Best thermal imaging cameras in 2022
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Loading... - Levi Wilson
- 23 May 2022
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Thermal imaging cameras–sometimes called heat sensor cameras or thermal imaging guns–have a broad range of applications and come in an even broader range of configurations, from thermal security cameras to specialized firefighting tools.
Not every thermal imaging camera is well suited to every situation that requires one. A contractor, for example, needs a device that can identify slight variations in temperature, while a hunter might need one that has a high frame rate for tracking moving targets and can capture data from objects that are a long way away.
There’s no one-size-fits-all for this specialized piece of equipment, so it pays to know each camera’s features and how they might apply to the job you need to do. Here are some of the best thermal imaging cameras out there and what you need to know to choose the one that’s right for you.
- Best overall: Hti-Xintai Higher Resolution
- Best budget: FLIR TG267
- Best for iPhone: Seek Thermal CompactPro
- Best handheld: FLIR C5
- Best for hunting: Seek Thermal RevealPRO
- Best for firefighting: FLIR K2
Things to consider before buying a thermal imaging camera
Not all thermal imaging cameras will work well in every situation. The devices that are best for hunting, for example, have different features than those that are best for plumbers or home inspectors. Here are some of the most important variables you’ll want to consider when shopping for a thermal imaging camera.
Style
Thermal imaging devices can be pistol-grip handheld devices, Android and iPhone attachments, or compact pocket-sized handhelds. While the pistol-grip devices tend to have larger screens and more user-friendly operation, somemay find them too big and inconvenient to carry around. Compact devices and phone attachments are more portable but may have other disadvantages.
Resolution and visible light capture
Each pixel has its own temperature measurement, so many of the best thermal imaging cameras are the ones that have high-resolution thermal sensors. Although there are no real benefits to choosing a lower resolution camera,fine detail isn’t really necessary for some applications. In this case, a lower resolution device may be best for your budget. Most thermal imaging devices can also combine a thermal image with a visible light image to give youbetter detail. In some cameras, you can turn this feature on and off.
Thermal sensitivity and temperature range
Thermal sensitivity is also called Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference, or NETD. The lower the NETD, the more sensitive the device. Thermal sensitivity is expressed in degrees andmilli-Kelvins (mK), or thousandths of a degree. A camera that has a thermal sensitivity of 0.07°C or 70 mK, for example, can tell the difference between two points with a temperature difference of just 1/700ths of a degree.
You may need a camera with a low NETD if you need to spot small differences in temperature, like when looking for evidence of moisture. Keep temperature range in mind, too. If you often work in cold climates, for example, you’ll need a device that’s sensitive even at very low temperatures.
Battery life
While the best thermal imaging cameras tend to have good battery life, the importance of this feature varies according to application. For example, if you’re a home inspector or plumber and your jobs don’t require extended time in remote places, battery life might be less important to you than if you use your device for hunting or fighting wildfires.
The best thermal imaging cameras: Our picks
Best overall: Hti-Xintai HTI-19 Higher Resolution Thermal Imaging Camera
Why it made the cut
The Hti-Xintai HTI-19 high resolution thermal imaging camera has a large screen and is capable of capturing fine detail, making it useful for a wide range of applications.
Key features:
- Style: Pistol grip
- Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
- Thermal sensitivity: <0.05°C (<50 mK)
Pros:
- Much higher resolution than many similar devices
- A large, easy-to-read screen
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold
Cons:
- Images can be noisy
- Cannot be tripod-mounted
Product description
The Hti-Xintai HTI-19 high resolution thermal imaging camera has an impressive 320 x 240 resolution and a lower price point, making it a good all-around thermal vision device suitable for most jobs and our best overall pick. The 3.2-inch screen is considerably larger than the screens of many similar devices, and the device also has a simple, user-friendly operation with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to three hours.
This HTI-19 is lightweight, easy to hold, and durably constructed, making it ideal for outdoor use or for environments where it might have to take some abuse, such as tight crawlspaces and construction sites. It is not tripod mountable, though, so it might not be the right device for you if you need hands-free operation.
