We Put 21 Wireless Grill Thermometers to the Test—These 6 Were the Best

Thermometers are an essential tool for accurate cooking. They can help you dial in the temperature of sugar syrup, maintain a consistent oil temperature for deep frying, and—of course—nail the ideal temperature for roasted, seared, grilled, or smoked meat. For simple kitchen tasks, we like instant-read thermometers. We’ve also reviewed basic leave-in probe thermometers, which are ideal for in-oven use. They’ll also work in an outdoor cooking situation, like a grill or smoker. But for super accurate temperatures and long-term monitoring grilled and smoked meats, a wireless grill thermometer can make the experience easier and less stressful, allowing you to monitor temperatures from afar.

We put 20 to the test—actually, six tests—to find the best wireless grill thermometers. We evaluated them on accuracy, ease of use, and design. These thermometers fell into two categories: wired, with a wireless receiver you can carry with you to monitor progress even when you’re not at the grill, or a totally wireless receiver that sends information to an app on your phone. Ultimately, the type that’s best for you depends on how much information you want to digest (wireless apps tend to offer more data) and how much money you want to spend.

The Tests

• Setup and Programming Test: We read the manufacturer’s instructions and set up the thermometer, including adding batteries and familiarizing ourselves with the buttons, probes, and compatible apps (when applicable). We evaluated the thermometers for features, design, and ease of use.
• Immersion Circulator Water Bath Test: To observe the accuracy and consistency of a thermometer over time, we set up a water bath to hold at 134˚F, then inserted a probe two inches into the water a total of five times. We recorded the temperature reading immediately and averaged the results (disregarding the reading with the most variable result) to evaluate whether the probe gave consistent and reliable readings.
• Boiling Water Test: To test the thermometers’ accuracy at boiling temperature, we heated a pot of water to 212˚F and inserted the probe into the water in the center of the pot. We averaged four readings to determine if the thermometer could accurately and consistently register a boiling temperature.
• Ice Water Test: After filling a plastic deli container with ice water and letting it sit for three minutes to properly chill, we repeated the methodology from the water bath and boiling water test, taking five readings and averaging the four most consistent. 
• Pork Loin Grill Test: After the above basic functionality tests were completed, we tested the thermometers in a grilling environment. We seasoned and seared pork tenderloin on a grill, then inserted a thermometer probe into the center of the meat. We set the thermometer’s alarm to go off once the pork loin reached 134˚F, and, when applicable, set a stopwatch in the app to monitor the time it took. 
• Wireless Capabilities Test: We tested the range on the models with receivers by walking away from the grill with the receiver in our hands, monitoring whether the connection was interrupted or stalled. For the models with app connectivity, we walked with our phones and observed whether the app’s real-time updates were halted or disconnected in any way.

What We Learned

Wired vs. Wireless Connectivity Is a Personal Choice

Our list of winners includes thermometers that are a combination of wired and wireless (the connection to the probe is attached to a device that sits on or near the grill, along with a separate receiver) and exclusively wireless (you can monitor and adjust the settings and target temperature from an app on your phone). When looking at our list of test subjects as a whole, there were standouts and low-performers in both categories, so the type of model you end up with should be primarily a matter of preference. Folks looking to go minimal will want to avoid high-tech models like the MEATER Plus and the FireBoard 2. But if you go nuts for data and push notifications, thermometers that make use of apps are great picks.

The Ideal Number of Probe Ports Was Subjective, Too

How Many Probes Did Our Favorite Thermometers Have?
	Number of Probes
ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer	1
ThermoWorks Smoke Remote Alarm Thermometer	2
Meater Plus Meat Thermometer	1
FireBoard FBX2 Leave-In Probe Thermometer	6
ThermoWorks RFX Wireless Probe Starter Kit	2
ThermPro TP20 Wireless Meat Thermometer	2

You may be tempted to splurge on the wireless grill thermometer with the most probe ports. After all, that means you can cook a lot of meat at once, and keep track of it all. But before you make the purchase, take a moment to consider how you typically grill. Do you prefer grilling quick-cooking foods, like steaks, over high heat? If so, you only need a wireless thermometer with one port, like the ThermoWorks BlueDOT, to take the temperature of the meat. If you want to smoke food over a long, slow session, you'll need at least two ports: one for the ambient temperature of the grill or smoker. Having three or more ports means you can temp multiple cuts of meat at once. One of our favorite wireless thermometers, the FireBoard 2, has six probe ports, making it the best for multi-project smoking.

