Braun PRT2000 Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer review

Read next: Best nasal aspirators for babies

How we tested the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer

I used the Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer with my 22-month-old toddler. In order to get an accurate view of its performance, I tested it against other stick and in-ear thermometers including the Braun ThermoScan 7 with Age Precision, the Braun Sensian 7 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer, the Kinetik Inner Ear Thermometer and the Beurer BY11 Instant Stick Thermometer.

During testing, I scored the Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer out of five in a number of different criteria: set up, ease of use, accuracy, comfort, design, ease of cleaning and value for money.

Is the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer easy to set up?

Yes. It comes with an instruction booklet, which has details on how to correctly use the thermometer, whether using it under the arm, orally or rectally. However, I found the Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer very intuitive to use.

I got it working straight away without even consulting the instructions, but it did help that I was already familiar with Braun’s Age Precision technology after using the Braun ThermoScan 7 with Age Precision and the Braun Sensian 7 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer. There is no real set-up required as the lithium coin battery is already in place. 

Read next: Best baby toothbrushes

Does the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer provide accurate and consistent temperature readings?

Yes. You can use the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer to check your child’s temperature under their armpit, in their mouth or rectally. 

While I didn’t use the thermometer rectally due to the potential discomfort it would cause my daughter, I found the underarm and oral temperature readings to be accurate - there was a 0.1 difference between the two. If you’re unsure where to take your child’s temperature, the NHS recommends using a digital thermometer in your child’s armpit to get the most accurate reading. 

When I tested my daughter, the oral temperature was in line with the reading I took using the Kinetic Inner Ear Thermometer (the underarm was 0.1 degree out) and 0.1 degree out from the reading I took using the Braun ThermoScan 7 (the underarm was 0.2 degrees out), so I would generally recommend using the Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer orally.

How easy is the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer to use?

Once you’ve turned the thermometer on using the power button at the side of the thermometer, selecting your child’s relevant age is simple using the Age Precision button on the front of the device - there’s a choice between 0 to 3 months, 3 to 36 months and 36 months+.

I found it easy to take an underarm and oral reading as the temperature is displayed in only eight seconds, and the tip is flexible. This meant that I was able to contain my wriggly toddler just long enough to get an accurate reading - I’ve had trouble with underarm readings in the past due to a slow thermometer, but this one was quicker and easier to use. 

While the LCD screen doesn’t light up when the thermometer is taking your child’s temperature (which can pose an issue when taking your child’s temperature at night), it has the same colour coded feature as the Braun Sensian 7 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer, lighting up in either green, yellow or red once the temperature has been read and displayed on the screen. Green means the temperature is normal, yellow means it’s elevated and red means it’s high. This is ideal for parents who may need some guidance on what’s normal and what isn’t. 

If you’re unable to read the screen, the thermometer will also beep once for a normal temperature or beep 10 times in a row for an elevated or high one. It also recalls your last reading should you need it. 

The benefit of a stick thermometer like the Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer is that it’s small and light enough (much smaller and lighter than the Braun ThermoScan 7 and the Braun Sensian 7 Forehead Thermometer) to easily pack in your changing bag, an overnight bag or a cabin suitcase for family holidays. However, I did find the protective cap easily slips off, so I would have preferred it to have come with a hygienic case instead. 

Read next: Best baby nail clippers for a safe trim

Is the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer comfortable for babies?

It depends on which method of taking your child’s temperature you use. Out of the two methods I tested, my daughter found the underarm to be the most comfortable, but she also didn’t mind her temperature being taken orally as long as I was careful of how far I positioned it in her mouth. Rectal temperature readings can be uncomfortable so, for that reason, I didn’t try this option out during testing. 

Compared to the Braun ThermoScan 7 and Braun Sensian 7 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer, I found the oral method with the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer to be more invasive, so you may find you need to take an underarm reading if you have a newborn or younger baby.

Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer: how easy is it to store and clean?

Due to its small size, the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer is very easy to store. It needs to be carefully cleaned with soap and water after each use, which is something to keep in mind. 

To disinfect it, you need a wet paper towel and more than 70% isopropyl alcohol and hold the tip with the alcohol for 60 seconds. You then need to rinse the tip with water for 30 seconds and dry. 

Is the Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer good value for money?

Absolutely. With excellent Age Precision technology, accurate readings and an RRP of £18, the Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer offers great value for money. It’s more affordable than Braun’s in-ear and forehead thermometers and is easier to take with you when out and about or travelling. 

Read next: Best toys for 9-month-olds

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she is fully invested in discovering the best and most affordable baby products on the market, and sharing her knowledge and findings with other parents.

With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing pushchair product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier. 

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.