The Best Reptile Thermostats
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Your pet reptile will constantly need a few things from you to be happy and stay healthy, and that is why there are a lot of stuff you should have in mind when bringing home your snakes, turtles, tortoises, lizards and the rest.
Generally, reptiles are great to have at home as pets without stressing you so much, but as they cannot do some things for themselves naturally that duty falls down to you.
Providing the right shelter and environment for them is very important for their wellbeing and one way to do that is by the use of the best reptile thermostat available in the market.
If reptiles get too cold, they stop being very active and may even stop eating, and if they get too warm, well that is self-explanatory.
It is, in fact, possible that they have a temperature that is not ideal for them because unlike humans and other warmbloods, reptiles cannot regulate their own temperature and depend on the environment.
This means you will have to install a source of heat in their habitat but will you have the time to always monitor the temperature to ensure it doesn’t get too hot or too cold?
Of course not, no one has that time even if they wish to.
With the use of a thermostat, you can more easily provide for your pet’s temperature needs without stress on yourself.
The thermostat will turn off the heating when the pre-set temperature is attained and put it back on when the temperature is dropping.
As amazing as this sounds, it is not easy to get the right thermostat for you and that is why we have this article to guide you on the criteria for selecting the best reptile thermostats and also provide you with the top choices available.
We Recommend
After reviewing numerous reptile thermostats, we have a pretty good idea of what characteristics make the best reptile thermostat, and the BN-LINK Digital Heat Mat Thermostat it’s our top choice.
- Easy to use
- Versatile and can be used for other purposes as well
- Extra-long cords
Guide For The Best Reptile Thermostat
A reptile thermostat allows you to keep the temperature of your pet’s enclosure under control.
Since reptiles are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their own temperature, you would have installed a source of heat to provide them with warmth and help them stay active.
If left unchecked, the source of heat would get too hot and become a disaster for your pets. Also, abrupt changes in temperature need to be compensated for by altering the temperature settings of your heating equipment.
All of these are pretty exhausting for you to take care of manually and that is why you need a thermostat.
Thermostats take this burden off your hands and ensure that the enclosure remains at the temperature you have set.
If the temperature rises above this, it shuts the heating equipment down and puts it on when the temperature drops.
So with this, you have less to worry about as your pet enjoys the best temperature for it.
Types of Thermostats for Reptiles
On/off thermostats
These are the cheapest types of thermostats available and can be used to control heat mats, heat cables, and other sources of heat for your pet’s enclosure.
They work by constantly checking the temperature at the probe and turning the heating devices on and off at frequent intervals.
A downside to this type of thermostat is that it cannot be used to control light bulbs because of the risk of blowing it up.
Pulse Thermostats
Just like with the on and off thermostats, these types are not used to control light-emitting sources because they cause flashing of light and stress the animal, but can be used to control ceramic heat emitters.
They constantly monitor the temperature at the probe and change the frequency of electrical impulses sent to the heat source.
Dimming Thermostats
These are the more expensive types of thermostats and can also control light-emitting sources.
They are accurate at maintaining temperatures and are compatible with almost every type of heat source.
Dimming thermostats work by providing a sliding amount of power to the heat source, causing the light-emitting source to dim up and down and maintain the right temperature.
The 5 Top-Rate Best Reptile Thermostats Review / Rating (Recommendations)
|
Editor’s Picks |
Brand |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Top Pick | 4.3 | |
|
Runner Up | 4.4 | |
|
Best Budget Buy | 4.3 | |
|
Best Reptile Dimming Thermostat | 5.0 | |
|
Best Vivarium Thermostat | 5.0 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Reptile Thermostat
1. BN-LINK Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
First on my list of best reptile thermostats is the BN-LINK Digital Heat Mat Thermostat.
This product makes it very easy to control the temperature of your pet’s enclosure just by setting the temperature probe, plug in the controller, and use the three-button interphase to set the desired temperature.
It has a digital display that makes settings adjustment easy and it supports units in both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales.
The power indicator allows you to monitor the device even in the dark so you always stay in charge.
Its display is easy to read and it also has a hanging tab placed inside a tough plastic housing.
The temperature probe cord and the grounded 3-prong plug measures up to 6 feet and this is to accommodate any application you have in mind like heating, brewing, fermentation, rooting and germination.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Bright and easy to read display
- Durable housing
- Extra-long cords
- Versatile and can be used for other purposes as well
Cons
- Not suitable for use in water
2. Bayite Temperature Controller
The Bayite Temperature Controller makes use of independent heating and cooling to ensure that your pet’s enclosure stays within the right temperature.
Its sensor is waterproof, making it ideal for use both in water and for terrestrial reptiles.
To notify you of temperature changes there is an inbuilt low or high-temperature alarm.
If you need a device that controls the temperature accurately, this is a great choice.
Apart from being the perfect choice for reptiles, it is also perfect for use for incubation, pet breeding, or to heat up the aquarium.
The automatic power-on delay helps protect the compressor so you can have a more durable device. You do not have to spend so much on electricity bills and that is one of the most endearing features of this thermostat.
The exhaust fans do most of the work and start at about one every two minutes.
Pros
- Saves cost on electric bills
- Can be used both as a heater and cooler
- It is waterproof, making it great for use for both aquatic and terrestrial reptiles
- Has a temperature alarm
- Has an automatic power on display
Cons
- It lacks a timer
3. Ipower Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
Ipower Digital Heat Mat Thermostat is the best option for those who are on a tight budget.
It is cheap and very simple to use, giving you great value nonetheless.
It is a very simple mat in the sense that all you need to do is turn it on and off as it is necessary to maintain the right temperature for your pet reptile.
