Best thermostat for reptiles in 2022
Reptiles’ owners will know how difficult it is to find the perfect thermostat for your needs. The offer on the market is extremely wide and it’s good to do some research beforehand to know what’s best for your reptile.
To help you in your search, we have put together a list of things to keep into consideration when looking for the best reptile thermostat for you.
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick list of the top thermostats for reptiles:
| Product | Best Pro | Worst Con | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vivarium Electronics VE | Reliable alarm functions | Professional help to fix failures | |
| Herpstat 2 | Precise temp sensors | No static temperature snapshots | |
| Habistat Dimming Thermostat | Seamlessly works with light bulbs | Doesn't work with non-light heat emi | |
| Willhi Temp. thermostat | It's versatile | Doesn't come with batteries | |
| Bayite BTC201 | It's waterproof | No option to set a timer | |
| iPower Thermostat Controller | Easy plug-in operation | Not fully made for reptiles | |
| Inkbird Pre-Wired Temp. Controller | Dual display | Not suitable for water tank | |
| Leviton TBL03-10E | 5-year warranty | Not designed for tanks |
Why use a thermostat for reptiles?
A reptile thermostat allows you to keep under control reptiles heating equipment, such as heat mats and ceramic heaters. The majority of the thermostats available on the market are programmable and can be shut off when a certain temperature is reached.
They are the perfect choice for people who are looking to keep under control tank temperatures without putting too much effort into it. These are in fact easily programmable and can be used by everyone without difficulties.
There are many types of thermostats, from the On/Off Thermostats to the Dimming Thermostats. They each have different features, which we will explore below to give you some tips to find the best reptile thermostat for controlling heat.
Best thermostats for reptiles
Here are the eight picks.
Vivarium Electronics VE-300X2 – Best Overall
This Vivarium Electronics VE temperature controller is the best thermostat for reptiles if you’re looking for a product that allows you to keep an exact temperature by using an infrared thermometer and or a probe.
Another extremely useful feature this thermostat has is the alarms function.
Every issue is in fact notified via an alarm, allowing you to be aware of the problem as soon as it arises.
The only alarm that can’t be disabled by the user is the “sensor failure”, an alarm that constantly monitors the probe’s output to ensure that the signal received is not corrupted.
In the case of a damaged probe, the vivarium will immediately turn off the heater output, flashing an error message.
Pros:
- The manufacturer offers great customer service
- Alarm functions
- Battery backup feature
Cons:
- Sensor failure can’t be fixed without professional help
Herpstat 2 – Runner’s Up
The Herpstat 2 digital proportional thermostat is the right product for you if you’re looking for proportional heating, a system constantly monitoring and adjusting the amount of heat in order to maintain the target temperature.
Ideal during initial warm-ups, the soft start-up slowly applies power, avoiding any damage caused by overpowering.
The Herpstat is ideal for heating as well as cooling, lighting and managing humidity and, thanks to the selectable temperatures, it can simulate sunrise, sunset, and moonlight.
Individual day/night schedules can, in fact, be set to different temperatures for each output. To ensure efficiency, the high/low-temperature tracking helps monitoring the heating system.
Pros:
- Day/night schedules can be set
- Precision temperature sensors
- Temperature tracking to monitor the heating system
Cons:
- Not good if you’re looking for a static temperature that doesn’t vary throughout the day.
Habistat Dimming Thermostat
The Habistat dimming thermostat is designed for controlling light bulbs, providing one of the most accurate methods of temperature control.
This dimmer comes with two plug sockets, a male and a female, making their use very easy.
Connect the male to your mains supply and the basking lamp plug into the dimmer’s female socket and place the probe inside your tank, setting the required temperature.
The Habistat Dimming thermostat is very accurate and, if you set it on the dial as soon as it reached its temperature, it will shut the bulbs down slowly. Once you set it up, it runs in the background, providing a stable environment for your reptiles.
Pros:
- Temperature can be set beforehand
- Doesn’t damage light-emitting sources (i.e. light bulbs)
- Plug sockets provided by the manufacturer
Cons:
- Not designed for non-light emitting heat sources.
Willhi Temperature Controller Thermostat
This Willhi controller thermostat can be used to turn on and off electric appliances at the desired temperature. It comes with high and low-temperature alarms, a useful function to notify you when the temperature reaches or overshoots your desired temperature. The built-in auto shut-off timer makes it the perfect thermostat controller if you’re looking for something automatic, rather than manual.
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To help you keep the temperature within the desired range, the Willhi thermostat turns off or on your device at a set degree, switching easily from heating to refrigeration mode.
This reptile thermostat controller is perfect for home brewing, aquariums, accelerating germination and electric radiators.
Pros:
- Versatile for various uses
- Can switch from heater to refrigerator
- Auto shut-off timer
Cons:
- Does not come with battery included
Bayite Temperature Controller BTC201
The Bayite temperature controller uses independent cooling and heating to keep your tank in the right temperature range.
Thanks to the waterproof sensor, this controller controls the temperature accurately and comes with a high/low temperature alarm.
It is the perfect reptile thermostat to keep your tank at the right temperature and can be used for pet breeding, incubation and as an aquarium heater.
With this thermostat, your exhaust fan will do most of the work, starting about once every two minutes. The Bayite temperature controller is the perfect product if you’re looking to save money on electricity.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Can be used as heater and cooler
- Helps save money on electricity
Cons:
- Doesn’t let you set a timer
iPower Thermostat Controller
This reptile thermostat controller comes with a set of LED lights to indicate all the different settings on the accessory.
iPower thermostat controllers and heats mats are great as germination helpers, increasing the success of seed starting by warming the roots. The versatility of this thermostat controller, however, makes it perfect to be used as a terrarium warmer. These heat mats can be controlled to provide an accurate temperature for reptiles in small pet enclosures.
