Ovens are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to temperature. Who hasn’t moved into a new place and popped in a pizza only to find it burnt, even though you used the same recipe and time increments as your last pie? “All ovens act differently, so it’s so important to have a thermometer that’s accurate,” says chef and culinary producer Jackie Bakula.
There are several kinds of oven thermometers on the market today, from old-fashioned analog to more high-tech digital. Most hang from the oven shelves, while others stand freely. Certain models can even read ultra-hot temperatures, allowing you to get accurate readouts not only in the oven but also in the grill.
One important quality to look out for is the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification. NSF was founded in 1944 to ensure companies comply with strict standards concerning material, design, performance, and safety. Most of our choices are NSF-approved.
Oven thermometers help maintain precision and consistency every time you bake, roast, or broil—no more guessing where the hot spots are or whether your display reading reflects the actual interior temperature of your oven. Have peace of mind knowing those chocolate chip cookies will come out crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside—just the way you intended.
Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
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- Good readability
- Durable stainless steel construction
- No need for battery
- Small base
Rated for commercial and home kitchens, it is hard to find a more dependable oven thermometer than this one from Rubbermaid. It is constructed from durable stainless steel with a shatterproof display and provides readings between 60 and 580 degrees Fahrenheit and 20 to 300 degrees Celsius. This comes in handy when baking or utilizing recipes with non-standard temperatures.
Not only is the Rubbermaid Instant Read a workhorse, but it also offers the versatility of standing on its (small) base or hanging on a shelf in your oven. The oversized face facilitates easy reading of temperature, even through the oven door. In addition to your oven, this model can also be used in toaster ovens, grills, smokers, or any heat-based food appliance because of its wide temperature range. Best of all, it reads temperature instantly—no batteries required.
Size: 3.75 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches | Temperature Measurement: Celsius and Fahrenheit | Placement: Hanging or freestanding
Taylor Precision Products Classic Series Large Dial Oven Thermometer
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- Easy to read dial
- Warming, roasting, and baking zone marks
- Stainless steel construction
- Not an instant-read temperature
- Gets hot after use
Taylor Precision Products has manufactured kitchen measurement tools for nearly 170 years now, so you bet the brand’s classic thermometer will have your back on that next foray into soufflés. It features a large dial with an extra-large colorful dial featuring zones for warming, baking, and roasting clearly marked on the face. It isn’t an instant-read thermometer but it is easy to read and measures temperatures between 100 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Design is an important factor in this model. It is constructed of strong stainless steel and can be oriented for side and front readings. Choice of placement is easy, as it can be hung or placed on the oven rack. The stable bottom will keep it from toppling over. Just note that it will be hot to touch after being in the oven.
Size: 8 x 1.5 x 4.9 inches | Temperature Measurement: Celsius and Fahrenheit | Placement: Hanging or freestanding
Winco 3-Inch Dial Oven Thermometer
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- Easy to read
- Affordable
- Stainless steel
- HAACP guidelines on dial
- No Celsius marks
A good oven thermometer is easy to read, and the Winco delivers. The large display has clear Fahrenheit markings that shift from black to red when the common temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit is achieved. It does not have precise Celsius settings, but there are marks for “Hold,” “Bake,” and “Roast,” as well as the FDA’s HACCP food safety guidelines for holding and cooling temperatures for hot foods printed right on the face.
Attached via a built-in hook or standing panel, placement of the Winco is easy. The stainless steel construction provides durability, and the budget price point makes it an attractive option. The temperature range is 50 to 500 degrees.
Size: 5.06 x 1.56 x 8.44 inches | Temperature Measurement: Fahrenheit | Placement: Hanging or freestanding
KT THERMO Large 3-Inch Dial Oven Thermometer
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- Accurate readings
- Easy to clean
- Resists high temperatures
- Rotating hook
- No Celsius marks
With a sweet spot range of 100 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, the KT Thermo oven thermometer is also a great option for your grill. It registers cool enough temperatures all the way to blistering hot (600 degrees), making for easy calibration. The face is uncluttered with large numbers to facilitate reading, even through an oven door.
