Smoker thermometers are an essential piece of kit when you’re cooking meat. Whether through a grill, BBQ, oven, or smoker, it’s vital to ensure that you cook all food to the right temperature; but perhaps more so when it comes to meat. Uncooked and raw meat can cause serious health problems, alongside being problematic when serving such food up to guests!
The best smoker thermometer will offer a reliable and accurate reading indicating the temperature inside the meat. Whereas most smokers and BBQ grills come equipped with a dial thermometer in their hood or dome, these aren’t reliable nor accurate. This is because they give you the temperature of the air space above the food – but not the food itself.
Focusing our attention on features such as type, number of probes, probe range, cable range and length, and any other features worthy of mention, we also give a rating for each model based on our extensive research experience. We feel this specific information is most important as it highlights the essentials and what you should ideally expect from such a product.
Researching the market, we’ve spent time searching for those best rated and most practical of thermometers, laying out our findings into a table and in-detail reviews below. We’ve also compiled a short buying guide to further expand on the features we’ve mentioned in our reviews. Finishing with answers to commonly posed questions, we believe we’ve provided enough information to help you purchase the best smoker thermometer for your specific needs.
More features: food and grill temperature alert, favorite temperature presets, 200-hour battery life, Weber iGrill app
The Weber iGrill 2 tops the list as our Editor’s Choice. The superb features of this model caught our attention for its professional-grade probes, allowing monitoring of up to four probes, its illuminated display, and its Bluetooth connectivity. When purchasing this smoker thermometer, you’ll receive the iGrill unit, two meat probes, a magnetic disc, two batteries, plus a quick starter guide. It really is simple to work and thoroughly practical by using the iGrill app.
Claimed to be the smartest way to grill, the app offers an alert for when your food is cooked, will pre-set the temperature, customize your food temperatures, and even save your grilling history! Though it comes with two meat probes, this model has the capacity to provide four probes. You can do this by tracking up to four pieces of meat simultaneously via the probes and the Weber iGrill app.
Getting started is also hassle-free with the iGrill 2. You just download the free app, insert the meat probe into your device, connect and monitor the cooking process, and you’ll end up with the most perfect results every time. The cable range offers a heat resistance of up to 716°F, and the battery life of this product is 200 hours’ worth. With an easy-to-read LED temperature display and magnetic base, this really is the ideal addition for all grill masters of any level – frequent or occasional.
Customers of the Weber iGrill 2 find this well-built and designed and a fantastic little device all-around. It’s also considered hassle-free at getting that spot on temperature.
More features: ±1.8°F (±1°C) accuracy, manual temperature and timer setting, preset temperatures for 9 types of meat and several taste presets, up to 300 ft remote range, FCC certified, CE certified, ROHS, FDA approved probe
The ThermoPro TP20 gets our vote here for the Best for Long Range. Offering you the power to cook like a pro every time, this model is designed to eliminate the need for guesswork when it comes to cooking meat. Equipped with the most up-to-date technology, the dual probe element of this thermometer means you can monitor up to two kinds of meat. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can use one sensor as a smoker probe, therefore getting an accurate read of its surrounding temperature.
Better still, this model can monitor your meat from as far as 300 feet away! Consequently, you can place your meat in the grill and socialize with your guests, do a few chores, or even watch a bit of TV without the need to continually check on the progress of your food! Powered by four AAA batteries, this is great for ovens, smokers, BBQs, and grills for all meat types. In your purchase, you’ll also receive a transmitter, receiver, a curved probe, a straight probe, and a handy manual.
It comes pre-programmed with USDA-approved temperatures and doneness levels for many different types of meat. Offering readings in Celsius and Fahrenheit, and a cable range of up to 716°F, this splash-proof receiver displays a large backlit LCD to make night-time grilling easy, and all its timer and temperature settings will be saved even when the unit is switched off.
Customers of the ThermoPro TP20 highly rate the many additional features of this model including its reliable, fabulous connection, as well as alarm and timer functions.
More features: ±1°F accuracy, IP67 rated waterproof
If you’re interested in the best digital meat thermometer, the Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer is a good option. This little tool has a wide temperature range of -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. It is an instant read model, so can read the temperature in about 2-3 seconds, though it may take as long as ten seconds in some cases.
This handy thermometer is versatile, working on various types of meat, as well as drinks, baking, and candy making. It made of impact-resistant ABS plastic, plus comes with an IPX7 rating for waterproofing, so it is easy to clean along with the rest of your dishes.
