Monitoring temperature is a key part of smoking barbecue. You don’t smoke for a specific time, you’re smoking to an internal temperature and for the right texture of the meat. One of the best ways to keep an eye on the internal temperature is a wireless meat thermometer. These thermometers allow you to put a probe in the cut of meat you’re smoking that connects back to a main monitor, usually with a display. These monitoring blocks then connect via WiFi or even Bluetooth to your smartphone so you can keep tabs on whatever you’re smoking without having to constantly check your grill or smoker.
Here at Angry BBQ, we’ve gotten hands-on time with a number of the best wireless meat thermometers on the market, and we’ve come up with our top six to help you decide what works best for your backyard grilling and barbecuing needs. We were focused on how accurate the thermometer is, how easy it is to use, overall features, and the connectivity experience.
Our personal favorite in this category list is the ThermoWorks Signals unit. It has a four-probe capacity, plenty for smoking enough food for a party, an easy-to-read display, automated fan controller capable, and a great app experience via WIFI or Bluetooth connectivity.
Before we dive into the rest of our top six list, let’s take a look at what makes for the best wireless meat thermometers.
Our Top Picks At A Glance…..
| IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Top PickTop PickThermoWorks Signals |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Runner-UpRunner-UpFireboard Labs Pro 2 |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Best Non-WIFIBest Non-WIFIThermoWorks Smoke X4 |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Multi Probe Wire FreeMulti Probe Wire FreeMeater Block |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Best Wire Free Single ProbeBest Wire Free Single ProbeMeatstick 4X |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | Honorable MentionHonorable MentionMeater Plus |
| CHECK PRICE |
What Should I Look For In A Wireless Meat Thermometer?
When you’re considering purchasing a wireless meat thermometer, there are a few characteristics you want to look at. First, the most important part of any thermometer is its accuracy. You want to know that your thermometer will give you accurate temperature readings and how much is its built-in deviation. You always want a wireless grill thermometer that offers good connectivity. What use is wireless if you’re constantly dropping the connection and having to go outside to your grill to reconnect?
Speaking of connectivity, you also want to make sure that the thermometer’s app is quality. It doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles, but you want it to be easy to read, have presets for the most common types of meats and cuts, and maybe even have some new recipes to try. That last part isn’t needed, but it is a nice bonus.
You also want to make sure that the thermometer has the capacity you’ll want. If you’re smoking one brisket or one pork butt for you and your family, you don’t need four probes because one will do. If you like hosting parties or preparing a lot of food, you’ll want more probes.
Finally, you want to consider what type of grill you’re cooking on and whether you want or have a peripheral for helping maintain steady temperatures for smoking food. Some of these thermometers have the ability to connect to other peripherals (fan blowers) to monitor and control your fire.
So on to the list of Angry BBQ’s top six wireless meat thermometers!
Best Wireless Meat Thermometer Specification Comparison Table
| ThermoWorks Signals | ThermoWorks Smoke X4 | Meater Plus | FireBoard 2 Pro | MeatStick 4X | Meater Block | |
| Temp Reading Range | -58 to 572°F(-50 to 300°C) | -58 to 572°F(-50 to 300°C) | Internal – Up to 212°FAmbient: Up to 527°F | -148° to 1472°F(-100° to 800°C) | Internal – 32° to 212°FAmbient – 32° to 572°F | Internal – Up to 212°FAmbient: Up to 527°F |
| Accuracy | Within 1.8°F (1.0°C) for temperatures between -4° to 248°F (-20 to 120°C) | Within 1.8°F (1.0°C) for temperatures between -4° to 248°F (-20 to 120°C) | Within 1°F (0.5°C) | Within 0.7°F (0.4°C) | Not specified | Within 1°F (0.5°C) |
| WiFi | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Probes | 4 (3 meat, 1 ambient) | 4 (3 meat, 1 ambient) | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Water Resistance | IP66 – Splashproof | IP66 – Splashproof | Yes. Rating not specified. | Weather resistant with no IP rating | Probes are dishwasher safe | Yes. Rating not specified. |
| Warranty | 2 Years | 2 Years | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Fan Blower Capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
1. ThermoWorks Signals – Top Pick
What We Like…
- Able to accurately monitor multiple pieces of meat with multiple probes
- Fully compatible with the ThermoWorks Billows to control the temperature of a wide range of charcoal grills
- Built-in battery so you aren’t tethered to an outlet
What Makes Us Angry…
- The only thing that is any sort of drawback with the Signals unit is that it is an expensive unit. However, you are getting top-notch quality and performance
Review
The level of features in the ThermoWorks Signals unit makes it unquestionably our favorite wireless meat thermometer. The display is large and easy to read so you can see everything that’s going on while you’re at the grill itself. The ThermoWorks app for Android and iOS phones is also easy to use and allows you to set alarms for each specific probe. You can even view your cooking session as a graph so you can see how temperatures have changed over the duration. You can even have previous cooking sessions saved on ThermoWorks’ cloud network.
