REVIEW – I’ve been wanting a thermal imaging camera for quite some time. The TOPDON TC004 Mini Handheld Thermal Imaging Camera review offer came along, and I jumped at the chance to check out what it could do.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $199.00
Where to buy: Amazon
What is it?
The TOPDON TC004 Mini is a handheld thermal imaging camera that can capture photos and has a temperature range of -4°F to 842°F (-20°C to 450°C).
What’s included?
- TC004 Mini Thermal Camera
- Hanging strap
- USB-A to USB-C Cable
- Quick User Guide
Tech specs
128×128 thermal imaging and enhance to 240×240 resolution with TISR technology
2.4″ Screen, 25Hz refresh rate
wide 40°x 30° field of view
captures photos
optional warning levels
512MB eMMC storage
5 different color palettes
Up to 15 hours of battery life
IP54 waterproof rating
Design and features
The TOPDON TC004 Mini is a versatile handheld thermal imaging camera that features 128×128 thermal imaging and the capability to enhance to 240×240 resolution with TISR technology for greater details. The camera has a wide 40°x 30° field of view and features a 2.4″ color screen with a 25Hz refresh rate.
When I first unboxed the TC004 Mini, I was hesitant, as it was packaged in a simple plastic packaging. However, that quickly changed when I opened it and handled it. It felt hefty and much more sturdy than I anticipated; it felt very high quality.
I noticed that there was a 1/4-20 threaded mount on the bottom for attaching it to a tripod. That was a feature that I wasn’t anticipating, but it makes total sense. The more I thought about it, the more I liked it, as this would make for hands-free operation.
The overall design is sleek and compact. The rounded corners provide for a pocket-friendly design. I appreciate that the display is inset about 1/4″, which will help protect the screen. The TC004 Mini is also rated to withstand drops up to 2 meters. The IP54 waterproof rating is great, especially if you’re working outside.
The ergonomic design is perfect. When holding the TC004 Mini, your thumb is in the perfect spot for the menu buttons, and your index finger is right on the camera button. It sounds simple, but I’ve often found some devices just don’t get this right.
The TC004 Mini features built-in 512MB eMMC storage. 512MB might not sound like much, but the photos are only 240×240 in resolution, and the TC004 Mini can store about 8,000 of them. Images can be transferred to your computer via the included USB cable.
There are quite a few options and settings, including five display color palettes – White Hot, Black Hot, Iron, Rainbow, and Red Hot. These can be useful for different tasks, whether you are looking for cold or hot areas.
The settings also include warning level presets, which, when activated, will automatically display an on-screen warning and capture a photo. Temperature readings can be changed between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin.
With a temperature range between -4°F to 842°F (-20°C to 450°C), the TC004 Mini can easily handle any task, such as HVAC troubleshooting, home inspection, water leak inspection, electrical inspection, vehicle maintenance, industrial inspection, and general curiosity. I was truly impressed with the sensitivity. I placed my hand on a wall for 2 seconds, and the TC004 Mini showed the heat from my hand for over a minute.
I discovered the handprint when I was measuring a light switch. The TC004 Mini is sensitive enough to detect which of the two light switches was on. This was not something I was expecting!
The display can be configured to show various temperatures, such as lowest, highest, and center temperatures. The scale on the side of the screen also indicated the various temperature colors.
The battery life of the TC004 Mini is excellent as well. The 2,900mAh battery can power the unit for 15 hours and features automatic shut-off options at 5, 10, and 20-minute intervals to extend battery life.
This is how one of my 3D printers looks with the TC004 Mini. The heated bed surface is clearly visible.
I also found that I could tell which circuits were the warmest in my breaker box:
Final thoughts
Overall, I found the TOPDON TC004 Mini to be a very functional tool that provides very precise thermal images. I’ve been finding more and more uses for it. I especially like the ability to see which electronic and electrical items are generating heat (using power). The sensitivity is excellent, detecting trace amounts of heat signatures.
What I like about the TOPON TC004 Mini thermal camera
- Very sensitive imaging sensor
- Standalone device, does not require a smartphone
What needs to be improved?
- The USB-C port flap is hard to open without a tool
Price: $199.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Topdon. Topdon did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
Check out these other thermal camera reviews!
- TOPDON TC002C Duo thermal camera review – Turn your smartphone into a thermal camera
- Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera review – see like an enhanced ninja!
Now retrieving an image set.
FitSand Hard Case Compatible for TOPDON TC004 Mini Handheld Thermal Imaging Camera
$0.99 (as of July 17, 2025 20:11 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
