Purchasing the best reptile thermostat you can is one of the most helpful and impactful things you can do for your pet.
As you know, maintaining the proper temperature is crucial if you own a reptile. These animals need very special and unique conditions in order to thrive and stay healthy.
But if you’re using a subpar thermostat to control the temperature you could be asking for trouble. Inaccurate or fluctuating temperatures can cause serious problems for your pet (without you even noticing).
That’s why we put together this list of the best reptile thermostats you can get. There are so many possibilities and products you can test, so we looked for the cream of the crop.
Stick to the recommendations we make below, and we promise that you’ll be quite happy with the results (you’ll also save a lot of time researching).
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Our List Of The Best Reptile Thermostats
- 1. 110V Thermostat Heating Temperature Controller By Inkbird
- 2. 110V Temperature Controller Digital Thermostat By WILLHI
- 3. Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Temperature Controller For Reptiles By VIVOSUN
- 4. Temperature Controller & Pre-Wired Digital Outlet Thermostat By bayite
- 5. Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller For Reptiles By BN-LINK
- 6. Heat Mat Temperature Controller & Day and Night Thermostat By Inkbird
- Tips For Choosing One
- Take Your Pick
Our List Of The Best Reptile Thermostats
One of the challenges when trying to find the best thermostats for reptiles is the sheer number of possibilities. There are so many different products on the market that are either geared toward reptiles directly or could be used in their enclosure without any issues.
That’s why we started by identifying our full list of options. This took quite a while (for the reasons stated above), but it was worth it.
When we were done we had a massive list of potential thermostats to try. We’d already used a handful of them before, and knew other reptile owners who had experience with some others.
From there, it was all about weeding the list down to the very best. We got our hands on whatever we could and sourced feedback and reviews from the reptile-loving community.
This allowed us to quickly get rid of the reptile thermostats that didn’t do their job. Anything unsafe, inconsistent, or inaccurate didn’t make the cut.
By the time we were finished, there were only the following products remaining. Some might be a better fit for you than others (depending on your setup), but they’re all top-notch.
1. 110V Thermostat Heating Temperature Controller By Inkbird
To start things off we have one of the best reptile thermostats out there. The ITC308 by Inkbird has been around for quite a while and has a really great track record.
- Simple to use: plug it in, set the temp ranges, place the probe, connect to heater
- Easy to read display
- Can display in Centigrade or Fahrenheit
- Calibrated quickly and easily
One of the most appealing things about this product is the simplicity. All you need to do is plug it in, select your ideal temperature, put the probe in the right area of the enclosure, and hook your heater up to a power source.
A lot of other temperature controllers out there make things unnecessarily complicated, which we hate. A reptile thermostat should be straightforward and easy to use. Adding extra steps and functions that don’t matter only increase the chance that it breaks, and increase the price as well.
The accuracy of this product was very impressive (it’s often used as a snake thermostat). It stays within half a degree (in Fahrenheit) of the temperature you set it! This level of accuracy was echoed by other owners as well.
The temperature control range of this product is rather large too. You’ll get 58°F to 248°F, which will be more than enough for any reptiles you own.
This is all accomplished in a relatively small body as well (5.5 x 2.7 x 1.3 inches). This allows you to use it in basically any kind of setup, no matter how little space you have. The power cord is generous too (5ft), so there’s a good chance you won’t need to use any extension cords to make it work.
Pros:
- Extremely accurate
- Easy to set up
- Simple user interface
- Very safe
Cons:
- A little more expensive than average
2. 110V Temperature Controller Digital Thermostat By WILLHI
This is a great thermostat that’s made for general use but works great with reptiles. WILLHI is not a company that many people know about, but they have a very impressive track record.
- Effectively keeps temperature in the desired range
- Max load or 1100w at 110v
- Comes with enhanced waterproof sensor probe
- Celsius or Fahrenheit read-out
The sheer number of reviews for this product online is staggering. It’s definitely the most popular and most-used thermostat out there!
And when you see it, it’s clear why.
The quality of the build and materials you get with this reptile temperature controller are very impressive. It has a waterproof probe, a high-quality display, and a durable body. Owners who’ve used this for years say it just doesn’t quit!