The Signals unit offers connection versatility as it is both WiFi and Bluetooth capable. Whether you’re grilling at home and can connect to WiFi or on the road and can only connect via Bluetooth, you’ll be able to monitor everything and receive alerts for when food is done. This wireless thermometer checks off every box when it comes to connectivity.
ThermoWorks made sure that this thermometer can monitor multiple temperatures at once. The unit itself can handle four probes, and it comes with, unsurprisingly, four stainless steel probes. However, only three of those probes are traditional meat probes. The fourth one is an ambient temperature probe that can measure the temperature at the cooking grate so you can keep an eye on the temperature of the cooking chamber while also monitoring food with the other probes.
If you own a pellet grill that has a PID controller, you aren’t going to be as concerned about that functionality. For people who use other grills like a traditional charcoal grill or a kamado-style ceramic grill and smokes on them, the ability to keep an eye on the ambient temperature is a big deal.
That ambient temperature monitoring is what makes Signals and the Billows accessory compatible. You can set the temperature on the main unit and the Billows will continue to regulate the temperature of the grill. Read our installation guide of using the Billows Fan system with the Signals Controller so you can set your charcoal grill/smoker to whatever temp you want and the Signals handles the rest.
Overall, the versatility, accuracy, connectivity options, and ability to monitor multiple temperatures at once makes ThermoWorks Signals our favorite wireless meat thermometer. For our full in-depth review, check it out here.
2. FireBoard 2 Pro: Runner Up
What We Like…
- The Type K thermocouples are extremely accurate and have a wide temperature range so they can be used when smoking brisket or in a wood-fired pizza oven
- Compatible with the FireBoard Drive blower to control the fire temperature in a charcoal grill
- Offers both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
What Makes Us Angry…
- The Type K thermocouples are accurate and can handle high temperatures, but the FireBoard 2 Pro is not compatible with the standard type of probes that you may have accumulated with other units over the years
- One of the more expensive units
Review
FireBoard offers some great products, ranging from instant-read thermometers like the Spark to partnering with Yoder Smokers to provide the controller unit for the YS480s and YS640s pellet grills. The FireBoard 2 Pro can provide some of the greatest versatility in a wireless meat thermometer package.
That versatility is due to two separate features. One, the Type K probes can withstand greater heat than the standard probes most wireless digital thermometers use. The probes are rated to handle ambient temperatures of up to 1400°F (760°C.) There aren’t many thermometers at all that can handle that level of heat.
The other feature is that the FireBoard 2 Pro is compatible with the FireBoard Drive blower. Much like the ThermoWorks Signals and Smoke X4 being compatible with the Billows unit, you can use the FireBoard 2 Pro and the Drive blower to control the heat in a charcoal grill so you can be certain you’ll be able to smoke low-and-slow.
The FireBoard 2 Pro can monitor up to three temperature readings. It comes with two Type K meat probes and one Type K ambient probe, but you could always add a third meat probe if you’re not concerned about ambient temperature. This does fall a bit short of both the Signals and Smoke X4 units, but it definitely offers more than the MEATER Plus. The original FireBoard 2 does allow for six standard probes, so keep that in mind as well.
