As an avid griller for a decade now, I find navigating the extensive landscape of Bluetooth thermometers to present its challenges.
With several options and factors to consider, from price and quality to compatibility, identifying the perfect thermometer for your needs requires you to understand the intricacies of smart thermometers.
To simplify the work for you, I have taken 10 of the best Bluetooth meat thermometers on the market and tested them, uncovering the pros, cons, and whether or not they’re worth the purchase.
The Best Bluetooth BBQ Smokers & Grills’ Thermometers
- Best Overall Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer: ThermoPro TP20
- Cheapest Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer: Inkbird IBT-2X Digital
- Best Radio-Frequency Smoker Thermometer: ENZOO 500FT Wireless
- Most Compact Bluetooth Thermometer for Smokers: Weber iGrill Mini
- Best Heat-Resistant Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer: Soraken
- Easiest-to-Use Bluetooth Smoker Thermometer: ThermoPro TP20
- Best Completely Wireless Thermometer: MEATER Plus
- Best Bluetooth Thermometer With Alarm: Inkbird IBT-2X Digital
Top 10 Bluetooth Meat Thermometers
1 - ThermoPro TP20 Meat Thermometer with Dual Meat Probe (Best Overall & Easiest-to-Use)
Leading on the list is the meat thermometer from ThermoPro, allowing you to monitor your smoker, grill, or oven temperature from up to 300ft away.
ThermoPro comes with a handheld LED display, cutting out possible synchronization and pairing problems.
The stainless steel probes can withstand up to 716 ºF and have the ability to measure the temperature of nine different types of meat and their doneness level, recommended by USDA.
This thermometer has a count-up and count-down setting, beeping and flashing once the cook reaches its set temperature.
I especially like how easy this wireless thermometer is to use and that I don’t have to mess around with any extra devices.
- Preset temperatures easily
- Handheld LED display
- Stainless steel probes can withstand up to 716ºF
- Great customer service
- No low-temperature alarm
2 - MEATER Plus | Smart Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth (Best Completely Wireless)
Next on the list is the MEATER Plus thermometer, which boasts an impressive range of 165ft. It’s set apart by the complete single wireless design, so there is no need for multiple wired probes, simplifying your cooking process
The wireless probe contains two sensors, one for monitoring the internal temperature of the meat and another for reading the external temperature.
The guided cook system is made for walking you through every step of the cooking process, from estimating how long the cook will take to creating custom alerts based on temperature or time.
I liked how easy this Bluetooth thermometer is to pair to my phone; I simply downloaded the free app and was ready to go within minutes.
- Completely wireless
- Option to extend your range with MEATER Link Wi-Fi and MEATER Cloud
- Can monitor both internal meat temperature and external
- Can be too large for small cuts of meat
3 - Inkbird Bluetooth Grill BBQ Meat Thermometer
The next Bluetooth meat thermometer I tried was this four-probe system from Inkbird. This wireless grill thermometer can pair with your smartphone, keeping an eye on your target internal temperature up to 150ft away.
It features a magnetic LED screen that can be attached to the side of the smoker, the battery lasting up to 40 hours when fully charged via the USB charging cable.
This smart thermometer is designed to endure both up to 572 ºF ambient temperatures and an internal heat of 482ºF. I tested and found the wired probes efficiently extend to approximately 60ft, which simplified my work when monitoring the food.
- Can be purchased with either four or two probes
- High and low cooking temperature alarms
- Magnetic frame
- LED display can be too dim when used outside
4 - Soraken Meat Thermometer (Best Heat-Resistant)
Fourth on the list is Soraken Bluetooth BBQ thermometer. This device presents a dynamic range of 100ft and 190ft reach indoors and outdoors, respectively.
Even more, it pairs seamlessly with smartphones and iPads, and has an impressive temperature monitoring capability. It can monitor up to 11 types of food so you don’t have to worry.
You can see both minimum and maximum temperatures with the temperature probes and set the timer to know when your meal is finished.
The robust magnetic displays also makes this thermometer standout. The display supports effortless attachment to non-heated surfaces of your grill or smoker.
