10 Best Baby Bath Thermometers Reviewed in 2024
Lianna Tedesco
A bath thermometer is a simple device that's designed specifically to measure the temperature of the water it's immersed in. This is a practice that has been used since the early 1900s and possibly even longer and although it's basic, it works. What feels warm to you might be incredibly hot to your baby and vice versa which is why a thermometer is always the most reliable option when it comes to temperature. There are several other tricks that we'll go into later on that you can use in addition to your bath thermometer, but having a device, specifically one that's digital can make a world of a difference. Thermometers are much more advanced now in their ability to determine the exact temperature to the decimal point and we've sought out some of the best to protect your little one's sensitive skin.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 23 hrs of research
Displays temperature within two seconds
Doubles as a bath toy
Battery is sealed in
Display flashes if the temperature is unsafe
10 Best Baby Bath Thermometers Reviewed
1. MotherMed
Displays temperature within two seconds
Doubles as a bath toy
Battery is sealed in
Display flashes if the temperature is unsafe
Expensive
The MotherMed floating whale bath thermometer continues to measure the temperature of your child’s bathwater throughout their entire bath.
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Mothermed creates a variety of bath thermometers all of which are waterproof and have been temperature tested.
Safety
While this thermometer is battery operated, the battery is sealed in. With the battery being screwed in, you won’t have to worry about it posing as a choking hazard. If the display shows a temperature below 90 degrees or higher than 100, the water is unsafe for your child. The display will flash if the temperature is unsafe. The material of the whale is BPA free, thus making it safe for your child to play with.
Effectiveness
This digital thermometer eliminates the guesswork by providing an accurate reading. The large numbers make the temperature clear and easy to read. In order to conserve the battery, the thermometer will automatically turn off after thirty minutes.
Design
Shaped like a whale, this kid-friendly thermometer will have your child excited to take a bath. The cartoon appearance allows the whale to double as a bath toy.
Ease of use
Using this thermometer is a stress-free process. Simply stir the water around in the tub to make sure it is well mixed. Next, place the thermometer in the water. The temperature should display within two seconds.
2. NUK Oil Based
Floats
Glass is Shatterproof and plastic is BPA free
Produces accurate results
Easy to use
Does not have a face for when the temperature is too hot
The NUK Oil Based bath thermometer allows you to easily bond with your child instead of worrying about the temperature of their bathwater.
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NUK is a well-known company in Germany. They are famous for manufacturing high-quality and safe baby products.
Safety
This thermometer is composed of a high-quality plastic and the liquid inside is canola oil. The plastic is BPA free. The glass is shatterproof, thus your little one is perfectly safe to grasp and toss it around in the bath.
Effectiveness
The natural canola oil inside the thermometer produces accurate results consistently.
Design
One side of the thermometer displays the temperature. Right across from the numbers are three different faces. The faces show you if the water is too cold or just right. With the thermometer measuring in Celcius, the faces make it easier for people in the United States to understand the reading.
Ease of use
This thermometer is not operated with batteries or wires, thus you won’t have to worry about it malfunctioning. You can easily retrieve it from the water at any time as it floats.
3. DongRong Floating
Easy to use
Meets all safety standards
Updates the temperature reading frequently
Equipped with a high/low alarm
Batteries may die quickly
Keep your little one healthy and safe by monitoring their bathwater using the DongRong floating thermometer.
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DongRong created this thermometer to be safe for children and easy for parents to use. When purchasing you can choose between a whale and a starfish thermometer.
Safety
This one-piece thermometer does not have any small parts, thus preventing it from being a choking hazard. The entire toy has been tested and is compliant with toy and safety standards.
Effectiveness
This thermometer is highly effective as it provides you with a precise temperature reading. It is also equipped with an audio/visual alarm that will alert you if the temperature is too hot or cold. If the water is too cold the LCD displays a yellow LED light and if the water is too hot it will display a flashing red light.
Design
Designed in the shape of a light blue whale, your child will love having this thermometer in the bath. It is lightweight and can easily be grasped by tiny hands. You will be able to monitor the temperature while your child engages in pretend play.
Ease of use
This thermometer is so easy to use you don’t even have to turn it on. As soon as it is placed in the water it automatically turns on. Every five seconds the thermometer will display the temperature to keep you updated as it changes. The temperature is displayed on the LCD screen in Fahrenheit, thus making it easy for you to read.
4. Aquatopia Digital Audible
Durable and long-lasting
Beeps to alert you of temperature changes
Very buoyant
Alerts you when the battery is low
Batteries included
It's not soft or rubbery therefore it can get slippery
This thermometer, while less of a bath toy, will alert you with an alarm when the temperature of the water is too hot or starts getting too cold. It's easy to get swept away when playing with your baby in the bath which is why this comes in as such a great timer.
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When you can't constantly check the temperature reading on your thermometer, what's the next best thing? Hearing it, of course! This tiny floating turtle can be left alone in the tub and will give you automatic readings every two minutes.
Safety
This makes bath time effortless and will alert you when the water temperature drops so that you know when it's time to dry off your baby and get outta there. This tiny floating turtle will also beep to let you know when the bath water is ready as well so that you won't waste any time (or heat!) when it comes to your baby's routinely baths.
Effectiveness
We might as well call this the "smart thermometer" as far as features go. Not only will this turtle beep to alert you of a temperature change, but it'll also beep when the battery is low and needs changing.
Design
This entire device is made with waterproof, hard plastic, making it stable as well as solid in the tub. It's not likely to flood or show wear and tear easily which means you'll be able to use it for years as your child grows up.
Ease of use
It's completely waterproof and makes for a fun toy for your child as well, whether they love bobbing it, pushing it around, or shoving it under the water -- It'll always pop right back up and surely induce a laugh!
5. Dreambaby L321 Duck
Works outside of the bathtub as well
Flashes various colors to alert you of temperature changes
Baby-proof and makes for a good bath toy
Simplistic design
Easy to read display
It doesn't have a long shelf-life
This cute little ducky has just as much purpose outside of the bath as it does inside and will tell you the temperature of the room as well as the water. Its dual purpose is one reason why we love it so much.
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We seem to be noticing a trend here... A cute, yellow trend, to be exact! There's a reason that babies love rubber ducks so much and we were thrilled to include these adorable birds on our list. Anything in the form of a cute little lake-dwelling animal is just that much more adorable when it's floating around in the bath, and this rubber ducky is sure to capture your child's attention.
Safety
The digital read-out is easily seen from the top of the duck and won't take away from the "toy" aspect of this product. This will leave you reassured that you always know the water temperature while your baby splashes away. It's a simple device that doesn't have any frills and needs no fuss in order to make it work -- simply turn it on and pop it in the water.
Effectiveness
As it floats around, it'll provide you with constant temperature readings so that you can easily keep track. It also lights up green and red to indicate temperatures that are too hot or too cold as well so that you don't need to be staring at it constantly.
Design
The advanced features don't stop there with this alluring little ducky -- It can even be used to measure the temperature of a room as well. When it's not floating around in the bathtub, it can do its job just as well outside of an aquatic setting. We guess you could say that it does well as a fish out of the water!
Ease of use
The fact that this thermometer can go straight from the bath to your baby's dresser to measure the temperature of their room is a key quality of this product. It pulls double-duty to ensure that your baby is always comfortable and will be the perfect indicator to let you know when it's time to raise or lower the thermostat.
6. Munchkin SmartDrain
Lights glow bright enough to be seen from the top of the water
Three temperature levels for adequate alerts
Helps to plug up the drain
Can be installed and removed easily
Reads the most accurate part of the bath water
It has no temperature display
The hottest part of the bath is usually at the bottom which is what makes this thermometer so unique. It's designed to sit over the drain which not only keeps water from leaking out, but gives you the most accurate temperature reading possible at the same time.
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And now for something completely different! While this thermometer doesn't work as a traditional digital thermometer, it is pretty smart. Many times, floating devices will track and measure the surface temperature of the water which might lead to a slightly cooler result than the water underneath.
Safety
In order to prevent this and provide as accurate a reading as possible, Munchkin has designed a thermometer that's intended to read the temperature in the hottest part of the tub -- the bottom! This device can be easily suction-cupped over your drain and will glow in one of three colors to let you know what the bath temperature is like.
Effectiveness
Green means you're good to go, blue means the water is too cool, and red, of course, means the water is too hot. This suction cup will also prevent water from seeping down the drain which can also alter the temperature of the overall bath quite a bit.
Design
The colors glow very bright to let you know exactly where the temperature is at before your baby even goes into the tub. It's sensitive enough to adapt to changing temperature conditions and will produce immediate results.
Ease of use
You won't even miss the digital temperature reading with this handy little device. Since the temperature underneath the water is always the most extreme, you'll always know what's going on down there without even needing to check it yourself.
