A basal thermometer is a helpful tool that any woman should have for trying to conceive or just monitoring your cycle. This thermometer can help you determine when you are ovulating to increase your chances of conceiving.
In this article, we’ll cover how to choose the best basal thermometer and everything you should know, as well as review the best basal thermometers on the market.
Best Basal Thermometer Reviews
While there isn’t necessarily one basal thermometer that is perfect for everyone, there are some that are more effective than others. Here are our reviews of some of the best basal thermometers on the market.
1. iProven Clinical Basal Thermometer
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This thermometer is extremely accurate, and it is designed to capture changes in your body temperature to up to a hundredth of a degree.
It takes up to a full minute to capture your temperature, but the longer measurement time actually gives better results.
In fact, it is so accurate that it can be used orally and will provide similar accuracy to a vaginal measurement.
The design of the thermometer is very ergonomic and easy to hold. To start the temperature measurement, you will press a button at the end of the thermometer, and it will beep when it is done recording.
The display is large, with numbers that are clear and easy to read. You can switch the measurement between Fahrenheit and Celsius depending on your preferences.
The temperature also remains on the display until you manually turn it off, so you can take the time to record your temperature. It is very durable and comes in a plastic case for storage.
The only downside is that it can be a little difficult to see what you are doing if your bedroom is dark, because there is no backlight
PROS
- Extremely accurate readings in both Fahrenheit and Celcius
- The button is easy to press, and there is a beep to tell you when to stop recording
CONS
- May be difficult to see in dim lighting
2. QQCute Dual Mode Forehead and Ear Digital Thermometer
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This clinical grade thermometer may not be designed specifically for basal body temperature, but it can be used for this because of the high quality.
It is also just a good tool to have around the house for measuring fevers. The thermometer can be used on either the forehead or in the ear.
It takes the temperature very quickly with just the push of a button (although you should leave the thermometer in your ear for at least 30 seconds to get the most accurate reading).
It has a backlit display, which is very helpful when you are taking your temperature first thing in the morning. It also stores a total of 20 readings, which is ideal for anyone charting their basal body temperature.
The downside to this product is that it may not be as accurate as other thermometers that are designed specifically for basal body temperature, because you are taking the temperature in the ear instead of the mouth.
PROS
- Easy to use and works quickly
- Backlit display is very easy to see
- Stores 20 past readings
CONS
- Not designed specifically for basal body temperature
3. AccuMed Infrared Medical Thermometer
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This medical thermometer has a very unique technology that takes your temperature using infrared light, so you don’t actually have to make contact with your body.
To capture the temperature, all you need to do is point the thermometer towards your forehead and press the button.
The display is backlit, and the thermometer also reads the temperature out orally, so you won’t struggle to see the temperature in a dark room. It also stores up to 32 previous readings to make tracking easy.
Since it is not designed specifically for basal body temperature, it may not be as accurate as other models, but it is still clinical grade and very accurate. It is easy to use and hold, and it also is very durable and will last a long time.
PROS
- Very comfortable to use because it is non-contact
- Stores up to 32 previous readings for easy tracking
- Display is easy to see
- Device provides verbal readings
CONS
- Not designed specifically for basal body temperature
4. Wink by Kindara Fertility Thermometer
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This fertility thermometer is very unique because it is integrated with its own tracking app, which makes it even easier to accurately determine when you are ovulating.
The thermometer itself is small and has a soft exterior, so it is comfortable to use. It has a lit display that makes it easy to see the temperature. It vibrates when the temperature has been accurately captured instead of a jarring beep.
It uses Bluetooth to automatically sync the temperatures to your phone, so you’ll never have to worry about missing a day’s recording. You can see the temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
The Kindara app is also very useful for anyone concerned with fertility. You can use the app to connect with other women who are tracking their cycles and get advice and information from the community.
The downside is that this may be a bit confusing for those who are new to charting their cycles, as it does not come with instructions and the design is different from your typical thermometer.
PROS
- Syncs to an app for easy charting
- More comfortable and ergonomic than other thermometers
- Readings that are easy to see, soft vibration when the reading is complete
CONS
- May be a bit confusing for those new to charting
5. Femometer Women’s Gift Ovulation Kit
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This is another thermometer that comes with an app to make tracking your cycle easier. It works quickly to track your temperature, and then it works with the app to automatically identify when you are most fertile.
