SOVARCATE HS980E Digital Infrared Thermometer In-depth Review

Sovarcate is a pretty popular name in the infrared thermometer niche. Besides the HS980E (this model), they also got other models like the HS960D and the Smart Sensor AS530, each of which had become hits among consumers. We bought a unit a few months earlier and put it through its paces in our laboratory to see how good it truly is, and, fortunately, the HS980E has proven itself to be a capable IR thermometer.

The IR thermometer is decently accurate in our performance tests — not the best, but passable. The Sovarcate HS980E also did well in our design and usability tests. We expect it’ll be a good fit as a kitchen thermometer.

See our full test report below!

7.1 Performance

The Sovarcate HS980E sits in the middle of our performance chart. It performs better than many models, like the Lasergrip GM400 or the ThermoPro TP-30, but it’s still at a disadvantage compared to Wintact and Helect.

Its scoring in the hot test with cooking oil is better than in the cold test by a few fractions. And as a whole, the Sovarcate HS980E gets passing scores on all tests, signaling it as a reliable infrared thermometer, but it may not be the most accurate.

7.0 Cold Test with Ice

In the cold test with ice, the Sovarcate HS980E receives only a mediocre score. The thermometer produces a reading of 34.2°F and 35.1°F from 12 and 16 inches distance, respectively. Altogether, we get an average score of 7.35. Accounting for the difference between each reading, according to our benchmark, the Sovarcate HS980E gets a 6.95 out of 10 on this test.

It’s not a bad result and is around the same score range as other models like the ThermoPro TP-30 and the Klein Tools IR1. But its accuracy can be better.

7.2 Hot Test with Cooking Oil

The Sovarcate HS980E does slightly better in the hot test with cooking oil. We recorded a reading of 370°F and 365°F at 12 inches and 16 inches, respectively. Our benchmark puts the average score of the thermometer at 7.75 and, accounting for the stability variable, gives it a total score of 7.15 out of 10.

This is a respectable score, putting the Sovarcate HS980E’s accuracy in line with models like the Etekcity Lasergrip 800 and the Wintact infrared thermometer.

9.8 Design

The Sovarcate HS980E offers a well-built design, a reliable laser emitter, and a clear display panel for accurate temperature measurement. Everything that you need to get the thermometer running in the box. Overall, we have little to complain about regarding the design quality of the Sovarcate HS980E.

In the Box

The packaging of the Sovarcate HS980E is relatively simple. The thermometer arrives in a cardboard box with two complimentary batteries and a user manual.

Dimensions

The dimensions and weight of the Sovarcate HS980E are around average for IR thermometers. Most people will have no problem picking it up and using it one-handed. The thermometer is also small enough that finding a good place to store it won’t be a problem.

9.5 Build Quality

The build quality of the Sovarcate HS980E is excellent. It’s among the best in our database. The thermometer is constructed from smooth and textured plastic, giving it a rugged look and feel. Painted in a sleek, industrial black paint scheme, the Sovarcate HS980E appears a lot more expensive than it is.

All parts and components of the Sovarcate HS980E are durably constructed. We fully expect the thermometer to withstand the worst of shocks and impacts.

10 Laser Emitter

The laser emitter of the Sovarcate HS980E gets a perfect score from us. It is extremely bright, easily seen, and tracked under harsh studio lighting or white background.

The Sovarcate HS980E has a special 13-dot laser pattern. The center dot lets you know the general direction the IR sensor is pointing, while the 12 surrounding dots can give you an idea of the approximate area the sensor is measuring.

10 Display Panel

The Sovarcate HS980E has a 1.37-inch, colored LCD VA display panel. The screen is bright, and we’re able to see the data on the screen from many different angles.

Battery Compartment

The Sovarcate HS980E uses two triple-A batteries. You’ll get a duo pack of complimentary batteries in the box to get you up and running. The placement of the battery compartment is standard, like in most infrared thermometers: at the front of the handle.

8.3 Usability

The Sovarcate HS980E offers excellent handling with a nicely textured handgrip so you can use it easily with wet hands. As such, the thermometer has a high handling score comparable to its sibling model, the HS980D.

There are several measurement modes, including emissivity adjustment, maximum reading display, and an alarm feature that triggers a loud beep from the speaker when the set temperature is reached.

Similar to the design quality section, our reviewer gives the Sovarcate HS980E a very deserved high score in this section.

9.0 Handling

The Sovarcate HS980E is easy to handle, even with wet hands. The handgrip is nicely textured with indents at the front handle. Thanks to this, the Sovarcate HS980E has one of the highest handling scores in our database — comparable with its sibling, the Sovarcate HS980D.

6.0 Measurement Modes

You can switch back and forth between three measurement modes through the control panel. You can set the emissivity setting, check the maximum reading obtained, or set an alarm alert (the speaker will beep when the temperature is reached.)

10 Audio Cues

The Sovarcate HS980E comes with a speaker. It will beep when you release the trigger and switch from SCAN to HOLD mode. The speaker will also beep if you set an alarm.

The speaker is very loud. We can hear it clearly from across the room.