The thermal imaging industry has evolved drastically since its beginning when thermal cameras were unwieldy, bulky, heavy and outrageously expensive. Thermal technology has advanced far enough that a good quality thermal imaging camera is small enough to fit in our pocket and attached to your cellphone or tablet.

Thermal imagers have also become much more user friendly with intuitive interfaces and mobile apps. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures and DIY home repairs, or are a hardworking professional there is likely a mobile thermal imager solution for you.

Connection Type

One of the most important points to consider when buying a thermal imager for your phone or tablet is whether the connection type is compatible. For example, if you have an iPhone 7, you would need to be sure that you purchase a thermal imager with a lightning connection. Currently, all mobile thermal imagers require a direct connection to your device.

Keep in mind - If you plan to connect your thermal imager directly to your smart device with out and adaptors or extended cables, you will likely need to remove your phone case.

OS Compatibility

Most brands offer both and Android and iOS app with their thermal imagers for phones or tablets. However, if you have a less common phone operating system such as Windows Phone, you will be less likely to find a compatible thermal imager. So, before buying, be sure to consider which device the thermal imager will be used with.

Temperature Range

When buying any thermal imager, it is important to note how you will be using it. One of the most important points to consider is the temperature range you will need. So, be sure that the thermal imager you select has a temperature range that is suitable for your application.

Thermal Resolution

As with any camera, mobile thermal imagers offer different resolutions depending on the thermal sensor in the camera. If your application does not require an extremely detailed thermal image, you could save money and get a thermal imager with a smaller sensor such as 80 x 60. However, if you do need to see more detail in your images, it is advisable to consider opting for a camera with a higher resolution such as 206 x 156 or greater.

Additional Features

Most thermal imagers for phones and tablets are capable of taking thermal videos and photos, some offer additional useful capture modes. For example, the FLIR One family offers features like time-lapse and panorama mode. The FLIR one family of thermal imagers also offers FLIR’s exclusive MSX image overlay technology which provides a thermal overlay on a standard digital photo. These additional features are important to consider depending on your application.