InkBird IBT-4XC Bluetooth Meat Thermometer Review

The InkBird IBT-4XC Bluetooth Meat Thermometer displaying a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit

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This is a review of the InkBird IBT-4XC Bluetooth Meat Thermometer. It is a four-probe Bluetooth meat thermometer that features an IPX5 waterproof rating.

I’ve reviewed the top Bluetooth meat thermometers to determine which models are worth your time and money.

Inkbird IBT-4XC (top), (2nd row starting on the left) Tenergy Solis Bluetooth Meat Thermometer, Weber iGrill 2, InkBird IBT-4XS, Govee Bluetooth Meat Thermometer, (bottom row starting from left) ThermoPro TP920, ThermoPro TP910, ThermoPro TP930, and ThermoPro TP25 Bluetooth Meat Thermometer

You have two options, a magnetic back or a stand. Both options in the same thermometer? Blasphemy.

How does the InkBird IBT-4XC compare to the competition?

Pros

  • Accurate
  • IPX5 waterproof rating is better than the other strictly Bluetooth models I’ve reviewed.
  • Strong Bluetooth Range
  • Rotating Screen
  • Connects easily to mobile app
  • USB Charging
  • The mobile app will display the percentage of battery left rather than the number of bars.

Cons

  • The probes are all the same color making it difficult to track what probe is in what food.
  • You can only see one temperature at a time on the display.
  • No probe winders.
  • There is no way to view all probes on one single graph in the mobile app.
  • It’s hard to see the red digital LED screen in direct sunlight.
  • There is no way to stand it upright unless you attach its magnetic back to something.
  • There is no “end cook” button anywhere in the mobile app.

Thermomeat’s Verdict- The InkBird IBT-4Xc excels in its accuracy, Bluetooth range, and waterproof capabilities. It lacks usability and convenience features mostly due to its display and mobile app shortcomings. Still, a good option if you’re in the market for a Bluetooth-only meat thermometer.

In this review of the InkBird IBT-4XC Bluetooth Meat Thermometer, I will answer that question as well as look at its features, usability, accuracy, durability, and price to determine its value.

View InkBird IBT-4XC on Amazon

InkBird IBT 4XC Overview

InkBird is a consumer electronics company based in Shenzhen, China. The InkBird IBT 4XC is the sixth InkBird thermometer I’ve reviewed and every model has proven to be accurate in measuring temperatures.

The InkBird IBT-4XC on the left and the InkBird IBT-4XS on the right.

The IPX5 waterproof IBT-4XC is on the left with the IBT-4XS on the right.

The IBT-4XC is also very similar to the InkBird IBT-4XS, another highly-rated four-probe Bluetooth thermometer.

However, the IBT-4XC features better waterproofing with waterproof probe ports as well as a covered USB port on the top. This same USB port is exposed on the IBT-4XS model.

The Bluetooth range is the same for both thermometers and they both utilize the same BBQ Go mobile app.

I consider both models to be good options if you’re looking for a Bluetooth BBQ thermometer.

The IBT-4XC costs $2 more than the IBT-4XS at the time of this review. The enhanced waterproofing is more than worth the extra money, so I’m not quite sure why the IBT-4XS has around 25 times the amount of reviews as the IBT-4XC.

What are the other features of the InkBird IBT-4XC?View the IBT-4XC on Amazon

Features

Here are the important features and specifications of the InkBird IBT-4XC.

Unboxing the InkBird IBT-4XC reveals one Bluetooth thermometer, four temperature probes, two grate clips, and a USB charging cable.

  • One Bluetooth Thermometer

The Bluetooth thermometer features four probe ports with waterproof plugs to keep water out of the ports that aren’t in operation. The button on the front performs four functions. It acts as the power button, Bluetooth pairing button, stop alarm button, and screen rotation button. Whew!!

Closeup image of the InkBird IBT-4XC

  • Four Temperature Probes

There are 3 stainless steel meat probes and one ambient temperature probe. The meat probes are 5 inches long with 47-inch probe cables. The probes are heat resistant to 572°F and the cables are heat resistant to 716°F.

  • Numbered Probe Ports

The ports are numbered and correspond to the probe number in the mobile app.

  • Magnetic Design
  • Two Grill Grate Clips
  • One USB charging cable 
  • Rechargeable Lithium Battery

The IBT-4XC features a built-in rechargeable lithium battery. The battery can last 40 hours when fully charged. It charges using the included 1.64ft USB charging cable.

Usability

Is the InkBird IBT-4Xc easy to use?

