Menu
 

Best Oven Thermometers

Updated January 2023
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
AcuRite Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
AcuRite
Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
Check Price
Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A reliable thermometer for measuring oven temperatures from 150ºF to 600ºF.

Pros

One of the easier thermometers to hang, it gets high marks for accuracy and large-print numbering.

Cons

At 2.5 inches wide, the dial is relatively small, and the black type may be hard to read through a blackened oven door.

Best Bang for the Buck
Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
Rubbermaid
Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
Check Price
Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

With a wide face and large-print dial, this thermometer is easy to read, even through the oven door.

Pros

At 4.5 inches wide, this thermometer has a very large dial. It delivers accurate readings in Fahrenheit and Celsius and is easy to clean. As with all oven thermometers, allow time for the center of the oven to heat up before taking a reading.

Cons

The narrow base may slip between oven grates, and the hook may come loose if the rack is bumped.

CDN ProAccurate Oven Thermometer
CDN
ProAccurate Oven Thermometer
Check Price
Affordable & Effective
Bottom Line

A clear dial thermometer for the oven that can also be used on the grill.

Pros

Made of durable stainless steel, it can be mounted two different ways. It's a precise and reliable model.

Cons

Some owners complain that it takes too long to come to temperature.

Taylor Precision Products Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer
Taylor Precision Products
Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer
Check Price
Most Eco-Friendly
Bottom Line

Balances well on oven racks thanks to a broad base. The large dial is easy to read through the door.

Pros

At more than 3 inches wide, the large, clear dial is easy to read. It boasts a huge temperature range (from 100ºF to 600ºF), for peace of mind while roasting and broiling.

Cons

Some owners have noted the dial yellows and becomes harder to read with age.

KT Thermo Large Oven Thermometer
KT Thermo
Large Oven Thermometer
Check Price
Simple Yet Reliable
Bottom Line

An easy-to-use thermometer with large, simple print that can be hung or stand freely on its own.

Pros

Vast temperature range of 150ºF to 600º F. Sizable markings that allow for quick readings. Made from durable glass and stainless steel.

Cons

Fahrenheit only. Minor concerns regarding inconsistent temperature readings.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

35
Models
Considered
135
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for best oven thermometers

We all have cooking fails — like when your muffins come out sunken in the middle instead of perfectly domed, or when your elegant macarons look more like flat, crispy pastel coins. However, these kinds of issues are often caused by your oven temperature, rather than any mistake you've made. Want consistent results every time? Then it’s time to try an oven thermometer.

Using an oven thermometer is the expert’s trick for getting the recipe just right. If your oven hasn’t been properly calibrated, your oven’s temperature reading can be off by 50º F or more. Keeping an oven thermometer in your oven at all times or simply using one every three months to check for accuracy are easy solutions to your cooking woes.

But do a cursory search of oven thermometers, and you’ll find a dizzying array of options — the majority of which look basically the same. So, how can you tell the winners from the losers?

Our in-depth shopping guide has all the tips you’ll need to find the right oven thermometer for your requirements.

Content Image
Oven thermometers aren't the same as probe thermometers. Oven thermometers are designed to read the temperature inside your oven, while probe thermometers read the internal temperature of cooked food.

Why buy an oven thermometer?

  • Your oven’s built-in thermometer only reads the temperature in one place, which doesn't take into account hot spots, temperature cycles, and the position of the heating elements, so it can be inaccurate. However, with an oven thermometer, you can position it anywhere you like inside your oven. Taking the temperature right in the middle, where you cook your food, is best.

  • Using an oven thermometer helps ensure that your oven is heating up high enough to cook food safely.

  • An oven thermometer gives you the peace of mind that your oven has heated to the correct temperature for whatever recipe you're making, causing fewer recipe disasters. This is especially important for recipes that require precise temperatures to get the desired result, such as soufflés.

  • If you run a restaurant or commercial kitchen, you may be legally required to use an oven thermometer to check that your oven is heating food to a safe temperature.

Key considerations

Display type

The majority of oven thermometers have one of two display types. They either have a dial display, where a hand points to the correct temperature, or a bulb display, where the liquid inside the bulb rises to show the temperature. Although dial displays are the most common, they tend to be slightly less accurate.

Readability

The main drawback of bulb-type oven thermometers is that they are more challenging to read than dial thermometers. But not all dial thermometers are created equal. A good rule to follow: the larger the dial’s face, the better the readability.

Temperature range

Some oven thermometers can display temperatures as low as 50º F. and as high as 600º F., but others have smaller temperature ranges. Make sure the temperature range works for you. For instance, if you bake bread or pizza in your oven, you'll probably want a thermometer that goes up to 500º F.

Attachment type

The majority of oven thermometers have a hook on top to attach it to an oven rack. Ideally, you want your thermometer to face the front of the oven, so you can read it through the door. It should also come with a base to stand it up in your oven, if you prefer.

Food-safety guides

Food safety is important. Some oven thermometers give you food-safety information or guidelines, in accordance with the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) method that most restaurants and food manufacturers use. For instance, it might show the safe zone for heating or reheating food. This is great for home kitchens as well as professional settings, because food safety should be important for everyone.

Oven thermometer prices

Oven thermometers are generally similar in price. We've seen basic dial oven thermometers that cost as little as $3 to $4, but the majority are priced between $6 and $8. A small number cost up to $10 or $12, but you typically don't need to spend this much. Bulb oven thermometers cost the most — usually between $10 and $15.

Tips

  • Position your oven thermometer, so you can read it with the oven door closed. If you're constantly opening the door to check the thermometer, you'll let out the oven's heat and cooking will take longer.

  • An accurate oven temperature is extremely important for baking. If you regularly bake cakes, cookies, or muffins, we would highly recommend using an oven thermometer, even if you're fairly sure your oven is accurate. An oven that’s just 10 or 20 degrees off the mark could ruin a recipe.

  • Place your oven thermometer in your oven before turning it on. This allows it to read the temperature as your oven heats and may give more accurate results.

  • Check the overall size of your oven thermometer. It should be large enough to read easily, but not so large that it will be in the way while you're trying to use your oven.
Content Image
The vast majority of oven thermometers are made from stainless steel, as it's durable, lightweight, and rust-resistant.

FAQ

Q. Are oven thermometers waterproof?

A. Since a large amount of steam can build up in an oven, especially when cooking moist foods, a quality oven thermometer should have some degree of water resistance. They usually aren't waterproof enough to survive being submerged, but they can stand up to steamy oven conditions.

Q. How can I tell if my oven thermometer is accurate?

A. This is a tough one. If you think your oven temperature is off but you're not sure by how much, how can you tell whether your new oven thermometer is giving the correct reading? If you strongly feel your recipes still aren’t turning out right even after you have tried cooking with your new oven thermometer, you can purchase two more oven thermometers from different brands and see if they give the same reading. If at least two out of three have the same temperature reading, then you have your answer.

Q. Will my oven thermometer show the correct temperature as soon as my oven has preheated?

A. It usually takes an oven thermometer a couple of extra minutes to display the correct temperature after the oven has preheated. So, wait a little while before you check the temperature, then adjust your oven as necessary if the temperature isn't matching up with what you set the oven to.

Our Top Picks