Best Reptile Thermostat

What is the Top Temperature Control System for Reptiles?

Bringing your reptile home is one thing. Maintaining it and ensuring that it is active and that it survives is another story. If you cannot make sure of this, then it is needless to bring him home.

They are not mutually exclusive!

As you probably already know, a reptile’s body is not able to regulate its temperature. Well, you might not understand this since whenever you feel some cold your body is quick to act.

For that snake or lizard, their body temperature is always constant. You want to buy a heater to make sure that the room’s temperature goes up when necessary, and that it does not become too hot.

Under normal circumstances, this would mean that you have to do all these things manually. That means buying a thermometer, constantly looking at it to check the current temperature, then adjusting it accordingly.

But that sounds hectic, right? And what happens if you go to your job and only come back in the evening?

A thermostat would do the trick.

It controls the heating equipment, turning it off when the temperature gets too high and turning it back on when it drops. Here, we have come up with a list of the best thermostats available.

1. BN-LINK

For a digital thermometer, this thermostat is quite affordable and worth the value of your money. 

To start with, BN-LINK is convenient as it is easy to set up and to use. Everyone, including first time users, can get it up and running. You just need to set up a few things then press a button and voila, you are good to go.

Thanks to its digital construction, adjusting the temperature range is also very easy.

Moving on, the quality of this thermostat is unparalleled. The main body is made from a strong material that can survive several falls without breaking. The cords, as well, are durable and long to ensure they can stand the test of time.

Also, you will be happy to know that the product has been approved by regulatory authorities for having passed a series of tests. It is therefore safe, and you don’t have to worry about anything.

Finally, the temperature range of this thermostat varies between 40 and 108 degrees.

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2. Bayite

In the runners up, we have this high performance and heavy duty reptile thermostat by Bayite. The Bayite temperature controller is versatile and multifunctional, thanks to its unique build. 

You are probably wondering what stands out in this type of thermostat. Its selling point I that it is water resistant. What does this mean for those individuals who would love to keep reptiles that live in water?

Bayite comes with good tidings. You can use it to regulate the temperature underwater as well as elsewhere.

Unlike most of the devices, this one employs a separate heating toggle point and another different cooling point. This comes in handy in ensuring that the temperature is within the right range.

As far as your safety is concerned, the model has been designed to adequately respond to your needs. It has been constructed such that it can minimize any strain likely to be caused to sources of power.

With an in-built alarm, you can tell when the temperature is too high or too low.

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3. Ipower

In case you are working within a budget but still want to get a thermostat that will efficiently deliver, this is your go-to option. Ipower comes at a fraction of most of the high-end thermostats.

That does not mean its performance is less impressive. To begin with, the product is very easy to set up and adjust. No special knowledge is required. 

All you have to do is to plug your heat source into a working socket. Afterward, you can then put your temperature probe in place then plug your Ipower and turn it on. A simple as that.

With the wide temperature range varying between 5 and 42 degrees Celsius, you are able to settle for a suitable option.

However, it is good to point out that this type of reptile thermostat can only be used with specific sources of heat, including heat mats. If you intend to regulate temperature produces by bulbs or ceramic heaters, this is not your best pick.

You might want to continue looking.

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4. Herpstat

No device would fit in the fourth category better than this thermostat by Herpstat does. Although it wasn’t our top, you can be sure that it has some pretty amazing features our top pick lasts.

The first has to do with the fact that the thermostat can perform several functions besides just keeping the temperature under check. For instance, you can also use it to track and control the humidity.

Herpstat can be used to control lighting as well.

Moving on, the model has adjustable temperature ranges that you can select depending on what you want. They can correspond to the real-time temperature, whether it is daytime, dawn, or the evening.

The daytime, dawn, and dusk temperature schedules can be programmed separately for efficiency and ease of use.

Herpstat is equipped with a sensor and a tracker to keep the temperatures under constant check and ensure there’s maximum precision. This is achieved by the ability of the device to regulate the amount of heat emitted.

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5. Vivarium VE-300

Vivarium VE-300 is a combination of the features from previous models designed by the same company. Therefore, you can be sure that it offers the best results and it is worth a shot.

What makes it stand out from most reptile thermostats?

