Best Under Tank Heaters for Reptiles
An under tank heater delivers belly heat through the glass, which suits species that thermoregulate against warm ground rather than basking under a light. What varies between mats is considerable: adhesive quality, watt density, how evenly the heat spreads across the pad, and how well the film survives years of humidity. None of them regulate themselves, so every mat needs a thermostat with the probe on the warm floor. Substrate depth over a mat changes surface temperature more than most keepers expect. We weighed even heat spread, build quality of the cord and leads, adhesive that does not lift, and clear watt ratings matched to common tank footprints. Sizing matters more than brand, since a mat should cover roughly a third to a half of the floor so the cool end stays genuinely cool. Smaller mats suit hatchling tubs and snake racks, larger ones suit adult terrestrial setups, and any mat under deep substrate needs careful probe placement.
Zoo Med Repti Therm Under Tank Reptile Heater 16 Watts, 12 Inch Long x 8 Inch Wide, 30-40 Gallons, Pack of 4
A Pack of 4 Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heaters at 16 Watts, 12 Inch x 8 Inch, for 30-40 gallon enclosures.
Our score8.6/10Budget
Zoo Med Laboratories Reptitherm Under Tank Heater 8 x 18 Inch, 24 Watt
The Zoo Med Laboratories Reptitherm under tank heater at 8 x 18 Inch and 24 Watt, sized for larger glass terrariums.
Our score8.4/10Budget
#1A Pack of 4 Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heaters at 16 Watts, 12 Inch x 8 Inch, for 30-40 gallon enclosures.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Pack of 4 suits breeders or keepers running several enclosures
- + 12 x 8 Inch pad warms a solid hide area on mid-size tanks
- + Bulk pack usually lowers the cost per heater
- - Each pad needs its own thermostat or a multi-channel controller
- - Four pads is more than a single-pet household will use
#2The Zoo Med Laboratories Reptitherm under tank heater at 8 x 18 Inch and 24 Watt, sized for larger glass terrariums.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 8 x 18 Inch pad warms a full hide area on mid-size tanks
- + 24 Watt output gives more belly heat than smaller pads
- + Stated dimensions and wattage make fit easy to check
- - Needs a thermostat probe placed on the glass above the pad
- - Belly heat alone does not warm air, so pair with overhead heat if needed
#3Zoo Med's ReptiTherm under tank heater for 30-40 gallon tanks, a larger pad for ball python and leopard gecko warm zones.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Sized for common breeder and long tanks used for geckos and snakes
- + Provides belly heat that many ground dwelling species use to digest
- + Low profile pad hides completely under the enclosure
- - Substrate that is too deep blocks heat, so keep the layer shallow above it
- - Unsafe without a thermostat, since glass above the pad can get very hot
#4A Pack of 3 Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heaters at 4 Watts, 5 Inch long x 4 Inch wide, for enclosures up to 5 Gallons.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 3 small pads cover several nano tanks or feeder bins
- + 4 Watts draw keeps energy use very low across all three pads
- + Good for isopod, springtail and small invert cultures in cool rooms
- - Far too small to heat a standard reptile enclosure
- - Even low wattage pads should be controlled by a thermostat
#5Zoo Med's Reptitherm under tank heater for 1-5 gallon reptile terrariums, a small adhesive heat pad for tiny enclosures.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Small pad size suits nano tanks, isopod bins and hatchling setups
- + Adhesive mount sticks under glass for a clean look
- + Zoo Med Reptitherm pads are a long-standing, familiar product
- - Adhesive pads are hard to remove or reposition once stuck
- - Always run it on a thermostat, as pads can reach unsafe temperatures
#6An iPower 2-Pack of 4 by 7-Inch black reptile heating pads, small under tank heat mats for small animals and tiny tanks.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2-Pack covers two small tanks or a spare for emergencies
- + Budget-friendly mats suit quarantine tubs and invert enclosures
- + Thin design slides under plastic tubs sitting on rack shelves
- - Small pad size only warms a very limited area
- - Budget mats can run hot, so connect them to a thermostat
#7iPower 2-Pack 6 by 8-Inch Reptile Heating Pad Terrarium Heater Under Tank Heat Mat for Small Animals
iPower's 2-Pack of 6 by 8-Inch reptile heating pads, under tank heat mats for small reptiles and quarantine setups.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Slightly larger mat than the smallest iPower pads for a warm hide area
- + 2-Pack is handy for quarantine and main enclosure setups
- + Flexible mat can also sit under plastic tubs with care
- - No thermostat included, so buy a controller separately
- - Wattage is not listed, so check it suits your tank size
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among under tank heaters for reptiles?
Zoo Med Repti Therm Under Tank Reptile Heater 16 Watts, 12 Inch Long x 8 Inch Wide, 30-40 Gallons, Pack of 4 is our top overall pick. A Pack of 4 Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heaters at 16 Watts, 12 Inch x 8 Inch, for 30-40 gallon enclosures. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Zoo Med Laboratories Reptitherm Under Tank Heater 8 x 18 Inch, 24 Watt is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. The Zoo Med Laboratories Reptitherm under tank heater at 8 x 18 Inch and 24 Watt, sized for larger glass terrariums.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Last updated for 2026. Terrarium Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.