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The best thermal cameras 2022
Thermal imagers (and their simplified analogues, pyrometers) are used everywhere — from construction to medicine. The latter is especially relevant, because the coronavirus pandemic is raging in the world, one of the symptoms of which is elevated body temperature. But, of course, the best thermal imagers are devices for a wide range of tasks. Let’s just say that the medical component for household devices is an auxiliary function. Real certified medical equipment costs completely different money and is often not intended for sale to an ordinary buyer. So, let’s talk about quite household devices.
To visually show our readers the diversity of the market, we have compiled a list of the best irons for the home. As usual, we started with the simplest models that even students can afford. On the rise, we will reach advanced options, with many necessary functions.
Top 10 rating
1. Seek Thermal Reveal
A compact (not to say pocket-sized) thermal imager capable of measuring temperatures at a distance of up to 50 m. The device recognizes temperatures in the range from ‑40 ° C to 330 ° C. The viewing angle of the thermal imager is 36 degrees with a matrix resolution of 206x156 pixels. The stream of information (storyboard) can be written to a memory card, the maximum capacity of which can be up to 4 GB. Moisture protection is declared in the gadget, and the case itself is made of wear-resistant rubberized plastic, which will not be superfluous when hunting or building.
Pros and cons
2. Testo 865
An expensive model of a thermal imager, focused on semi-professional construction use. The error of the device is ±2°С, which makes its use for medical purposes unjustified. The thermal imager is capable of detecting temperatures from ‑20°C to 280°C with a thermal sensitivity of 0.12°C. The Testo 865 is able to work in overlay mode, when the image from the visible spectrum camera is overlaid with data obtained using an infrared sensor. There is moisture protection IP 54, but the case of the device may not survive hard use. With a built-in memory of 2.8 GB, there is no memory card in this thermal imager.
Pros and cons
3. BOSCH GTC 400 C
A thermal imager from a German corporation that needs no introduction. The solidly built device is protected from dust and moisture according to the IP 53 standard. The BOSCH GTC 400 C has an overlay mode that combines thermal and real images. The matrix of the thermal imager does not have the highest resolution — 160x120 pixels. This is largely due to the error of ±2°C, which complicates the measurement of human body temperature. But for construction and household purposes, the BOSCH GTC 400 C is good, but does not like cold: the measurement range here is from ‑10 ° C to 400 ° C. It is possible to write down as advantages that the thermal imager works from four standard AA batteries. In addition, there is the ability to synchronize with devices on Android and iOS using Wi-Fi.
Pros and cons
4. ADA instruments TemPro VISION
Relatively affordable thermal imager with wide functionality. The measurement error here is less than that of the previous model — ± 2 ° С. The measurement range from ‑20°C to 300°C hints at use on cold objects. The resolution of the infrared image is 120x120 pixels, but please note that this is an interpolation — the real resolution of the detector is two times lower. The measurement results are written to the memory card. And yet, there is the same blending mode, which is important for many buyers. Although the manufacturer claims a 24-month warranty, the device is not waterproof and is unlikely to survive harsh operating conditions.
Pros and cons
5. Seek Thermal Compact PRO iOS
An extremely unusual device is a thermal imaging module that connects to smartphones. In addition to the version for iOS, there is an option for Android devices. Connect to the charging port, pre-install proprietary software — and you’re done. But, don’t think it’s a toy, the Seek Thermal Compact PRO is a serious working tool, albeit quite fragile. The resolution of the IR sensor is generally very adult — 320 × 240 pixels. And the operating range can be envied by much more expensive thermal imagers: ‑40 ° C to 330 ° C. Of course, the reproduction and recording of a thermal imaging image lies entirely on the device. Unfortunately, there is no blend mode here.
Pros and cons
6. Condtrol IR-CAM 2
Manual model of a relatively simple thermal imager. The resolution of the infrared sensor here is low, only 60x60 pixels, but this should be enough for domestic purposes. The operating range is not the widest: ‑20 °C to 300 °C. The minimum distance for focusing on an object is stated to be 0.5 m, more advanced models can show a thermal picture even closer. This thermal imager does not have video shooting and overlay mode, but it writes data to a memory card in bmp format. Please note that Condtrol IR-CAM 2 is not protected against dust and moisture, so you need to be careful when working with it. But the device runs on just four AA batteries.
Pros and cons
7. Flir C2
Although Flir C2 is positioned as a device for the construction industry, but the measurement error of 1.5% makes it a good option to find out the body temperature of others. The touch screen and a clear interface in Russian makes working with the device as simple as if your smartphone received an additional function. True, you have to pay for compactness and simplicity — the resolution of the infrared sensor is 80x60 pixels, and the operating temperature range is only ‑10 ° C to 150 ° C. But there is an overlay mode.
