ConsFirst / Meat thermometers / Compare
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE vs ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on speed, accuracy, durability. ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth wins on ease of use.
The biggest complaint about the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE is hard to justify the price; for the ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth it's only one probe. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE | ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in meat thermometers | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Instant-read | Wired leave-in |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 7% |
| Overall score | 4.6 | 3.9 |
| Speed | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Accuracy | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Range & app (wireless) | — | 3.0 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 3.0 |
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 Thermapen ONE
- Hard to justify the price
Wirecutter dropped it as its upgrade pick because the Javelin Pro Duo and ThermoWorks Sizzle were just as fast and accurate, so it isn't worth two to three times the price. Amazon's review summary says opinions on its value are mixed.
- Settings are hidden under the battery cover
Tom's Guide says you must unscrew the battery compartment to switch °F/°C, change brightness or adjust calibration, then reassemble it before use.
Source: Tom's Guide - Spot checks only; screen contrast could be better
Tom's Guide lists that you can't leave it in and it has no smart features. Serious Eats says the screen numbers could use more contrast.
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
Who should pick which
Pick the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE if
Fastest, most accurate spot checks
Daily use for years (5-year warranty)
Frying oil, candy and baking as well as meat
Skip it if: You want to leave a probe in the roast; You want an app or alerts; You'd rather pay a third as much for nearly the same speed
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)
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