Uh oh. Is she a little warm? You hope it’s not a fever. Better check to be sure. But, your little one is sleepy, and starting to drift off, and you’d hate to bother her. This is an ideal situation for a non-contact, non-invasive forehead thermometer. You don’t need anyone to comply by holding a thermometer in their mouth for what always feels like an eternity (doesn’t it?) Instead, you can get an accurate reading in as little as one second with a touchless infrared forehead thermometer. Doesn’t that sound like a more pleasant option? We think so!
If you’re interested in finding out the ins and outs of these useful, inexpensive medical gadgets, check our buying guide below for more information about selecting the best forehead thermometer for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get the most accurate readings with a forehead thermometer?
Forehead thermometers are designed to take accurate readings, but you must follow the instructions precisely. Many forehead thermometers are calibrated to give an accurate reading when held a specific distance from the forehead, which is usually around an inch or so. Check the instructions that come with each product for the distance from the subject that will yield an accurate result. If you hold the thermometer too close or too far away, then the temperature reading loses accuracy, sometimes dramatically. But this can be easily remedied by correcting the distance of the thermometer from the subject. Another thing to check with each brand of thermometer is its margin of accuracy as stated by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers state that their product is accurate to within 0.1 degree Fahrenheit, while others may give an accuracy margin of up to 0.4 or 0.5 degrees.
What can I use an infrared thermometer for?
Infrared thermometers, also called forehead thermometers, take the temperature of a surface. For medical purposes, they’re most often used on the forehead to read the temperature of a person’s skin, but most infrared thermometers can also be used to measure the temperature of other surfaces as well. Some thermometers have a setting for switching its use to objects, as opposed to humans. Other things you can take the temperature of include food or baby formula, (to see if it’s too hot, or safe to consume), the temperature of a hot deck in the sun (to see if it will burn bare feet), and much more. So, you can use forehead thermometers to take a person’s body temperature, or you can check the temperature of an endless variety of surfaces.
Do forehead thermometers show degrees Celcius or Farenheit?
Many of the thermometers on the market have the ability to switch between C and F, so you’ll be able to use the thermometer in a system of measurement with which you’re most familiar. If this feature is important to you, check the seller’s product description to make sure that you can use the thermometer in your unit of choice.
Buying Guide
It can be a tough choice – picking the right forehead thermometer. You want to make sure you get it right, because the health of you and your family is important. Before you buy, consider these important points when shopping for a non-contact infrared forehead thermometer:
- Operation: Are you looking for a forehead thermometer with basic, one-button operation and not a lot of extra features or settings? Or would you enjoy many of the useful electronic features of more advanced thermometers? Some thermometers offer the simplest of use, where you simply aim and press a button, with virtually no set-up and no fancy extras. Other thermometers offer several interesting features and require a little bit of set-up and getting to know your new thermometer’s capabilities. Think about the features and capabilities you’d like in a thermometer, and if you’d prefer the simplest operation, or if going through a couple steps and reading the manual is more your speed.
- Accuracy: Accuracy in a thermometer is everything. After all, it’s a thermometer’s only real job, right? So of course, you want it to be accurate. Check the product details for information about the accuracy of each thermometer. To get an accurate reading, you must hold the thermometer a specific distance from the forehead. Beyond this, though, different manufacturers have varying claims of accuracy, which usually fall between a 0.1 and 0.5 degree margin. Also falling under the umbrella of accuracy is a thermometer’s consistency. An accurate thermometer will give nearly the same digital reading even when you take a temperature multiple times in a row.
- Memory: Some thermometers have the ability to record a history of temperature readings. This is useful so you can track a patient’s progress over the course of an illness. Some thermometers remember up to 10 recent temps, while others can remember up to 35 readings or so. If this memory feature in a thermometer is important to you, look for a thermometer with a memory function.
- Fever Alerts: Infrared forehead thermometers have different ways of alerting you that they’ve detected a fever. The most basic models may not alert you at all when they read a temp above 98.6 F. However, many thermometers give an alert with a fever, such as the changing color of a screen, a vibration, or a sound. In some models with an audible alarm, the sound features can be silenced for quiet operation. This is useful for taking the temperature of sleeping patients.
- Auto Shut-Off: With the concern of someone possibly being ill, you don’t need the extra worry about draining your thermometer’s batteries if you forgot to turn it off. Therefore, many thermometers have an auto shut-off feature that turns off the unit after a certain number of seconds go by of non-use. Check the seller’s product description to see if a thermometer has an auto shut-off feature.
Are forehead thermometers all the same? Not exactly. Yes, they all take your temperature, but there are several features, including those above, that distinguish each thermometer as unique. We’ve sorted through many of the options on the market, and here are our top picks for the best forehead thermometers:
Easy@Home Digital Infrared Forehead
Fastest Readings
Get a reading in just one second
This accurate no-touch forehead thermometer measures body, surface and room temperatures thanks to its advanced infrared detection system. It features an audible fever alert to ensure you can act quickly to prevent further illness.
Pros:
- Indicates results in colors for easy reading
- Can be switched between Celsius or Fahrenheit
Cons:
- Shape may feel too bulky for some users
Medical Grade Clinical Forehead Thermometer
Best Memory Functions
Saves up to 32 previous readings for easy comparison
This forehead thermometer doubles as a surface thermometer to easily measure multiple items or persons. It delivers medical-grade accuracy by collecting 50 data points per second in any outdoor or indoor environment.
Pros:
- Allows for safe, no-touch readings
- LCD screen is easy to read and displays big numbers
Cons:
- Has a short battery life
ByFloProducts Thermometer
Most Accurate
Uses revolutionary calibration technology to measure within +/- 0.2 degrees
This forehead thermometer allows for easy operation and is suitable for the whole family. It features a large three-color LCD display that switches between green, orange and red to indicate the level of temperature measured.
Pros:
- Easily switch between Fahrenheit and Celcius
- Includes an LED lamp for easy measurements in dark conditions
Cons:
- Configuration instructions may be tricky to follow
Safety 1st Forehead Thermometer
Best For Babies
Quiet operation that won’t wake your sleeping little one
This convenient thermometer reads temperatures within just one second. The accurate reader also features memory recalls to compare previous readings and see if your baby or toddler is developing a fever over time.
Pros:
- Features an auto-off function
- Indicates a high fever warning with an icon on the screen
Cons:
- May not be suitable for measuring multiple temperatures within minutes
Braun Forehead Thermometer
Easiest To Use
On-screen positioning system confirms proper distance for measuring
This no-touch thermometer is trusted by many health professionals because of its highly accurate readings. It delivers results within just two seconds. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions and is quick to configure before the first use.
Pros:
- Features color-coded temperature guidance
- No-touch allows for hygienic, safe measuring
Cons:
- LCD light may be too bright for some users
