Having a reliable and accurate thermometer goes a long way to making barbecue that much easier. One, you know it’s safe to eat, two, you know it’s not overdone, and, three, because you’re using a device, you can confidently recreate the same results time and time again.
These days they’re not even that expensive. So, adding one to your kit is definitely a no-brainer. Plus, they’re the perfect gift for your barbecue-loving family member.
But, when it comes to buying a meat thermometer for smoking, there’s a LOT of choice these days.
Bluetooth, WiFi, wireless, presets, alarms and different numbers of probes can make it seem a bit overwhelming.
So, instead of shooting in the dark, we’ve made it easy by reviewing and compiling a list of the best wireless smoker thermometer options on the market.
Note – These are NOT instant read thermometers that just give you a reading when you insert the probe.
These wireless meat thermometers are designed to stay in whatever you’re cooking to give you a continuous reading. They’re also not all absolutely wire-free.
What these units are are meat thermometers that either link up to your smartphone, or, that come with a handheld device that you can use to read and check on the progress of your meat without having to go out to and open your barbecue.
If you’re looking for a simple probe to quickly insert, read, then remove, check out our favorite choices when it comes to instant read thermometers.
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Table of Contents
Full Reviews of the Best Wireless Smoker Thermometers
There’s a lot of good smoker thermometers out there.
The one that’s best for you will depend on your budget, how many probes you need, range needed and preference for smartphone or standalone setup.
So, instead of just naming and reviewing a whole heap and making you read them all, we’ve given them quick and easy titles so you can jump to the one’s you think might fit your needs the best.
So, if you want just the best there is, don’t go past our best overall wireless smoker thermometer, the MEATER Block.
But, if you need even more probes, are looking for just a single probe, want rechargeable batteries, or, just want really great value for money, scroll down our list (or skip using the side table of contents tab) to find our recommended meat thermometer to match your needs.
But, whichever you pick, just remember, having a wireless smoker thermometer will really up your smoking game. It really takes all that guesswork out and just leaves you with incredible results that are as easy as checking, is my meat up to temp yet? So, happy shopping!
MEATER Block - Best Overall
This is in no way the cheapest option out there. But, the cheapest option is probably not the best.
And, if it’s the best you want, then the MEATER Block is out go to for each and every smoke.
The MEATER is the original when it comes to completely wire-free meat monitoring.
Instead of feeding wires through probe ports, you simply insert a probe into your meat, connect your app to the probe and you’ll have continuous monitoring of exactly what’s going on inside your smoker at all times.
Because, get this, the MEATER probes don’t just have one thermometer on them…
Each probe gives you two readings at any one time. One is the internal temperature of your meat and the other is the ambient temperature inside your smoker.
So, while you can definitely see exactly where your meat is at, you can also see where the hottest spots are inside your barbecue and move your meat around to match that, and, use the probes to check that the temperature your smoker is reading is actually what’s going on in there.
The MEATER app will estimate your remaining cook time, give you the temperature target you should shoot for based on what you’re cooking and how well done you want it, plus alert you when your meat is almost done. It even calculates how long you need to leave your meat to rest.
Nothing is left to chance with the MEATER.
And, while you can get the single probed MEATER Plus, the MEATER Block is the best value out there for a 4 probe, completely wireless thermometer for smoking.
The block itself also connects to your home’s WiFi system, eliminating any range issues you might have. You can literally monitor what’s going on from the golf course, your mates place or out in the back paddock.
We’ve been using the MEATER probes for years now. They and the app work so well. There’s nothing wireless that beats them. And, nothing with dirty messy wires ever could!
Read our full review of the MEATER Block.
Pros of the MEATER Block:
- Absolutely no wires making it so easy to setup and easier to clean. Also does rotisserie chicken!
- Each probe has 2 sensors to give you the internal meat temperature and ambient temperature of your smoker
- Uses your WiFi network to give unlimited range – if there’s internet, you can see what’s going on in your smoker
- Can also be used in standalone mode if you don’t want to hook it up to your smartphone
- Set up each probe and cook based on meat type and how well done you want it for recommended target temperatures that you can easily override if you want to
- Estimates remaining cook time based on ambient temperature and cook history
- Alerts you when your meat is almost cooked
- Tells you how long to let you meat rest based on it’s internal temperature
- Dishwasher safe stainless steel probes
Cons of the MEATER Block:
- The Block itself isn’t weather proof. But, needs to be kept close to your smoker while you’re cooking
ThermoPro TP20 - Best-Seller
Now, this meat thermometer isn’t the most flash out there (or in our list). But, it’s got a lot going for it bundled into an attractive price which is why it’s been a best seller for ThermoPro and in general, for a LONG time.
With 2 meat probes built into a rugged design that can handle a bit of abuse thrown at it, the TP20 claims 1.8°F accuracy, and, it does live up to it’s promise.
It’s easy to use, gives a reliable reading and has built-in USDA presets so you don’t even need to think when setting it up at the start of a cook.
Once you’ve plugged the probes in, the wireless remote has a range of up to about 300 feet. Compared to most, it reaches a good distance and should be far enough for most people to use around home.
If you’re not a fan of preset temperatures, you can change from the default to whatever custom setting you’d like. It does save even when you turn the unit off. And, there’s an alarm to tell you once you’ve reached your target temperature.
Easy and no-fuss with all the basics you need, the ThermoPro TP20 is particularly great for anyone who wants a meat thermometer that DOESN’T need to link to your smartphone.
The receiver device tells you everything you need to know. And, while you don’t have unlimited WiFi range, not everyone wants to be able to check on their meat while they’re at the grocery store.