The LED screen enhances usability as it allows seamless meat temperature checks, which is a better way to monitor progress with ease.
- Comes with four probes
- Heat-resistant Teflon cables can withstand heat up to 716ºF
- Magnetic LED display
- Not waterproof
5 - ENZOO 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer (Best With Radio-Frequency)
This smart meat thermometer from Enzoo comes with four meat probes designed to be used in either four different cuts of meat or one large cut.
The wireless range reaches 500ft, using a radio frequency rather than Bluetooth, meaning less interference when you cook.
Since this thermometer uses a LED unit rather than connecting to your smartphone, there is no need to go through any setup or pairing steps.
It has a wide temperature range of 35ºF - 572ºF, with the 43-inch wire being able to withstand heat up to 716ºF.
I liked how quickly this thermometer reads the meat’s internal temperature and the ambient temperature, taking as little as 1-3 seconds with a +/- 1 accuracy.
- Uses four probes
- Large temperature range
- Uses radio frequency rather than Bluetooth
- Can’t change the USDA guidelines programmed within the device
6 - Weber iGrill Mini Bluetooth Thermometer (Most Compact)
Sixth on the list is this wireless thermometer from Weber. It features a single meat probe with a ring that slowly changes from red, orange, yellow, and green to signal when the desired temperature is met.
To review the temperature graph, you can download a free app on your smartphone that monitors the cook and gives you options for smoking, BBQing, cold smoking, etc.
This thermometer comes with a singular coin cell battery, which gives you 150 hours of use.
It also features a magnetic base that allows you to attach the unit to any metal surface.
My favorite thing about this Bluetooth thermometer is how compact and easy to use it is.
- Compact
- Has a unique temperature readout
- Can withstand temperatures up to 715ºF
- Only one stainless steel probe
7 - BFOUR Bluetooth Meat Thermometer
The BFOUR wireless Bluetooth meat thermometer boasts an indoor and outdoor Bluetooth range of up to 196ft and 100ft, respectively, offering reliable connectivity options.
It comes with six stainless steel probes, allowing you to monitor six different types of meat simultaneously.
Each probe is heat-resistant up to 662ºF and can monitor temperatures from 33ºF - 572ºF.
This thermometer shows the temperature both on an LCD and on your smartphone via the free app.
Using either the USDA recommendation or your personal preference, you can use this app to set a low and high target temperature.
The BFOUR thermometer doesn’t use a rechargeable battery; instead, it uses three AA batteries.
While this does cut out the recharging stage, I don’t like the fact you always need batteries on hand.
- Includes six probes
- Has a wide Bluetooth connection
- Temperature can be viewed on both a smartphone and thermometer unit
- Uses AA batteries
8 - NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer
The NutriChef Bluetooth meat thermometer offers an impressive 328ft outdoor Bluetooth range, which is ideal for an extended cooking space.
It can be connected to your smartphone, setting off an alarm once your meat reaches its preset temperature settings.
It comes with two temperature probes that can either be used to monitor one big cut of meat or two individual cuts.
The probes themselves can stand to heat up to 482ºF and the cable wire 716ºF.
I liked this Bluetooth thermometer because you can save your favorite cooking presets into the unit itself.
- Long range
- Can edit and save presets
- Temperature can be viewed on both a smartphone and thermometer unit
- Only includes two probes
9 - Inkbird IBT-2X Digital BBQ Grill Bluetooth Oven Smoker Thermometer (Cheapest & Best With Alarm)
Next on our list is another smart thermometer from Inkbird. This particular model features a 150ft wireless range and temperatures up to 572ºF.
You can customize the preset temperatures, and it already supports the eight main BBQ foods.
You can measure the temperature both on the LED display and on your smartphone via a free app.
This BBQ thermometer supports both high and low cooking, triggering an alarm when your desired temperature is reached.
I like how compact and portable this unit is, making using the thermometer remotely easy.
