INKBIRD Reviews

by Matt 11111119999!!!

This works awesome when it decides to cooperate. However, it doesn’t always connect, doesn’t save my device, and regularly tells me that I don’t have authorization to add a device. I’m not sure why INKBIRD needs any sort of security (who’s planning to hack into my meat thermometer to monitor my meat for me?), so I’m not sure why it isn’t able to just easily connect to a device that’s close by upon startup or just save the device that you already used a half dozen times, but sure enough everytime I use INKBIRD, it gives me the same trouble.

by AlexNotAlec

this app Pro didn’t send me a push notification when my freezer door was left open and food thawed. Push notifications had been set to “on” but INKBIRD would only show an alarm state when I opened INKBIRD . What good is that??

Now I am trying to migrate from this app Pro to this app since Pro is being discontinued and I’m hoping this app will provide better notifications. However, even though I enter my login information, INKBIRD doesn’t know my Homes already exist… do I really have to set up my Homes again??

Unless this is resolved quickly I’m going to go with another manufacturer…

by Thomas Terranova

Every time I really need to use it it doesn’t work like now. And it is next to impossible to reset password. It now tells me my phone number is incorrect same one I had 25 years ago? It’s great if it works but never without an issue so I am constantly annoyed when I need it . Advice if you get one and plan to cook take a day ahead to make sure it will work, even then not really a guarantee.

by Mr Lobo

I’ve owned the ibs-th3 for one day and back end server went down for hours, and even after it returned, my device that is supposed to update every 10 min stopped updating several hours ago. This is a brand new device, new batteries, and 10 feet from the WiFi access point. The status shows online. If this is how reliable the device is, this is useless. It’s going back

by W0nderd0g

the first thing INKBIRD does when setting up a new device is require you to reveal your location and wifi password. the next thing it did--for me--was completely fail to set up the device. (an ITC-308-WIFI.) complete fail.
Update: device requires 2.4ghz wifi; I had to pull an old router out of the garage. once it had that, it WAS able to contact the HQ, transmit my wifi password and location, and then compete the setup.

by Whyvoteanymore

No directions with item...how to set up to cook or what to push and when... buttons make no sense and are not intuitive to just push and start.. Trying to cook pork, no temp or time details provided. App is useless as it does not control the confusing set up or provide any information on directions to use or temperature for meats or other foods... Help!

by Cfp1234

Forced to move to new home app after INKBIRD for my bbq thermometer was shut down. Current app is unusable. I can’t add devices and I can change my time zone. I’m sure there are other features that don’t work as well but I’m not getting paid to beta test so I’ll stop until something stable comes out or I’ll go buy a new product.

by Wtfidontwanttouseanickname

Been trying to connect my ibbq4 for several months. Even went into my Wi-Fi router and disabled my 5ghz network to make sure it was connecting to the 2.4ghz network. I thought I tried everything. Until, I deleted INKBIRD so that I could redownload it. Turns out, they discontinued support for tue app that I had, without informing me, and put out a whole new app, that connected to my device the first time. Thanks for tue horrible support for this expensive product.

by Qmatic96

Missing the most important thing needed for a thermometer. If you set it to alert you when a specific temp is reached, the thermometer emits an alarm. BUT YOUR PHONE DOES NOT. It only plays 1 quick sound. (Like you got a text message). If you have ever missed a text, you will miss your meat being done too. You cannot change the sound and it does not repeat. I need my phone to play a loud repeated alarm to alert me. With out it this simple app feature the worlds greatest thermometer is useless.

by QuinceButter

INKBIRD takes even your photo and your name and all of your information to log you in their system. It says you need to give up all privacy in order to use it. Do not bother! They lie when they say what they take on the Apple App Store. Read the actual privacy statement and you will find out this is a disgrace of a company!

by Guaitow

The instructions are lacking, very frequent error alarms with no way to silence the alarm. Also lacks the action to just cut off the heater unit power without turning off the meters. Can the designer for this program lease reach out to me so I can help design a more functional and user friendly system? Your engineering team can truly use an upgrade

by Fishingsuz

The unit randomly gets an error which causes it to have a high pitch squeal, and nothing on the keyboard responds except to stop the squeal. On my phone it says “Clock is abnormal, please check it in time” and on the device in shows “tInE Error”. I have to unplug it and plug it back in to reset it so it works again. I installed it less than two days ago and has happened three times already. This is unacceptable as I can’t rely on it while away.

