The 3 Best Cooking Thermometers for 2026 Here are my top picks (each serving a slightly different use case), along with strengths, drawbacks, and tips 1. ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE — The “Gold Standard” Instant-Read Why I Pick It Delivers a full, stable temperature reading in 1 second or less . (Food Network) Has a large backlit display that auto-rotates so you can read it no matter the angle. (Food & Wine) Very durable, with a solid build and a reputation for long-term relia