Head-to-head · Best Meat Thermometers

ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer vs ThermoWorks RFX

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about budget-conscious home cooks seeking reliable monitoring — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Meat Thermometers

ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer

4.6

2 sources1 derived$34.99as of Aug 3

The ThermoPro TP20 was Serious Eats' budget pick out of 20 wireless thermometers, chosen for accuracy, quick reads and a 500-foot radio link that does not depend on a phone. Two probes cover meat and ambient grill temperature, the receiver is backlit and rubber-sleeved, and the preset menu covers the usual meats and doneness levels. There is no app and no Bluetooth, the probes are not labelled, and the display cycles between them instead of showing both at once.

Strengths

— Accurate readings within six to seven seconds
— 500-foot wireless range using radio frequency
— Easy to operate with large, clearly labeled buttons

Watch-outs

— Probes aren't physically labeled
— No button/control lock feature
— Display cycles between the two probes instead of showing both at once

$34.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Meat Thermometers

ThermoWorks RFX

4.5

4 sources2 derived$179as of Aug 1

The ThermoWorks RFX Wireless Meat Probe Thermometer improves on Bluetooth competitors like Meater with a stable WiFi connection and longer range. Reviewers praised its accuracy, easy setup, and ability to track temperatures up to 1,000°F. Serious Eats reviewer Grace Kelly found it reliable for smoking and roasting, and Vindulge's Sean Martin highlighted the extensive range and precision. Both flagged the app's navigation issues and slower probe response times than instant-read thermometers. Serious grillers and smokers who need reliable long-range monitoring are the audience; anyone who wants a polished app or ultra-fast reads should keep looking.

Strengths

— Impressive signal range with stable WiFi connection that doesn't drop during cooking
— Accurate temperature readings confirmed through ice bath and sous vide tests
— Easy setup process requiring only WiFi connection and tapping probe to Gateway

Watch-outs

— App navigation can be difficult despite being mostly intuitive
— Probe registration is slower than instant-read thermometers, taking about 22 seconds to reach 135°F from room temperature

$179 · Buy at thermoworks.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer

The ThermoPro TP20 offers the most affordable option with a 500-foot range and simple operation, but it lacks the advanced features of the ThermoWorks RFX and MEATER Pro. While it matches the ThermoPop 2 in accuracy and read time, it's more expensive and doesn't offer the auto-rotating display or waterproofing of the ThermoWorks models. Compared to the Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo, it's less feature-rich but more straightforward to use without requiring a smartphone app.

ThermoWorks RFX

The ThermoWorks RFX excels in wireless monitoring with its stable WiFi connection and 500-foot range, surpassing the ThermoPro TP20's radio frequency and MEATER Pro's Bluetooth range. However, it's slower to respond than the instant-read thermometers like the Thermapen One and ThermoPop 2, taking about 22 seconds to reach 135°F. While the MEATER Pro offers better temperature resistance, the RFX provides a more stable connection and easier setup process, making it ideal for long cooking sessions where reliability is key.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer	ThermoWorks RFX
Temperature Range	14°F to 572°F	Up to 1,000°F
Accuracy	±1.8°F	±0.9°F (±0.5°C) between 14°F and 212°F
Response Time	5-7 seconds	about 22 seconds to climb to 135°F from room temp
Display	Backlit LCD	No display (view via app)
Waterproof	Not waterproof (splash proof housing)	IP69K, dishwasher-safe and submersible
Probe Length	8 inches	4.69 inches
Connectivity	RF (Radio Frequency)	WiFi
Battery Life	—	Up to 60 hours with 20-minute charge

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