Thermal cameras reveal hidden problems — lessons from years of testing

I’ve collected tools since my teens, and one of the most useful additions to my kit is a thermal camera. It has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. Most people picture military optics or the movie Predator, but you can buy thermal cameras for as little as $100.

There are three common forms: standalone handheld units, smartphone dongles, and phones with built-in thermal sensors. Standalone cameras are robust and accurate but sit idle if you rarely use them; examples range from high-end professional models to household-focused devices.

Dongles attach to a phone, are compact and easy to share images from, but can be platform-dependent and easy to misplace. A few rugged Android phones include thermal cameras, keeping the sensor within reach but often adding bulk. Thermal cameras pick up tiny temperature differences, making invisible problems obvious.

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