I am a big fan of Android smartphones with built-in thermal imaging cameras, such as the fantastic Ulefone Armor 18T.

I also understand that some people simply don’t want to replace their smartphone to gain access to this useful superpower.

Also: How I use this Android phone with thermal imaging superpowers (and why you need it)

If you don’t want to buy a new smartphone, this tool is just right for you and you can currently get it as a Prime member with an 80 dollar discount: InfiRay P2 Pro.

Technical data of the InfiRay P2 Pro

• 256×192 IR resolution
• 256×192 IR resolution
• Temperature range: -20 °C to 550 °C ± 2 °C
• Small design: 27 mm × 18 mm × 9.8 mm and weighs 9 g
• Battery-free design
• Supports Android 9.0 and above
• USB-C interface

The InfiRay P2 Pro consists of a tiny thermal imaging camera and a magnetic attachable macro lens that allows the camera to be brought particularly close to the object to be examined.

Also: This 12-in-1 electric screwdriver is my favorite tool and costs less than $50.

The camera is indeed tiny. With dimensions of 27 × 18 × 9.8 mm and a weight of only 9 grams, it is smaller and lighter than a charging cable.

Setting up the P2 Pro is easy: download and install the P2 Pro app from the Google Play Store, launch the app, plug the camera into the USB-C port, and you’re good to go.

If your Android smartphone is of the rugged type, you may have problems mounting the camera and need a USB-C extender.

Also: The best travel gadgets of 2024

Then you can start exploring your surroundings.

One feature of the P2 Pro app that I particularly like is that in addition to the crosshair in the center of the image, there are two more that record the highest and lowest temperatures in the shot.

Then there is the macro lens.

By attaching the macro lens to the front of the camera, you can get really close to what you’re looking at, giving you better resolution to zoom in precisely.

The software offers numerous customization options without being crammed with unnecessary features.

This thermal imaging camera is fantastic, especially considering the price.

Not sure what you can do with it? Here are just some of the things you can do with a thermal imaging camera:

• Look for overheated electrical components (faulty components usually get hotter).
• Diagnose all types of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) problems, from windows losing heat to radiators that don’t get warm enough to air conditioners that don’t cool.
• Find dangerously overheated batteries.
• Look under floorboards for radiator pipes.
• Find overheated power cables.
• Find cooling system problems on desktop and laptop systems.
• Brakes on cars occasionally block.

My tip for using a thermal imaging camera is to use it to look at things that aren’t broken – radiators, car brakes, electrical equipment, etc. – and that way you’ll get a sense of what things should look like and be able to spot when they’re not working properly.

Also: Every gadget freak knows: There is always a better tool

I find the thermal imaging camera so useful that I turn it on without thinking. Just now I wanted to know if an electrical device was getting power. Instead of reaching for a multimeter, I used my thermal imaging camera to see if anything was heating up inside. When I saw that the components were heating up, I was able to rule out a lot of potential problems.

I have tested a number of thermal imaging cameras – both standalone cameras and cameras that connect to smartphones – and the InfiRay P2 Pro is the best. It is small, super flexible thanks to the macro lens, fast and precise and does not need to be charged separately.

This is a fantastic addition to any repair toolkit, and if you are an Amazon Prime member, you will receive $80 off the list price of the iPhone Version, while the Android The version is currently discounted to $219.