How do I choose the best baby thermometer?
There are a number of things that you should consider before buying a baby thermometer:
Age of your child: Consider whether the thermometer is suitable for your baby’s age. If you have a newborn, check that the thermometer is suitable for them. Some ear thermometers come with tiny ear probes which are suitable for newborns. If you have a slightly older baby who is a bit of a wriggler, you may struggle to keep them still long enough to hold a stick thermometer in their armpit.
Ease of use: When you’re taking a child’s temperature, you want a thermometer that’s easy to use and comes with clear instructions. Hi-tech thermometers that can store dozens of previous readings and flash different colours according to the temperature may prove useful, but if you find them difficult to use, for example you may find it tricky to get the correct angle when using an ear thermometer, then you may prefer a more straightforward stick thermometer.
Display: You need to be able to read and interpret the results of the temperature reading quickly and accurately. A thermometer that has a fever alert, or one that changes colour to indicate that your baby is too hot, are useful features to have. Backlit screens are handy for taking a temperature reading in the dark, without having to turn the light on and risk waking baby up.
Portability: Some forehead thermometers can be a bit bulky, but slimline stick thermometers are lightweight enough to be slipped into changing bags and handbags.
Features: Do you want a thermometer that changes colour, sounds a fever alert and stores dozens of previous readings? Or do you just want a straightforward thermometer to pop under your baby’s armpit and present you with a reading, with no fancy gimmicks attached?
Price: Always set yourself a budget. The thermometers on our list range in price from around £5 all the way up to the £50 mark. There are plenty of good-quality, accurate thermometers at the lower end of this range if you’re looking to save some pennies.
Batteries included? While many thermometers come with batteries included, some don’t. If this is the case, make sure you have the correct ones in the house and save yourself a midnight dash to the nearest 24-hour Tesco.
How to clean a baby thermometer
You can use an alcohol wipe but make sure you let it dry completely and then rinse in water before using it again. The NHS recommends simply cleaning a baby thermometer with soap and water.
Some thermometers may have small plastic parts that you can pop in a baby bottle steriliser, but check yours is suitable for that first. Others have disposable ear covers that you throw away and can buy more of when you need them.
It’s always a good idea to run the thermometer under clean water first. A non-contact thermometer will require less cleaning. Just ensure it’s had a good wipe down between uses, particularly if the whole family is ill.
What is the best baby thermometer in the UK?
The Braun ThermoScan 7 with Age Precision comes highly recommended by UK parents on the Mumsnet forums. It also achieved the highest score during our own independent product testing. It comes with a range of features to make sure you take the temperature correctly, its traffic light system means it is easy to interpret the results, and it can be calibrated according to the age of your child to ensure you get the most accurate reading.
How we chose the best baby thermometer
Recommendations from real parents
Our expert writers and journalists spend hours researching the very best quality products for our buyer's guides. To unearth the best baby thermometers on the UK market, we consulted expert advice from the NHS and trawled the Mumsnet forums for recommendations from parents on the brands they like and why.
Expert guidance
We’ve also consulted trusted medical websites, including the NHS and BMJ, to provide an authoritative voice on thermometers and the best way to take a baby’s temperature, so you can rest assured our article contains safe and reliable medical information.
Authentic customer reviews
Finally, we collated all that information and then looked at other online reviews, like on Which?, to see which thermometers have received the best recommendations and studied parent reviews as well as online best buys.
We looked for thermometers that showed accuracy over repeat readings, were simple to use and had additional features that made parents’ lives easier.
Real-life testing
Mumsnet editor Laura tested each baby thermometer out at home, reviewing each product on seven key criteria including: set-up, ease of use, accuracy, comfort, design, ease of cleaning and value for money.
About the authors
Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a now three-year-old, she is fully invested in discovering the best and most affordable baby products on the market, and sharing her knowledge and findings with other parents.
With over nine years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing pushchair product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier.
In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.
Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children's health and development.
She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals, and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing, and safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids for children.