Comforting a sick baby is never easy. Between the sniffles, coughs, fevers and middle-of-the-night wake-ups, everyone’s exhausted (and inevitably ends up sick). That’s why finding the perfect set of tools—like the best baby thermometers—for your family to handle inevitable illness in stride is so important. Even when your family is healthy, which might seem to be a rarity in these viral times, having an accurate baby thermometer can provide some peace of mind.

She's knows how to put a smile on your face Digital Thermometer

With so many options on the market, I spoke with several pediatricians in order to find the most accurate and best baby thermometers. Between traditional thermometers, digital ones and no-touch options, it might feel overwhelming to any parent to select the right one. Dr. Jessica Madden, a pediatrician, lactation consultant and newborn specialist who is also board-certified in neonatology and the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps, was happy to explain the merits of each type of thermometer as it pertains to babies: “Rectal thermometers are the most accurate to be able to tell if a newborn or young infant has a fever,” Dr. Madden says. “Once an infant is older than about 3 months, a temporal (forehead) or ear thermometer is totally fine to use to determine body temperature. I prefer temporal thermometers because they are less invasive than ear ones and can be used when children are asleep.”

In researching for this article, I interviewed three additional pediatricians to get a comprehensive view of what to look for when purchasing a baby thermometers: Dr. Mona Amin, Dr. Ruth Kanthula and Dr. Paul Patterson. I also factored in customer reviews and personal parental experience to create a list of the eight best baby thermometers to consider for your family. Stay healthy and be sure to read on at the end for more information about baby thermometers.

What makes this the best baby thermometer overall? It checks all the boxes the pediatricians I spoke with outlined: it’s digital; it’s not glass; it lights up; and it’s rectum-friendly. I’ve used this thermometer in my own household, so I can also confirm it’s trusty and easy to use. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a rectal thermometer until age 3, so I wanted something baby specific that would only be used for that purpose. This thermometer offers a quick 10-second reading, which works well with a squirming baby. The display lights up, making it easy to discern your baby’s temperature, no matter how light or dark it is. It also can store up to 10 previous readings so you can keep track of your babies wellness as needed. But my favorite feature of this thermometer is the parent-proof stopper and flexible tip that allow you to see exactly how far the thermometer needs to be inserted. As a new parent, I found this to be extremely helpful.

This $10 thermometer offers an 8-second read and can be used to obtain a temperature orally, under the arm or rectally. The quick read and the multipurpose function make this a popular option with parents, many of whom called it “easy to use” and “convenient” in the reviews. It’s worth noting, however, that once a thermometer is used rectally, it shouldn’t be used otherwise for hygiene reasons. Some reviewers did note that back-to-back readings by this baby thermometer varied, while others complained that it arrived with low or non-functioning batteries.

This Vicks digital thermometer is similar to the FridaBaby option in that it also has a flexible tip with short probe for safe insertion, a 10-second reading and backlit display. It’s waterproof and easy to clean, whereas the FridaBaby is only water resistant. The reason I opted to select the FridaBaby as best overall as opposed to this well-reviewed selection is that I found the former to be more comfortable (this Vicks rectal thermometer is pretty chunky) to hold and the 10-reading memory function especially helpful for sleep-deprived newborn parents. Reviewers say the Vicks thermometer provides “consistent readings” but may not be as waterproof as advertised.

This Vava smart baby thermometer makes monitoring a baby’s fluctuating temperature exceptionally easy. Using its silicone adhesive patch, simply stick the thermometer onto baby’s underarm to nab a reading of their temperature. If it detects a high temperature, the system beeps and blinks red. It’s wireless, FDA approved and has battery that allows for 24 hours of continuous use. It also fully charges after 1.5 hours. The downside with this thermometer is that it isn’t suitable for babies under 3 months of age, and as we pointed out, rectal thermometers are the best options for kids ages 3 and under. Yet, many reviewers point out how easy this device makes it to monitor a child’s temperature while they’re asleep, and others like it because it can be used on the whole family and is generally “simple to use.” Unfortunately, this smart baby thermometer is out of stock on many sites and the remainders are selling for nearly a $100 on Amazon.

