Best Smartphone Thermal Camera? FLIR ONE Pro vs P2 Pro vs TC002C Duo vs more(Tested)
I recently tested a few mainstream smartphone thermal cameras in the $300 to $500 range. Same setup for all of them. Same heat source, same distance, same emissivity. Just sharing my impressions in case it helps someone. The prices listed in the table are the official retail prices. When you buy it, check Amazon’s live prices.
TOPDON TC002C Duo first. It immediately asks you to set emissivity on startup. Pretty easy even for beginners because of the built in guide. The app also has AI detection, and with a paid subscription you can generate inspection reports. It is a bit bulky though. Not great when you rotate the phone. Also easy to block the lens during recording, which ruins the footage sometimes.
FLIR ONE PRO was the one I expected the most from. I still use a FLIR Scout TK in my backyard to check if foxes are digging around, so I had high expectations here.
But it did not really deliver. App connection is slow and unstable. I had to unplug and reconnect it multiple times before the phone would even detect it. After a while the phone also gets warm. Only supports three measurement points. Stability is just okay. It is also the only one here with a physical power button and a separate charging port instead of drawing power from the phone. Not really something that matters much in real use.
THERMAL MASTER P2PRO is the cheapest one here. Hardware wise it is basically on the same level as the others. The app is simpler than TOPDON, but it covers everything you actually need if you are not doing professional work. In static fixed distance tests, it actually holds up really well. Pretty close to TOPDON, sometimes even more stable. Without touching emissivity again, repeated readings stay within about 0.2°C. Others drift more, around 0.7°C to 1°C. MILESEEY can go over 2°C sometimes.
MILESEEY TR256i was my first time using this brand. I mainly bought it because it was cheap. Right out of the box, the packaging felt loose. The bottom part slid off when I lifted it. The device itself was fine inside the case, but the outer shell still had small scuffs. The app is limited. Only three measurement points, and you have to confirm each one manually. Feels slow if you are trying to work fast. It also starts in landscape mode by default, which I do not really like. Auto calibration happens quite often too, which causes slight stuttering and drains the battery faster.
FLUKE TC01A is the most expensive one. I bought it mainly to see what justifies the price. Honestly, nothing really stands out in day to day use. The top button design prevents accidental presses, but it forces two handed operation.
You cannot place measurement points directly on the image. You have to create them first and then drag them into place. The app feels less smooth than TOPDON. It is also not as portable or cost efficient as P2PRO. Image clarity is better than FLIR ONE PRO though. That part is obvious.