Top 10 Best Reptile Thermostat Reviews 2022

Choosing the right thermostat for your vivarium is important if you want your lizard, snake or other exotic reptile pet to remain healthy and fit.

However, with the market offering so many different options, it might be quite difficult for you to decide which one fits your reptile needs. So, if you are currently scratching your head in trying to decide which one to choose, then I’ll gladly lend you a helping hand.

Here, I have compiled only the best reptile thermostats and made it easy for you to decide.

1. iPower Digital Heat Mat Thermostat

The iPower Digital Thermostat is Amazon’s Choice for “reptile thermostat” and is arguably the simplest and cheapest of all. This one is a simple mat, meaning that you only need to turn it on and off as necessary in order to maintain a good vivarium temperature.

This thermostat is not suitable for heat bulbs or ceramic heater and only works with low-powered heat mats. And just like heat mats, thermostat comes with a very simple design that lacks bells and whistles. Simplicity and reliability, this mat only needs to be plugged into your heat mat. No day or night variance, automatic cut off, just set the temperature and you’re good to go.

The mat displays temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius and can be set from 40°F – 108°F or 5°C – 42°C. Keep in mind, however, that temperatures are dependent on the power of the heat mat itself.

Pros:

• Temperature control in cold or warm environments
• Highly versatile
• Easy plug-in operation
• Features LED indicator lights
• Cheap

Cons:

• Not enough to create extra warm hotspots

2. Habistat Dimming Thermostat

This thermostat from Habistat is designed to control light bulbs and provides one of the most accurate methods of temperature control. This dimming thermostat comes with 2 plug sockets which make it very easy to use.

It is very accurate and comes with handy features that once you set it on the dial as soon as it reached the desired temperatures, it will automatically shut the bulbs down. The thermostat can be also used on almost any heaters and once you set it up, it will run in the background, offering a stable environment for your reptiles.

Pros:

• Plug sockets are provided by the manufacturer
• Does not damage light-emitting sources
• Temperatures can be set beforehand
• Highly accurate
• Auto shut off
• 2 plug sockets

Cons:

• Not designed for non-light emitting heat sources

3. Herpstat 2

The Herpstat 2 is a digital proportional thermostat that is suitable for proportional heating. It is a system which constantly monitors and adjusts the amount of heat that it produces in order to maintain the target temperature.

This thermostat is suitable for initial warm-ups where soft start-up slowly applies power in order to avoid any damage that is caused by overpowering. It is ideal for heating a vivarium as well as managing humidity, lighting and cooling. Thanks to its selectable temperatures, this thermostat can simulate moonlight, sunset, and sunrise.

Individual night or day schedules can also be set as well as setting different temperatures for each output. In order to ensure its efficiency, it features a high or low-temperature tracking which monitors the heating system.

Pros:

• Temperature tracking to monitor heating system
• Precision temperature sensors
• Day or night schedules can be set
• Programmable
• Soft start-up to avoid damages caused by overpower

Cons:

• Not great if you are looking for a static temperature which does not vary throughout the day

4. Century Digital Mat Thermostat

Amazon Bestseller for Terrarium Heat Mats, the Century Digital Mat Thermostat offers an effortless heating setup by simply setting the temperature probe, plug the controller and use its 3 large button interface to choose your desired temperature setting.

Its digital display support units in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. The thermostat is handy with LED heating and its power indicator lights allow you to know the controller’s status even during the night or in total darkness. The controller features an easy to read display and a hanging tab inside a tough plastic housing.

Its cord for the temperature probe as well as the grounded 3-prong plug measures an extra 6 feet in length and is designed to suit almost any application you can imagine— heating, fermentation, brewing, rooting and germination.

Pros:

• ETL listed
• Extra-long cords
• Highly versatile
• Easy and effortless heating setup
• Bright, easy to read display
• Strong and sturdy housing

Cons:

• Not suitable in water

5. Vivarium Electronics VE-300 Thermostat

The VE-300 Thermostat is an upgrade of the previous thermostats from Vivarium Electronics. This proportional thermostat s a tabletop model that is designed to sit nicely on top of your cages or racks, so you do not have to worry about mounting it or dealing with stands.

Being a pulse thermostat, the VE-300 is ideal for ceramic heaters. Its temperature control range is 25°F – 140°F. Featuring an auto shut off features, it helps prevent overheating. It also comes with sound alarms (if requested) when particular temperatures are reached. This way, you will be alerted should the temperature in your vivarium suddenly drops.

Another great feature are that it offers an automatic lowering of temperature at night which makes your life a bit easier and allows a natural cycle of temperature throughout the day

It has a single outlet that can be easily expanded with the use of outlet strips, allowing it to control multiple heaters at once. Its standard display shows the current time of the day, current setpoint value and the current probe temperature settings. Featuring a 3-button keyboard, this thermostat is very easy to navigate through with its large backlit display making programming quite intuitive and easy.

