MADISON, Wis. -- With the cold and flu season here, it's good to have an accurate thermometer on hand.

Testers at Consumer Reports checked thermometers by actually using them on dozens of people.

Testers evaluated eight oral, ear and forehead thermometers ranging in price from 50 cents to $50.

"We verified the accuracy of a glass oral thermometer and used it to compare against the ones we tested," said Consumer Reports Kim Kleman.

Ear Thermometers

The more expensive ear thermometers take a reading in just one second, but Consumer Reports found the readings might not be reliable.

"An ear thermometer has to be inserted at just the right angle to get an accurate reading," said Kleman. "There is no way of knowing that you've got it right. So, it's very easy to get an incorrect temperature."

Forehead Thermometers

The forehead thermometer from Exergen slides across the forehead to record the temperature, but at $50 it's also pricey and wasn't especially precise.

Oral Thermometers

The $10 Accu-Beep Digital thermometer from BD did the best job. It beeps when properly placed under the tongue. It gives an accurate reading in 60 seconds.

Consumer Reports also recommends the Vick's Comfort-Flex and Omron 20 Seconds Digital. Both give readings in 30 seconds or less and cost around $13.