Design and ergonomics
The Withings Thermo is characterized by its slim design. At first glance it is difficult to see that it is a thermometer. Made entirely of matt ABS plastic, the Thermo is well made and feels comfortable in the hand.
It is powered by 2 AAA (LR03) batteries housed under a discreet magnetic cover that opens easily.
As easy to use as it looks
Handling is reduced to a minimum. The Thermo is ready to use just a second after pressing its button. The temperature is then taken by palpating the forehead from the center to the temple.
There is no need to slide it across the forehead as the 16 infrared sensors of the HotSpot sensor probe work up to 1 cm from the skin. The thermometer then takes 2000 readings per second as it scans to find the hottest spot in the temporal artery. The Thermo will vibrate to indicate that the measurement is complete. It is more discreet than a beep and is significant for nighttime use on a baby, for example.
The result appears on the white LED display hidden under the plastic front panel, just to the right of the button. An indicator lights up green, orange or red, depending on which range the measured temperature is in. The ranges vary depending on the age of the user. In an infant under 3 months, the light immediately changes from green to red above 38°C, while in a 3-year-old at 36 months between 38°C and 39°C it simply turns orange (beyond red). In children from the age of 3 years, the light only turns red from 39.3°C.
Storage of measurements
For each temperature measurement, Withings Thermo offers to associate the result with a user profile previously registered via the smartphone application. It is selected simply by scrolling through the names by moving your finger thanks to an invisible touch zone on the right side of the screen. The thermometer keeps the last 5 in memory which can then be transferred to the free mobile application which has no record limit.
The user’s name scrolls across the screen.
The eponymous thermometer, which was compatible with the Withings Thermo app when it was launched, is now connected to the manufacturer’s all-purpose application to better centralize information. Named Health Mate, in addition to entering times when medication is taken, it also offers comments, for example to point out symptoms that would have been observed with a temperature measurement.
The Withings Health Mate app
accuracy and speed
speed and repeatability
The Withings Thermo is ready to use in just one second and takes only about 4 seconds to take temporal temperature – enough time to scan half your forehead without walking too fast. There is no need to wait between two consecutive measurements, registration in a user profile is optional. A good point if you want to be sure that the measurement was taken correctly.
However, the Withings Thermo is characterized by a good repeatability of its measurements, so they do not need to be multiplied to average them. The influence of fluctuations in the position of the thermometer on the forehead during the scanning is also quite small thanks to its intrinsic functioning.
Good accuracy with some limitations
Unlike most forehead thermometers, the Withings Thermo tends to show a higher temperature, closer to body temperature. One way to avoid false negatives, but be careful not to panic. It should be noted that the temperature measured at forehead level is naturally relatively unstable (see box below). However, it is more stable at the level of the temporal artery, which is why Withings has chosen to work in this way. Nevertheless, the risk of error remains higher than with a conventional electronic thermometer in the rectal or even oral grip. If in doubt, be careful with the measured temperature, especially with sensitive people (small children, elderly people, etc.). Withings also states that its thermometer is not suitable for taking the temperature of preterm babies – like most non-contact thermometers.
Nevertheless, in good conditions of use, the Withings Thermo shows good precision, fully respecting the margin of error of 0.2 ° C declared by the manufacturer.
Forehead temperature not always reliable
A frontal measurement is generally less reliable than an auricular, buccal or rectal measurement because the temperature of the forehead can vary rapidly depending on the external environment and skin conditions (sweat, vasoconstriction, presence of hair, etc.). ). We also recommend taking the temperature on the temple rather than the forehead to be more specific about what exactly the Withings Thermo is doing.
However, temporal temperature can still be a few tenths of a degree lower than body temperature (before the thermometer automatically adjusts) and you can miss fever if the measurement is not taken in the right place and under the right conditions; Reasons why the health authorities do not recommend this type of thermometers for precise measurements, especially for babies and children, despite their undeniable ease of use (non-invasive measurement, without contact).