The 5 Best Probe Thermometers for Grilling

 

The key to a successful family feast, whether a barbeque or a holiday meal, starts with the tools you use. For turning out everything from juicy burgers to tender roasts, one of the best probe thermometers is essential to ensure meat is safe to eat and not overdone without having to constantly open your oven or grill to do so. “So much of cooking [meat] is ‘to temperature’ more so than ‘’to time,’ Meggan explains.

In an effort to find the best probe thermometers, we researched the top sellers, from the one Meggan uses in her own kitchen to the most splurge-worthy for ease of use and accuracy. These all-digital picks will serve you well when it comes to serving up perfection at your next afternoon cookout or Sunday dinner.

Our Top Picks

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Thermoworks ChefAlarm – $65 at Thermoworks 
2. Best Budget Probe Thermometer: ThermoPro TP16 Food Thermometer – $17.99 at Amazon
3. Best Splurge Probe Thermometer: Meater Plus Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer – $99.95 at Amazon
4. Best for Grilling: ThermoPro TP810W Wireless Meat Thermometer – $29.99 at Home Depot

Reviews of The Best Probe Thermometers

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Thermoworks ChefAlarm

If you took a walk through Meggan’s kitchen as she was whipping up her delicious Grilled New York Strip Steak, you’d be bound to find the Thermoworks ChefAlarm nearby. This classic probe thermometer has everything you need, from a high and low alarm (useful for cold foods like yogurt), a minimum and maximum temperature display, and both a countdown and count-up timer, so you’re guaranteed to get the perfect meat temperature every time. When cooking roasts or whole poultry, you can leave the probe in the whole time to ensure you remove dinner at the exact right temp, with a longer-than-most probe cable that’s nearly 4 feet long. 

Thermoworks is my favorite brand for thermometers because of their quality and craftsmanship,” Meggan says. “ I love how easy this alarm is to use, and it takes the guesswork out of oven-cooking.”

The Specs:

• Temperature detection range: up to 572 degrees F
• Leave-in probe: Yes
• Wire length: 47 inches
• Display dimensions: 5.94 by 2.75 by 0.75 inches 

What I Like:

• High and low alarms for cooking and chilling foods 
• Min/max temperature display
• Big bold display and extra-loud adjustable alarm
• Countdown and count-up timers
• Splashproof for messy meals
• Storage case included
• Comes in nine colors

What I Don’t Like:

• Expensive 

What Others are Saying:

The Thermoworks ChefAlarm Cooking Alarm Thermometer was named the best overall probe thermometer by Reviewed and The Spruce Eats, and the best leave-in digital meat thermometer by Food & Wine. 

Buy the Thermoworks ChefAlarm:

2. Best Budget Probe Thermometer: ThermoPro TP16 Food Thermometer

For those who prefer to spend less and keep it simple, the ThermoPro TP16 Food Thermometer has the basic features you need and is very easy to use. You can manually set your goal temperature or choose from the preprogrammed, USDA-approved settings for various types of meat. 

It also has both a countdown and count-up timers and a leave-in probe that can withstand temps over 700 degrees F, making it safe to use in an oven when making the Perfect Roast Turkey or a grill for Grilled BBQ Chicken.

The Specs:

• Temperature detection range: up to 572 degrees F
• Leave-in probe: Yes
• Wire length: 40 inches
• Display dimensions: 2.25 by 1.54 by 0.59 inches 

What I Like:

• Budget-friendly
• USDA pre-set temps make it extra-easy to use
• Large graphic display
• Leave-in probe and wire withstands up to 716 degrees F

What I Don’t Like:

• Wire isn’t straight

What Others are Saying:

The ThermoPro TP16 Food Thermometer is a best seller on Amazon with more than 45,000 reviews averaging 4.6 stars.

Buy the ThermoPro TP16 Food Thermometer:

3. Best Splurge Probe Thermometer: Meater Plus Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer 

If you’re the cook who must have the coolest gadgets, this is the pick for you.. The Meater Plus Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer puts innovation at the forefront with Bluetooth technology that allows you to monitor your cooking progress using the iOS and Android-compatible app—no wires at all!—and you can check in on dinner at a range of up to 1,000 feet in open air in the backyard and around 165 feet in the house. 

The app even walks you through each stage of the cooking process and can estimate the ideal cooking and resting times for your food. With its two sensors, you can get a read on the internal temperature of the meat you’re cooking and the ambient temp of your grill or oven, to ensure it’s heating up properly. For beginner cooks or master chefs, this high-tech thermometer makes cooking a breeze.

The Specs:

• Temperature detection range: up to 212 degrees F internal and 572 degrees F external
• Leave-in probe: Yes
• Wire length: Wire-free using Bluetooth
• Display dimensions: Your smartphone screen

What I Like:

• Wire-free temperature readings up to 1,000 feet away
• Customizable alerts and notifications
• App algorithm can estimate the ideal cooking time
• Measures meat internal temp and ambient temp

What I Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Walls can interfere with Bluetooth connection

What Others are Saying:

Reviewed named the Meater Plus the best wireless probe thermometer and Good Housekeeping named it the best wireless grill thermometer. 

Buy the Meater Plus:

4. Best for Grilling: ThermoPro TP810W Wireless Meat Thermometer

Whether you are looking for a gift for Father’s Day or just want to step up your grilling game, the ThermoPro Wireless Meat Thermometer is a great option.  It comes with two probes to monitor burgers, steaks, or chicken breasts on opposite sides of the grill, to keep you aware of hot or cool spots and/or ensure different meats are done right. 

