One of the best thermal phone cameras I've tested has a 50Hz refresh rate - and it's on sale

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

What's the deal?

Get $75 off the Xinfrared One XH09 for iPhone (Lightning) or Android in this Amazon Black Friday deal.

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ZDNET's key takeaways

The Xinfrared One XH09 is available from Amazon for $369.It has a fast refresh rate and an IP65 rating (so you don't have to worry about water or dust), and it's very accurate.The instructions can be a little vague, and the app isn't as streamlined as it could be.

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I keep finding novel uses for thermal cameras, from locating defective components on circuit boards to finding out where that draft is coming into my living room. This tool felt -- at first -- like a gimmick, but quickly became one of those things that I regularly turn to.

Thermal cameras have a drawback: the refresh rate -- how fast an image updates on the screen -- can be quite slow. This can make them cumbersome because the smartphone image can lag compared to where you're pointing the camera.

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Not anymore! The Xinfrared One XH09 is the world's first thermal camera for smartphones with a fast 50Hz refresh rate (50Hz means the display is refreshed 50 times per second).

Note that I tested the Android version, but there is also a version for iPhones with the Lightning connector.

Xinfrared One XH09 tech specs

Field of View: 19.63°×14.71°Focal Length: 9mm adjustable focusingFrame Rate: 50HzIR Resolution: 256×192 @12μmMagnification: 2× to 15× continuous digital zoomOperating Temperature: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to +60°C)Temperature Range: 32°F to 212°F (0°C to 100°C)Size: 23 x 23 x 23.8mmWeight: 18.5gRating: IP65Support: Android 9 and above

A few things immediately stand out about the XH09. It's bigger and bulkier than most other standalone units I've used, but at just a little over 18 grams and a cubic inch in size, it fits into a pocket with no problems.

The XH09 comes with a carrying case that protects the camera and keeps the USB-C extension lead with it. That lead comes in handy if you don't want to -- or sometimes can't -- attach the camera directly to your Android smartphone. The USB-C port can be inaccessible on many smartphones if they are in a protective case or are ruggedized. 

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I also really like the fast refresh rate of this camera. With a lot of other thermal cameras, I find that searching around for heat signatures -- especially on things like circuit boards, which can be densely packed with components -- can be frustrating because of the camera's slow refresh rate. This is not a problem with the XH09.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The app is also full-featured, even allowing you to watermark an image with coordinates and weather conditions. This could be a handy feature for engineers working outdoors and others who have to make reports or assessments.

All in all, this is a great, professional-grade thermal camera. Its fast refresh rate makes it pleasant to use, and its IP65 water and dust proofing means you won't have to worry about it when taking it outside. 

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

ZDNET's buying advice

I like the Xinfrared One XH09 a lot. It's fast and accurate, the app it connects to is well-made and has pro-grade features, and the refresh rate is fast, making it the smoothest thermal-camera-on-a-smartphone experience I've come across. This comes in super handy when you're sweeping around looking for a single tiny hot component on a crowded circuit board.