ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer Review

The ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer is a more than functional thermometer designed for the minimalist shopper.  The small, accurate thermometer comes in nine colors and offers some of the fastest temperature readings around.

ThermoWorks offers this as a cheaper option to their high-end thermometers bringing many of their award-winning features at a fraction of the cost.  With the design team at ThermoWorks, you can be confident that it is a well-built utensil.

Whether you are a baker, griller, or an at-home cook, the ThermoPop is a great base thermometer, and worth checking out.

By the end of this review, you’ll be armed with the pros, the cons, and the facts about the ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer to help in your decision-making.

Spoiler Alert: The ThermoPop Thermometer is hands down the best inexpensive thermometer on the market.

ThermoWorks ThermoPop Quick Facts

Product Name: ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer (TX-3100-XX)

Made By: ThermoWorks

Top 3 Features:

• Left and right-hand use
• Quick read temperature display
• 5,000 hours of life per battery

Standout Benefits of the ThermoWorks ThermoPop Instant Read Thermometer

ThermoWorks always builds quality products, and the ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer is not an exception to this. The ThermoPop is a low-price option for its high-end thermometers. For anyone who is looking for a simplistic, easy-to-use instant-read thermometer, the colorfully fun ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer is an excellent choice.

It gives the same accuracy and quick reading as their other thermometers but at a noticeably lower price. Whether you are a new or experienced cook, having an accurate thermometer is always a great asset. Baking bread, barbecuing meat, oven roasting, or simmering food can all be improved with better temperature accuracy.

The ThermoPop comes within 2°F of the exact temperature of your food.  Waiting for a slow thermometer can be a pain as well. The time you are waiting for the thermometer to show you the actual temperature means keeping your hand over a hot heat source, risking burning. The ThermoPop ThermoWorks cooking thermometer saves your hand the pain by displaying the temperature in three or four seconds.

It features large, easy-to-read digits, a rotating display so you can check readings from any angle, and a thin 4½-inch long tip. Plus, it has a display backlight so you can read it when you’re grilling outdoors in the evenings.

The 5,000-hour battery life, along with the auto-off/sleep feature saves you the time and money of replacing batteries often, a big benefit when compared to some other instant read thermometers that die after a mere 2,000 hours.

How to Use the ThermoWorks ThermoPop Instant Read Thermometer

The ThermoPop is simple to use and requires little to no setup. By simply inserting the battery and taking off the probe sleeve of the thermometer, you are ready to go. If you want, you can choose readings showing either Celsius or Fahrenheit.

With the press of one button, you can turn the thermometer on and off. The display readings rotate at 90-degree intervals with a push of a second small button located on the back of the unit. You can activate the backlight on the display by pushing the button located on the top front of the ThermoPop.

Beyond that just insert the probe into the center of your food. Make sure the probe is as close to the center as possible to get the most accurate temperature reading of the food. Within three to four seconds, the ThermoPop will display your temperature on its auto-rotating screen.

If you are between uses of the ThermoPop, you can wipe the probe and set it to the side. Its auto-off feature will turn it off after ten minutes. Simply press the power button to turn it back on.

ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer Description & Features

Read Time | Auto Off Feature | Physical Design and Rotating Display | Accuracy | Splash Proof to IP66 | Battery Life | Temperature Reading Range | Nine Colors to Choose From

The ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer is a small thermometer meant to blend functionality and style. The thermometer itself is less than five inches long with a probe length that is 4½ inches.

The bulbous head comes in nine color options and makes for an easy grip. This is nice because you can choose the color that best matches your kitchen or utensil setup.

Read Time

The read speed of the ThermoPop keeps you from burning your hand or having to wait long for the temperature to display. Responding in less than three to four seconds, the ThermoPop is a quick reading thermometer, to say the least.

Auto Off Feature

The auto-off feature is another cool feature of the ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer. After ten minutes of inactivity, the ThermoPop turns itself off. It is simple to power back on, making this feature a great way to save battery life.

No worries if you forget to power off the thermometer when you’re done using it and you won’t drain the battery when using it multiple times in one cooking session.

Physical Design & Rotating Display

The physical design of the ThermoPop makes it easy to use for both left and right-handed people. The display features a rotating screen, which is an awesome addition to the ThermoPop.

When you tilt the thermometer, the display can rotate as well. It will show in four different directions, changing by 90° angles, including upside down. No more bending your head in awkward directions trying to read the display, the thermometer does that for you.

Accuracy

The ThermoPop’s accuracy isn’t the best in the business, but it certainly gets the job done. Coming within 2°F of the exact temperature, the ThermoPop gives you a great idea of how hot your food is.

The industry standard for high-end thermometers is closer to 1°F of perfectly accurate, which is one of the ThermoPop’s only downfalls. This level of accuracy should still be sufficient for most outdoor cooks and chefs, and the tradeoff of speed should help cover it.

