If you’re tracking your menstrual cycle for fertility awareness, understanding your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is key. But with so many thermometer options out there, how do you pick the best one? In this showdown, we’ll break down six popular BBT thermometers—from tech gadgets to basic tools—and pit them against each other based on ease of use, price, accuracy, and more. By the end, you’ll know which option is right for you! Let’s dive in. 

1. Tempdrop: Best for Irregular Sleepers

Overview: Tempdrop is a wearable thermometer that’s worn on your arm overnight, making it perfect for women with irregular sleep schedules or new moms who can’t always wake up at the same time. 

Pros: No more 5 AM alarms: Unlike other BBT thermometers, you don’t need to wake up at the same time every morning. Works with irregular sleep: Shift workers or anyone with disrupted sleep can still get accurate readings. Syncs with multiple apps: Easily integrates with fertility tracking apps and relays your temperature in its own app for free. The upgraded version of the Tempdrop app has some cool features that I personally like, for example, tracking sleep. 

Cons: Pricey upfront: At around $150+, Tempdrop is a bigger initial investment. Battery maintenance: You’ll need to replace the battery every few months. 

Verdict: Tempdrop is a top contender if you want flexibility and convenience. It’s perfect for anyone with irregular sleep like postpartum moms or a hectic and irregular schedule. It is my favorite of the “smart thermometer” options.

2. Natural Cycles: Best for All-in-One App Users

Overview: Natural Cycles is an FDA-approved app for contraception, but it’s also great for tracking your fertility. It pairs with a thermometer (you can buy theirs or use your own) and calculates your fertile window based on your BBT readings. 

Pros: FDA-approved contraception: This app is one of the few approved for use as birth control on its own. Automatic fertility predictions: The app uses algorithms to give you fertility insights without extra effort on your part. 

Cons: Subscription required: You’ll need to pay for continued access to the app, with prices starting at $9.99/month. Data privacy concerns: Storing sensitive health data on an app may come with privacy risks. Past fertility apps have faced data leaks. Strict wake-up time needed: You’ll need to wake up at the same time daily for accurate results. Using Natural Cycles as a stand alone way to track your cycle is less effective than using the Sympto-Thermal Method 2. Natural Cycles: Best for All-in-One App Users Verdict: Natural Cycles is great for tech-savvy users who want an all-in-one solution, but keep an eye on the ongoing costs and privacy risks.

3. Oura Ring: Best for Comprehensive Health Tracking 

Overview: The Oura Ring is a multipurpose health tracker that monitors body temperature trends along with sleep, heart rate, and activity levels. It’s a sleek, wearable ring that provides holistic health insights. 

Pros: Wear it 24/7: Continuous data collection without needing to manually take your temperature. Health beyond fertility: Track your overall wellness, including sleep patterns, physical activity, and recovery. 

Cons: Expensive: The Oura Ring costs around $300, making it one of the most expensive options. Not fertility-focused: While it tracks temperature trends, it’s not specialized for fertility awareness, so manual interpretation may be needed. 

Verdict: Oura Ring is ideal if you want a multi-use health tracker that does more than just fertility tracking, but it comes at a premium price.

4. Apple Watch: Best for Apple Ecosystem Lovers

Overview: The Apple Watch is another wearable health tracker that monitors temperature trends, among other health metrics like heart rate and activity. However, it’s not designed specifically for fertility tracking. 

Pros: Popular and familiar tech: If you already own an Apple Watch, adding BBT tracking is easy. Comprehensive health data: Like the Oura Ring, the Apple Watch tracks more than just temperature. 

Cons: Not designed for BBT: The watch isn’t specialized for fertility tracking, so you’ll need a third-party app to chart your temperature for cycle awareness. Expensive: Like Oura, the Apple Watch is an investment (starting around $300). 

Verdict: If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch can be a convenient option, but it’s not fertility-specific and carries a hefty price tag.

5. Amazon BBT Thermometers: Best Budget Option

Overview: BBT thermometers available on Amazon offer a simple and affordable way to track your temperature. They’re specifically designed for fertility awareness, with two-decimal precision for accurate readings. 

Pros: Affordable: Prices range from $10–$30, making them one of the most budget-friendly options. BBT-specific: These thermometers are designed for fertility tracking, with memory functions and two-decimal precision. 

Cons: Manual process: You need to remember to take your temperature every morning right after waking up. No extra features: These basic thermometers don’t track anything beyond BBT, and you’ll need to log the data manually. 

Verdict: If you’re looking for a straightforward, affordable option, BBT thermometers on Amazon are reliable and effective, though they require more manual effort than their high-tech counterparts.

6. Regular Digital Thermometer: Best for Beginners

Overview: A regular digital thermometer can be used to measure your basal body temperature if you’re just getting started and want a no-frills approach. 

Pros: Super affordable: These can be found at most drugstores for under $10. Widely available: You can pick one up at almost any pharmacy or supermarket. 

Cons: Not precise enough: Regular thermometers don’t offer the two-decimal precision required for accurate BBT tracking. Not designed for fertility: These thermometers aren’t made for tracking small daily temperature shifts, so they’re not ideal for fertility awareness. 

Verdict: A regular digital thermometer can be a good starting point, but for accurate BBT tracking, you’ll eventually want to invest in a thermometer specifically designed for fertility.

And the Winner is… Tempdrop!

After reviewing all the options, Tempdrop stands out as the best overall BBT thermometer, especially if you value convenience, flexibility, and consistent data. Whether you’re dealing with irregular sleep or just want an easier way to track your fertility, Tempdrop offers the perfect balance of tech, comfort, and reliability. 
Runner-Up: For those who want a more budget-friendly option, Amazon BBT thermometers are a solid alternative. They may require more manual effort, but they’re effective and won’t break the bank.

Conclusion

When it comes to tracking your basal body temperature for fertility awareness, the right thermometer depends on your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences. Whether you go high-tech with Tempdrop or stick to a classic thermometer from Amazon, the important thing is to find a tool that makes tracking simple and fits into your routine.