Reptiles are a unique and fascinating animal to keep as pets, but each species has unique and specific temperature requirements in order to survive and thrive. A large factor in their survival and overall health is maintaining an exact temperature inside their tank enclosure or vivarium.
Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they rely completely on external heat sources because they cannot warm themselves up. This means you’ll need to provide a heat source for them, one that’s accurately monitored and controlled. A vivarium that is too hot or too cold or fluctuates too drastically can quickly result in serious health issues for your reptile or even death. This is why a good-quality, reliable thermostat is an essential addition to your pet’s enclosure.
There are a wide variety of thermostats available on the market, and finding the right one can be a challenge. But fear not! We’ve created this list of in-depth reviews to help you find the right reptile thermostat to suit your unique needs.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Cobalt Aquatics Electronic Neo-Thermostat
Fully submersible
Highly accurate
Built-in thermal protection circuit
Check Price
Best Value
OPULENT SYSTEMS Digital Controller Thermostat
Inexpensive
Durable and ergonomic design
Water-resistant controller
Check Price
Premium Choice
Hagen Exo Terra Electronic Thermostat
Separate day/night control settings
Good-quality materials and construction
Easy-read blue LCD
Check Price
VIVOSUN Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
Bright LCD
Well-constructed
Easy and neat installation
Check Price
BN-LINK T7(H) Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
Inexpensive
Bright, easy-to-read display
Easy to set up and install
Check Price
The 7 Best Reptile Thermostats — Reviews 2023
Some users report that the heater doesn’t work efficiently when submerged in water, and they struggled to get the water up to the required temperature.
This electronic thermostat from Cobalt Aquatics is our top pick overall and is guaranteed to keep your reptile’s vivarium at a stable temperature. It is fully submersible and water-proof, so high humidity in your pet’s tank is no issue. It has a compact and sleek design, with a convenient “one-touch” control. It is accurate within a plus/minus range of 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can be sure of accurate and reliable readings. The LED display shows you the set temperature and tank temperature simultaneously, for added accuracy. A built-in thermal protection circuit design will shut the unit down when it overheats, and the casing is rugged and shatterproof and will last for years to come. In case of a power outage, the heater will automatically reset to the previous setting, saving you from doing it manually. The heater itself is rated at 25 watts and can be used in tanks up to 20-gallons.
Check Price on Chewy
Fully submersible
Highly accurate to within 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Built-in thermal protection circuit
25-watt operation
- Fully submersible
- Highly accurate to within 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit
- Built-in thermal protection circuit
- 25-watt operation
Doesn’t work as efficiently when submerged
- Doesn’t work as efficiently when submerged
2. OPULENT SYSTEMS Digital Controller Thermostat — Best Value
One frustrating feature is that the unit will reset once the timer goes off, so you’ll need to set it again. This keeps it from the top position on this list.
Inexpensive
Durable and ergonomic design
Water-resistant controller
- Inexpensive
- Durable and ergonomic design
- Water-resistant controller
You will need to reset it in the event of power failure
- You will need to reset it in the event of power failure
One frustrating feature on this thermostat is that the day/night settings change according to light levels. This means that if you lay it underneath a substrate or where light cannot reach it, the sensor will not be able to accurately change between day and night settings. This and its high price keep it from the top two positions on this list.
If you are looking for a durable and reliable thermostat for your reptile’s enclosure, the PT2459 from Hagen is the premium choice. It has a 600-watt operation, with a temperature rating of between 50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The daytime and nighttime temperatures can be separately set, to match the exact settings for your reptile’s unique fluctuation requirements. It has a unique dimming and pulse proportional function that will keep the tank’s temperature at your desired level, without massive swings in degrees that can be potentially harmful. The blue LCD is easy to read, even in the dark, and shows both the set and the actual temperature on the display. The display also has a nifty feature that dims it at night. A red LED light will indicate when the heater is on, and it will turn blue once the programmed temperature is reached.
Separate day/night control settings
Good- quality materials and construction
Easy-read blue LCD
LED light indicator for heater
- Separate day/night control settings
- Good- quality materials and construction
- Easy-read blue LCD
- LED light indicator for heater
Expensive
Light sensitive sensor
- Expensive
- Light sensitive sensor
4. VIVOSUN Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
Several users report that this thermostat would not go above 80 degrees, even though higher temperatures are indicated on the screen. Some also reported that it got stuck at high temperatures, which can be dangerous for your reptiles.
