Best Meat Thermometers Reviewed For Oven & BBQ Cookouts

Tara Williams

Food Writer & Editor For KitchenSanity

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

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If you’re grilling or smoking meat, investing in a quality meat thermometer can protect your diners. Bacteria such as e Coli and salmonella can lead to conditions from diarrhea and vomiting to death.

To avoid serving contaminated food, you need to confirm the proper internal temperature has been reached first using a meat thermometer.

What is the best meat thermometer? Our top pick is the ThermoPro TP20.​

In this guide we will look at different types of meat thermometers including wireless, digital, leave-in, and instant read models in our comparison chart and meat thermometer reviews.

Meat Thermometer Reviews

ThermoPro TP20 Remote Wireless Thermometer

ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer with Dual Meat Probe, Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer Wireless for Smoker BBQ Grill Thermometer

ThermoPro TP20 advertises their probes as being accurate to less than 2 degrees in either direction. Unlike other units, they stand behind this.

If your temperature probe stops giving correct readings, they’re happy to replace it for free under their “Lifetime Sensor Probe Warranty.”

The probe cable is 40″ which is longer than other competing units and the probe reads temperatures up to 572F.

Both the wires and probe are rated up to 716F which is great since they most likely will be resting on or close to your bbq or smoker. The wireless connection works out to a standard 300 ft.

ThermoPro has added a timer to the receiver. This is incredibly helpful at keeping all of the information associated with your cooking project in one place.

ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer with Dual Meat Probe, Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer Wireless for Smoker BBQ Grill Thermometer

Like the following Maverick thermometer, this unit comes with pre-programmed temperatures for a variety of meat profiles. You’re free to replace them with whatever numbers work best for you.

The alarm suite notifies you when the timer goes off or the temperature goes too high or low. The unit lights up in different colors depending on which condition it’s responding to.

The transmitter runs through batteries pretty quickly, even when it’s not in use. You might want to consider picking up a set of rechargeable AAA’s if you don’t have a set kicking around already.

The ThermoPro TP20 might be considered to be one of the best meat thermometers because it meets or exceeds features by competing models and is topped with a warranty on their probe sensors.

Maverick ET-733 Long Range Wireless Meat Thermometer​

Maverick Industries Long Range Wireless Dual Probe Barbecue Smoker Meat Thermometer Set - Newest Version with a Larger Display and Added Features (Et-733) Silver

Maverick’s wireless thermometer transmits temps up to 300 feet. The transmitter end plugs into two temperature probes with 3-foot wires.

While some units have dedicated grill probes and meat probes, this one is set up to allow you to use either probe for either function.

It has fully programmable presets and a memory bank with 15 types of food so you can easily reuse your favorite settings. The probes will perform at temps up to 700 degrees F, some 200 degrees higher than most of the competition, but read up to 572F.

It’s packed with the normal suite of alarms. This unit will alert you to high and low-temperature thresholds being exceeded and when losing signal from the transmitter.

While the digital functions on this thermometer are cool once you’ve set them up, they’re pretty unintuitive to figure out. The manual isn’t much help here.

Luckily, there’s plenty of third-party help online when it comes to programming this thermometer. You may find yourself utilizing these resources again when it comes to syncing your receiver and transmitter. Again, once you’ve gotten that set up, everything should be a breeze.

Is this the best wireless meat thermometer?​

If you’re willing to take a bit of time to learn how to set things up, the large display, long probe wires, and high-temperature tolerance make the Maverick ET-733 a solid contender for most barbecue and grilling needs.

Grill Grate ET732 Meat Thermometer

Grill Grate ET732 BBQ Smoker Meat Thermometer Same as Maverick ET 732 with Original Magnet

The Grill Grate ET732 features two probes, one designed for clipping to your grill or smoker and the other with a pointy end for inserting in meat.

The probe wires are 30″ and the probes themselves work up to about 710 Fahrenheit (although the unit won’t read higher than 572F).

