I use it mostly for my 5 years old kid, who is very difficult to take temperature with a regular thermometer because she is very resistant to have anything to touch her forehead or anything put into her ears. With this thermometer, I don't need to touch her, I just put it half to one inch away from her forhead and push the button, the reading is instant. I compared the reading with the regular thermometer, they were the same, so I'd say it's accurate too.