Best baby thermometers in 2025: Tried and tested by parents (2025)

We faced cough and cold season head-on with a wide selection of baby thermometers, including in-ear designs, oral and underarm models, and infrared forehead temperature checkers.

We looked at how easy they were to use and switch between different features, whether additional features were beneficial, and if they offered value for money.

We also tested bath water thermometers for accuracy, ease of use and general usefulness and used the baby room thermometer day and night to share our honest thoughts.

It feels like Braun stepped into parents’ shoes when designing the ThermoScan 7. The brand states this thermometer is clinically proven to match a rectal thermometer for accuracy in newborns, and we found it packed with reassuring features that help justify its steep price tag.

The Age Precision Technology is genius. Using just one button, you can choose age ranges from newborn to 36 months, with your reading based on the fever thresholds for that age group. The baby thermometer is easy to read, even at a glance, as it lights up green, yellow or red to highlight a normal temperature, fever or high fever.

One of our favourite features was the ExacTemp Stability indicator, a light at the top of the thermometer to show you’ve positioned it correctly in your baby’s ear. It made it much easier to know we were getting an accurate reading, even in the dark. We also found the ear probe slightly smaller than some others in the roundup, making it ideal for use from birth.

The only downsides are that the buttons aren’t backlit — just the display screen — and you must use a disposable hygiene cap, so you will eventually need to buy more. Apart from that, it ticks all of our boxes.

Key specifications

If you’re after an underarm thermometer for your newborn, this digital offering from Braun is an excellent choice. You can also use it orally or rectally, and it features Braun’s clever Age Precision Technology, which helps you detect a fever depending on your baby’s age and eliminates any guesswork. It’s easy to select the correct age group using the large button on the front of the thermometer.

The tip is soft and flexible — and not freezing cold! Hooray! — but we found the beep (that signals a reading) was quite loud and not ideal when your baby is sleeping. We also felt that the timings are a little hit and miss: an underarm temperature reading in eight seconds, another in 16 seconds and various in between.

Still, it’s an accurate baby thermometer with great value and more to offer than a basic design.

Key specifications

A no-touch thermometer for baby is handy for checking your little one’s temperature at night without waking them. Simply hold this lightweight device 1-3cm away from their forehead to get an accurate reading. The screen lights up with the temperature reading, in either green or red, depending on whether a fever is detected.

The thermometer can store the last 20 readings, so you don’t have to worry about scribbling down the results at every temperature check. But what won us over was the mute button. We loved being able to scan for a temperature from a distance, with no beeps to wake a sleeping baby — why can’t every digital thermometer have a silent mode? This is one baby thermometer that will get some serious use.

Key specifications

This is such a clever ‘does it all’ thermometer. With four modes, it’s suitable for taking forehead temperature readings using the no-touch infrared. You can also use it as an in-ear thermometer for baby and a surface thermometer to check bath water and bottle temperatures. The best bit? It does all this at a decent price point.

We loved the clear instructions with large illustrations and straightforward guidance. It was easy to figure out, and we were good to go once we’d installed the batteries.

The traffic light colour-coded readings made it simple to read, although we did find that the forehead and in-ear readings varied slightly, usually by around 0.3 of a degree. Not a lot, but it’s something to bear in mind. Still, if you want the convenience of having an in-ear and forehead thermometer in one, we think this is an excellent choice.

Key specifications

While its appearance may be basic, this affordable in-ear thermometer does the job. Offering an in-ear reading for newborns and up, it features a green or red colour alert to let you know instantly if your baby has a high temperature.

During our testing, the thermometer delivered a rapid reading in just a second, and we appreciated that it could store the previous nine readings. However, the instructions were quite complicated, particularly when setting up the time and date (a handy function for earlier readings).

Despite the wordy instructions — which we got our heads around eventually — this is an accurate in-ear thermometer that won’t break the bank.

Key specifications

Simple and sleek with a minimalist design, this is an easy-to-use, good-value in-ear thermometer for babies and the whole family. It comes with its own hard plastic storage case — great for protecting it while travelling but a little on the bulky side — and uses infrared to provide an accurate in-ear reading.

This baby thermometer impressed us with how easy it is to operate. There’s no fuss with multiple buttons. There’s just one to switch it on and take a temperature and another to scroll through the last seven readings.

One niggle is multiple beeps while taking a temperature, and we’re concerned they could be loud enough to wake some sleeping babies.

However, we particularly liked the large, clear screen, which displays a smiley face if the temperature reading is within a normal range. It also lights up orange and vibrates if a fever is detected, so there’s no confusion.

Key specifications

This all-in-one thermometer is similar to the Oxiprothat and can take forehead temperatures (in child or adult mode), in-ear temperatures and object temperatures (like bath water). The photo-led instructions are easy to follow and clearly show every feature.

It differs from the Oxiprothat thermometer due to the excellent parent-friendly features we loved. One is the mute function, which you can activate by pressing the on button for five seconds. It was a lifesaver when we tried to take sneaky, middle-of-the-night forehead readings. The other is the low battery indicator on the screen.

We loved having a heads-up when the batteries needed changing. These handy features made us reach for this thermometer again and again.

Key specifications

Looking for a non-nonsense oral thermometer for babies and children? This affordable digital option from NUBY will make a valuable addition to your at-home first aid supplies.

We’ll grant that it’s pretty basic compared to some of the fancier thermometers in our roundup, but it’s reliable and easy to use — and that’s all you need. Plus, it’s accurate for oral, rectal and underarm readings.

