $119 at Withings |
| iHealth Forehead Thermometer   | Popular on Amazon Jump to Review With quiet vibration alert | Check Price on Amazon |
ThermoWorks Wand | Trending Jump to Review 1-Second readings, accurate | $69 at ThermoWorks |
| Braun No Touch Forehead Thermometer   | Most Silent Jump to Review Best for babies | Check Price on Amazon |
Jump to our full infrared forehead thermometer reviews – below!
Table of Contents
- 1 How Accurate are Infrared Forehead Thermometers?
- 2 The Top 6 Infrared Forehead Thermometers (2021)
- 2.1 1. ThermoDetect Pro Best Overall
- 2.2 2. Braun 3-in-1 No Touch Forehead Thermometer Most Silent
- 2.3 3. iProven DMT-489 Best Forehead & Ear Thermometer
- 2.4 4. Withings Thermo Smart Infrared Thermometer Best with App
- 2.5 5. iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer Popular on Amazon
- 2.6 6. ThermoWorks Wand No Touch Thermometer Trending
How Accurate are Infrared Forehead Thermometers?
Temporal artery thermometers, known as forehead thermometers, use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead. The latest research suggests that forehead infrared thermometers are the most accurate alternative to rectal digital thermometers for taking a child’s temperature. However, the environment around you may influence your skin temperature.
The tested child/adult needs to be in the same room for 30 minutes if you want an accurate read.
Infrared thermometers can read a person’s temperature very quickly, are easy to use, safe, and easily tolerated by children and babies.
With some thermometers, you don’t even have to touch the skin to read the temperature, which makes them best for testing sleeping children – without waking them up and disturbing them.
They make the best fit for infants older than 3 months and older children , and according to the Mayo clinic, new research suggests that they may also be used for newborns.
Do you add a degree with a forehead thermometer?
User manuals report an accuracy of about 0.4 Fahrenheit degrees, which is not ideal, but all the accuracy in the world won’t help if you can’t use it on a temperamental child. A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
What is Considered a Fever When Using a Forehead Thermometer?
According to the Seattle children’s hospital, a forehead temperature of 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher is considered a fever in both children and adults. Checking for fever can be done in different parts of your body, including the armpit, mouth, ears, rectum, and forehead.
- An ear temp. is 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature.
- An armpit (axillary) temperature is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
- A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
The Top 6 Infrared Forehead Thermometers (2021)
Our requirements for a forehead thermometer were simple: something fast, accurate, consistent, silent, and easy to read.
Here are the most accurate forehead thermometers of 2021:
1. ThermoDetect Pro Best Overall
The fair-priced ThermoDetect Pro is the only FDA-approved infrared thermometer that is manufactured at an FDA-registered facility (shipped from California) and is also has FCC and CE certification.
You can take the fever of babies, young children, adults, and the elderly accurately and fast, and it is our #1 pick for 2021. Here’s why:
- The highly accurate, contactless reading, takes less than a second and is confusion-free with the color-coded fever indicator (Green for normal body temperature, Orange for a slightly raised temperature, and Red for a high body temperature).
- Most accurate – the readings have greater than 0.01° accuracy when taken from a distance of 0.4-2 inches (1-5 cm).
- Minimal use of battery power – the ThermoDetect Pro stays charged all day and for months, with thousands of temp. checks on one battery cycle.
- When you buy on the official site, you get free shipping via USPS and 30-day money-back guarantee.
- The price is average-low compared with other forehead thermometers.
👉 ThermoDetcet Also offers a 2-in-1 infrared thermometer – The Thermodetect PLUS features both in-ear temperature readings as well as non-contact infrared temperature sensing!
2. Braun 3-in-1 No Touch Forehead Thermometer Most Silent
The Braun No Touch thermometer offers a completely silent reading (best for sleeping children/babies) and speedy and reliable readings, thanks to the age and fever guidance built-in feature.
You simply turn it on, select the age range, position it on, or 2.5 cm away from the point between the eyebrows, and when the 3 dashed lines appear, you press the temperature button.
(The gentle guidance light directs you to accurate aiming)
When the infrared scanner is done (in 2 seconds!), you’ll see the appropriate fever light glow (green/yellow/red) to help you understand the temperature reading.
Braun No Touch Thermometer Pros
- Silent
- No-touch option – measures temp. at a distance of to 2.5 cm
- Easy to use with large, color-coded display
- Speedy – takes to seconds to check for fever
- Can also be used to test bath water and food temperature
✅ Check today’s price on Amazon
Cons
- The tested individual should be in the same ambient temperature for at least 10 minutes – to get accurate readings
- Needs to be placed in a very specific place to get consistent readings (use the guidance light and follow instructions to avoid mistakes)
3. iProven DMT-489 Best Forehead & Ear Thermometer
The iProven new 2020 model doubles as both a forehead and an ear fever checker and offers fast and reliable readings for children (older than 6 months) and adults.
