Mecurate IRT600A Digital Infrared Thermometer In-depth Review
The Mecurate IRT600A is a cheap, well-built thermometer that promises to get the job done. Even though it’s not without faults and got a few kinks to iron out, it’s not a bad purchase for the price!
Overall Verdict
Overall, the Mecurate IRT600A is a good buy if you’re looking for a good-looking, comfortable-to-use, and durable infrared thermometer. This thermometer is user-friendly and packed with many great features, such as the ability to set the EMS (Emissivity). The 13-dot laser pattern can also aid with improved accuracy.
However, do note that the accuracy of the IRT600A is questionable, especially when measuring extreme temperatures. We didn’t receive very good readings during our performance tests with the IRT600A.
Things We Like
- Solid build quality.
- Has several measurement modes.
- Practical laser emitter with 13-point patterning.
- Easy to handle with a clicky, tactile trigger.
- Bright, colored VA display panel.
- Comes bundled with a meat thermometer
Things We Don’t Like
- Unreliable readings. Multiple continuous scans are required before the thermometer “re-calibrates” itself and output more accurate results.
The Mecurate IRT600A thermometer is an outlier in our database, performance-wise. It has a notable quirk of giving inaccurate readings in the first few scans. But, after a while, the thermometer seems to “re-calibrate” and give more accurate readings. We couldn’t find any setting, function, or environmental changes that could cause this puzzling phenomenon.
This makes it very difficult to score objectively (but we tried, anyway.)
Besides this strange quirk, the Mecurate infrared thermometer is a decent purchase in design and ease of use, especially when compared to other IR thermometers.
Key Specs
Where to Buy Price at publication $25.61
*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.
Compared to Other Infrared Thermometers
6.9 Performance
As explained earlier, the Mecurate IRT600A has fairly unreliable measuring performance. During our accuracy tests using an ice bath and boiling oil, the Mecurate gives inaccurate readings at first (compared to the temperature probes we use as a reference). However, after a few sessions, the thermometer seemed to “re-calibrate” and began to yield accurate readings.
We cannot pinpoint the exact cause of this significant shift in accuracy. But for the purpose of this test, we use the readings from the Mecurate's most accurate session.
9.5 Design
The Mecurate IRT600A thermometer comes with a meat thermometer and two AAA batteries in a sturdy cardboard box.
The dimensions of the infrared thermometer are average, and it's made of strong industrial-grade plastic. The laser emitter has a special 13-point pattern with a central dot and 12 smaller dots forming a circle that helps visualize the measurement area. Notably, the Mecurate IRT600A has a color VA display panel, allowing it to display data better.
7.9 Usability
The thermometer is extremely easy to use. For most kitchen applications, you only need to install the batteries,press the trigger to activate the thermometer, point it toward the object or surface you want to measure, and check the readings.
Fortunately, Mecurate puts a couple more functions into the thermometer that’ll be useful for more advanced users.
Behind the review
Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.
Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.
Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.