The 6 Best Wireless Grill Thermometers of 2023

How We Tested

We sent our top wireless grill thermometers out for testing by our experienced reviewers. The thermometers were checked for accuracy by taking the temperature of boiling water before being used for general cooking and grilling tasks over the course of a few weeks. Each was rated on its accuracy, ease of use, durability, features, and overall value. Our testers also gave additional insights into each thermometer's strengths and weaknesses and what they are best suited for in your kitchen.

What to Look for When Buying a Meat Thermometer

By Emily Farris

Probe Style

Most grilling thermometer probes look pretty similar—basically, a pokey metal stick that's about 2.5 millimeters in diameter—but how, when, and sometimes where you use the probe will depend on the type of device you choose and the probe that comes with it. 

Whether you’re using an instant-read, wired, or wireless thermometer, probe length is important if you’re cooking big cuts of meat. That’s because in order to gauge the true internal temperature, the probe must reach the actual center of the thickest part of whatever it is you’re cooking. So, if you regularly cook large pork shoulders, briskets, or whole poultry, look for a probe length of at least 5 inches.

There’s also some variation in probe shape. While straight probes are standard, if you’re cooking multiple items or using a small smoker or second rack, a curved probe can help create a more compact setup because the entire thing stays closer to the meat, especially on smaller cuts. Additionally, many probes feature a “step down” probe, which means a portion of the tip is smaller in diameter than the rest of the probe to prevent juices from escaping when you first poke the meat. 

Finally, if you’re cooking more than one piece of meat or a large cut (or bird) that doesn’t necessarily cook evenly, multiple probes can be beneficial. On a multi-probe device, each probe creates a “channel” to display those temperatures separately. Some models even let you name the channels (e.g., top, side, thigh, breast, etc.).

Display

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to grill thermometer display. The first, of course, is preference. Would you rather read the temperature remotely or open the grill to see and touch the meat while checking the temperature? If you’d prefer to keep the grill closed, a wireless thermometer or corded thermometer is the way to go. But if you’d rather get a good look at the meat, and perhaps even feel it for doneness, a standard instant-read thermometer will do. 

If you do most of your grilling at night, a backlit display will be important. And if you’re purchasing a multi-probe unit, you can decide between a transmitter display that rotates between the various channels’ temperatures or shows them all at once. 

Wireless Range

Perhaps the most important feature of a wireless thermometer is its wireless range. After all, if you’re buying a wireless thermometer, it’s likely because you don’t want to be glued to the grill for the duration of your cook—no matter how short or long. And the range can vary widely among devices, from around 100 feet to more than 300 feet. Keep in mind, too, that a device’s range is variable depending on whether it’s indoors or outdoors because walls and structures can weaken a signal. Some advanced wireless thermometers (like the MEATER) allow the charging box to be used as a signal repeater, nearly doubling the wireless range, though it’s not always as strong as a direct signal. 

Temperature Tracking

How much information do you actually need—or even want—when you’re grilling? If you only need to know the internal temperature of your meat, just about any grilling thermometer will do. But for some grillmasters, tracking the ambient temperature is important. Some grilling thermometers (especially those that connect to apps) even keep a detailed history of every cook, including internal and ambient temperatures. 

While this additional information may seem like overkill, it can be helpful to reference it if a cook doesn’t quite turn out as planned, or if you made the best brisket of your life and hope to repeat it step by step, degree by degree. The detailed recording is also helpful when it comes to planning your future cooks. For example, if you want to eat pulled pork for dinner at 6 p.m., you can reference your last cook to see that it took 10 hours (even if the recipe said it would only take eight), so you know that it needs to be on the smoker by 8 a.m. so it can be off at 5 p.m. and cooled and pulled by 6 p.m.

Temperature Range

Think about the highest and lowest temperatures you use when grilling (or, say, cold smoking) and check to make sure the thermometer you buy covers that full range. If you want to monitor a meat’s internal temperature when thawing or brining, you’ll certainly need a thermometer that goes as low as it does high. 

Alerts

If you’re using a wireless grill thermometer, you’ll obviously want to be alerted when your meat has reached the target internal temperature. But think about what other alerts you may need, like temperature drops or even drastic ambient temperature changes. The latter is especially helpful if you are smoking meat overnight and actually want to sleep. It’s also helpful to get an alert if you take the transmitter out of range or otherwise lose the signal from the probe. And, last but not least, it should be easy to turn off an alert once you acknowledge it (is there anything more annoying than an alarm that won’t stop?), so look for a clear and accessible way to silence the beeping.

Connectivity

When it comes to wireless grill thermometers, there are two options. The first is a remote device that connects to the probe. The second is an app that connects to the thermometer and sends information to your phone. While an app is convenient—and eliminates the need to keep your eye on an additional device while grilling—there’s also the risk of your phone dropping a Bluetooth or wireless connection. If you regularly find apps or Bluetooth-enabled devices frustrating, a wireless thermometer with an included transmitter might spare you some stress while cooking. 