The main display unit for the FireBoard 2 Pro is large and can display one or multiple readings at once. It is both Bluetooth and WiFi compatible so you can connect it to your phone whatever your preference is. The app is packed full of features and will hold previous cooking sessions so you can review as well. It can display that nice graphing of the cook (as can the main unit display!)
The FireBoard 2 Pro is a great option if you’re looking to monitor temperatures in some extremely hot situations like a wood-fired grill or salamander-style grill. It’s also great if you want to be able to control the temperature on a charcoal grill. However, it is more expensive than most of the other thermometers on this list, so be aware that this is an investment.
3. ThermoWorks Smoke X4 – Best Non WIFI Thermometer
What We Like…
- Included receiver has incredible range and you don’t have to figure out connecting to WiFi or Bluetooth
- Four-probe capacity with three meat probes and one ambient temperature probe
- Large, easy-to-read display on both the main unit and the receiver
What Makes Us Angry…
- Because it uses an included receiver, it does lack some of the really nice features of the ThermoWorks app
Review
Yes, a second entry from ThermoWorks on this list. What can we say, they make excellent thermometers. What sets the Smoke X4 apart from the Signals unit is primarily the addition of a receiver rather than using an app through WIFI. Other than that difference (which has its advantages and its disadvantages,) the two units are extremely similar with some variation in the cosmetic design, not functionality.
The handheld receiver is just under half the size of the main unit but it shares the same screen layout. You have the current temperature reading, your desired temperature, as well as alarm thresholds for both minimum and maximum. You can increase the volume of the alarms as well as trigger the backlight feature for easy reading in low-light conditions. However, if you want to set the alarm for the probes, that needs to be done at the main unit and not the receiver.
The Smoke X4 and its receiver also lack the ability for you to see the entire progress of the cook like the ThermoWorks app. You can see at what temperature the cook started and your target temperature on the main unit, but you cannot see the overall progress. So that is a drawback from the Signals’ connection to the ThermoWorks app.
However, the Smoke X4 unit does boast one heck of a range. With line of sight, you can walk almost one and a quarter mile (two kilometers) and still be able to see how your brisket is doing. That’s impressive from a handheld device that is smaller than most walkie talkies.
In terms of the performance of the Smoke X4 as a thermometer, it is accurate within two degrees while transmitting updates every 30 seconds. Both the main unit and the receiver run off two AA batteries meaning you don’t have to plug either unit in to use. The battery life is outstanding as well so you won’t burn through batteries on a daily basis.
The Smoke X4 does have the same Billows functionality as one of the four included probes is the same ambient temperature probe as the Signals unit.
Overall, the Smoke X4 may lack some of the connectivity features built into the ThermoWorks app that the Signals unit has, but otherwise it is a great wireless thermometer. For a full breakdown, check out our full review.
4. Meater Block: Multi-Probe Wire Free WIFI
What We Like…
- Four probes allow you to monitor a large cooking or smoking session
- WiFi connectivity allows you to monitor your temperatures from anywhere
- Truly wire-free means no tangles, no pinched wires, and you can even monitor temperatures when cooking rotisserie-style
What Makes Us Angry…
- Need to keep the Block significantly closer than the 9′ recommendation in our experience
- WiFi connection drops at times unlike other devices located at similar distances to the WiFi router
- One of the most expensive options
Review
The MEATER Block took a different way to address the issues with the connectivity range of the MEATER probes than the Meater Plus did. Rather than simply extending the Bluetooth range with a booster in the charger, the MEATER Block instead connects to your WiFi network to allow for remote access. The switch to WiFi can help you monitor temperatures more effectively inside your house so you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth connections dropping due to walls.
Also, the MEATER Block includes four probes rather than just one. So if you love the idea of truly wireless meat thermometers and you like to smoke multiple cuts of meat at once, the Block has you covered.
The MEATER App offers plenty of features. You can view both the internal temperature of the meat you’re cooking and the ambient temperature of the cooking area. You can set alarms to notify you when your food is done. If you’re looking for inspiration, the app also has a database of recipes for you to cook (and modify for your personal preferences.) The app can even provide estimates for approximately how long your cooking session should take based on the information you put in.