by Midwestview

I was surprised you could not edit an existing program that effects multiple Zone. You have to re-create the program each time. Not very user friendly. Also the power off button is hard to find without poking around.

by Duebelbytes

INKBIRD is entirely useless. Upon installation, every single button throws an error alert. There is no way to set up INKBIRD or successfully add the device I just purchased. I will be returning it because the terrible app experience makes me feel like the device itself is engineered with the same quality standards.

by Kjkillz713

Why do you need to know my location in order for me to set up on my local Wi-Fi network? Why do you have to know where I am at all times in order for me to use INKBIRD on my, ***MY*** Wi-Fi network? Deleting app now, I suggest y’all do the same. Way intrusive, you do not need to know where I am at all times.

by Bnieco

I use a WiFi pool thermometer with gateway. The hardware is very good for the price. INKBIRD honestly seems like a joke. Widget shows only options not in English but even when I choose the only sensor, those options don’t result in any displayed data. I set a notification. So now every morning I get a notification from INKBIRD that literally says “notification”. No temp, no data, useless. Even for viewing the data from the sensor in INKBIRD , the UI is brutally poorly designed. Honestly looks like a child’s school project. Sorry to be harsh but it’s really that bad

by Hi Cadet

INKBIRD does not work to control the sous vide I have. It shows that it is connected via WiFi but I cannot change the cook time or temperature. On the few times I was able to program via INKBIRD , INKBIRD spontaneously and unpredictably reset to the default time and temperature. Nor can you monitor the temperature or the remaining time on INKBIRD . No support either. Do not buy this app products-find some other brand that really works!

by Comwrw

Appears to be easy to set up but the system can be frustrating. Setting up and testing the rain sensor can be tricky. You cannot test your rain gauge while in manual mode. You must set up a scheduled mode and wait for it to trigger before testing your rain gauge. Make sure you have the rain sensor enabled on the set up page and make sure each zone’s rain sensor is enabled. The instructions do not mention anything about this.

Also the Wi-Fi signal strength is weak. It is limited to 2.4, not 5 compatible. It falls offline a lot even though my repeater is located on the opposite side of the same wall. My outside generator and tank monitor are further away and read good signal strength while the Ink Bird reports a weak signal always.

by Fms757

The pool thermometer works well and is accurate. When the display works, it is also useful but it loses connection constantly. It is difficult to get INKBIRD to work and when you do, it doesn’t last for long. It takes many attempts to Re sync it or reconfigure it. It’s just very unreliable. I wanted to be able to look at my phone and decide if I needed to go outside and turn on the pool heater or turn it off but most of the time, I just have to go out and look at the thermometer if I can reach it out at the pool control box to see what the temperature is.

by Elizabeth716

I’d say INKBIRD works 2-3 out of 5 times that we use it. It’s just not reliable enough especially when we are planning to do longer smokes and will be away doing other things.

When INKBIRD works, this is the best WiFi thermometer out there. We absolutely love it!

The other issue is that we can’t get notifications to go off when our phone is locked. They will only go off if INKBIRD is open. Which doesn’t help when we are getting busy with other things or doing a smoke overnight. I’d like my phone to still give me the temperature alert.

If this app could get its app in order and become more reliable they could in my opinion be the best in the market. But gosh INKBIRD causes us so much frustration and leaves my husband wishing we had gone with the MEATER brand instead.

I refuse to contact customer support every time INKBIRD doesn’t want to work. If restarting, deleting and reinstalling INKBIRD doesn’t fix it I give up. I just don’t have the time to troubleshoot it every time. I quite simply shouldn’t have to. It should just work.

by Lance@NEPhilly

As someone that has worked on Mobile App UI/UX, I am underwhelmed at the this app app. It is unintuitive and in my case has “lost” my meat thermometer twice, this last time in the middle of using it on a cook. Or atleast I think it is gone - INKBIRD is vague in where that item would show up. What’s annoying is it opened and worked straight away at the beginning of my cool, and somewhere along the way it stopped. When I try to add a device it claims I don’t have permission for that. When I try look for it on other tabs I get errors. About the only thing that is laid out reasonably and is currently bug free is the shopping tab. Too bad I won’t be buying anything else associated with this at the time being.