The wireless transmitter broadcasts out to a range of 300 feet.

Like the Maverick, this unit features the standard set of high and low temp alarms and a warning when it loses connection. Setting a temperature on the unit can be tedious, as each change of degree requires a few button presses.

The probes on this unit tend to be a bit inaccurate. It could have more to do with bad probe placement than inaccurate sensors, but the issues are conflated by the wireless transmission model, which often results in outdated temperatures being displayed for lengthy periods of time.

Is this the best thermometer for smokers​?

The Grill Grate thermometer is an adequate and functional unit. If it happens to be easier or cheaper for you to get than any other model, it may be a fine choice. However, we think the features offered by the other units we’ve reviewed have a slight edge over this one.​

Ivation Long Range Wireless Thermometer

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As far as specifications go, the Ivation wireless thermometer is almost identical to the Grill Grate. It has 30″ probe wires that can handle 716F while reporting up to 572F.

The receiver works out to 300 feet and notifies you when it loses signal. You can set a custom temperature range and be alerted when either the meat probe or the grill probe reads too hot or too cold.

The probes on this unit are accurate to within about 5 degrees. For most smoking and barbecuing this isn’t too bad; you should still get great results within this variance. After a few runs with this unit you should be able to figure out what temperature setting works best for you.

Setting temperatures can be a colossal hassle. It’s unclear whether you can make the programmable temperature go DOWN other than by looping back around from the highest possible value.

Since the temperature inches up slowly as you hold the buttons, you might want to give up when you’re within a few degrees of the number you actually want.

The case, buttons, display and functionality of the Ivation thermometer are practically indistinguishable from the Grill Grate thermometer. If you put tape over the branding you’d have a pretty hard time telling which was which.

The biggest difference seems to be that you can get the Grill Grate in white or black, while the Ivation long range wireless thermometer is only available in white.

For now, our verdict remains the same. It’s functional, but unless it’s the cheapest or easiest one for you to get, you may want to consider something with a different set of features.

Weber Style 32908 Digital Thermometer

The Weber single-probe wireless thermometer has a range of 80 feet. This is 73% less range than any of the other units we have reviewed.

While it lets you walk around the backyard or duck inside to grab tools without losing connectivity, you shouldn’t trust this transmitter to work across the whole house or overcome serious wireless interference.

The meat thermometer can withstand temperatures up to 482F, but it only reads up to 200F. This may be enough for most meats, but ribs, briskets, and other tough cuts are sometimes cooked to temperatures in excess of 200F.

The alarm sounds when the “proper” internal temperature is reached, and the unit attempts to notify you when it thinks it is losing wireless connectivity.

The largest issue with this thermometer is the way it’s programmed. Rather than letting you decide how you want your meat to be cooked, this unit is set up with a bank of USDA presets. This makes setting the temperature very quick (you pick “hamburger” and it jumps right to 160) but very limited.

You can’t change these presets. Several types of meat only come with “well done” options. If you want a rare hamburger, you have to use the setting for a different meat.

While this may not be the best digital meat thermometer, if you’re comfortable lying to your thermometer and using the presets creatively, the Weber Style digital meat thermometer might be an adequate unit for you.

Still, a single probe with limited functionality and low wireless range means that this may not be the model for cooks who like to set and forget.​

Features & Specifications

Dual Probe Thermometers

If steaks and chops are your favorite foods to grill, a dual probe meat thermometer can monitor your meat and your smoker or grill at the same time.

Many of these tools are programmable so you can pre-set your meat type such as pork chops or a beef steak, and monitor your meat temperature until it reaches a safe level.

The probes on these tools are generally quite long and they can be left inside the meat. This may cost you a little juiciness when serving, but if it prevents food poisoning, it’s worth it.

Just insert your batteries, program your food choice, and cook away. The handle will provide you with a temperature reading and make it easy to lift the food off the grill!​

Instant Read Thermometers

Digital instant-read thermometers can be used indoors or outside and can make preparing a new dish, such as lamb or your first turkey, a much simpler process.

