There are many factors to consider when shopping for an infrared thermometer.  There are many features and variables available, and of course, a very, very wide range of prices.  The following list of factors is structured so that the factors at the top of the list will likely have the greatest impact on cost.  You will notice that some of these factors are related in the way that they affect the value of the instrument.  So ask your self the following questions before shopping, and use the list below to help guide you in selecting the best infrared thermometer for your needs.  You can than start comparison shopping with an arsenal of information that will enable you to get the best value!  The one factor not listed below is Warranty from the provider.  While shopping, use this to determine what distributor has the greatest confidence in the product they are selling!

Question: What is the minimum and maximum temperature I might expect to be measuring?

Question: What is the maximum distance I may be measuring from?

Question: What is the smallest target object I may need to measure?

Question: How accurate do my results need to be?

Question: Do I need features like, Overtemp. alarm, Logging multiple readings etc.

Question: Do I need a targeting guide like a laser spot for accuracy?

Temperature Range- One of the most important feature that affects the cost of an infrared thermometer is the temperature range of the instrument.  A couple of important things to note, is that most thermometers fall into several groups that have a natural separation of costs.  Medical Use, Smaller Range, Medium Range, Lower Minimum Medium Range, Wide Range, Very Wide Range.

Obviously an infrared thermometer intended for medical purposes only needs a limited range.  There is a much greater need for accuracy however.  These are often very inexpensive and intended only for this purpose.  A more expensive unit could take measurements in the appropriate range, but the accuracy would likely not qualify, eliminating it as useful for this purpose.  Of course, plus or minus 2 degrees F is the difference between normal, and a fever!

Smaller Range infrared thermometers vary somewhat, but generally have a total range of  450 F or so.  A typical range for an instrument in this category might be -4F to 425 F.  Somewhat lower and higher variations will be noted, but this is an average for this category.  Usually inexpensive, and useful for many applications, this group is your choice if this range meets your needs.

Medium Range infrared thermometers typically are more consistent in their grouping regarding min. and max. temperature.  The average temperature range for this group is -25F to 999F.  This is the group that has the most versatility without adding a great deal of cost in most cases.

Lower Minimum Medium Range infrared thermometers are also sometimes called "Food Service IR Thermometers".  This is the case because the lower end of the range reaches down below -40F. (Usually -50F or more)  This is important to the food service industry to ensure the safety and freshness of frozen foodstuffs.  This is the group most likely used by health inspectors.

Wide Range IR thermometers represent the first big jump in cost.  For this reason, the health inspector for example, will likely select the prior category.  Number one because of cost, and number two, because he would likely not need the extreme upper range that this unit offers.  Although the lower end is the same as the previous group, and the accuracy is the same, the extra cost may not be attractive to that consumer, unless the thermometer will be used in other environments requiring the expanded upper range.  Typical ranges for this group go below -50F to 1000+ F.

Very Wide Range infrared thermometers are obviously the most costly group of IR thermometers, if we ignore other features than range alone.  Typical temperature ranges for this group can be nearly -60F to 1800+ F!  Found mostly in high end industrial applications, these units are rarely found in everyday uses as mentioned above.  They are reserved for special applications and as such are priced accordingly!

Conclusion: The better value will be the instrument with the greatest range for the same cost, all other factors being equal.