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SOVARCATE HS960D Manual vs. Helect Infrared Thermometer Gun Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Sovarcate HS960D Digital

$18.99 from Amazon

Helect Infrared Thermometer Gun

$14.99 from Amazon
SOVARCATE HS960D Manual vs. Helect Infrared Thermometer Gun

Overall Verdict

The Helect stands out as one of our extensive database's most precise IR thermometers, boasting an impressive performance score of 8.0 out of 10. On the contrary, the Sovarcate HS960D received a benchmark score of only 6.7, indicating its underperformance during the hot test involving oil.

When it comes to building quality and usability, the Sovarcate HS960D outperforms the Helect in both aspects. Its sleek design includes a vibrant, colored LCD screen and a brilliant 13-point laser emitter, earning it an outstanding 9.5 out of 10 in our design assessment, compared to the Helect's respectable score of 8.0.

Moreover, the Sovarcate excels in usability with its textured grip, ensuring easy handling even with wet hands. It also features a sound speaker that provides audible cues, adding to its user-friendly design. The Sovarcate offers an extra measurement mode, whereas the Helect has none.

All in all, if you value high measurement accuracy, pick the Helect. But if you want versatility from your thermometer, the Sovarcate will be a better pick with its extra measurement mode and well-built design.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Decently accurate and reliable performance
  • Rugged and well-built housing
  • Bright, single-dot laser emitter
  • Brightly-lit colored LCD VA screen panel
  • Has a speaker
  • Textured handgrip and tactile trigger make the thermometer easy and comfortable to use
  • Affordable
  • Accurate IR sensor that produces very good readings
  • Decent build quality
  • Bright, single-dot laser emitter
  • Loud speakers
  • Doesn’t come with many measurement modes
  • The thermometer itself feels quite cheap
  • Lacks many measurement modes
  • The display panel is dim

Key Specs

Dimensions
L4.3 x W1.81 x H6.3 inches
L4 x W1.7 x H6 inches
Weight
5.58 ounces
5.73 ounces
Display type
Color LCD VA panel
Backlit LCD panel
Measurement modes
1
0
Audio cues
Yes
Yes
Temperature range
-58°F to 1112°F(-50℃ to 600℃)
-58 to 1,022°F (-50 to 550°C)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$24.03
$19.32
$18.99 at Amazon
$14.99 at Amazon

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.7
8.1

Cold Test with Ice

8.4
7.5
SOVARCATE HS960D Infrared Thermometer Cold Test
The Sovarcate HS960D measuring the temperature of an ice chest from 12 inches away. The screen reads 30.2°F.
The Sovarcate HS960D measuring the temperature of an ice chest from 16 inches away. The screen reads 30.7°F.
Helect Infrared Thermal Gun Cold Test with Ice Video
The Helect IR thermometer measuring temperature of an ice bath from 12 inches away. The screen displays 33.4°F.
The Helect IR thermometer measures the temperature of an ice bath from 16 inches away. The screen displays 34.5°F.
Ice Temperature
32°F
32°F
Temperature at 12”
30.2°F
33.4°F
Temperature at 16”
30.7°F
34.5°F

Hot Test with Cooking Oil

5.6
8.4
SOVARCATE HS960D Infrared Thermometer Hot Test
The Sovarcate HS960D measuring the temperature of a pan of cooking oil from 12 inches away. The screen reads 373°F.
The Sovarcate HS960D measuring the temperature of a pan of cooking oil from 16 inches away. The screen reads 369°F.
Helect Infrared Thermal Gun Hot Test with Cooking Oil Video
The Helect IR thermometer measuring the temperature of boiling from away 12 inches away. The screen displays 367.5°F.
The Helect IR thermometer measures the temperature of boiling oil from 16 inches away. The screen shows 361.6°F.
Oil Temperature
361°F
361°F
Temperature at 12”
373°F
367.5°F
Temperature at 16”
369°F
361.6°F

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.5
8.0

In the Box

The Sovarcate HS960D in the center of the frame. To the left of the IR thermometer are the user manual and the batteries, and to the right is the plastic packaging.
The Helect IR thermometer in the center, with its plastic sleeving to the left, manuals and battery to the right.

