Because of its design, performance, and simplicity of use, the MEATER Plus Wireless Smart Thermometer is our top pick after comprehensive testing.
Perhaps you’re an aspiring grill master or a barbecue aficionado trying to hone your meat-cooking talents. Whatever your motivation for firing up the grill, having a decent wireless grill thermometer on hand is essential. Grilling and smoking meat, like other techniques of cooking, need precision, especially when it comes to temperature. A wireless meat thermometer will not only help you reach the exact temperature you need to cook your meat evenly and completely without drying it out, but it will also enable you to check temps from a distance, allowing you to avoid hovering over your grill the whole time.
When selecting a meat thermometer, consider probe length, wireless range, temperature range, and other useful characteristics. While simple versions will do, you may choose an app that gives you notifications or records the ambient temperature throughout your grilling session. For every sort of griller, there are alternatives in a number of price ranges and styles, and we evaluated all of the possibilities on this list.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned griller, we’ve compiled a list of the finest wireless grill thermometers to help you cook your meat to perfection.
1. Best Overall: Meater Plus With Bluetooth Repeater
What We Enjoy
- Time to completion is calculated.
- There are no wires.
- Presets for a variety of meals
What We Dislike
- Expensive
- There is no formal permission for sous vide.
- A minimum depth is necessary.
What do purchasers think? 89% of the 23,600+ Amazon reviewers gave this product four stars or higher.
MEATER, a new business that bills itself as the “first genuinely wireless smart meat thermometer,” enhanced its first model with the MEATER Plus. Many wireless grill thermometers aren’t entirely wireless—usually there’s a wire connecting the thermometer to the base unit—but the MEATER Plus is wire-free. It’s also two thermometers in one: It measures the interior temperature of your meat as well as the ambient temperature and may be used safely in ovens up to 527 degrees Fahrenheit.
As you prepare your meat, you may choose from a variety of cuts and specify whether you want it rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done. The MEATER Plus walks you through each step, including estimating how long your meat will need to cook to get the desired doneness and how long to rest it after you take it from the grill or oven. Our tester found the app to be really simple to use and enjoyed that it recorded the cook and stored the findings for further use. The notifications may also be tailored to your requirements.
Most significantly, our reviewer found it to be accurate in all of her temperature testing, and she observed that the fact that it makes grilling “almost failsafe” justified the price tag. So, whether you’re a beginner griller seeking for a little additional assistance or a grill expert looking for accurate results and a simple design, this meat thermometer will not disappoint. If one probe isn’t enough, the MEATER Block comes with four probes, a block to store them in, and a touchscreen independent mode if you don’t want to use an app.
The original MEATER thermometer is still available, however it has a significantly reduced wireless range of just 33 feet.
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2. Runner-Up, Best Overall: ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Meat Thermometer
What We Enjoy
- Dual probes with a variety of programming possibilities
- Wireless range is impressive.
- Alarm for lost connection
- Timer that counts up/down
- Temperature check on the grill/BBQ
What We Dislike
- Physically, probes are not labeled.
- There is no button/control lock.
ThermoPro is a well-known brand of meat thermometers, with a broad variety of types available, including four-probe versions and those with long wireless ranges. The TP20 has two probes and a wireless range of up to 300 feet, allowing you to move away from the grill while keeping an eye on the steaks and chops. It comes with a base unit and a wireless remote, so you won’t need to download an app to your phone, and the huge LCD screens on the base and remote are backlit so you can see them in low light.
The TP20 contains USDA-recommended settings for nine different kinds of meat, and all of them may be adjusted to your preferences, which are stored when the machine is switched off. It also has a timer. For extended cooking periods, the timer may be adjusted to either count up or count down. Although the probe wires are certified to 716 degrees, if your probe fails, the firm will replace it at free. The thermometer has a temperature range of 32 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
Our tester, who has previously utilized wireless ThermoPro versions, praised the TP20’s improvements: The probe ports on the transmitter are labeled so you don’t have to remember which one is in the steak and which one is in the chicken (though she still wishes the probes themselves were color-coded), and the updated straight probe design prevents them from sliding up and down while cooking. Our tester called the TP20 “well worth the price tag” because of its accuracy and usefulness.