Wireless Range Was Key When Using an App

If you’re grilling with a wireless probe thermometer through an app, maintaining WiFi connectivity as you roam about your yard is crucial. The thermometers we liked best could maintain an impressively far-reaching connection: up to 350 feet, for the ThermoWorks Smoke and a truly impressive 1500-foot range for the ThermoWorks RFX Wireless Probe System. The connection was strongest on the SMoke when we stayed outdoors. Walls tended to interrupt the connection but the Smoke again excelled with the ability to work indoors, as long as the receiver was kept with us. Some models, like the MEATER Plus, pinged to let us know they were back online once in range again. The RFX was by far the best when it came to keeping a signal even when we went inside, thanks to the Gateway, which connects to your WiFi.

Accuracy Was Standard; the Difference Was in the Special Features

With a couple of exceptions (the Yummly Smart Thermometer and the ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer), all the thermometers we tested were accurate enough for us to confidently recommend. For most cooks, a few degrees won’t make or break a smoking session, so on the point of accuracy alone, we can confidently recommend many of the models in our review. But the bells and whistles are what sets our winning models apart.

The ThermoWorks BlueDOT, for example, maintained a clear connection up to 50 yards from the grill during our wireless capabilities test. You’ll pay more for flashy added benefits, as evidenced in the price difference among our winners. The most basic design, the Thermoworks Smoke Remote BBQ Alarm Thermometer, didn't have the option to control and monitor your meat from an app, but it was also the least expensive.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Wireless Grill Thermometer

The best wireless grill thermometers are easy and intuitive to set up, program, and adjust—whether that is done on the device display screen or through an app. Their alarms are loud and clear, with decibel ratings over 80. This was particularly crucial in evaluating wired thermometers, as cooks may not be directly near the display when the meat reaches the target temperature. Finally, if an app is required for use, it should be data-rich, easy to navigate, and glitch-free. 

Our Favorite Wireless Grill Thermometers

What we liked: This thermometer may not have it all, but it comes close. It's far and away the best Bluetooth meat thermometer we tested. The base is outfitted with a truly simple, intuitive-to-use display screen that can be programmed with the push of a couple of buttons. Download the app, and you have access to more precise and data-filled information about the cook time and temperature. The app can be used to dial in technique, with places for notes and comparative graphs of cooking time and adjusted target temperatures. You can even share a grilling session with another device. A unique feature was the ability to set a minimum temperature, which would alert you to the need to add more fuel to the fire in the case of an unexpectedly long grilling session. The alarm is loud and clear, with a decibel rating of 91.5.

What we didn’t like: With the option for only one probe, you can’t monitor ambient grill temperature as you cook the meat.

Key Specs

• Temperature range: -58°F to 572°F
• Type of connectivity: Wired connection with a digital display and app accessibility
• App compatible?: Yes
• Number of probes included: 1
• Type of base: Magnetic base with digital display, as well as an app
  

What we liked: Although this thermometer is comparatively simple, we appreciated its highly accurate readings and the ability to monitor the internal temperature of the meat and the ambient temperature of the grill or smoker. The base contains all the relevant information needed for cooking to temperature, and its display screen is large and clear. It's very easy to read and adjust. The wireless receiver has an impressive range—about 350 feet from the grill.

What we didn’t like: There’s no count-up function, so if you want to track how long it takes to cook, you’ll need to set a stopwatch or use your phone. Although the main device has four different alarm volume options, the wireless receiver only comes with one, which we measured at 10 decibels less than the main device.

Key Specs

• Temperature range: -58°F to 572°F
• Type of connectivity: Wired connection with wireless receiver
• App compatible?: No
• Number of probes included: 2 (for meat and ambient temperature)
• Type of base: Magnetic main receiver; wireless receiver

What we liked: This handsome, minimalist thermometer is a looker, and comes in a few different models (the difference is in the wood stain on the base). It’d be great for gifting. We were impressed by the data-rich app, which was somehow full of metrics and notifications without feeling cluttered or overwhelming. Also of note were the real-time adjustments to the projected cook time, as the probe clocked the meat’s progress. 

