Testing Various Low-Cost Thermometers

See also the companion page on hygrometers.

Described here are my own experiences assessing accuracy and calibrating the following devices. Results only represent my own specific devices which I have bought from various retail sources.

I would like to stress here that my interest in this is rather more about the methodolgy of testing and how accurately I can set up the calibration experiment using low or zero cost equipment than it is about truly calibrating these sensors. It would be presumptuous of me to suggest I know better than the metrology experts at some of the world's premier digital sensor manufacturers. Where I see a deviation between my measurements and multiple sensors I will happily assign the error to my experimental procedure and look for improvements.

• A one-point calibration of the BME280 with details of the ice-bath method at 0°C.
• A two-point calibration of the DS18B20 with details of the gallium melting point method at 29.7647°C.

2017-03-25 10:05 AM