TOPDON TS001 Thermal Camera Android, 9mm Adjustable Lens, Observation Range 0.1 to 500M, 512x384 High Resolution, 25Hz, Manual Focusing for PCB boards, Pest lnspection, Outdoor, Not for IOS

I’ve owned and tested several thermal imaging devices, including handheld tools from FLIR and HIKMICRO, but none have impressed me like the TOPDON TS001 Thermal Camera for Android. I bought it initially to evaluate home insulation performance after our energy bills spiked—and I can confidently say this device has paid for itself within a few weeks.Let’s start with build quality and specs. The TS001 has a 512x384 high-resolution sensor, 9mm manual focusing lens, and a buttery-smooth 25Hz refresh rate, which isn’t just numbers—it’s something you truly feel when panning around walls, PCB boards, or even outdoor environments. Unlike entry-level models or those grainy handheld gadgets with lag and blur, this one delivers crisp, high-definition thermal views even when zooming into small resistors or checking for heat leakage around window seals. The manual focus also lets me fine-tune clarity at distances from 0.1m all the way to 500m—yes, half a kilometre!The adjustable lens is a standout. I’ve inspected blown fuses, overloaded sockets, a faulty PSU, and even a barely visible thermal bridge on the roof—all within seconds. It’s that precise. It also has auto-marked hot and cold sources, so the top three highest and lowest temperatures get tagged instantly, which helps when you're doing comparative diagnostics or scanning for animal life outdoors (spotted a fox the other night!).The app stability and updates are brilliant. You can hook this up to Android or PC (sorry, no iOS support), and the Topinfrared app lets you analyse thermal waveforms in real-time. The ability to export detailed thermal reports—ideal if you're working in trades, inspections, or even just documenting long-term home improvements—is incredibly powerful. And unlike other devices that drain batteries or require proprietary batteries, the TS001 is low-power at just 0.35W, meaning it runs cool and long on your phone.One of the first tasks I tackled was assessing our loft insulation, where the camera instantly revealed cold zones near the eaves that I’d never have spotted otherwise. Then came the underfloor heating check—a blocked loop stood out within minutes, allowing me to pinpoint the issue without tearing up flooring. We moved on to identifying draughts through window seals, and the camera clearly confirmed heat loss around our ageing uPVC frames.In the fuse box, the device detected two overheating MCBs, highlighting how easily it can prevent serious issues. When it came to heating, I used it to monitor radiator efficiency, and found two radiators that were only half-heating due to air locks. In the garage, I even tested it on my car and, to my surprise, it immediately revealed a misfiring coilpack through a subtle surface heat anomaly.The camera's role doesn’t stop with traditional household tasks. My wife and I now use it weekly to check heat distribution inside our sauna and even examine the steam room for thermal escape around the door seals. It’s equally valuable behind the scenes—we’ve used it to trace pipework in walls, avoiding costly errors during DIY projects, and to detect damp patches and cold bridges, which it does far more accurately than any standard moisture meter.I’ve used it to verify heated towel rail flow, confirming even heating patterns instantly, and also to check appliance efficiency—like discovering our fridge was leaking cold air due to a failing door seal. Beyond the home, I’ve taken it outdoors for wildlife observation, successfully spotting foxes and hedgehogs even at 100 metres distance at night.The tool also helped me track insulation performance in the garage, where recent upgrades paid off with visibly warmer internal surfaces. For solar, it was invaluable—I used it to evaluate panel efficiency, and found one cell string underperforming due to partial shading. I’ve even taken it to my desktop PC, where it gave me detailed insight into VRM and GPU hotspot temperatures during stress testing.Other uses include monitoring the boiler flue, ensuring temperatures stayed within safe parameters, and using it to balance sauna ventilation, verifying airflow and duct insulation effectiveness. One particularly clever trick? Tracing cold water pipes running through warm backgrounds—it’s precise enough to pick up the cooling line. And for late-night diagnostics, it’s flawless: night-time energy loss tests revealed window frame weaknesses I would never have seen in daylight.And perhaps my favourite feature: waveform graph analysis—when you're scanning over time or trying to detect heat build-up over a circuit, this is unbeatable. It gives a whole new dimension compared to just static snapshots.Compared to handheld FLIR One or even high-end Seek Compact Pro, this TS001 simply outperforms them all in raw clarity, control, and range. The price may seem mid-range, but in terms of output, it genuinely delivers professional-grade capability at consumer pricing. It comes with a robust EVA case, extension cable, phone holder and cleaning cloth—ready to use out of the box.One thing to note: it’s Android only, so Apple users are out of luck unless you get the TC002 version. Also, it’s built more for utility and reliability than sleek looks, which is perfect for me. I’d rather it be rugged and work flawlessly than look like a toy.As we rely entirely on electricity—powered by an air source heat pump (ASHP) and underfloor heating—there was zero room for waste. Every inefficiency, however small, directly translated into increased monthly bills, and so my aim was absolute clarity on where we were losing heat and how best to fix it. I started by scanning the entire property, inside and out, at dusk and again during colder mornings. The differences in surface temperature revealed by the thermal lens were nothing short of astonishing.One of the first and clearest findings was in our windows. Although our glazing was marketed as double-glazed and “energy-efficient”, the thermal camera painted a different picture. On the inside, I noticed stark cold streaks running vertically along the edges of the frames—particularly where the spacer bars were failing and insulation gas likely depleted. Externally, warm spots were visible where heat was bleeding out around the frame seals. I captured thermal images and shared them with a window specialist, who confirmed degraded gaskets and perished seals. We resealed some windows ourselves with appropriate silicone and draught-excluders, and replaced two key units altogether. The difference in retained warmth was immediately measurable on the TS001, and within a month, we saw a consistent drop in our evening ASHP energy draw.The walls came next. While the property is relatively modern, the thermal camera identified cold bridging along certain internal corners and ceiling junctions—areas where internal insulation was either interrupted or poorly applied. This was especially true near joist junctions in external wall cavities. The camera made it easy to highlight these issues when speaking with an insulation contractor, who later injected cavity foam in select areas and applied a foil-backed insulated plasterboard layer in our utility room. I tackled the simpler areas myself by fitting insulated switch and socket liners and applying thermal wallpaper in two north-facing rooms. Even those minor interventions registered a visible difference in the thermal profile of the room and subjectively reduced chill.Underfloor heating was another area where the TS001 earned its keep. It showed that the heating in the kitchen and hallway zones wasn’t circulating properly. One loop, in fact, was visibly colder than the others. This helped me guide a heating engineer straight to the problem: a partially closed manifold valve and trapped air. Once bled and rebalanced, the heating spread more evenly and the pump no longer had to work overtime, leading to an approximate 8–10% drop in daily electricity usage during peak heating hours.Using the camera externally also provided incredible value. The garage was supposed to be insulated, yet the thermal imaging revealed clearly warmer exterior wall panels at night, which meant internal heat was leaking. This led me to retrofit insulation boards on the internal walls and seal the roller door more effectively. In the same vein, I found that the rear wall of our ensuite bathroom, facing an exposed corner of the house, was losing significant heat. I later added a thin layer of multifoil insulation and a false stud wall, which reduced that wall’s thermal loss dramatically—confirmed through follow-up scans.All of these small, targeted interventions—led by evidence from the TS001 rather than guesswork—stacked up. Our electricity consumption from November to February dropped by roughly 22% year-on-year, despite colder weather. I was able to reduce our average daily kilowatt hour usage by optimising when and how the ASHP was triggered and ensuring each room retained heat more effectively. Importantly, I could show clear before-and-after data using the same camera, creating a visual timeline of the improvements made. It became a conversation tool with contractors and a feedback loop for my own DIY projects.If you’re an engineer, homeowner, technician, electrician, or just obsessed with smart diagnostics like me—get this. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

