ThermoPro Lightning: Review
ThermoPro Lightning review model
ThermoPro’s Newest Entry is a Lightning Fast Contender
Recently I was provided with a sample of the new ThermoPro Lightning instant read thermometer to test out and review. As a longtime Thermapen user, I have never tried any model of ThermaPro thermometer of any kind, but I was particularly intrigued by the ThermoPro Lightning as it’s essentially a direct competitor with the Thermapen.
Fit and Finish
First off, fit and finish of the ThermoPro Lightning is pretty impressive. Right out of the box, the ThermoPro Lightning comes with a AA battery and even a mini screwdriver for the battery compartment so you won’t have to hunt around for one to insert the battery. Nice touch. The AA battery is a welcome option over the button batteries found in many thermometers. It will make it a lot easier to change batteries.
The ThermoPro Lightning is also IP65 Waterproof rated, which means you won’t have to worry in wet or rainy outdoor BBQ cooks (or even in case of a kitchen accident involving liquid).
ThermoPro Lightning packaging.
The form of the ThermoPro Lightning is similar in size to Thermapen and other handheld flip-out quick-read thermometers. It measures 6-1/2 inches long x 1-1/2 inches wide x 7/8 inches thick.
It does have a few nice touches as well, showing that some extra design thought went into the product during concept stage. There is a non-slip rubber grip wrapped around all sides of the unit and a loop for a strap or clip. The Lock and temp button is easily accessible as well. I had no issues with triggering it accidentally. The probe on this unit flips open manually and is very smooth in function and the temp screen illuminates very quickly.
Back of the ThermoPro Lightning
Even the back of the unit has a helpful little touch as the battery compartment door features a cook-to-temp reminder scale. So all in all I was impressed with the build, fit and finish. The ThermoPro Lightning feels good in your hand and appears to be a well-made product.
ThermoPro Lightning Performance
So the build quality of the ThermoPro Lightning is very good, but the big question is how well did it perform? The main things I look for in an instant read thermometer are speed and accuracy.
I tested the ThermoPro Lightning on several cooks over a few weeks, including a full ham, a turkey and meatballs.
I was surprised how well the ThermoPro Lightning performed.
In fact, the instant read ThermoPro Lightning outperformed my Thermapen by a slight — but visible — margin. For my tests I used the ThermoPro Lightning and the Thermapen side-by-side and injected them simultaneously (roughly a half-in to an inch apart) into the meats. The ThermoPro Lightning beat the Thermapen every time in terms of coming up to temp the quickest and providing a reading in the blink of an eye. Both were super fast, but the ThermoPro Lightning was just a little bit faster.
Very impressive.
Accuracy was next. This one was a bit more interesting. The ThermoPro Lightning and the Thermapen did not give identical readings, but they were within 1°F of one another. I put this down to potential minor differences in the proteins themselves.
To investigate further, I also did an ice bath test to ensure the ThermoPro Lightning was properly calibrated out of the box. It was, as it registered a freezing temp in lock step with the Thermapen, which I also used as a baseline in this test. There are instructions in the manual for how to easily calibrate the ThermoPro Lightning if you ever need to do this. The manual is informative and easy to read and the ThermoPro Lightning is intended to be properly calibrated out-of-the-box.
ThermoPro Lightning test with double-smoked ham.
Conclusion: Is the ThermoPro Lightning Worth It?
The ThermoPro Lightning is a premium product in the the ThermoPro line-up. It’s not inexpensive, but at the time of this review in January 2023 it comes in at a little less expensive (US$70) than the Thermapen One (US$80). Both of these are billed as limited-time pricing, but essentially they are very close in price.
Based on my tests, I was pleasantly surprised with the ThermoPro Lightning and would recommend it. I have not used it for months on end, so I cannot speak to how well it will stand up over time, but it has performed well and I’ve had no issues in the five weeks or so that I have used it. The only minor issue I would mention (if I had to find an issue) is that the glowing red readout can be a bit challenging to read in very bright direct sun. But you can easily shade it with your hand as I did.
All in all, the ThermoPro Lightning is a well-made super-fast instant read digital thermometer that is worth considering for BBQ, grilling, oven or anywhere else you need a fast and reliable instant-read cooking thermometer.
You can visit ThermoPro online for more information.