Inkbird 4-Probe WiFi Wireless Meat Thermometer Review

Overview

The Inkbird 4-Probe WiFi Wireless Meat Thermometer is a versatile, smart kitchen tool designed for precise and convenient temperature monitoring during grilling, smoking, roasting, and more. Featuring four wireless probes with dual sensors (internal and ambient), WiFi and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, and a feature-rich app, it offers robust functionality at a competitive price of around $140. After testing it across various cooking scenarios, here’s a detailed review of its performance, features, and value, drawing on insights from web sources and hands-on experience.

Pros

Accurate Temperature Readings: Each probe has two sensors, delivering internal temperature accuracy within ±1°C/±1.8°F and ambient readings up to 572°F. In tests with ice water (32°F) and boiling water (212°F), the probes were within 0.3–0.4°F, closely matching a calibrated instant-read thermometer.
Multi-Mode Connectivity: The thermometer supports WiFi (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.4 (300ft range), and a local app-free mode via the base’s high-definition LCD screen. I monitored a brisket smoke from 200 feet away using Bluetooth and switched seamlessly to WiFi for unlimited range when out of Bluetooth range.
Four-Probe Versatility: The four probes allow simultaneous monitoring of multiple meats or different parts of a large cut, ideal for BBQs with varied proteins. I tracked a turkey breast, thigh, and two pork chops concurrently, with clear app differentiation.
User-Friendly App: The Inkbird app offers 26 USDA-recommended meat presets, customizable alarms (target, pre-alarm, high/low temp), and a cooking history graph. Presets for medium-rare steak (135°F) simplified setup, and the graph helped refine my smoking process.
Durable, Dishwasher-Safe Probes: The IP67 waterproof probes, made of food-grade stainless steel with zirconia ceramic handles, withstood high-heat grilling (500°F) and sous vide (140°F). Dishwasher cleanup was effortless, and no wear was observed after multiple uses.
Long Battery Life: Each probe charges in 25 minutes and lasts up to 25 hours, while the 3500mAh base (USB-C charged) supports extended cooks. I completed a 12-hour brisket smoke without needing a recharge.
Affordable Value: At $140, it’s less than half the price of competitors like the MEATER Pro XL ($349.95), offering comparable features like WiFi and multi-probe support, making it a budget-friendly choice for serious cooks.

Cons

Probe Insertion Challenges: The 6mm-diameter probes are thicker than some competitors (e.g., CHEF iQ Sense’s 0.19 inches), requiring deeper insertion (beyond the safety line) for accurate readings. This made monitoring thin cuts like ribs or steaks trickier, with occasional cold spots noted.
Ambient Temperature Variability: Ambient readings occasionally varied by 3–5°F compared to a dedicated grill thermometer, particularly in fluctuating grill conditions, necessitating cross-checking for precise pit control.
WiFi Limited to 2.4GHz: The lack of 5GHz WiFi support caused minor setup issues on dual-band routers, requiring manual network switching. This was a one-time inconvenience but worth noting for tech-heavy households.
No Local Alarm Adjustments: Alarms and presets must be set via the app, as the base doesn’t allow direct configuration, which was inconvenient when my phone was unavailable during a cook.
Probe Length: At 4.7 inches, the probes may not reach the center of very large cuts like full briskets, requiring careful placement for accurate readings.

Performance

I tested the Inkbird across grilling steaks, smoking a brisket, and roasting a chicken. Setup was quick: the base paired with the app via WiFi/Bluetooth in under five minutes, and the magnetic back made it easy to attach to my grill. For steaks, the app’s preset for medium-rare (135°F) delivered accurate results, with juicy outcomes and minimal juice loss despite the thicker probes. The local mode’s LCD screen was clear, even in sunlight, allowing app-free monitoring when needed.

During a 10-hour brisket smoke, the four probes tracked the point, flat, and ambient temperatures, with WiFi enabling remote monitoring from a grocery store run. The app’s alerts for wrapping (165°F) and target (203°F) were timely, though ambient readings fluctuated slightly, requiring a secondary thermometer for confirmation. The 30-minute offline data storage ensured no data loss when I briefly lost connection.

The probes handled high-heat grilling and sous vide without issues, and dishwasher cleanup was seamless. However, inserting probes into thinner ribs was challenging due to their thickness, leading to slightly uneven readings in smaller cuts.

Value and Verdict

The Inkbird 4-Probe WiFi Wireless Meat Thermometer is a standout choice for home cooks and BBQ enthusiasts seeking a feature-rich, affordable smart thermometer. Its four-probe design, WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, and intuitive app rival pricier models like the MEATER Pro XL, while its $99.99 price point undercuts competitors like the CHEF iQ Sense ($146). Minor drawbacks—thicker probes, 2.4GHz WiFi limitation, and slight ambient inaccuracies—don’t overshadow its reliability and versatility for most cooking scenarios.

Recommendation: Highly recommended for budget-conscious cooks who need multi-probe functionality and remote monitoring for grilling, smoking, or roasting. If you primarily cook thin cuts or need 5GHz WiFi, consider the MEATER Pro XL or CHEF iQ Sense. For most users, the Inkbird delivers excellent performance at a fraction of the cost.