Pros of the ThermoPro TP20:
- Unit works independently – You don’t need to download an app and link to your smartphone
- Option of using USDA preset target temperatures or setting your own manually
- Good range of up to 300 feet
- Wireless monitor beeps when your target temperature is reached so you don’t need to keep checking the unit
- Accurate temperature readings
- 2 meat probes let you check multiple pieces of meat without changing your setup
Cons of the ThermoPro TP20:
- The probes aren’t the best quality, so, while they should last longer than the warranty, I wouldn’t expect to get years and years from this unit. Still not bad for the price.
MEATER Plus - Best Single Probe Wireless Technology
If one probe is enough for you. Or, you want something completely wireless without having to spend a lot, the MEATER Plus is an awesome choice.
The stainless steel wireless probe uses exactly the same technology as the MEATER Block we named as the best wireless smoker thermometer overall. So, the single probe will tell you what the internal temperature of your meat is plus the ambient temperature of your grill.
But, unlike the MEATER Block the MEATER Plus uses a Bluetooth connection between the probe and the bamboo unit that you need to keep near your barbecue. From there, it sends continuous data to your smartphone, building a graph of the ambient and internal temperature changes throughout your cook.
If you’re a newbie to the world of smoking, there’s even a guided cook system that tells you exactly how hot to cook your meat based on what type it is plus how well you want it done.
But, it’s equally as easy to override this if you’ve got other ideas of what you’d like your target temperature to be.
Regardless, the MEATER Plus even estimates your remaining cook time. And, it’s impressively accurate based on your cook history and ambient temperature, although, it does take a bit of time to calculate this bit of info. Dont’ expect it straight up.
Because there’s absolutely no wires, you can literally just put the stainless steel probe in the dishwasher once you’re done (have you tried cleaning those awful greasy probe wires before?!?).
The normal Bluetooth range on the MEATER Plus is 165 feet. But, you can actually set up a longer range with the free MEATER Link.
You will need a second device to leave within the regular Bluetooth range (think iPad or your wife’s phone). Then, you can use your home’s WiFi connection to monitor your progress from anywhere.
Simple, smart and stylish, the MEATER range is our absolute favorite! And, we do feel that it’s price is well justified based on just how accurate and easy this technology is to use.
Read our full review of the MEATER Plus.
Pros of the MEATER Plus:
- 100% wire-free makes it easier to use and easier to clean – also does rotisserie chicken!
- 2 sensors per probe gives you the ambient and internal temperatures
- Connects to your phone using bluetooth giving you real-time updates, pre-programmed settings and alarms
- Algorithm predicts how much longer it’ll take to reach your internal temperature based on the ambient temperature, type of meat and your target
- Guided cook system that can easily be overridden if you want to
- Stainless steel probes are dishwasher safe
- Range extender available if needed
Cons of the MEATER Plus:
- You can’t add on more probes cheaply if you want to down the track. Instead you’d have to get a new MEATER Plus (does work with the same app), or the MEATER Block
- 165 foot range is limiting – It can be extended using the MEATER Link which is free but takes a bit of time to set up the first time
ThermoPro TempSpike - Best Longer Range Fully Wireless Probe
One of MEATER’s biggest competitors is this, the ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer.
And, while the app isn’t as easy to use as the MEATER’s, if you’re looking at the single probe MEATER Plus wondering if the range will be long enough to work at your house without using a second device to create the MEATER Link, this might be your best solution…
The ThermoPro TempSpike has pretty much the same technology as the MEATER Plus.
You get a single probe with 2 sensors in there. The sharp tip measures the internal meat temperature while the end that sticks out does the ambient temperature of your barbecue.
You’ve got an automatically calculated estimated time left on your cook, fully guided temperature targets and alarm notifications if your barbecue gets too hot or too cold, and, when your meat is almost done.
But, the area where the TempSpike excels above that of the MEATER Plus is in it’s extended range.
Instead of a somewhat limited 165 foot range, you get a sizeable 500 foot wireless connectivity thanks to the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2 technology.
The connectivity works well too. You shouldn’t have any issues with the range dropping out unless you’re really looking at that upper end.
But, overall, the ThermoPro TempSpike works well for monitoring a single meat cook. Unfortunately you do need to buy a whole separate unit if you want to monitor more than just one thing at a time.
Pros of the ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer:
- Truly wire-free meat thermometer so there’s no messy wires to try to feed through your barbecue or clean
- Dual sensors give you the internal meat temperature and ambient temperature of your grill from the one probe
- Long 500 foot range thanks to the new Bluetooth 5.2 technology
- App automatically estimates how much longer you need to cook your meat based on your temperature target, how hot your grill is and what the progress has been like so far
- Preset temperature targets for 9 different types of meat at different doneness levels
- Dishwasher safe probe
Cons of the ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer:
- App isn’t as easy to use as the MEATER’s
- I did expect the price for this ThermoPro to be less than the MEATER Plus but it’s very similar
- There’s no multi-probe option so you need to buy a whole new unit if you want more probes. Then, when you connect them up it’s hard to tell which is in what meat
Smoke X™ Long-Range Remote BBQ Alarm Thermometer - Best Professional Quality
To put it simply, ThermoWorks have pretty much taken what everyone else has been doing and have done it better.
Marketed to competitive pitmasters and chefs, the ThermoWorks Smoke X is more expensive than most. But, works really well for the at-home enthusiast with an eye for preciseness.
What makes the Smoke X worth the extra cost?
Just holding it you’ll be able to feel the extra quality. It’s rugged, the probes are well-made and durable, and, it’s splashproof to be able to handle a bit of whatever being thrown at it.
