For juicy, succulent roasts, a meat thermometer is a kitchen must. It takes the guesswork out of reaching that perfect level of doneness, so if you’re looking forward to a medium-rare fillet of beef, that’s exactly what you get.
When hosting Christmas dinner, you can also check the turkey is cooked, taking the stress out of whether it’s safe to eat, with the knowledge that the meat will still be tender and moist.
Remember to test the thickest part of the meat, away from bones, fat or gristle, for the most accurate reading. Digital probes can’t be immersed in water, so a good tip is to clean them with an antibacterial wipe or sterilise in boiling water.
Whether you choose a low-tech or digital version, it’s useful having a guide to temperatures and what they equate to for different meats, so you know if the meat is cooked to your liking. Keen cooks may want to choose a thermometer with a broad temperature range, allowing them to be able to test sugar, oil and perhaps also chilled dishes.
Our expert reviews team has put a range of meat thermometers to the test. Read on to find out which models made the cut, and discover roast dinner essentials in our guides to the best roasting tins, best baking trays, best casserole dishes, and best cast-iron cookware.
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Best meat thermometers at a glance
- Best meat thermometer: Chef iQ Sense double-probe meat thermometer, £59.99
- Best wireless meat thermometer: Ninja ProChef wireless thermometer, £69.99
- Best meat thermometer for ease of use: Cosori Smart wireless meat thermometer, £48.58
- Best instant-read meat thermometer: Thermapen Professional, £79,99
- Best leave-in meat thermometer: Meater+, £49.99
- Best budget meat thermometer: OXO Good Grips digital thermometer, £19.13
- Best basic meat thermometer: Heston Blumenthal Precision by Salter meat thermometer, £19.99
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How we tested meat thermometers
We tested a representative sample of gadgets on roasted meat and scored them on the following criteria:
- Accuracy: We tested thermometers against each other.
- Readability: We liked thermometers where you could see what the temperature was at a glance.
- Ease of use: A meat thermometer is a kitchen staple and you shouldn’t have to pore over the instructions.
- Storage: With plenty of items jostling for room in kitchen drawers and cupboards, we looked for thermometers that were designed not to take up too much space.
- Value for money: Our sample ranged from £3 to £99; we gave extra marks for those that were good value.
Best meat thermometers to buy in 2025
Chef iQ Sense meat thermometer
Available from Amazon (£59.99)
Best meat thermometer
Pros:
- Includes two probes
- Intuitive app with thorough guidance
- 40-hour battery life with ultra-fast charging
- Visual and audible alerts
Cons:
- Unable to see detailed view of both probes simultaneously within the app
Star rating: 5/5
It’s rare to find a dual-probe meat thermometer that allows you to track two food items at once, but this clever Chef iQ gadget is more than up to the task. It’s operated via the Chef iQ app, which is packed with customisable features, how-to videos, recipes and step-by-step instructions, with options for poultry, red meat, veggies, plant-based proteins and even wild game.
From there, you can select a specific cut of meat, fish or vegetable and the level of ‘doneness’ you’d like to achieve, with the recommended temperature listed next to it.
As the probes are wireless, the Smart Hub (in which the probes sit) will need a quick charge when you unbox it. However, when we say quick, we really mean it: after less than 10 minutes, we found both probes were almost at full power.
Both probes are 12cm long, have sharp ends and are slimline enough that they don’t leave gaping holes behind. They’re safe to use in an oven, air fryer or deep fryer, and can handle temperatures up to 400C.
In test, we found tracking the temperature and resting time of two different cuts of steak remarkably simple, and with audible and visual alerts all the way through, we felt comfortable putting our trust in the on-screen guidance rather than following the packet instructions. To our delight, both probes were spot on.
If we’re being very picky, we’d like to be able to see a detailed view of both probes at the same time while using the app, but that’s really z`aa§1nitpicking. The Chef iQ Sense thermometer was a joy to use, and should you prefer it, there’s also a single-probe set and a triple-probe set available.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – yes, up to 400C
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – yes
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Ninja ProChef wireless thermometer
Available from Very (£69), Ninja (£69.99)
Best wireless meat thermometer
Pros:
- 30-hour battery life with rechargeable case
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for outdoor use
- Heat-resistant up to 370C
- Compatible app with live updates
Cons:
- More expensive than others on the market
- Material around the charging portal scratches easily
Star rating: 5/5
This wireless thermometer from Ninja comes with a rechargeable case and compatible app, where you’ll find settings for chicken, beef, pork, turkey, lamb, veal, fish, duck and plant-based ingredients, plus a manual mode.