The stainless steel body comes with a simple, rotating hook that locks onto an oven rack, as well as a base if you prefer to keep it freestanding. It does not register Celsius temperatures, but the face does have a graduated color wheel that is marked for “Warm,” “Bake/Roast,” and “Broil” settings. The KT Thermo is a compact, attractive choice for those looking for one tool that can toggle between grilling and oven cookery.
Size: 3.78 x 3.15 x 1.97 inches | Temperature Measurement: Fahrenheit | Placement: Hanging or freestanding
AcuRite Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
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- Clear markings
- Consistent temperatures
- Handles high heat
- Accurate readings
- Starts registering at 150 degrees Fahrenheit
Another high-heat winner, the Acurite can shift between outdoor grilling and oven roasting with ease. Unfortunately, it does not start registering until 150 degrees Fahrenheit, but it does reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit for those fiery barbecues. The face has markings on the interior for Celsius temperatures of 70 and 350 degrees, even though it is not advertised.
And, on the subject of the face, the display features a bright white background with large black numbers, which makes it easy to read. The glass can withstand high heat without issue, too. It is easy to clean, has a stainless steel construction, and can be hung from the integrated hook or set up on the base.
Size: 4.25 x 8.5 x 7.25 inches | Temperature Measurement: Fahrenheit | Placement: Hanging or freestanding
Cooper Oven Thermometer
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- Compact
- Wide temperature range
- HAACP guidelines on dial
- Celsius and Fahrenheit readings
- Slightly difficult to read
The Cooper-Atkins is a mighty giant when it comes to oven thermometers. It includes both Celsius and Fahrenheit readings and FDA HACCP references for cooking guidelines right on the face. The range is 50 to 300 degrees Celsius and 100 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is clearly marked on the bright white background, dark numbers, and red graduated color wheel.
This affordable option does present a slightly cluttered interface with all that information in such a small package, but with the built-in hanger and stable base, it is a versatile model that offers lots of bang for your buck.
Size: 0.59 x 1.18 x 0.94 inches | Temperature Measurement: Celsius and Fahrenheit | Placement: Hanging or freestanding
ThermoWorks ChefAlarm
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- Easy-to-read digital interface
- Can set multiple temperature alarms
- Comes with a storage case
- Pricey
The ChefAlarm is a versatile tool as it is actually a probe rather than an oven thermometer, but during tests, we found that this easily handles both jobs. While initially designed to cook meats, like large beef or pork roasts, this thermometer is sensitive enough that it can measure the ambient air temperature around it. The display on this thermometer has large numbers making it easy to read, and also includes a volume button, timer, and an alarm, which goes off when the desired oven temperature is reached.
The temperature range is -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. We placed the probe on a piece of aluminum foil, put it on the lower bottom rack, and with the thermometer sitting outside of the oven, took the temperature without having to open the oven door. Thermoworks realized the popular use of this tool and has an optional probe and wire with a rack clip that can be purchased separately so that it can be clipped onto an oven rack. It’s very convenient to have a tool like this with multiple uses, even with a price to match. Plus, the ability to take the temperature of a dish without having to open the door of the oven helps food cook faster.
Size: 5.94 x 2.75 x .75 inches | Temperature Measurement: Celsius and Fahrenheit | Placement: Oven probe and connected freestanding reader
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Final Verdict
The Rubbermaid Instant Read Thermometer is a top choice for mechanized models because of its versatile placement options and wide temperature range. If you are looking for a compact size without compromising on features, go for the Cooper Atkins; it has HACCP guidance, as well as Fahrenheit and Celsius marks, all in a diminutive, stainless steel package.
What to Look for in an Oven Thermometer
Readability
This is the single most important factor when deciding which model to purchase. Bright white backgrounds, large numerals, and clear zone markings will help you see the temperature, even through an oven door. If you cannot clearly read the interface, the thermometer is useless.
