ConsFirst / Meat thermometers / Compare
ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth vs ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on speed, accuracy, ease of use. ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 wins on durability.
The biggest complaint about the ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth is only one probe; for the ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 it's no auto-on; stiff power button on the back. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth | ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in meat thermometers | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Type | Wired leave-in | Instant-read |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | 6% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| Speed | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Accuracy | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Ease of use | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Range & app (wireless) | 3.0 | — |
| Durability | 3.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $40 · $$ $40–100 · $$$ over $100. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth
- Only one probe
Serious Eats says a second probe would make it more useful, so serious grillers may prefer the multi-probe Smoke.
- Wired probes can burn out
For the identical non-Bluetooth Dot, Wirecutter says cables are sensitive and repeated high heat can burn them out; a few readers said theirs malfunctioned after several months. Amazon's summary for the Dot listing mentions some reports of the plastic housing melting.
- Less range for the money than fully wireless
Wirecutter says that for the BlueDOT's price you'd get more distance, features and durability from the single-probe TempSpike Plus.
Source: Wirecutter
ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2
- No auto-on; stiff power button on the back
Wirecutter says it doesn't turn on automatically, which can be frustrating. Serious Eats found the rear power button rigid and less intuitive, and powering off takes a few seconds of holding.
- Hand gets close to the heat
Wirecutter says the small head and fixed stick probe bring your hand closer to the heat than fold-out models, and it has no magnet.
Source: Wirecutter - Front screen can shatter
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it lasting years, while others mention the front screen shattering.
Who should pick which
Pick the ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth if
Easy, no-fuss grilling and roasting
A display plus phone alerts
Wide range from frying to freezing (-58 to 572°F)
Skip it if: You need more than one probe; You want a cable-free probe; You broil often (Wirecutter notes ThermoWorks warns against it for the Dot)
Pick the ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 if
A budget pick from a top brand
Camping or the grill (IP67, pocket clip)
Reading the screen at any angle (4-way rotation)
Skip it if: You want auto-on when you pick it up; You temp food over a very hot grill often; You want a magnet to store it
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