The large LCD screen is easy to read, and, the probes are definitely accurate to the 1.8°F they’re advertised as being good for.
With the Smoke X, you can choose between the 4 channel and 2 channel models.
The 4 channel can connect up to 4 probes and the 2 up to 2. But, keep in mind that one of those probes is dedicated to the ambient temperature. So, you can monitor up to 3 meats with the 4 channel and 1 meat with the 2 channel.
And, if you go the 2 channel now and want to upgrade later, you can’t just add on more probes, you will have to buy another unit so think carefully about what you’ll actually need.
Either way you go, the ThermoWorks Smoke X has the amazingly long range of 6,562 feet line of sight.
Yes, I did write that correctly.
The Smoke X uses 915Mhz radio frequency instead of limiting Bluetooth technology. So, big house, at a competition, this wireless smoker thermometer can handle it.
In terms of battery life, you get a decent 330 hours from the monitor itself and 1,800 hours on the receiver.
I wouldn’t bank on getting quite this much mileage out of one set of AA batteries. But, you get the picture, you won’t be chaning your batteries every few smokes.
Does the extra quality justify the price?
Definitely. The ThermoWorks Smoke X should well outlast any of the more ‘amateur’ options, saving you money and headaches in the long run.
Pros of the ThermoWorks Smoke X:
- Professional quality device with commercial grade stainless steel probes
- The high-quality, rugged unit and remote are splashproof rated IP65 giving you some weather protection while you cook
- Accurate within 1.8°F at lower temperatures
- Huge 6,562 foot range thanks to the next generation RF technology
- Backlit display shows all of your probe channels at the same time, there’s no scrolling between probes
- Really long battery life
- Available in 9 colors
- Compatible with the ThermoWorks Billows Fan Kit to control the temperature of unregulated smokers like charocal based systems
Cons of the ThermoWorks Smoke X:
- If you go for the 2 channel option, it only comes with 1 actual meat probe (the other monitors ambient temperature). And, to add more, you’ll need to buy a separate unit
- You can’t make adjustments from the remote itself. It just shows you what’s going on – not a major for us as you shouldn’t have to change your target that often
ThermoPro TP25 - Best Rechargeable
Don’t want to ever have to worry about buying batteries? Well, the rechargeable ThermoPro TP25 is your answer to just that.
Highly accurate and easy to use with an extended 500 foot range, simply plug the unit into a USB power point with the included cord and one charge should last up to 8 months.
You’ve got 4 color coded, stainless steel probes that come with all the features you’d expect from the reliable and oh so popular ThermoPro.
Use the USDA presets to tell you exactly how hot to cook particular meats, override it if you want to, set alarms, see how much longer your meat should take to cook, and, check out the graph of your cook’s progress no matter how long of a smoke you’re doing.
The TP 25 even comes with a probe winder so you’ve got an easy way to store those annoying wires.
Overall, the ThermoPro TP25 is a great price for a 4 probe set that does work really well.
I wouldn’t buy it if you’re relying on needing that 500 foot range, you probably won’t get good connectivity from that far. But, as a well priced set that does the job, it’s a solid choice.
Pros of the ThermoPro TP25:
- Rechargeable unit means you never have to buy batteries ever
- Long device charge time
- Very long 500 foot range
- Accurate probes
- Color coded to make it easy to remember what’s in what
- Lots of features and options to set alarms and watch progress on a graph
- Comes with probe winders so that storing the wires is easy and not so messy
Cons of the ThermoPro TP25:
- App isn’t as intuitive and easy to use as the MEATER
- Wouldn’t bank on actually getting a 500 foot range, especially if connecting to your smartphone indoors
- You can’t quickly override preset temperatures. Instead you have to create your own profile to set a custom target temperature
ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer - Best Value for Money
For cheap as chips with a lot of probes, there’s the ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer.
It’s super competitive price gets you get a rugged unit with a wireless remote, 4 accurate stainless steel meat probes, an impressive 500 feet range, and, a strong carry case which means it’s always stored somewhere safe.
It’s easy to setup, reads within 3 seconds, boasts 1.8℉ accuracy and has alarms so you’ll know the meat’s done even if you’re not paying attention.
Just like some of the more expensive units, there’s preset USDA target temperatures. But, you can re-program them to be exactly what you like if they don’t quite suit.
Although the ENZOO isn’t anything too fancy, it does what you need it to and it does it really well.
With more probes for a lower price, it’s without a doubt a top product with some of the best reviews out there.
No, the ENZOO 4 Probe Wireless Meat Thermometer doesn’t have the brand name of some. But, for the price, you could literally buy unit after unit of these for the same amount you’d spend on a high end unit. So, it’s a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot.
Pros of the ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer:
- Accurate temperature readings
- Gives a reading quickly
- Impressive 500 feet range that’s on it’s own frequency – no WiFi or bluetooth
- Quality stainless steel probes
- 4 color coded probes included so you can monitor more meat
- Pre-programmed target temperatures
- Ability to set custom temperature targets
- Alarm options so you’re notified when your food is ready
- Comes with a solid carry case
- Available in a range of colors
- ENZOO has a reputation for good customer service
Cons of the ENZOO Wireless Meat Thermometer:
- It’d be nice if you could change the title of custom programmed targets but the only option is PROG
NutriChef Smart Bluetooth Barbecue Thermometer - Best Budget
Our choice of a budget-friendly option that still does the job well is this one, the NutriChef Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer.
One of the cheapest option on this list, the NutriChef includes 2 stainless steel probes. The wireless remote links to your smartphone using Bluetooth for those who don’t want to carry around a separate unit and their phones.
