Bathing your little one is one of those activities that you do so many times, you probably don’t put too much thought into it (unless your baby hates it in which case you probably think about it a lot!!). Ensuring that your baby is safe in the bath is a no-brainer but many parents can be a bit slap-dash when it comes to making sure that the water in their baby’s bath is the correct temperature.
Some people may consider a quick dip of the elbow sufficient to test the temperature of your babies bath. However, given how sensitive a baby’s skin is, it is probably wise to put a bit more thought into it in order to prevent scalding or your baby getting cold too fast.
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Best Baby Bath Thermometers
Baby bath thermometers have come a long way in the last few years. A far cry from the classic thermometer, they are now funky toys that will delight your little one at bath time while at the same time giving you some peace of mind.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Nuby Bath Thermometer | 3-in-1 Design – clock, timer and thermometer – with fast and accurate results | Check Price |
Best Fun Design  | Mothermed Baby Bath Thermometer | Water and room thermometer in a safe and fun design | Check Price |
Best on a Budget  | Baby Safe Floating Bath Thermometer | Simple, cheap design to check baby’s water temperature | Check Price |
Nuby Bath Thermometer and Clock
Best All Purpose
This cute and smiley Nuby bath thermometer is good value for money as it combines a thermometer, clock and timer in a small, perfectly formed little package.
It has automatic sensors that turn the thermometer on as it hits the water, and a sound and light alarm to alert you if the water is too hot or too cold.
The LCD display shows the water temperature and it also has a timer function to tell you how long they have been in the bath – although this will reset if it is taken out of the water and put back in (so watch out if you have a water-loving little money who figures out they can re-set the clock!).
The temperature sensor is super-sensitive (some customers have said too sensitive) but you may prefer that as it will certainly ensure that your little one’s bath is not too hot!
TensCare Digi Duckling Digital Water Thermometer
Best Rubber Ducky
If you want a thermometer disguised as a traditional looking rubber duck (and who wouldn’t!) then this is the one for you. Quite simply it is a rubber duck with a thermometer on its back, but it does have some other useful features as well.
It has a temperature sensor on its belly and will let you know if the water is too hot or cold by flashing and displaying the words ‘hot’ or ‘cold’. However, it doesn’t display the temperature with a decimal point which means it is slightly less accurate than other thermometers on the market.
In addition, it doesn’t turn on automatically when placed in the water (it is activated by tapping the display) and the display can take a while to settle on a definite temperature. This isn’t great if you have an impatient baby waiting for their bath!
Check Price: Duckling Water thermometer at: Amazon, and TensCare
Mothermed Baby Bath Thermometer
Best Fun Design
This funky little stingray from Mothermed is sure to be a hit with your little one. It is the perfect size for a baby to grab (it is quite small) and looks super cool in the water.
The display will tell you whether the water is too hot or too cold by displaying the relevant word. Furthermore, it will keep reading the temperature of the water every 5 seconds, so you can tell when the water is getting too cold.
Conveniently, it can also be used as a room thermometer, which saves you buying two separate thermometers. It has a built-in battery which has the life-span of at least a year so it you shouldn’t have to fiddle around changing batteries very often.
Check Price: Mothermed Bath Thermometer at: Amazon
Baby Safe Floating Bath Thermometer
Best Budget
Cheaper than any of our other best baby bath thermometers, the Baby Safe thermometer this is definitely the best budget option out there. It doesn’t have a digital display or flashing lights but is simple to use and gives a fairly accurate reading (although some people have said it is not as accurate as other thermometers).
Just put the cheerful giraffe in the bath tub and fill it up – the thermometer will then give you a reading almost immediately. The correct temperature is marked clearly on the thermometer so it is easy to see. It is a cute design and can just float in the bath while your baby has a good splash.
Check Price: Baby Safe Floating Thermometer at: Amazon
Duck Baby Bath Thermometer Card
Best for Travel
This little gem relies on liquid crystal to measure the water temperature in the bath, and its compact size (it will fit in the palm of your hand) means that it is easy to store and ideal for taking travelling.
It activates when in contact with water and displays the temperature on an easy-to-read LCD display. It doesn’t require batteries so is a cheap and simple alternative to a digital thermometer.
Check Price: Bath Thermometer Card at: Amazon
Philips Avent Digital Thermometer
Best Room Thermometer
This 2 in 1 thermometer from Philips Avent can be used both in the bath and in your baby’s bedroom. It will float in the bath and is made of tactile rubber in a cute design which your baby will love.
Once bath-time is over just dry it off (mould will grow in the cracks if you don’t) and then it can be used to monitor the room temperature in your baby’s room. It will sit upright easily so will transfer seamlessly from bath to bedroom.