Update - tried to post this review and got stuck having to pick a nickname (most everything is taken). What a hassle!

by Whydoihavetoputinafrigginnickn

I bought this for use in a small greenhouse. The manual is nearly worthless. It assumes you know what they’re talking about. It says things like “make sure the device is in smartconfig” but doesn’t tell you how to get it there if it’s not. I looked on line for videos and only found people using this for food preparation and brewing. One guy said he was using it for a greenhouse then said he just takes his plants in at night if it gets too cold. NOT helpful! I want to set it for keeping my seedlings above freezing. It says you can set things in INKBIRD , but for example, INKBIRD has no way to toggle between heat and cooling settings. I just want to use the heating mode because I already have thermostatic vent openings.

by ITunesStevens

Haven’t tried the device itself yet. But before I could, I was forced to register and the registration process and the servers were very unstable. On the 7th attempt I managed to create an account, successfully login, and move on to configuring the thermometer itself.

I then found getting a Bluetooth connection took 11 attempts (with device and phone 18 inches apart).

Finally ready to try it out. Fingers crossed..

by Ski_nut

I got my IBS-M2 online and working within minutes of taking it out of the box the first time. INKBIRD really had nice feel and worked well for me for about 2.5 weeks. Then one night, INKBIRD gave an alert indicating the IBS-M2 was off line. I repeated all the setup steps that worked the fist time. That happened about 2-3 days after this application was updated. Either that was a bad coincidence or my IBS-M2 has lost the functionality of ts WiFi chip. I hope this issue is resolved in a couple of days or the IBS-M2 is going to be returned.

by JBC0003

App is ok, very basic. Does what I need it to do for most part. I would rate INKBIRD higher if it would implement the ability to customize the alert sound vs default iOS sound and the ability to modify the temp trend diagram to a custom time interval. The default time frame is 15 mins, preventing me from seeing trends or patterns in temperature change. I used the notification sound setting in previous this app apps to alert me at night while asleep if the temperature falls below a threshold. this app releases new apps frequently which either have the same functionality as their predecessor or lost features in newest app. You’re forced to install the new app. Frustrating but overall it works.

by Tomjdalton

I love this device. Only problem is I’ve been through three in the past three years. I don’t know if it’s a poor battery design or if they are just cheaply made in general but they are not built to last at all. The first one stopped taking a charge after the first six months, the second one just quit powering on altogether after about a year and now this one that I’ve had less than a year is refusing to power on unless I plug it into a charger. Shows full battery and once it powers on it can run fine independent of the charger but will not cycle on unless I plug it in first. The usefulness and functionality is great and that’s why I keep coming back to your product but at this point it’s not worth the hassle anymore. I’m going to have to purchase yet another Bluetooth thermometer now and unfortunately I’m not coming back to your product line

by Hungry And Poor

The actual hardware is very solid and works well. However, over the past year INKBIRD has been redone multiple times, and I feel like each time it just gets worse.

I don’t see why a bbq temp app has to have my personal info for me to use it. You can’t use it without inputting that info.

by JasonVL

The ITC-308-WIFI device works well but INKBIRD is straight up a bummer. I set my device to use Fahrenheit and the device shows it correctly. However, everywhere else in INKBIRD shows Celsius and 24 hour format and overall INKBIRD is not intuitive. Whoever designed INKBIRD clearly doesn’t use their own product and therefore they have no clue how clunky it is.

by Aaqswdefrgthyjukilop

When pairing, there is no confirmation that the device found the Wi-Fi (page 10 of instructions). Such a simple thing to document with a picture.

Thru INKBIRD , you can check device network. With the phone and device in my hands and the Wi-Fi 15 feet away, it says the network connection is poor. Not promising considering that I’m planning on using it in various places that aren’t that close.

The blue light is very dim. You almost have to be in the dark to see it.

May be a return in my future.

by TheCarpetGuy

I have an iPhone and an iPad, when I’m out and about I use my iPhone when I’m kicking back, checking email or watching videos, I’m on the iPad: Somy issue is that I can’t use the same device on both at the same time. I can only use the iPhone to check the temperatures. Sounds a bit whiny, I know, however, I spend more time on the iPad so can this be fixed? Other apps work on both at the same time..

by Bmusgr

Using it on 2 ITC-306 Wi-Fi heater controllers got my aquariums. Overall it decent
The one thing it is missing is the ability to set your actual values. I can do everything EXCEPT tell it what my target temps are.

by JFanto

I have the this app IBBQ-4T and using an IPhone, the unit is very good and you can calibrate the probes..the only bad thing is when your phone is in the sleep mode your don’t get an alarm sound all you get is a message….but if you have your phone on the alarm sound will sound….so if your doing an over night cook you’ll have to keep your plugged in to power and turn off sleep mode to keep it on…very inconvenient…I would give it 5 stars if it wasn’t for that…I’m hopping they’ll read this and fix it….

by Cryptdawarchild

Kinda slow but has a nice feature to view the data saved over the year. They just added widgets which has a nice touch. Really wish they had a record of the high and low temperature recorded for the day. Every other brand has that. Considering switching to Govee as it has the same perks as this app plus more.

by SmokinJoe46

Even though it used to, INKBIRD now doesn’t allow you to add or modify the recipe when creating a custom preset.
I did find you can change the default pic by tapping the camera image on the default pic.

by Mjriccitelli

It’s a little bit cantankerous, and the charging box only lasted two months before it failed.
It struggles to keep its connection, so I have to spend time fussing with it.

Yes, I do like all the features, including the caring case, but Hope it would perform as close to flawless as possible.

by Satisfied Customer12345

Overall, I’m pleased with the digital thermometer and INKBIRD . It works well, let’s me monitor the temperatures, and alerts me when it reaches the set temperature. My only complaint is the mechanism for setting a custom temperature. Rather than a simple easy to use numeric keyboard, they have a digital dial that is very frustration to use. As I am trying to drag the temperature higher, for some reason it switches over and starts reducing the temperature. It is also difficult to fine tune to a precise temperature, quickly moving up or down and shooting past the desired number. A simple numeric keyboard entry system would be SO much better.

by Rejaka

I’ve been using this app and INKBIRD for over a year now. It is reliable and pretty accurate, as verified by multiple instant read thermometers. I’d love to see a couple of additional features:
1. An iPhone widget would help immensely. There is a widget, but no clue what it is or does, as it apparently only supports one device and the writing is Asian (Chinese? ).
2. Would love the ability to set (and save) custom cooks for things like brisket or pulled pork which require different cook temps for different phases.

by WAvara

INKBIRD is working really good since this latest update (v1.4.0). The only thing that I dislike is that I can’t re-arrange the devices. To get them in the order that I like, I had to remove all devices and add them back, one at a time, in reverse order. The Smart Life app allows the user to drag the devices in whatever order he wishes.
I just realized that this can be done in “room management”, but only for items in that room. You can’t change the order in the “devices” tab.
Since I only have a few devices, I don’t utilize “rooms”.

by Crazy Jimmy308

This sensor is an awesome tool for my growing room, knowing what’s happening in the environment within the rooms is absolutely essential. It’s incredibly accurate, and because it’s Wi-Fi I can monitor it from anywhere in the world.
It has a rechargeable battery backup, but is otherwise powered by a USB cable, and has a safety feature that sounds an audible alarm should the CO2, and INKBIRD also allows for me to set environmental limits, and get notifications when the limits are violated.
Great product, and I’d highly recommend it.
Well done this app

by Idcline

Using app to control bbq fan and thermometer. Overall it keeps good control of the bbq and gives good status and control through INKBIRD .

Occasionally the device drops from INKBIRD mid cook and has to be re-paired.

