Red spirit-filled thermometers provide increased safety with economic pricing. These thermometers have 6 to 7 mm outer diameters and the bulbs have equal or smaller diameters than the stems. All thermometers include a no-roll sleeve to stop thermometers rolling off of lab benches.

Partial immersion thermometers are useful if you have a shallow container. These thermometers have a small indicator ring that denotes the depth to which the thermometer should be submerged to obtain an accurate temperature reading.

Total immersion thermometers need to be submerged deep enough so the desired temperature is at the meniscus.