What we didn’t like: The design on the actual device may be too spartan, as there’s no readout or display at all on the probe and its attachment. The app may be too talkative for some, with push notifications and updates coming in hot. We also noted that, although there were 11 different tones to choose from when setting the target temperature, the actual alarm was quiet, and would be hard to hear if the cook’s phone was not on their person.

Key Specs

• Temperature range: Up to 527°F
• Type of connectivity: Wireless connection accessed through an app
• App compatible?: Yes; app required for use
• Number of probes included: 1
• Type of base: Holder is for storage only; temperature is monitored through the app

What we liked: A previous winner in our leave-in probe thermometer review, the FireBoard 2 is an undeniably serious tool for folks looking to cook multiple cuts of meat at one time. It comes with six unique probe ports (and six probes, so you don’t have to buy the extras separately). The probes themselves are a generous five inches, with six-foot-long cables, giving them a large reach. In the app, you can name, track, and analyze the results of your smoking sessions to determine what works and what needs tweaking. There’s a small port on the base that connects to a fan, which can be controlled via the app to adjust the temperature.

What we didn’t like: At almost $200, this thermometer is the most expensive on our list. Although there is also a readout display on the wireless receiver base, it’s small and much less detailed than the app; you should plan on having your phone handy to monitor progress.

Key Specs

• Temperature range: -94°F to 752°F
• Type of connectivity: Wireless connection accessed through an app, as well as a receiver with basic information
• App compatible?: Yes
• Number of probes included: 6
• Type of base: Wireless receiver, as well as an app

What we liked: Normally, app-driven thermometers give us pause—they often lose a signal and, well, there goes tracking your slow-roasted pork shoulder. But the RFX system was a breath of fresh air: Thanks to the Gateway receiver, the app never lost connection to the probes, even when we moved inside. It was also really easy to set a high and low alarm, and we liked that you could track temperatures over time on the app.

What we didn't like: While the stated battery life for the Gateway and probes is quite long, we found it a bit shorter when we used it. The app, while overall great, contained loads of information, which was sometimes overwhelming.

Key Specs

• Temperature range: 14°F to 212°F
• Type of connectivity: Wireless connection via radio frequency
• App compatible?: Yes
• Number of probes included: 2
• Type of base: Wireless receiver, as well as an app

What we liked: With a response time of 6.3 seconds, this was a fast—and accurate— thermometer. It uses radio frequency to transmit temperatures from the probe to the base, which is less finicky than thermometers that use Bluetooth or WiFi. This feature makes it great if you're, say, smoking a pork butt overnight and don't want to be tied to the grill.

What we didn't like: This thermometer struggled with cold temperatures and had a five-second lag in response time.

Key Specs

• Temperature range: 14˚F to 572˚F
• Type of connectivity: Wireless connection via radio frequency
• App compatible?: No
• Number of probes included: 2
• Type of base: Wireless receiver

