When you're child is too old for rectal and not old enough for under-the-tongue, you get this one.
I first bought a Braun ear thermometer that turned out accurate only a small percentage of the time when I got the angle into the ear correct.
I have since bought this underarm thermometer and it is easier to use and therefore gets a more consistent temperature. My 19 month old allows me to hold it under her arm and it only takes 8 seconds, then beeps to tell you it's ready. Very easy to use. You do have to remember to add 1 degree onto whatever reading you get to get the accurate temp.
When my child had a 102F fever last week, I used this thermometer AND the Braun ear one to double check and was able to match up the readings easily.
Only under-the-tongue or rectal thermometers are the most accurate. Perhaps the temporal one as well, but I am not familiar with that one.
Otherwise, I feel using this thermometer and double checking with an ear one is your next best bet.
Get more detail about The First Years American Red Cross Underarm Thermometer.
