The Klein Tools TI290 is the best thermal imaging camera here, with a 76,800-pixel infrared sensor and a 3.5 in display; Klein publishes no price. The Thermal Master Thor002 ($359.10) is #2 and the Topdon TC005 ($429.00) is #3, while the Topdon TC001 is the lowest published price at $230.00.
Infrared resolution: 76,800 pixelsType: Standalone handheldPrice: Not publishedTemperature range: -40° to 752°F (-40° to 400°C)Display: 3.5 in
The Klein Tools TI290 is a standalone handheld with a 76,800-pixel infrared sensor, a 3.5 in display and a temperature range of -40° to 752°F. Klein lists no price.
Go ifThe highest infrared resolution in this list
Skip ifYou need a published price before you shop
Why #1 over #2: Its 76,800 pixels are the highest resolution stated here, above the Thor002’s 256 x 192 sensor.
2
Thermal Master Thor002
Answrs VerdictThe lowest-priced standalone camera listed.
Infrared resolution: 256 x 192 sensor (512 x 384 X3IR super-resolution)Type: Standalone handheldPrice: $359.10Display: 3.5 in, 640 x 480Thermal sensitivity: NETD under 40 mK
The Thermal Master Thor002 is a standalone handheld with a 256 x 192 sensor, 512 x 384 X3IR super-resolution, a 3.5 in, 640 x 480 display and NETD under 40 mK, at $359.10.
Go ifA standalone camera with a published price under $400
Skip ifYou want a phone attachment
Why #2 over #3: At $359.10 it is priced below the Topdon TC005’s $429.00 with the same 256 x 192 sensor.
3
Topdon TC005
Answrs VerdictThe long-runtime handheld.
Infrared resolution: 256 x 192Type: Standalone handheldPrice: $429.00Temperature range: -20 °C to 550 °C (-4 °F to 1022 °F)Runtime: 12-hour
The Topdon TC005 is a standalone handheld with a 256 x 192 sensor, a range of -20 °C to 550 °C and a 12-hour runtime, at $429.00.
Go ifAll-day handheld use with a 12-hour runtime
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #3 over #4: It is a standalone camera, which puts it ahead of the Topdon TC001 phone attachment on the same 256 x 192 sensor.
4
Topdon TC001
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest way in.
Infrared resolution: 256 x 192Type: Phone attachment (Android phone or tablet, Windows laptop)Price: $230.00Weight: 30 g
The Topdon TC001 is a 256 x 192 phone attachment for an Android phone or tablet or a Windows laptop. It weighs 30 g and costs $230.00.
Go ifThe lowest published price on the list
Skip ifYou use an iPhone
Why #4 over #5: At $230.00 it is priced below the Thermal Master P3’s $269.10.
Infrared resolution: 256 x 192 native (512 x 384 Super IR)Type: Phone attachment (Android, iOS and PC)Price: $269.10Temperature range: -20 °C to 600 °C (-4 °F to 1112 °F)Thermal sensitivity: NETD under 35 mK
The Thermal Master P3 is a phone attachment with a 256 x 192 native sensor and 512 x 384 Super IR, working with Android, iOS and PC, at $269.10.
Go ifA phone attachment that works with Android and iOS
Skip ifYou want a standalone camera
Why #5 over #6: Its 256 x 192 sensor is above the 240 x 180 sensor of the Testo 871s.
6
Testo 871s
Answrs VerdictThe professional reporting imager.
Infrared resolution: 240 x 180 (480 x 360 with SuperResolution)Type: Standalone handheld with Wi-Fi to the testo appPrice: $2,499.00 (was $2,999.00)Thermal sensitivity: Under 0.14 °F (0.08 °C)
The Testo 871s is a standalone handheld with a 240 x 180 sensor, 480 x 360 with SuperResolution, and Wi-Fi to the testo app, at $2,499.00.
Go ifReporting on site through the testo Thermography App
Skip ifYou want to spend under $500
Why #6 over #7: Its 240 x 180 sensor is above the Testo 868s’s 160 x 120.
7
Testo 868s
Answrs VerdictThe entry testo imager.
Infrared resolution: 160 x 120 (320 x 240 with SuperResolution)Type: Standalone handheld with Wi-Fi to the testo appPrice: $1,599.00 (was $1,999.00)Thermal sensitivity: Under 0.14 °F (0.08 °C)
The Testo 868s is a standalone handheld with a 160 x 120 sensor, 320 x 240 with SuperResolution, and Wi-Fi to the testo app, at $1,599.00.
Go ifThe same testo app workflow at a lower price than the 871s
Skip ifYou want 240 x 180 or better
Why #7 over #8: It is a standalone camera with a published $1,599.00 price, which puts it ahead of the Klein TI250.
8
Klein Tools TI250
Answrs VerdictThe compact Klein.
Infrared resolution: 19,200 pixelsType: Standalone handheldPrice: Not publishedTemperature range: -4° to 752°F (-20° to 400°C)Display: 2.4 in
The Klein Tools TI250 is a standalone handheld with a 19,200-pixel sensor, a 2.4 in display and a range of -4° to 752°F. Klein lists no price.
Go ifA compact rechargeable imager with a USB-C port
Skip ifYou want Wi-Fi transfer
Why #8 over #9: Its 19,200 pixels are a stated sensor resolution, while the Bosch page lists a 160 x 120 sensor with no price either.
9
Bosch GTC 400 C
Answrs VerdictThe jobsite-rated Bosch.
Infrared resolution: 160 x 120Type: Standalone handheld on the 12V Max battery systemPrice: Not publishedImage memory: Up to 500 imagesProtection rating: IP53
The Bosch GTC 400 C is a standalone handheld with a 160 x 120 sensor on the 12V Max battery system. It stores up to 500 images and is IP53 rated. Bosch lists no price.
Go ifCrews already on Bosch 12V Max batteries
Skip ifYou want a published price
Why #9 over #10: It is a standalone camera, which puts it ahead of the FLIR Edge Pro phone attachment on the same 160 x 120 sensor.
10
FLIR Edge Pro
Answrs VerdictThe FLIR phone attachment.
Infrared resolution: 160 x 120 (480 x 360 super resolution)Type: Phone attachment, or wireless up to 5 m (16.4 ft) over Wi-FiPrice: $529.00Temperature range: 0°C to 400°C (32°F to 752°F)
The FLIR Edge Pro is a 160 x 120 phone attachment with 480 x 360 super resolution, which also works wirelessly up to 5 m over Wi-Fi, at $529.00.
Go ifA FLIR phone attachment you can also use wirelessly
Skip ifYou want a standalone camera
How we ranked these
We ranked each camera on the infrared sensor resolution its maker states, highest first. Where makers list the same resolution, standalone cameras come before phone attachments, then lower published prices come first. Prices are as shown on each maker’s own page; Klein and Bosch list none. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best thermal imaging camera?
The Klein Tools TI290 ranks first here with a 76,800-pixel infrared sensor and a 3.5 in display; Klein publishes no price for it.
What is the cheapest thermal imaging camera on this list?
The Topdon TC001, a phone attachment with a 256 x 192 sensor, at $230.00.
Which thermal camera works with an iPhone?
The Thermal Master P3 lists Android, iOS and PC support at $269.10, and the FLIR Edge Pro clips onto a smartphone at $529.00.
Which standalone thermal camera has the longest runtime?
The Topdon TC005 lists a 12-hour runtime and costs $429.00.
Published price (USD) at a glance
Topdon TC001230 USD
Topdon TC005429 USD
FLIR Edge Pro529 USD
Testo 868s1,599 USD
Testo 871s2,499 USD
Published price (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
