Best baby thermometer for ease and accuracy, tested and chosen by parents 2025

We've chosen the Boots Pharmaceuticals Non-contact Thermometer as our best overall pick of baby thermometers as it's easy to use and offers a precise way for you to check your baby's temperature without disturbing their sleep – a must if your baby is resting off an illness. The non-contact design also ensures hygiene and comfort for your little one, minimising the spread of germs. Mum tester Michelle loved how easy it was, commenting, “I think the fact that you don't have to disturb baby is the best thing about it. It reads the temperature in as little as 2 seconds. It also stores the last 60 readings so you can see if their temperature has gone up or down.”

We like that it's a multipurpose tool, so you can also check the temperature of your baby's bottle, food, bathwater, and even your baby's room environment. The fact that the built-in memory stores your last 60 readings means you can easily track changes over time - a handy feature we loved! We also liked the sleek design and the fact it comes with its own storage case, making it ideal for travel and keeping in your nappy bag.

It features a unique symbol system, quickly showing whether your baby's temperature is within normal range or not, and saving any guesswork or uncertainty. Our mum tester Victoria did find it tricky to see the result at times though, saying, "I would change the fact that the light doesn’t come on automatically so sometimes you have to peer close to it to read the temperature."

Read our full Boots Non-contact Thermometer review

We chosen the Tommee Tippee, No Touch Forehead thermometer as our best pick for a clear display, which we know is important when trying to take little one's temperature. The thermometer offers quick and accurate temperature readings, without disturbing your child’s sleep, by holding the device 4cm away from the forehead and pressing a button. You'll get a reading within two seconds, displayed clearly on the LCD panel.

Our parent tester, Thokozani, found this thermometer very easy to use, commenting, "The accuracy and efficiency of the thermometer ensure that my daughter’s temperature is provided quickly. With traditional contact thermometers, if the child moves in any way, it could distort the reading of the thermometer. If the Digital forehead no-touch thermometer records a very high temperature, the Fever indication system alerts you the user by letting off three short beeps, followed by one long beep to warn of potential fever."

The thermometer stores previous readings for comparison over time, which our parent testers found very reassuring, and the readings to be consistent. Most liked the design, but some found it a little bulky compared to other, more sleek designs. Our mum tester Samantha said, “If I could change one thing about the thermometer, I’d change the size. It is bulkier than thermometers I’ve used previously meaning storage and transportation is a little more difficult. I found the grip uncomfortable when using it in one hand whilst contending with a wriggly toddler. A narrower device would work better for me." We think this is where the non-touch feature coomes into its own though, providing an easier way to take readings.

Read our full Tommee Tippee No Touch Forehead Thermometer review

This ear thermometer offers professional-grade accuracy for measuring your baby's temperature, featuring a night light and colour-coded display so you can easily see if your baby has a fever. You can adjust the settings for accuracy according to your child's age too, making it suitable for the whole family. One of our parent testers found it easy to use and said, "My toddler won't allow me to use any other thermometer, but he is happy with this one. He got used to it and does not resist now. It only takes 3 seconds to get a measurement. If in doubt, you can always take another measurement!"

We like that the patented tip pre-warms, ensuring comfort for your little one. The thermometer is used in hospitals and GP surgeries, which also provdes peace of mind to users that it's a quality, approved product. Unfortunately, it isn't a non-contact device, but you can still use the thermometer when the baby is lying down or asleep, making it very convenient for parents.

Using the ear as a measurement site offers even more accuracy, reflecting the true core body temperature more precisely, and you'll get a result within seconds. In fact, the thermometer is clinically proven to be as accurate as rectal measurement in newborns! Don't worry, this is a good option for the best ear thermometer for baby as it's gentle on little ears and hygienic to use thanks to the hygiene caps provided, which ensure cleanliness. Refills can be purchased too. One mum tester said, “ itcomes with plenty of plastic covers, and the refills are cheap to buy.” In the box you’ll also find a storage container and simple instructions.

We chosen the Braun Digital Stick Thermometer for its compact size, making it highly portable and easy to fit into a changing bag or handbag. Its affordable price makes it accessible to all parents, and it can be used for the whole family with Braun's age precision technology. Temperature readings can be adjusted based on the age of the child, ensuring accuracy for babies, older children, and adults alike.

Using the thermometer is easy – just place it under your child's armpit, and you'll have a temperature reading within eight seconds. Its clinically proven accuracy provides reassurance for parents, with temperature measurements you can trust. One mum reviewer said, “It's fast, accurate, doesn't give unreliable readings, and it just works without a hassle.” Although, we noticed it gives readings within eight seconds which is significantly longer than other brands.

The thermometer features a gentle and flexible tip, ensuring comfortable usage. Plus, it offers multi-site usage choices making it suitable for oral, rectal, or underarm use, providing flexibility and convenience for parents. The main downside compared to other thermometers is that putting a thermometer under your child’s armpit when they’re not feeling well can be a little uncomfortable for them compared to other non-touch models. It’s a firm favourite amongst parents, however, with one returning parent commenting, "This is my second one of these thermometers. The first one was old and worn out. This latest one is very easy to use and quick to show temperature." They did find that the sound indicating completion doesn't always work though.

