Choose an infrared thermometer for surfaces around the house
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Quick answer
An infrared thermometer reads a surface's temperature from a distance when you pull the trigger. Etekcity's Lasergrip 774 covers -58 to 842 degrees F with a 12:1 spot ratio, and the Lasergrip 1080 reaches 1,130 degrees F with adjustable emissivity. Milwaukee's 2267-20 reads -22 to 752 degrees F and survives 6 ft drops, and Fluke's 62 MAX reads -22 to 932 degrees F with IP54 protection and a 3-year warranty. Etekcity says its Lasergrip models are for objects only, not people or animals.
- Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Upgrade Infrared Thermometer. Best for: Kitchen, fridge and household checks. See options on Amazon
- Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer. Best for: Higher temperatures and adjustable emissivity. See options on Amazon
- Milwaukee 2267-20 10:1 Infrared Temp-Gun. Best for: Rough use in a garage or shop. See options on Amazon
- Fluke 62 MAX Infrared Thermometer. Best for: Dust, water and drop resistance. See options on Amazon
What an infrared thermometer is for
An IR thermometer measures the temperature of a surface without touching it. Milwaukee says its 2267-20 measures surface temperatures, and Etekcity lists uses such as cooking, ovens, grilling, automotive work, air conditioners and refrigerators for its Lasergrip models.
In an outage or a cold snap, a quick surface reading can help you check a fridge shelf, a heating vent or an engine part. For food safety, keep an appliance thermometer inside the fridge and freezer as well; see our refrigerator thermometer guide.
Not for people or pets
Etekcity says its Lasergrip is intended for use on inanimate objects only and that measuring the temperature of a human or animal is unsafe. For body temperature, use a thermometer made for people.
Distance-to-spot ratio
The distance-to-spot ratio tells you how big an area the thermometer reads at a given distance. Milwaukee explains its 10:1 ratio as measuring a 1 ft spot from 10 ft away. Etekcity lists 12:1 on its Lasergrip 774 and 1080, so the same 1 ft spot is read from 12 ft. Fluke lists 10:1 on the 62 MAX.
Stand closer to small targets so the spot does not include the background.
Range, emissivity and accuracy
Range sets how hot or cold a surface you can read: -58 to 842 degrees F (Etekcity 774), -58 to 1,130 degrees F (Etekcity 1080), -22 to 752 degrees F (Milwaukee 2267-20) and -22 to 932 degrees F (Fluke 62 MAX).
Emissivity is how well a surface gives off infrared heat. The Etekcity 774 and Milwaukee 2267-20 use a fixed 0.95, while the Etekcity 1080 and Fluke 62 MAX adjust from 0.1 to 1.0, which lets you set the value for the material you are reading.
Accuracy: Etekcity lists plus or minus 2% or 2 degrees C on the 1080, and plus or minus 3.6 degrees F below 212 degrees F on the 774. Fluke lists plus or minus 1.5 degrees C or 1.5% of reading, whichever is greater, with wider tolerance below 0 degrees C.
Toughness and batteries
Milwaukee says the 2267-20 survives 6 ft drops with a reinforced frame and bumpered nose, and offers Hold, Max, Min, Avg and Diff modes plus a high and low temperature alert. It ships with a 9V battery. Fluke lists IP54 protection, a 3 meter drop test, one AA battery for about 10 hours with the laser and backlight on, and a 3-year warranty.
The Etekcity models run on 2 AAA batteries and shut off after 15 seconds. Keep spares in your kit; see our battery guides.
What to look for when you buy
Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Upgrade Infrared Thermometer
Best for: Kitchen, fridge and household checks
Etekcity lists -58 to 842 degrees F, a 12:1 spot ratio, fixed 0.95 emissivity, a reading in under half a second, 2 AAA batteries, 15 second auto-off and 0.25 lb.
Watch out: Fixed emissivity; for objects only, not people or animals.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer
Best for: Higher temperatures and adjustable emissivity
Etekcity lists -58 to 1,130 degrees F, plus or minus 2% or 2 degrees C, 0.1 to 1.0 adjustable emissivity, a 12:1 spot ratio and 2 AAA batteries.
Watch out: Etekcity notes discounts vary by color; check the exact model.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Milwaukee 2267-20 10:1 Infrared Temp-Gun
Best for: Rough use in a garage or shop
Milwaukee lists -22 to 752 degrees F surface readings, a 10:1 spot ratio, fixed 0.95 emissivity, 6 ft drop survival, Hold, Max, Min, Avg and Diff modes, a high/low alert and an included 9V battery.
Watch out: Milwaukee's page does not list accuracy; see the manual.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fluke 62 MAX Infrared Thermometer
Best for: Dust, water and drop resistance
Fluke lists -22 to 932 degrees F, plus or minus 1.5 degrees C or 1.5%, 0.10 to 1.00 emissivity, a 10:1 spot ratio, IP54, a 3 meter drop test, one AA battery and a 3-year warranty.
Watch out: Single laser; the 62 MAX+ is a separate 12:1 model.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Can you use an infrared thermometer on people?
- Not these. Etekcity says its Lasergrip is for inanimate objects only and that measuring a human or animal is unsafe.
- What does 12:1 distance-to-spot mean?
- At 12 ft away the thermometer reads a spot about 1 ft across. Milwaukee explains its 10:1 ratio as a 1 ft spot from 10 ft.
- What is emissivity on an IR thermometer?
- How well a surface gives off infrared heat. The Etekcity 1080 and Fluke 62 MAX let you adjust it from 0.1 to 1.0; the Etekcity 774 and Milwaukee 2267-20 are fixed at 0.95.
- Does an IR thermometer read the inside of food?
- No. Milwaukee describes its tool as measuring surface temperatures. Use a probe thermometer for food inside.
Sources
- Lasergrip 774 Upgrade Infrared Thermometer (etekcity.com), Etekcity
- Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer (etekcity.com), Etekcity
- 10:1 Infrared Temp-Gun 2267-20 (milwaukeetool.com), Milwaukee Tool
- Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer (fluke.com), Fluke