Could you imagine having to constantly adjust the temperature in your house to prevent yourself from getting ill or dying? Reptiles are interesting pets to keep, but cold-blooded animals must have a reliable heat source to keep their body temperatures regulated. Snakes and reptiles don’t have the luxury of self-regulating bodies that help them warm-up or cool down whenever their environment isn’t just right. One of the safest objects for you to keep your terrarium warm is heating pads. It can be a tedious challenge to find one that is reliable and comes with features that makes owning a pet reptile easier than it has to be. We have compiled a list of reviews that are going to help show you which heating pads are the best that the market has to offer this year.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
iPower Reptile Heating Pad
Even heat distribution
Perfect for small reptiles
Waterproof
Check Price
Best Value
Fluker’s Ultra Heat Mat
Mount on side or bottom
Heats evenly
Safe for all reptiles and amphibians
Check Price
Premium Choice
iPower Terrarium Reptile Heating Pad
Advanced technology for uniform heating
Comes with powerful adhesive
Built-in thermostat
Check Price
Best for Snakes
Exo Terra Ultra-Thin Terrarium Mat
Ideal for snakes in glass terrariums
Mounts on bottom or side
Different wattage available
Check Price
Best for Reptiles
Zilla Heat Mats Terrarium Heater
Saves energy
Easy to store
Suitable for small terrariums
Check Price
The 7 Best Heating Pads for Snakes & Reptiles
iPower is one of the best overall heating pads for snakes and reptiles because it is designed specifically for small reptiles. There are over four different sizes to choose from, with the option of a thermostat for an increased price. With 16 watts of power and a 6-foot power cord, there is no reason that this mat couldn’t work for most standard terrariums. It uses adhesive paper that is easy to apply to the side of the tank that helps it remain in contact with the glass and evenly distribute heat. Unfortunately, this also means once it is stuck on, there isn’t a good way to remove it.
Size: 8×12 inches
Material: PTC
Power: 16 watts
Check Price on Chewy
For this iPower model, it is easy to plug into all regular sockets, and the PTC material is easy to clean and built for heat distribution. We recommend it for lizards, geckos, snakes, and turtles.
Pros
Even heat distribution
Affordable
Perfect for small reptiles
Different sizes
Long power cord
Waterproof
Cons
Not easy to move once put in place
Fluker’s makes a wonderful heat mat that is safe for all amphibians and reptiles, deeming it the best heating pad for snakes and reptiles for the money. For a low price, you’re given durable construction and good heat distribution that is safe for all animals. It is easy to mount on either the bottom or side of your enclosure, while some products only let you choose one or the other. There are also multiple sizes so that you can adjust them to fit different enclosures.
Even heat distribution
Affordable
Perfect for small reptiles
Different sizes
Long power cord
Waterproof
- Even heat distribution
- Affordable
- Perfect for small reptiles
- Different sizes
- Long power cord
- Waterproof
Not easy to move once put in place
- Not easy to move once put in place
Size: 11×11 inches
Material: Chloroprene
Power: 12 watts
The downfall of this product is that you have to use your own adhesive, like duct tape or electrical tape, to keep it in place. Aside from that, it produces a nice amount of heat that can break through even thick substrate layers.
Pros
Mount on side or bottom
Heats evenly
Cheap
Safe for all reptiles and amphibians
Cons
Must purchase adhesive separately
This upgraded iPower terrarium heating pad is a little pricey, but that’s because it comes with a built-in digital thermostat that regulates temperatures between 40°F to 108°F. This pad is operated by a plug and has LED lights that let you know when it is on and working properly. It also contains insulation and a heat film that helps the warmth spread more uniformly across the mat.
Mount on side or bottom
Heats evenly
Cheap
Safe for all reptiles and amphibians
- Mount on side or bottom
- Heats evenly
- Cheap
- Safe for all reptiles and amphibians
Must purchase adhesive separately
- Must purchase adhesive separately
This reptile heating pad is easy to use and waterproof, so there won’t be any catastrophic accidents. Unfortunately, there isn’t a size large enough for tanks above 40 gallons. There have also been several reports that the thermostat isn’t 100% accurate at times.
Pros
Advanced technology for uniform heating
Comes with powerful adhesive
Safe for a wide range of pets and plants
Built-in thermostat
Cons
Thermostat not always accurate
Not suitable for large tanks
Exo Terra is an excellent mat if you have a terrarium with a pet snake inside. This brand allows you to choose between different wattages and is possible to mount on either the side or bottom of the enclosures. It is also good as a main or secondary heating source. The heat transfers well from the pad to the tank and the adhesive stays put nicely. You will have to buy a thermostat separately, but overall, this is a safe and trusted product to use.
