It's that time of year again when the temperature drops and we find ourselves reaching for a trusty thermometer. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Fear not my friends, because today we are delving into the world of thermometers to determine once and for all which thermometer truly reigns supreme.
The Classic Mercury Thermometer
Ah yes, the classic mercury thermometer - a staple in every household for decades. It's durable, reliable, and easy to use. However, it does have some downsides like being made from glass (so it's prone to breakage) and containing toxic mercury (yeah...not great). It also takes about 5-8 minutes to get an accurate reading - ain't nobody got time for that!
The Digital Thermometer
In recent years the digital thermometer has taken over as the go-to option for many folks. They're usually quicker than their mercury counterparts providing readings in just 10-30 seconds. Plus they're generally pretty affordable and widely available.
Probe vs Infrared
When it comes down to choosing a digital thermometer there are two main types: probe or infrared.
Probe
The probe works by being placed under your tongue or armpit producing oral or axillary temperatures respectively but could take around 80 seconds.
A huge advantage of probe thermometers is their versatility; they can be used orally , rectally, axillary, tympanic ,where others cannot.So if convenience is what you’re looking after this may well be your weapon of choice when taking temperature measurements.
Plus side note: turns out “rectal” searches are high regarding thermometers.Good times...
The Temporal Artery Thermometer
One type that people don’t really seem familiar with these days is temporal artery thermometers. They use infrared technology and take a reading by being passed across the forehead’s temporal artery. Quick, painless and accurate (in some cases even more so than others). They start to give reading in as little as 2 seconds allowing yourself to rush off for your needed prescription medication with convenient speed.
Infrared
Infrared thermometers are basically magic- or at least they seem like it. These nifty devices take readings without ever making contact with your skin using infrared technology.Their quickness varies but it can range around 1 - 3 seconds.
One of the downsides of infra-red thermometers is that there may be interference from common factors such as dust, dirt or smoke which makes their readings inaccurate.However if one has a degree in rocket-science and have read all user manuals very carefully then this won’t be an issue now would it?
Ear Thermometer
Last but not least is the ear thermometer which uses infra-red tech too.Temperature for these type of tthermometeres aregreatly taken from ear canal.some might argue that taking temperature should only be limited to oral ,rectal ,skin contact under-tongue-armpit types while others will stand by their decision on using ear method due to its hygiene benefits.This process also takes times around 1-3seconds.
Non-Contact Options
For those who want a hands-off option, Non-contact thermonitors provide ease-of-use .These can check room temp variations in addition to reading body temperatures albeit being slightly less precise.Not ideal when you're trying to get really specific readings,but hey,it’s good fun pointing them at your pets.
Here's what we recommend:
| Type | Accuracy | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Accurate | Slow |
| Digital Probe | Accurate & Versatile | Slightly slower than other digital options |
| Digital Infrared | Accurate if properly used | Fast |
| Ear Thermometer | Accurate | Very quick |
| Non-contact | Quick and Hands-free | Less accurate |
All in all,it’s up to you on which thermometer options suits your needs best. But with a plethora of choices out there, we hope our guide helps you make the right decision.Take care !
Disclaimer: The ideas presented here are not medical advice so one has to consult their doctor regarding any health related issues they might have.