Dimensions

The dimensions of the Sovarcate HS960D. The height is 6.3 inches, the length is 4.3 inches, and the width is 1.81 inches.
The dimensions of the Helect IR thermometer. The length is 4 inches, width is 1.7 inches, and height is 6 inches.
Weight
5.6 oz (158 g)
5.7 oz (162 g)
Length
4.3" (10.9 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Width
1.8" (4.6 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)
Height
6.3" (16.0 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)

Build Quality

9.5
8.0
SOVARCATE HS960D Infrared Thermometer Build Quality video
The Sovarcate HS960D lying on its side on a slate grey concrete table top.
Helect Infrared Thermal Gun Build Quality Video
The Helect IR thermometer on its side on a slate grey concrete table, presenting its full side profile.

Laser Emitter

9.5
9.0
The bright red single-dot laser beam of the Sovarcate HS960D IR thermometer in a dark room.
The bright red single-dot laser beam of the Sovarcate HS960D IR thermometer in a dark room.
The laser emitter and the IR sensor of the Sovarcate HS960D IR thermometer.
The Helect IR thermometer in the black-gloved hand of a reviewer. The thermometer is in scanning mode and there’s a laser dot in the background.
The laser emitter on the Helect IR thermometer is very bright and can be easily tracked even in harsh studio lighting.
The Helect IR thermometer in the black-gloved hand of a reviewer. The thermometer is in scanning mode and there’s a laser dot in the background.
The red laser dot of the Helect IR thermometer gun’s laser emitter in a dark room.
A close-up view of the laser emitter and the sensor head of the Helect IR thermometer.
Laser Pattern
Single-dot
Single-dot
Brightness
Good
Good

Display Panel

9.5
7.0
The colored LCD VA display panel of the Sovarcate HS960D. The screen reads 27.3°C and is in HOLD mode.
The LCD display panel of the Helect IR thermometer with the backlight turned off. The screen reads 28.7°C
The Helect IR thermometer’s screen with the backlight off.
The LCD display panel of the Helect IR thermometer with the backlight turned off. The screen reads 28.7°C
The LCD display panel of the Helect IR thermometer with the backlight turned on. The screen reads 28.7°C.
Display Type
Color LCD VA panel
LCD
Backlight
Yes
Yes
Display Size
1.18
1.25

Battery Compartment

The battery compartment of the Sovarcate HS960D is opened. The user manual is to the right of the IR thermometer. Both are lying on a slate grey concrete table top.
A view into the open battery compartment of the Helect IR thermometer. Inside is a label with the print “9V 6F22.”
The open battery compartment of the Helect IR thermometer.
Battery Type
AAA
9V

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.2
5.3

Handling

9.0
7.5
The SOVARCATE HS960D Infrared Thermometer in the gloved hand of a reviewer against a blurry blue backdrop with a pitcher.
The SOVARCATE HS960D Infrared Thermometer in the gloved hand of a reviewer against a blurry blue backdrop with a pitcher.
The indents on the textured handgrip of the Sovarcate HS960D IR thermometer.
The black, textured plastic backside of the Sovarcate HS960D’s handgrip.
The Helect IR thermometer in the black-gloved hand of a reviewer.
The bulbous handle can be uncomfortable to hold for people with smaller hands.
The Helect IR thermometer in the black-gloved hand of a reviewer.
A close-up of the curved, bulbous grip of the Helect IR thermometer.

Measurement Modes

3.0
0.0
Emissivity
0.10-1.00
No
Average Mode
No
No
Min Mode
No
No
Max Mode
No
No
Calibration
No
No
Alarm Mode
No
No

Audio Cues

9.0
8.0
The control panel and the speaker holes on the Sovarcate HS960D IR thermometer. The button reads “°C/°F”, “EMS”, and symbol for the laser light.