With Christmas and Hanukkah just around the corner, we're here to ease your last-minute holiday-shopping stress. Step one? Find something you can buy in bulk and give to pretty much anyone—an object with universal appeal that still has a personal touch. Enter the digital thermometer—an incredibly useful tool that literally anyone who cooks can appreciate.

At $99, our very favorite instant-read thermometer, the Thermapen, doesn't come cheap. But our favorite affordable instant-read thermometer, the ThermoPop, is just as accurate and nearly as fast. It's a great starter probe that doesn't require shelling out a lot of money.

The ThermoPop is rated to give an accurate reading in just three to four seconds. Plus, the digital display is large, easy to read, and backlit. It also comes in a range of fun colors, so if your giftee loves color coordination, even better. Not convinced? Here are the very many reasons every home cook should own an instant-read thermometer.

The ThermoPop is normally $34, but for the next two days, it's 20% off ($27.20) for Serious Eats readers. Grab one now at this discounted price before the sale ends on Saturday, December 14 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Get your ThermoPop right here.

All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.