7 Best Thermal Imaging Cameras of 2024

California-based technology experts Teledyne specialise in bleeding-edge imaging equipment used in everything from defence to space exploration. They use that same technology to make one of the best smartphone-compatible thermal imaging cameras available. The FLIR ONE Gen 3 is a fantastic device for chasing cold spots. It’s an affordable way to survey your own home for draughts using your iPhone.

Rather than being a standalone device, the FLIR ONE connects to your smartphone, which on iPhone is the Lightning port. You save money because the device doesn’t need a screen to operate, it displays the live image on your phone’s screen.

The IR resolution is a more than reasonable 80 x 60px and you can detect temperatures between -20°C to 120°C with a thermal sensitivity of 150mK. The temperature measurement accuracy is ± 3°C or ± 5%. The image detail is also very good, and it uses the familiar colour code of white being the hottest and blue being the coldest.

Powered by a single internal Lithium-Ion battery, it recharges via USB C, and although the battery life isn’t class-leading, you can recharge it almost anywhere. For home use, I think this is one of the best infrared cameras you can buy.

With an impressive range of electronic equipment from EV charging units to OBD diagnostic tools, TOPDON are a brand to keep an eye on. Their TC View TC001 thermal imaging camera is a high-performance tool that connects directly to a smartphone or tablet. It simply means you can see heat in high definition from a distance.

Boasting an incredible 256 x 192px display and a class-leading -20°C – 550°C temperature range, the TOPDON is one of the best IR cameras I’ve come across so far. With a <40 mK thermal sensitivity as well, it’s got better stats than the expensive professional-level tools.

A small and unobtrusive machine, it comes with a protective case and plugs straight into the bottom of your phone. It connects directly to your device via a USB-C connection and has a working time of between 4 – 7 hours on a single charge, although you can power it via the device it’s connected to as well. With plenty of features to detect heat and a clear display, it’s a brilliant piece of kit for home use.

Thermal imaging specialists HIKMICRO have made it their business to produce some of the best IR cameras in the world. The B10 infrared thermal imaging camera is an excellent handheld device for measuring heat at a distance. It’s surprisingly easy to use and produces excellent results.

The first thing that struck me about the B10 is the excellent display resolution. Coming in at 256 x 192px, it rivals the most expensive professional devices on my list and displays it all on a large 3.2” screen. With a temperature range from -20°C – 550°C and impressive <40mK thermal sensitivity, it’s the ideal tool for chasing heat leaks and chilly draughts.

Thanks to its IP54 protection rating, you can use this tool in most situations without worrying about water or dust getting into it. And for connectivity, you can simply plug in a USB cable for a wired connection. With this much functionality, it’s one of the best professional IR cameras I’ve come across.

The diagnosis experts TOPDON have plenty of different tools for fault finding, whether in your car or around your house. The ITC629 is a pro-level thermal imaging camera that boasts excellent thermal sensitivity and rugged stylings. Whether you’re using this handheld IR camera to diagnose engine problems or look for gaps in insulation, it’s a handy beast to own.

With a 220 x 160px resolution displayed on the bright 3.2” screen, it also benefits from a wide field of view. Able to detect a temperature range of between -20°C – 450 °C, and with a 0.07°C measurement accuracy, it’s more than capable of finding draughts at a distance.

One of the handy features I like is how easy it is to change the colour palette. You can choose from five different colour scales that make fault finding that bit easier. A feature-packed IR camera, it’s easy to use but can take a while to make your way through the advanced settings.

German engineering icons Bosch have been making an incredible range of tools for more than a century. Their “blue” line of professional-level tools is built to work as hard as their owners, and the GTC 400 C Thermal Camera is no exception. Whether you’re looking for cold spots on your radiators or trying to pin down a draught, it’s one of the best devices for the job.

A standalone handheld camera, this rugged device is rated for IP53 resistance to water or dust ingress and is designed to be used on-site. The high resolution 160 x 120px screen measures 3.5”, which gives you a large and accurate picture of hot and cold spots quickly and clearly. Capable of measuring from -10°C to 400°C, it’s accurate to ± 3°C and has an excellent thermal sensitivity of < 50 mK.

Something I really like about this tool is the battery system. Rather than relying on an internal battery, it works on Bosch’s bullet-proof 12V system that powers their excellent range of lightweight power tools. And if you get stuck, you can even load in standard AA batteries for extra run-time.

Although it’s expensive, you get a lot for your money. It has a clever dust cap to protect the lens when it’s not in use and a soft case to keep it safe between jobs.

Thermal imaging company Hti-Xintai produce all sorts of clever IR devices, from phone plug-in cameras to a very cool-looking thermal monocular. The HTI-19 is a handheld thermal imaging camera that shows off some excellent features. In fact, it’s the best thermal imaging camera in terms of IR resolution on my list.

The familiar gun-shaped stylings make this a comfortable device to use for detecting temperature at a distance. It comes with a large 3.2” screen and boasts a class-leading 320 x 240 px resolution, as well as a measurement accuracy of 0.07°C. The temperature range of -20°C – 300 °C isn’t the most impressive, but it’s enough for most users. But with a temperature measurement accuracy of ± 2°C, it’s reliably accurate.

Getting the images off the camera is as simple as plugging in the micro USB cable. The power comes from an internal rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that’s good for 2 – 3 hours of use before it runs flat. This is a seriously useful device for detecting everything from water leaks to hot circuit boards.

One of the leading lights in the Infrared camera industry, TOPDON make more than a few of the best thermal imaging cameras on the market today. The TOPDON TC004 is a handy, lightweight thermal imaging diagnostic tool. It’s one of the most effective tools in the home draught chaser’s arsenal.

Because this is a handheld IR camera, you get a 2.8” screen and a comfortable grip shape to hang on to with a trigger for taking pictures. And if you plan on using this camera in wet or dusty environments, don’t worry, it’s got IP54 protection.

The resolution is fine at 256 x 192px, while the range works between -20°C – 350°C. What sets this camera apart is the excellent thermal sensitivity. If you’re doing delicate work, then the 0.1°C or <40mK is the best on my list. The temperature measurement accuracy of ± 2°C is up there with the best-performing devices too.

You connect the device to your computer using a standard USB cable, but the good thing is that the internal memory card has a massive 16GB of space. That’s more than enough for saving images of the hot and cold spots in and around your home.