If you don’t mind foregoing some of the TP20’s more sophisticated capabilities, such as presets, ThermoPro also sells the TP08S Digital Wireless Meat Thermometer, which has the same wireless range and temperature range as the TP20 but costs a bit less.
3. Best Budget: NutriChef Smart Wireless Grill Thermometer
What We Enjoy
- There are two probes.
- Design is adorable.
- Constant beep
What We Dislike
- Perhaps too much beeping
- Color-coded beads are sold separately.
- Not completely wireless
This NutriChef Bluetooth thermometer is a low-cost solution that includes everything you’ll need for basic grilling and remote monitoring. It has an interior range of 100 feet and an outdoor range of 200 feet when connecting to your phone. If you go outside the range, your phone will notify you, so you don’t mistakenly go too far away from the grill or oven. The stainless steel probes of the PWIRBBQ60 variant can survive temperatures as high as 482 degrees, while the enhanced stainless steel wires can tolerate temperatures as high as 716 degrees.
This features two sensors to monitor two meals at once, and the app will notify you when the right temperature is achieved. You may utilize the preset cooking temperatures provided or choose your own. The base device has a backlit LCD display that can be read in any light, and the display alternates between the two temperatures being monitored.
In all of her testing, our reviewer found the temperature reading to be accurate, and she believed the app was simple and user-friendly. We anticipate that the wires will ultimately break, as with all meat thermometers with wired probes, which is why we appreciate the lower price tag.
NutriChef also has numerous additional models in a same price range. The PWIRBBQ80 variant can monitor up to six probes at once (although it only comes with two).
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4. Best for Multiple Pieces of Meat: Soraken Wireless Meat Thermometer with Four Probes
What We Enjoy
- Simple app
- Can monitor four objects at the same time
- Clip for measuring the temperature of the air
What We Dislike
- Unknown manufacturer
- Only four probes are supplied in the six sockets.
- Customer service is slow.
The Soraken thermometer comes with four probes, and you can add two more to monitor up to six separate sections of meat, or you may use one probe to monitor the temperature of the grill or oven while the rest watch the meal. It connects to your phone through Bluetooth and has an interior range of roughly 100 feet and an outdoor range of about 170 feet, depending on interference. It features 11 preset settings for various meats according on USDA standards, or you may choose your favourite temperature manually. It also has a timer. When the timer runs out or the cooking temperature is achieved, the app will beep and flash to notify you.
This thermometer ranges from 32 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The wire can survive temperatures of up to 716 degrees, while the silicone handle can tolerate temperatures of up to 482 degrees. The base unit includes a magnet back that allows it to be attached to a handy metal surface. Although the silicone probe handles are color-coded, our reviewer wishes the opposite ends were as well, since the wires may get tangled and confusing when monitoring various food items. Overall, our tester liked the app and found several of the design aspects handy. If you want to grill a variety of meats at the same time, this is a good alternative at a reasonable price.
5. Best Waterproof: Inkbird IBT-4XP Grill Thermometer
What We Enjoy
- Magnetic style
- The battery is rechargeable.
- Simple to read display
What We Dislike
- When not in use, the battery drains.
- Bluetooth range is limited.
This Inkbird meat thermometer is waterproof, so you can use it outdoors in all weather, and it’s magnetic, so it attaches to the edge of your grill. Another great feature of this device is the built-in rechargeable battery, which comes with its own USB charging cord, eliminating the need to rush to the shop for additional batteries. It takes roughly three hours to charge fully and lasts for 40 hours before needing to be recharged.