Only functional issue is the bbq temperature settings allow for a high temperature alarm but not a low temperature alarm. My biggest worry when smoking for a long time is the fire dying out. I wish the alarm could be set for a low temperature.

by Frogbutt123

App works fine but needs a dark mode option and the ability to change text size in humidity log section since the data points are very hard to read.

by Acewindowtinters

Set up was simple, every thing connected on the first try. I have had it for about six months love the way it is laid out very easy to program, so much better than the manual system I had foy25 years, I have a big yard and it is so nice to be able to control sprinklers from anywhere in my yard when I’m working on them, this Wi-Fi system is great and affordable

by Pingpong In Dingdang

This is a game changer! I am able to see exactly what’s going on anywhere I have my phone! I did my first overnight cook and let me tell you how amazing it was, sleeping like a baby all night knowing this this app was paying close attention! It was amazing waking up and being able to see the exact temperature in my smoker and the meat, without having to get out of bed.

INKBIRD is great even though I am able to see the temp swings that I didn’t know I was having. Now I know why my cooks have been extra long or extra fast.

The IBT-26s5G looks great and functions perfectly!

by InkBird IDT-34c-B

I have had an older Ink Bird 4xT for about 6 years. I have been happy with my older ink bird, but decided to try the newer model because I like the idea of the color coded probes and wanted to see if the range for the Bluetooth was farther than my old one.
I can say, without a doubt range on the Bluetooth is twice as much as my old one. I can be down at my neighbors house that is three doors down and still have excellent reception on my phone to keep an eye on my bbq. The phone app is easy to use and set up. I am extremely happy that I decided to upgrade.
The only thing that I I miss about my old model is the magnetic backing that I can stick the unit on the side of my grills.
This temperature probe is extremely accurate. I’ve checked it against my sous vide and instant thermometer, and it is right on.
I recommend unit specially considering the value for the money.

by @ Nick Name 0

I have several of the WiFi controllers, which all work great. The option I’ve found the most useful in INKBIRD is the smart feature.

I have a circulating chicken water system that needs heated in the winter. Because it circulates through pipes to the different coops, and the heater is in the main tank, it needs to be at a higher temperature as the weather gets colder. With the smart feature I can use the local weather forecast to change the this app controller’s setting so that the water doesn’t freeze on the water nipples. Then as the weather warms up, it decreases the temperature so I’m not wasting electricity.

Keep up the great work and innovation this app!

by Jared In Ama Tx

This has worked really well for me so far. Cooked a little over 100 lbs of meat and used one probe for grill temp and the other three for meat. The blue tooth reached all over my house and the Wifi enabled me to keep track while at my sons soccer game. The magnetized back stuck to my grill really well. Not sure if it is water proof or not but the rain didn’t affect it at all. Have already recommended to friends.

by Zepher63

A little trickery getting it set up at first but after playing with it for a little bit I figured it out. The WI-FI feature is very useful. My older grill doesn’t have this feature. So far I really like this probe.

by Procam2

Set up is very easy. Tested with manual mode on Station 5 and it worked perfectly. Make certain you press the WiFi button on the unit until it shows red. Have a app on iPhone &iPad.

by Excess2200

Easy to program and app works mostly well. Cannot figure out how to do stations just sequentially, instead of figuring out start and stop times. This will be a problem when doing seasonal variance.

by Lapine Bill

Easy to program and app works mostly well. Cannot figure out how to do stations just sequentially, instead of figuring out start and stop times. This will be a problem when doing seasonal variance.

by Sherry Llanas

Got a few of those for my rooms and fridges. Phone app setup was a breeze but more importantly, it is now compatible with Home Assistant when using the latest version of Passive BLE Monitor thus eliminating the need for a Wi-Fi gateway in some cases (when your HA is in the sensor range). For me that range is a couple of rooms away so no issues.

by Mandelsheryllp

This product is really well made, and wont break the bank. I really like the estra length of cord on the probe. It makes it easier to relocate inside of a grow room in the event that you find your placement to be unrepresentative of the the overall room, due to lighting, airflow, or plant respiration. The unit its self is very easy to use, with a clear digital display. Its accuracy is comparable to other humidity monitoring equipment that I have, and the device reads levels and operates my humidifier and dehumidifier when it's supposed to to keep my environment within proper range. I would definitely recommend this product!