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Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 vs SOVARCATE HS980E Digital Infrared Thermometer Side-by-Side Comparison

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Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer

$19.99 from Amazon

SOVARCATE HS980E Digital

Check Price on Amazon
Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 vs SOVARCATE HS980E Digital Infrared Thermometer

Overall Verdict

The Sovarcate HS980E has firmly established itself as one of the best infrared thermometers in our database. According to our benchmark, it achieved an impressive total performance score of 7.1 out of 10. On the other hand, the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 was quite disappointing, with a performance score of only 4.1, mainly due to its poor performance in the hot test with oil.

Moving on to design, the Sovarcate HS980E shines brightly with a remarkable score of 9.8. Our reviewers praised its ruggedized housing, colored LCD screen, and 13-point laser emitter. The Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 has a decent design but falls short of the excellence displayed by the Sovarcate HS980E, earning a total score of 7.3 out of 10.

Regarding usability, it's hard to recommend the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080, as it only scored 5.55 in our assessment. In contrast, the Sovarcate HS980E scored a solid 8.3 out of 10, providing a superior user experience and greater versatility than the Lasergrip 1080.

To sum it up, in virtually every aspect, you can expect a much better experience with the Sovarcate HS980E than with the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • The handle is textured and has indents that improve the user’s grip
  • Fairly accurate and reliable temperature readings.
  • Rugged, industrial design
  • Extremely bright laser emitter
  • Color LCD VA screen panel
  • Comes with a good selection of measurement modes
  • Very loud speakers
  • Poor accuracy on the hot test with cooking oil
  • Metallic clicky sound in the trigger seems to suggest a manufacturing defect
  • Measurement accuracy can be better.

Key Specs

Dimensions
L3.9 x W1.57 x H6.3 inches
L3.74 x W1.77 x H6.3 inches
Weight
4.59 ounces
5.5 ounces
Display type
Backlit LCD panel
LCD VA panel
Measurement modes
2
3
Audio cues
No
Yes
Temperature range
-58°F to 1,130°F (-50°C to 610°C)
-58 to 1,122°F (-50 to 600°C)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$26.13
$19.19
$19.99 at Amazon
Check Price on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.1
7.1

Cold Test with Ice

7.8
7.0
Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer Cold Test
The Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 measures the surface temperature of an ice chest from 12 inches away. The screen reads 33.4°F.
The Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 measures the surface temperature of an ice chest from 16 inches away. The screen reads 34.3°F.
The Sovarcate HS980E from 12 inches away from the ice bath displays a temperature of 34.2°F on the screen.
The Sovarcate HS980E measuring from a distance of 12 inches from the ice surface, producing a reading of 34.2°F.
The Sovarcate HS980E from 12 inches away from the ice bath displays a temperature of 34.2°F on the screen.
The Sovarcate HS980E from 16 inches away from the ice bath displays a temperature of 35.1°F on the screen.
Ice Temperature
32°F
32°F
Temperature at 12”
33.4°F
34.2°F
Temperature at 16”
34.3°F
35.1°F

Hot Test with Cooking Oil

1.6
7.2
Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Infrared Thermometer Hot Test
The reading of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 from 12 inches away from a hot pan of cooking oil: 374.7°F.
The Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 measures the surface temperature of a pan of cooking oil from 16 inches away. The screen reads 381.2F.
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer measuring the temperature of cooking oil from 12 inches. The screen reads 36.5°F.
The Sovarcate HS980E measuring the boiling oil from a distance of 12 inches. The reading is 36.5°F.
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer measuring the temperature of cooking oil from 12 inches. The screen reads 36.5°F.
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer measuring the temperature of cooking oil from 16 inches. The screen reads 37°F.
Oil Temperature
361°F
361°F
Temperature at 12”
374.7°F
370°F
Temperature at 16”
381.2°F
365°F

Design

Overall Design Scoring
7.3
9.8

In the Box

The Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 is in the frame's center. The user manual and the warranty card are to the left, and the plastic packaging is to the right.
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer is in the center. The shipping box is to the left, and the right are the batteries and the user manual.

Dimensions

The dimensions of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080. The length is 3.9 inches, the width is 1.57 inches, and the height is 6.3 inches.
The dimensions of the Sovarcate HS980E. The length is marked as 3.74 inches, the width is 1.77 inches, and the height is 6.3 inches.
Weight
4.6 oz (130 g)
5.5 oz (156 g)
Length
3.9" (9.9 cm)
3.7" (9.5 cm)
Width
1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.8" (4.5 cm)
Height
6.3" (16.0 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)

Build Quality

7.0
9.5
The black-and-yellow Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 on its side on a dark grey concrete table top.
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer on its side on a slate grey concrete table top.

Laser Emitter

8.0
10
The red laser dot of the laser emitter on the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 in a dark room.
The red laser dot of the laser emitter on the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 in a dark room.
The laser emitter and the IR sensor of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080.
The 13-dot laser pattern of the Sovarcate HS980E on the wall of a dark room.
The 13-dot laser pattern of the Sovarcate HS980E on the wall of a dark room.
The bright red laser emitter and the IR sensor on the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer.
Laser Pattern
Single-dot
13-dot
Brightness
Good
Good

Display Panel

7.0
10
The backlit LCD display panel of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 with the backlight off (left) and on (right). The screen shows 78.9°F.
The LCD display panel of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 with the backlight off (left) and on (right.)
The LCD VA display panel of the Sovarcate HS980E. The screen currently reads 26.8°C, and the EMS setting is 0.95.
Display Type
Backlit LCD Panel
LCD VA panel
Backlight
Yes
Yes
Display Size
1.18
1.37

Battery Compartment

The inside of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080’s battery compartment, with two triple-A batteries and a pull tab.
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer with its battery compartment opened and one of the AAA batteries slotted in. A spare battery is to the left.
Battery Type
AAA
AAA

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
5.5
8.3

Handling

7.5
9.0
The black-gloved hand of a reviewer holding and using the trigger of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 IR thermometer.
The black-gloved hand of a reviewer holding and using the trigger of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 IR thermometer.
The indents at the front of the handle of the Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 IR thermometer.
The gloved hand of a reviewer holding onto the grip of the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer.
The gloved hand of a reviewer holding onto the grip of the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer.
The textured grip of the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer from the side.
The backside of the textured grip of the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer.

Measurement Modes

6.0
6.0
Emissivity
0.10-1.00
0.10-1.00
Average Mode
No
No
Min Mode
No
No
Max Mode
Yes
Yes
Calibration
No
No
Alarm Mode
No
Yes

Audio Cues

0.0
10
The control panel and the speaker holes of the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer.