The Ultimate MEATER Plus Review: Is the Original Still Worth It?

If you have been looking to upgrade your grilling game, you have almost certainly come across the MEATER Plus. As the most-reviewed wireless thermometer on Amazon with over 48,000 reviews, it has practically become a household name among backyard pitmasters and kitchen enthusiasts alike.

But with the recent release of newer, more expensive models, you might be wondering if the original version still holds up. In this comprehensive meater plus review, we are going to dive deep into what makes this device tick, where it excels, and the brutal truth about its limitations.

Whether you are smoking a massive brisket for the holidays or just trying not to ruin a weeknight chicken breast, having a reliable thermometer changes everything. Let's find out if the MEATER Plus is the right tool for your kitchen.

The Brutal Truth: Flaws, Constraints, and What You Need to Know

At Affilore, we believe in being entirely honest with our readers. While the MEATER Plus is a fantastic piece of technology, it is not flawless. Before you spend your money, you need to understand exactly what this device can and cannot do. Here are the three most critical "brutal truths" you need to know about the MEATER Plus.

1. The Signal Range Reality (The "Faraday Cage" Effect)

Let's talk about the meater plus bluetooth range. The marketing materials advertise an obstructed range of up to 165 feet. However, the reality of cooking in thick-walled US smokers—like a heavy-duty Traeger or a ceramic Big Green Egg—tells a different story.

The moment you close the lid on a heavy smoker, the thick metal or ceramic walls act as a "Faraday cage," blocking the Bluetooth 4.0 signal from escaping. Many 1-star reviews come from users who walk inside their house and instantly lose connection.

The Fix: It is not magic; it is Bluetooth. To keep a stable connection, you must keep the magnetic wooden charging block right next to your grill. The block acts as a Bluetooth repeater, catching the weak signal from inside the grill and broadcasting it to your phone. As a pro-tip, keep the wooden block touching the grill lid or within 5 feet of the cooker, and your connection dropouts will disappear.

2. The Ambient Temp Warning: Do Not Sear!

The MEATER Plus features two sensors: an internal sensor located at the tip of the probe, and an ambient (pit) sensor located in the black ceramic handle. The internal sensor can withstand up to 212°F (100°C), which is plenty for the inside of any meat.

However, the ambient sensor is strictly rated for a maximum of 527°F (275°C). This is a hard limit. Unlike newer models, this original version cannot handle direct flame searing. If you try to use the MEATER Plus over a high-heat open charcoal flame or during a blazing hot reverse-sear, the black ceramic end of the probe will crack, melt, or completely fry the internal electronics.

The Fix: Keep this thermometer strictly for roasting, smoking, baking, and indirect grilling. If you want to sear a steak, remove the probe first.

3. The AAA Battery Fix

The MEATER Plus probe charges itself while sitting inside its stylish bamboo wooden block. The block itself is powered by a single AAA battery. A massive portion of user complaints regarding a "dead probe" or a device that "won't charge" all point back to this simple feature.

The Fix: If your probe isn't charging or won't turn on, 90% of the time you do not have a broken device—you just need to replace the AAA battery located behind the magnetic back cover of the wooden dock. Once you swap that single battery, the base will easily provide up to 100 probe charges.

Original MEATER vs MEATER 2: What's the Difference?

If you are currently debating the original meater vs meater 2 (now officially rebranded as the MEATER Pro), it comes down to a few distinct technological leaps.

The original MEATER Plus features a 6mm thick stainless steel probe with a single internal sensor and one ambient sensor. Because it only has one internal sensor at the tip, accuracy relies heavily on you getting the tip into the exact dead-center, coldest part of the meat.

The newer MEATER 2 Plus (Pro), on the other hand, is a completely redesigned device. Here is how the Pro beats the original:

• Thinner Design: The Pro is 5mm thick, representing a 30% reduction in cross-sectional area, meaning it leaves a much smaller hole in your food.
• Extreme Heat Resistance: It features an all-metal build with a tiny zirconia ceramic band, allowing it to withstand blistering ambient temperatures up to 932°F (500°C). You can finally use it over an open flame or in a deep fryer.
• Six Total Sensors: The Pro packs 5 internal sensors and 1 ambient sensor. The app utilizes all five internal sensors to automatically locate the true "coldest point" of the meat, making your cook far more accurate.
• Faster Charging: A 30-minute charge on the Pro yields 24 hours of cooking time, while the original takes much longer to juice up.

However, the Pro usually retails around $129 to $139. If you are mostly doing low-and-slow smoking or oven roasting, those premium features might be overkill for your needs.

Why the MEATER Plus is Still the #1 Seller

Despite the release of the newer Pro model, the original MEATER Plus continues to dominate sales. Here is exactly why it remains the best wireless meat thermometer under $100.

Value: The Best Entry-Point into Smart Cooking

At its standard price point of $99, the MEATER Plus offers an unbeatable balance of premium feel and accessible technology. You get the beautiful bamboo charging block, the sleek stainless steel probe, and access to the exact same award-winning app that the more expensive models use. For the casual weekend griller or the busy parent making Sunday roasts, it provides everything you need to stop overcooking your food without breaking the bank.

The Foolproof MEATER App

Hardware is only half the battle; the software is where MEATER truly shines. The MEATER app is universally praised for its "Guided Cook" system, which is practically foolproof for beginners.

When you set up a cook, you simply select your meat type (beef, pork, poultry, fish, etc.), the specific cut, and your desired target temperature (like medium-rare). The app monitors the ambient temperature of your grill alongside the internal temperature of the meat to calculate highly accurate estimates of when your food will be done.

Even better, the app accounts for "carry-over cooking"—the fact that meat continues to rise in temperature after you take it off the heat. The app will actively notify you to remove the meat *before* it hits your target temperature, ensuring that your medium-rare steak doesn't turn into a well-done hockey puck while it rests on the cutting board.

A Proven, Highly Reliable Design

It has been tested by millions of cooks around the world. The engineering that allows a thermometer to survive inside a hot oven by using the meat itself as an insulator for the sensitive electronics is brilliant. It completely eliminates the hassle of tangled, kinked, or melted traditional thermometer wires. Because it is a mature product, the app is highly stable, incredibly intuitive, and free of the bugs that plague many newer smart kitchen gadgets.

Final Verdict

The MEATER Plus remains an absolute game-changer for backyard barbecue enthusiasts and home cooks. Yes, you have to be mindful of its 527°F ambient heat limit, and you need to keep the wooden block near the grill to combat the Bluetooth Faraday cage effect.

But if you understand these simple constraints, the MEATER Plus delivers perfectly cooked meals, takes the stressful guesswork out of timing your side dishes, and frees you up to spend time with your family instead of hovering over a hot grill.

If you want the best wireless meat thermometer under $100, the original MEATER Plus is friendly, encouraging, and a proven investment for your culinary arsenal. Happy grilling!