Many of these tools are built with mounting magnets, so you can hang the display and forget about it while the food cooks.

Once you’ve selected your meat type and your desired temperature, your thermometer will let you know when you get there.

If you need to maintain a specific temperature for a required amount of time to confirm the safety of the product, several of these tools have a timer feature as well.

The stainless steel probes are easy to clean and store until your next grilling adventure.

Finally, some of these tools come with heat-resistant gloves, always helpful when handling food over a fire.​

Wireless Thermometers

Some grilled foods, such as hot dogs, require a lot of tending. Others just need time to cook. Many wireless thermometers come with a remote sensor that you can take with you as you enjoy time with your guests.

These units generally come in two sections:

  • There’s the probe and heat sensor that stay with the grill and monitor the temperature of your food.
  • The wireless controller travels with you and gives you alerts when your programmed temperatures and times are met.

It should be noted that the range on the wireless reader is limited; you can go about 300 feet with most of these units before you’re out of range.

Additionally, many of the stainless steel probes can be quite long. For a thick chop or steak, this can be ideal, but these probes probably won’t work with a hamburger or other ground meat.​

Bluetooth Thermometers

Rather than dealing with a separate remote reader, a Bluetooth thermometer can let you know via phone when your steak is ready.

The display on many of these is quite simple. To program or get detailed information, you’ll need to refer to your phone for the most up to date data.

The probes on these tools are generally designed to leave in the meat, so they’re an excellent option for those with smokers or other closed systems.

The range on several Bluetooth tools is a bit shorter than for those with remote; only 100 feet on average. However, it does save you needing to keep track of the remote.​

Why Buy A Meat Thermometer?

Because the ultimate goal of this purchase is to serve safe food, it’s critical to purchase the right thermometer for your grilling set-up.

food safety thermometer

It’s impossible to tell by looking or touching; you need to pierce the surface and check the internal temperature.

  • Solid red meats such as beef steaks and pork chops need to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit / 63 degrees Celsius.
  • Ground meats and poultry products must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit / 74 degrees Celsius to successfully kill bacteria that can linger in and on the flesh of the animal.

If the majority of your grilling output is burgers and brats, an instant-read thermometer is an excellent way to confirm a safe temperature before you take the food off the fire.

However, if your favorite grilling tool is a Pit Boss, you’ll need a leave-in thermometer with external reading technology.

How Well Do They Work?

While manual meat thermometers are fairly straightforward, digital tools take a bit more planning.

They may need to be programmed; many of them will need batteries, and if you choose a Wi-Fi enabled unit you’ll need to do some work ahead of time to make sure you’re getting reliable, accurate readings.​

The most critical decision is to invest in a meat thermometer that suits your grilling tool and preferred meats.

  • For an open top charcoal grill, a manual probe thermometer or simple digital reader will probably serve.
  • Smokers need to be left closed, so a corded or wireless external display, possibly with a timer, will be most helpful.​

General Care and Cleaning

The probes are generally stainless steel and should be handled as other food prep tools; that is, with soap and hot water.

Because of delicate electronic sensors, these tools should not be considered dishwasher safe.

Take care when cleaning your thermometer to wash and dry the flex lines that often run from probe to reader; this line may hold moisture which could lead to corrosion long term.

Final Thoughts

Grilling is fun and exciting. Humans have long been fascinated with fire, and there is joy in cooking for friends and family. However, if you don’t do your homework and cook safely, you can send people away sick.

In addition to using a meat thermometer to reach the proper safe temperatures as noted by Food Safety experts, be certain to keep your food transferring tools separate and safe.

Raw foods travel in one pan, cooked foods in another. Marinades must be boiled before they can be used as sauces.

Grilling can be both fun and safe, so prepare with care and enjoy!​

Written By Tara Williams

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

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