X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Seek Thermal can see the unseen (pictures)

This tiny smartphone attachment for Android phones and iPhones takes infrared images to see the temperatures in your environment.

Sarah Mitroff
Sarah Mitroff is a Managing Editor for CNET, overseeing our health, fitness and wellness section. Throughout her career, she's written about mobile tech, consumer tech, business and startups for Wired, MacWorld, PCWorld, and VentureBeat.
Sarah Mitroff
Seek Thermal system
1 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Seek Thermal system

The Seek Thermal system is a camera and app that lets you take infrared thermal images of your surroundings to measure temperature. It's useful for home repairs, security, cooking and many more uses.

Seek Thermal system
2 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Pocket-size camera

The camera itself is tiny and very portable. You can slip it into any pocket and carry it around wherever you go.

Seek Thermal system
3 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Connection

The camera comes in either an Android or an iOS model and can work with many devices.

Seek Thermal system
4 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Special lens

The Seek camera uses a special lens that captures infrared radiation that everything around us emits. We can't see it with our naked eyes, so cameras like these help us visualize those rays.

Seek Thermal system
5 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Carrying case

The camera comes with a very handy and well-made carrying case to keep it safe and sound.

Seek Thermal system
6 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Plug and go

To shoot a thermal image, just plug the camera into your phone, with the Seek Thermal app running and you can start shooting photos or video.

Seek Thermal system
7 of 8 Sarah Mitroff/CNET

Heat lights up

Using the camera, you can find hot or cold spots in your home, detect leaks and even take photos of your hands, like I did here.

Seek Thermal system
8 of 8 Sarah Mitroff/CNET

Temperature detection

The app's Spot mode will tell you the average temperature of whatever is centered in the photo. Here, that's my freezer.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos