Thermopile Infrared Sensor Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Through Hole Type, SMD Type), By Application (Medical Devices, IoT Smart Home, Industrial Use, Consumer Electronics, Others), Regional Forecast From 2026 To 2035

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THERMOPILE INFRARED SENSOR MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Thermopile Infrared Sensor Market is value at USD 0.7 Billion in 2026 and eventually reaching USD 1.31 Billion by 2035 expanding at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2026 to 2035.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the Thermopile Infrared Sensor Market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

A thermopile infrared sensor, also known as a thermopile sensor, is a type of temperature sensor that detects infrared radiation to measure temperature. It operates based on the principle of the Seebeck effect, which states that when two dissimilar metals are connected at two junctions and there is a temperature difference between the junctions, an electric voltage is generated.

A thermopile infrared sensor consists of an array of thermocouples, which are made up of two different metal wires or semiconductors connected in series. These thermocouples are typically arranged in a grid pattern on a substrate. Each thermocouple generates a small voltage in response to the incident infrared radiation, and the voltages from all the thermocouples in the array are summed up to provide an output signal.

When infrared radiation from an object or a surface falls on the thermopile sensor, it absorbs the radiation and heats up. This temperature difference between the heated area and the reference area (ambient temperature) creates a voltage across the thermocouples, which is proportional to the temperature difference. By measuring this voltage, the sensor can determine the temperature of the object or surface being measured.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market to witness plunge in demand during pandemic

The pandemic resulted in economic uncertainty, reduced consumer spending, and a slowdown in industrial activities. This had a direct impact on the demand for thermopile infrared sensors in applications such as temperature measurement, gas detection, and motion sensing. Many businesses postponed or canceled their investments in new sensor installations, affecting the market growth.

LATEST TRENDS

Miniaturization and Integration to fuel market growth.

There is a growing demand for smaller and more compact thermopile infrared sensors. Manufacturers are focusing on miniaturizing the sensors to enable their integration into various devices and systems, such as smartphones, wearables, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Integration with other components, such as signal processing circuits, is also being emphasized to provide more integrated and efficient solutions.

• According to industry research, over 42 million SMD thermopile infrared sensors were sold globally in 2023, with these compact devices being widely integrated into smartphones, wearables, and space‑constrained consumer electronics owing to miniaturization and efficiency improvements.
• In 2023, thermopile sensors were deployed in more than 33 million smart home systems — including thermostats, motion detectors, and HVAC controllers — reflecting strong adoption driven by energy‑efficiency and automation trends.

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THERMOPILE INFRARED SENSOR MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

According to type, the market can be segmented into, through hole type, SMD type.

• Through-Hole Type: Through-hole components have leads that pass through PCB holes, providing strong mechanical bonds ideal for high-stress applications. They are preferred in prototyping and circuits that require durability and easy manual soldering.
• SMD Type: Surface-mount devices (SMD) sit directly on the PCB surface, enabling compact designs and automated assembly. They offer high-speed performance and are widely used in modern electronics for space efficiency and mass production.

By Application Analysis

Based on application, the market can be divided into, medical devices, lot smart home, industrial use, consumer electronics, others.

• Medical Devices: Medical devices are revolutionizing patient care by offering real-time monitoring and precise diagnostics. From wearable sensors to advanced imaging tools, they enhance accuracy and improve treatment outcomes.
• IoT Smart Home: IoT smart home devices seamlessly connect appliances, lighting, and security systems for smarter living. They optimize energy use, improve convenience, and adapt to individual habits for a personalized experience.
• Industrial Use: In industrial applications, technology boosts efficiency, safety, and predictive maintenance. Connected machinery and automation streamline operations while reducing downtime and operational costs.
• Consumer Electronics: Consumer electronics combine innovation and usability to enrich everyday life. From smartphones to smart wearables, they offer entertainment, connectivity, and convenience at your fingertips.
• Others: Emerging technologies beyond standard categories drive niche solutions and creativity. They span fields like agriculture, education, and logistics, opening new opportunities for innovation.

DRIVING FACTORS

Wireless and IoT Connectivity to stimulate market demand

With the increasing adoption of IoT and wireless connectivity, there is a growing demand for thermopile infrared sensors that can seamlessly integrate into connected systems. These sensors are being developed with wireless communication capabilities, enabling data transmission to other devices or cloud platforms for real-time monitoring, analysis, and control. Thermopile infrared sensors are being tailored to meet the specific requirements of different applications. For instance, in the automotive industry, sensors with optimized performance for occupant detection, climate control, and driver monitoring systems are gaining traction. Similarly, in the healthcare sector, sensors designed for contactless temperature measurement and fever screening applications are in high demand. These factors are driving the Thermopile Infrared Sensor market growth rapidly.

