The Best Basal Thermometers to Help You Kick-Start Your Family Planning Journey
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Track temp readings, menstrual cycles, and more with these basal thermometers
Verywell Family / Sabrina Jiang
Fact checked by Sabrina Rojas WeissMedically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MD
When you’re ready to start your journey to conception, nailing down your ideal ovulation window can be a critical step. While there are a host of ways to demystify timing, like using ovulation strips, phone apps, and tracking your period, a basal thermometer is a tool that can help you get one step closer to conceiving. The rise in basal body temperature (BBT)—your body’s temperature at rest—will happen at the same time as ovulation, so tracking it every morning is a good method to use to help establish your window of fertility. (But be aware that you may be fertile just before ovulation as well.)
The best time to get this accurate BBT reading is first thing in the morning, before any other activity. During ovulation, a woman’s normal body temperature will slightly increase from .5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit and remain high until the end of the menstrual cycle, explains Nicole A. Sparks, MD, an Atlanta-based obstetrician-gynecologist. Basal thermometers can read 1/10 or 1/100 of a degree, picking up the slight rise and fall that regular thermometers can't show. When it comes to choosing a basal thermometer, you also want to find one that is easy to use, suits your needs, and fits your budget.
To find the best basal thermometers, we considered the advice of experts, including Dr. Sparks, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and studied the design and features of more than 25 products on the market. Moreover, an OB-GYN on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity around basal body thermometers and the best way to evaluate them. When reviewing products, we carefully considered design, display, ease of use, battery type, response time, and overall value. From smart basal thermometers to fertility kits, these top picks fit a range of budgets and tracking needs.
Best Overall: Easy@Home Smart Basal Thermometer
Our best overall pick is beginner-friendly and works in conjunction with other fertility tracking products.
Pros
Automatically syncs with the app
Reads 1/100 of a degree
Backlit screen
Cons
Long result time
Loud beeping
The Easy@Home Smart Basal Thermometer is our best overall pick because it's user-friendly and works in conjunction with other fertility tracking products. The super-precise thermometer can read to 1/100 of a degree, picking up on slight changes in your temperature in just 90 to 120 seconds.
With Bluetooth capability that makes loading daily results into an organized chart unnecessary, the Easy@Home Smart Basal Thermometer connects to the "Premom" app. If you're new to charting, temping, and tracking your cycles, the app will seamlessly sync, log, and organize your results, making interpretation clearer.
We love that you can store up to 30 results on the thermometer and unlimited results on the app, so you can skip writing down your temperature every day. However, if you do like to take notes instead of relying on the app, the backlit display includes your temperature, the date, and the time.
Price at time of publication: $40
Key Specs:
Display: Digital | Response Time: 90 to 120 seconds | Battery Type: Lithium metal battery included
Best Budget: iProven Digital Basal Thermometer
Sometimes basic is best, and the iProven Digital Basal Thermometer is an uncomplicated option that gets the job done.
Pros
Free subscription
Straightforward to use
Results within one minute
Cons
Not backlit
Sometimes basic is best, and the iProven Digital Basal Thermometer is an uncomplicated option that gets the job done. Operating like a regular thermometer, the iProven sits under your tongue and delivers a result within 60 seconds. With the ability to detect a temperature to 1/100 of a degree, the iProven thermometer will pick up the important slight changes.
We appreciate that the app doesn’t require a paid subscription, and while it doesn’t automatically sync, it gives you a safe place to jot down your results and read them throughout the month.
Price at time of publication: $12
Key Specs:
Display: Digital | Response Time: 60 seconds | Battery Type: LR41 battery
Best for Beginners: Natural Cycles Plan a Pregnancy Kit
Comes with the basal thermometer, a six-month app subscription, 10 ovulation strip tests, and five pregnancy test strips.
Pros
Includes ovulation strips and pregnancy tests
App is FDA-cleared
Single memory function
Cons
Must pay for app subscription after six months
Have to add results to app manually
If you are new to fertility tracking, understanding the results can be a stress-inducing experience. The Natural Cycles Plan a Pregnancy Kit comes with the basal thermometer, a six-month app subscription, 10 ovulation strip tests, and five pregnancy test strips—which is everything you need to get started learning about your cycle. The FDA-cleared app (actually the first FDA-cleared app for fertility and family planning) uses a complex algorithm to identify ovulation patterns so that you can plan effectively.
The basal thermometer is easy to use and stores one previous reading in case you forget to write it down. The simple, straightforward approach is a non-intimidating way to ease into fertility tracking.
Price at time of publication: $80
Key Specs:
Display: Digital | Response Time: Not listed | Battery Type: Not listed
Best Wearable: Ava Fertility Tracker
The Ava tracker sets itself apart as a wearable device that continuously monitors your temperature at your wrist.
Pros
Real-time tracking
Bracelet is FDA-cleared
Convenient technology
Cons
No display on bracelet (only app)
Smart, wearable, and convenient, the Ava Fertility Tracker approaches conception planning from a unique perspective. The Ava tracker sets itself apart as a wearable device that continuously monitors the temperature on your wrist. This provides both real-time results and a more complete look at your body’s temperature changes, which could help you determine when you might be more likely to conceive.
To use the Ava tracker, wear it at night, and when you wake up in the morning, sync it to the app, which will do all your calculations for you. While you are snoozing, Ava technology collects data every 25 seconds to help you narrow down your fertility window. From your temperature and pulse rate to your heart rate variability and sleeping patterns, the bracelet consistently checks various physiological parameters that impact your fertility (that would be a headache to track on your own). While the price point is higher than other options, it is FSA- and HSA-eligible.