It’s easy to use, preloaded with USDA’s recommended temperature presets, and its wireless functionality allows you to carry the receiver with the larger display to track your food’s temperatures from up to 500 feet away (not that we’d recommend you leave a hot grill unattended). The price is nice, too. 

The Specs:

• Temperature detection range: up to 572 degrees F 
• Leave-in probe: Yes, two 
• Wire length: 40 inches
• Display dimensions: 5.39 by 4.45 by 1.57 inches

What I Like:

• Two probes allow temp monitoring in two pieces of meat at once
• Wireless display works up to 500 feet
• Waterproof

What I Don’t Like:

• Color isn’t for everyone

Buy the ThermoPro TP810W Wireless Meat Thermometer:

Other Probe Thermometers to Consider

Thermoworks DOT Simple Alarm Thermometer

If you’re looking for a basic and straightforward probe thermometer, the DOT Simple Alarm Thermometer does the job. It comes with a large display for easy readability, is simple to use with just two target temperature buttons, and is splashproofWhile it deserves an honorary mention, it’s lower on our list for its basic functions and higher price. The Thermoworks DOT Simple Alarm Thermometer is available at Thermoworks for $45.

Taylor Precision Products Digital Cooking Thermometer with Wired Probe

The Taylor Precision Products Digital Cooking Thermometer with Wired Probe appears to be a nicely priced option if you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles, but more than 1,000 Amazon reviews on the product are negative, with several of the reviewers claiming it stopped working after only a few months. The Taylor Precision Products Digital Cooking Thermometer with Wired Probe is available at Amazon for $21.99. 

Polder Classic Combination Digital in-Oven Programmable Meat Thermometer

Similar to the others we recommended, this Polder differs in that its probe cable is made of silicone, not steel, and its max temperature is below 400 degrees, despite being marketed as an in-oven thermometer. No wonder many of the Amazon reviews claim it stopped working after just one use. The Polder Classic Combination Digital in-Oven Programmable Meat Thermometer is available at Amazon for $24.99. 

Why You Can Trust Us

Hi! I’m Madison, a lifestyle journalist who has tested products from every genre from beauty to kitchen gadgets and beyond. I use a probe meat thermometer in my own kitchen for my weekly steak dinners, so I know the importance of a high-quality product with an accurate temperature reader. To find the best digital thermometer with a probe, I worked with Meggan, a classically trained chef who is the mastermind behind Culinary Hill.

As we researched the best probe thermometers, we started with what Meggan had in her own kitchen and went from there. We searched through hundreds of Amazon reviews and top-rated picks, reviewing the features, price points, positive feedback, and beyond, to come up with our list. 

Everything to Know Before Buying a Probe Thermometer

What to Consider Before Buying a Probe Thermometer

Before buying a probe, there are a few things you need to consider. 

Screen: One of the perks of using a probe thermometer is that it has a large screen that shows the exact temperature reading at all times. Depending on your needs, you’ll want a screen that shows the internal and external temperatures and one that has a backlit digital display. 

Multiple probes: Some probe thermometers come with multiple probes, which allows you to read multiple temperatures at once. This could be helpful if you’re cooking multiple steaks or are cooking different kinds of meats on the grill.  

Probe length: Typically probes come with a wire that allows you to have it connected to your meat while the grill or oven is closed. Make sure it is long enough so your screen can rest on a different surface while your food is cooking. Some probe thermometers are wireless, giving you a much longer range.

What is a Probe Thermometer?

A probe thermometer is a necessary kitchen favorite of chefs and home cooks alike. Unlike an instant-read thermometer, which can only be used once meat is outside the grill or oven, a probe thermometer has a wire that can generally be left in food while it is being cooked, thawed, or reheated, giving you constant temperature updates.

Where to Put a Thermometer Probe in a Turkey?

A properly placed probe thermometer helps you to get an accurate temperature reading of a turkey without ever having to remove it from the oven. Just like with any other large cut of meat, when inserting your probe, you’ll want to place it in the thickest part—on a turkey, that’s usually the breast or thigh. 

How Do You Use a Probe Thermometer in the Oven?

“You insert the probe into your roast or poultry, set the temperature for the alarm, and let it do its thing,” Meggan says. “The alarm will go off when the temperature is reached at the location of the probe. So if you’re cooking a roast to 180 degrees, you set the temperature for 180 degrees, and it’ll let you know when the roast reaches that temperature.”

Can I Use a Probe Thermometer for Frying?

While the ability to use a probe thermometer for frying will differ from product to product, most probes can be used for this type of cooking. According to Meggan, “You can also use a probe thermometer for deep-frying with your Dutch oven or other sturdy pot. Just set the temperature, and you’ll know when the oil is ready.” 

When frying food like Homemade French Fries, the optimal oil temperature is usually between 350 degrees F and 375 degrees F. So. if you plan to use your probe thermometer, double-check it can withstand that temperature. 

The Best Recipes for a Probe Thermometer

Probe thermometers are key to making sure you cook meat that is as safe as it is delicious. We recommend using one for any meat recipe, but especially: 

• Fried Chicken
• Make Ahead Roasted Turkey
• Meatloaf
• Homemade French Fries