7. MotherMed Red Flower
Flashes various light colors to alert you to changing temperatures
Immediate readings
Accurate in the water and out of the water
Fun shape for babies to play with
Tight-locking battery pack
The temperature varies when placed on top of the water as opposed to underneath
The unique shape of this thermometer allows it to float on top of the water to consistantly provide an accurate temperature reading. It's also interesting to babies who will be enamored with its bright color and unusual shape.
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This floating thermometer definitely looks a bit different from what we've included on our list so far but don't worry, there's a reason for that. The unique circular design allows this device to float around the tub where it can be easily picked up by you or played with by your baby.
Safety
This waterproof toy might look a bit strange but it's a hit with babies. The unique look and shape of it will pique their curiosity and turn baths into a fun place to be while you get proper use out of their "toy" in the form of a digital thermometer.
Effectiveness
Additionally, there's a light indicator on the front of this device that flashes various colors to alert you to the current state of the bathwater. It'll let you know when the water is too hot, when it's just right, and when the temperature has dropped below a safe level. It's super easy to use -- simply give it a shake, tighten the battery pack, and stick it in the water to get an immediate temperature reading.
Design
It's bright and inviting and perfectly safe for your baby to play with as long as you make sure that the battery pack on the back is tightly locked.
Ease of use
This device can also be used to take the temperature of the room as well. When you're finished with the bath simply take it out, dry it, and set it up in a safe and obvious place in order to monitor your baby's room temperature as well.
8. Famidoc FDTH-V0-22
Colorful and fun
Long battery life
Functions as a cute toy
LCD display is easy to read
Light indicates temperature level
It takes a bit longer to read the water temperature
This is one stingray that your baby doesn't have to be afraid to play with! This cute little aquatic animal is just as great a bath toy as it is a thermometer and will bring tons of fun to bathtime.
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This little stingray could not be cuter in the form of a bath toy. While that's not what it's really intended for, it is perfectly safe for babies to play with -- because you know they will! It features a locking battery pack that makes it waterproof and easily submergible and will have your baby loving their bathtime in no time at all.
Safety
It'll let you know when it's perfectly safe to start the bath, when to end it, and when your water is holding at a steady temperature. This is a fun device that can be used often as your baby grows up because what toddler doesn't love a new bath toy?
Effectiveness
The LCD display is crisp and easy to read on this device and puts it in the top running for high-quality thermometer products. Water can easily distort the image and make numbers tough to read but that's not an issue you'll find with this cute stingray.
Design
The display is easy to be read and also easily seen at the top of this brightly-colored aquatic animal. That's not even the best part, though; you'll also notice a light on this display that serves as an indicator for when the bath is varying in temperature.
Ease of use
The battery is guaranteed to last at least one year which is longer than many bath thermometers on the market. Even though it's constantly exposed to water, this is one tough little device that's sure to outlast the competition.
9. B&H Floating Duck
Tells the time
Beeps when the temperature changes
The display is easy to read
Makes for a cute bath toy
Great for any child age
It is a pricey option
You've seen plenty of cute ducks before but this one beeps! It'll alert you to any sudden temperature changes so that your baby is as comfortable and happy as possible while in the bath.
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This is the last duck on here, we promise! This B&H-designed rubber ducky is completely maxed out as far as features go so that you won't need to go looking for anything extra. For starters, it displays the temperature of the bath water as soon as it's placed in the bath.
Safety
This would make a perfect gift for new parents since it takes all of the guesswork out of running a bath for their baby. This little device will save time and stress when it comes to figuring out temperatures and keeping track of how long your baby has been in the bath.
Effectiveness
But wait, there's even more! You'll notice that the display on this duck is a bit larger than many others and that's because this smart little duck tells time as well.
Design
That's right -- there's a built-in clock on this thermometer so you can keep track of exactly how long your child has been in the bath before their pruney fingers do. Talk about features out the wazoo!
Ease of use
This is something that's useful for all ages, not just for babies. When your toddler or tween is in the bath, this can be a helpful device to let them know when they should be getting out the bath.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Brand
Now, it's time to answer some of the other things you're probably thinking before it's time for your baby's bath. As a grown adult, let alone a parent, it can be challenging to know how your baby feels since they can't formulate words or full sentences yet. While they can cry and express how they feel, there's no way for them to say, "this water is too hot" or "I'm chilly". We've already shown you a wide array of thermometers that are ideal for testing out the waters before allowing your baby free reign of his or her bathtime, but now it's time to discuss how we found them.