Advanced technology for uniform heating
Comes with powerful adhesive
Safe for a wide range of pets and plants
Built-in thermostat
- Advanced technology for uniform heating
- Comes with powerful adhesive
- Safe for a wide range of pets and plants
- Built-in thermostat
Thermostat not always accurate
Not suitable for large tanks
- Thermostat not always accurate
- Not suitable for large tanks
Size: 8×12 inches
Material: PTC
Power: Varies
Pros
Ideal for snakes in glass terrariums
Mounts on bottom or side
Different wattage available
Safe for different animals
Cons
Pricey
Doesn’t come with thermostat
The Zilla terrarium heater for reptiles is a smart choice if you have smaller animals in your enclosure. The lower power isn’t ideal for large tanks, but it does save energy and has enough heat for 10 or 20-gallon tanks. The small pad size is easy to travel with or store, but it is probably best suited for small reptiles or arachnids instead of larger animals.
Ideal for snakes in glass terrariums
Mounts on bottom or side
Different wattage available
Safe for different animals
- Ideal for snakes in glass terrariums
- Mounts on bottom or side
- Different wattage available
- Safe for different animals
Pricey
Doesn’t come with thermostat
- Pricey
- Doesn’t come with thermostat
Size: 6×8 inches
Material: Carbon fiber
Power: 8 watts
Pros
Saves energy
Easy to store
Suitable for small terrariums
Cons
Adhesive comes undone over time
Not good for larger reptiles
- Vivosun Reptile Heating Pad
Check Latest Price
Size: 8×12 inches
Material: N/A
Power: 16 watts
Vivosun is a professional-grade brand that is suited for tanks up to 40 gallons. It comes with a thermostat and is designed to keep tanks warm without raising your electric bill. The adhesive is also strong, so make sure you have it exactly where you want it before you stick it into place. Mount this pad on any side of the tank that is glass material.
Saves energy
Easy to store
Suitable for small terrariums
- Saves energy
- Easy to store
- Suitable for small terrariums
Adhesive comes undone over time
Not good for larger reptiles
- Adhesive comes undone over time
- Not good for larger reptiles
Check Latest Price
Size: 8×12 inches
Material: N/A
Power: 16 watts
Pros
Waterproof
Good for large tanks
Affordable
Cons
Only sticks to glass
Strong smell comes from adhesive with first use
- Sequoia Reptile Under Tank Heating Pad
Check Latest Price
Size: 11×11 inches
Material: N/A
Power: 14 watts
One special feature of the Sequoia reptile heating pad is that it has a temperature control switch with an automatic shut-off if the tank gets too hot. It is moisture-proof which makes it easy to clean, and the 14-watt power source keeps the energy low. Unfortunately, this pad is only able to be mounted underneath a tank. You cannot put it in water because it is not completely waterproof. It also doesn’t come with adhesive and is more expensive than some better mats that are available.
Waterproof
Good for large tanks
Affordable
- Waterproof
- Good for large tanks
- Affordable
Only sticks to glass
Strong smell comes from adhesive with first use
- Only sticks to glass
- Strong smell comes from adhesive with first use
Size: 11×11 inches
Material: N/A
Power: 14 watts
Pros
Temperature control switch
Easy to Clean
Cons
Pricey
Not waterproof
No adhesive
Temperature control switch
Easy to Clean
- Temperature control switch
- Easy to Clean
Pricey
Not waterproof
No adhesive
- Pricey
- Not waterproof
- No adhesive
Buyer’s Guide
Picking out the perfect heating pad is crucial to the health of your snakes and reptiles. Before you pick one based on the reviews, make sure that the product is going to work for your setup.
Size
Size is crucial when it comes to buying a heating pad. Start by measuring your tank to see which pad is going to fit. The bigger a pad is, the more heat it is going to distribute into the tank. Mats that are too big are going to make it unbearably hot for your pets, and ones that are too small won’t get warm at all. In general, a 10 or 20-gallon tank does best with a pad that is six to eight inches long. A 30 or 40-gallon tank does better with ones that are 8 to 12 inches.
Wattage
Wattage is another vital factor for you to consider. This impacts the heat the pad emits. Mini tanks might only need 4 watts, but larger ones could require up to 24 watts. Consider the size of your terrarium to figure out which wattage is going to make it the comfiest.
Materials
High-quality materials keep the pads from becoming a safety hazard. If the mat’s material isn’t meant to withstand prolonged warmth, then it’s best to just avoid buying it altogether. Choose products that are insulated and wrapped in rubber to keep your pets safe. Some products send an adhering layer that works as an insulator instead.
- See Also: Where Do Snakes Go In The Cold Winter Months?
Conclusion
Finding products that are of good quality without breaking out banks can be a challenge. You want the best for your snakes and reptiles, but you also don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on top-of-the-line brands. These heating pad reviews have shown us that the best overall heating pad comes from iPower, while the best heating pad for the money comes from Fluker’s ultra-deluxe premium heating pad. Now that you’ve seen the best products on the market making the right decision for your home setup should be a breeze.
Featured Image Credit: Deb Davis, Shutterstock