- Compact and portable
- Customizable presets
- Has an alarm for both high and low temperatures
- Short range
Buyers’ Guide for the Best Bluetooth Meat Thermometers
When searching for the best Bluetooth meat thermometers, there are a few things you have to consider depending on how you plan on using them. To help make purchasing easier for you, I have put together a handy little buyer's guide.
Wi-Fi Vs. Bluetooth Thermometers
Wi-Fi thermometers have been around for a long time. While these do offer a better range than your average meat thermometers, not everyone enjoys carrying a bulky Wi-Fi unit in their pocket.
Recently, Bluetooth meat thermometers have been on the rise, still offering that wireless goodness, but with the advantage of paying for the thermometer to your smartphone or tablet.
The apps that come along with these Bluetooth meat thermometers usually include cool features such as custom temperature alerts, the ability to name the probes, as well as handy temperature graphs.
Another good thing about smart wireless meat thermometers is they often get updates to the phone app.
So, if you find that there isn’t something quite right with your thermometer, the issues usually get ironed out with new updates. If there’s something you don’t like with the Wi-Fi thermometers, you’re unfortunately stuck with it.
As we mentioned, you do lose out on some of that range when you reap the benefits of the best Bluetooth meat thermometers.
Instant Read Thermometers
instant-read meat thermometers measure the temperature of the meat toward the end of your cook.
Instead of staying in your smoker or grill as the food cooks, they’re made for checking the temperature quickly [1].
“An instant-read thermometer is your best bet for making sure that fish is cooked to the proper temperature.”
- Bobby Flay, Chef
While instant thermometers usually have the fastest response times and are the easiest to use since all you have to do is turn them on, they are slightly inconvenient.
You have to know the estimated end time of your cook, or else you will constantly be checking the temperature and disturbing the cook.
Consider Signal Range
How Bluetooth BBQ thermometers work is they connect to the thermometer's central unit, which then pairs with your smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth.
The Bluetooth connectivity varies whether or not you’re indoors or outdoors, hence the two connectivity numbers that devices generally come with.
If your smoker is outside and you’re inside watching the game, that Bluetooth connection has to pass through walls, which in turn diminishes its strength.
So, you will usually find that indoor connectivity is significantly lower than outdoor [2].
If you plan cooking on the far end of your garden while sitting at the front of your house, having an extended signal range is the most critical aspect.
Probes
Having suitable probes is an essential aspect of any Bluetooth thermometer. Different probes have different accuracies and ease of use.
There will be a single probe with two sensors for entirely wireless thermometers, like the MEATER Plus.
The sensor on the back end of the thermometer is used for measuring the temperature, whereas the one on the sharp end measures the temperature of the meat.
Bluetooth thermometers use only one sensor in each probe as they typically come with two or more.
When looking at the probe itself, you should ensure that it isn't too thick. The pointed end should be sharp, so it can quickly go into the meat. If the point is wide and blunt, it can easily squeeze out all the juices in the meat.
“The best value for money in cooking equipment, in my mind, is first a digital scale and digital thermometer. They're both about $20. They help you cook so much more accurately that they're both enormously valuable.”
- Nathan Myhrvold, Chef
For the temperature reading to be the most accurate, the probe has to go into the thickest part of the meat.
Therefore, you want the probes to be long if you typically cook big or thick cuts or fairly small if you usually cook delicate cuts.
Typically, you’ll want to find probes with a length of 5 inches and a diameter of 2.5-3mm.
The Number Of Probes
When searching for a Bluetooth thermometer, you need to consider how many thermometer probes come with the unit.
Most of the thermometers we tested here contained up to four probes, some coming with six while others only included one.
Having only one probe means you will have to constantly remove the probe and place it in another cut of meat, which can become burdensome.
Not only will you have to go back and forth to your smoker, but you will also have to reset the system each time you place it in a different type of meat.
If you plan on cooking large cuts of meat or multiple types of meats at the same time, we recommend getting a unit with at least three probes.
You may also find that some units come with one ambient probe. This is used to measure the inside of your smoker instead of the temperature of the meat.