Bright LCD
Well-constructed
Easy and neat installation
- Bright LCD
- Well-constructed
- Easy and neat installation
Several users report it would not go above 80 degrees
Some users report it getting stuck at certain temperatures
- Several users report it would not go above 80 degrees
- Some users report it getting stuck at certain temperatures
5. BN-LINK T7(H) Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
The thermostat is supposed to turn off automatically when the temperature reaches the set target, but several users report that it doesn’t, which can be dangerous for your reptile. Some users also report that the readings are not totally reliable, and the true heat inside the enclosure is consistently below the indicated amount.
Inexpensive
Bright, easy-to-read display
Easy to set up and install
- Inexpensive
- Bright, easy-to-read display
- Easy to set up and install
Doesn’t turn off when reaching target temperature
Unreliable temperature readings
- Doesn’t turn off when reaching target temperature
- Unreliable temperature readings
6. iPower Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
Several users report that this unit failed to stop the heater at the preprogrammed setting, which can be highly dangerous for a reptile. Many also report inaccurate display readings of around one or two degrees.
Easy operation and installation
Inexpensive
Memory programmable setting
- Easy operation and installation
- Inexpensive
- Memory programmable setting
Unreliable temperature readouts
Fails to stop heating at programmed temperature
- Unreliable temperature readouts
- Fails to stop heating at programmed temperature
7. Zoo Med ReptiTemp Digital Thermostat
While it has an alarm to warn you of high or low temperatures, it will not automatically shut off, which doesn’t help if you are not around. Some users report the thermostat going above the indicated temperature, which can easily kill most reptiles. It is also fairly inaccurate, and many have reported that it burned out after only a few months’ use.
Alarm warning for extreme temperatures
Built-in memory setting
Easy operation
- Alarm warning for extreme temperatures
- Built-in memory setting
- Easy operation
No automatic shut-off
Inaccurate temperature readings
Not long-lasting quality
- No automatic shut-off
- Inaccurate temperature readings
- Not long-lasting quality
Buyers Guide
All reptiles are ectothermic, meaning they are cold-blooded and thus, cannot create their own heat: They rely totally on outside sources. In a natural environment, reptiles will achieve this by basking in the sun, burying themselves in the sand, or lying on sun-heated rocks. Without an adequate source of external heating, your reptile will quickly become hypothermic and die or have a multitude of problems like immune deficiencies or digestion issues.
It is important to note that different species of reptiles have different temperature requirements, and it is vital that you cater to their vivarium accordingly. This is where a thermostat comes in. It will help you keep the temperature inside the enclosure exactly right because depending on the outside temperature of the tank, the heater will need to be adjusted accordingly.
There are a few different types of thermostats available:
- Simple on/off thermostat. This is about as simple and affordable as it gets. These thermostats control the temperature inside your pet’s vivarium by simply turning off when the target temperature has been reached and then turning on again when it drops below your preferred point.
- Dimmer thermostat. These are slightly more expensive than a basic on/off type but are far more versatile. They work with a sensor that constantly measures the enclosure’s temperature and will send more power to the heater when the temperature drops and reduce it when it reaches its optimum.
- Pulse thermostat. A pulse thermostat cannot be used with a light bulb heater but is great for ceramic heaters and mats. It works by sending rapid pulses of energy to your heater to raise the temperature and will slow down once the required temperature is reached.
Things to look out for in a reptile thermostat
- A thermostat that can be easily programmed will take away a great deal of stress. The ability to program temperature ranges, time intervals, and on/off times is a safer option for your pet and a stress-saver for you. You can leave your home or go to sleep knowing that your beloved pet has optimal conditions 24/7.
- Ease of use. There are complicated and confusing thermostats available, and while they do serve a purpose, the simpler the operation, the less likely you are to make a fatal error. Your choice of the thermostat should be simple to operate and program. Digital units are typically easy to read and use and are generally more accurate.
- Temperature range. Most thermostats will have a display range, which will be the limit of what it can measure, and a control range, which is the temperature range that it can keep your vivarium in. Wider is better, as you’ll have more variety in what you can use it for.
Conclusion
The best reptile thermostat according to our tests is the electronic thermostat from Cobalt Aquatics. With its compact and sleek design, accurate and reliable reading capability, and built-in thermal protection circuit design, it can sustain an accurately controlled environment for your beloved reptile.
The best reptile thermostat for the money is the digital thermostat from Opulent Systems. It is made from durable plastic, the setup and operation are quick and simple, and the controller can be quickly installed on the wall, all at a highly affordable price.
It can be overwhelming to find the right thermostat, as the health and wellbeing of your reptile are so dependent on it. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you find the right reptile thermostat to suit your pet’s unique needs.
Featured Image: Pixabay
