Give your iPhone 16 thermal camera superpowers with this gadget

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Topdon TC002C available from Amazon for $299 (click the on-page coupon to get $60 off).
• Solid, accurate, reliable thermal camera for the iPhone 16 or iPhone 15m and USB-C equipped iPads.
• Does not work with Android.

Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorite gadgets: the thermal camera. When I first got my hands on one, I dismissed it as a gimmicky toy, but it didn’t take long for it to prove its worth. Over the past few days alone, this trusty device has helped me pinpoint overheated electrical components, detect dangerously hot rechargeable batteries, and even identify binding brakes on a car. It’s like having a superpower that reveals hidden issues before they become catastrophic!. 

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Well, now you can add this functionality to your iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 using the Topdon TC002C. 

Topdon TC002C tech specs

• Resolution : 256 x 192
• Refresh rate : 25Hz
• Testing range : -4°F to 1022°F (-20°C to 550°C) with high level of accuracy 0.1°F/0.1°C
• Maximum error:  ±2°C or 2%
• Dimensions : 2.8 x 1.65 x 0.55 inches 
• Weight : 1 oz
• Accessories : Case, cleaning cloth, user guide, and 20-inch USB-C extension cable

The TC002C is an updated version of the  TC002 that shipped with a Lightning connector .

The  Topdon TC002C  is a solid, industrial-grade thermal imaging camera. The device boasts a good temperature range, excellent accuracy, and a smooth image, thanks to the 25Hz refresh rate. Plus, the software is reliable and doesn’t lag or crash.

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Why do you need a thermal imaging camera? I could rattle off dozens of good reasons, but here are a few uses I’ve found for mine recently:

• Find overheating electrical components. (Faulty components usually run hotter.)
• Diagnose all sorts of HVAC problems, from windows that leak heat, to radiators that aren’t warming up properly, to AC units that aren’t cooling.
• Uncover dangerously overheating rechargeable batteries.
• Find radiator pipes underneath floorboards.
• Spot problems with cooling systems on desktop and laptop computers.
• Spot binding brakes on cars.

ZDNET’s buying advice

TheTopdon TC002C is a fantastic thermal imaging camera. It has a good temperature range, it’s very accurate, the image is smooth thanks to the 25Hz refresh rate, and the software isn’t laggy or crash. It’s as close as you can get to a pro-grade industrial unit without spending close to a thousand dollars. 

I have mine set up in a smartphone holder and held either in a clamp or on a tripod for ease of use on a desk. The size of the camera lends itself well to this.