The Competition

• ThermoWorks DOT Simple Alarm Thermometer: This minimalist thermometer is the app-free version of the BlueDot that made our winners list. It’s a good base model, although we found minor annoyances, like an overly fiddly process for setting the target temperature. It’s around $45 and worth that very fair price.
• Weber iGrill 2: With blunt probes, a very quiet alarm that we struggled to hear, and confusing setup instructions, this two-probe thermometer left a lot to be desired.
• Weber Connect 3201 WiFi Enabled Smart Grilling Hub: This model builds on the Weber iGrill 2, with app-accessed data. We found the app to be necessary for ideal use because the alarm is quiet. But with a similar range to the iGrill2, we don’t think the $140 cost is a good value.
• OXO Good Grips Chef’s Precision: This thermometer offers presets for basic cuts of meat, although you can also manually set the target temperature. Its bare-bones features and low score in our accuracy test put this one at the bottom end of our results.
• Taylor 1478-21 Digital Cooking Thermometer: One of the most simple wireless grill thermometers we tested, this beginner-friendly, no-frills model can be used straight out of the box. However, we were concerned the rubber coating could cause issues when used in very high-heat situations.
• ThermoPro TP28: This wired thermometer with a wireless receiver has a lot going for it: nice range, loud volume, and presets as well as the option to manually program your target temperature. We docked points for the steep learning curve in setup and first-time use.
• ThermoPro TP25 4 Probe Bluetooth Remote Meat Thermometer: Four color-coded probes give this app-forward model a step up. The app is data-rich, although it’s not the best model for those looking for a phone-free option, or for cooks who don’t want to grill more than one cut of meat at a time.
• Polder Classic Combination Digital In-Oven Programmable Meat Thermometer & Timer: This was one of the least expensive models we tested. Its basic functionality, so-so features, and mildly concerning plastic-handled probe all reflect that.
• Lavatools Element: During testing, we found this thermometer to be overly complicated, with a requirement a high, low, and ambient temperature be set before monitoring can begin. Multiple trips back to the user’s manual were required when testing.
• Cuisinart Bluetooth Easy Connect Meat Thermometer (CGWM-043/CBT-100): The setup was simple and the alarm was sufficiently loud, but with a connectivity range that quit at just 20 yards, we weren’t impressed with the wireless component of this wireless grill thermometer. Since testing, this thermometer has been discontinued.
• NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer: This model was full of good ideas without the follow-through. It has six ports but comes with just two probes, and when the target temperature was reached, we received no notification or alert on our phones.
• Soraken Wireless Thermometer: The Soraken doesn’t require WiFi to work, which is a bonus in beach and camp settings. But its app was a little too buggy and confusing to use to recommend it confidently. As of April 2024, it no longer appears to be for sale. As of July 2024, it appears to be discontinued.
• GrillEye Max Wireless Smart Thermometer: Troubleshooting setup and Bluetooth connection were frustrating with this thermometer, as was toggling to set target time and temperatures. The device constantly turned on and off during testing, and struggled to stay WiFi connected when close to the grill. GrillEye is no longer manufacturing wireless thermometers, and this product has been discontinued.
• ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer: We liked this intuitive app-forward thermometer, but found the special features to be frivolous rather than helpful: Who needs 350 sound options for an alarm?
• Yummly Smart Thermometer: This model relies on an app, which struggled to keep up with the functionality of other models we tested. The only way to adjust sound features was with the volume button on your mobile device. The instructions suggest keeping it within five feet of the grill for accurate readings. Like many of the wireless thermometers we tested, this one has been discontinued.

FAQs

How do wireless grill thermometers work? 

To use a wireless grill thermometer, a metal probe is inserted into the meat, which attaches to a base kept outside the grill or smoker. The probe reads the current real-time temperature of the meat and sends that information to a wireless receiver. The receiver may be a separate piece of technology that can be carried with you or an app accessed through your phone.

What are the best thermometers for smokers?

If you're using a grill thermometer on a smoker, get one with at least two ports for probes. That will allow you to monitor the temperature of the meat and the ambient temperature of the grill. The FireBoard 2 has a whopping six ports, which is why we think it's the best thermometer for smoking.

Can you use a wireless grill thermometer in the oven? 

Sure! The only safety point you’d need to consider is maximum temperature. But because most grills can get hotter than a residential oven, you’re probably safe to use your grill thermometer inside, for an oven roast. We've also reviewed oven thermometers here.

Do you leave a wireless grill thermometer in meat while it cooks?

Yep. That's what it's designed for. Unlike instant-read thermometers, wireless probe thermometers are meant to stay in a cut of meat throughout the cooking process. A digital display or compatible app will let you monitor the temperatures in real time as it rises.

How do you calibrate a wireless grill thermometer? 

Some grill thermometer manufacturers will recalibrate them for a fee (the FireBoard costs about $50). You can also calibrate your grill thermometer at home. Fill a container with ice and top it off with cold water. Let it sit for three minutes, then stir the water and place the probe into the center of the container, at a depth of two inches. The temperature should read 32 degrees; if not, your thermometer needs to be calibrated. Some digital thermometers have a calibration button that can be pushed when put in a stable temperature, like ice water. That will reset the thermometer. You can also try replacing the batteries to see if that provides a more accurate reading. If you can’t calibrate at home and don’t want to pay the manufacturer to do it, you can just do a little math when calculating and monitoring your desired temperature.

Why We're the Experts

• For this review, we tested 21 wireless grill thermometers, evaluating how well they took the temperature of meats, how easy they were to use, and more.
• Rochelle Bilow is an editor at Serious Eats. She has written many of the reviews on the site, including charcoal grills and gas smokers.
• Rochelle formerly worked as an editor at Bon Appétit and Cooking Light.