### Review of the TOPDON TS001 Thermal Imaging Camera#### Versatility and PerformanceThe TOPDON TS001 Thermal Imaging Camera is a versatile tool that excels in both professional and domestic settings. Its robust features and high-resolution imaging make it a valuable addition to any toolkit, whether you are a professional in the automotive industry or a homeowner looking to maintain and improve your property.Automotive ApplicationsIn an automotive workplace, the TOPDON TS001 proves invaluable. Its thermal imaging capabilities allow for quick and accurate diagnostics of a variety of issues:- **Engine Diagnostics**: Easily identify overheating components, ensuring timely repairs and preventing potential damage.- **Electrical Systems**: Detect overheating wires and circuits, helping to pinpoint electrical faults that could lead to bigger issues.- **HVAC Systems**: Diagnose problems in heating and cooling systems by identifying irregular temperature distributions.- **Brake Systems**: Monitor the temperature of brake components to ensure they are functioning within safe limits.By using the TS001, mechanics can save time on diagnostics, improve accuracy, and enhance the overall quality of service provided to customers.Home UseThe TOPDON TS001 is not just for professionals; it also shines in a home setting. Its ability to detect heat variations makes it ideal for various household applications:- **Heat Loss Detection**: Identify areas where heat is escaping from your home, such as poorly insulated walls, windows, and doors, allowing for targeted improvements that can reduce energy bills.- **Water Leaks**: Locate hidden water leaks in walls, floors, and ceilings by detecting temperature anomalies, preventing costly water damage and mold growth.- **Electrical Inspections**: Check for overheating electrical components and overloaded circuits, enhancing home safety.- **Plumbing**: Find blockages and inefficiencies in pipes by observing temperature differences.- **Appliance Maintenance**: Monitor the performance of household appliances, ensuring they are operating efficiently and spotting potential issues before they escalate.User-Friendly FeaturesThe TOPDON TS001 is designed with the user in mind. It offers a clear and intuitive interface, making it accessible even for those new to thermal imaging. The device’s high-resolution screen and wide temperature range provide detailed and accurate images, essential for thorough inspections. Additionally, the lightweight and ergonomic design ensures comfortable use over extended periods.ConclusionIn conclusion, the TOPDON TS001 Thermal Imaging Camera is a powerful and versatile tool that bridges the gap between professional and home use. Its ability to detect and visualize temperature variations makes it an essential device for diagnosing and solving a wide range of issues in both settings. Whether you are a mechanic looking to improve your diagnostic capabilities or a homeowner aiming to maintain your property efficiently, the TS001 is a reliable and effective choice.

Reviewing the TC001 (Not the plus)Easy to use. Install the App and away you go.Pictures are clear and temperature appears to be accurate when tested against a temperature probe.Makes tracking down heat loss in areas a breeze! Also great for testing heating systems efficiency etc.My only criticism is that the USB-C connector could have been a tiny bit longer to allow you to use it in conjunction with a case.