Pair the IBT-4XP Grill Thermometer with your smartphone to read your grilling temperature anywhere, thanks to three meat probes and one ambient probe (distance ranges up to 150 feet). This item can tolerate temperatures up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit for short-term cooking or 482 degrees Fahrenheit for longer-cooked meals. When it’s time to remove your meat, an alert will ring on your gadget and phone.
The lit-up red numerals on the display are simple to see, according to our tester. It was straightforward for her to monitor while cooking, and it informs her when the correct temperature was attained.
6. Best Mini: Meatstick Mini Wireless Meat Thermometer
What We Enjoy
- Waterproof construction
- Dishwasher-safe
- The app helps with cooking.
What We Dislike
- There was no ambient temperature reading.
The MeatStick Mini differs from the other thermometers on our list due to its small size, which makes it perfect for usage in small settings. It can be used with a rotisserie since it is genuinely wireless, and it can be used within a sous vide bag because it is waterproof. This is a little probe that was purposefully designed to be small. It must be thoroughly inserted into the flesh, which may be difficult with little pieces of meat; nevertheless, since just the short handle protrudes, it is ideal for usage in tight places. So, in an oven, it may be placed on top of a roast and yet be out of the way. It’s also easier to use in an air fryer or tiny frying pan since it doesn’t stick out as far and won’t get in the way.
The internal sensor can only withstand temperatures of up to 185 degrees. According to the manufacturer, the ceramic handle can resist temperatures of up to 572 degrees, although it does not detect ambient temperature. Our tester received a very early version of the MeatStick Mini, and we believe the software has already improved since its release. Even with the early model, she gave it good marks for usability. This may be programmed to notify you 5 minutes before it reaches the desired temperature.
7. Best New Release: ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer
What We Enjoy
- Our list’s longest wireless range.
- Temperature presets for 9 different meals
- Connects to a multifunctional smartphone app
With the most modern Bluetooth, ThermoPro’s new wireless probe thermometer can report inside temperature to your smartphone for up to 500 feet. It communicates with the ThermoPro app, which includes a custom 24-hour timer, cooking and ambient pit temperature alerts, and USDA-recommended preset cooking temperatures for beef, ground beef, chicken, ground poultry, turkey, hog, lamb, veal, and fish.3
The ThermoPro TempSpike’s range and very adaptable app are only two of its many amazing features. This waterproof thermometer may be charged for up to three months and used for up to 36 hours before losing its charge. ThermoPop says that the stainless steel is dishwasher safe. We’ve submitted one of them to a home kitchen specialist for full testing, and we’ll update this story once the findings come in.
Final Decision
The MEATER Plus takes the top rank due to its wire-free design. It lets you define meat pieces and desired doneness, as well as time estimations and how long to let the meat rest after cooking. If you’re on a tight budget, the NutriChef Smart Wireless Grill Thermometer fared well in our testing and includes a user-friendly app for monitoring—but it’s more expensive.
What to Look for When Purchasing Wireless Grill Thermometers
Style Investigation
Most grilling thermometer probes look the same—basically, a pokey metal stick around 2.5 millimeters in diameter—but how, when, and occasionally where you use it depends on the kind of device you pick and the probe that comes with it.
If you’re cooking large chunks of meat, probe length is critical whether you’re using an instant-read, wired, or wireless thermometer. That’s because, in order to determine the real internal temperature, the probe must be inserted into the thickest section of whatever you’re cooking. If you often cook huge pig shoulders, briskets, or entire fowl, seek for a probe with a minimum length of 5 inches.
The shape of the probe varies as well. While straight probes are common, curved probes may assist create a more compact arrangement if you’re cooking several things or utilizing a tiny smoker or second rack, since the whole thing remains closer to the meat, particularly on smaller slices. Furthermore, many probes include a “step down” probe, which means that a piece of the tip is smaller in diameter than the remainder of the probe, preventing fluids from escaping when you initially pierce the flesh.