The Block acts as not only the wireless transmitter but the charger for all the probes as well. You can run the Block off four AA batteries and MEATER says the probes should last for 24 hours on a single charge. However, if you’re smoking briskets for hours or live in a cold climate like Michael or my hometown in Western New York, you’ll want to take advantage of the ability to plug the Block in using a Micro-USB cable. It does not come with a cable, but let’s be real, most of us have extra USB cables lying around from countless devices over the years.
The MEATER Block is a high-quality option if you want truly wireless meat thermometers. The WiFi connectivity is a great boost for monitoring temperatures without having to be by your grill or smoker, and the Block itself is made from natural bamboo, so it looks great. However, just be aware you are going to paying a penny as pretty as the Block in order to add it to your cooking arsenal.
5. MeatStick 4X Set – Best Wire Free Thermometer
What We Like…
- The probe has four distinct temperature sensors so you can see how your meat is cooking at three different depths while also monitoring the ambient temperature
- The 4X Charger has a Bluetooth Xtender for greater range
- Probe will run for around 70 hours on a single charge
What Makes Us Angry…
- Expensive for only one probe
- Some customers disliked the app
Review
MeatStick is another company that embraced the totally wireless aspect of the wireless meat thermometer. Each probe is Bluetooth-enabled so you can check on the readings directly from you phone when you are close at hand. Just like the MEATER probes, the MeatStick probes monitor both the internal temperature of whatever you’re cooking and the ambient temperature in the cooking chamber.
However, that ambient sensor falls prey to the same issues the MEATER probes do, namely reflecting the colder temperatures when the meat is first placed in the smoker or on the grill. You also need to make sure that you’re properly inserting the probe because the main part of the probe is only rated to withstand temperatures up to 212°F (100°C.) That means you could potentially damage the probe if you don’t insert it fully.
What sets apart the MeatStick 4X apart from the MEATER probe is that the MeatStick 4X has four separate temperature sensors in a single probe. The main part of the probe that inserts into the meat has three of those sensors. That means you can see how not only the center of your meat is cooking but you can pay attention to how the area close to the surface is progressing. If you notice that your brisket’s exterior is cooking too fast compared to the middle, you can make adjustments as needed. The MeatStick 4X also has the same ambient temperature sensor in the end of the probe to make sure your smoker or grill is doing what you want. Again, take ambient temps with a grain of salt. These wire free probes with ambient temp sensors are never that accurate.
The charger’s built-in Xtender boosts how far the probe’s Bluetooth signal carries. MeatStick says that the 4X can reach 164 feet indoors and up to 650 feet outdoors. That means you should be able to comfortably keep an eye on temperatures without hovering around your grill constantly. The charger does need to be within six feet of the probe itself in order to boost the signal. It’s powered by two AA batteries so you aren’t tethered to an outlet like some other devices.
Cleanup for the probe is easy due to its stainless steel and ceramic construction. It is dishwasher safe but can be easily cleaned by hand as well. That construction also makes it safe for use in a sous-vide bath. MeatStick also says you can deep-fry with it.
Read our full MeatStick 4X review here.
6. MEATER Plus – Honorable Mention
What We Like…
- Able to monitor both the meat temperature and ambient cooking chamber temperature with one probe
- Don’t have to worry about handling probe wires
- Multi-function charging box also serves as a repeating box for Bluetooth capability
What Makes Us Angry…
- Only includes one probe so it won’t handle monitoring multiple cuts of meat at the same time
- Comes compatible with Bluetooth only and the range isn’t great
Review
Few names are as synonymous with wireless meat thermometers as MEATER. Even before the company was acquired by Traeger, those stainless steel wireless probes were iconic. The MEATER Plus takes the original MEATER probe and essentially upgrades the Bluetooth capability.
At its core, a MEATER probe is designed to communicate with the MEATER app on your phone to tell you what the temperature of what you’re cooking is and also show the ambient temperature of the cooking chamber in one single package. The accuracy of the MEATER probe rivals some instant-read thermometers with a deviation of 1.0°F. What sets MEATER apart from the ThermoWorks entries on this list are that these probes are truly wireless so you don’t have to worry about pinching wires in your grill’s or smoker’s lids.