Battery Type

Wireless grill thermometers will require some sort of battery power, and each is a matter of preference. Most take AAA or AA batteries, while some have rechargeable lithium batteries. With the latter, you never need to worry about having disposable batteries available, but if it’s not charged when you need it, you’re out of luck. If your unit requires disposable batteries, you’re only a battery change (or a quick trip to the nearest store) away from a working thermometer. 

Price

Most grill thermometers fall in the $10 to $80 range, with a handful of higher-end, feature-heavy models coming in around at $100 or more. Basic instant-read digital thermometers are usually the most affordable, but for another $10 to $20, it’s possible to upgrade to a decent wired or wireless thermometer. With a few exceptions, price is usually less indicative of quality and is based more on features. That said, if you find a model that boasts a ton of features and has a really low price, the tradeoff might come in the form of durability, reliability, or accuracy.

Brands/Manufacturers

ThermoPro

The options are seemingly endless when it comes to grill thermometer brands, but ThermoPro offers a nice range of reliable, durable devices at an accessible price point. The brand's most recognizable product is probably its foldable red instant-read thermometer, which can usually be found for around $10 to $15. And for less than $50, you can get a wireless model with a range of up to 300 feet. 

ThermoWorks

Like ThermoPro, ThermoWorks offers a broad range of grill thermometers and even has its own foldable red instant-read device as part of its Thermapen line. The price point is much higher on this brand, which is known for its super-fast temperature readings, accuracy, features, and reliability. ThermoWorks also offers a line of highly specialized and commercial devices with features that include incredible wireless and temperature ranges.

MEATER

Founded in 2015, MEATER improved the category with a truly smart wireless meat thermometer that's great for grilling and smoking. The brand's three options center on a stylish, minimalist probe that syncs with a free app. The app does what every other meat thermometer does—reads the internal temperature and alerts you when it's reached—but it also estimates cook time, tracks the ambient temperature of the grill or smoker, records an incredibly detailed history of every cook, and even tells you how long to rest your meat before cutting into it. The probe is stored in a sleek wooden case that doubles as the charger (powered by disposable batteries), as well as a Bluetooth signal repeater to nearly double the wireless range. 

Maintenance

While some parts of some grill thermometers are billed as dishwasher-safe, for the most part, thermometers should always be hand-washed, taking care to avoid submerging the transmitter or display. If you’re able to carefully wash just the probe with soap and hot water without getting the digital components wet, that’s fine. Otherwise, wipe everything with a clean, damp cloth to remove any debris, then sterilize the entire thermometer with an alcohol or bleach wipe. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel with rubbing alcohol or a sanitizing bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water). Once clean, be sure to immediately and thoroughly dry all parts of the thermometer before putting it away. 

If you’re using a thermometer with a rechargeable battery (like the MEATER), it’s important to always return it to the charger when after each use. The last thing you want is to reach for your meat thermometer when you need it most, only to find the battery has died. For thermometers that require disposable batteries, be sure you always have extra so you don’t run out mid-cook. And, as with all gadgets (especially ones you use for cooking), store all of the components together.

FAQs

Are meat thermometers accurate?

Meat thermometers are not always accurate, which is why it's important to calibrate your thermometer a few times a year or at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer. To test if your meat thermometer is accurate, stick the probe into a glass of ice water and hold it there for a minute. It should read 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius. If it doesn't, you'll want to recalibrate it as directed in the user manual.

How deep should you insert a meat thermometer?

Most meat thermometers need to be inserted at least a half-inch into the meat for a proper reading, but double-check with your owner's manual for more precise guidance. When cooking steak or red meat, you'll want to insert the thermometer in the center of the thickest part, not near the bone or fat/gristle, and when cooking ground meat, insert it in the thickest part or sideways in thin items like hamburgers.

"My go-to is actually using two thermometers: a digital probe thermometer and an instant-read thermometer," say Sidoriak. "Digital probe thermometers are left in the food during the cook and help me gauge the food’s doneness from start to finish. Instant read thermometers on the other hand are ideal for checking thicker areas of the food for doneness."

Can you leave a meat thermometer in the meat while it's cooking?

One of the main appeals of wireless meat thermometers is that you can leave the probes in while your food in on the grill or oven. This allows you to constantly monitor the inner temperature without having to open the grill and insert the thermometer. However, most wireless thermometers do have a max temperature at which they can safely operate, and you'll need to be careful not to exceed it.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is a freelance food writer who specializes in product reviews and recipes. She's tested more than 100 products for The Spruce Eats and is no stranger to grilling. From gas to charcoal to kamado and indoor electric grills, Donna has cooked meat on all types and personally tested three of the wireless grill thermometers featured on this roundup.

This article was updated by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. She's written close to a dozen pieces on all styles of grills and done firsthand testing of smokers and grills featured in her articles. She interviewed Paul Sidoriak, author of The Flippin’ Awesome Backyard Griddle Cookbook and website Grilling Montana, while researching for this roundup.

Sources

• Paul Sidoriak, author of "The Flippin’ Awesome Backyard Griddle Cookbook" and founder of Grilling Montana