Finally, numerous probes might be useful if you’re cooking more than one piece of meat or a huge cut (or bird) that doesn’t always cook uniformly. Each probe on a multi-probe device provides a “channel” to show those temperatures individually. Some devices even allow you to customize the channel names (e.g., top, side, thigh, breast, etc.).
Display
When it comes to grill thermometer display, there are a few factors to keep in mind. The first is, of course, personal preference. Would you prefer read the temperature from a distance or open the grill to inspect and touch the meat? A wireless or wired thermometer is the way to go if you want to keep the grill closed. If you’d prefer inspect the meat and maybe even feel it for doneness, a normal instant-read thermometer will suffice.
A back-lit display is essential if you perform the most of your grilling at night. If you buy a multi-probe device, you may choose between a transmitter display that alternates between the temperatures of the different channels or one that displays them all at once.
Range of Wireless
The wireless range of a thermometer is maybe its most crucial characteristic. After all, if you’re looking for a wireless thermometer, it’s probably because you don’t want to be attached to the grill for the length of your cook—however short or long it is. And the range varies greatly amongst devices, ranging from roughly 100 feet to more than 300 feet. Keep in mind that the range of a device varies depending on whether it is inside or outside, since walls and buildings may diminish a signal. Some modern wireless thermometers (like as the MEATER) enable the charging box to be used as a signal repeater, thereby tripling wireless range, albeit it is not necessarily as powerful as a direct signal.
Temperature Monitoring
How much information do you really need—or want—when grilling? If all you need to know is the interior temperature of your meat, any grilling thermometer will suffice. Tracking the ambient temperature, on the other hand, is vital for certain grillmasters. Some grilling thermometers (particularly those that link to apps) even preserve a full record of each cook, including interior and ambient temperatures.
While this extra information may seem to be excessive, it might be useful to refer to if a cook does not come out as anticipated, or if you prepared the finest brisket of your life and wish to replicate it step by step, degree by degree. The full recording is also useful for planning your future cooking. For example, if you want to have pulled pork for dinner at 6 p.m., you can look back at your last cook and see that it took 10 hours (even though the recipe indicated it would only take eight), so you know it has to be on the smoker by 8 a.m., off at 5 p.m., and chilled and pulled by 6 p.m.
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Temperature Scale
Consider the highest and lowest temperatures you utilize while grilling (or, for example, cold smoking) and make sure the thermometer you select covers that whole range. If you want to check the interior temperature of a beef while thawing or brining, you’ll need a thermometer that goes as low as it does high.
Alerts
You’ll certainly want to be notified when your meat has achieved the desired internal temperature if you’re using a wireless grill thermometer. Consider what additional notifications you may need, such as temperature dips or significant ambient temperature fluctuations. The latter is very useful if you wish to sleep while smoking meat overnight. It’s also useful to receive an alert if you move the transmitter out of range or otherwise lose the probe’s signal. Finally, after you’ve acknowledged an alert, it should be simple to turn it off (is there anything more unpleasant than an alarm that won’t stop? ), so seek for a clear and accessible option to mute the blaring.
Connectivity
There are two types of wireless grill thermometers available. The first component is a remote device that communicates with the probe. The second component is an app that connects to the thermometer and delivers data to your phone. While an app is helpful and removes the need to keep an eye on another device while grilling, there is a chance that your phone may lose a Bluetooth or wireless connection. If you’re always frustrated by apps or Bluetooth-enabled gadgets, a wireless thermometer with an integrated transmitter might save you some stress when cooking.
Type of Battery
Wireless grill thermometers will need some form of battery power, and whatever one you choose is a personal decision. Most are powered by AAA or AA batteries, although others are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries. Both have advantages and disadvantages. You never have to worry about keeping throwaway batteries on hand with a rechargeable battery, but if it’s not charged when you need it, you’re out of luck. If your thermometer uses disposable batteries, a simple battery swap (or a fast trip to the nearby shop) can get you a functional thermometer.