It gives a super-fast, accurate reading (about 10 seconds) so you can rest assured that your baby is comfortable in the bath and in bed. The slightly higher price point reflects its dual purpose.
Check Price: Philips Avent Thermometer at: Amazon
Angelcare Happy Seal Baby Bath Room Thermometer
This sweet, happy seal from Angelcare doubles as both a bath and room thermometer. Your baby will find it hard to resist its lovely smiling face at bath time, and its clever ergonomic design means that it will float in the bath and stand on a shelf.
If the bath water is higher than 39 degrees it displays the word ‘hot’ and also has a red flashing light to alert you. Sometimes you have to shake the toy to display the temperature rather than it displaying it constantly which is one downfall of an otherwise excellent product.
Check Price: Angelcare Bath Thermometer at: Amazon, Mamas & Papas, and Boots
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bath and Room Thermometer
Tommee Tippee’s Thermometer is another thermometer at the more-pricey end of the scale that also doubles as a bath and room thermometer. It has an LCD display with a red LED light that will flash a warning if the bath water is too hot.
In order for the display to work it needs to be tapped on the side of the bath (or on a solid surface if you are using it in the baby’s room) which some people may find irritating. It floats easily in the water and then has a little stand to prop it up for use in your baby’s room.
This product has plenty of positive reviews and seems to be one of the most popular bath thermometers. While we didn’t have any problems with it, there have been plenty of complaints from users of faulty items and problems with temperature readings. As such, we don’t recommend it as one of our best baby bath thermometers.
Check Price: Tommee Tippee Bath Thermometer at: Amazon, John Lewis, and Mamas & Papas
Baby Bath Thermometers Buying Guide
What is a bath thermometer?
A bath thermometer is quite simply a thermometer that measures the temperature of the water in your bath (or in this case your baby’s). Some people may still test their baby’s bath water the old-fashioned way (dipping your elbow in), but many parents now feel more comfortable using a thermometer for peace of mind, especially as babies have far more sensitive skin than we do.
How to use a baby bath thermometer
All the thermometers we tested work in slightly different ways, but most need to be placed in the water for a few minutes before giving an accurate reading. It will then tell you either through an LCD display or a traditional thermometer reading whether the bath water is the right temperature.
You can then leave the thermometer in the water for the duration of your baby’s bath so you can maintain the optimum temperature throughout bath time.
What to look for in a bath thermometer for babies
Obviously, the main feature you will look for in a bath thermometer is its ability to give you a quick and accurate measurement of the water temperature in your bath.
You also should be looking for a display that is easy to read, and you may also look for extra features such as an alert which tells you when the water is too hot or cold. Ideally you also want your thermometer to look appealing to your baby so they think it’s just another toy, and it should be easy to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do babies need a thermometer in bath?
Some people consider a baby bath thermometer to be a bit over the top and unnecessary, but there are plenty of parents out there who will testify to accidentally putting their baby into water that is too cold or too hot which makes for a very unhappy baby, so it is definitely worth investing in a thermometer.
As with other bath safety products, such as spout covers and non-slip bath mats, it’s ultimately up to the parent to determine the precautions they feel are necessary.
What temperature should baby bath be?
The recommended temperature for your baby’s bath water is 37 – 38 degrees Centigrade (or 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Any hotter and you risk scalding your baby, and any colder they will get cold and shivery very quickly.
How to check temperature without a thermometer?
The best way to check the temperature of your bath water without a thermometer is the old-fashioned elbow dip. Remember that you should never submerge your hand into hot water, as you run the risk of scalding if the water is too hot.
Dipping your elbow is normally a good gauge of the water temperature, but it is worth remembering that most adults prefer baths or showers on the hotter end of the scale and babies are much more sensitive to temperature than we are. So what is comfortable for you may be far too hot for them, something to keep in mind if you choose to bathe with your infant.
What are the best baby bath thermometers on the market?
As with every baby product there is a great deal of choice when picking a bath thermometer. So which one is the best? A lot of people prefer a thermometer that has an alert to tell you whether the water is too hot or too cold, while at the same time giving a quick and accurate reading.
Other people will be happy with a simple thermometer that does nothing more than measure the temperature. If you want a thermometer that doubles as a room thermometer then the Philips thermometer is probably the preferred choice. The best all round product is the Nuby thermometer, which combines a lovely design and ease of use with a super-accurate temperature reading, clock and timer.
The Bottom Line
If you want to guarantee peace of mind when you are bathing your little one then you can’t go wrong with any of the thermometers we have mentioned. It’s all too easy to distractedly fill up your baby’s bath tub, have a quick dip of the elbow and dunk your baby hoping for the best. Using a thermometer takes the guess work out of bath time and should be on the shopping list of all new parents.
