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OXO Meat Thermometer Review: Is It Worth Buying?

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My verdict

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Bottom line: OXO’s Good Grips thermometer nails the ergonomics its brand is known for, but the ±1.0°F accuracy and 3 to 5 second response sit behind dedicated thermocouple models costing about the same.

Buy this if: You already trust OXO’s kitchen tools and want a comfortable grip more than the fastest possible read.

Skip this if: You want wireless or app-connected monitoring, since OXO does not offer either.

OXO Good Grips Thermometer: Overview

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OXO built its reputation on ergonomic, well-designed kitchen tools under the Good Grips line, not on thermometer-specific engineering. That reputation is well earned on cutting boards and peelers. Whether it holds up on a technical product like a thermometer is the actual question this review answers.

I tested OXO’s current digital stem thermometer, model 11135900, across steak, chicken, and a Sunday roast to see whether the design-first reputation translates to accuracy and speed, not just comfort in the hand.

Model Comparison, Which One to Buy

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OXO’s meat-thermometer lineup is narrow. The Good Grips digital stem thermometer, priced around $23, is the current model worth considering. Unlike ThermoWorks or MEATER, OXO does not offer a wireless or app-connected option, so anyone wanting to monitor a smoker from another room will need to look elsewhere.

Model Review

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Best for Ergonomics

OXO Good Grips Digital Thermometer

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Pivoting head, 8-inch stem, ±1.0°F accuracy

The pivoting head is the standout feature here, letting you read the display at an angle instead of straight on. It is a small thing that matters more than I expected once I started using it over a hot grill.

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What I like

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  • Pivoting head reads clearly from multiple angles over a grill or pan
  • Comfortable, non-slip grip, OXO’s signature strength
  • Comes with a protective sleeve that doubles as a temperature reference guide

What I do not like

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  • The battery compartment is buried under the sleeve, awkward to access mid-cook
  • No wireless or app connection, so it cannot track a long smoke from another room

Response time landed at 3 to 5 seconds in my tests, a full second or two slower than a thermocouple-style instant-read. On a fast-moving steak night that gap is noticeable, though it is fine for a roast or a whole chicken where you are not racing the clock. The ±1.0°F accuracy held steady across an ice-water test and three separate cooks.

Verdict: A solid pick for a cook who already owns OXO tools and wants comfort over raw speed.

Accuracy±1.0°F
Response time3 to 5 seconds
Upper temp range302°F
Power source1 LR44 battery

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Alternatives to Consider

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OXO’s narrow lineup will not fit every reader, and I tested both alternatives below alongside it.

  • Taylor: A budget-comparable alternative if price matters more than grip design. See our full Taylor review.
  • KitchenAid: Another comparably-priced kitchen-brand option worth a look. See our full KitchenAid review.

Frequently asked questions

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Are OXO thermometers accurate?

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OXO’s Good Grips digital thermometer reads within ±1.0°F in my testing, competitive with other mid-range instant-reads in the $20 to $30 range. It is not as tight as a premium thermocouple model’s ±0.5°F, but for most home cooking that difference rarely matters in practice.

Is OXO a good meat thermometer brand?

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OXO’s strength is ergonomic design, and that shows in the pivoting head and comfortable grip on its current thermometer. Where it falls short is lineup depth. There is no wireless or app-connected option, so cooks who want to monitor a smoker remotely will need a different brand.

Does OXO make a wireless meat thermometer?

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No. OXO’s current lineup is limited to the wired digital stem thermometer covered in this review, with no Bluetooth or app-connected model. Readers who want to monitor a smoker or oven from another room will need a brand like MEATER or Typhur instead, both of which build wireless connectivity into their probes.

Is OXO the right pick for you?

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OXO is worth buying if you prioritize grip and comfort over the fastest possible read and do not need app features. See our full roundup for broader model comparisons.

See our tested meat thermometer picks