Pros and cons
8. FLUKE TiS40
An expensive professional tool that is worth buying if you know exactly what result you need. The resolution of the infrared matrix is average for this class device — 160x120 pixels. This makes it possible to create thermograms in excellent quality. There is an overlay mode here, but it is implemented a little differently than its competitors. In the TiS40, the thermal image is embedded in the photo in a separate window. The measuring range is from ‑20°C to 350°C with an error of ±2% (although real users say that it is lower). Despite the cost, the thermal imager cannot write video. But there is a two-year warranty, water protection according to the IP54 standard and the manufacturer’s assurances that the design can easily survive a fall from a two-meter height.
Pros and cons
9. ELITECH P 1000TV
One of the most affordable models of thermal imagers on the Russian market as of March 2022 (however, it has significantly increased in price in recent months for obvious reasons). The temperature measurement error here is quite high — 3%. So, for medical purposes, this model will be difficult to use, but if there is no choice, then why not? The manufacturer claims that the device is capable of measuring in the range from ‑50 °C to +200 °C. Thermograms can be recorded on a memory card, of course, there is no question of video here. The advantages of the device include its low weight (0.22 kg) and the ability to operate on three AAA batteries or one 18650 battery.
Pros and cons
10. Flir ONE Pro iOS
The second modular thermal imager in our top, which is designed to be paired with a smartphone. Flir ONE Pro connects to Apple devices using the Lightning connector. However, if you search, you can also find a version with a USB‑C plug (regardless of the plug, the device has a USB‑C connector through which the built-in battery is charged). The prefix Pro in this case means that the thermal imager can measure temperatures in the range from ‑20°C to 400°C. But the measurement error, alas, is 3%. Thanks to the second camera, which works with the picture in the visible range, the device is able to work in overlay mode.
Pros and cons
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How to choose a thermal imager
The thermal imager is still for many of us a device from science fiction films or news reports when they help the army and air force. However, as practice shows, the best thermal imagers are needed both in construction and economy, and, sadly, to identify people with dangerous infectious diseases. The latter, of course, is best done using specialized and certified devices, but in a pandemic this is unrealistic and you have to make do with what you have. Georgy Vimov, sales manager in the electric tool trading network, will help us to tell us how to choose the best thermal imager.
Body and ergonomics
Thermal imager, this is such a thing that you have to hold in your hands for a single minute. Therefore, if you really need to work with such a device for a long time, it is best to give preference to models that are lighter and with a handle for an anatomical grip. Sometimes, these parameters are in conflict — there are miniature devices on the market where there is no handle. But it is better to give preference to the convenience of the grip.
It is desirable that the body of the thermal imager be firmly assembled and have moisture protection according to the IP53 / 54 standard, which will greatly simplify the operation of the device. The best thermal cameras are not cheap tools that are bought for serious work for one year, so their reliability is a serious issue.
Secondary camera and overlay mode
Even inexpensive thermal imagers often receive auxiliary cameras operating in the visible spectrum. Such a sensor helps to create so-called superimposed shots, when a thermogram is superimposed on a photograph. Often this is very useful, especially when you need to clearly show, for example, where heat evaporates. It will also be useful to have an LED backlight, which can illuminate a dark place for an overlay shot.
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Temperature sensitivity, operating temperature and accuracy
The best thermal imagers operate in a certain temperature range. Depending on the model, it may be wider or narrower. Some models can measure sub-zero temperatures down to ‑50 °C, while others can detect heat up to 500 °C (it can be higher, but such devices are already much more expensive). Here you need to decide which temperature range you will most often work with in order to select the necessary thermal imager model for it.
Thermal imaging devices have such a characteristic as sensitivity. Roughly speaking, this is the error in measuring the temperature at two adjacent points. And the lower the sensitivity, the more accurate the measurement result.
Finally, any thermal imager has a certain error. Of course, the lower it is, the better. Give preference to those models where this figure is 2% or lower.
Recording data and working with Wi-Fi
No matter how good a thermal imager is at measuring temperature, this data must be recorded somehow in order to be used later in work. Ideally, of course, this is best done in video, but few of the best thermal cameras are capable of this yet. Usually, the data is written either to special files that store the full analysis of the thermogram, but which require certain software to work with. A snapshot can also be written to graphic files, in the metadata of which special data is stored.
It greatly simplifies the work with a Wi-Fi thermal imager (if it is, of course, in this model). Using the wireless interface and the installed program on a smartphone or PC, you can receive and record data online, which greatly saves time and effort.