Price at time of publication: $279
Key Specs:
Display: No display, only app | Response Time: Not listed | Battery Type: Rechargeable
Related: The 8 Best Ovulation Tests of 2023
Best Smart Thermometer: Femometer Vinca1.0 Basal Thermometer
Once you take your temperature, results are automatically transmitted to the app, which translates the information into a chart.
Pros
Button-free
Fast response time
Measures up to 1/100 of a degree
Cons
$10 monthly subscription
The most important step in basal body temperature tracking is jotting down your results to help establish patterns in temperature changes. The Femometer digital thermometer makes that process easier thanks to its Bluetooth capability. Once you take your temperature, the results automatically transmit to the app, translating the information into a clear line chart.
The thermometer is free of buttons and switches, so all you have to do is pop it in your mouth, and within 30 seconds, you’ll have a precise result. Made to be discreet, the Femometer’s beeping sound adjusts to suit your needs. We think the app makes interpreting results much easier, but it does require a $10 monthly subscription.
Price at time of publication: $50
Key Specs:
Display: No display, only app | Response Time: 30 seconds | Battery Type: CR123A battery included
Related: The 9 Best Pregnancy Tests of 2023
Best Kit: Easy@Home Ovulation Test Kit
Deciphering the best time to try to conceive can be a multifaceted journey, and this kit has you covered from all angles.
Pros
Includes ovulation strips, pregnancy tests, thermometer, and urine cups
Free subscription to app
Memory function on thermometer
Cons
Manual entry of results
This Easy@Home Ovulation Kit is a dream. Deciphering the best time to try to conceive can be a multifaceted journey, and this kit has you covered from all angles. Along with the thermometer, you can use the 50 ovulation strips tests to capture your luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Then you’ve got 20 pregnancy tests to see the results of your efforts. Plus, the company includes 70 urine cups to dip the tests into.
The sensitive basal thermometer can detect 1/100 of a degree to offer a precise and accurate measurement. We love that you can add all of your results to the free app, which can then translate them into charts and graphs for easier interpretation.
Price at time of publication: $27
Key Specs:
Display: Digital | Response Time: 60 seconds | Battery Type: Not listed
Related: The 7 Best Fertility Supplements of 2023, According to a Dietitian
How We Selected the Best Basal Thermometers
To select the best basal thermometers, we reviewed guidelines from the NIH and CDC on what a basal body temperature is and different fertility awareness-based methods. We also spoke with Nicole A. Sparks, MD, an Atlanta-based obstetrician-gynecologist, to learn more about what to look for in a basal thermometer. Then, we researched more than 25 products available on the market before narrowing down our list to the top 6 basal thermometers.
After selecting our top picks, we carefully considered design, display, response time, battery type, ease of use, and overall value when reviewing products. We also researched reviews from customers and competitors and monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings.
What to Look for in a Basal Thermometer
Ease of Use
To track your basal body temperature accurately, you must use the thermometer every morning as soon as you wake up. For a product that requires that much use, you’ll want it to be as easy as possible to figure out. Some thermometers are more straightforward than others, and depending on your lifestyle, you may fare better with a set-it-and-forget-it style wearable tracker, like the Ava Fertility Tracker.
Cost
Fertility and reproductive health management can be an expensive undertaking, but many options on our list fit a variety of budgets. For example, the iProven Digital Basal Thermometer is a no-frills pick with great quality that reaps a price tag of under $15. Basal thermometers with a few more bells and whistles, like the Femometer Vinca 1.0, will cost more upfront.
Consider ongoing costs as well, including pregnancy and ovulation tests. The Easy@Home Ovulation Kit includes everything you need at a low cost, like pregnancy tests, ovulation strips, urine cups, and a basal thermometer. Overall, choose the features that fit within your budget and lifestyle without compromising on effectiveness.
Basal vs. Traditional Thermometers
A basal thermometer and a traditional thermometer are similar, but a basal thermometer measures in small increments, sometimes to 1/100 of a degree, explains Dr. Sparks. Since the rise and fall of your temperature is so slight, a regular digital thermometer simply won’t be able to capture it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a basal body temperature?
A basal body temperature is your body’s temperature at rest. “Your body temperature changes slightly during your menstrual cycle. Your body temperature is slightly lower at the beginning of the cycle and rises when you ovulate,” explains Dr. Sparks.
However, basal thermometers are not 100% accurate, so don't use this as the primary way to track ovulation, Dr. Sparks recommends. Fever, sickness, stress, alcohol, uninterrupted sleep, and travel zone time differences can affect the accuracy, she adds.
What should my basal body temperature be?
While there isn’t a hard and fast rule when it comes to nailing down an exact number for your BBT, there are a range of changes that you can keep an eye out for. “In a normal menstrual cycle, the basal body temperature begins to rise one or two days after the luteinizing hormone surge,” Dr. Sparks explains. That’s the hormonal signal for the body to release an egg from the ovary.
Where do I put a basal thermometer?
Unless it is a wearable device, a basal thermometer should be used orally and placed under your tongue. While the sensitivity of a basal thermometer differs from a traditional oral thermometer, you use it the same way.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Latifah Miles has several years of experience shopping for the best products for parents, caregivers, and their families. She thoroughly researches and analyzes products to find the best options on the market.
Additional reporting by:
Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son.
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