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. 😉
The best forehead thermometers can read anyone’s temperature in less than 3 seconds and are the quickest and most convenient devices for checking for fever in any baby, child or adult.
Below you’ll find our top picks and our detailed forehead thermometer reviews.
Overview
Is a Forehead Thermometer Accurate?
Temporal artery thermometers, known as forehead thermometers, use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.
They 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.
Are they accurate?The latest research suggests that forehead infrared thermometers are the most accurate alternative to rectal digital thermometers for taking a child’s temperature.
However:
Remember that the environment around you may influence your skin temperature. The tested child/adult needs to be in the same steady room for 30 minutes if you want an accurate read.
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.
What is Considered a Fever When You Use a Forehead Thermometer?
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.
So, what is considered a fever on the forehead?
According to the Seattle children’s hospital, a forehead temperature of 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher is considered a fever.
The Top 5 Forehead Thermometers in 2020
Our requirements for a forehead thermometer were simple: something fast, accurate, consistent, silent, and easy to read.
Here’s what we recommend, below the comparison table you’ll find each device pros and cons.
| Our Rating | Bottom Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Braun No Touch Forehead Thermometer   | 4.7 | Best non-contact thermometer |
| iProven DMT-489   | 4.8 🥇 | Best forehead & ear thermometer |
| Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer   | 4.6 | Accurate, budget-friendly |
| Clinical forehead thermometer   | 4.7 | Non-contact, fast reading |
| SYOSIN 8-in-1   | 4.6 | Good forehead & ear thermometer |
1. Braun 3-in-1 No Touch Forehead Thermometer – Best No Touch Thermometer
The Braun No Touch thermometer offers a completely silent reading (best for sleeping children/babies) and speedy and accurate 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.
If you are looking for a no touch thermometer, this one is our top choice for 2020.
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
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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)
2. 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
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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
3. Exergen SmartGlow Temporal Artery Thermometer – Accurate & Budget Friendly
The Exergen infrared forehead thermometer is quick and easy to use, and you only need a gentle glide on the forehead to get an accurate reading – in 3 seconds.
The highly sensitive temporal thermometer takes about 1000 readings in a single second while determining the most accurate one.
It stores the last 8 temperature readings and you can choose to have the display beep and flash when the process is complete.
Exergen Infrared Forehead Thermometer Pros
- Can be silenced and used on a sleeping baby
- Takes up to 3 seconds to swipe the forehead and check for fever
- Accurate and consistent readings
- No downtime between repeated uses
- Recommended by nurses and Consumer Reports
- Great value for the money
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Cons
- Probe lens and cone should be shiny clean. If not, wipe with alcohol.
4. Clinical Forehead Thermometer – Non-Contact, 1-Second Reading
The Clinical forehead FDA-approved thermometer is a non-contact, easy to use and reliable infrared scanner thermometer – that gives you a reading in 1 second.
It is built with the latest infrared technology (refined microchip and highly sensitive sensor) for maximum accuracy and consistency, and the price is not as expensive as others in this list.
Clinical Forehead Thermometer pros
- Large LCD display
- No need to touch the skin
- Easily switches between Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Accurately measures body temperature and objects
- Silent mode – no beeping that can wake up kids
- High user reviews on Amazon
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Some users say that you have to add a degree to the reading to get an accurate and consistent body temperature.
5. SYOSIN 8-in-1 Professional Digital Medical Thermometer – Forehead & Ear
The SYOSIN temporal artery infrared fever thermometer new model has 3 testing modes (ear/forehead/objects) with a 1-second fast measurement and instant reading.
It stores the 35 last readings, has a silent mode and an LED display that lights up in the dark.
The fever warning system is color-coded (green/orange/red – when reading exceeds 99.5 ℉/37.5℃,) and alerts with a soft beeping sound (that you can turn off).
This thermometer can also read liquids, solids and even room temperature – without contact.
SYOSIN infrared forehead thermometer Pros
- The new model is more accurate and consistent
- Can be silenced – great for babies and kids
- Color-coded fever warning system
- Fast reading – 1 second
- ℃ and ℉ are easily switchable
- Stores 35 readings
- Easy to use with big letters and backlights
Cons
- You have to swipe the device over the forehead, there isn’t a no-contact option
- You have to clean it well before you use it to get a correct result
Forehead Thermometers FAQ
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
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