If you like the previous thermometer for being compact, you might like this one more with its convenient non-contact design. We really like this travel-friendly mini thermometer from Munchkin. The portable infrared forehead thermometer is great for use at home and on the go. Being impressively tiny and coming with its own travel case to keep it safe, it's ideal to pop in the changing bag or a suitcase. Despite its size it performs just as well as some of the big brand non-contact thermometers, and we like that it's easy and intuitive to use, and can store up to 20 readings.

One parent tester said, "Since non-contact thermometers are usually so bulky, I was a bit sceptical of how accurate this would be, but it gives spot-on readings in only 1 second. The fact that you can store readings as well is great. I'm so impressed with how compact it is, it makes it so much easier to take out and about and offers peace of mind if my little one is under the weather that I have it with me if I need to double check their temperature."

Unfortunately, we'd prefer to be able to turn off the beep it makes when giving a reading, as this could disturb babies and children if they're asleep. Other than that, our testers found this product hard to fault.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use thermometer the Braun No Touch + forehead thermometer offers dual technology for quick and precise temperature readings. It has a touch mode for placing the thermometer on the forehead, as well as a no-touch mode for holding it in front of the child's forehead. This means you can check their temperature without disturbing their sleep or if little ones are being a bit wriggly. Our mum tester Laura loved this feature, commenting, "I could easily keep an eye on my sleeping child's temperature without disturbing him. It is quick and easy to use giving you a reading within 2 seconds."

The LED colour-changing backlight ensures easy reading in any light and changes colour depending on the temperature severity. Our mum tester loved the colour-adjusting backlight, saying it "makes it simple to recognise if your child is seriously ill as it glows Red, Amber & Green depending on the temperature range."

The thermometer also features patented technology for accurate temperature readings. We like that it's compact, fitting nicely into a changing bag, and that it doesn’t require disposable covers. The memory function allows continuous monitoring too. Some mums, however, would have liked the addition of a storage box or bag, with Mum tester Laura saying, “I would like a box or bag to keep this thermometer in to ensure it keeps clean and safe.”

When it comes to simplicity, the iHealth PT3 no-touch thermometer with infrared technology provides precise readings within 1 second from a distance of 2cm from the forehead's centre. It's super easy to use with single-button control and a quiet vibration alert for minimal disturbance, making it ideal for newborns and babies.

Equipped with three built-in sensors, including the ultra-sensitive infrared sensor and a distance sensor, it ensures maximum accuracy when you need it most. One mum tester loved the ease of use, commenting, "This thermometer is incredibly easy to use, with a simple one-button operation that quickly and accurately measures your body temperature. The large, easy-to-read display shows the temperature clearly, and the results are available within seconds." Parents also appreciate that the thermometer is suitable for all ages, making it excellent value for money for the whole family. 

With no-touch measuring, it's a hygienic choice and it easy to clean. It operates with AAA batteries and provides readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, although some parents did note that changing the settings wasn’t straighforward. A parent said, “One thing that isn’t clear is how to change from Fahrenheit to Celsius. However, I did work it out. Press and hold the button for around 5 seconds, press the button to show ‘C’ in the window, then press and hold for 5 seconds to confirm.”

With silent operation and the option for zero-contact measurements, the Brother Max Infrared Digital 2-in-1 Head/Ear Thermometer is ideal for parents who struggle to get close to their little ones when they’re feeling under the weather. Suitable from birth, this thermometer provides quick and precise temperature readings from both the head and ear in just one second, accurate to 0.2°C. One mum reviewer said,  "Easy and quick to use with accurate results, which is what I need as a mama!" Others felt it wasn't as accurate at some others on the market.

It features infrared technology for reliable results, and its 2-in-1 design eliminates the need for probe covers, simplifying the cleaning process. Additionally, it can be used as a non-contact thermometer by holding it 1 cm away from the forehead, providing further flexibility.

The thermometer is user-friendly and comes with clear instructions and a handy cover for storage. It's BPA and mercury-free, ensuring safety for the whole family. With a battery included, it's ready to use straight out of the box, making it a practical and reliable choice.

If you're after a thermometer that provides super quick results you'll like this one. With its straightforward operation, you can hold the Femometer thermometer 2-3cm away from the forehead and press the start button for a temperature reading in just 1 second. An instant red screen alerts you to a fever, ensuring quick identification of potential health concerns. We like the large LCD screen with 3 backlight indicators that make it easy to interpret results, with a warning sound for abnormal temperatures. One mum reviewer said, "This thermometer is the best I ever had! When you have little ones you need quick and easy! And this is that."

With infrared technology, it not only measures forehead temperature but can also gauge the temperature of objects and rooms. The thermometer features two modes: "Body" mode for measuring body temperature and "Surface" mode for measuring the temperature of water, bottles, and food, meaning it can double up as a bath thermometer and be used before giving your tot their bottle or food. Medically certified, it provides precise readings with its precise sensor probes. 

Included in the package are the touchless infrared thermometer, user manual, and batteries, ensuring you're ready to use it right away. One mum reviewer commented,  "I’ve tried ear thermometers with my daughter (9 months) but struggle to get a reading because her ears are so small. This head thermometer is brilliant and gives you an instant reading." Some have mentioned that the readings aren't as accurate as they'd like though.