As we have already seen up to this point, some of the thermostats in the market cannot be used with all heat sources like bulbs and other ceramic heaters. Vivarium seems to be an exception since it falls under the category of pulse thermostats.

The reptile thermostat has also passed the safety tests. It features an automatic shut off mechanism which ensures that the heat is kept under check. Therefore, fires resulting from overheating will be unheard of.

To add to that, this model is designed with alarms that let you know whenever the temperatures have risen or dropped.

Finally, the thermostat is cost-effective since it can control several sources of heat. Thus, there will be no point in purchasing other temperature controls.

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What are the types of reptile thermostats?

Before diving into anything deeper, it is important to understand that there are various types of thermostats. One type may work for someone else but become a total failure when you try it out.

Therefore, it all comes down to what you want to achieve from it. In this section, we break down the types of reptile thermostats that are available in those electronics stores. It will come in handy when trying to purchase one.

On/off thermostats

We kick off our explanation with the most common type of reptile thermostats you are likely to encounter whenever you intend to buy one. Also, they are the most economic products on the market – a good option for people intending to spend less.

As you might expect, these types of thermostats are also much easier to use. They operating by turning the source of heat either on or off, depending on the surrounding room temperature.

All you have to do is set the on/off thermostat at a given temperature of your liking. Therefore, the temperature control tries as much to maintain the temperature around the set limit.

Whenever the temperature in the surrounding environment gets too high, the thermostat responds by turning off the heater. Likewise, it turns the heater on when it senses a sharp temperature drop.

However, the device works best with heat mats, heat cables, and the likes. These types of thermostats are slow to respond, meaning there might be a slight difference in the temperatures you want.

Finally, they are limited to heaters that have a rating of about 100 watts and 300 watts and they cannot be used with light-emitting devices (they cause the light to constantly flash and often lead to bulbs blowing up).

Pulse thermostats 

 Another type of thermostat that might make your reptile husbandry much more tolerable is the pulse thermostat. If you want something slightly better but at a slightly higher price, pulse thermostats got you covered.

Just like the previous type, this one is also not the best when it comes to light emitting devices.

The reasons remain. They can cause frequent light flashes which will tend to be a nuisance to you and your reptile pet as well. Also, it might blow up your bulb and you do not want to keep replacing.

With that said, it is therefore important to note that pulse thermostats are excellent when it comes to controlling ceramic heaters (an excellent option for those who want to take their reptile rearing a notch higher).

What this means is that you can program the temperature setting for the night separately from what is required during the day. Who wouldn’t want such an efficient device?

As the name suggests, the thermostats work by sending pulses of energy to the source of heat regularly. The frequency at which they do this depends on how warm or cold the environment needs to be.

The frequent pulsing explains why they are better used with ceramic heaters, heat mats, and heat wires. They would be disastrous with spotlight heaters.

As for ease of use, they may not be the best option for people who are just trying to find their way around thermostats. They might want to go for an option that does not require them to remember a ton of information.

Dimming thermostats 

These are the other (and the last) type of reptile thermostats available on the market. Although they are very expensive, they are the best thermostats that you can invest in. At the end of the day, they will save you the troubles you might go through with the cheaper one. 

They are relatively easy to use as well and can be a good pick for both experts and first time users. It is also worth noting that dimmers can be used with all sorts of heat sources, unlike the previous types that were incompatible with light emitting devices.

How do these devices work? First off, they are designed with temperature sensors which play a big role in the temperature regulation process. The sensors detect the surrounding temperature regularly then adjust the amount of power the device sends to the heater.

Take this scenario. Assume that you are using a spotlight heater to warm up your pet’s environment. How will the dimming thermostats help in that case?

Well, they will simply make the bulb brighter whenever they sense a sharp drop in temperature. Likewise, they will also make the bulb dimmer if the sensors detect very high temperatures.

The slight changes in the bulb’s brightness are unmatched. They cannot go anywhere near the constant flashing that is caused by on/off thermostats. Dimmers are very efficient and accurate.

If you can manage to go around the price, do not think twice.

Buying guide: what to look for in a reptile thermostat

You should ever get tired of hearing how important it is to secure the perfect reptile thermostat. What you are not being told, however, is the fact that the selection process is pretty much difficult.

