Best Rectal Thermometers of 2026
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Rectal thermometers are a highly accurate way to measure body temperature, especially in infants and young children. They are designed to be inserted into the rectum, where they can provide a quick and accurate reading of the body's internal temperature. Many rectal thermometers are made with a flexible tip and a large, easy-to-read display, making them both comfortable and convenient to use. Whether you're a parent caring for a sick child or a healthcare professional monitoring a patient's temperature, a rectal thermometer is an essential tool for accurate temperature measurement.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Rectal Thermometers
Safe and Accurate Oral Thermometer for Adults
A medical-grade thermometer with a soft silicone tip and stainless steel probe that can be used orally, rectally, or underarm. This digital basal thermometer provides a fast and accurate reading in about 10 seconds, with an LCD screen display, beeper alarm, memory function, and auto shut off. It's easy to use, clean, and waterproof, making it convenient and hygienic for you and your family. Plus, it comes with a free storage case for portability.
FridaBaby Quick-Read Digital Thermometer
FridaBaby Quick-Read Digital Thermometer delivers a 10-second quick read and has a parent-proof rectal insertion stopper to prevent over-insertion. It also has a large display with backlight, memory mode, and is water-resistant for easy cleaning. AAP recommends rectal temperature checks for babies up to three years old.
Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer
This rectal thermometer is designed for babies with a short and flexible tip that makes it gentle and safe. The digital display provides a fast and accurate reading of your baby's temperature, making it easy to tell if they have a fever. Vicks is a trusted brand that helps you track your family's symptoms during the cold or flu season. It is one of the most used thermometers by pediatricians.
Boncare Rectal Digital Thermometer 2-Pack
The Boncare Digital Baby Thermometer offers a safe and comfortable way to check temperatures with its soft silicone tip and durable stainless steel probe, making it suitable for both adults and children. You’ll appreciate its quick 10-second reading time, which uses advanced sensors to give you an accurate result fast, helping you decide if rest or medical care is needed. The clear LCD screen makes it easy to read the temperature, and you can switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius as you prefer. Plus, its waterproof tip lets you clean it easily and keep it hygienic, with a handy storage case for use anywhere.
iProven Digital Thermometer for The Whole Family
The iProven Digital Thermometer is a comfortable and reliable thermometer that measures temperature in 10 seconds. The flexible tip ensures comfort and the fever alarm, smiley indicators, and finishing beep make temperature checking easy. Suitable for the whole family, this waterproof thermometer is easy to clean and hygienic. Plus, it comes with a 100-day refund or replacement policy.
Easy@Home Baby Rectal Thermometer
The Easy@Home Baby Rectal Thermometer provides a fast and comfortable reading for infants and newborns. Its short, flexible waterproof probe is designed for rectal use only, providing better accuracy than other models. Equipped with Feverline Indicating Technology, it can easily identify when a fever is present. The display takes only 10 seconds to register the temperature, featuring large numbers that can be easily read by both children and the elderly. It displays temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, and has a long battery life of approximately 200 hours.
Nomeoop Disposable Rectal Thermometer Covers
Nomeoop Cover for Thermometers is designed for larger display and shorter probe rectal thermometers like the Frida model. It provides enhanced protection by covering the entire thermometer, maintaining accuracy without affecting readings. The disposable covers eliminate the need for cleaning, ensuring convenience. With a 2-year warranty, you can rely on PAPA-MEET's support 24/7.
Medline Prelubricated Rectal Thermometer Sheath
The Medline Rectal Thermometer Sheath offers enhanced comfort for patients with its prelubricated design, allowing for a smoother temperature-taking experience. These disposable covers are compatible with most digital thermometers, making them a practical choice for any healthcare provider. By using these sheaths, you can minimize the risk of cross-contamination, promoting better hygiene during examinations. Additionally, the sheaths do not affect the thermometer's accuracy, ensuring that you receive reliable and precise temperature readings every time.
Magique Over the Hill Rectal Thermometer
The Magique Over the Hill Rectal Thermometer is a humorous gift for older men, making it great for retirement parties. It is designed to provide laughs by allowing the user to "find out how hot they really are." However, it should be noted that it is not intended for use by minors and requires assistance.
Snomd Clinical Digital Thermometer
The Snomd Digital Thermometer offers three measurement modes: rectal, oral, and armpit. This versatility allows you to choose the most comfortable method for your family. The thermometer also features a fever alert system, which activates an alarm when a high temperature is detected, ensuring you are promptly informed. Switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit is effortless, letting you easily adjust the settings to your preference. Plus, its flexible tip ensures a gentle and accurate measurement experience for everyone, from infants to seniors, making temperature checks stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are rectal thermometers still used?
