Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Therefore, we may collect a share of sales from the links on this page, at no extra cost to you!
Today we’re going to be going over some of the best thermostats for leopard geckos that are currently on the market!
Having a reliable heating system in your Leopard gecko’s enclosure should be the first step in building your reptiles enclosure. You also need to install a thermostat to regulate and monitor the system’s temperature.
Besides, Leopard geckos are cold-blooded, so their body temperature varies according to how hot or cold the surrounding is.
When they are in the wild, Leopard geckos regulate their body temperature by basking or hiding under cold rocks.
The former allows them to raise their body temperature to the preferred level while the latter lowers it.
However, this is not possible when Leos are in captivity, so you must ensure that your lizard gets the right amount of heat.
As stated earlier, thermostats are very effective when it comes to regulating temperatures inside their enclosures.
The only problem is that the market has a plethora of thermostats, so settling for a particular option can be somewhat challenging.
To be completely frank, some thermostats are great while others aren’t very accurate. An innacurate thermostat can lead to burns, digestive issues, and even death.
As such, doing your research is extremely important when it comes to purchasing products for your reptile.
However, we’ve done the hard work for you and tested some of the best thermostats out there!
So, without further ado, let’s go over some of the best bang-for-your-buck thermostats for leopard geckos!
Jump to..
5 Best Thermostats for Leopard Geckos (Tried & Tested)
#1. Hydrofarm Jump Start MTPRTC Digital Thermostat
The Jump Start Digital Leopard Gecko Thermostat is a favorite among Leopard gecko keepers as it’s the only thermostat that is ETL Certified. It has amazing features and will ensure that the temperature conditions of your leopard geckos heating mat stays within the set parameters.
As such, it will provide your Leopard gecko with precise warmth, so the little guy won’t feel uncomfortable. Many thermostats for leopard geckos are slightly inaccurate and oftentimes provide inconsistent heating.
However, with the Jump Start Hydrofarm Digital Thermostat, it’s almost deadly accurate and always stays at the temperature it’s set to. I’ve used this thermostat with my leopard geckos for years and it has never failed to impress me.
As you can see from the image below, when we set our Jump Start Thermostat to 109 degrees Fahrenheit, our temperature gun registered the temperature at 109.1 Fahrenheit after three hours of sitting! Pretty accurate if you ask me.
Note: If you’re looking to test the accuracy of your thermostat (which we HIGHLY recommend), you should get a temperature gun. This is the one we own and it works incredibly well!
In addition to this, the Jump Start thermostat has a wide temperature selection range that will enable you to apply the most appropriate set point.
You can set the range anywhere between 68°F and 110°F. To add to its list of features, it provides temperature readouts in both °F and °C, so you can choose the setting that you are most comfortable with.
As you can see (image below), the Jump Start Hydrofarm Digital thermostat is well-illuminated and fits nicely on the outside of our leopard geckos enclosure! In terms of appearance, this digital thermostat is our favorite. Additionally, it’s relatively small compared to other thermostats.
Besides, changing the readouts is very easy since you only have to use the Up/Down buttons.
Additionally, included in the kit is a high-performance temperature probe and a 6′ power cord which is great for reaching distant power outlets. Many thermostats come with short cords and it can be very annoying having to move your enclosure just to reach the power outlet.
If you’re not already convinced, the Jump Start thermostat comes with a 1-year money-back-guaranteed warranty. Therefore, you never have to worry about your thermostat failing after a couple of months and having to purchase a new one.
More: Check out our list of the best hides for leopard geckos!
#2. Vivarium Electronics VE-300X2 Thermostat
Although this bad boy is the best thermostat for leopard geckos that is currently on the market, it is on the expensive side. However, with its functionality and precise accuracy, it’s well worth the high price tag.
With a maximum wattage of up to 900 watts, it can work with most heat sources in the market.
To sum it all up, the thermostat is fitted with a shutoff relay for safety purposes and also has a backup battery for the clock.
Therefore, if you’re looking for deadly precision, all the bells and whistles that other thermostats lack, and you have a high budget, this is by far the best thermostat for your leopard gecko.
I have yet to test this thermostat due to its high price tag. However, based on online reviews, this thermostat is the best of the best!
#3. Zoo Med ReptiTemp RT-600 Digital Thermostat
The RT-600 is another excellent option if you’re on a budget. Compared to other thermostats such as the Vivarium Electronics VE-300X2, the RT-600 thermostat is extremely user friendly.
Like most other thermostats, it plugs directly into your heating mat and a power outlet. It has a nice, large display that is easy to see and extremely accurate (as tested by our heat gun).
Additionally, you can rely on this product as it is made by Zoo Med, one of the oldest and largest manufacturers for reptile products.