Among its best features, we find the temperature control in colder or warmer environments, the digital temperature control and the constant optimum temperature for specific reptiles.
Pros:
- Easy plug-in operation with LED indicators and lights
- Versatile to be used for different pets and reptiles
- Temperature control in cold and warm environments
Cons:
- Not specific for reptiles (it can be used as germination helper or for DIY brewing)
Inkbird Pre-Wired Digital Dual Stage Temperature Controller
The Inkbird temperature controller outlet is easy to setup, perfect if you’re not an expert at handling reptile thermostats. In case of damage, the sensor can be easily replaced and, when an over-temperature and sensor error occurs, the alarm goes off, allowing you to identify the problem promptly.
Thanks to the dual display window, you can check measured and set the temperature at the same time and, using the built-in “dual relay output”, you will be able to connect it to refrigeration and heating equipment at the same time. The Inkbird temperature controller outlet also supports reding Centigrade and Fahrenheit units, making this product extremely versatile.
Pros:
- High/low-temperature alarms available
- Sensor fault and over-temperature alarm
- Temperature calibration
Cons:
- Not suitable for water tanks (i.e. aquariums)
Leviton TBL03-10E Tabletop Slide Control Lamp Dimmer
Leviton is specialized in producing dimmers and lighting controls that can bring ESL (Energy Smart Living) to your home.
These devices can not only be used for your reptile tanks, but also around the house, replacing the standard wall switches and providing immediate savings on your electricity bills.
The Leviton TBL03-10E tabletop slide control dimmer is perfect if you want to adjust the light in your tank depending on the hour of the day, allowing you to simulate sunrise/sunset and night time with no problem at all. A full range of products is offered to guarantee you the best light dimmer for your needs.
Pros:
- 5-year warranty
- Operating Temperature: 32 to 130 Degrees F
- Versatile use
Cons:
- Not specifically designed for tanks, however, can be easily adapted.
How to Install a Reptile Thermostat
A good thing to know is how to establish what the room temperature is. This is particularly easy as any point between the basking bulb and the opposite side is considered “ambient temperature”. For this reason, it is essential that you find the right temperature for your basking bulb in order to keep under control the ambient temperature as well.
When it comes to changes in the ambient temperature outside your tank, it is important that you take notice of these changes and change the temperature in your tank as well. This is mainly a trick to remind yourself of always checking the tank temperature to establish if it needs heating according to the ambient temperature inside and outside it.
Types of Thermostats for Reptiles
The three types of thermostats for reptiles are:
On/Off Thermostats
These are the cheapest type of thermostat, perfect for controlling heat mats, heat cables and other similar heat sources you may use in your tank.
On/Off thermostats work by constantly checking the temperature at the probe and turning the device on and off at frequent intervals.
On/Off is a cheap thermostat for reptiles, not suitable for controlling so-called “light emitting sources” (i.e. light bulbs) nor for controlling ceramic heaters, as they are at risk of blowing the bulb frequently.
Pulse Thermostats
These are great for controlling non-light emitting sources, however, they work very well for ceramic heat emitters. They work by constantly monitoring the temperature at the thermostat probe and changing the frequency of electrical pulses sent to the heat source accordingly.
These thermostats are not suitable for controlling light-emitting sources as they cause flashing of the light (which could distress the animal).
Dimming Thermostats
A more expensive solution to control light-emitting sources, such as light bulbs.
These can be used to control almost every source of heat and are among the most accurate to maintain precise temperatures.
They provide a “sliding” amount of electricity to the heat source, causing the light-emitting source to dim up and down to maintain the right temperature.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Reptile Thermostat
Every thermostat comes with a different maximum wattage of power and, if your heat source is not compatible, this could compromise the use of your reptile thermostat. You can regulate the frequency and type of heat generated by the heater, which can also be automatically switched off when it reaches the set temperature.
On/off or mat thermostats are perfect to be used with heat mats and reptile pads and pulse thermostats are perfect for heat cables and ceramic heat emitters. On the other hand, dimming thermostats are great for light-emitting heaters.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a Reptile Rheostat
The main problem with rheostats is the room temperature; since these don’t have a probe, rheostats dim according to the temperature in the room rather than in the cage. If the room temperature drops overnight, like it almost always does, then the rheostat will increase the temperature in the tank, risking causing overheating of the tank and, subsequently, the reptile.
Because of this main issue, it is advisable to purchase a reptile thermostat rather than a rheostat, allowing you to control the temperature in the tank directly.
Other Accessories to Consider When Purchasing a Reptile Thermostat
When purchasing a reptile thermostat, it’s also good to think about all the other accessories you can buy with it. If you need tips, here are a few accessories and their characteristics and functions.
Zoo Med Repti Therm Under Tank Heater: These low wattage heaters are an inexpensive solution to providing a secondary heat source. They are the ideal 24-hour heat source for temperature or tropical reptiles, permanently adhering to your terrarium.
Zacro Reptile Heat Lamp One Digital Thermometer: These heaters are non-light emitting, making them the perfect accessory for a 24-hour heat source for all types of reptiles, birds, and hamsters. They provide 99% high thermal efficiency, and, thanks to the non-light lamp, they won’t disturb animals’ sleep patterns.
Zilla Premium Reflector Domes: This accessory is a reflector suitable for a variety of incandescent, fluorescent and ceramic heating bulbs, making it the perfect product if you’re looking for something versatile.
If you were unsure what product will best suit your needs, hopefully after reading this guide you should have a clearer idea on what’s the best reptile thermostat for your animal. Thanks to the detailed insights you will be able to find the right reptile thermostat for controlling the heat in no time!