Enjoy Perfectly Cooked Turkeys With These Shopper-Loved Meat Thermometers Under $20

Using a meat thermometer is the only way to ensure food is safely cooked to your desired level of doneness. There’s no amount of finger poking or other methods for testing food doneness that even come close to the accuracy you get when using a thermometer. Many of these thermometers even come with a handy temperature guide ranging from rare to well-done for meats and poultry. Best of all, these thermometers are more affordable than ever. 

These thermometers monitor food's internal temperature and take the guesswork out of making a perfectly cooked turkey, juicy prime rib, or flavorful lamb roast. Most can withstand higher temperature readings, making them perfect for deep frying or candy-making. Digital thermometers are often more precise than analog ones, but both can usually be calibrated.

Best Overall Meat Thermometers Under $20

• ThermoPro Dual Probe Thermometer with Alarm, $20, originally $29
• Sovarcate Meat Thermometer and Infrared Thermometer Combo Pack $19
• ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer, $11, originally $15
• GoodCook Analog Leave-in Thermometer, $7, originally $10
• Taylor Digital Wired Probe Thermometer with Timer, $16
• Royal Gourmet Square Grill Thermometer, $10
• ThermoPro Thermometer with Long Probe, $11, originally $15
• Rubbermaid Pocket Size Food/Meat Thermometer, $6, originally $8
• Haushof Instant Read Thermometer, $17
• Pilita Digital Meat Thermometer, $16, originally $20

ThermoPro Dual Probe Thermometer with Alarm

This thermometer is at the top of the list because it has two styles of thermometers built into one. An instant-read thermometer and leave-in digital probe are built into this compact, rechargeable unit. This means you can monitor one part of the food with the probe and get instant temperature readings on other areas until it’s cooked perfectly. Shoppers love the built-in alarm and bottle opener for staying hydrated during a longer cook like brisket or ribs.

Sovarcate Meat Thermometer and Infrared Thermometer Combo Pack

One of the great things about this combo pack is that having a digital probe thermometer and an infrared thermometer allows you to keep tabs on the grill, smoker, or barbecue pit temperatures with one device and check the doneness of your food with the other. Especially good for griddle cooking, these thermometers are straightforward, lightweight, and ideal for cooking steaks, chops, and burgers. The infrared thermometer accurately gives temperature readings up to 1112°F in a fraction of a second, giving you more than enough time to double-click your grill tongs.

ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Fast and accurate, the ThermoPro Instant Read Meat Thermometer is compact with a probe that’s only 3.9 inches long. It displays internal temp in 3 to 4 seconds, accurate to ±0.9 degrees. At this price, it’s no surprise this thermometer has over 12,600 5-star ratings, with shoppers saying they’re reliable and affordable!

GoodCook Analog Leave-in Thermometer

A true analog meat thermometer, the temperature range of this device is from 120° to 200°F — well within the zone of your desired doneness for any meat. It arrives pre-calibrated with an NSF certification and has temperature recommendations for beef, pork, poultry, lamb, ham, and veal. One Amazon customer loved the old-fashioned thermometer “that worked no matter what” and wanted to just “forget batteries.”

Taylor Digital Wired Probe Thermometer with Timer

With a 4-foot cord, you can effortlessly monitor food temperatures without opening the oven, smoker, or barbecue. You’ll love that a timer and customizable alarm are built into this thermometer so you know exactly when to flip, baste, or set the table.

Royal Gourmet Square Grill Thermometer

The perfect thermometer for someone on the go, the Royal Gourmet Square Grill Thermometer has a thinner probe than most, making it easy to slide into thinner foods like steaks or burgers. Its built-in bottle opener is a bonus, making it the thermometer I’ll be using for camping or tailgating. 

ThermoPro Thermometer with Long Probe

With a super long 5.3-inch probe, this thermometer is perfect for checking food temperatures without getting too close to the heat source. With a temperature range from 58° to 572°F, it’s ideal for a fish fry or deep frying a turkey. ThermoPro thermometers are one of our favorite thermometers, but almost 23,000 reviewers give it five stars, saying that it “works well and is precise” and that it’s “easy to use” and durable.

Rubbermaid Pocket Size Food/Meat Thermometer

There's a reason you see chefs using the Rubbermaid meat thermometer. You’ll love this thermometer because it's reliable, compact, and requires no batteries. Dishwasher-safe and designed for professional kitchens, it will be a workhorse in your kitchen.

Haushof Instant Read Thermometer 

Futuristic styling meets functionality with the Haushof Instant Read Thermometer. With a super-fast readout in about two seconds, you can preset a custom target temperature or use the various preset doneness options to know when it’s time to eat. 

Pilita Digital Meat Thermometer 

Like other digital leave-in probe thermometers, the Pilita meat thermometer allows you to set a timer or alarm to alert you when your food needs attention. Over 4,000 5-star ratings, with one Amazon shopper saying it’s “a game-changer” and the “standout feature is the built-in timer.” This digital thermometer can reach temperatures up to 572°F and has various cooking modes for grilling, smoking, and use in the oven.