There are a ton of great features on this meat thermometer, too. It has a large LCD screen with backlighting for easy reading in a dark area. There are three buttons, one for the backlighting, one to hold the temperature or take a min/max reading, and the last to choose either Fahrenheit or Celsius and calibrate the thermometer.
There is no on/off button, either. Instead, the thermometer turns on when you open the probe and off again when you close it. If you forget to close it, there is a ten-minute auto shut-off.
This ergonomic meat thermometer has an internal magnet and a large hang hole for easy storage. There is a temperature chart right on the thermometer, plus an extra temperature card, so you always know when the meat is ready.
More features: high/low-temperature alarm, up to 500 ft remote range, hybrid water resistant probes, INSTA-SYNC technology
The Maverick XR-50 is our pick here for a digital meat thermometer for smoker with the best remote range. Claimed by the company to be a must-have thermometer, the experts have joined forces here to design and develop a multi-featured thermometer which they believe gives perfect cooking results every time.
With four multiple probes, these are not only hybrid in design but also waterproof and workable for any combination when measuring both grill and oven temperature. Allowing a substantial 500-foot range, claiming to be 200 feet better than most standard models, this unit encourages a signal through multiple indoor walls also! A flexible and award-winning model, the XR-50 is simple to use with a backlit screen offering continuous information on all probes. There are also hi and low alarms that require just a one set process.
The remote units and the base all come complete with magnets and hooks, as well as a kickstand so it can be used anywhere in and around the home. The color co-ordination of the four probes ensures you can easily tell them apart and the hybrid element allows you to mix and match for meat temperature and grill temperatures, as and when needed. Utilizing a single push button brings you a choice of Fahrenheit or Celsius readings, while its insta-sync technology ensures an automatic pairing with no hassle. These high heat probes have a cable range of up to 716°F. With an emphasis throughout on accuracy and reliability, this really does provide fantastic features in a straightforward package.
Customers of the Maverick XR-50 highly rate the thoughtful design which has gone into this model, claiming it to be amongst one of the best for its wireless remote use and ingenious use of four probes.
More features: 200 ft outdoor and 100 ft indoor remote range, iOS or Android WiFi mobile app
This device, which is small in stature, but powerful in performance, is designed for hassle-free but reliable temperature readouts and predominately via smartphone. Making use of the free EasyBBQ mobile app, here you can read the real-time temperature, view the history of your temperature via a timeline, set target temperatures throughout, and get alert and alarm notifications to suit. Just connect via Bluetooth, and as soon as your programmed temperature goes above or drops below your set range, you’ll receive an instant push notification – leaving you free to get on with other things while your food is cooking.
The ability to monitor through up to six probes is widely accessible here, as though it’s packaged with two probes, you can indeed purchase and add up to six in total with this model! Temperature is available in readings of Celsius or Fahrenheit to suit, and there’s a 200 foot plus outdoor wireless range, and 100 feet plus indoors. The large display offers an instant-read and is perfect for glancing over quickly to throughout cooking – such is its clarity. Featuring an upgraded stainless steel cable, the NutriChef probes can take heat of up to 482°F, while the steel cable can accommodate up to 716°F. This is powered by two AA batteries and is ideal for backyard BBQ grilling.
Customers of the NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer love not only how many options this small device offers but thoroughly appreciate the ability to connect up to six probes to accommodate multiple smokers, whenever they need to.
More features: 1° resolution, 1.8°F/1°C, remote range up to 230 ft, probes are IPX7 waterproof
Next on this roundup is the Govee Grill Thermometer. This model is a six channel device that you can monitor through your Apple or Android device. There are six different probed that you can leave in the cooler or food to keep track of the temperature. Each of the probes comes with a plastic spool for storage when not in use.
The device itself is sturdily built. It comes with a big backlit display that shows you all important parameters like the temperature of the probe. It also shows you the upper and lower alarm limits.
Furthermore, the ergonomic design of the Govee Grill Thermometer makes it easy to hold and use. For instance, there is a hangar bracket and a foot at the back that allows you to recline or incline the display for easier reading.
Setting the temperature scale and alarm is quite easy as the device is straightforward to use. The app is also a breeze to navigate.
For the relatively low price, you’ll find it hard to get another model that offers as many features as what you’d get with this unit. During use, we observed that the readings are super accurate and will help you accurately keep track of whatever you are cooking.
Overall, this is an excellent unit. While most people will not use up to six channels, it is a comfort knowing that you have extra probes. Additionally, the build quality surpasses the price which is among the things that makes it a value buy.