While the display doesn’t light up, the digital temperature is large, clear and easy to read. However, you need to hold the thermometer in the mouth for 60-90 seconds to get an accurate reading, so we suggest this is probably better for older children who can stay still for that long.

We also like the protective cover but recommend cleaning the tip well before and after each use.

Key specifications

Approved by the NHS and designed in association with St John Ambulance, this is an in-ear thermometer with the medics’ seal of approval. It provides a super-fast reading (just one second) and is easy to use — there are only two buttons to contend with.

What stood out for us was just how quiet this baby thermometer is. It doesn’t have a mute button, but the beep is very soft — no worries about waking sleeping babies. Another nice feature is the soft-touch button for taking temperatures, which we could press gently without much pressure or annoying clicks.

Another win is the zip-up travel pouch, which felt much more robust than many fabric protectors we tested and a lot more compact than the chunky plastic cases.

Key specifications

Getting your baby’s bath water temperature right can be art. But this bright, floating rubber duck doubles up as the cutest bath thermometer to ensure you get the temperature right every time.

It’s easy to turn on — simply tap the bottom of the duck against the palm of your hand to activate the screen. We found the best way to use it was to add the duck to an almost full bath rather than letting it bob around as the taps run, as this can make it tip over.

The water temperature is displayed on the back of the duck, and a red light flashes if it’s too hot. When this happened, we added some cold water to correct the temperature.

The batteries are secured inside with a waterproof lid, but we preferred to take the duck out of the water before bathtime. As robust as it is, we didn’t want it to be chomped on.

Overall, we were impressed with this thermometer’s accuracy, which has helped make bathtime less stressful.

Key specifications

At just over £4, this cute floating giraffe bath thermometer is an excellent bargain buy. Place it flat on bathwater, and the mercury-free temperature gauge indicates the water temperature in just a few seconds.

While we prefer a digital display for ease and speed of reading, this affordable thermometer includes a large smiley face to show you the water temperature at a glance. We had no problems reading the result.

It does a good job of floating, too, but we found that it quickly sank when touched (i.e., grabbed by babies). It’s probably best to remove it once you’ve got the bath to the right temperature.

Aside from the price, one thing we love about this bath thermometer is how compact and lightweight it is, taking up no room in your suitcase when you go on holiday.

Key specifications

Tommee Tippee GroEgg2

The Tommee Tippee GroEgg is a familiar sight in nurseries across the country, and it’s a favourite for a reason. Now in its second iteration, this egg-shaped light is an unobtrusive room thermometer and night light for your baby or child’s room.

The setup is simple, with the GroEgg using a USB cable (included), although you’ll need to provide the plug yourself. We found the cable long enough to be tucked away for a neat display.

The GroEgg lets off a gentle light, and we loved the handy dimmer switch underneath to choose the brightness level for our room. It glows blue, yellow, orange or red to show which range of temperature the room is in — you’ll likely want it to be yellow and between 16 and 20°C. We found it bright enough to read even with a baby monitor but not too dazzling that it interrupted sleep.

We think it’s a valuable addition to the nursery — and it looks nice, too. That said, it’s a baby magnet, so keep it out of little hands’ reach.

Key specifications

According to the NHS, a normal temperature in babies and children is around 36.4°C. Naturally, this can vary, but a temperature of 38°C and above is considered a fever.

A high temperature indicates your child’s body is fighting off an infection. If the temperature is high, make sure you keep your baby hydrated. If you’re breastfeeding, that means offering plenty of feeds.

The NHS recommends using an armpit thermometer for babies, as some in-ear thermometers can be a little large for tiny ears. It also says to avoid oral thermometers for children under five years old.

Thermometer accuracy is excellent these days, and infrared designs can accurately read body temperature — unlike the cheaper strip forehead thermometers, which the NHS doesn’t recommend.

If your baby appears unwell, is hard to settle or feels hotter than usual on their back or chest, it’s worth taking their temperature.

If your baby is under two months old and has a fever, keep an eye on them and check their temperature every two to four hours, even overnight. For older babies, you can space the readings out a little more. Keep a log of all temperature checks in case you need to visit the doctor.

Here are a few things to consider before you buy a baby thermometer:

• Age: Different thermometers tend to suit babies of different ages. An underarm thermometer is a good choice for newborns, while in-ear thermometers are accurate and easy to use with older babies and toddlers. Infrared baby forehead thermometers are just general all-rounders, making them a helpful addition if you’ve got children of varying ages.

• Ease of use: No one wants to read through pages of instructions, especially with a crying baby. Look for a thermometer that’s easy to use and can switch between modes. There’s no point having a baby thermometer with great features if you can’t work out how to use them.

• Ease of reading: You also want a baby thermometer that’s easy to read at a glance. Chances are you’ll be checking temperatures day and night, so look for a backlit model to read it easily in the dark. Likewise, a thermometer that flashes red to indicate a fever is beneficial.

• Features: Baby thermometers come with all sorts of features now, but think about what is genuinely useful for you, as they often come at a higher price. Some can store previous readings so you can keep track of your baby’s temperature, while others are multi-use for forehead and in-ear temperature readings. Some can even switch between child and adult modes.

• Price: As reflected in our roundup, prices of baby thermometers can vary widely, from around £4 to over £50. Think about what’s affordable to you. You can still pick up an accurate baby thermometer even at a lower price.

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