Mobile Apps or Standalone Units
When you buy wireless meat thermometers, you’ll notice that they come with two options; units with a standalone display or ones that connect to mobile and tablet apps.
A standalone display will show all the cooking and temperature information on the unit, and the system will alarm once the preset temperature has been reached.
All standalone units are different; however, they will typically have everything you need to be displayed quickly and easily.
We find these units convenient because you don’t have to go through any trouble pairing devices, but it isn’t convenient that you have to carry a typically bulky device around with you.
For that reason, we prefer devices that connect to smartphones and tablets.
The smartphone apps work by linking the main thermometer to your phone or tablet by downloading an app from the manufacturer.
The main unit then transmits a wireless signal to your phone, giving you all the needed info. These apps also tend to have more features than the standalone units, such as naming probes or viewing temperature graphs.
Since everything you need is on your phone, there’s no reason to get up and check on your food mid-cook. You’ll get notified by a custom alarm, so you’re always ahead of schedule.
Battery Life
With a grill thermometer, you’ll find that they all come with different charging capabilities.
Some may include a rechargeable battery that can simply be plugged into a USB or other cable (typically comes with the unit). Others will take batteries such as AA, and rarely, a grill thermometer should contain non-rechargeable batteries that are usually difficult or expensive to get ahold of.
In my opinion, the best Bluetooth BBQ thermometers come with a rechargeable battery.
They may have the shortest battery life; however, it is more than enough to get you through a long cook, and you can simply plug it in to charge afterward.
Thermometers that use AA batteries have proven to be a bit inconvenient.
While they are easy to get your hands on, if they run out mid-cook and you don’t have any access to new ones, you’re pretty much done for.
Non-rechargeable batteries offer a long life; however, they tend to be difficult to buy. They are also far more expensive than your typical AA batteries [3].
Temperature Accuracy
The whole point of a thermometer is to read the temperature, so the best Bluetooth meat thermometer should have an almost perfect temperature accuracy, typically +/- 1.
You may find lower-priced models to have quite a wide temperature reading, which frankly ruins the entire cooking experience.
Some will record the temperature of your grill or smoker, which is also a very handy reading to have.
The best way to determine the true temperature accuracy of a grilling thermometer is to check the reviews.
Another thing to note, and what we found with a few of the thermometers here, was that if the probe hadn’t been inserted correctly or deep enough, it tends to give odd inaccurate results.
Therefore, you should always check if your probe is placed inside the meat correctly [4].
Durability
Having a thermometer that is dishwasher-safe can save you a lot of hassle. That being said, even finding something that is waterproof or water-resistant is a huge plus.
The best way to figure out the durability is to take a look at the probes. Are they made from quality materials? Do they look cheaply sealed or well made?
The wire connecting the probes to the main unit is also a tell-tale sign. They should be thick and sturdy enough to withstand high-heats, typically above 700ºF.
Common Issues With Bluetooth Thermometers
The main issue with wireless Bluetooth thermometers isn’t the actual thermometer itself but the smartphone or tablet you are using.
If you purchase a Bluetooth thermometer that only displays the food and ambient grill temperature on an app, you’ll have a hard time if you don’t have the right phone.
“I think many cooks are afraid of undercooked meats. A good thermometer is a cook's best friend.”
- Emeril Lagasse, Chef
Most models contain Bluetooth technology that pairs the thermometer with an iOS or Android smartphone.
The problems arise if you don’t have enough space on your phone to download these apps or enough bandwidth to make them run.
Your mobile phone model may also affect how well the app runs.
For example, if you have an old version of the Samsung Galaxy Note, you may have a few issues running the app or connecting to the thermometer, whereas someone with an iPhone 12 will have no issues at all.
This is one of the main reasons you’ll see so many mixed Bluetooth meat thermometer reviews online.
If you’ve got a fairly up-to-date phone with the latest software updates installed, there shouldn’t be any issues connecting to the device if you’ve purchased a quality thermometer.
It seems like the Samsung Galaxy phones have the hardest time connecting to thermometers, the reason seemingly due to the quality of the Bluetooth installed [5].