More features: accuracy of ±0.9°F, IP65 splash resistant construction, integrated magnet for storage
Having been recently radically overhauled and re-designed, this compact but ultra-efficient model is a more accurate thermometer. Useful for within the home as well as out on those BBQs, grills, and smokers, this is an instant-read model which takes away all the guesswork to deliver a cooked to perfection meal each time. With a two to three-second reading possible and a good level of accuracy, this has an auto sleep and motion wake function, preventing any minor spills and kitchen mishaps, alongside a motion sensor backlight, which illuminates with a simple shake. It also offers an intelligent stabilization alert. This smart feature works to make reading the temperature easy every time. You just press the touchpad, and the thermometer will hold the stabilized temperature, beeping when it needs to notify you. This eradicates that annoying need to keep peering into the oven or merely guessing when your food is ready.
Offering 4,000 plus hours of battery life through its CR2032 battery included, this water-resistant mode has an integrated magnet, allowing you to store it conveniently. Entirely constructed from a 100% polycarbonate BPA-free body and housed in a stainless steel probe, it ensures maximum durability and safety. From meat and fish, beer and coffee, to bread and candy, this small but effective device works extremely hard.
Customers of this Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo love the many fast and accurate readings they get from this product claiming it’s durable and entirely capable of rivaling its more prominent and more expensive counterparts.
More features: ±1.8˚F/1˚C accuracy, 196 ft outdoor and 100 ft indoor remote range, preset temperatures for 11 types of food, magnet on the back of the monitor
The Soraken Bluetooth Meat Thermometer is our choice here for the Best Bluetooth Smoker Thermometer. This smart meat thermometer allows you to put your meat on the grill, oven, smoker or BBQ and get on with other things as it cooks. Eliminating the need to check the temperature throughout cooking, this will offer real-time push notifications once you’ve downloaded the free smart app and give readings via Bluetooth within 186 feet outdoors and 100 feet indoors. There are six wonderful color coordinated probes included with the Soraken, allowing you to monitor individual meats simultaneously. The wire used is metal braided and with an ungraded Teflon core. This makes its cable range capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 716°F. A pre-set temperature and timer, here you will find eleven types of food already stored into the digital thermometer, alongside their various cooking levels, all recommended by USDA. However, you can also customize the temperatures and timer sections to suit your own preferences. This model offers a high accuracy reading and is designed to be easy to read, even at night, with a large LCD lighted screen display. The probes included here are worthy of highlighting with their metal wiring and Teflon core, BPA-Free silicone handles, and stainless steel probe materials, all making them thoroughly durable in design and use. Furthermore, you’ll receive heat resistant meat claws and a clip holder for the meat thermometer probe as standard with your purchase of this model.
Customers of the Soraken Bluetooth Meat Thermometer find this simplistic to pair, thoroughly practical with six probes, and a dependable cooking product addition all-around.
Now that you’ve had a chance to read through our detailed reviews, you may have a few questions concerning the many features mentioned in each model. However, before you make your final purchasing decision as to the best model for you, why not take a few minutes to read through the buying guide below? This attempts to shed some light and expand on those features of smoker thermometers that we feel are the most important when selecting the best one. This helpful section should explain in a little more detail just why such features are necessary when looking for the best product here.
If you want to be able to master the temperature and control how well done your food is, a thermometer for your smoker is thoroughly recommended.
Too many people fall ill to undercooked and raw food, and a number of us are guilty of incorrectly cooking and of course, overcooking meat until it no longer resembles what it should do!
Furthermore, when it comes to preparing and cooking meat away from an oven, the problems escalate because it’s difficult to tell just by looking at meat whether it is cooked through or not.
A thermometer for your smoker offers the most accurate of readings and tells you precisely when your food is done. Whether you use the preset range or enter your own preferences, you can be assured each time of correctly cooked food whenever you use such a product.
There are several essential features to be mindful of when selecting your smoker thermometer. These include the type of thermometer, its probe and temperature range, the wire length and its temperature range, accuracy, ease of use, and any wireless/Bluetooth ability.
In addition to these essential features, there are also some other benefits you’ll find in different models. These include differences in warranties, additional items included in your initial purchase, such as a smoker thermometer kit, price range, and even color and design.
The Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer and the Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo are the only two models on our review list here that are instant read. The rest are wireless probe types.
Instant-read thermometers require you to just stick them directly into your food for a few seconds to check its temperature. For many years these were the most common smoker thermometer types.
