TOPDON TC001/TC002C thermal lens review

Cold? Hot? Accurate? Almost always

A TOPDON TC001 thermal imaging lens for USB-C Android smartphones and tablets
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Future)

Tom's Guide Verdict

Priced at $299, the TOPDON TC001 is an affordable thermal imaging solution. Its small form factor makes it highly portable, and it’s easy to use with modern Android smartphones. Temperature readings are very accurate, and the companion app is excellent. It is prone to freezing though and it’s difficult to use with thick phone cases.

Pros

  • +

    Easy to use

  • +

    Well-built and designed

  • +

    Wide temperature range

  • +

    Very accurate readings

  • +

    Straightforward app

Cons

  • -

    Prone to freezing

  • -

    Difficult to use with thick cases

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Thermal imaging has come a long way, and it’s more accessible than ever. You don’t need to dish out thousands of dollars on dedicated tools anymore, as has been proven by the TOPDON TC001/TC002C thermal camera lenses.

This device is so cool that you can plug it into your smartphone and voila, you’ve got a thermal camera at your disposal. The TC001 is capable of measuring temperature in the ranges of 4-302°F (-20-150°C) in normal mode, and 302-1022°F (150°C-550°C) in high mode, and readings are very accurate. This compact and highly portable device is aimed at home inspectors, electricians, and other professionals. And it costs just $299.

To find out if this is one of the best iPhone lenses, read my full TOPDON TC001/TC002C review.

TOPDON thermal lens review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally
SpecsTOPDON TC001/TC002Header Cell - Column 2
Price$299 / £189Row 0 - Cell 2
Resolution256×192 pixelsRow 1 - Cell 2
Spectral range8-14μmRow 2 - Cell 2
Frame rate25HzRow 3 - Cell 2
Temperature range4-302°F (-20-150°C); 302-1022°F (150°C-550°C)Row 4 - Cell 2
Temperature accuracy±3.6ºF (2ºC)Row 5 - Cell 2
CompatibilityUSB-C Android devices | Lightning cable or USB-C iOS devicesRow 6 - Cell 2
Extension cable19.69 inchesRow 7 - Cell 2
AppTC001/TC002Row 8 - Cell 2
Measurements2.8 x 1.65 x 0.55 inchesRow 9 - Cell 2
Weight1.05 ouncesRow 10 - Cell 2
ColorsBlue, grayRow 11 - Cell 2
Row 12 - Cell 0 Row 12 - Cell 1 Row 12 - Cell 2

TOPDON thermal lens review: Cheat sheet

  • What is it? A thermal imaging camera compatible with either USB-C Android devices or USB-C iOS devices
  • Who is it for? For home inspectors, electricians, automotive technicians, and anyone who wants to take temperature readings
  • How much does it cost? The TOPDON TC001 (Android) is available for $299 / £189 and TC002C (iOS) is available for $289 / £208
  • What do we like? The ease of use, great build quality and design, wide temperature range, accurate readings, and intuitive app
  • What don’t we like? It’s difficult to use with thick phone cases, and it’s prone to freezing

TOPDON thermal lens review: Price & availability

A TOPDON TC001 thermal imaging lens for USB-C Android smartphones and tablets

(Image credit: Future)

The TOPDON TC001 is available for $299 at Amazon U.S. / £259 at Amazon U.K., and it comes in either blue or gray. The TC001 finds itself competing against the likes of the FLIR ONE Gen 3 ($229 at Amazon U.S.), and it's much cheaper than the Seek Thermal CompactPRO ($499 at Amazon U.S.).


If you’re looking for a thermal camera compatible with iOS devices using the lightning cable, you can get the TC002 instead ($289 at Amazon U.S.). If you want one for USB-C iOS devices, there's one available for you too, and the TC002C will cost you $299 at Amazon U.S.

TOPDON thermal lens review: Design

The TOPDON TC001 is a compact little module, measuring just 2.8 x 1.65 x 0.55 inches. It comes with a carry case to safely store the unit and any cables. The TC001 is well-built, made entirely of aluminum with a matte finish. The gray model I tested looks and feels premium.

A TOPDON TC001 thermal imaging lens for USB-C Android smartphones and tablets

(Image credit: Future)

A USB-C connector on top of the module lets you plug it into compatible Android devices, so I used it with my Google Pixel 7 Pro, and you can use the TC002C with USB-C iOS devices, such as the iPhone 15 Pro. I had difficulty plugging the USB-C connector into my phone with the thick case on, so I recommend using it either with a thin case or without one at all. Weighing just 1.05oz, the TC001 doesn’t weigh your phone down either, and I found it extremely easy to carry around.

