For those not initiated into the world of babies and children, I can tell you that things have changed with thermometers. Gone are the old mercury thermometers, which you used to have jammed under your armpit or under your tongue for five minutes, before you found out whether you were sick enough to stay home from school.

In our brave new world, thermometers are battery powered, light weight and digital. The Brother Max digital thermometer takes the digital revolution in thermometers to the next level. It measures body temperature from the forehead and ear canal. The Brother Max also measures ambient temperature(ie, the air temperature). The Brother Max has two storage options, a stand which can be attached to the wall or shelf and a case. In the case, the Brother Max can be easily and safely transported and will definitely survive the roughest nappy bag treatment.

The thermometer looks a bit like a sleeker version of that instrument a doctor sticks in your ear. I think it's impossible to make a thermometer sexy, but the Brother Max does have a certain wow factor for us mothers. The digital display is easy to read and is backlit for those times when you don't want to disturb your baby by switching an overhead light on. The added bonus is the thermometer provides an instant temprature reading which means you don't need to persuade a toddler to sit still for too long.

Setting up the thermometer is relatively easy. It comes with two AA batteries and only has three buttons. I try to use products intuitively and am always grateful when I don't have to refer to an instruction manual. (The reason I avoid instruction manuals is I have an aversion to any kind of technical language.) In this case I was able to switch the thermometer on but needed to consult the manual for more information about the various functions. It was a pleasant surprise to read the Brother Max manual which was in clear, jargon free language. For once the manual added to my enjoyment of the product. The manual also gives good clear guidelines about margins of temperature variation and also ensuring ears are not damaged while using the thermometer.

This product retails for £34.99 which makes it expensive in terms of digital thermometers and there is no doubt that for some families that would be too much to spend on something which would only be used occasionally. However, if you want a product which is reliable, transportable, easy to read and quick to use, this is the right thermometer for you.

Available from Amazon.co.uk, Kiddicare.com, Boots, Mothercare, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Blooming Marvellous, JoJo Maman Bébé and leading independent retailers.

See www.brothermax.com for more information.