As you can see below, the Zoo Med Thermostat is a couple degrees off based on the testing we did with our temperature gun. However, this is a very minimal difference and shouldn’t affect the quality of your leopard geckos heating hide.
Furthermore, the RT-600 has a maximum power output of 600 watts and is compatible with a wide range of ceramic heaters and heat mats.
The built-in memory system makes it even more convenient since it won’t lose data in case of a power outage. This means you won’t have to reset the parameters every now and then.
But, that is not all; the RT-600 features an alarm system that will alert you when the temperature levels are above or below the setpoint by a wide margin.
Besides heating devices, the thermostat can also work with cooling systems.
All in all, if you’re a budgeter like myself and you prefer something with a simple interface that is manufactured by a tried and tested company, this may be the thermostat for you. It’s not deadly accurate according to our test. However, it should do the job just as well!
#4. BN-LINK Digital Thermostat
If you’re a budgeter like myself but still prefer quality products, this might be the best thermostat for leopard geckos around.
This equipment has all the features that you may look for in a thermostat. Thanks to its straightforward design, you won’t have a hard time setting it up.
You can easily switch between temperature units by using either Celsius or Fahrenheit which makes it great for users in the United Kingdom and the United States. The included probe is not only sensitive but also reliable.
Accordingly, when we tested the BN-Link Digital Thermostat, we were fairly impressed with its accuracy. After letting it sit for around three hours, it was only 2 degrees off. Therefore, in terms of accuracy, it is about as accurate as the Zoo Med Repti-Temp thermostat but not quite as accurate as the Hydrofarm thermostat. See the image below for reference:
Hence, the BN-Link Digital Thermostat will provide you with fairly accurate temperature readings. Additionally, it has useful LED lights that will help you know the current status of your lizard’s heating system.
With this thermostat, the temperature inside your pet’s enclosure will stay within the set parameters at all times.
#5. VIVOSUN Digital Heat Mat Thermostat
It is compatible with virtually all commonly used heat mats and is also easy to set up. Plus, it is safety tested to ensure that you and your pet don’t get any injuries during usage.
The thermostat comes with a temperature probe, so you won’t have to buy one separately.
And like most thermostats that we have reviewed, this device displays temperature readings in °C and °F.
Lastly, the thermostat is fitted with a hanging tab that you can use when mounting the device to a wall.
If you’re in search of a thermostat for your leopard gecko but don’t want anything overly fancy or expensive, this may be the best option for you!
What to Consider When Choosing a Thermostat for Leopard Geckos
There are factors that you need to put into consideration when buying thermostats, as this will determine the overall performance of your heating system.
-
Compatibility
Before buying a thermostat, ensure that it is compatible with your heating mat. Nonetheless, most thermostats can work with the commonly used heat lamps and mats. Therefore, this typically is not an issue. -
Maximum Wattage
Some thermostats can handle multiple heaters at a go, while others can only work with one heat source at a time. Furthermore, some thermostats only heat to certain temperatures. However, most will heat up to a suitable temperature for leopard geckos.
Types of Thermostats for Leopard Geckos
Depending on the heat source that you are using, you can go for On/Off thermostats, dimming thermostats, or pulse thermostats.
1. On/Off Thermostats
As the name suggests, On/Off thermostats work by turning the heat source on or off when the temperature is below or above the set parameters, respectively.
They are very easy to install and are equally affordable, thus making them the go-to option for most lizard keepers.
2. Dimming Thermostats
Dimming thermostats are commonly used on heat lamps. However, they can also work with ceramic heaters and heat mats, but they may not be as effective compared to when they are used on heat lamps.
3. Pulse Thermostats
Pulse thermostats are solely designed for non-light-emitting heat sources. They work best with heat mats, ceramic heaters, heat strips, and other heat sources in the same class.
Final Verdict – What’s the Best Thermostat for Leopard Geckos?
With the help of the thermostats listed above, you will be able to provide your Leopard gecko with constant temperature conditions.
These devices are not only easy to function but are equally reliable when it comes to regulating temperatures. Your leopard geckos will love you forever with one of these awesome thermostats!
Frequently Asked Questions
Heat mat or heat lamp, which should use for my Leopard gecko?
Both are reliable sources of heat, so you can use either when setting up an enclosure for your Leopard gecko.
However, heat mats are more commonly used by leopard gecko owners as they have a few advantages. Some of these advantages include better control, the ability to use it around the clock, and the lack of having to change out the bulb every few months.
What temperature do Leopard Geckos need?
According to experts, the temperature inside a Leopard geckos enclosure should be kept at 77°F to 90°F.
Do Leopard Geckos need heat at night?
Yes. Heat is essential for Leopard geckos, especially at night when temperatures are low.