The camera sensor sits in the middle and is recessed deep, which means you don’t have to worry about scratching it if you place it facing down.

You get a tiny blue LED light on the side which indicates when the camera is in use. I love the simplicity of the TC001’s design. There’s nothing complicated about it.

TOPDON thermal lens review: Thermal imaging

A TOPDON TC001 thermal imaging lens for USB-C Android smartphones and tablets

(Image credit: Future)

To use the TOPDON TC001 for thermal imaging, you’ll need to install the dedicated app on your Android device or iOS device, and then plug the module into your phone. I’ll discuss the app in detail in the next section but for now, let’s focus on the TC001’s thermal performance.

The camera has a resolution of 256×192 pixels so the image will be grainy but that’s okay because this isn’t for regular photography. It has a wide temperature range for any and all situations and subjects: 4-302°F (-20-150°C) in normal mode, and 302-1022°F (150°C-550°C) in high mode. If you don’t want to bother with manually choosing a mode, there’s a handy auto mode too.

A photo taken with the TOPDON TC001 thermal lens attached to a Google Pixel 7 Pro

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

I tested the TC001 indoors and outdoors, and I’m happy to report that the results were fairly accurate, and easy to read too. The coldest corners in my apartment are, of course, the windows, so I pointed the camera at an open window and it picked up the temperature quickly. In the photo above, the outside temperature according to the Google weather app was 13°C, and the camera said it was 12.2°C. A slight discrepancy but very close.

A photo taken with the TOPDON TC001 thermal lens attached to a Google Pixel 7 Pro

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

Next, I tested out the ambient temperature of my apartment. My thermostat reported the apartment temperature to be 19.5°C, and the camera reported 19.4°C. Again, very accurate, as you can see in the image above.

A photo taken with the TOPDON TC001 thermal lens attached to a Google Pixel 7 Pro

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

Water’s boiling point is 100°C, so I boiled my kettle to put the TOPDON through its paces. The photo above shows that the camera picked up 100.5°C.

TOPDON TC001: Video performance - YouTube TOPDON TC001: Video performance - YouTube
Watch On

I also like that the camera quickly recognizes and shows the temperature rising and the heatmap changing in real time, as you can see in the video above. The water, at the bottom of the kettle, boiled and the color of the entire kettle changed. You can also see the TC001 picking up the steam’s reading as it exits the spout. And thanks to the 25Hz refresh rate, the video is smooth and doesn’t stutter.

TOPDON thermal lens review: App

A compilation of screenshots showing the TOPDON TC001 app on Android

(Image credit: TOPDON)

I found the dedicated TOPDON TC001 app very easy to use on my Google Pixel 7 Pro, and it gives you a lot of versatile options to measure the temperature. The screenshots above show the different measurement options. The dot option allows you to place up to three points, while the line option allows you to, well, draw a line and measure along it.

A compilation of screenshots showing the TOPDON TC001 app on Android

(Image credit: TOPDON)

You also get an image-in-image option, called Dual Light. Toggle this and your phone’s camera will work at the same time as the TC001 to show you a heatmap and the actual image, as can be seen above. I’m glad this mode is there as the TC001 itself can’t take normal photos.

A compilation of screenshots showing the TOPDON TC001 app on Android

(Image credit: TOPDON)

You can change the color palette too, as the app gives you access to nine different ones, three of which are shown in the screenshots above.

TOPDON thermal lens review: Verdict

A TOPDON TC001 thermal imaging lens for USB-C Android smartphones and tablets

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a lot to like about the TOPDON TC001. While it’s a very handy tool for electricians and home inspectors, thanks to its thermal imaging capabilities, it's also useful for the general consumer and tech journalists. It can measure temperatures ranging from 4-302°F (-20-150°C) and 302-1022°F (150°C-550°C), depending on the mode, and the readings are easy to read. The device is highly portable too, weighing just 1.05oz, and it’s smaller than the width of my Google Pixel 7 Pro. The iOS-compatible TC002C can be used with USB-C iPhones too, while the TC002 can be used with lighting cable iOS devices. The dedicated app, which is very easy to use, unlocks the camera’s potential, allowing you to change color palettes, use different measurement tools, and more.

A TOPDON TC001 thermal imaging lens for USB-C Android smartphones and tablets

(Image credit: Future)

While the camera periodically freezes due to the sensor recalibrating, and human temperature readings aren’t very accurate, the TC001 is still a reliable, pocket-sized companion — it’s hot stuff.

Nikita Achanta
Staff Writer, Reviews

Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, out on a walk with a camera in hand, at a concert, or watching F1. She's also a licensed drone pilot. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.