Comparison · Kitchen
MEATER Pro vs MEATER Plus vs CHEF iQ Sense: which smart thermometer?
MEATER Pro beats the Plus everywhere that matters. CHEF iQ Sense is the cheaper way to get real Wi-Fi.
Our pick: MEATER Pro over the Plus; CHEF iQ Sense if you need Wi-Fi for less
MEATER
MEATER Pro
8.9$99.99
Worth the $20 over the Plus for the extra sensors and 1,000°F rating alone.
Pros
- • 6 sensors total
- • 1,000°F ambient
- • Thinner 5 mm probe
Cons
- • Bluetooth only unless you use MEATER Link
MEATER
MEATER Plus
7.8$79.99
Buy only on deep discount. It’s the older design.
Pros
- • Proven design
- • 165 ft range
Cons
- • 527°F ambient
- • Single internal sensor
CHEF iQ
iQ Sense Gen 3
8.4$69.99–$129.99
Real Wi-Fi through its hub at a lower price than MEATER’s Wi-Fi models.
Pros
- • Wi-Fi hub
- • 5 sensors
- • 70-hour battery
Cons
- • App less polished than MEATER’s
MEATER Plus vs MEATER Pro isn’t close anymore. The Pro has six sensors instead of two, nearly double the heat rating, a thinner probe, and more range, for $20 more. The more interesting matchup is MEATER Pro vs CHEF iQ Sense, which trades MEATER’s polish for built-in Wi-Fi and a longer battery.
| Spec | MEATER Pro | MEATER Plus | CHEF iQ Sense Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $79.99 | $69.99–$129.99 (1 probe) |
| Sensors | 5 internal + 1 ambient | 1 internal + 1 ambient | 4 internal + 1 ambient |
| Max internal | 221°F | 212°F | n/a |
| Max ambient | 1,000°F | 527°F | Up to 1,000°F |
| Probe diameter | 5 mm | 6 mm | n/a (4.75 in long) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 long range | Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi via Smart Hub |
| Range | ~250 ft typical | 165 ft | Unlimited over Wi-Fi |
| Battery | 24+ hr; 5-min quick charge | 24+ hr | Up to 70 hr |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Accuracy and sensors
Multiple sensors matter because probes are rarely perfectly centered. MEATER Pro reads five points down the shaft and reports the coolest, which is the true core temperature. CHEF iQ does the same with four. MEATER Plus has one internal sensor, so placement has to be exact.
Heat resistance
At 527°F, the MEATER Plus can’t survive a reverse sear, a hot kettle grill, or a pizza oven. The MEATER Pro and CHEF iQ Sense both handle about 1,000°F at the handle, so you can leave them in through the sear.
Range and Wi-Fi
MEATER Pro’s long-range Bluetooth reaches about 250 feet in a typical home. MEATER rates it at 2,500 feet in open air. To check from the store, you need MEATER Link running on a device at home. CHEF iQ’s Smart Hub connects straight to your router, so alerts work from anywhere with no spare phone needed.
Our pick
- Most cooks: MEATER Pro. It is the best-designed probe and app.
- Need Wi-Fi without paying for the MEATER Pro Duo: CHEF iQ Sense.
- Already own a MEATER Plus: keep it for oven roasts and upgrade when you start searing.
Questions we get
What is the difference between MEATER Pro and MEATER Plus?
MEATER Pro has five internal sensors plus ambient (vs one plus ambient), handles 1,000°F ambient (vs 527°F), reads up to 221°F internal (vs 212°F), uses a thinner 5 mm probe (vs 6 mm), and uses longer-range Bluetooth 5.2. It costs $99.99 vs $79.99.
Is the MEATER 2 Plus the same as the MEATER Pro?
Yes. MEATER launched the probe as the MEATER 2 Plus and now sells it as the MEATER Pro.
Is the MEATER Pro Wi-Fi?
Not on its own. The single MEATER Pro uses Bluetooth. You can extend it over Wi-Fi with MEATER Link (a second phone or tablet at home) or MEATER Cloud. The MEATER Pro Duo and Pro XL have Wi-Fi built in.
Can MEATER Plus go in the oven?
Yes, as long as the oven or grill stays below 527°F at the handle. Expect shorter range through a closed metal oven door.
Which is the best MEATER thermometer?
MEATER Pro for single-probe cooks. MEATER Pro Duo ($179.99) if you cook two proteins at once and want built-in Wi-Fi. MEATER Pro XL ($349.99) for four probes and a standalone display dock.