Braun is a well-known brand, which automatically comes with a level of trust that their products will meet a high level of user experience and expectation. The Braun ThermoScan 5 6030 Ear Thermometer is no different and meets the expectations I had.

Busy parents are always on the hunt for products that make their lives as easy as possible, the ThermoScan 5 meets this important criteria. The product can be used straight from the box as the batteries are pre-installed and there are only two buttons on the thermometer, which are self-explanatory.

Unlike traditional under-the-tongue thermometers, the ThermoScan 5 uses infrared heat generated by the eardrum and surrounding tissue. This allows for a more accurate reading of the body’s core temperature.

Included in the box are 20 lens filters, which allow for hygienic use on multiple children and reduce the risk of cross contamination.

Useful features:

The ThermoScan 5 only takes one second to gauge a reading, which is perfect for newborns and toddlers who love to wriggle around. In the past I have used thermometers that take 10 to 15 seconds to gauge a temperature and that need to be placed in one spot while my baby squirms. It makes it almost impossible to gauge an accurate reading!

When you are dealing with a squirming baby at night the backlit screen allows you to easily see the temperature and remains illuminated until the thermometer is inactive for 15 seconds. In the event you accidentally place the probe in the wrong place the illuminated screen will display ‘POS’, indicating you need to re-position the thermometer in order to provide an accurate reading.

Braun Theromscan

One of my favourite features is the heated probe, which warms up as soon as the thermometer is turned on. This eliminates the discomfort and shock of placing a cold thermometer on the child. The probe is also shaped in a way that prevents it from being inserted too far into the ear canal.

When you have a sick baby you constantly re-check their temperature, thankfully the ThermoScan 5 displays the previous temperature for 5 seconds when the power is turned on. This feature eliminates the need of writing down or trying to remember the previous temperature.

Improvements:

The power button is only used to turn the thermometer on, however, I found myself repeatedly pressing the button trying to turn it off. The thermometer turns itself off after 60 seconds of inactivity, which is useful when you’re attending to a sick child. After reading through the instructions I discovered the thermometer could be turned off by pressing the power button, however, I was unable to make this work.

The pulsating ExacTemp light flashes while the temperature is being taken; this is then followed by a beep to indicate the reading has been recorded. Unfortunately the beep can be hard to hear when your baby is crying. It would be useful if there was a volume option or even a vibrate alert.

Included in the box is a protective case to store the thermometer in while not in use. It can be quite hard to remove the thermometer from the case and requires two hands. Another down side of the protective case is that it cannot be stored upright on a counter as the top and bottom are curved.

Overall review:

Overall, the ThermoScan 5 is a user-friendly device that I would definitely recommend.

 

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.