Top 3 Best Thermal Cameras For iPhone (2024 Review)

Do you want to find the best iPhone thermal camera?

Thermal cameras designed for iOS include the popular FLIR cameras and other brands.

In this product review, I will go over...

  • My #1 top pick for the best iPhone thermal camera
  • Pros of battery powered vs phone-powered
  • How thermal cameras connect to your phone

Let's get started with this guide!

top best rated iphone thermal camera reviews (2)

ImageProduct
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FLIR ONE Pro
  • MSX Tech
  • OneFit Connector
  • 4800 Pixels
  • MSX Tech
  • OneFit Connector
  • 4800 Pixels
View on Amazon
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Seek Thermal
  • No Batteries Needed
  • 206×156 Sensor
  • Waterproof Case
  • No Batteries Needed
  • 206×156 Sensor
  • Waterproof Case
View on Amazon
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FLIR One Gen 3
  • Budget Friendly
  • MSX Tech
  • OneFit Connector
  • Budget Friendly
  • MSX Tech
  • OneFit Connector
View on Amazon

My Overall #1 Rated Pick

flir one pro
  • Works with iPhones
  • MSX technology to give added visual details
  • OneFit adjustable connector (fit through phone cases)
  • 4800 pixels
  • 1.8-meter drop test rating

My overall top pick for the best iPhone thermal camera goes to the FLIR ONE Pro. This thermal camera works by connecting to your iPhone and it is self-powered. It features FLIR's patented MSX technology which adds visual details to thermal imagery. The One Pro also comes with the OneFit adjustable connector which means you can vary the height so it can connect to your phone even with a phone case on. 

Top 3 Best iPhone Thermal Cameras

Only have a minute? Check out our top 3 iPhone thermal cameras here! Keep reading to read the full reviews and to see our buyer's guide.

  1. FLIR ONE Pro
  2. Seek Thermal
  3. FLIR One Gen 3

How To Buy The Best iPhone Thermal Camera?

Thermal cameras that can be attached to the bottom of smartphones are great devices to detect energy loss, water leaks, or even electrical faults.

As a home inspector, I used one of these portable cameras on my phone, and when I didn't use it, I kept it in my tool pouch. For home inspectors, the most common use of thermal cameras is to detect moisture problems such as in basements.

With a phone connected camera, you can easily keep it on you for when you need it.

And you can easily sweep a large area such as a basement for any temperature anomalies (especially in the basement corners) --- and then confirm any suspicious area with a moisture meter.

Read Also: How Does A Thermal Camera Work?

How Are iPhone Thermal Cameras Powered?

There are two main types of thermal cameras for your iPhone.

One type has its own batteries which means it won't drain your phone's power. However, these thermal cameras are bulkier due to the batteries. It also means that you will have to remember to charge the camera or it's useless.

The other type of thermal camera uses the power of your phone. These iOS thermal cameras can be significantly smaller such as 1/4 or less compared to cameras with batteries. Of course, the downside is that it will drain your phones battery much faster than usual. If you aren't using the camera for long periods, then it shouldn't be a big issue.

Read Also: What Are The Best Handheld Thermal Cameras?

top best rated iphone thermal camera reviews (3)

How To Connect To iPhone Thermal Cameras?

How the thermal camera connects to your iPhone is another area of consideration.

FLIR thermal cameras have something call a OneFit connector which is completely adjustable. This means that you can make the connector longer or shorter depending on your iPhone case.

Unfortunately, with some thermal cameras, the connector is so short that you may not be able to connect it to your phone unless you remove the case.

Read Also: How To Interpret Thermal Images?

What Is The Best iPhone Thermal Camera?

Here are my complete reviews of the top thermal cameras for iOS. Check them out below...

The FLIR One Pro is a high quality thermal camera that can be attached to your iPhone.

Like with most FLIR cameras, it includes MSX technology which blends thermal imagery with normal imagery --- which gives much more visual details.

It also includes the OneFit connector which allows you to adjust the height in order to connect to most iPhones regardless of the phone case.

The FLIR One Pro has 4800 pixels, and you can choose up to 9 different color palettes for top quality thermal images that is highly portable.

This iPhone thermal camera is also pretty rugged, it has a 1.8 meter drop test rating.

Pros

  • MSX image enhancement
  • OneFit adjustable connector
  • Carrying case
  • 4800 pixels
  • 9 different color palettes
  • 1.8-meter drop test rating

Cons

  • Weak battery life
  • App isn't user friendly
  • Poor instructions

The Seek Thermal Camera for iPhones is a great compact device for detecting energy loss, electrical faults, or water leaks.

One nice feature of the Seek camera is that it doesn't need batteries or charging, it simply uses the phones battery to power itself.

Since there is no batteries, it also allows a much smaller and compact camera.

Seek includes a waterproof case to store the Seek camera.

It also comes equipped with your choice of 9 color palettes and the thermal sensor is 206 x 156.

Pros

  • 206 x 156 thermal sensor
  • 1000-ft detection distance
  • No batteries or charging needed
  • Waterproof case
  • 9 different color palettes

Cons

  • Annoying calibration 'clicking' sounds
  • Drains battery of iPhone faster
  • Short connector (may not be able to use with phone case)

The FLIR One Gen 3 is a budget friendly iOS thermal camera as compared to the latest model.

The Gen 3 also features MSX technology which gives more detailed thermal images by blending thermal and regular images.

This lightweight iPhone includes the OneFit adjustable connector so it can fit your phone even with a case.

Unlike the Seek Camera, these FLIR cameras have their own batteries so it won't drain your phones power.

This thermal camera features 9 different color palettes for your thermal images.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • MSX technology for more details
  • 9 different color palettes
  • OneFit adjustable connector

Cons

  • Poor battery life
  • Trouble keeping camera connected

My #1 Top Pick: FLIR One Pro

My overall pick for the best rated iPhone thermal camera goes to the FLIR One Pro. Here's why...

#1. MSX Technology

With FLIR's patented MSX technology, FLIR has figured out how to add crucial visual details to thermal imagery to make them more understandable.

#2. Rugged

This thermal camera for iOS has a drop test rating of 1.8 meters which is great if you plan on taking this camera out into the field.

#3. Adjustable Connector

FLIR includes their patented OneFit adjustable connector which allows you to change the height so that it can be connected to your iPhone even if you have a phone case.

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