The Best Garage Thermal Leak Detector

The most cost-effective way to control the garage temperature is to find and and fix leaking air. Thermal leak detectors use infrared light to find temperature differences in the walls, doors, and windows. A big difference means the area is leaking. You can use insulation to fix the draft.

The best budget thermal leak detector is the Black & Decker TLD100. The best James Bond coolness thermal detector is the FLIR One. There’s one for Android and one for Apple phones.

Product

Best Budget

BLACK+DECKER Thermal Leak Detector (TLD100)

Best Android

FLIR ONE Gen 3 - Android (USB-C)

Best Apple

FLIR One Gen III: iOS

Image

BLACK+DECKER Thermal Leak Detector (TLD100)

Operating Temperature

-30 to + 150

-20 to +120

Power

9 V battery

Uses cell phone's battery

Tolerance

1, 5 or 10 degrees

Less than one degree

Signal

Shines on wall so you don't have to keep looking at the meter

View display for changes

Accuracy

Can tell you a window is leaking, but might not be able to point to the exact point in the seal that needs insulation

Pinpoints changes

View

Go to Amazon

Notes

Buy directly from FLIR here: FLIR One

Best Budget

Product

BLACK+DECKER Thermal Leak Detector (TLD100)

Image

Operating Temperature

-30 to + 150

Power

9 V battery

Tolerance

1, 5 or 10 degrees

Signal

Shines on wall so you don't have to keep looking at the meter

Accuracy

Can tell you a window is leaking, but might not be able to point to the exact point in the seal that needs insulation

View

Go to Amazon

Notes

Best Android

Product

FLIR ONE Gen 3 - Android (USB-C)

Image

Operating Temperature

-20 to +120

Power

Uses cell phone's battery

Tolerance

Less than one degree

Signal

View display for changes

Accuracy

Pinpoints changes

View

Go to Amazon

Notes

Buy directly from FLIR here: FLIR One

Best Apple

Product

FLIR One Gen III: iOS

Image

Operating Temperature

-20 to +120

Power

Uses cell phone's battery

Tolerance

Less than one degree

Signal

View display for changes

Accuracy

Pinpoints changes

View

Go to Amazon

Notes

Buy directly from FLIR here: FLIR One

Find and Fix Temperature Leaks

A thermal leak detector can show you what parts of your garage require insulation. Does your garage door allow in the heat or freezing air?

The Best Budget Detector

The advantage of the Black & Decker thermal leak detector is that it’s relatively cheap and still very useful. The Black & Decker gives you instant feedback on the wall where you are measuring. This means you don’t need to look at the target and back at the screen again It uses the baseline temperature, then it shines green for everything also in that range. A blue light means the target is cooler than the baseline. A red light means the target is warmer.

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector blue means colder than baseline at floor moulding

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector blue means colder than baseline at vent

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector blue means colder than baseline at pipe

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector red means warmer than baseline at window frame

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector green is the baseline, whatever it's pointing at when you turn it on

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector red means warmer than baseline at the window pane

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector green means baseline reading

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Detector red means warmer than the wall

Sale $14.25

3,378 Reviews

BLACK+DECKER Thermal Leak Detector (TLD100)

Uses infrared sensors to measure surface temperatures. It performs within the ranges as specified for home repair use and should not be used to check the temperature of living beings
Helps homeowners track down power-draining drafts
Sold with a 5-step guide to fixing basic energy leaks and comes with the thermal leak detector
Plugging leaks can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. Plastic housing with ergonomically formed grip for ease of use
Backed by a two-year warranty

The Coolest Thermal Imaging Camera

FLIR makes military imaging products which they are now selling to consumers. The FLIR One attaches to your phone using the USB port. There’s one for Apple and one for Android. It pinpoints temperature changes anywhere you point it. Artificial intelligence paints an outline of the target into the infrared colors so you know what you’re looking at later. “Later” is when you play back your session on your smart phone. The FLIR detects temperature differences in HVAC, circuit breaker panels walls, doors, and windows. This is the unit that HVAC professionals and electricians use at work.

Sale $14.14

991 Reviews

FLIR ONE Gen 3 for Android

Lightweight accessory that transforms your Android device into a powerful thermal infrared camera
Free FLIR ONE mobile app (recently updated) with exclusive content, real time professional tips and tricks, multiple spot meters, and easy automated reporting to document your findings user registration not required
FLIR ONE allows you to measure temperature variances
Capture and share thermal images and videos. Exclusive MSX Technology blends thermal and visible spectrum for more detail and enhanced resolution
Spot Meter: Off / °C / °F. Resolution 0.1°C / 0.1°F

862 Reviews

FLIR ONE Gen 3 for iOS

Lightweight accessory that transforms your iOS device into a powerful thermal infrared camera
Capture and share thermal images and videos. Exclusive MSX Technology blends thermal and visible spectrum for more detail and enhanced resolution
Scene temperature range: 4°f to 248°F (20° to 120°c). Battery charge time - 40 minutes

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