• Thermopile IR sensors were used in over 11 million handheld medical thermometers in 2023, particularly after global public health initiatives emphasized contactless health monitoring.
• More than 8 million thermopile infrared sensors were connected to cloud or edge analytics platforms for real‑time smart building and industrial automation applications in 2023.

Advanced Sensing Capabilities to propel market growth

Thermopile infrared sensors are evolving to offer enhanced sensing capabilities. This includes improvements in accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution. Higher accuracy is crucial for applications such as temperature measurement in medical devices and industrial processes. Additionally, advancements in signal processing algorithms are enabling more precise and reliable detection of infrared radiation.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

Price Competition and Cost Sensitivity to restrict the market growth

The market for thermopile infrared sensors is highly competitive, with many manufacturers offering similar products. This often leads to price competition, resulting in reduced profit margins for manufacturers. Additionally, end-users may be price-sensitive and opt for lower-cost alternatives, limiting the market potential for higher-priced thermopile infrared sensors.

• In 2023, over 1.4 million reported industrial cases noted suboptimal thermopile sensor readings during rapid temperature changes (e.g., welding processes), indicating limitations in dynamic thermal environments.
• Alternative temperature sensing technologies (e.g., thermistors, RTDs) were sold at 30–50% lower average prices in many basic temperature‑monitoring applications, reducing adoption in segments where non‑contact measurement is not essential.
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THERMOPILE INFRARED SENSOR MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Increasing demand in North America has boosted the Thermopile Infrared Sensor Market share

North America is expected to maintain a strong position in the thermopile infrared sensor market throughout 2026–2035, accounting for roughly 35 % of global revenue, supported by vigorous demand from healthcare, automotive, industrial automation, and smart home sectors.

North America has been a significant market for thermopile infrared sensors, driven by the presence of key industries such as healthcare, automotive, and industrial automation. The region has witnessed a strong demand for thermopile infrared sensors in applications like temperature measurement, gas detection, and motion sensing. The increasing adoption of smart home devices and IoT technologies further contributes to market growth. Additionally, the focus on energy efficiency and sustainability in North America has boosted the demand for thermopile infrared sensors in building automation and HVAC systems. These factors are increasing the Thermopile Infrared Sensor market share in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Adoption of Innovative Strategies by Key Players Influencing Market Development

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

• Excelitas Technologies: In 2024, Excelitas deployed an estimated over 9.2 million thermopile IR sensors worldwide, capturing a leading share in healthcare applications, especially in advanced MEMS‑based sensor arrays.
• Heimann Sensor GmbH: Heimann supplied about 8.6 million thermopile infrared sensors in 2023, prominently dominating smart home applications with over 18 new sensor configurations introduced that year.

List of Top Thermopile Infrared Sensor Companies

• Excelitas
• Heimann
• Sunshine Technologies
• Melexis
• Amphemol
• TE Connectivity
• Orisystech
• Semitec
• Hamamatsu Photonics
• Nicera
• KODENSHI
• Winson
• Senba Sensing Technology
• San-U

REPORT COVERAGE

This report examines an understanding of the Thermopile Infrared Sensor market’s size, share, growth rate, segmentation by type, application, key players, and previous and current market scenarios. The report also collects the market’s precise data and forecasts by market experts. Also, it describes the study of this industry’s financial performance, investments, growth, innovation marks, and new product launches by the top companies and offers deep insights into the current market structure, competitive analysis based on key players, key driving forces, and restraints that affect the demand for growth, opportunities, and risks.

Furthermore, the post-COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on international market restrictions and a deep understanding of how the industry will recover, and strategies are also stated in the report. The competitive landscape has also been examined in detail to provide clarification of the competitive landscape.

This report also discloses the research based on methodologies that define price trend analysis of target companies, collection of data, statistics, target competitors, import-export, information, and previous years’ records based on market sales. Moreover, all the significant factors which influence the market such as small or medium business industry, macro-economic indicators, value chain analysis, and demand-side dynamics, with all the major business players have been explained in detail. This analysis is subject to modification if the key players and feasible analysis of market dynamics change.