Safety
his is perhaps the most commonly asked question when it comes to bathtime for babies. Ideally, the water should be no higher than the human body's internal temperature -- roughly 100-degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will ensure that your baby is comfortable since the temperature is on par with their own internal thermostat, but hovers just slightly over to keep them warm. You don't really want to go any higher than this because you run the risk of scalding your baby's sensitive skin. This is especially important for newborns as their skin is still adjusting to external temperatures and while they do need to be kept warm, they shouldn't be kept hot.
Effectiveness
A common practice is to bath your baby in the sink in a bathtub that's designed specifically for them. While this is perfectly normal and fine, something you should be aware of is the faucet out of which your water is coming from. Especially in some older houses, metal faucets might remain hot to the touch after running hot water through them. Even if you've run cold water through it as well, the faucet may still be holding onto a significant amount of heat. If your baby happens to touch this, they could run the risk of an uncomfortable sudden heat that could hurt or scare them. Always check to make sure that your faucet has cooled down and, if possible, turn it as far as you can away from your baby and his or her bath.
Design
While on the hunt, we first needed to make the distinction between digital thermometers and traditional thermometers. Both serve a purpose and are very reliable, but you'll find mostly digital on this list. In today's day and age, a digital thermometer is much faster as it provides an immediate read-out and will keep track of the water as the temperature goes up or down. However, we have included one non-digital device for those who would rather read the temperature manually and keep track of bathwater the entire time rather than constantly re-checking with a digital device. Neither way is wrong, it's just whichever you, as a parent, are more comfortable with.
Ease of Use
Another concern was figuring out which devices were the most baby-friendly. We asked ourselves whether or not these devices could be turned into colorful, inviting, and comforting bath accompaniments and lo and behold, they could! We were able to find thermometers that were shaped like rubber ducks, vibrantly-colored animals, and even found one that lights up
Brand Safety Effectiveness Design Ease of Use 
. When it comes to babies, anything that is fully baby-proof and can also act as a toy is something that will inevitably be successful. There was something that went hand-in-hand with this idea, though, and that was safety.
We needed to ensure that any product we found was undeniably waterproof as well as baby-safe when it comes to playtime and water leakage. Through various customer reviews as well as reviews of the brand itself, we were able to determine which products remained on the list and which got tossed down the drain... so to speak! What we were left with was nothing short of the best list of baby-safe, accurately-reading thermometers you can find and it's a list that we are confident in presenting to you as well.
Other Factors to Consider
Green Factor
Consider how you feel when you get out of the bath or a shower on a cold, winter day. If you don't have heat in your bathroom or even if you have cold tile floors, you often feel a chill, correct? This same thing can happen to your baby in the event that the room they're being bathed in is not warm. You might not notice the temperature change at 68-degrees Fahrenheit but with water clinging to your baby's skin, you can guarantee that they'll notice it.
Protection
It's important to make sure that the temperature of the room is just slightly higher than normal in order to make for a smoother transition when taking your baby out of the bath. Additionally, have your most comfortable, cuddly towels ready and waiting to wrap them up and make them feel warm again. It's the little comforts such as this that will make bath time a friendly experience and one that they won't fear rather than enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Do these need to be calibrated?
Any directions will be found in the summary of each product but for the most part, no -- These thermometers are ready to go from the moment you take them out of their packaging. Normally, food service thermometers need to be calibrated if they're non-digital. Anything that is digital is usually pre-calibrated and ready to be used.
q: Will this remain on automatically if I want to progressively measure how quickly the water temperature cools down?
Most of these are designed to shut off automatically when not in use. This saves the battery power and prevents it from being drained completely in one use. Non-digital thermometers are great for this reason. However, since most of these are digital, they're easy and fast when it comes to turning them on and taking a measurement.
q: What's the best way to store them when not in use?
You would store these just like any other thermometer in a place that's cool and dry. After each use, make sure to thoroughly dry the product before putting it away to keep it hygienic and ensure a long shelf-life.
q: Can my baby play with this while it's still on?
Yes. Each one of these products that also doubles as a toy is designed to be completely baby-friendly. That means regardless of whether or not it's acting like a thermometer or a toy, your baby will be perfectly fine playing with it.
q: How do I replace the battery?
There should be a panel on the bottom of each product that can be unscrewed. The description of the battery will be found in the "product detail" section on its Amazon page.
q: Could this throw off an inaccurate reading?
It's not likely. Thermometers these days are designed in such a way that virtually eliminates false readings which means you'll likely get something as accurate as possible, each time. If you do get an inaccurate reading, that means something is faulty with the thermometer itself and it should be returned or exchanged.