Temperature Unit and Range
In some aspects, this is a preference. For most cooks, Fahrenheit readings will suffice, but if you consult recipes with less traditional temperature requirements, Celsius marks may help. The more important aspect of this consideration is the range of temperatures. A wide range of temperatures is optimal; 50 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit will cover most traditional recipes, but for high-heat cooking, grilling, or baking, you may want to look for a thermometer that measures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Placement
Oven thermometers can usually be placed in one of three ways: they come with hooks that hang from an oven rack; they have a base that allows them to stand freely; or they have a probe meant to be placed inside the food you’re cooking. Some thermometers are integrated with multiple options.
Digital or Analog
For many years, all oven thermometers were analog. They had a simple dial with an arrow to indicate temperature. Analog thermometers remain popular today, but now there are plenty of digital options available, too. Digital thermometers usually have long wire probes that go inside the oven while the device itself stays outside. They tend to assess temperature faster than analog thermometers but are more expensive.
The choice between the two comes down to personal preference. Chef and culinary producer Jackie Bakula says, “The digital ones are great, but I kind of like the old-school ones.” She adds that digital thermometers seem to break more often, so she prefers “something that’s not overly expensive, [and] that gives you a basic and accurate reading.”
FAQs
How do you use an oven thermometer?
Start by putting your thermometer in a cold oven on the same rack (hanging or freestanding) where you will place your food. Set your desired cooking temperature, and allow it to preheat. If your oven temperature is registering lower than the one you set, let it continue heating until it reaches the cooking temperature based on your thermometer’s reading. Once the thermometer reaches your desired temperature, place your food in the oven. Check periodically, and adjust the temperature if needed.
How do you calibrate an oven thermometer?
This might be the most important step you can take toward consistent cooking. “I’ve never run into an oven that’s exactly at the right temperature,” says Bakula. “Unless your oven has been calibrated by a professional, I would say always go with a thermometer to be on the safe side.”
To calibrate a thermometer, place it in a cold oven and preheat it to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. When the oven finishes preheating, check the thermometer and record the temperature difference. Repeat this process five times, increasing the oven temperature by 50 degrees each time. Again, record the differences at each interval. Add the variants together and divide by six. This will give you the average temperature your oven varies, hot or cold. Next time you go to preheat your oven, use this calibration to adjust your oven temperature.
How long can you leave an oven thermometer in the oven?
If an oven thermometer is designed properly, you should be able to leave it in an oven for as long as you want. Oven thermometers are made of durable materials designed to withstand high heat.
Where do you place an oven thermometer?
“You always want to place it in the center of the oven,” Bakula tells us. “I like to hang it from the center of a rack.” The center is the most neutral position and closest to the food you’re cooking. Bakula suggests not playing oven thermometers on external surfaces like baking trays “because it will give you an abnormal reading.”
Can you use an oven thermometer in a grill?
Yes, but you must ensure your thermometer has a range between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and not higher than 550-600 degrees Fahrenheit. This will afford accuracy, even when you are smoking food or only have half your grill fired.
How do you clean an oven thermometer?
Over the life of your thermometer, it will encounter oil sprays, baking powder, and other bits of cooking debris. Properly cleaned surfaces will head off readability issues. To make sure you’re getting the most accurate readings possible, first check the packaging to be sure any glass is waterproof. Next, make sure the thermometer is cool. Using warm water and mild detergent, scrub using a soft washcloth, and then rinse and dry at once.
If you are dealing with particularly tough stains and the above does not work, make a paste of baking soda and water, and then spread it over the face of your thermometer. Leave that on for about 15 minutes, and then wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Dry immediately. Baking soda is remarkably good at removing virtually any kitchen stain.
How We Selected
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the top-rated oven thermometers on the market, evaluating their key features, including temperature accuracy and usability. We carefully compared the key components of an excellent oven thermometer, from the quickness of readings to heat resistance. We also looked at reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assess which thermometers were the best for personal needs in your kitchen. We’ve also tested dozens of kitchen and food thermometers in our testing Lab over the years, and have used those insights to select the products on this list.