Just imagine the number of companies out there that have attempted to come up with temperature regulators. Strictly speaking, they are uncountable. As always, the quality of the products will always differ from one to another.

It is therefore up to you as the potential buyer to make sure that you are investing your money wisely. That calls for both knowledge on thermostats as well as value judgment. In this part of the article, we try to equip you with the knowledge.

What factors do you watch out for before buying a given model? You can consider whether it is a digital or analog device, the type of heater you own, how easy it is to operate, the temperature range available, the price, versatility, among others.

Make sure you read this part before proceeding to the market.

The type of heater you own

Much of this aspect has already been covered in the last section of this article. The type of heater you own (or that you intend to own) will directly affect the type of thermostat that you want to buy.

Here’s why. Some thermostats will not be compatible with other heat devices. To summarize what we have already said above, consider settling for a dimming thermostat if you own or want to own a light emitting device such as a heat lamp.

Likewise, consider going for a pulse thermostat if you own or you intend to own a ceramic heater. Finally, consider purchasing an on/off thermostat if you operate a heat mat and the like. 

Since a dimming thermostat can still be used with the other types of devices, the above recommendations are not universal rules. It boils down to your personal preference. 

But, you should remember that you can settle for one and save yourself the downsides linked with using on/off thermostats or pulse thermostats.

Temperature range 

This is another vital aspect that you ought to have in mind as you try to find the perfect thermostat. What is the size of the room or cage that you intend to heat? What type of reptiles will you be keeping?

If you can answer these questions, then you have a better shot trying. Some animals like Uromastyx lizards generally prefer staying in warm environments than other reptiles do.

Also, a bigger room will require a much stronger thermostat to regulate the temperature. With this in mind, you can proceed to look for a device that best responds to your needs.

Versatility 

Here, the aspect that you should be having in mind is the number of heaters you want the thermostat to control. If you are not a beginner at reptile husbandry (which probably means you already own several tanks with reptiles), you want a strong thermostat.

The number of thermostats that are in a position to discharge this function is small. While the thermostats will not be cheaper, it will save you a lot of trouble and money trying to purchase several temperature controllers.

If you are new at this, however, this factor might not be relevant to you.

Ease of use 

It is very important to settle for a thermostat that will not give you problems when it comes to operating it. Who wants to fork out thousands of dollars for a product that they cannot easily use?

Just to point out, some advanced forms of thermostats are complex. You might require a little time and training to acquaint yourself with them. And what will happen to your aquarium during that duration?

To cover that shortcoming, you can consider getting yourself a thermostat that comes with the 3 buttons. They are extremely easy to use.

Accuracy 

You want to ensure that the thermostat you are buying has the best precision and accuracy. There is absolutely no point in buying a product that is going to mess you up.

In as far as accuracy and precision are concerned, you might want to consider the make of the thermostat. Is it the analog type or the current digital versions? As obvious as it sounds, the digital ones will go a long way in giving you the best performance.

The price 

The general rule of thumb is usually that good products come at a hefty price. That is true. 

However, you might want to assume that rule if you are working within a strict budget. On/off thermostats are the cheapest options you can find. They are followed closely with pulse thermostat.

Dimming thermostats, on the other hand, are the most expensive. If you cannot manage to get a dimmer, don’t stress out. Consider getting one from the remaining types.

Conclusion

Keeping a reptile pet might become a pipe dream if you are unable to provide the necessary conditions for their survival. This includes the aspect of being able to regulate the temperature of their surroundings as they rely on that, not their bodies.

Therefore, this calls for owning a source of heat device. The device will not work properly unless it has a temperature control thermostat to balance the amount of heat that is emitted.

As easy as that sounds, finding the right thermostat can be quite a task. There are several options available in the electronics shops. However, not every single one will suit you.

Having reviewed a number of them, we would recommend the BN-LINK digital thermostat. The device is not complicated and it is very easy to set up and to use. It is also easy to read and to adjust the temperature range.

Having been made from a sturdy material, you can be sure that it will serve you for days without breaking down. It is not just the materials. It features long and quality cords for maximum efficiency.

Plus, BN-LINK meets all regulatory requirements and is not a safety hazard. Get yourself the thermostat today and enjoy the company of your reptile pet.