Splash Proof to IP66

The entire thermometer is rated IP66 splash resistant. This makes it completely impenetrable to dust and will withstand “high-pressure water jets from any direction” according to the manufacturer.

Battery Life

With a whopping 5,000 hours in use battery life, there is one less thing to worry about. Compare this with most thermometers in this price range or better and you can appreciate what ThermoWorks has done.

And changing the battery on such a small device is a breeze when stacked up with similar products. You just pop the back off with a regular-sized flathead screwdriver and insert the new battery, twist the cover back on, and you are all set.

Temperature Reading Range

Like all of ThermoWorks products, the ThermoPop has a huge temperature reading range of -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a lot of Pop (pun intended) for such a little thermometer.

Nine Colors to Choose From

ThermoWorks always offers a wide assortment of colors, which is a great way to personalize your thermometer. This makes sure you get the exact color to match your cooking equipment or style preference.

Who Is the ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer For?

The ThermoWorks ThermoPop instant read thermometer is a great, inexpensive, rapid-read digital thermometer offering high-end performance for cooking usage.

If you are a new or experienced griller, the ThermoPop is worth taking a long look at. Anyone new to grilling needs an instant read thermometer. It helps make sure you get that perfect cook every time you grill. The rapid reading time and accuracy make the ThermoPop top of the line in an instant read thermometer.

If you are a more experienced chef, the ThermoPop is possibly even more worth your time. It allows you to take that extra step in accuracy, and convenience. If you have used an older instant read thermometer (not to mention an analog thermometer) you understand the issues that make the ThermoPop such a well-designed thermometer.

Reasons to Think Twice

If you are used to the performance of the original Thermapen, the most obvious thing you lose is a little speed and accuracy. Reads that used to take two to three seconds now take up to four.

You also lose over a degree in precision and accuracy. Not a huge deal but a slightly noticeable difference if you are used to the Thermapen. For all but the most seasoned chefs, this should not make much of a difference in the final outcome.

Moreover, if you are a cook that enjoys being mobile while grilling your food, an instant-read thermometer might not be what you’re looking for.  A wireless remote thermometer might be more up your alley.  This is especially true if you smoke food often, or slow grill your food at specific temperatures.

Another excellent option and my runner-up for the best inexpensive instant read thermometer is the Original Lavatools Javelin.  A great meat thermometer, but just not as cool as the Thermapen ThermoPop.

ThermoWorks ThermoPop PROs & CONs

The only real letdown for the ThermoPop to me is its temperature accuracy. ThermoWorks usually has some of the most accurate thermometers available. The ThermoPop doesn’t offer this, unfortunately.

A couple of small nitpicks for me is because of the straight style design, you can’t fold or move the probe to different angles helping to keep your fingers farther away from the heat. The buttons require a little harder pressing. Sometimes I had to press them a couple of times to activate it.

What the ThermoPop lacks in accuracy though, it makes up for with convenience. The easy-to-use and simple design makes it a great thermometer for camping, traveling, or even at-home use.

The small design makes it easy to pop it into your shirt pocket or apron, keeping it out of the way. The color options give it a fun look, whatever you are looking for. It is easy to spot in a crowded drawer because of the bright colors as well.

The quick temperature reading is also a great benefit. No need to wait for an analog thermometer when you can get the temperature read in less than four seconds with the ThermoPop.

ThermoPop Price & Warranties

The ThermoPop comes in at around $15.99 at the time of this writing.  An incredibly low price, especially when compared to similar or other ThermoWorks products. The price for the accuracy is really, what makes the ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer worth it though.

Reading through the owner’s manual, the warranty isn’t explicitly stated and I could not find it on ThermoWorks site either. ThermoWorks has an excellent reputation though and is known for standing proudly behind its products.

Final Thoughts on Our ThermoWorks ThermoPop Thermometer Review

The ThermoPop is a great base, low-cost thermometer. If you are on a tight budget and looking for an instant read thermometer, I highly recommend checking it out. I will go so far as to say that it’s simply the best inexpensive thermometer on the market today.

While it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of some of ThermoWork’s other products, it certainly has everything you need. If you need a thermometer to be quick and accurate then the ThermoPop might just be what you’re looking for. Not to mention the look and design, as well as the cool extra features make the ThermoPop a great buy.

The nine color options give it some individuality, and the rotating display is a great extra feature.

For all you outdoor warriors and home chefs out there who are not looking to shell out $99 for the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, this may be the ideal option you are looking for.

I hope this ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer review was helpful to you. As always, if you or someone you know is interested in grilling or food thermometers or you find this information useful, please consider sharing it with your grilling friends and on social media!

If you would like to leave a comment or have a review of your own to share on the ThermoWorks ThermoPop thermometer, please do so below. We always welcome your input.

Cheers,

Pat G.

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