Santa Medical 2 in 1 Professional Clinical RY230 Large LCD Non-contact Infrared Thermometer - Forehead and Surface

Bottom Line

If you've been struggling to find an easy-to-use thermometer that doesn't induce anxiety in children, the Santa Medical 2 in 1 Professional Clinical RY230 Large LCD Non-contact Infrared is the answer. Measurements are taken anywhere on the face with zero contact in about one second, and the device stores up to 32 readings in its memory. Owners say this thermometer is accurate for the most part, although some say it should be calibrated before use.

Performance

Accurate after calibration. The Santa Medical thermometer stands out among digital thermometers because it requires no contact with the patient. Measurements can be obtained from any location on the face, including the tear ducts, forehead and even cheeks. Measurements are said to be accurate within 0.3 degrees and readings are complete within one second.

We didn't find many owner-written reviews of this thermometer, but more than 125 owners contribute their feedback to Amazon.com. Overall, the Santa Medical earns positive ratings from owners.

Most owners say this thermometer offers accurate readings, but there are some detractors who say otherwise. One owner posting a thorough review to Amazon.com explains, "Upon reading the user manual, I found that it had to acclimatize to the ambient temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before use. After acclimatization, the readings were closer but still 0.6°F lower than the temperatures registered by my tried and true oral thermometer. I contacted the seller through email and was told that I could enter an adjustment, which is called 'Total Difference' in the user manual. Up to plus or minus 3°C can be entered for the total difference."

Ease of Use

Simple, noninvasive use ideal for all ages. The Santa Medical thermometer's large backlit display is easy to read, even in total darkness. An audible alarm also lets you know if the temperature reading is too high. Because it is capable of recording temperatures from any location on a person's face, it's ideal for use with sleeping children and won't disturb them or cause anxiety as rectal thermometers sometimes can.

This noninvasive device operates using two AA batteries, which are said to last up to 100,000 uses. Owners say it couldn't be simpler to use and is quite durable, with a few owners saying they've dropped the unit a few times and it's still going strong. The Santa Medical 2 in 1 Professional Clinical RY230 Large LCD Non-contact Infrared thermometer is backed by a one-year warranty and a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.