The instrument is IP40 rated and will not be affected by drops from heights of up to 3.3 feet, making it reliable to use in a variety of conditions, as well as quite durable for tasks that might endanger other similar devices.
User manual is not included.
The Fluke 59 is a great test tool that comes in handy wherever accurate high-temperature measurements are required. Powered by Precise laser technology, it is able to determine the temperature in just a couple of seconds and displays the reading on a large digital screen.
-22°F to 662°F
8:1
≥ 0°C: ±2.0°C or ±2.0% of reading, whichever is greater
≥ -10°C to <0°C: ±2.0°C
< -10°C: ±3.0°C
≥ 32°F: ±4.0°F or ±2.0% of reading, whichever is greater
≥ 14°F to <32°F: ±4.0°F
< 14°F: ±6.0°F
Backlit LCD display, Ergonomic handle, MAX, MIN, DIF and AVG functions, IP40 protection rating, 3.3 ft drop tested
1 year
Thanks to the automatic data hold function, you can return to the measurements already taken at any time and study them in more detail. The body of the device is covered with UV paint coating, which protects it from premature wear.
It's a little slow to register and display the temperature.
The Etekcity Lasergrip 800 is an easy-to-use and informative non-contact thermometer. The device is distinguished by a high ratio of distance to the size of the measured area, a wide range of measured temperatures, and the presence of a °F / °C converter.
-58°F to 1382°F
16:1
±2% or 2ºC/°F
Body with UV paint coating, Backlit LCD display, Ergonomic handle, auto-off function, low battery indicator, automatic data hold function
2 years
The device operates in accordance with Dual-laser targeting technology, which makes it even more precise and allows better recognition of the measured surface. Will delight with a minimum response time of ≤ 500 ms.
Its controls are a bit difficult to learn and use.
The Etekcity Infrared Thermometer 1022D will become a loyal assistant, both in production and in cooking, as well as in everyday life (for example, to measure the water temperature of a baby bath). The adjustable emissivity is useful for compensating for different textures on surfaces (shiny, polished, etc.).
-58°F to 1022°F
12:1
±2% or 2ºC/°F
Backlight LCD Display, Auto Shut-off, Data Hold Function, MAX temperature function, Low Battery Indicator
2 years
The ratio of the distance to the object to the measurement spot is 16: 1, which allows you to measure the temperature of objects that are far enough from the instrument, for example, the air temperature created by a wall-mounted air conditioner.
Battery access door not very sturdy.
This practical device allows you to accurately measure the temperature of the body, air, food, internal components of the car during maintenance. The thermometer is equipped with dual laser guidance, a convenient and well-readable LCD screen, has wide functionality and a fast response time of ≤500ms.
-58 °F to 1076°F
16:1
±2% or 2ºC/°F
Ergonomic handle, MAX/MIN/AVG temperatures function, backlit LCD screen, Auto-Off function, low battery indicator, ° F/°C selection, Adjustable Emissivity
2 years
The functionality of this thermometer allows you to adjust the emissivity (0.1-1.0), based on the type and texture of the surface on which the measurements are made.
The screen is visible only when viewed at a direct angle.
The Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer is a very practical device that has a light weight, and an ergonomic handle with UV paint coating, which protects against scratches and wear. Takes measurements instantly with minimal response time.
-58°F to 1112°F
12:1
±2% or 2ºC/4°F
Ergonomic handle with UV paint coating, LCD backlight, °F/°C selection, Battery saving auto-off, Adjustable Emissivity 0.1-1.0, automatic data hold, low battery indicator
Lifetime
Easy Measurements
Those who often find themselves needing to use an infrared thermometer of some kind will often want a model that will let them take easy measurements without any hassle. Any device that can do this will be a welcome addition to anyone's toolset, which is exactly what you get with the Fluke 59 Max Infrared Thermometer. This infrared thermometer gives you the ability to take quick and easy temperature readings without having to learn or fumble your way through complex controls, something that can often plague other models.
Right off the bat, anyone who uses this thermometer should see just how easy it is to use. The device has clearly labeled controls that let you navigate through the menu without any trouble, with large buttons that are easy to press. All of the information is displayed on the large backlit LCD screen, which utilizes large, easy-to-read characters for all temperature measurements. The build of the tool is also quite light, yet also extremely durable thanks to its IP40 rating, with it able to withstand drops of more than 3 feet on a hard surface. This means you can use this tool with confidence in almost any setting, even those where there is always a risk of damage occurring to a similar device.