It has a very sleek and durable design, and it turns on and off when you remove the cap, so you don’t have to worry about pressing any buttons. It also comes in several different fashionable colors to choose from.
The app can set alarms for you to track your temperature at the same time every day, and the thermometer itself beeps when your temperature has been accurately captured.
PROS
- Ergonomic design is very simple to use and looks sleek
- Automatically syncs with the app for easy tracking
CONS
- The lack of a display may be frustrating for some
What is a Basal Thermometer and How Do I Use It?
Your basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature you attain during sleep or relaxation periods. This temperature is controlled by your hormones (as well as some other factors), and it can be indicative of whether or not you are ovulating.
A basal thermometer takes your basal body temperature. You can take your basal body temperature either orally or vaginally.
Your vaginal temperature tends to be more accurate when it comes to monitoring your cycle, but you can still get good results by taking your temperature orally.
When using a basal thermometer to monitor your cycle, you should get into the habit of taking your temperature right before you get out of bed in the morning.
This is when your basal body temperature is most accurate
Any activity, even just walking to the bathroom, can raise your basal body temperature and reduce the accuracy of the reading. You’ll need to take your temperature every day to get a consistent reading.
our temperature will be roughly the same every day when you are not ovulating, but when you are ovulating, you will notice an increase of .4 to .6 in your basal body temperature.
This means that you are ovulating and that it is an ideal time to try to conceive
Over several cycles, you’ll learn what is normal for your body, and you’ll be able to get the most accurate results.
Generally, your body will have a basal temperature of around 96 to 98 percent during the first two weeks of your cycle, before ovulation occurs.
The change in body temperature happens just before you will start to ovulate. Everyone’s body changes are different, which is why it is is important for you to continually monitor your own changes to learn what is normal.
In addition to using this strategy to conceive, some women use it as a backup form of birth control. However, it is not as effective for birth control as other methods, so it’s still ideal to use condoms if you are trying to prevent pregnancy.
Many women find that they feel more empowered and in touch with their bodies when monitoring their cycles.
What Should I Look For in a Basal Thermometer?
There are several things you should look for in a basal thermometer.
GLASS OR DIGITAL
The first thing to consider is whether you want a glass or digital thermometer. Digital thermometers have tons of perks – they’re easier to read, they let you know exactly how long to leave the thermometer in, and they’re less fragile. However, glass thermometers are often less expensive.
ACCURACY
The next thing to consider is of course, the accuracy of the thermometer. For the thermometer to be accurate, it needs to measure to the tenth of a degree for Fahrenheit and to the hundredth of a degree for Celcius.
This allows you to get the most accurate results when it comes to charting your ovulation.
EASIER TO USE
Beyond those two important features, you should look for features that make the thermometer easier to use. The easier it is for you to take your temperature in the morning, the more likely you will be to monitor it consistently.
A very helpful feature that many thermometers have is a beep that tells you how long to leave it in. This ensures that you get a very accurate temperature reading.
Generally, you’ll need to leave the thermometer in for about 30 seconds to get the most accurate temperature.
Some thermometers are able to capture an accurate temperature faster, which can be a plus.
However, you should be wary of any thermometer that says it can capture an accurate temperature after just one or two seconds, as this is very difficult to do.
DISPLAY
You’ll also want to consider the quality of the display. It should be large and easy to read, and it should also be easy to turn the thermometer on and off.
The thermometer should also remember the last temperature taken so you can chart the difference between the results each day.
Some digital thermometers even sync with an app on your phone, which makes it even easier to keep an accurate record of your temperature each day.
COMFORTABLE
Comfort is also a very important factor to consider when looking for thermometers. Since you will be using it very frequently, you’ll want to make sure that taking your temperature is not uncomfortable or painful.
A thin thermometer is generally the most comfortable to use. You’ll also want to avoid anything that has sharp edges.
Any additional features that make the thermometer easier to use are also very valuable and often worth paying a bit extra for.
For example:
some thermometers have features such as a backlight, extended memory, and more. This is a good investment, because the easier it is to take your basal body temperature, the more likely you will be to accurately track your fertility.