As anyone who has ever had a sick baby can attest, one parenting must-have is a good, reliable thermometer.
My family has been through pretty much every kind of thermometer out there—ear, underarm, forehead—you name it, we’ve tried it. But I’ve never found one that I really loved (and yes, I believe that you can really love a thermometer, if you find the right one). So when the time came for me to choose a “gadget”, I went for the MOBI Digital Ultra Thermometer upon the suggestion of our Associate Editor Ginny, who researched thermometers for an article several months back and thought the MOBI might be a good one to try.
So here are the basics: This thermometer measures body temperature from the ear or forehead in just two seconds. It’s pretty easy to use, and I’ve found it to be pretty accurate. MOBI suggests taking 2-3 consecutive readings to determine your temp since the readings can vary, which I’ve found to be pretty standard with both ear and forehead thermometers. (And since each reading only takes two seconds, it’s no big deal.) Of all the thermometers that I’ve tried, I do have to say that I find this to be one of the most accurate. And it’s very easy to use too.
Other positives about the MOBI Digital Ultra include a bright backlit display with easy to read numbers, an optional voice readout (which I don’t use, because it kind of freaks me out for my thermometer to talk to me), a room temperature reading (great for monitoring your nursery temp), a 20 reading memory and a built-in calendar. So not only does it tell you what your last temp reading was, but what time it was taken—I love that feature, because my sleep-deprived brain often has a hard time remembering how much time has passed between readings (and Tylenol doses) when my kids are sick. But probably my favorite thing is the mini-flashlight that allows you to see what you're doing in the dark, so you can take your little one’s temp without waking him up with the overhead light.
I think this thermometer is great for babies 6 months and up—for babies under six months, I always suggest a rectal thermometer, just because they provide the optimal body temp reading and babies don’t too much mind the invasion of privacy. I prefer the ear option over the forehead because I feel like it’s easier to get and a little more accurate, but that might be a matter of opinion. (It’s worth noting, however, that the temple is the best place for a forehead reading.) I’m definitely a fan of the MOBI Digital Ultra Thermometer, and think it would make a great addition to any parent’s home. Looks like my search for the perfect thermometer is over!
Price: $30
Buy it: Amazon
