Grilling Season Is Almost Here, and We Found the Best Wireless Grill Thermometers (2024)

Maybe you're an aspiring grill master or a barbecue enthusiast or perhaps you're looking to develop your meat-cooking skills. Whatever your reason for lighting up the grill, it's important to have a good wireless grill thermometer handy. Just like with other forms of cooking, grilling and smoking meat require accuracy, particularly when it comes to temperature. A wireless meat thermometer will not only help you get the precise temperature you need to cook your meat evenly and thoroughly without drying it out, but this gadget will also allow you to monitor temperatures from afar so you don't have to hover over your grill the entire time.

When choosing a meat thermometer, you'll want to factor in probe length, wireless range, temperature range, and other handy features. While basic models will get the job done, perhaps you want an app that sends you alerts or tracks the ambient temperature over the course of your grilling session. There are options in a variety of price ranges and styles for every type of griller, and we tested all of the options on this list to help you cook your meat to perfection.

How We Tested Wireless Grill Thermometers

We tested our top wireless grill thermometers in our Birmingham, Alabama, lab and in the homes of our experienced reviewers. The thermometers were checked for accuracy by taking the temperature of boiling water and ice, 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.

We Observed

To test these thermometers, 6 pork loins were grilled, with 3-4 thermometers monitoring each loin. Decibel meters were used to determine the volume of the alarms, while the testers also assessed their own opinion of the sounds. Thermometers were tested with large containers of water at sous vide temperature, boiling water in pots, and ice water. The thermometers and their apps were assessed for accuracy and ease of use.

We Rated

• Accuracy: This looked at whether the reads were accurate at high, low, and medium temperatures.
• Ease of Use: Testers assessed the user manuals and how easy it was to program and use the thermometer. The testers also gave their opinions of the app, if there was one. They also looked at how easy or difficult it was to place and remove the probe when cooking the pork loin, and how easy it was to check the temperature during cooking.
• Design: This includes the display and/or app as well as any manual or digital buttons, whether it has a magnet for mounting or anything else that makes the thermometer easier or more difficult to use. It also includes the volume of the alarm.
• Features: This looked at whether the receiver maintained a connection as it was moved further from the grill. It also asked the testers whether these models would be easy and user-friendly in a home environment.
• Value: These thermometers encompass a wide range of prices, so the ultimate question is whether each thermometer is worth its price, whether it’s high, mid, or low.

Long-Term Testing Takeaways

Several of the wireless grill thermometers on this list have since stayed in our kitchen and have been used on the grill as well as in our oven, and even the air fryer. With the continued use, we've picked up on several things that you may not otherwise know about these handy little sticks.

• Not every thermometer is made the same: There are two kinds of "wireless" thermometers, and the difference between them is important. Some have a wire from the probe to the receiver but have a wireless connection to another device or to a phone app. That’s great for monitoring cooking from a distance, but that kind of thermometer won’t work in a rotisserie because the wire will get tied up as the food spins. Other wireless thermometers have no wire to the receiver, so there’s no wire that can get damaged in an oven door, and they won’t get dizzy in a rotisserie.
• Connectivity depends on the surroundings: No matter what distance a manufacturer claims, the actual distance may be shorter depending on what is between the thermometer and the phone or other device. Things like buildings, doors, and electronics can interfere with the signal.
• Regular check-ups are a must: No matter what thermometer you use, it’s smart to test its accuracy in ice water and boiling water occasionally. We also like to double-check meat temperatures with a separate probe thermometer, particularly with larger cuts of meat.
• Metal is hot: The metal of the thermometer can transfer heat to the meat, so the area around the thermometer can actually be more done than the rest of the meat. A degree or two probably won’t matter for a steak, but may be more important for fish or poultry.
• Check the volume (on your phone!): Thermometers with audible warnings are great, but if you’re using an app on your phone, make sure it’s not muted or turned down too low. Some thermometer apps warn when the phone volume is too low, and some can connect with Google Home or Alexa, for even more warnings.
• Things can shift during cooking: It's wise to check the depth of the probe when cooking a roast. The meat can shrink during cooking, pushing the probe out further than it should be.

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.).

Wireless Range and Connectivity

Perhaps the most important feature of a wireless thermometer is its wireless range and how it connects. 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. 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.

The options are a remote device that connects to the probe, or 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.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.

Temperature Chart Cheat Sheet

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.

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.

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," says Paul Sidoriak, the author of "The Flippin’ Awesome Backyard Griddle Cookbook" and founder of Grilling Montana. "Digital probe thermometers are left in the food during the cooking 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 in 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 while researching for this roundup.

Sources

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