Nov 5, 2026 · @Erik Naso
ThermoWorks has shrunk its RFX MEAT wireless probe. The new RFX MEAT Mini is 4 inches long, about three-quarters of an inch shorter than the original, and it keeps nearly everything that made the first one worth buying: four internal sensors, the 1,000°F-rated handle, the long-range radio link, and the dishwasher-friendly build.
If the original RFX felt like a brisket tool that occasionally got drafted into steak duty, the Mini is the one you grab on a Tuesday.
Featured Specifications
- Length: 4.0 in (102 mm), vs. 4.7 in (119 mm) on the standard RFX MEAT
- Sensors: Four independently calibrated thermistors
- Wireless range: Up to 1,500 ft line of sight to the RFX GATEWAY (433 MHz sub-1 GHz RF)
- Battery: Up to 48 hours; full charge in 20 minutes
- Price: $99 list ($69.30 on sale at ThermoWorks at time of writing)
What Changed From the Original
Short answer: length and battery life. That is the whole list.
The Mini drops from 4.7 inches to 4.0 inches. The diameter stays the same at 0.21 inches (5.4 mm), tapering to 0.11 inches (2.8 mm) at the tip. Temperature ranges, accuracy, charging speed, waterproofing, and the radio are all identical.
The trade-off for the smaller body is battery. The standard probe is rated for 65+ hours on a 20-minute charge. The Mini is rated for up to 48 hours. That is still two full days, which covers an overnight pork shoulder with plenty of room to spare. Unless you are running back-to-back competition cooks without a charger in sight, you will not notice.
Why a Smaller Probe Matters
Wireless probes have one unforgiving rule: the tip has to sit in the center of the meat while the handle sticks out. On a thick brisket flat or a pork butt, a longer probe is no problem. On a 1-inch pork chop, a chicken breast, or a thinner ribeye, a long probe either pokes out the other side or has to go in at an awkward angle that misses the true center.
The Mini’s shorter length makes it easier to place correctly in:
- Steaks and chops
- Chicken breasts and thighs
- Fish fillets and smaller roasts
- Tenderloins and other narrow cuts
The shorter overall size also means less handle sticking up, which helps when space under a lid or in a smaller cooking setup is tight.
The four-sensor design still does the heavy lifting. The system reads all four sensors and reports the thermal center, so placement does not need to be surgical. A shorter probe just makes it easier to get those sensors where they belong in the first place.
What Stays the Same (the Good Stuff)
The RFX stood out at launch because of the radio. Instead of relying on Bluetooth straight from the probe to your phone, RFX probes talk to the RFX GATEWAY on a 433 MHz signal, rated up to 1,500 feet line of sight. The gateway then pushes data to the ThermoWorks app over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Close the lid on a heavy steel smoker, and the connection holds.
The Mini runs on that same system. It works alongside existing RFX probes in the app, and one gateway handles up to 50 probes. If you already own an RFX setup, the Mini just drops in.
Other carryovers:
- Accuracy: ±0.9°F from 14 to 212°F
- Durability: IP69K rated, fully submersible, and ThermoWorks says it can go straight in the dishwasher
- Heat tolerance: The handle withstands ambient temps up to 1,000°F, so searing and high-heat cooks are fair game
- Calibration: Each probe ships with a digital certificate of calibration
Pricing and Availability
The RFX MEAT Mini is available now from ThermoWorks.
- RFX MEAT Mini: $99.00 list, $69.30 on sale at the time of writing
- RFX MEAT (standard): $99.00 list (recently on sale at $79.20)
- RFX GATEWAY (required): $89.00 list, $62.30 on sale
- RFX Starter Kit: from $179.00 list (1-probe); $389.00 list for 4-probe, on sale at $272.30
- RFX MEAT 10-Probe Charging Block: $99.00 list, $79.20 on sale (works with both probe sizes)
A single Mini includes a magnetic charging block with a pre-installed AAA battery (rated for 175+ full charges), high-temp silicone probe rings, and a Quick Start guide. Note that the probe does nothing on its own. You need an RFX GATEWAY, either separately or as part of a starter kit.
Sale pricing changes often at ThermoWorks, so check the product page before buying.
Specifications
| Spec | RFX MEAT Mini | RFX MEAT (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4.0 in (102 mm) | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
| Diameter | 0.21 in (5.4 mm), tapering to 0.11 in (2.8 mm) | Same |
| Sensors | 4 independently calibrated thermistors | Same |
| Internal range | 0 to 212°F (-18 to 100°C) | Same |
| External range | 0 to 1,000°F (-18 to 538°C) | Same |
| Accuracy | ±0.9°F from 14 to 212°F (±0.5°C from -10 to 100°C) | Same |
| Battery life | Up to 48 hours | 65+ hours (full charge); up to 52 hours (quick charge) |
| Charging | 0–80% in 10 min; 0–100% in 20 min | Same |
| Wireless | 433 MHz sub-1 GHz RF, up to 1,500 ft line of sight to gateway | Same |
| Waterproofing | IP69K, fully submersible | Same |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (per ThermoWorks) | Yes |
| Gateway required | Yes (RFX GATEWAY, up to 50 probes) | Yes |
| Calibration | Digital certificate of calibration (NIST-traceable standards) | Same |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Approvals | US (FCC), Canada (IC), EU (CE), AU/NZ (RCM) | Same |
| List price | $99.00 | $99.00 |
The Bottom Line
The RFX MEAT Mini is not a new idea. It is the right idea in a more practical size. Same price on the list, same sensors, same rock-solid radio, just shorter and easier to place in the cuts most people actually cook on a weeknight. If you already have an RFX gateway, adding a Mini or two is the obvious move. If you are new to RFX, a gateway plus one of each covers everything from a 12-hour brisket to a quick pan-seared pork chop.
Your grill, dialed in.