It’s got 11 temperature presets, can take custom programming and sends notifications to your phone with alarms sounding when your target temperature is reached.
Because cheaper usually means some sort of compromise, there is one big downside to the NutriChef. The range is on the lower end, handling 328 feet outdoors or 100 feet indoors.
If you’re in a smaller space then great, go ahead. But, if you do need the longer range, we’d recommend moving up to the ThermoPro TP08S.
It is a bit more expensive. But, if you need that range, there’s no point in getting something that won’t work in your situation.
Pros of the NutriChef Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer:
- Great price
- Stainless steel meat probes are durable and can handle the high heat
- 11 preset temperature targets with the choice to set your own
- Links to your smartphone for push to notifications and alarms
Cons of the NutriChef Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer:
- Limited range of 328 feet outdoors or 100 feet indoors
- The magnet on the back of the unit isn’t that strong so you may have problems with it being easy to knock off if you’re sticking it to your barbecue
ThermoPro TP27 - Best Longer Range
With a reliably strong and long range of 500 feet, the ThermoPro TP27 uses the latest generation of radio frequency wireless technology so you can get a good signal through walls and floors, and, over greater distances.
But, it’s not lacking in the rest of it’s performance either.
Being a ThermoPro, you’ve got accurate probes that measure within 1.8°F of the actual temperature. They’re stainless steal to ensure food grade and durability. And, the color coded probes and ports make it easy to know which is for which meat.
Using the included metal stands, you can set the probes up to read the ambient temperature as well. A handy little bonus.
The potentially only read downside worth mentioning is that there’s no pre-programmed settings. Not a major if you either know what target you want or don’t mind Googling it. But, if you do want something that does the job for you, look at the ENZOO instead that’s good for longer ranges as well.
Pros of the ThermoPro TP27:
- Uses next generation RF wireless technology to give it reliably long range for larger homes or properties
- Comes with 4 stainless steel color coded probes so you can manage more meat easily
- Accurate within +/-1.8°F
- Probes an be set up to measure ambient temperature as well using the included stands
- Easy to set up
Cons of the ThermoPro TP27:
- Quite basic functionality – there is an alarm
- No pre-programmed settings
ThermoPro TP829 - Best Extra Long Range
Another ThermoPro recommendation, they make a lot of different models to suit different needs! This one, the ThermoPro TP829 has the longest range on the market if you want a thermometer that doesn’t use WiFi.
Instead, you’ve got the strongest radio frequency technology to give you up to 1000 feet of signal.
With a wireless display unit, the TP829 is a completely independent smoker thermometer system. You don’t need to, and can’t, link it to your smartphone (a plus or a minus depending on what you’re after).
Instead, you’ll be carrying around the small unit while you do anything other than checking on your meat.
Just like any other smoker thermometer, the range will be reduced if you’re using it throughout your house with multiple walls, etc, in the way. But, for anyone with a really large property, the TP829 is your best bet.
In terms of other performance aspects, you’ve still got the reliable and accurate temperature measurement you’d expect from the industry leader ThermoPro.
The probes are color coded for ease.
There’s 10 USDA preset temperature targets and an alarm that tells you when you’re approaching your level of doneness. But, although fully functional, the TP829 doesn’t have the fancier graphs and choice of more expensive options like the MEATER Block.
Overall, the TP829 works well and is a great, afforadable solution for anyone who needs that super long range and doesn’t want to chance it with connectivity issues.
Pros of the ThermoPro TP829:
- Longest 1000 foot range of any non-WiFi smoker thermometer model out there
- Includes 4 color coded meat probes so you can monitor a lot on the one unit
- Accurate and reliable temperature measurement
- Uses preset USDA temperature targets so you don’t have to remember how hot to cook each type of meat
- Alarms tell you when you meat is getting close to hitting your target
- Low price
Cons of the ThermoPro TP829:
- Basic functionality – there’s no progress graphs, just the current temperature
Inkbird IBT-6XS - Best LOTS of Probes
Got a big smoker? Like to smoke A LOT of different stuff?
There are times when even 4 probes just won’t cut it.
And, while buying 2 x MEATER Blocks would be the best solution (we do love our MEATER), the Inkbird IBT-6XS is a heap cheaper and comes with 6 probes so that you can monitor up to 6 different cuts at a time.
But, other than just having lots of probes, this neat little device works really well.
You’ve got good 1.8°F probe accuracy, a standard 150 foot range, preset temperatures, alarms, and, a rechargeable battery that lasts for about 40 hours of use.
In terms of negatives, just be aware that the maximum temperature tolerance of 572°F is for short-term monitoring.
When you’re using the Inkbird IBT-6XS continually, as it’s designed to be used, you shouldn’t go over 482°F.
That shouldn’t be a problem if you’re smoking. But, is just something to be mindful of if you’re planning on using these probes for grilling as well.
The app is also pretty average to use.
But, if you want to do a lot of meat and you don’t want to spend a lot on monitoring, the Inkbird IBT-6XS is a great choice.
Pros of the Inkbird IBT-6XS:
- You can plug in up to 6 probes to monitor that many pieces of meat at once
- Fairly accurate temperature reading
- Rechargeable battery with life of about 40 hours of use
- Links to your smartphone where you can do all those normal things, select preset temperature targets, see a graph of how your cook is going and set alarms
Cons of the Inkbird IBT-6XS:
- Normal kind of range of 150 feet. But, there’s no option to extend this
- The app isn’t as good as some of the more expensive brands. But, it is still functional
- You will be charging the battery fairly frequently
Why Should I Use A Meat Thermometer for Smoking?
If you’re on the fence about whether you actually need to buy a meat thermometer for smoking, I will confidently tell you, it’s THE best money you’ll spend on your smoker setup.
