Medical Thermometer Test 2020: Stiftung-Warentest Winner And Bestseller

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 15:18

So-called expansion thermometers with toxic mercury were previously widespread and have not been sold in Europe for over ten years. If you still have such a copy at home and want to get rid of it, you should hand it in to recycling centers with a pollutant collection point, as it is hazardous waste.

Nowadays, digital clinical thermometers are mainly used, in which an electronic sensor is responsible for temperature measurement. There are three types:

• Contact thermometers: require physical contact, measure the temperature orally (in the mouth) or rectally (in the anus).
• Ear thermometer: are held briefly in the ear canal. Measure the heat radiation from the eardrum.
• Contactless thermometers: measure the body's heat radiation from a few centimeters away.

The price range for clinical thermometers is large. Usable models are available for 3-10 euros. For high-end thermometers with app and recording function, up to 100 euros are due. Due to the Corona crisis, however, there are occasionally excessive prices at which a provider tries to profit from the current situation. For this overview, GIGA editor Stefan mainly incorporated research into specialist journals. Medical thermometers are presented that have received special praise from the press and customers and are therefore recommended for a purchase.

View clinical thermometer bestseller at Amazon

Winner at Stiftung Warentest: Hartmann Thermoval Rapid and Scala SC37T

Clinical thermometer Thermoval Rapid

Now from € 4.54 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 07.05.2020 3:08 p.m.

Medical thermometer Scala SC37T

Now from € 9.03 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 05.05.2020 07:21 a.m.

The last extensive clinical thermometer test by the Stiftung Warentest was several years ago. In the 09/2008 edition, 18 models of different designs had to prove themselves. Two of them were able to achieve the best result with a grade of “good” (1.9): The Hartmann Thermoval Rapid and the Scala SC37T - both are contact thermometers. Both can still be found in stores today at prices below 5 euros. The measurement accuracy is "very good" for both models, according to the Stiftung Warentest. No disadvantages are mentioned - at most the measurement time of 31 seconds with the Scala SC37T could be a bit too long for some restless toddlers.

Update from March 25th, 2020: The Scala SC37T is currently sold out everywhere. If you trust the brand, you can also find the Scala SC 28 at Amazon for just under 11 euros.

Advantages:

• Very good measurement accuracy
• Inexpensive

Disadvantage:

Body contact required, measuring time 11 seconds (Hartmann) or 31 seconds (Scala)

Clinical thermometer bestseller at Amazon: Beurer FT 13

Clinical thermometer Beurer FT 13 with flexible measuring tip

Now from € 11.79 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 23:54

The constantly updated bestseller list "Rectal, Oral & Axis Thermometers" at Amazon provides good information on recommended thermometers. At the top is the Beurer FT 13 contact thermometer for less than 5 euros. The customer rating is 4.4 out of 5 stars, with over 140 reviews submitted.

A practical feature is the flexible measuring tip, which should make measurements in the mouth or anus easier. The message "Lo" on the display could be a bit irritating: It means that the clinical thermometer is ready for use (see operating instructions). From a body temperature of 37.8 ° C, the Beurer Ft 13 emits a warning tone.

Advantages:

• Flexible measuring tip
• Fever alarm

Disadvantage:

Ready for use is indicated by a cryptic "Lo" on the display

Medical thermometer bestseller at Otto: Braun ThermoScan 5 IRT6020

Braun thermometer ThermoScan 5

Now from 53.99 € at Saturn Similar offer at Otto price can now be higher. Price from 20.06.2020 20:54 h

The Braun ThermoScan 5 is currently leading the bestseller list of thermometers at Germany's second largest online retailer Otto. It is an infrared ear thermometer, Otto customers are almost entirely positive about it. The handling is classified as "easy". However, according to the Stiftung Warentest, it measures "only up to 40 degrees precisely", and above that "it became less precise".

The disposable protective caps for the Braun ThermoScan 5 are hygienic, but also generate garbage and other costs. 40 replacement caps can be found in stores for around 6 euros:

Braun LF 40 EULA 01 protective caps for ThermoScan

Now from € 8.43 at Saturn price comparison price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:08 a.m.

Advantages:

• Fast and pleasant infrared measurement
• Hygienic protective covers

Disadvantage:

With very high fever values imprecise

Test winner contactless clinical thermometer: Nokia Thermo (Withings Thermo)

Withings Thermo Sleep Thermometer

Now from € 87.41 at Amazon Similar offer at Otto Similar offer at Saturn Price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 01:10 a.m.

The magazine TESTBild (issue 01/2018, also available from Readly *) has tested 15 clinical thermometers, including contactless models. The test winner in this category with the grade “good” (2.4) is the “Nokia Thermo”, which can also be found in stores as “Withings Thermo”. The reason for the different names: Nokia sold its health division to Withings in 2018.

Download Withings Thermo Developer: Withings Price: Free

The Nokia / Withings Thermo measures an exact value in three seconds - without skin contact. To do this, move it along the forehead with a little distance (measurement on the temporal artery). At almost 100 euros, the model is extremely expensive, but can stand out from conventional clinical thermometers with numerous useful functions. One of these is synchronization via WLAN, in which the measured values are stored in the associated app (iOS and Android). The health protocol for up to 8 users can be helpful when visiting a doctor.

The manufacturer's video shows how to set up the Withings Thermo and compare the data with the app:

Withings Thermo: Synchronize clinical thermometer with app (manufacturer video)

Advantages:

• Fast and accurate
• No skin contact
• Extensive smart functions via mobile phone app

Disadvantage:

• Relatively expensive
• Cannot be set up in 5 GHz WLANs

Medical thermometer purchase: what you should know

Where is the best place to measure fever?

With contact thermometers, the correct measuring point on the body is decisive, which together with a sufficient measuring time leads to a correct measured value. “The most reliable is rectal measurement in the anus. The temperature under the tongue is 0.3 to 0.5 degrees lower, measurements under the armpits or on other skin areas are unreliable,”says Dr. Wesiack, specialist for internal medicine in Hamburg, opposite T-Online.

Measuring the temperature in children is a particular challenge, as they can take an oral measurement “only breathe through the nose for a few minutes, do not open the mouth and do not bite the thermometer”, as the professional association of pediatricians e. V. notes.

Infrared thermometers for the ear can make it easier for children to measure, but parents must make sure that they target the eardrum and that there is no faulty measurement due to ear wax (see “Pediatric Diseases from A to Z” by DDr.med. Peter Voitl).

View clinical thermometer bestseller at Otto

When do you have a fever?

The professional association of German internists e. V. names the following temperature values (measured in degrees Celsius) to determine fever:

• 36.5 ° C - 37.4 ° C: normal temperature
• 37.5 ° C - 38.0 ° C: Subfebrile temperature ("elevated temperature", no fever yet)
• 38.1 ° C - 38.5 ° C: Slight fever
• 38.6 ° C - 39.0 ° C: Moderate fever
• 39.1 ° C - 39.9 ° C: High fever
• 40.0 ° C - 42.0 ° C: Very high fever

Notice on your own behalf

Fever is a serious phenomenon that affects the aspect of health. GIGA cannot provide any technical advice here, but can only provide an overview of currently available clinical thermometers that can help with the recording of the state of health. In the event of serious symptoms of fever or other symptoms, it is absolutely advisable to seek medical advice.

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