Pairing your mobile phone or tablet with the thermometer is easy, and if you follow the directions correctly, you should be paired up and ready to go within minutes.
Just make sure you have enough battery life on your phone, especially if you’re doing a long cook; having the Bluetooth constantly on and paired can drain your battery rather quickly.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
No matter what device you use with Bluetooth technology, whether it's a thermometer, speaker, or pair of Bluetooth headphones, they can all still experience problems when it comes to the connection.
For example, if you have too many connections in your home, with both the Wi-Fi or other Bluetooth devices, they may interfere with the signal on your mobile device or tablet.
Most people don’t know that Bluetooth runs on the same frequency as 2.4 Wi-Fi, so if too many devices are connected, this can result in a messy connection [6].
Since asking your guests to disconnect from your Wi-Fi or turn off their Bluetooth isn’t ideal, here are a few things you can do to make your thermometer work without a hitch.
Clear View
Having any barriers such as walls between you and your thermometer can weaken connectivity strength. Therefore, you should always try and have a clear view of your smoker or grill to establish the best connection.
Change the Channel of the Wi-Fi Router
Since Wi-Fi routers automatically connect to channels, the networks in your area may often also be connected to the same channel. If too many connections are happening at the same time, it can significantly dwindle your connection. If this is the case, either turn your Wi-Fi router off or reboot it.
Related Articles:
FAQs
Do Wireless Bluetooth Meat Thermometer Products Work?
Yes, wireless Bluetooth meat thermometer products work. However, you should remember that they do have some limitations when it comes to functionality.
People, walls, and other Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections can interfere with the connectivity and signal strength. The more reputed the manufacturer is, the higher chance you have of a good working thermometer.
Can I Leave the Thermometer in the Meat While Cooking?
Yes, you can leave the thermometer in the meat while cooking. Since these thermometers are designed to let you know when the food is finished cooking via an alarm or message, they have to stay in the meat and smoker.
When Do You Use a Bluetooth Meat Thermometer?
You use a Bluetooth meat thermometer before you put your food on the grill or in a smoker. Make sure the probe goes into the thickest part of the meat as this will take the longest to cook and give you the most accurate temperature reading.
Is a Wireless Thermometer Worth It?
Yes, a wireless thermometer is worth it. They cut out the stress of constantly checking the temperature of your meat by hand and disrupting the cook.
If you cook regularly or are a professional chef, a wireless thermometer will let you monitor the temperature of your food so you don’t overcook or undercook.
Do Professional Chefs Use Smart Meat Thermometers?
Yes, professional chefs use smart meat thermometers. Since they go in the kitchen severally, they sometimes need a little assistance to ensure things run smoothly.
Best Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer - Our Winner
Reflecting on our exploration of BBQ thermometers, each product is a worthy competitor. That being said, our winning meat thermometer is ThermoPro.
Out of all the Bluetooth-enabled thermometers, I like that ThermoPro has a handheld LED display; it is very simple to use, pairs easily with your phone, and gives an accurate temperature reading.
Plus, the thermometer informs you when the food reaches its set temperature, which is unique to come by with wireless smart meat thermometers. It can also measure the temperature of nine different types of meat.
ThermoPro TP20 Meat Thermometer with Dual Meat Probe (Best Overall & Easiest-to-Use)
Our #1 Recommendation
- Preset temperatures easily
- Handheld LED display
- Stainless steel probes can withstand up to 716ºF
- Great customer service
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of April
References:
- https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/meat-thermometers/buying-guide/index.htm
- https://bluetoothtechworld.com/can-bluetooth-go-through-walls/
- https://www.microbattery.com/blog/post/rechargeable-vs-non-rechargeable-batteries-the-pros-and-cons/
- https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-use-a-meat-thermometer-article
- https://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s10-s10-plus/962957-why-bluetooth-so-bad-samsung-phones.html
- https://www.codejourney.net/2017/04/wifi-and-bluetooth-interference-diagnosing-and-fixing