That ambient sensor, located in the ceramic base of the probe, can trip you up, especially early on in your cooking session. The sensor can be influenced by how close it is to the surface of the meat and whether it’s closer to the cooking grates versus the top of the cooking chamber. It’s best to insert the probe so it sticks out from the meat at a 90° angle and is not pointed up toward the ceiling of the cooking chamber. Then just exercise some patience as the surface of the meat warms up and you should be getting reliable ambient temperatures soon.
What made MEATER produce the Plus was the extremely limited range of the original MEATER. With the improvements to the bamboo wood charging block, you can be up to 150 feet away from the block and still get a signal on your phone.
The MEATER smartphone app has a number of features to help your cooking experience. When you set up a cooking session, you can select from quite a lot of preset temps for a number of types of meat, including beef, pork, poultry, and even lamb and fish. Then you can select what temperature you want for the specific doneness you’re looking for. So you can use the MEATER Plus for reverse-searing a thick steak and for pulled pork without any issues. You can also see the entire progress of your cooking session via a graph.
Overall, if you’re looking to monitor one cut of meat each time you cook with accurate readings rivaling some instant-read thermometers, the MEATER Plus is a reliable option if you’re fine with Bluetooth connectivity. If you want more information, check out our full review.
Wrapping It Up
For our money, the ThermoWorks Signals is the best wireless meat thermometer you can have. The ability to monitor up to four temperatures at the same time means you can cook for a large group and still ensure everything is cooked properly. The ThermoWorks app is packed with features, ensuring you’ll have a great user experience. Then throw in the compatibility with the Billows unit to help control temperatures in a charcoal grill, and you’ve got a winning product.
Keep checking back as we keep testing new products in this area.
Do you have a preferred wireless meat thermometer from the list? Or do you use one that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re looking for a different take on brisket to put your wireless meat thermometer to the test, check out our recipe for a Kansas City-style brisket rub!
| IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top PickTop PickThermoWorks Signals |
| CHECK PRICE |
| Runner-UpRunner-UpFireboard Labs Pro 2 |
| CHECK PRICE |
| Best Non-WIFIBest Non-WIFIThermoWorks Smoke X4 |
| CHECK PRICE |
| Multi Probe Wire FreeMulti Probe Wire FreeMeater Block |
| CHECK PRICE |
| Best Wire Free Single ProbeBest Wire Free Single ProbeMeatstick 4X |
| CHECK PRICE |
| Honorable MentionHonorable MentionMeater Plus |
| CHECK PRICE |
FAQs:
Question: How do I use a wireless meat thermometer?
Answer: Each one is going to vary based off its design, but they are all based off the same idea. You will connect the receiving device (usually a phone, sometimes an actual receiver like with the ThermoWorks Smoke X4) to the main unit. This will be done usually via WiFi or Bluetooth. You will then insert the temperature probe into the meat or food you’re attempting to monitor. Most wireless meat thermometers will let you program an alarm for your target internal temperature, so set that up as well. Then cook!
Question: Where should I buy a wireless meat thermometer?
Answer: You can poke around the thousands upon thousands of listings on Amazon. However, you’ll want to arm yourself with some knowledge before you go down that rabbit hole. You can also order directly from thermometer manufacturers. Our favorite way? From the links above!
Question: Where do I stick the wireless meat thermometer?
Answer: You want to ensure that the point of the probe is in the center of the thickest part of the meat you’re monitoring. That will ensure you don’t undercook the meat leading to food safety problems. However, you might have more questions, such as where do I stick the wireless meat thermometer in a turkey? Whenever I’m smoking a full turkey or chicken, I use at least two probes, one in the breast and one in the thigh to ensure everything is cooked properly. For more tips on smoking whole chickens, check out our article here.
Question: Who makes the best wireless meat thermometers?
Answer: As you can tell, we love ThermoWorks’ thermometers. Whether it’s the Signals, the Smoke X4, or even the Thermapen ONE for an instant read thermometer, we’re big fans. ThermoWorks has a ton of experience when it comes to monitoring temperatures quickly and accurately across a number of industries, and it shows in each and every single thermometer ThermoWorks produces. You cannot go wrong with any thermometer made by ThermoWorks.