The thermometer will operate as a standalone unit without Bluetooth connectivity, however, all of the temperature alert settings are located in the BBQ Go mobile app.

After downloading the mobile app you will be asked to press the button on the front of the thermometer to pair it with your mobile device.

You can set temperature alerts in the mobile app using the preset temperatures provided or add your own temperature alerts, including high and low-temperature alerts.

The mobile app isn’t fancy but does the job. There is a temperature graph for each probe, however, there isn’t a graph that includes all of the probes together.

The temperature graphing feature of the BBQ Go mobile app.

You can also turn alarm sounds on or off in the device settings area. One feature you won’t find is a way to end your cook early with an end cook button.

The main temperature display screen of the BBQ Go mobile app

Another nice feature is the mobile app will display the actual percentage of battery left in the Bluetooth thermometer. This is a better way of gauging how much juice you have left instead of trying to figure out what two bars mean.

Overall, the mobile app of the IBT-4XC is relatively easy to use.

There are a couple of usability issues that pertain to the display and the probes, however.

Although it is nice that the display will rotate through all the attached probes’ temperatures, you still can only view one temperature at a time.

And remembering what probe is in what piece of meat is impossible as there is no color differentiation between probes.

The red digital display is also difficult to read in daylight as well.

The InkBird IBT-4XC, the Weber iGrill 2, and the ThermoPro TP910 in direct sunlight, only the TP910's display is visible

Yes, all three thermometers are on, but you wouldn’t know it.

View the IBT-4XC on Amazon

Bluetooth Range

The wireless Bluetooth signal range of the InkBird IBT-4XC is strong. I was able to receive a signal of around 250 feet away with a house and some trees in between.

There are many variables at play when determining the Bluetooth signal range of any device. You need to take into account obstructions such as walls, fences, etc, as well as your mobile device’s ability to receive a signal.

Keeping those variables in mind, the IBT-4XS did extremely well and should be sufficient for most cooking environments.

Accuracy

I tested the accuracy of the IBT-4XC by measuring the temperature of a water bath alongside a highly-accurate thermocouple thermometer.

Although not as responsive, the IBT-4XC displayed similar temperatures during testing.

The InkBird IBT-4XC Bluetooth Meat Thermometer and the Thermoworks ThermaQ 2 displaying similar temperatures while measuring a water bath

I also used the IBT-4XC to monitor the temperature of some chicken thighs on a Kamado Joe, as well as the pit temperature.

Tracking the temperature of chicken thighs on a kamado smoker using the InkBird IBT-4XC

Again, the IBT-4XC produced similar results to other highly-accurate meat thermometers.

The InkBird IBT-4XC displaying a similar pit temperature as the Thermoworks Signals thermometer

I consider the InkBird IBT-4XC to be accurate.

Durability

One of the curious things I’ve noticed when it comes to strictly-Bluetooth meat thermometers is that not many of them are waterproof.

And by waterproof, I mean an IP moisture rating of 6 or more. The IBT-4XC features an IPX5 waterproof rating, which sadly puts it near the top.

Waterproof protection just doesn’t seem to be a priority for some reason with many Bluetooth models.

The IPX5 rating for the IBT-4XC is a good start.

Its port plugs for the probes and the USB port are nice additions.

Viewing the InkBird IBT-4XC (on the left)from the top and focusing on the port plugs keeping water out of the probe ports

None of the Bluetooth models pictured at the beginning of this review have any protection option for unused probe ports.

The durability of any tool is measured over time. Time will tell if the InkBird IBT-4XC is capable of the rigors involved with smoking and grilling outdoors.

With these enhanced waterproof features, it has a better chance than most.

InkBird also offers an extended warranty of 12 months if you register your thermometer with them.

View the IBT-4XC on Amazon

Price

The price of the InkBird IBT-4XC is around $50 at the time of this review. This is about what you can expect to pay for a decent Bluetooth thermometer from a reputable company.

Here are some prices of other Bluetooth meat thermometers I’ve reviewed.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Verdict

The InkBird IBT-4XC Bluetooth Meat Thermometer is accurate with a solid Bluetooth range. The IPX5 waterproof rating makes it one of the more waterproof Bluetooth meat thermometers.

Its mobile app is basic and doesn’t allow you to track multiple probes on one graph. The red digital display is hard to see in direct sunlight and you can only view one temperature at a time.

The probes and their probe ports aren’t color-coordinated which makes it difficult to track what probe is in what food.

Usability and convenience concerns aside, the IBT-4XS still has value due to its accuracy, Bluetooth range, and waterproof features.