In fact, it’s the only smoking accessory I ever say that you actually need (apart from some way to clean your grill grates I guess…).
But, using a smoker thermometer takes all the guesswork out of perfecting that brisket, nailing those ribs, and reliably getting that falling apart pulled pork.
And I honestly don’t think you’re a better pitmaster if you don’t use one!
The pros use them in restaurants, competitions and at home. It’s not cheating in any way, shape or form. All it is is getting more information and more feedback so that you can hone in your cook, tell exactly when it’s best to wrap, unwrap, bump your temp up, add more woodchips, and, when dinner will be ready.
So, you absolutely should use a meat thermometer for smoking because you’ll:
- Never overcook your meat again – No more dried out brisket!
- Never undercook your meat again – No more “I really should have left that in for a little bit longer” regret!
- Have better feedback on what your smoker’s ambient temperature is – Having a probe that measures you grill temperature on the grate is a more reliable indicator than your built-in dome gauge
- Be able to see and use your cook history to easily repeat a smoke when you’ve had great results, or, improve on your last one when you could still do it better – Some meat thermometers like the MEATER save your cook history for you to look back on
- Grill safely – Meat thermometers for smoking can also be used when you’re grilling to make sure that the blue steak that you oh so love is actually cooked to a safe to eat temperature
- Use it for other things too – Wife wants to bake bread, chuck it in there. Doing a roast in the oven, it’ll work there too. A meat thermometer can actually be used for a lot more than just meat.
- It’s an accessory that works with any smoker and might even outlast the one you have right now – A quality smoking thermometer should see you through years and years of smoking. You can use it on a charcoal grill, a pellet smoker, in your kamado, on a wood-fired pit, it’s a versatile and pretty cheap when you think about it, piece of kit that’s not tied to what barbecue you currently have.
Different Uses for a Meat Thermometer
Instant read thermometers are more well-known for their multi-purpose nature although they won’t continuously monitor your progress in a smoker.
But, a smoker thermometer can actually be used for a few more helpful things in the kitchen as well.
Most can be used in your regular kitchen oven to monitor and check when it’s safe to eat your roast chicken, make sure your beef roast is cooked just to your liking, or, even check that your bread is cooked all the way through.
You could use it a frying pan to make sure you don’t overcook your salmon fillet or that your steak is still soft enough to cut with a butter knife.
If you use an air-fryer, you can put your smoker thermometer in there too.
Some, like the MEATER can even be used for sous-vide.
Smoker thermometers without wires will be easier to use outside of the barbecue. But, you can still sit your probe wires through the oven seal or find a way out of your air fryer.
As you would outside, just take note of the maximum temperatures that your probes can handle so you don’t damage them by exposing them to too much heat.
Different Types of Meat Thermometers You Can Use for Smoking
When you’re first shopping for a meat thermometer for smoking, the amount of choice and different types there are out there can be completely overwhelming.
So, we’ll break it down into the main types to help it all make a little more sense…
Instant Read Thermometers
A single probe instant read thermometers is just that, a probe that you can insert into your meat to see it’s internal temperature at any one point in time.
They can be used when you’re smoking. But, there’s one big disadvantage to using this type of meat thermometer when you’re smoking, you need to open your smoker, insert the probe and wait until you’ve got a reading.
That’s quite a bit of heat to let out.
But, they’re not designed to be left inside your smoker or inside the meat. So, while better than nothing, we don’t recommend using an instant read thermometer for smoking.
They’re best suited to grilling and other uses around the kitchen.
If you are looking for an instant read thermometer though, check out our top picks here.
Wired Meat Thermometer
A simple wired meat thermometer has a meat probe with a wire sticking out of one end that needs to be plugged into a receiver unit or a smoker control panel itself.
The data about what’s going on inside the smoker is then transferred to the receiver unit through those wires.
Because of that, it’s vital that the wires don’t get squashed when going from inside the smoker to outside of it. Some smokers will have ports specifically designed for you to feed those probe wires through. Others don’t and connecting it all can be a bit of a hard task.
With their simple design and lack of technology, wired meat thermometers are cheaper than wireless versions and are the most affordable option.
Another plus is that you shouldn’t have any connectivity issues!
Wireless Meat Thermometer
A truly wireless meat thermometer has exactly that, absolutely no wires.
Instead, they use technology like Bluetooth to transfer the data from the probe to the receiver unit wirelessly.
There’s no wires to try to feed through probe ports or other awkward spots. And, there’s no messy wire to try to clean up afterwards. So, they’re a lot easier to use. But, are more expensive because there’s much more technology to them.
Some, like the MEATER Block can show you the probe readings on the receiver unit. Others, like the MEATER Plus, need to be connected to your smartphone before you can see any data. The receiver unit is just that and doesn’t double as a display unit.
Meat Thermometer With Display Unit
This type of meat thermometer comes with a little receiver unit that also displays the current temperatures that your probes are reading.
These do not need to connect to a smartphone, although some like the ThermoPro TP25 give you a phone connectivity option as well.
Getting a meat thermometer with a display unit is ideal if you don’t usually keep your phone on you when you’re at home or you don’t want to mess around with downloading an app and syncing it to your meat thermometer.
Meat Thermometer with Simple Receiver
This type of meat thermometer has a receiver unit that collects the readings from your probes but needs to be connected to your smartphone to get that information and see what’s going on.
An example of a meat thermometer like this is the MEATER Plus and the ThermoPro TempSpike.
These are best for people who like being able to see the data on their phone and carry around one unit that they can use for everything.
Infrared Thermometer
You might have also seen infrared thermometers pop up in your search for the best wireless smoker thermometer.