When using this thermostat, bear in mind that it doesn’t work with heat bulbs and ceramic heaters, just low powered heat mats.
Just like the design of heat mats, this device has no whistles or bells as temperature alarms.
Once plugged into your heat mat and temperature is selected, you are all set.
No day or night variance, or automatic cut off. Its temperature display is in Fahrenheit or Celsius and has a range of 400F – 1080F, and 50C – 420C. The temperature, however, depends on the power of the heat mat itself.
Pros
- Has temperature control in both cold and warm environments
- Easy to use
- Very versatile
- Makes use of LED indicator lights
- Very cheap
Cons
- Not powerful enough to create extra warm hotspots
4. Herpstat Reptile Thermostat
Next on our list of the best reptile thermostats is the Herpstat thermostat. It is a digital proportional thermostat that can be used for proportional heating.
With this device, the temperature of your pet’s enclosure will stay constant at the target as it constantly monitors and adjusts the amount of heat it gives off.
Apart from being used as to control temperature, it can also be used to manage the humidity, lighting and cooling if a vivarium.
The selectable temperatures allow you to simulate moonlight, sunrise and sunset at will.
Day and night schedules can be set individually and the temperatures for each can also be set independent of the other.
In order to ensure it works efficiently and give you exactly what you are looking for, it has a high or low-temperature tracking that monitors the heating system.
Pros
- Efficient temperature tracking to monitor the heating system
- Day and night schedules can be set
- It is programmable to be at different temperatures at each daylight setting
- Soft start-up to avoid damage by overpowering
- Temperature sensors to ensure precision
Cons
- It is not the best option for you if you need a temperature that doesn’t vary at any time during the day
5. Vivarium Electronics VE-300 Thermostat
We will wrap it up with the Vivarium Electronics VE-300 Thermostat.
It is an upgrade of the previous version from Vivarium Electronics and is made to be a tabletop device so you can place it at the top of your pet’s enclosure and not worry about dealing with mounting it on stands.
As a pulse thermostat, it is ideal for use with ceramic heater and has a temperature control range of 250F – 1400F.
With an auto shut off feature, it prevents overheating and possible burns or fire accidents so you and your pet are safe.
If you are the type of person that loves to be alerted of a drop or rise in your vivarium’s temperature, then this device will work well for you as it has inbuilt temperature alarms.
The automatic temperature regulation is an endearing feature that takes the stress off of you.
It lowers the temperature at night and allows a natural cycle of temperature during the day.
If you have more than one heater, the expandable single outlet will allow it to control more than one heater at once, saving you the cost of buying a separate thermostat for each heater.
The display shows the time of the day, current setpoint value, and current probe temperature settings. The 3 button keyboard makes it very easy to operate.
Pros
- It is stackable
- Gas a large backlit display
- The single outlet is expandable and can control more than one heater
- Automatically drops temperature at night
- Temperature alarms
- Ideal for use with ceramic heaters
- Tabletop model
- Auto shut off feature
Cons
- Not for use with an incandescent bulb
When making a choice of a reptile thermostat, there are some considerations to be made to guide your choice. This is to ensure that what you choose will serve its function properly and give you what you need.
- Digital Thermostats: digital thermostats are more accurate at regulating the temperature of your pet’s enclosure than the analog types. They still do need to be calibrated before use so check your readings and test the accuracy of the set unit of temperature when using for the first time.
- Ease of Operation: there are some advanced units of thermostats that are not that easy to operate and require some time to get used to. The simplest types are the 3 button types and you should look out for these when making a purchase. Ease of operation is essential as it will allow you to get what you want effortlessly.
- Temperature Control Range: to have more control over the temperature of the enclosure, you need to choose a unit that allows you to choose over a wide range of temperatures.
- Programming: look for a device that is programmable to go on and off at different temperatures and time intervals. This will take away the stress and burden from you.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a Reptile Rheostat
Rheostats can also be used to control the temperature of a room but are not as efficient as a thermostat.
Rheostats do not have a probe to attach to the source of heat, and so they regulate the heat according to the room temperature.
At night the room temperature drops, and the rheostat will heat up your pet’s enclosure to compensate for this heat drop causing the enclosure to overheat. For this reason, it is safer and more advisable to use thermostats.
Commonly Asked Question About Reptile Thermostats
Q: What Do Reptile Thermostats Do?
Reptile thermostats are used to monitor and regulate the temperature of the enclosure thereby preventing overheating.
Q: What Is A Dimming Thermostat?
Dimming thermostats are similar to pulse thermostats but the difference is that the dimming type reduces the amount of energy it sends instead of sending it in pulses as in the pulse type.
Q: What Is A Proportional Thermostat?
A proportional thermostat is one that adjusts the power output (up and down) so as to maintain the set temperature.
Q: What Is A Pulse Proportional Thermostat?
The pulse proportional thermostat is more sophisticated and used for controlling high power ceramic heaters and mats where constant warmth and is required instead of an on and off cycle.
Conclusion
Now you can make a good choice of a reptile thermostat without fear as you have been exposed to the basic necessities of a good thermostat.
The number of temperature-regulating devices in the market in high but with this review and buying guide, we have helped you narrow down your choice to these top 5 that are sure to perform well.
If you are still in need of pointers, may we recommend the BN-LINK Digital Heat Mat Thermostat.
It is easy to use, durable, has extra-long cords and comes with an easy to read display.
May we also recommend the Bayite Temperature Controller.
It is waterproof, has a temperature alarm, and has an automatic power on display.
There are products for those on a budget and for those who want to go all out but in all, whatever you choose will give you satisfactory results.
Last updated on February 26th, 2022.