Precise Laser Technology
But what about the readings that you get from this device? Are they accurate enough to use in virtually any work conditions? The answer to this question is "Absolutely!". Thanks to the precise laser technology used in this infrared thermometer, you get highly accurate temperature readings that can be trusted to be reliable. The device has the ability to gather readings within a temperature range of -22°F to 662°F, making it useful for a large variety of purposes. What's more, the accuracy of these readings is simply off the charts, with deviations only being off by a couple of degrees at most, regardless of the temperature range that the readings are in.
Of course, you don't just have to rely on individual readings with this thermometer. The device is able to store previous readings and can give you the minimum, maximum, difference, and average of the selected readings. What's more, if you need to measure temperatures within a specified range, you can also set Hi and Lo settings for these so that any measured temperatures that fall outside of this range will be easily detected, with the device alerting you to them immediately. Overall, this highly useful and durable infrared thermometer will be a great pick for those who want an easy-to-use device.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $70.70 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00GNK1334 |
Large Range and Distance
Infrared thermometers can be limited in their usefulness by a variety of different factors. One of the biggest ones, though, is the range of the device. As these thermometers are meant to be used from a distance, the range can be very important, especially when you are dealing with extreme temperatures. The larger the distance, the more useful the device. With the Etekcity Lasergrip 800 Digital Infrared Thermometer, you get a device that can measure temperatures accurately within a high-temperature range and from a greater distance than with most other similar devices.
This model sports several capabilities that put it above many of the other devices on the market, including other ones in this review. For instance, the 16:1 distance to spot ratio is among the highest that we've seen, giving you a large distance to measure even a small spot. Furthermore, the temperature range that this model supports is also huge, with it able to accurately measure temperatures within the range of -58ºC to 1382ºC, giving it the large temperature range that we have seen by far. The measurement accuracy is also quite good, with measurements varying no more than 2 degrees F from the actual temperature. Simply put, you'll find very few use cases where this thermometer won't be suitable.
Store Previous Readings
Taking a simple temperature measurement is rarely useful, as those who often need to use an infrared thermometer can tell you. Temperatures can change all of the time, and keeping track of these changes can be quite important. This device makes this task much easier thanks to its automatic data hold feature, which stores previous readings. This lets you easily find and analyze any variations in the temperatures, giving you the ability to do this analysis immediately after the readings or even sometime later, whenever you prefer.
The device itself is also quite easy to use, with an ergonomic form that makes it easy to hold and highly accurate with wherever you point it. The controls on the device are easy to recognize, with each button sporting a small image that gives you a clear indicator of what it is used for. Temperature readings are all displayed on the large backlit LCD display, letting you easily see the readings in any light conditions. The only gripe we really have here is that there is a slight delay between the time the measurement is taken and the reading appears on the screen, although this really isn't a big deal and shouldn't impact the usefulness of the device. All things considered, this is one of the best infrared thermometers that we have seen.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $33.98 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00DMI62HM |
Great For Everyday Tasks
Infrared thermometers can often be used for a wide variety of purposes, but not everyone needs an industrial strength model. Even just around the house, an infrared thermometer can prove to be an extremely useful device, whether you are measuring the temperature of your water heater's surface or even just using it in the kitchen. If you're looking for a model that is made to handle everyday tasks such as these, then look no further than the Etekcity 1022D Dual Laser Digital Infrared Thermometer. This infrared thermometer has been made to be useful for virtually any task you wish, giving you highly accurate readings with a decent distance to spot ratio.
One of the great features of this particular model is in its adjustable emissivity, which lets you set the adjustments to get more accurate results from different types of surfaces, including those that are shiny or polished. This is particularly important because such surfaces can often give such devices trouble with getting accurate measurements. Adjusting the emissivity lets you compensate for this regardless of the type of surface that is being measured, and makes the job of measuring these surfaces accurately much easier.
Dual Laser Technology
Speaking of getting accurate measurements, this model gives you some of the most accurate readings that you'll find thanks to the dual laser technology it uses. This also aids in ensuring that you are measuring the right part of the surface you are targeting, with the dual lasers helping to adjust for any discrepancies and thus giving you much more accurate results. Thanks to the distance to spot ratio of 12:1, you can also get accurate results from a distance instead of having to be right up close to the surface, which of course can be dangerous when dealing with high temperatures.