These units are truly wireless. They’re a small device that you just point at whatever you want to know the heat of and it’ll give you a reading within a few seconds without having to touch it.
But, what they don’t do is give you the internal temperature of something. So, you can’t actually use an infrared thermometer to get a reading of how well cooked your meat is.
If you point and shoot at your meat, the temperature reading it will give you is the external surface temperature which doesn’t accurately let you know if it’s safely cooked or cooked to that pull apart level.
What are infrared thermometers good for?
They’re best used to check the temperature of your grate, griddle or pizza stone. As for the best wireless meat thermometer, skip on this type.
How to Choose the Best Thermometer for Smoking
With so much choice and so many types on the market, finding the best wireless smoker thermometer for you can be pretty overwhelming. Some of them aren’t cheap either so it makes sense that you don’t want to get your decision wrong.
If you’ve read through our reviews above and you’re still not sure, ask yourself these simple questions.
How Many Probes Do You Need?
Do you have a small smoker and tend to only cook one meat or one type of meat at a time? If so, a single probe might be enough.
But, if you cook more than one type of meat at a time, or, have multiple pieces of meat spread around your barbecue in different heat zones, a multiple probe unit is best.
Most people will outgrow a single probe meat thermometer quite quickly.
And, although you can always get a second, third, or fourth unit, you’ll be spending a lot more money doing it this way (and have a more confusing setup), than if you’d just gone with a meat thermometer with more probes to start with.
Where Do You Want to See Your Internal Meat Temperature?
Do you like having all the information on your phone? Or, do you want a separate unit that you don’t need to sync with and is completely separate from your smartphone?
Whether you go for a wireless meat thermometer with a display unit or that’s designed to be used with your phone or tablet is a personal preference. Both will work just fine.
How Much Range Do You Need?
What’s your house and barbecue setup like?
Is you smoker right outside your lounge so you won’t need a long range? Or, are things really spread out and you think you might be struggling with a thermometer with one of the more standard 165 foot ranges?
Meat thermometer ranges are tested in the most ideal condition. That is, outside in clear open air with direct line of sight.
Walls and anything that’s in between your smoker and where you’ll be using the receiver unit will shorten the total range.
If you think connectivity might be an issue, I’d always recommend getting a longer range than you think you’ll need. Or, something with WiFi so that you can use your home internet to see your meat temperature from anywhere with an internet connection, including wireless.
But, you don’t want to spend money only to find that the unit isn’t going to work in your setup.
Do You Want to See Your Meat Temp From Outside Your House?
If you want to be able to check your barbecue from work or the golf course, you’ll need a wireless meat thermometer that connects to the internet.
The MEATER Block does let you use WiFi for an unlimited range. Or, the single probed MEATER Plus as long as you’ve got another device that you can leave at home as a booster.
What's Your Budget?
We might get paid on commission. But, we never recommend spending more money on a barbecue or an accessory than you can comfortably afford.
That’s why we’ve given you a range of different options when it comes to this best wireless smoker thermometer list.
If you don’t want to spend as much as the MEATER Block but want lots of probes, check out the Inkbird IBT-6XS or the ThermoPro TP27 with it’s really long range.
There’s a lot of good choices out there at different price points so hopefully you’ve found something here that matches what you were hoping to spend!
Our Thoughts on Temperature Accuracy
Obviously you don’t want a meat thermometer that measures the temperature 20°F under or over where it’s actually sitting. That would a pretty useless device.
But, unless you need scientific preciseness for some reason, a meat thermometer that measures a few degrees out isn’t going to ruin your barbecue game. In fact, you’ll probably never notice any difference.
By choosing any of these wireless smoker thermometers we’ve recommended in this article, you shouldn’t experience huge variances in the actual and read temperatures. They’ve all been tested for reliability.
So, if you do test yours and notice it’s accuracy is way out, contact the manufacturer, there might be something wrong with your unit and they can advise what’s best to do.
How To Set Up Your Smoker Thermometer
Setting up meat thermometers in a smoker definitely isn’t rocket science.
But, following a few guidelines will help you to get accurate measurements and protect your gear to keep it working for years to come.
Where to Run the Probe Wires
If you’ve gone for a compeletely wireless smoker thermometer, setting it up will be as simple as following the manufacturers instructions to insert the probe and connect it to the device.
But, if you’ve got a unit with some wires to it, follow these guidelines for the best setup.
First, check if your smoker has a meat probe port.
If so, it will look like this in the picture below, a small hole with rubber in it where you can feed the wires through. And, the best thing to do is use this port. It’ll protect your wires from getting damaged and keep the smoke inside of your smoker.
But, if you smoker doesn’t have a probe port, look for any other natural holes you could feed the wires through.
For example, the rods on the Pit Barrel Cooker sit into holes that are large enough to feed meat thermometer wires through without putting any pressure on them.
Or, on the Z Grills Cruiser 200A, you can feed the probe wires through the drip tray exit point at the rear of the barbecue.
Whatever you do, try to avoid running meat probe wires directly through the smoker lid, particularly if the lid is designed to fit tightly shut.
Probe wires are quite thin and can be damaged easily from a smoker lid sitting on them, crushing them, shortening their lifespan.
Choosing Where to Insert Meat Thermometer Probes
As for where to insert your wireless smoker thermometer probes into the meat itself, you want to get it into the thickest part of the meat.
This part will take the longest to cook and get up to temperature. So, if it’s cooked here, it’ll be cooked well all through.
You also want try to avoid the probe from hitting bone. The bone won’t heat up as much as the surrounding muscle and fat so if the probe is touching bone, you might get a lower reading than your meat is actually sitting at.
