Table 1.

Comparison of different types of thermometers and their advantages and disadvantages compared with an ideal thermometer.

Type of thermometer	Advantages	Disadvantages
Thermistor	Continuous Rapid response Accurate and sensitive to small temperature changes Small, robust devices Inexpensive	Non-linear response Requires calibration and may not be reproducible (can develop hysteresis and drift) Single use and invasive
Thermal resistor thermometer	Accurate and sensitive to small temperature changes Linear measurement	Intermittent and slow response Larger device Invasive
Infrared thermometer	Rapid and non-invasive Simple to use and reusable	Variable accuracy Requires calibration in usage Intermittent and expensive
Thermocouple	Continuous Rapid response Accurate and sensitive to small temperature changes Small and can be non-invasive devices Inexpensive	Complicated Small voltage changes require amplification and processing
Mercury or alcohol thermometer	Accurate and reliable Inexpensive and simple devices Reusable	Slow response Intermittent Invasive and potential dangers with toxicity