It’s simple to operate and set your desired temperature too. Just power it up and select your temperature! With a range of 58°F to 230°F, it covers everything you need for keeping a reptile at home.
The accuracy is as good as it gets too. It stays within half a degree of the set temperature, and there’s no report of that decreasing over time (something many other thermostats can’t claim).
It even has a high and low temperature alarm to go with an auto shut off feature. We’re big on safety when it comes to reptile thermostats, so we absolutely love this!
Pros:
- Great temperature accuracy
- Reliable safety features
- Simple to operate
Cons:
- Not a cheap option
3. Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Temperature Controller For Reptiles By VIVOSUN
This is another great reptile thermostat that you’ll see recommended quite often. It’s made by a trusted company that has been creating quality products for a while.
- Regulates and maintains your preferred temperature within a control range of 40–108 ºF
- Components will not rust or malfunction under tough conditions
- Zero-effort set up & operation
- Controller comes with a hanging tab and wall mount
The build quality of this thermostat really stands out when you get your hands on it. It’s made from durable and sturdy components that feel pretty much indestructible. It’s the perfect balance of cheap (since it’s made from plastic) and functional.
Getting this temperature controller set up is a breeze too. All you need to do is plug it in, set up the probe, and go! The buttons are all very straightforward and can be operated by anyone.
The accuracy is commendable as well. In our experience, it stayed within 1-2 degrees of the target temperature despite other factors attempting to mess up the test (air conditioning issues at the apartment). The advertised temperature range is 40°F to 108°F.
There have been reports of accuracy diminishing a bit as it ages, which is fairly normal for a cheaper product. That’s why it’s so important to always fact-check your temperature with a separate thermometer!
One nifty feature we like is the handing tab on the back. This allows you to mount it out of the way, or wherever is most convenient for you.
If you’re using a heat mat for your enclosure, this reptile thermostat is a really solid option.
Pros:
- Fairly cheap
- Easy start using
- Convenient hanging tab
Cons:
- Accuracy diminishes with age
- The display is slightly hard to read
4. Temperature Controller & Pre-Wired Digital Outlet Thermostat By bayite
Here’s another all-purpose thermostat that’s great for reptiles. Among the herb community, this is not a product you see used very often. For whatever reason, it’s just not recommended as much as it should be!
- Controller uses independent heating and cooling toggling points to keep your environment in the ideal temperature range
- Comes with well-made waterproof sensor
- Reliable high/low temperature alarm
- Max load: 1100w at 110v
This is one of the most heavy-duty temperature controllers you can get. It has all the features you expect but is housed in a very durable body. When you hold it it’s really hard to imagine a situation where it ever breaks.
It has a reliable waterproof sensor that is easy to use and very accurate. It’s always extremely close to the set temperature (if not matching it exactly).
This is also a very safety-conscious product as well. It comes with alarms for high and low temperatures and has a power-on delay that reduces strain on a variety of power sources.
The installation and setup process is very easy as well. Since you’ll be using this as a reptile thermostat all you need to do is place the sensor, connect it to your heat source, plug everything into a power source, and you’re ready to go!
This is something that surprised us a bit when we first looked at it. Due to the “all-business” design, we anticipated a potentially tricky setup. But this thermostat by bayite proved us wrong!
Pros:
- Reliable and high-quality build
- Easy to set up
- Waterproof sensor
Cons:
- Not the cheapest option
- Kind of clunky
5. Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller For Reptiles By BN-LINK
This is one of the most popular and recommended reptile thermostats out there. It seemed like almost everyone we spoke to either owned one currently, or had in the past!
- Effortless heating setup
- Handy LED heating and power indicator lights make things easy
- Cord for the temperature probe and grounded 3-prong plug measure an extended 6 feet in length
- ETL listed and rigorously tested for quality control and safety
It doesn’t take long to see why this is such a popular temperature controller. For all the features you get, it’s rather affordable.
You can get up and running in just a few minutes with this (which you know we value). It’s probably the fastest setup process out of all the products on our list!
The quality of the build and materials is very impressive too. The cords are strong and sturdy, and the body of the actual device feels like it could take a punch. This is something we didn’t expect from a slightly cheaper reptile thermostat.
