As a contributor to Popular Science’s reviews team, Terri Williams covers all things tech, from smart doorbells to webcams. She’s also provided research for Popular Science’s Best of What’s New awards.
An infrared thermometer can be used in a variety of situations. From checking the temperature of your skillet before searing a juicy steak to finding out your child’s temperature to gauging the effectiveness of your home’s insulation—these little devices come in quite handy. However, there are numerous types of infrared thermometers to choose from.
In other scenarios, it could just be inconvenient to get so close, such as when you’re diagnosing HVAC duct leaks, insulation, or blower motors; as well as mechanical readings for gears, shaft alignment, bearings, and hydraulics; or electrical panels, wiring and cables, etc. Adjustable emissivity allows the infrared thermometer to provide accuracy when reading a range of materials.