If you’re looking for an accurate and safe baby thermometer option that’s not a rectal thermometer, an ear thermometer is a smart option. This Braun model uses infrared technology and allows for a reading in just seconds. It also flashes a light and beeps to ensure correct placement and has a soft, flexible tip for babies comfort. It even has a memory function to store 8-readings and an easy to read digital LED screen. Our baby gear editor has used the Braun ear thermometers for her kids for years and finds them accurate. “I’ve tried my fair share of thermometers over the years, and these Braun ones consistently demonstrate accurate temps whenever my kids have fevers,” says Rose Gordon Sala, baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. “I like how easy it is to use as well, and I use it on the whole family.” Another reviewer, who works as a health care professional wrote: “I have used many different tympanic type thermometers in the past and The Braun is by far the easiest and quickest that I can think of. I have always found them to be accurate and fast.”

When selecting a thermometer to monitor your baby’s health, there are few things better than a doctor recommendation. Dr. Madden highlighted the Exergen Smart Scanner thermometer as her personal and professional favorite. “My favorite monitor for home use for both babies and children is Exergen’s Smart Scanner temporal (forehead) thermometer. It is easy to use, non-invasive and can be used for all ages including adults,” she says. “I use this one for my own children, as well as for all of the newborns and infants I see for in-home visits.” Simply press and hold the bottom button while scanning this over your child’s forehead and the digital temperature reading appears almost instantly.

If your baby is over the age of 3 months, a no-touch forehead thermometer can be a great option for taking the temperatures of the entire family. When asked what a parent should look for in a thermometer, developmental-behavioral pediatrician Paul Patterson said he had no specific brand recommendations but that parents should “look for a digital thermometer that is water-resistant, provides a fever alert and is not glass.” This Amazon bestseller option fits the bill and can be used on adults, too. It has nearly 77,000 reviews and an overall 4.6 out of 5-star rating, with reviewers frequently calling it, “simple to use” and “accurate.”

This thermometer be used orally, rectally or under the arm, and it connects to a smartphone app where you can store temperature readings and get tips on the next steps. It offers a reading in 8 seconds or less and, with the Kinsa app, offers further information based on the age, temperature and symptoms of the person whose temperature is taken. This can be especially helpful for new parents who might be wondering if a fever merits a call to the pediatrician. Reviewers like that you can create multiple profiles on the app and thermometer to keep track of everyone in your family’s health. One reviewer called it a “[parent] must have” and another confirmed that its “very accurate.” 

I interviewed three pediatricians to gather their recommendations on what to look for in a baby thermometer before pulling together this list. I then used their advice to narrow down my top picks while also relying on my own firsthand experience with baby thermometers. I also pored over reviews from parents and analyzed bestsellers for must-have features.

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I’m a digital media executive recognized for building engaging content experiences that delight and inspire audiences. As Chief Product Officer of Forbes, I lead a team of world-class product managers, designers, e-commerce leaders, and other experts focused on building the products that shape the Forbes brand across the web, mobile, social, and emerging platforms.

I’m the Deputy Editor for Forbes Vetted and though I started out in New Jersey, I am currently living in Los Angeles. After college, I served in the Air Force where I operated satellites, taught space operations and performed space launch planning. 

After that, I spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, I have photographed wolves in their natural environment; I have been a scuba instructor; I co-hosted several podcasts including the popular Battlestar Recaptica. Currently, I'm one half of a podcast called Rick and Dave Control the Universe. 

I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored an interactive storybook for kids. I have contributed to sites including CNET, PC World and Business Insider before joining Forbes Vetted.

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I’m a freelance writer who covers the outdoors, the environment and travel. Before diving into a writing career, I spent years in the outdoor industry as a backpacking guide running multi-day trips in Yosemite, Yellowstone, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland but now live in Salt Lake City, Utah where I spend my time trail running, climbing, and biking. You can see my work in other publications like Outside, Climbing, and SELF, or on my website: www.hannah-singleton.com.

Margaret Eby is a writer and editor who splits her time between Philadelphia and Brooklyn. She's contributed to The New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Food & Wine, and New York Magazine, among others. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram @margareteby.

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I'm a writer specializing in the outdoors and travel. I splits my time between Alaska and Colorado, where when I'm not writing, I spend my time camping, hiking, fishing, and snowboarding (often with dogs in tow). My byline can also be found in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and beyond. Connect with me on Instagram (@byebaileyberg) and Twitter (@baileybergs).

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A CPT, mat Pilates instructor, and nutrition coach, Leoni works with a variety of clients in the studio and one-on-one. She is passionate about helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle .

Laboratory Analyzer Leoni earned a master’s degree in business management from the University of Edinburgh and is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer and Train Fitness mat Pilates instructor