BN-LINK makes a big effort to talk about the safety and reliability of this product too. This thermostat passes a long list of tests and complies with all the appropriate safety regulations. We couldn’t find any previous owners who had an issue with it in the safety department.
The range of potential temperatures is still pretty reasonable too. You have a window of 40°F to 108°F that should be more than enough for your reptile enclosure. There’s also a nice hanging tab that makes it easy to store wherever you want.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Safe and reliable
- Fast installation/setup
Cons:
- Temperature range won’t blow you away
- Accuracy isn’t as perfect as the more expensive products
6. Heat Mat Temperature Controller & Day and Night Thermostat By Inkbird
Here’s another great reptile thermostat that doesn’t get a lot of love. Unlike the first Inkbird temperature controller we mentioned earlier, this model is a bit more under the radar.
- Can set the day and night temperature independently to connect your heat equipment
- Temperature control from -58 to 212°F with an accuracy range of 1°F
- Three section display to maximize data display
- Waterproof NTC stainless probe
However, it’s still built with the same quality and effort. With easily programmable temperature settings, you can control just how hot you need it without any extra effort.
The sensor is fantastic. With a waterproof IP68 grade, you can be sure to rely on the equipment to bring you accurate readings without a dropoff in effectiveness.
It has a slightly different design than a lot of best reptile thermostats. In fact, it almost looks more like a baby monitor than a temperature controller! However, once you get used to the settings and buttons it will be second nature.
The temperature control range is quite formidable too. You can 58°F all the way up to 212°F. While you won’t be using the extreme ends of that range for your reptile, this product’s ability to facilitate that means it won’t struggle with what you need it to do.
Pros:
- Great temperature range
- Very accurate
Cons:
- The unique design means there’s a little learning curve
- Doesn’t feel as sturdy as some of the other thermostats
Tips For Choosing One
You might be wondering what factors we considered when putting together this list. While there are a million different ways to analyze any product, we believe you need to stick to the fundamentals.
You see, all of the best reptile thermostats have a few things in common. This section will cover them, so you can understand what we look for in a temperature controller.
Safety
Above anything else, your reptile thermometer needs to be safe. Ease of use, accuracy, and everything else doesn’t really matter by comparison.
There are a number of ways to grade safety when it comes to a device controlling heat. First, it has to be a reliable and well-made product that won’t have any issues on its own (you don’t want your thermostat catching fire).
It’s important to view temperature consistency and accuracy as a safety issue as well. It’s crucial that your reptile lives in an environment that meets their needs. If your thermostat is causing wild fluctuations in temperature, that can be very dangerous for your pet.
What It Will Be Controlling
The kind of device your reptile thermostat is controlling is also important to note before making a purchase. You see, some can only work with a heating pad while others are suitable for lamps and things of that nature.
Depending on your setup, you might need to choose one product over the other if there’s an incompatibility. On our list we tried to include a range of different thermostats that work with a variety of heating tools.
Does It Need To Control More Than One Heater?
If you have a more complicated setup that makes use of multiple heating equipment, this might impact what thermostat you get as well. Some can only work with one heater, so you’ll either need multiple thermostats, or one that can handle a couple at once.
This comes down to your preference as well as the enclosure setup you have. It’s important to know about this before you buy though!
Ideal Temperature Range
For most of us herp-lovers, the temperature range on all of the best reptile thermostats will be more than enough.
However, a wider range is usually a good sign. This means the temperature controller is a bit more capable and won’t be challenged by your modest heating requests.
It always seems like the best thermostats are the ones that can facilitate a wide range of temperatures. While we’re not saying that’s an absolute requirement, it’s definitely something to be aware of!
Take Your Pick
Our list of the best reptile thermostats has everything you need. It doesn’t matter what kind of functionality, design, or features you want. This list has it all!
It doesn’t matter what kind of reptile you own. It could be a snake, lizard, or turtle. As long as you match the needs of your setup with the core features of the products above you should be fine.
If you think there are any other thermostats and temperature controllers we haven’t considered, we’re more than happy to take suggestions. While there’s a good chance we’ve reviewed it already, we don’t want anything to slip through the cracks!