Indoor thermometer?

[BarbusBarbus]

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone has any recommendations for an accurate thermometer for indoor use? There seems to be so many on places like Amazon with very variable reviews! I'm also unsure if I'm better off with an electronic or liquid type thermometer? I have a collection of about 35 cacti on a south facing windowsill indoors & am keen to be able to track the windowsill temperature over the winter. I'm hopefully looking for the following features,


- Accuracy: Obviously important it displays a consistently accurate reading, hopefully to 1/2 a degree/one decimal point.

- Ability to show highest and lowest temperatures in a defined period.

- Relatively cheap: Say £30 or under (unless you can convince me I should spend more!!)

- Fairly small in size (I don't want it taking up valuable cacti space!!)

Any reccommendations greatly appreciated - especially if you can give personal experience of a particular brand/make.

Thanks,
Alex

[Paul in Essex]

The best I have used so far is one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003ARRMJ2/ ... 2154532791

It is in my greenhouse. Extremely clear display, reset the min and max whenever you want.

[Sylvia]

I agree with Paul I have several in my large greenhouse and have had them for some years. They always appear accurate.

[Aiko]

The best I have used so far is one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003ARRMJ2/ ... 2154532791

It only ranges to -10 to +50C. I think my greenhouse would outrange this many sunny warm summer days or during the occasional cold nights in some winters.

[Peter]

Sorry to be the one who disagrees with Paul and Sylvia. I've just had to replace two of these no more than three years old, because the digital numbers have broken into illegible segments. Why they've both given up at once is beyond me, other than perhaps this long hot summer has been the cause. Aiko is probably correct. However, they are cheap so it's no great issue to replace them.

Amazon sell the same thermometer with different names and prices.

[ragamala]

The best I have used so far is one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003ARRMJ2/ ... 56588238/?

I have one of these too, and it's simple to use and as far as I can tell accurate. My branding is "Simplicity" but it's the same model. I wouldn't look for anything other than digital.

I got that free with a heater. (The heater packed in - and its replacement - but the thermometer stays good after 4 years now). But I think if I were buying something for indoor use I would go for a combined (digital) thermometer and humidity meter - something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TFA-Dostmann-W ... 005LPJAY6/

I have had one of these for ages, it compares well with the greenhouse thermometer (and a temperature data logger I use) for results, and for the same price as the Brannan/Simplicity you get the value of the hygrometer reading and min/max. But, as I say, it is designed for indoor use (Aiko's problem of temperature extremes presumably not relevant in the home) rather than withstanding greenhouse splashes.

[Pennebaker]

Cheers for the recommendation, Ragamala. Seems like you get a lot of bang for the buck with that device. I hope it's durable as well.

[ragamala]

I hope it's durable as well.

Ours has been working fine for over seven years now. I say "ours" because it was originally bought for checking humidity in the room where my wife's piano is, and still performs that function well, especially useful in our (too) dry hot summer this year. I admit I have borrowed it occasionally to check the temperature in my coldframes, but thought it prudent to wrap it in a plastic bag, which of course made the humidity reading a nonsense. But it a good instrument from a reputable German firm, not eg a rebadged item made in China.

[gerald]

I'd look for a humidity reading too

Cold and dry is ok; it's cold & wet that causes rot, so you need to keep an eye on the humidity; perhaps consider getting a dehumidifier for that room

[Kees]

I use this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TFA-Dostmann-1 ... hermometer

To my surprise it does not get good reviews. I got mine sent with a batch of flu vaccines. Has served me well for many years.