Price
Most grill thermometers cost between $10 to $80, with a few higher-end, feature-rich ones costing $100 or more. Basic instant-read digital thermometers are typically the cheapest, but for an extra $10 to $20, you may upgrade to a quality wired or wireless thermometer. Price, with a few exceptions, is typically less predictive of quality and more focused on features. The more probes, the larger the range, and so on, the more expensive a grilling thermometer will be. However, if you discover a device with a ton of features and a cheap price, the tradeoff may be in the shape of durability, dependability, or accuracy, so study the reviews before buying.
When it comes to grill thermometer companies, the selections seem limitless, but ThermoPro provides a wonderful selection of dependable, long-lasting gadgets at a reasonable price. The brand’s most iconic product is most likely its folding red instant-read thermometer, which retails for roughly $10 to $15. A wireless variant with a range of up to 300 feet may be had for less than $50.
ThermoWorks
ThermoWorks, like ThermoPro, provides a wide selection of grill thermometers and even has its own folding red instant-read gadget as part of its Thermapen series. This brand, which is noted for its super-fast temperature readings, precision, features, and dependability, has a significantly higher price point. ThermoWorks also has a collection of highly specialized and commercial devices with amazing wireless and temperature ranges.
MEATER
MEATER, a relatively recent entrant to the market, upgraded the category with a really clever wireless meat thermometer that’s ideal for grilling and smoking. The three variants are centered on a fashionable, simple probe that connects to a free app. The app does everything a meat thermometer does—reads the internal temperature and alerts you when it’s reached—but it also estimates cook time, tracks the ambient temperature of the grill or smoker, keeps an incredibly detailed history of every cook, and even tells you how long to rest your meat before cutting into it. The probe is housed in a stylish wooden container that also serves as a charger (powered by disposable batteries) and a Bluetooth signal repeater, thus doubling the wireless range.
Maintenance
While certain sections of grill thermometers are dishwasher-safe, thermometers should always be hand-washed, taking care not to submerge the transmitter or display. It’s acceptable if you can carefully wash only the probe with soap and hot water without getting the digital components wet. Otherwise, remove any dirt with a clean, moist cloth before sterilizing the thermometer with an alcohol or bleach wipe. Alternatively, a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol or a sanitizing bleach solution may be used (1 tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water). After cleaning, be sure to fully dry all elements of the thermometer before storing it.
When using a thermometer with a rechargeable battery (such as the MEATER), always return it to the charger after each usage. The last thing you want to do is go for your meat thermometer when you really need it, only to discover that the battery has dead. Make sure you always have additional disposable batteries on hand for thermometers so you don’t run out in the middle of a cooking session. And, as with any other device (particularly one used for cooking), keep all of the parts together.
FAQs
Are meat thermometers reliable?
Meat thermometers are not always precise, which is why you should calibrate your thermometer at least once a year or as advised by the manufacturer. Stick the probe of your meat thermometer into a glass of cold water and keep it there for a minute to see whether it’s accurate. The temperature should be 32°F or 0°C. If it doesn’t, you should recalibrate it according to the user handbook.
How deep should a meat thermometer be inserted?
Most meat thermometers need at least 1/2 inch of meat to be placed for a valid reading, but see your owner’s handbook for more exact instructions. When cooking steak or red meat, place the thermometer in the thickest section, not near the bone or fat/gristle, and when cooking ground meat, place it in the thickest part or sideways in thin foods like hamburgers.
Can a meat thermometer be left in the meat while it cooks?
One of the primary advantages of wireless meat thermometers is that you may keep the probes in place while your meal is cooking on the grill or in the oven. This enables you to continually check the inside temperature without opening the grill and inserting the thermometer. Most wireless thermometers, however, have a maximum temperature at which they may safely work, and you must be cautious not to exceed it.