We used a coin to twist open the charging portal, as is suggested in the manual, but found it was quite stiff and the material scratched easily. A battery is included and you’ll need to charge the probe at least an hour before use, though conveniently it will stay charged for up to 30 hours.
We put the thermometer to the test by cooking a small whole chicken, then a rump steak, and had no trouble inserting the sharp probe into each piece of meat.
Whenever you leave the thermometer in, the app will give live updates on the current temperature of the food as it cooks. In test we found it had some trouble identifying how much cooking time was left, but the probe was able to correctly identify when both pieces of meat were perfectly done.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – yes, up to 370C
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – yes
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Cosori Smart wireless meat thermometer
Available from Amazon (£48.58), Cosori (£99.99)
Best meat thermometer for ease of use
Pros:
- Intuitive app with visible and audible alerts
- Fast, accurate reading
- Compact design
- Heat-resistant up to 300C
Cons:
- More expensive than similar models
Star rating: 4.5/5
As smart meat thermometers go, this model from Cosori is by far one of the easiest we’ve ever used. It connects to and is controlled via the VeSync app, which is simple to navigate and comes with a range of options for different types and cuts of meat, plus a manual mode.
You can adjust various settings in the app, like audible alerts, unit of measurement (celsius or fahrenheit) and whether you want to keep the screen on during cooking. There are also reminders for flipping and resting that can be switched on/off, plus clear safety instructions that flash up before you start cooking.
In test, we had some trouble getting the app to calculate the time remaining, but the internal food temperature and ambient temperature are displayed very clearly. You can even change the target temperature after you’ve started.
The results were excellent. Our steak was medium-rare as intended, while the whole chicken we roasted was juicy and perfectly cooked through.
Our only niggle with this thermometer is the price: the RRP is higher than other, potentially flashier models on the market, and doesn’t appear to offer anything extra. This aside, it’s an impressive piece of kit that’s reliable and accurate.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – no
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – yes
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Thermapen Professional
Available from Amazon (£79.99)
Best instant-read meat thermometer
Pros:
- Quick and easy to read
- Straightforward
- Accurate
Cons:
This thermometer simply reads the temperature of meat. There’s no on/off button; it springs into life when you open the probe, and turns itself off when you close it or after a couple of minutes of inactivity to save the battery. The probe extends out of the body and folds back easily into place for storage.
Thermapens are individually calibrated for extra reassurance and we found it consistently accurate. We would have liked a guide to suggested temperature for meats on the thermometer, however.
The thermometer boasts a very clear display, which takes just a few seconds to find the temperature. The display rotates (like a smartphone) so you can always read it easily without having to crane your neck.
It only needs to go 3mm into the meat so worked effectively on smaller pieces likes chicken thighs. We also liked the fact that the tip is very small, so you’re not left with a big hole in the meat.
This is nice to hold and satisfyingly chunky in the hand. It wouldn’t take up much space in the drawer but wouldn’t be easy to lose either as it comes in a range of vibrant colours (ours was red). There’s a sensor that turns on if the ambient light is too dim.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – no
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – no
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Meater+ meat thermometer
Available from Currys (£84.99), Robert Dyas (£90.99), Borough Kitchen (£99)
Best leave-in meat thermometer
Pros:
Cons:
You can get an app for just about everything these days – yes, even one that measures the temperature of roast meat. When not in use, the clever little thermometer that goes with it sits in a box that charges the battery. When you want to use it, you have to connect it to the app.
Tap the screen to choose your meat and how well you want it done and it will select the temperature it needs to be cooked at. You can also choose the temperature manually, if you prefer.
The rather dinky probe needs to be inserted deeply into the meat, and from there, it relays readings wirelessly. We placed it at the top of a joint of beef and pushed it into the side of a chicken leg.
The app tells you the current temperature of the meat as it’s cooking, the target temperature, the oven temperature and how long there is to go, although it took a few minutes to calculate the latter.