The thermostat comes with a cool feature, stacking cases. It can stack on each other for a very professional and neat appearance. Both fuse and probe are easily replaceable and it comes with probe cord locks in order to prevent unintentional unplugging.

Pros:

• Stackable
• Large backlit display
• 3-button keyboard
• The single outlet can be expanded with the use of outlet strips
• Automatic temperature drop at night
• Auto shut off feature
• Sound alarms
• Ideal for ceramic heaters
• Tabletop model

Cons:

• Not recommended for incandescent bulb

6. Bayite Digital Outlet Thermostat

The Bayite Digital Outlet Thermostat uses independent heating and cooling in order to keep your vivarium in the right temperature range. With its waterproof sensor, this thermostat can control the temperature more accurately and features with a low or high-temperature alarm.

Although a perfect reptile thermostat, this product is also suitable for incubation, pet breeding or as an aquarium heater. It also comes with an automatic power on delay that helps protect its compressor for longevity.

Furthermore, with this thermostat, exhaust fans will do most of the work and start at about one every two minutes, making it the perfect product if you are looking to save some money on electricity.

Pros:

• Saves money on electricity
• Can be used as a cooler or heater
• Waterproof
• A wide range of uses
• Temperature alarm
• Automatic power on delay

Cons:

• Does not have a timer

7. WILLHI WH1436A Digital Thermostat

This digital thermostat from WILLHI can be used to turn on and off electric appliances at the desired temperature. The thermostat features low and high-temperature alarms, which notify you when the desired temperature is reached, or when temperature overshoots or suddenly drops.

It also comes with an auto-shutoff timer that should help you save on electricity as well as keeping your life easier. In order to help keep the temperature at the desired range, this thermostat turns on or off your device at a certain set of degree, switching easily from refrigeration to heating mode.

A great thermostat controller, it can also be used for electric radiators, accelerating germination, aquariums and home brewing.

Pros:

• Auto shut off timer
• Can switch from refrigeration to heater
• Versatile for various uses
• Temperature alarms
• Waterproof thermocouple included
• Compressor safety timeouts

Cons:

• Does not include the battery

8. Inkbird Dual Stage Digital Thermostat

This digital thermostat from Inkbird is so easy to set up making it a perfect item for those who are not an expert in handling reptile thermostats. Featuring a dual display window, you can check measure temperatures and set temps at the same time. With the built-in dual relay output, you can connect it to heating refrigeration equipment at the same time.

In case of damage, its sensor can be easily replaced. Also, when a sensor error or an over-temperature occurs, an alarm will go off that allows you to identify the problem quickly and easily. This thermostat also supports reading in Fahrenheit and Celsius units, making it extra convenient.

Pros:

• Includes a manual
• Temperature calibration
• Over temperature and sensor fault alarm
• Dual relay output
• Reading in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
• Dual display window

Cons:

• Not suitable for water tanks

9. Leviton TBL03-10E Slide Control Lamp Dimmer

Leviton is specialized in producing lighting controls and dimmers, bringing Energy Smart Living to your home. This tabletop slide control dimmer is suitable if you wish to adjust the light in your tank, depending on the hour of the day which allows you to simulate sunset or sunrise and nighttime with no problem at all.

This device cannot only be used for reptile tanks. It can also be used around the house and can replace standard wall switches in order to provide immediate savings on your electricity bills.

The devices require no installation and are compatible with halogen, incandescent, and dimmable CFL and LED bulbs. Furthermore, its 6-foot cords make it easier to reach any outlet.

Pros:

• Versatile use
• 5-year warranty
• Tabletop design
• 6-foot cord
• Requires no installation
• Compatible with halogen, incandescent, and dimmable CFL and LED bulbs
• Cheap

Cons:

• Dimmer is a bit quirky
• Not specifically designed for tanks

10. Vivarium Electronics VE-200D Thermostat

Another dimming thermostat, the VE-200D from Vivarium Electronics offers the same quality experience you should expect from the new VE-300, but with the inclusion of incandescent heat lamps.

Featuring a slightly different temperature range from the VE-300m the VE-200D is capable of controlling temperatures between 40°F – 150°F. The thermostat can also control heaters with a total of up to 700 watts and offers a day or night temperature drop as well as an automatic safety shutoff in case of high temperatures and saving cost in electricity,

It has a full backlit display that makes it easier to read during nighttime. The thermostat can also remember the last temperature setting during a power failure

Pros:

• High controlling temperatures
• Control heaters of up to 700 watts
• Day or night temperature drop
• Auto shut off feature
• Suitable for incandescent heat lamps
• Full backlit display

Cons:

• Not suitable for fluorescent bulbs and mercury vapor

Conclusion

As we all know, reptiles love some heat, but they also need some cool space to hang out. So, what better way to regulate their tank temperature than the best reptile thermostat out there? Regardless of what you choose from the above list, you will have a quality and valuable purchase with every item.