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SOVARCATE HS980E Digital vs Helect Infrared Thermometer Gun Side-by-Side Comparison

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SOVARCATE HS980E Digital

Check Price on Amazon

Helect Infrared Thermometer Gun

$14.99 from Amazon
SOVARCATE HS980E Digital vs Helect Infrared Thermometer Gun

Overall Verdict

If you're looking for a thermometer that's both super accurate and versatile, the Sovarcate HS980E is the one to consider. It aced our tests and offers a bunch of different modes, making it a smart purchase. Plus, it's easy to use and built to last.

On the other hand, the Helect IR thermometer almost matches the Sovarcate HS980E's performance in our tests, but at a much lower price. It's a real bargain for budget-conscious shoppers. However, there's a reason it's cheaper – the Helect isn't built with the same quality of design or the ease of use of the more premium Sovarcate HS980E. Most notably, the Helect doesn't have as many measurement options as the Sovarcate. So, if you need a thermometer for occasional use, it'll do the job just fine. But if you want a pro-grade thermometer, the Sovarcate HS980E is going to be a far better choice.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • 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
  • Affordable
  • Accurate IR sensor that produces very good readings
  • Decent build quality
  • Bright, single-dot laser emitter
  • Loud speakers
  • Measurement accuracy can be better.
  • The thermometer itself feels quite cheap
  • Lacks many measurement modes
  • The display panel is dim

Key Specs

Dimensions
L3.74 x W1.77 x H6.3 inches
L4 x W1.7 x H6 inches
Weight
5.5 ounces
5.73 ounces
Display type
LCD VA panel
Backlit LCD panel
Measurement modes
3
0
Audio cues
Yes
Yes
Temperature range
-58 to 1,122°F (-50 to 600°C)
-58 to 1,022°F (-50 to 550°C)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$19.19
$19.32
Check Price on Amazon
$14.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.1
8.1

Cold Test with Ice

7.0
7.5
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.
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”
34.2°F
33.4°F
Temperature at 16”
35.1°F
34.5°F

Hot Test with Cooking Oil

7.2
8.4
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.
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”
370°F
367.5°F
Temperature at 16”
365°F
361.6°F

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.8
8.0

In the Box

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.
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 HS980E. The length is marked as 3.74 inches, the width is 1.77 inches, and the height is 6.3 inches.
The dimensions of the Helect IR thermometer. The length is 4 inches, width is 1.7 inches, and height is 6 inches.
Weight
5.5 oz (156 g)
5.7 oz (162 g)
Length
3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Width
1.8" (4.5 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)
Height
6.3" (16.0 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)

Build Quality

9.5
8.0
The Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer 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

10
9.0
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.
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
13-dot
Single-dot
Brightness
Good
Good

Display Panel

10
7.0
The LCD VA display panel of the Sovarcate HS980E. The screen currently reads 26.8°C, and the EMS setting is 0.95.
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
LCD VA panel
LCD
Backlight
Yes
Yes
Display Size
1.37
1.25

Battery Compartment

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.
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
8.3
5.3

Handling

9.0
7.5
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.
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

6.0
0.0
Emissivity
0.10-1.00
No
Average Mode
No
No
Min Mode
No
No
Max Mode
Yes
No
Calibration
No
No
Alarm Mode
Yes
No

Audio Cues

10
8.0
The control panel and the speaker holes of the Sovarcate HS980E IR thermometer.