Unfortunately, this device is a little more complicated to use than some of the other models we've seen, as the controls aren't very clearly labeled and navigating through the menu isn't exactly intuitive. However, anyone can learn the controls with a little bit of time, and once that is done we're sure that whoever uses this model will be happy with its performance. Also, the backlit LCD screen gives you measurements clearly and can be easily read even in dark places. On top of that, the auto-off feature automatically shuts off the device whenever it is idle, helping greatly in conserving battery power. Those looking for an all-purpose infrared thermometer that can be used at home or at work will find what they're looking for with this model.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $28.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01BV0YMH4 |
High Range Thermometer
Although infrared thermometers give us some advantages in regard to measuring temperatures of objects that would be otherwise nearly impossible to measure, there still tend to be a lot of limitations with these devices. For one, many of them tend to have a limited temperature range, but more importantly, many also have a very limited distance range. This can make getting the temperature of certain objects quite difficult even with some of the higher-end infrared thermometers. In these instances, the benefits of an infrared thermometer seem to be negated by the challenges they face.
The Etekcity Lasergrip 630 Dual Laser Digital Infrared Thermometer is one model that is made to work well in situations where most other infrared thermometers fail. The ratio of the distance to the object to the measurement spot is 16: 1, which allows you to measure the temperature of objects that are far enough from the instrument, for example, the air temperature created by a wall-mounted air conditioner. This is well beyond what most other models offer in regard to the distance range. Even the temperature range of -58 °F to 1076 °F is higher than any other model that we review here, making this model the best choice where others will have difficulty with measuring.
Highly Versatile
This practical device allows you to accurately measure the temperature of a wide range of objects that normal thermometers would have difficulties with, such as the body, air, food, and even the internal components of the car during maintenance. This versatility gives you a huge range of use that goes far beyond what normal thermometers can do, and the above stated benefits of this model show its superiority to many other competing models.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $31.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00K5QVBCU |
A Practical Thermometer
There is nothing quite like having a tool or device that does exactly what you need it to do, without fuss and without problems, letting you easily and quickly use it for its intended purpose with it giving you instant and accurate results. This is exactly what you get with the Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer, an easy-to-use and lightweight thermometer that lets you take accurate reading measurements quickly and easily. The lightweight design of this thermometer makes it easy to hold and to use, letting you point it accurately at any spot that you need to measure, and it won't start feeling heavy even after prolonged use.
At the same time, the rugged design has a UV paint coating that helps protect the device from physical damage as well as from overall wear and tear, ensuring that it stays in top working order for a long time. As far as operating the device goes, it is quite easy, requiring little more than the press of the trigger, with accurate measurements showing up instantly, without any wait time. The readings are displayed on the large LCD display in large numbers, although users will want to keep in mind that the display has a small viewing angle, so it will be readable only with the screen directly facing you.
Adjustable Emissivity
One of the great features of this infrared thermometer is in the ability to adjust the emissivity of the readings. As different types of surfaces will radiate heat in different ways, being able to adjust the emissivity of the readings will let you get much more accurate readings with less variation, ensuring that you get the readings you need with as few measurements as possible. The emissivity can be adjusted from 0.1 to 1.0, giving you the full range in order to deal with almost any type of surface and situation. Of further note is the distance to spot ratio of 12:1, which lets you take readings from further away that many other thermometers, making it great for those whose safety might be compromised by being closer to an extremely hot surface.
Plenty of other features are included in this model that help make the user's life easier. Included is the ability to automatically switch between readings in Celcius and Fahrenheit, a power-saving mode that automatically turns off the device after a period of non-use, and even a backlight for the LCD display, letting you use the device in dark areas. At the end of the day, this infrared thermometer provides users with an extremely flexible device that will serve them well for a long time.
| Last updated price | $21.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07VSHR9M6 |
Infographics
What Is an Infrared Thermometer?
There are many situations where a regular thermometer can't be used, such as when you need to measure the temperature of moving objects, electrical circuits, mechanical equipment, and other things that cannot be touched by hand. While you could definitely resort to using some other methods of measuring the temperature of these surfaces, a more convenient and - more importantly - more accurate way would be to use an infrared (or laser) thermometer.
IR thermometers will come in handy not only when you work on mechanical equipment or vehicles but also anywhere else in your home for measuring temperature from a distance.
Using an infrared thermometer is as easy as anything. All you need to do is direct it at an object you're working on and the tool will do the trick. And if it has an auto shut-off feature as well, you will be able to use it with little to none supervision at all.
If you want to get yourself only the best infrared thermometer rather than waste money on cheap knock-offs, this review is tailored specially for you. We offer you the selection of the best-selling IR thermometers along with the key specs to consider before making a choice. We hope our guide will help point you in the right direction.