When you’re placing your meat thermometer probes, also be aware of any manufacturer guidelines on how far to insert the probe. For example, the MEATER probes all have small indents on them that show how much of the probe needs to be inside of the meat.
This keeps your probe safe because the internal temperature portion of these two sensor probes can’t handle as high a heat as the tip can.
And, lastly, make sure your probe isn’t sticking all the way through your meat and out the other side!
You want to keep your probe inside of your meat, not be accidentally measuring the ambient temperature.
Positioning Ambient Temperature Probes
If your meat thermometer has a specific probe for measuring the ambient temperature, or, you’re using one of your meat probes to do just that, you do need to place them quite carefully within your smoker to make sure you’ll get an accurate measurement.
The most ideal space for an ambient temperature probe is towards the center of your smoker, about an inche above the grate and at least 2 inches from any meat you’re cooking.
Why?
The air towards the center of the barbecue is usually the hottest because it’s closest to the fire.
Then, the temperature drops a little even a short distance above the grate. This is where the bulk of your meat will be sitting.
And, if your probe is too close to your meat, it’ll give a falsely low reading because it’s sitting next to cool or cold from the fridge meat.
If your meat thermometer set has a probe that’s dedicated for ambient temperature measurement, it’ll probably come with a clip that elevates the probe tip to the right height. If not, sit it on a piece of foil to elevate it.
If you can’t hit all of these points, don’t stress too much. Just try your best to position your probe in the optimal position so you’ve got a good idea of what’s going on.
A note about using dual sensor probes like the MEATER – The ambient temperature probe does sit very close to the meat.
So, when you first put your cold meat in, the ambient temperature reading will read low and take a while to get up to accurate figure as your meat heats up.
Just keep this in mind so you’re not thinking something’s wrong if your smoker temperature seems too low at the start of the cook.
Taking Care of Your Meat Thermometer
As with anything, you’re going to have to look after your new smoker thermometer if you want the longest, most accurate life out of it.
And, the steps are simple. But, if not followed, really do lead to thermometer failure and are the cause of many, many unhappy customers.
Here’s what you should be doing:
- Check the manufacturers maximum temperature ratings and ALWAYS stick to them – Exceeding the maximum ambient or internal temperature for your probes will damage them
- Keep your receivers out of the rain, and, preferrably out of direct sunlight for too much time – weather is harsh and can cause electrical failure or just degrade the housing
- Wipe your probes with a wet cloth after use – do not submerge them in water or put them in the dishwasher (unless you’ve got a MEATER, their probes are dishwasher safe)
- Store your probes and wires carefully – Don’t tangle or tightly bend those wires. A damaged wire can’t let data through.
- Turn off the unit when you’re not using it – This minimizes the battery use, prolonging it’s life
FAQs About the Best Wireless Smoker Thermometer
The questions we most commonly get asked about buying a thermometer for smoking…
Are wireless meat thermometers worth it?
Absolutely! A meat thermometer takes all of the guess work out of knowing if and when your meat is perfectly cooked.
Pitmasters use them. Chefs use them. There’s no shame in adding more information to your game and you’ll reliably be able to nail that brisket every single time.
Smoker thermometers also make a good party trick. Just tell your guests you sniffed out the exact moment that pork reached fall apart level instead of letting them see your phone notification.
As for the wires, having absolutely no wires at all makes setting up your probes that much easier.
It also means you don’t need to worry about damaging the wires when feeding them through your smoker, cleaning or storing them. And, less to break means a longer life.
What is the best thermometer to use in a smoker?
Our go-to smoker thermometer is the MEATER Block.
Yes, it’s more expensive than a lot of options out there. But, in our opinion, it’s the best.
Absolutely no wires to ever have to feed through, try to clean and store. Accurate. Easy to use. No connectivity issues. Unlimited range via WiFi. Dishwasher safe probes. Lots of probes. Can be synced with your smartphone or used in standalone mode.
The MEATER Block has everything going for it. So, we do think it’s pretty decent value overall. And, an unbeatable product.
Scroll or skip to the top of this article for our quick review. Or, check out our full review of the MEATER range.
What is the best Bluetooth smoker thermometer?
Because our favorite smoker thermometer, the MEATER Block technically isn’t Bluetooth, it uses WiFi as well, we rate it’s younger brother, the MEATER Plus as the best Bluetooth smoker thermometer on the market today.
The MEATER Plus is a completely wireless thermometer and the probe has two sensors in it, one to measure the internal and one the ambient temperature of the grill itself.
Why do we love this one over the competition?
Absolutely no wires. Great connectivity. Reasonable 165 ft Bluetooth range. Accurate temperature measurement. Dishwasher safe probe. So easy to use. And, the app is great.
For more information, scroll up to read about the MEATER Plus. Or, skip to our full review of the MEATER range.
Which is better MeatStick vs Meater?
Since you’ve been shopping around for the best wireless smoker thermometer, you might have come across the MEATER’s competitor, the MeatStick.
We have hands on tested both of these products and always recommend the MEATER over the MeatStick for two reasons. One, the MeatStick isn’t as accurate. And, two, the MEATER’s app is much more intuitive and so much easier to use.
If you want the full details on how the MeatStick compares to the MEATER, we talk about our full experience comparing these two wireless smoker thermometers. Click the link to read about it.
Or, check out our full MeatStick X review.
Is the MEATER the best wireless thermometer?
The MEATER is the original in terms of completely wireless meat temperature monitoring. And, because they were the beginning, they’ve had plenty of time to iron out any connectivity, app or probe issues.