Wireless probe thermometers are designed to remain in the actual meat throughout the cooking time. Therefore, they offer a more precise and accurate reading as they do not require removing throughout. Their cable, which is heat safe, is attached to the probe and leads back to a digital unit which sits outside of the oven and gives you the necessary temperature readings.
Many users believe that both types have their strengths and weaknesses, but as for which one is the better one – it’s entirely dependent on individual choice.
Some people prefer the freedom a wireless probe offers, but equally, others will be content with merely using an instant-read to check at their own doing.
You’ll generally find that the average probe temperature range will sit between 0°c to 300°C. This is the most practical of temperatures and is best for cooking all food types. We have opted for those models that offer this, with the NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer claiming a range of up to 482°С.
Regarding the number of probes, most people will find that two probes, or indeed a dual probe smoker thermometer is the more practical, allowing for you to use it in more than one meat type. However, you can buy replacement probes for some smoker thermometers, making a total of six probes in a few models.
The Oprol Bluetooth Meat Thermometer and NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer all allow a capacity of six probes, and these are easily bought separately at any given time.
The average probe cable will accommodate temperatures up to 716°F. All the wireless probe models reviewed here have been chosen with this in mind. In terms of the wire length of those probes, we recommend around 30 to 40 inches to give sufficient room and keep the user safe throughout the cooking experience. The Weber iGrill 2 does this perfectly at 48 inches wire length in total.
Accuracy in a smoker thermometer is paramount, and it stands to reason that you’ll want a model which can offer a near perfect figure. This selection of thermometers has been carefully chosen to emulate a good accuracy rate, and we strongly recommend looking for products that claim to offer around plus or minus 1.8°F accuracy wherever possible.
When you’re cooking, you’ll no doubt want a thermometer which is simple to use and doesn’t require timely construction, set up, or effort to work before you can get your results! All these smoker thermometers claim to be some of the easiest to use, and this extends to their displays, their settings, presets, timers and alarms. In addition to this, if your device is wireless and Bluetooth enabled, you’ll need to make sure it pairs easily with your intended devices, such as the Oprol Bluetooth Meat Thermometer claims to be. Read about best bluetooth meat thermometers to find out more. This means you aren’t left losing connection whenever you move away from your food.
If it’s the best wireless meat thermometer for smoker you’re looking for, you’ll be keen to select one that offers a substantial remote range. This means that you can be assured that wherever you are in the home or out and about outside, you’ll still receive a good signal and won’t keep losing connectivity. The Maverick XR-50 is perfect at this, offering a staggering 500 feet range.
Furthermore, if you’re keen on choosing a water-resistant model that won’t stop working should it encounter any splashes or fall prey to slight kitchen mishaps, the Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo is a good choice.
If you’re interested in getting a good deal on the warranty aspect of your purchase, the Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer offers a fantastic lifetime warranty here. You may feel that the more you pay, the more likely you’ll want to ensure against peace of mind. For this reason, we’ve offered models which have a varied warranty attached. Most warranties tend to fall between one to three years on smoker thermometers.
Getting started with your wireless smoker thermometer could not be easier. Many of the models are self-explanatory, but all you need to do each time, once you’ve installed the app, is:
Hopefully, this review has proven that it’s possible to get a good smoker thermometer for well under the $100 price tag. With the Maverick XR-50 our highest priced model here at around the $90 mark, the rest of the thermometers here sit around the $50 price range, with the budget pick of the month, that is the Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer, available for under $30.
The ice method is claimed to be the most successful here. Fill a glass with crushed ice, adding enough water to barely float the ice. This temperature will therefore always be 0°C. This is your guide. Then place the thermometers stem into the mixture and wait for the needle to point to 0°C.
By now, we hope you’ve got a much clearer idea of the many benefits a smoker thermometer can offer you. We feel that our detailed buying guide and expert review rating system has prepared you with the essential information needed to purchase the best model for your needs.
At the top of our list here is the Weber iGrill 2 as we believe it offers many all-around benefits and is the more professional of probe types. Second best we think is the ThermoPro TP20 as this dual probe model provides the most reliable and innovative technology combined. Finally, our third prize goes to our budget pick the Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer, clearly showing that despite being at the lower price scale, it can still offer instant, accurate results that rival some of its larger counterparts!
Overall, every one of these reviewed smoker thermometers will ensure that you derive the most accurate and healthy cooking results each time, making meal times forever easier as a result.
