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SOVARCATE HS960D Manual vs. Smart Sensor AS530 Infrared Thermometer Side-by-Side Comparison

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Sovarcate HS960D Digital

$18.99 from Amazon

Smart Sensor AS530 Infrared Thermometer

Check Price on Amazon
SOVARCATE HS960D Manual vs. Smart Sensor AS530 Infrared Thermometer

Overall Verdict

There's no reason to choose the Smart Sensor AS530 over the Sovarcate HS960D. The Sovarcate thermometer outperforms the Smart Sensor in all three test categories: performance, design, and usability.

Specifically, the Sovarcate HS960D scored 6.7 out of 10 on our performance test. While it may not be the highest score, it's a significant improvement compared to the Smart Sensor AS530's score of 4.8.

The Smart Sensor AS530 fell short in both design and usability. Although it received a decent score of 8.6 in the design category, it still lags behind the Sovarcate HS960D, which scored an impressive 9.5 out of 10.

Regarding usability, the Smart Sensor earned a mediocre score of 5.85, while the Sovarcate continued to shine with a score of 7.2.

Overall, we highly recommend opting for the Sovarcate HS960D instead. It surpasses the Smart Sensor AS530 in every aspect, making it the superior choice.

Ranking by
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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
  • Well-built and rugged design
  • Textured handgrip for easier handling when hands are wet
  • Tactile trigger
  • Very bright laser emitter
  • Doesn’t come with many measurement modes
  • Bad measurement accuracy
  • Doesn’t come with extra measuring modes

Key Specs

Dimensions
L4.3 x W1.81 x H6.3 inches
L3.74 x W1 .61 x H6 inches
Weight
5.58 ounces
5.43 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℃)
-26°F to 1,022°F (-32°C to 550°C)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$24.03
$20.07
$18.99 at Amazon
Check Price on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.7
4.8

Cold Test with Ice

8.4
2.6
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.
Smart Sensor AS530 Infrared Thermometer Cold Test
The Smart Sensor AS530 measures the temperature of an ice bath from 12 inches away. The screen displays 37.9°F.
The Smart Sensor AS530 measures the temperature of the ice bath from 16 inches away. The screen reads 39.2°F.
Ice Temperature
32°F
32°F
Temperature at 12”
30.2°F
37.9°F
Temperature at 16”
30.7°F
39.2°F

Hot Test with Cooking Oil

5.6
6.2
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.
Smart Sensor AS530 Infrared Thermometer Hot Test
The Smart Sensor AS530 measures the temperature of an oil vat from 12 inches away. The screen reads 372°F.
The Smart Sensor AS530 measures the temperature of an oil vat from 16 inches away. The screen reads 366.6°F.
Oil Temperature
361°F
361°F
Temperature at 12”
373°F
372°F
Temperature at 16”
369°F
366.6°F

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.5
8.6

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 Smart Sensor AS530 IR thermometer is in the center, with user manual and batteries to the left, and the plastic packaging 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 Smart Sensor AS530. The length is 3.74 inches, the width is 1.61 inches, and the height is 6 inches.
Weight
5.6 oz (158 g)
5.4 oz (154 g)
Length
4.3" (10.9 cm)
3.7" (9.5 cm)
Width
1.8" (4.6 cm)
1.6" (4.1 cm)
Height
6.3" (16.0 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)

Build Quality

9.5
8.5
SOVARCATE HS960D Infrared Thermometer Build Quality video
The Sovarcate HS960D lying on its side on a slate grey concrete table top.
Smart Sensor AS530 Infrared Thermometer Build Quality Video
The side profile of the Smart Sensor AS530, including the top section, the trigger, and the top half of the handle. An orange label with the product’s name is visible.

Laser Emitter

9.5
9.5
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 red laser dot of the Smart Sensor AS530 IR thermometer’s laser emitter in a dark room.
The red laser dot of the Smart Sensor AS530 IR thermometer’s laser emitter in a dark room.
The IR sensor and the small laser emitter at the front of the Smart Sensor AS530 IR thermometer.
Laser Pattern
Single-dot
Single-dot
Brightness
Good
Good

Display Panel

9.5
8.0
The colored LCD VA display panel of the Sovarcate HS960D. The screen reads 27.3°C and is in HOLD mode.
The backlit LCD screen of the Smart Sensor AS530. The screen currently reads 82.8°F.
Display Type
Color LCD VA panel
Backlit LCD
Backlight
Yes
Yes
Display Size
1.18
1.18

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.
The Smart Sensor AS530 with the battery compartment door opened and two AAA batteries to the right.
Battery Type
AAA
AAA

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.2
5.8

Handling

9.0
8.5
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 gloved hand of a reviewer holding and using the Smart Sensor AS530 IR thermometer to measure the temperature of a toaster oven.
The gloved hand of a reviewer holding and using the Smart Sensor AS530 IR thermometer to measure the temperature of a toaster oven.
A close-up of the textured handgrip of the Smart Sensor AS530
A close-up of the textured handgrip of the Smart Sensor AS530

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.