Another device that will come in handy in different industries and work environments is a moisture meter. If you don't have one yet, make sure to check out this review too.
What Features to Compare
Temperature Range
There are several important features to consider when choosing a decent infrared thermometer. And the temperature range is among the most important ones since it determines the scope of application of the thermometer. The IR thermometers with a relatively narrow range are suitable for household use; you can use them to detect a draft or check how well the doors and windows are insulated. These temperature guns are also widely used in cooking. The laser thermometers with a wide temperature range are suitable for use by professionals; they are common at construction and industrial sites.
Distance-to-spot Ratio & Accuracy
The next important tech spec to consider is a distance-to-spot ratio. This ratio means the size of the spot on the object compared to the distance to it. If you mostly measure the temperature from small distances, you can opt for a device with a small ratio. And vice versa, the farther the object is, the higher the ratio a gun should have. As far as accuracy is concerned, if you need an infrared thermometer to use at worksites, opt for accurate non-contact thermometers.
Build Quality
Since infrared thermometers can be used in a wide variety of different work areas, having a model that is built for such use cases can be very important. Most people tend to not look too deeply into this, but if you're going to use the device in areas where there is always the risk of dropping the device or damaging it in some other way, then you will want to be sure that the device is made sturdy and durable enough to easily handle such uses cases. Some models are actually built to meet certain certification standards, so you might want to check whichever model you are looking at to see if this is the case with it.
Conveniences
FAQ:
Q: How does an infrared thermometer work?
A: Each infrared thermometer has a special sensor called a thermopile. This sensor detects infrared radiation reflected from an object, turns it into the heat which then transforms into electricity. The more electricity, the higher the temperature of the object is.
Q: What does ‘infrared’ mean?
A: Infrared radiation is a part of electromagnetic spectrum. This kind of radiation is, actually, the heat that our skin feels. Though infrared radiation is generally invisible, it might emit light at really high temperatures.
Q: What are infrared thermometers used for?
A: IR thermometers allow measuring a temperature of distant objects with the help of a special heat sensor. It means there is no need to contact the object; instead, just direct the laser beam onto it, and the device will show you the temperature. For example, laser thermometers are used to measure the temperature of air vent ducts, engines, machinery parts, and even kitchenware.
Q: The manual has a confusing spec called ‘distance-to-spot’ ratio. What does it mean?
A: In a nutshell, it means the size of the spot on the object being measured from a certain distance. For example, if a non-contact thermometer has a distance-to-spot ratio of 12:1, it means you will get a 1’’ wide spot at the distance of 12’’.
Q: What is the temperature range most IR thermometers support
A: Laser thermometers are used for a large scope of industrial and construction jobs, so most of them offer quite a wide range. The minimum temperature is usually around -60 degrees F, whereas the maximum amounts to around 1,600 degrees F.
Q: What does ‘emissivity’ mean?
A: Without going deep into technical details, emissivity is the ability of a certain material to emit infrared radiation. It’s measured from 0.00 to 1.00. The higher the emissivity of the material is, the more accurate the readings of the laser temperature gun will be. Most devices come with a useful table with the emissivity of different materials; you should use it to get accurate readings for low-emissivity materials (such as aluminum, for example).
Q: Can I use a laser thermometer to check the doneness of food?
A: No. IR thermometers can measure the surface temperature only. If you need to know the internal temperature of solid foods, a probe thermometer must be used.
Q: Is it necessary to calibrate non-contact thermometers?
A: Yes. The frequency of calibration is usually specified in manuals. As usual, laser temperature guns are sent back to manufacturer and put into calibration in appropriate conditions.
Q: How do I know when it’s time to calibrate an IR thermometer?
A: Most non-contact temperature guns perform a check-up of all functions when they are switched on. If calibration is required, an error message is displayed to a user.
Q: Can I use an IR thermometer to measure the temperature of baby formula?
A: Yes. However, you should stir it well before taking the measurement so that the formula has the same temperature as a bottle or a bowl. The same approach is applied to measuring water temperature in a baby bath.
Sources:
1. Choosing a Thermometer, ChefSteps.
2. Infrared thermometer, Wikipedia. December 8, 2016.
3. Choosing the Right Thermometer for You, ThermoWorks.
4. Infrared Thermometer, OMEGA Engineering.
5. About Infrared Thermometers, Instrumart.
6. How to Choose the Right Digital Thermometer for Your Kitchen, MARTHA STEWART. September 30, 2015.