Thermoworks ThermoPop 2 Review
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This is a review of the Thermoworks ThermoPop 2 Pocket Digital Thermometer. It is the successor to the highly-rated original ThermoPop thermometer.
I’ve bought and reviewed most of the top instant-read meat thermometers on the market to determine which are the best value for your money.
How does the ThermoPop 2 compare?
Review Summary
Best Feature- Like all Thermoworks thermometers, the ThermoPop 2 is accurate and fast.
Worst Feature- There isn’t one. If I’m nitpicking, extending the tenth of a degree resolution to temperatures over 100 would be nice, but then the digits would have to be smaller due to size constraints.
Verdict- The ThermoPop 2 is even more accurate and faster than the original model. The 360° auto-rotating display’s larger digits and much brighter screen make this a fantastic buy at its current price.
In this review of the Thermoworks ThermoPop 2, I will examine its features, usability, accuracy, durability, and price to determine if it’s a thermometer worth owning.
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The ThermoPop 2 has a much brighter display than the original ThermoPop.
ThermoPop 2 Overview
Thermoworks is the premier manufacturer of food thermometers in the United States. I’ve bought and reviewed many of their products and I’ve yet to find a dud.
The ThermoPop 2 is a prime example of Thermoworks’ continuing refinement of their already excellent products.
While the original ThermoPop thermometer is a great value, it does have some room for improvement.
The most glaring area is the display. The size of the digits as well as the very weak backlight are some things that could be improved. Also having to press a button on the back to rotate the display is a small inconvenience.
The ThermoPop 2 has addressed all of these issues. The backlight is much brighter now as you can see in the picture above.
The digits are larger as well. And probably the most convenient new feature is the 360° auto-rotating display.
Whereas you have to press a button on the back to rotate the screen of the original ThermoPop, the ThermoPop 2 rotates automatically.
The ThermoPop 2 also features a faster temperature-measuring response time of 2 to 3 seconds compared to the 3 to 4-second response time of the original.
Another improvement is a completely waterproof IP67 body versus the splashproof IP66 rating for the original ThermoPop.
When you add a NIST-traceable certificate of calibration into the mix, the ThermoPop 2 is just too good of a value to pass up at its current price.
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Here’s a look at all of the features and specifications of the Thermoworks ThermoPop 2.
ThermoPop 2 Features and Specs
Here are the important features and specifications for the Thermoworks ThermoPop 2.
- 360° Auto-Rotating Display
- NIST-traceable Calibration Certificate
- Switchable Celsius/Fahrenheit
- Measuring range of -58 to 572°F
- Accuracy +- 0.9°F
- Response Time- 2 to 3 seconds
- IP Rating- 67
- Probe Dimensions – 4.5 inches long, 0.1 inches in diameter
- Auto-Off Feature- Can be disabled
- Auto Backlight- 10 seconds
- Battery- 3V lithium coin with 4000 hours of battery life
- Display size- 1.26 inches in diameter
- NSF Certified
Usability
Any device is easier to operate when you have to deal with fewer buttons. The ThermoPop 2 only has one button on the back, compared with the three buttons of the original ThermoPop.
The original ThermoPop has a light/power button on the front, and a screen rotation button as well as a Celsius/Fahrenheit button on the back.
Those three buttons and their functions are condensed into a single button on the back of the ThermoPop 2.
Press the button once to activate the thermometer. The backlight will stay on for 10 seconds. If you want to turn the backlight on again, just press the button again while the thermometer is on.
To switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius, just press and hold the button for three seconds upon startup.
As discussed earlier, the screen will automatically rotate up to 360° depending on its orientation in your hand.
The ThermoPop 2 next to the Thermoworks DASH on the left.
The auto-rotating screen and improved backlight make for a much more user-friendly experience than the original ThermoPop.
Accuracy
The ThermoPop 2 is rated more accurate than the original ThermoPop. The box states the ThermoPop 2’s accuracy rating to be +-0.9°F.
It also comes with its own certificate of calibration which certifies it is calibrated against laboratory standards that are traceable to standards maintained at the NIST. (The National Institute of Standards and Technology)
The original ThermoPop is rated accurate between +-2.0°F.
I tested both of the ThermoPop models alongside the Thermapen ONE in a series of sous vide water baths to gauge their response time and accuracy.
As you might expect, the Thermapen ONE was the most responsive, with the ThermoPops not too far behind.
The ThermoPop 2 was a little faster than its older sibling, but you would need a slow-motion camera to gauge the actual difference.
In terms of accuracy, the ThermoPop 2 was very close to the Thermapen ONE in measuring the increasing temperature of the water bath, with the original ThermoPop not far behind.
I’m not saying the ThermoPop 2 is just as accurate as the Thermapen, but it is darn close.
Although the original ThermoPop seems like it’s lagging behind in the picture above, it is really about 0.2 to 0.3°F off because it rounds up to the next temperature once it goes over 0.5 degrees in between whole numbers.
The ThermoPop 2 is one of the most accurate thermometers you’ll find for under $40.
Durability
The ThermoPop 2 has a thermometer body with an IP67 waterproof rating due to its molded-in seals and buttons in its housing.
Being a pocket thermometer that doesn’t have a folding probe, one area of possible concern is the inherent vulnerability of the probe becoming bent.
The thermometer does come with a protective sheath with a pocket clip that protects the probe while not in use, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
It also comes with a two-year warranty. Thermoworks has the best customer service in the business and should you encounter a problem they will take care of you.
I have yet to encounter a durability issue with ANY product I’ve purchased from Thermoworks. They are the best, and the ThermoPop 2 is a continuing testament to the company’s high standards of quality.
Price
The price tag for the ThermoPop 2 at the time of this review is $35.
Other thermometers in this price range include the Thermoworks DASH and Thermoworks Executive Series Pocket Thermometers, both $39 and highly recommended as well.
Other meat thermometers that I’ve reviewed in the $30 to $50 price range include the Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo ($54), ThermoPro TP620 ($49), and the ThermoPro TP19 ($30). (Links are to my review of each thermometer.)
I rank the ThermoPop 2 higher than those models in terms of accuracy and value for your money.
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Verdict
It is difficult for me to do a review of any Thermoworks thermometer and not come away sounding like their biggest fan.
I personally loathe overly-enthusiastic reviews of products and am generally very skeptical when I encounter them.
If this is your first time on the site, welcome. If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you know I will call out a piece of junk when I see it.
So, let me conclude this review with a challenge to the reader.
Your challenge is to find another thermometer with the speed, accuracy, build quality, and customer-service support of the ThermoPop 2 at a price of $35 or less.
I would throw in the part about the calibration certificate as well, but I don’t need it.
The one quality that is usually not discussed in product reviews is trust.
The trust I’m referring to is the trust that the product will perform at a high level, consistently, day in and day out.
I measure every thermometer I buy against Thermoworks thermometers because they are the best, and they have gained my trust.
I could go on, but you get the point. This thermometer is a great buy.