Yes, rectal thermometers are still used, especially for taking the temperature of babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a rectal thermometer for accurate results in this age group.
2. What age is best for rectal thermometer?
Rectal thermometers are best for babies younger than 3 months old and kids 6 months to 3 years old. For babies 3 to 6 months old, you can also use a temporal artery or axillary method, but rectal temperature is still preferred.
3. Where do you put a rectal thermometer?
To take a rectal temperature, lay your baby or child on their back, lift their thighs, and insert a lubricated thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch into the rectum. Alternatively, you can place your child on their belly on a firm surface.
4. How accurate are rectal thermometers?
Rectal thermometers provide the most accurate temperature readings. Forehead thermometers are the next most accurate, followed by oral and ear thermometers. Armpit temperatures are the least accurate.
5. What are the disadvantages of rectal thermometer?
Some disadvantages of using a rectal thermometer include the risk of contamination with bacteria and feces, discomfort and embarrassment for the person being measured, and a slight lag in measuring the core temperature compared to other methods.
6. Do rectal temps hurt?
Rectal temperatures do not usually hurt if you use a thermometer designed for rectal use. Most thermometers have an alarm to indicate when the measurement is done, and they provide a digital readout of the temperature.
7. Can you use aquaphor as lube for rectal temp?
Yes, you can use a lubricating jelly such as Aquaphor or Vaseline to lubricate the silver bulb of the rectal thermometer.
8. How accurate is a rectal thermometer for a baby?
Rectal thermometers are accurate for taking a baby's temperature, as are forehead thermometers. After 6 months old, an ear thermometer can also be used. Armpit temperature is suitable for screening purposes if taken correctly.
9. How long do you leave a rectal thermometer in?
When taking a rectal temperature, insert the bulb end of the thermometer into the anal canal no more than 1 inch. Keep the thermometer in place until it beeps or for at least one minute.
10. Do you add 1 degree to rectal thermometer?
Rectal temperatures tend to be about ½ a degree higher than oral temperatures and 1 degree higher than underarm temperatures. A rectal temperature of 100.4-102 degrees Fahrenheit is considered mild fever, 102-103 degrees is moderate fever, and above 103 degrees is high fever.
During our rectal thermometer research, we found 24 rectal thermometer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 246,508 customer reviews through our big data system to write the rectal thermometers list. We found that most customers choose rectal thermometers with an average price of $12.60.
The rectal thermometers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of rectal thermometers, including Boncare, Frida Baby, Vicks, Easy@Home, Nomeoop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 736 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Elisa Drew is a really professional copywriter specializing in baby products with five years of experience working as a pediatrician once. She has published a series of baby books purchased by over thirty thousand people in the United States.
Rectal Thermometers Comparison Table
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| Brand | Boncare | Frida Baby | Vicks | Boncare | iProvèn | Easy@Home | Nomeoop | Medline | BigMouth Inc | Snomd |
| Age Range (Description) | Newborn, infant, toddler, kid, youth, adult | Infant | Baby | Adult | Adult | Kid | Infant and Pets | - | Adult | Infant, Toddler, Kid, Baby, Adult, Older |
| Outer Material | Stainless Steel | Rubber | Glass | Stainless Steel | Plastic | Plastic | Polyethylene | - | Plastic | Plastic |
| Product Care Instructions | Clean with wet wipe and alcohol after each use | Hand Wash Only | Clean the sensor area of the thermometer only by washing with soap and warm water or rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol). Wipe dry with soft cloth. Do not submerge the readout display of the thermometer in water. This will cause the thermometer to no longer function properly. Do not boil or clean in dishwasher. This will cause the thermometer to no longer function and will void the warranty. | Hand Wash Only | Hand Wash Only | Wipe Clean | Wipe Clean | - | Wipe Clean | Wipe Clean |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count | 1.0 Count | 1 Count | 2.0 Count | 1 Count | 1.0 Count | 100.0 Count | - | 1.0 Count | 1.0 Count |
| Special Feature | Alarm, Auto Off, Fast Reading System, High Accuracy, Low Battery Indicator | Fast Reading System | High Accuracy | High Accuracy | High Accuracy | Waterproof | High Accuracy, Waterproof | - | - | Alarm, Auto Off, High Accuracy, Large Display, Waterproof |
| Color | Dark Blue | Blue, White | White/Blue | Light Blue+Green | Grey | Blue | - | - | As Shown | DT008 |
| Display Type | Digital | Digital | LCD | LCD | Digital | Liquid crystal display | - | - | Analog | LCD |
| Specification Met | ISO 13485 | - | FDA | FDA | Beep | FDA, ISO 13485 | - | - | - | FDA |
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