It easily switches from ear to forehead functionality and comes with a convenient and easy to read color-coded display (no guessing what’s considered as fever).
It takes just a second to get a reading in the ear, and less than 3 seconds to get it on the forehead.
Remember, ear temperature and temporal temperature are different, that’s why the iProven is specially calibrated for both forehead and ear measurements.
iProven Thermometer Pros
- No guesswork – the color-coded display will let you know
- Accurate and consistent – built with the newest infrared lens technology
- Comes with a storage bag
- You can choose either Fahrenheit or Celsius temp. reading
- 100-day money-back guarantee
✅ Check today’s price on the official site!
Cons
- The thermometer needs at least 30 minutes to acclimate to room temperature
- You cannot silence the beep at the end, may disturb sleeping children
4. Withings Thermo Smart Infrared Thermometer Best with App
The popular Withings Thermo temporal thermometer has 16 infrared sensors that take more than 4000 measurements for a highly accurate result (clinical accuracy: ±0.2°C (±0.4°F) – without any contact.
The ultra-fast reading is displayed with a color-coded fever indicator, and it comes with an app that helps you track the data from every measurement, along with health advice (from Boston’s Children Hospital) that appears in the app automatically.
Readings appear illuminated on the device and the LED indicator tells you if the temperature is normal, elevated, or high – based on the age of the user.
Up to 8 people can use the app and access their personal temperature history – which can be quickly shared with a health professional.
And, the batteries last for 2 years!
Withings Thermo Pros
- No need to calculate fever by age – the color-coded LED display indicated if there is a fever – according to the age of the user
- Temperature tracking – comes with an app that can track up to 8 users’ data, with health advice from the Boston Children Hospital
- Batteries last for years
- FSA-eligible
- Accurate thermometer and reliable, with consistent readings
- Fever reduction medication dosage appears automatically on the app, according to the user age and temperature
✅ Find the best price and warranty – on the official site
Cons
- Some users say that the app is a bit difficult to set up
5. iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer Popular on Amazon
The Exergen infrared digital forehead thermometer is quick and easy to use, and you only need to point it to the forehead and one push of a button to get an accurate reading – in 1 second.
When the reading is done, the iHealth Thermometer gently vibrates, instead of an annoying beep sound.
The highly sensitive temporal thermometer takes about 100 readings per second while the additional environmental and distance sensors make the adjustments to give you an accurate reading.
iHealth IR Forehead Thermometer Pros
- Reads temperature in 1 second
- Vibrates when reading is done
- Accurate and consistent readings
- Large LCD display and lights up in the dark
- Recommended by nurses and Consumer Reports
- Great value for the money
✅ Check today’s price on Amazon
Cons
- You’ll need to point it to the center of the forehead to get the most accurate result.
6. ThermoWorks Wand No Touch Thermometer Trending
The ThermoWorks Wand (FDA-cleared) is a non-contact, easy to use, and reliable infrared scanner thermometer – that gives you a reading in 1 second.
The Wand is accurate to ±0.4°F across the range of human temperatures, it has a high temperature alert and mute setting, a bright LED backlight and it will store your last 25 readings.
However, you have to make sure you are pointing the wand as close to the middle of the forehead, to get the most accurate and consistent readings (demonstrated below).
✅ Price – check today’s price at ThermoWorks
What is a normal temperature on the forehead?
The average normal oral temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), while the forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
How do you use a forehead thermometer?
If you have a no-touch forehead thermometer, you simply position the device in the center area between the eyebrows, at a 2.5 cm distance. The thermometer will indicate when the reading is done. With a contact forehead thermometer, you’ll need to slowly slide the thermometer across the forehead toward the top of the ear, until the device indicates the reading is done.
What’s better – ear or forehead thermometer?
Each of these infrared thermometers has its pros and cons. The ear thermometer can give you more accurate readings with older children who do not mind feeling the probe in their ears. For younger children, the forehead thermometer is ideal as it is gentle and non-intrusive.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
P.S
If you are a nurse or any caregiver, you may be interested in the best infrared vein finder as well! 😍
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/thermometers/art-20046737
https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fever-how-to-take-the-temperature/
Allegaert K, Casteels K, van Gorp I, Bogaert G. Tympanic, infrared skin, and temporal artery scan thermometers compared with rectal measurement in children: a real-life assessment. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2014;76:34–38. Published 2014 May 8. doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2013.11.005
Panagiotis Kiekkas PhD, RN, et al., Agreement of infrared temporal artery thermometry with other thermometry methods in adults: systematic review, https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13117
Infrared thermometers are accurate in getting your body fast. thanks to this device I should have to get one.