You’ll get a five-minute warning before your meat is ready, and an alert to tell you when it’s done (as it cheerily wishes you ‘happy eating’). We were particularly impressed with the results of our roast beef, as it saved us from overcooking it – we decided to trust it, rather than the instructions on the packaging.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – yes, up to 275C
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – yes
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OXO Good Grips Chef’s Precision digital instant-read thermometer
Available from Argos (£12.37), Amazon (£15.99), Harts of Stur (£19.13)
Best budget meat thermometer
Pros:
- Speedy reading
- Affordable price
- Thin probe
Cons:
- Battery awkward to change
This is a fast-acting digital thermometer that we found consistently accurate when testing beef, roast chicken thighs and a whole chicken. The head tilts into three different positions, making it easy to read, and the digital display is large and clear. Press a button at the top to turn it on or off and another at the back to switch between fahrenheit and celsius.
We liked the size of this thermometer. The probe is thin but the chunky head means it’s hard to lose in your utensil drawer, despite taking up minimal space. There’s a protective sheath to slot it into for safety.
The cover has cooking temperatures for red meat, ground meat, pork, ham and poultry, with different temperatures for different levels of doneness. There are also different temperature settings for thigh and breast meat when cooking poultry. General cooking times are listed on the other side for a ballpark figure.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – no
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – no
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Heston Blumenthal Precision Kitchen BBQ meat thermometer by Salter
Available from Amazon (£19.99)
Best basic meat thermometer
Pros:
Cons:
- Hard to switch between celsius and fahrenheit
This is a straightforward instant-read digital thermometer that is designed to work on everything from your Sunday roast to a barbecue. Its long probe means you don’t need to get too close to the heat on a barbie, and its removable waterproof silicone covering protects it from rain.
The digital display is easy to read and the main part of the unit is satisfyingly chunky in the hand and comfortable to hold. There’s a big, easy to use on/off button and the probe comes with a protective sheath.
The thermometer itself was pretty speedy to use and, overall, this is a well designed piece of kit. The only downside is the difficulty of changing between celsius and fahrenheit. The switch is located in the battery compartment, so you need to remove the silicone cover, take off the back of the battery compartment and remove the batteries to access it.
This will only be a problem is you like to know both temperatures; if you usually work in one or the other, you can just set it and leave it.
Specifications:
- Leave in oven – no
- Analogue or digital – digital
- Needs an app – no
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Which type of meat thermometer should you buy?
We tested a variety of types, and which one you choose depends on what you like to cook.
In-oven thermometers: These can be ideal if you want to be able to see what the temperature is without having to take things in and out of the oven.
Analogue models: These tend to be bulky so aren’t as good for small pieces of meat like chicken thighs. You’ll need to have an oven with a working light to be able to read these (or open the oven door).
Probe thermometers: These come with a probe which you insert when you put your meat in the oven and are attached by heat-resistant wire to the unit, which stays outside (they are usually magnetic so attach to the oven). This means you can read the temperature at any time just by glancing at the unit. They will show you the temperature of your meat and beep when it’s ready. If you are constantly opening the oven, for instance to baste, these can get in the way.
Instant read thermometers: Take your meat out the oven and insert the thermometer. These come in both analogue and digital. Some simply tell you the temperature, while others show requirements for different meats so you can see at a glance if your turkey, for instance, is cooked. Most show you the temperature in both celsius and fahrenheit, or allow you to switch between them.
Thermometers with apps: These are probes you put in the oven and connect to an app on your phone. You can set your desired temperature through the app.
How to use a meat thermometer
To get the most accurate reading with a digital thermometer, it needs to be inserted into the middle of the thickest part of the meat. If inserted too little or too far, the reading won’t be accurate.
- For joints of meat that are on the bone, like a rib of beef or leg of lamb, make sure the tip of the thermometer isn’t in contact with the bone, or you’ll get the temperature of the bone rather than the meat.
- For pieces of meat cooking on the barbecue or in a pan, it’s best to measure the temperature out of the pan, so you don’t get the residual temperature from the hot surface.
- For whole chickens and other birds, the most accurate place to take the temperature is the thickest part of the thigh, in the gap between the thigh and the breast, again, avoiding the bone.
Once you are happy with where you’ve placed your thermometer, always wait for the temperature to stop fluctuating to get an accurate reading.
Another thing to take into consideration, especially with large joints of meat or whole birds, is that the temperature will rise by at least another 5C as the meat rests, so if you’re after a certain temperature, you’re better to be slightly under.
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