If you’re shopping for a thermometer to suit kids, there are several factors to consider. First, you need a design which is responsive — if you’re dealing with a young, unwell child, they’re unlikely to hold still for long, so the readings need to be quick and accurate. You also want a thermometer which is comfortable for the child to use. Some may not like their temperature being taken via the ear or the mouth. To avoid contact completely, you could invest in a no-touch forehead thermometer, although these will likely cost you more.
A thermometer which you can mute may also be ideal, particularly if the child is trying to sleep while you take their temperature. Lastly, the temperature level upon reaching a fever will vary by age, and some thermometers can actually be adjusted to take account of this. This is why the Braun ThemoScan 7 was ranked as the best thermometer for kids in our tests. It offers three age settings, from 0-3 months, 3-36 months and 36 months +, so it can warn you when a fever is reached at a younger age via its red, amber and green backlight. While it is an in-ear thermometer, we like that it comes with a pre-warmed tip to limit discomfort.