For the Best Homemade Treats, You Need the Right Temp—Here Are the Best Candy Thermometers

Our Top Analog Pick

Williams Sonoma Easy-Read Candy Thermometer

$22 at Williams Sonoma

An analog candy thermometer will give you a quick, simple, accurate read-out of temperature for any recipe, whether you’re making divinity for the holidays or fudge for a bake sale. This option from Williams Sonoma makes the task of reading the temperature that much easier. The temperatures for Fahrenheit are bolded, with Celsius read-outs on the right side and notations for specific candy-making stages.

As you dive into making your recipe, use the clip to fasten the candy thermometer to your pot. This will help keep it put throughout the process, so you simply need to keep watch for the proper temperature. It also has an easy-grip handle on the top, making it possible to remove the thermometer from hot liquid without any worries of burning your hand. Once you’re done cooking, it’s easy to clean up by simply wiping the stainless steel thermometer clean with a damp cloth or using hot water with soap for more stubborn residue.

Allstar Jennifer Aleman appreciated this model's classic design, adaptability to different pot depths, and easy-to-read display in tests. The oversized face and large numerals ensured clear visibility, while the seven temperature stage indicators helped provide clear guidelines for achieving precise results in different types of recipes. Although the silicon-covered clip protects cookware from scratches and burns, she did find it to be a bit wobbly during stirring.

"I've used various candy thermometers in the past, but this one stands out," she says. "The comfortable handle, large, easy-to-read numbers, and sturdy construction make it a reliable tool for any cooking situation. Its ability to withstand deep pots is a significant advantage over traditional models."

The Details: Analog; 12.5 inches; 100°F to 400°F

Our Top Digital Pick

ThermoPro TP510 Waterproof Digital Candy Thermometer

$32 $25 at Amazon $18 at Walmart $23 at Target

While a bit more expensive than an analog option, a digital candy thermometer is worth the extra cost if you need quick, easy-to-see read-outs. Once the 8-inch probe on this thermometer is inserted, you’ll have a temperature reading in about four seconds. If preferred, you can also use the included clip to fasten the thermometer to your pot.

The large backlit screen on top not only offers temperature details but there’s also a helpful chart to refer to while measuring. Temps for stages including hard crack and soft ball are on the list, along with temperatures for savory foods such as crispy fish fillets and French fries in case you’re using it for fried foods. With its wide temperature range from -58°F to 572°F, this candy thermometer can actually be used as a meat thermometer as well. It’s built to be waterproof and sturdy enough to handle a variety of recipes with an auto shut-off function to preserve battery life.

In tests, this candy thermometer's impressive temperature range made it suitable for a wide array of tasks, including deep-frying. There's a handy temperature reference chart printed directly on the thermometer and it consistently took only four to five seconds to register accurate temperature readings.

The adjustable probe, LCD display, 90-degree pivoting display, and removable metal clip helped produce perfect peanut brittle, homemade caramels, and chocolate fudge. "One of the standout features of this thermometer is its ultra-clear backlit LCD display, which ensures easy readability in any lighting condition," says Jennifer. "The convenient light button provides extra illumination when needed and automatically turns off after 15 seconds to conserve battery life."

The Details: Digital; 8 inches; -58°F to 572°F

Best Budget

Polder Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry Thermometer

$11 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $14 at Wayfair

It can sometimes be intimidating to try a new recipe that requires a thermometer, especially when it comes to boiling liquids for candies. This candy thermometer comes in at a low price point just over $10, making it more approachable to get started. The exterior is constructed from stainless steel, with an insulated handle at the top. You can fasten it to the side of a pot with ease since the thermometer has an adjustable clip.

Its temperature range runs from 90°F to 400°F, so it is versatile enough to use for a variety of candy, jam, or other recipes. Plus, it notes specific stages from thread to soft ball to hard crack. When it comes time to clean up after cooking, wipe the thermometer clean with hot water and soap, or you can wash it in the dishwasher on the top rack only.

Allstar Kim Shupe found this thermometer to stay in place when clipped to the pot, though it did get hot when in use—so take care if you need to readjust it while cooking. Likewise, it was slightly difficult to read due to the black numbering and the shiny metal surface. However, she liked that the thermometer had basically no set up (just clip it to the pot, and start cooking).

The Details: Analog; 12 inches; 90°F to 400°F

Best for Beginners

Taylor Precision Products Candy And Jelly Deep Fry Thermometer

$12 at Amazon $18 $11 at Walmart $12 at Target

Whether you’re making peanut butter fudge or candy apples, this thermometer is up to the task. Its simple, straightforward design is a benefit, with a 100°F to 400°F temperature range and notations in red for certain stages of candy making such as soft ball for fudge and meringues or hard crack for brittles. Its generous size allows for larger text for easier temperature read-outs at a glance. Plus, it’s simple to hold and maneuver, with a nylon tab handle at the top to easily pull it out of a hot mixture if needed.

When in use, the clip on the back comes in handy to fasten the thermometer to the pan. Plus, it’s adjustable to find the perfect fit no matter the size of the pot you’re prepping a recipe in. Constructed from stainless steel, the thermometer is durable for years of use, with a shatterproof plastic front to keep it in tip-top shape.

According to Kim, this thermometer stayed in place when she needed it to, plus it was easy to adjust when she needed to move it. Despite having a similar design to the Taylor thermometer, it didn't get as hot while in use, and it was easier to read. "Its easy readability makes it more accessible to different levels of home cooks," she says. In tests, Salted Pumpkin Caramels came out beautifully—perfectly set up, chewy, evenly-cooked, and not too soft or too hard. The thermometer was long enough to fit the pot and showed no signs of damage after use.

The Details: Analog; 12 inches; 100°F to 400°F

Best Splurge

CDN Digital Deep Fry Thermometer

$31 $28 at Amazon $32 at Walmart View on Wayfair

If you’re a professional using a candy thermometer often, it’s worth it to have one with a few extra bells and whistles. First, consider a thermometer with a digital read-out so numbers are quick and easy to see, like this option offers. Even better? This candy thermometer will actually let you know when your mixture is getting close to the proper temperature—so you don’t have to keep a constant watch on the numbers. You can set audio and visual alerts for target temperatures, and the thermometer will sound the alarm, letting you know exactly what temperature you’ve hit without any issues of overheating.

For easy setup, it’s designed with a clip on the side to fasten to a pot, along with a heat shield to keep the digital screen protected from any splashes or splatters. Wash the thermometer by hand and store the probe in the included protector. 

This thermometer's digital screen made reading the temperature of candy easy and straightforward, with little to no room for error, during Kim's tests. The seven pre-programmed candy stages and one customizable all-purpose temperature stage were also easy to set up and use. It required only slipping on the heat shield, the pot clip, and hitting the "Mode" button to turn it on. "I really liked that I could just set the 'Mode' on the CDN Thermometer to 'Firm Ball' stage, and not have to constantly watch the temp; but rather stir it once in awhile, and wait to hear the alarm tell me when it was near the target temperature," she says. Between the digital display, the various pre-programmed temperature stage settings, and the alert system, this thermometer is extremely accessible to any home cook, no matter their experience level.

The Details: Digital; 10.8 inches; 14°F to 450°F