After having used the MEATER Plus and MEATER Block for years, and testing it against the competition, we truly believe that the MEATER is currently the best wireless smoker thermometer on the market.
It looks great and works great and there isn’t anything more to it than that.
But, read our full review of the MEATER range including the Plus and Block models for all the details.
Do you leave the thermometer in meat while smoking?
Instant read thermometers can’t be left in meat while smoking.
But, a proper meat smoking thermometer, like the one’s recommended in this review are designed for leaving in the meat throughout your entire cook.
You can place your smoking meat thermometer in the meat when cold, put it in your smoker, close it up and be able to see exactly how hot your meat is getting, and how fast, without having to open the lid. Or, depending on your meat thermometer model, without having to even go outside and look at your barbecue.
They’re convenient, and give you all the information you need to perfect your cook each and every time.
Where do you put the thermometer when smoking brisket?
When you’re choosing where to place the meat probe in a brisket, you want to aim for the thickest part of the brisket flat. You should find that the fattest part is near the point end.
But, the point end with it’s higher fat content tends to reach temperature a little faster than the flat. So, inserting your probe near where these two muscles meat, and, in the thickest part of the flat, ensures you get the most even cook throughout your whole brisket.
How do I know if my smoker thermometer is accurate?
If you think your meat thermometer is giving an incorrect reading. Or, just like to check exactly how well it works, the best way to test it’s accuracy is with an ice bath.
But, that doesn’t just mean throwing the probe in some water with a couple of pieces of ice. To do it properly, you need the water to be really cold. Freezing cold.
So, grab a glass and fill it to the rim with ice. Pack as much as you can in there. Then, add water to 1/2 an inch below the level of the ice. Stir it and let the water sit for about 1 minute to take on the coldness of the ice. Insert your probe, stiring gently and take a reading.
Your thermometer should give a reading of about 32°F. If not, the difference is an indicator of how far out your probe is measuring.
To see how to create an ice bath to test your smoker thermometer accuracy, check out the ThermoWorks video below.
The best thing about using an ice bath instead of heat to check your thermometer probe accuracy is that the freezing point is always the same, regardless of your altitude.
If you try to use boiling point to check your probe accuracy, the actual temperature of when your water will boil will depend on your altitude, adding a whole different factor into the calculation. So, ice is easier and will give you a more accurate result.
What's better, a smoker thermometer or an instant read thermometer?
Smoker thermometers and instant read thermometers are designed to essentially do different jobs.
While instant read thermometers do just that, give you the temperature reading at any one point in time, smoker thermometers are designed to monitor temperature over time to give a more complete picture.
So, while you can use an instant read thermometer to check if your smoked meat is cooked, you’ll have to open the lid, letting out heat, and physically check it regularly to hopefully hit your target spot on.
Smoker thermometers do the job for you and all you need to do is check your phone or the receiver to see exactly where your meat is at. Most will go as far as notifying you 5 minutes or so before it’s time to eat.
They’re so easy and definitely the best option for smoking.
But, when I’m grilling, I do prefer to use an instant read thermometer.
A lot of smoker thermometers can’t handle the high ambient heat of open flame grilling. So, using them for that means risking damaging them.
An instant read thermometer is perfect for just inserting and quickly checking if your steak is sitting at a rare, medium or well-done temperautre. And, you’re generally standing around flipping what you’re grilling anyway so it’s not such a pain to physically check how it’s all going.
For more information on instant read thermometers and the rop rated one’s out there, read our best instant read thermometer review.
Do I need a smoker thermometer and an instant read thermometer?
Depends what you’re planning on using them for.
Because smoker thermometers are designed to be left in the meat for hours, giving you a complete picture of what’s going on inside your smoker without opening the lid and letting heat out, they are without a doubt the best option for smoking.
But, smoking thermometers aren’t so great for grilling because you’ll need to watch to make sure that you’re not exceeding the maximum allowed ambient temperature which would damage your probes.
So, as with most tools, unfortunately you’re better off with both if you are wanting something for smoking and something for grilling. But, you could make do with just one.
It’s your call.
You could always do a cheaper smoker thermometer from this list and a cheaper instant read thermometer from our best instant read thermometer article if budget is putting you off buying both.
Summing Up the Best Wireless Smoker Thermometer Review
If you own a smoker, you should definitely invest in a good quality smoker thermometer.
It’s simply not worth wasting 12 hours of smoking and a whole heap of meat to find that you’ve accidentally burned that brisket, the ribs are chewy or the pulled pork just won’t pull.
A smoker thermometer takes the guesswork out of whether your meat is cooked or not and lets you focus your skills on getting your flavors just how you like them.
And, these days, why wouldn’t you go wireless!
There’s actually no need to be tied to your smoker any more! Your thermometer can even tell you when you need to add more fuel because the ambient temperature has dropped.
So, if you want the best and it fits within your budget, definitely go with the MEATER Block.
The Best Wireless Smoker Thermometer - The MEATER Block
- Absolutely no wires
- Measures both internal and ambient temperature
- Highly accurate temperature readings
- WiFi connectivity for access wherever you have internet
- Syncs with phone OR has a standalone mode
- Dishwasher safe probes
Read our full review of the MEATER Block.
I’ve never known someone to buy a Block and regret it. They’re such a solid, accurate and easy to use wireless meat thermometer. And, if you’ve got a medium to large smoker so you can cook quantity, having a set of 4 probes won’t ever be a waste.
But, if the MEATER Block doesn’t seem quite right for you, we hope you’ve found a great alternative on this best of list. All of the wireless smoker thermometers we’ve recommended here are great purchases and once you start using one, you’ll never go back!
Don’t smoke in the dark again 🙂