The temperature range of this device is -4 to 932°F. This range is decent, but it won’t work well in very cold climates. The HTI-19’s thermal sensitivity is 0.05°C (<50 mK), which beats most devices in its price range, though its accuracy of ±2℃ is no better or worse than most other thermal imaging devices in this class.
The HTI-19’s 3GB of built-in memory goes a long way, but it lacks a slot for a separate memory card and doesn’t have WIFI, which may be inconvenient for users who would rather transfer images in the field. Another major drawback of this device is that it can produce noisy images, especially in the lower temperature parts of a scene.
Best budget: FLIR TG267
Why it made the cut: Our best budget pick has a range of advanced features that make it a solid but still reasonably cheap thermal camera, whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist.
Key features:
- Style: Pistol grip
- Resolution: 160 × 120 pixels
- Thermal sensitivity: <0.07°C (<70 mK)
Pros:
- Impressive temperature range
- Bluetooth for easy in-the-field photo transfer
- Built-in laser target shows you exactly what you’re measuring
- Large capacity built-in memory
Cons:
- Lower resolution isn’t as good at capturing detail
Product description
This pistol-grip style thermal imaging gun has a couple of features our best overall pick doesn’t have, despite the lower price. It has the ability to read temperatures of -13°F (up to 716°F), a laser bullseye, and an accessory mount in case you need to put it on a tripod. The laser bullseye is an especially useful feature that helps make sure you know exactly what part of the scene you’re getting the reading from. This device has Bluetooth for easy file transfer, but if you prefer to keep the images on your device until you’re back in the office, it also has 4GB of built-in memory that holds up to 50,000 images.
Another plus for the FLIR TG267 is a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 5 hours (as long as you keep the screen at medium brightness). If you are a heavy user of the laser target, that knocks another half hour or so off your battery life, but that’s still quite good for a single charge. The FLIR TG267 has a tough build (specs claim it can survive a drop of up to 6.5 feet), so it’s a good pick if you plan to spend a lot of time with it outdoors. In average temperature conditions, its accuracy is +/-2.5°C, which is pretty good for this price point.
At 0.07°C (<70 mK), this device’s thermal sensitivity is average, but the 160 x 120 resolution is quite low, and the screen is considerably smaller than our best overall pick, which makes it harder to see the fine details in each image. Still, for the price, it is a great option.
Best for iPhone: Seek Thermal CompactPRO
Why it made the cut: With a 320 x 240 resolution that rivals and even beats that of many pistol-grip models, the Seek Thermal CompactPRO is portable and just as functional as most traditional devices.
Key features:
- Style: Smartphone attachment
- Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
- Thermal sensitivity: <0.07°C (<70 mK)
Pros:
- High resolution lets you capture fine detail
- Excellent low temperature performance
- Uses your phone’s superior screen, storage capacity, and battery
Cons:
- Narrow field of view
Product description
If the idea of carrying around a sizable thermal imaging camera is off-putting, the Seek Thermal CompactPRO is an excellent alternative, and it’s not even a compromise. Our best for iPhone pick captures fine detail as well as or better than most handheld devices. Moreover, because it borrows the screen, battery, and storage capacity from your smartphone, it holds more images, has longer battery life, and boasts a much better image display than even very expensive thermal vision devices. With a high resolution of 320 x 240, images are crisp and detailed.
This device uses your phone’s visible light camera to create a layered image that includes both visual and thermal information, though you may have to do some manual alignment to get the image to look right. Fortunately, the app is fairly easy to use, and it also lets you play around with variables like temperature scale, emissivity, and aspect ratio.
The CompactPRO’s specs are comparable to and often better than those of many standard models. It has a decent thermal sensitivity of <0.07°C (<70 mK) and an impressive total temperature range of -40F° to 626°F, which means it’s functional in almost any climate. And since this device can capture data at a distance of up to 1,800 feet, it’s great for hunting and other outdoor applications. The CompactPRO also has a fast refresh rate of >15 Hz, which allows for smooth tracking of moving objects.
The CompactPRO’s main drawback is the 32 degree field of view (FOV), which is quite narrow compared to the FOV found in most traditional pistol-grip style models. Read More...
