# Best Under Tank Heaters for Reptiles Source: https://terrariumnest.com/best/best-under-tank-heaters Updated: 2026-10-23 Publisher: Terrarium Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://terrariumnest.com/how-we-research#our-score 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. ## Picks ### 1. Zoo Med Repti Therm Under Tank Reptile Heater 16 Watts, 12 Inch Long x 8 Inch Wide, 30-40 Gallons, Pack of 4 Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) A Pack of 4 Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heaters at 16 Watts, 12 Inch x 8 Inch, for 30-40 gallon enclosures. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Each pad needs its own thermostat or a multi-channel controller - Four pads is more than a single-pet household will use Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B07RW58ZZ6 ### 2. iPower 6 by 8-Inch 8 Watts Reptile Heating Mat with Temperature Controller Under Tank Warmer Terrarium Heat Pad for Reptiles and Amphibians Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10) An iPower 6 by 8-Inch 8 Watts reptile heating mat with a temperature controller for reptiles and amphibians. Pros: - Bundled temperature controller adds control out of the box - 8 Watts output is gentle for small tanks and amphibians - 6 by 8-Inch size fits a warm hide area on small enclosures Cons: - Dial style controllers are less precise than probe thermostats - Only suitable for small tanks or as a secondary heat source Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B08L4CSTPC ### 3. Zoo Med Reptitherm Under Tank Heater for 1-5 Gallon Reptile Terrariums Our score: 7.5/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Zoo Med's Reptitherm under tank heater for 1-5 gallon reptile terrariums, a small adhesive heat pad for tiny enclosures. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Adhesive pads are hard to remove or reposition once stuck - Always run it on a thermostat, as pads can reach unsafe temperatures Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B00U9ODK2M ### 4. BN-LINK Reptile Heat Pad 8"X12" 16W for 30-40gal Under Tank Terrarium Heating Mat Waterproof for Turtle, Lizard, Frogs, Snake, Hermit Crab Our score: 7.4/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) BN-LINK 8 by 12 inch, 16W waterproof reptile heat pad with an adhesive back, a low-cost under tank heater for mid-size glass tanks. Pros: - 16 watt pad, 8 by 12 inches, 120 volt, with a peel-and-stick adhesive back for glass terrariums. - Listed as waterproof, flexible and water-resistant for easy cleaning, with a 15 month warranty. - Priced well below the Zoo Med pads in this guide, a good budget pick. Cons: - The listing text mentions both 30 to 40 gallon in the title and 10 to 20 gallon in the bullets, so check the size match on Amazon. - It has no built-in thermostat in the listing, so pair it with a separate controller. Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B08C93ZGPJ ### 5. Zoo Med Repti Therm Under Tank Reptile Heater 24 Watts - 18" Long x 8" Wide (50-60 Gallons) Our score: 7.3/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heater, 24 watts, 18 by 8 inches, sold for 50 to 60 gallon tanks, the same size and wattage as the original pick under a new listing. Pros: - Same Zoo Med Repti Therm 24 watt size as the original, 18 inches long by 8 inches wide, so the guide keeps a full size option. - The title lists the 50 to 60 gallon tank range, which makes sizing simple. - From an established reptile heating brand, and the 24W rating suits a secondary heat source under a larger glass tank. Cons: - The listing returned no feature bullets, so mounting, cord length and thermostat compatibility are not stated here. - It is a large pad priced well above the small sizes, and it is a single heater that still needs a separate thermostat. Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B07RW4SLVP ### 6. Zoo Med Repti Therm Under Tank Reptile Heater 8 Watts - 8" Long x 6" Wide (10-20 Gallons) - Pack of 2 Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Zoo Med Repti Therm under tank heater, 8 watts at 8 x 6 inches, sold as a pack of 2 and listed for 10 to 20 gallon terrariums. A mid-size step up from the 4 watt pad. Pros: - The listing says it sticks permanently to glass and works as a 24-hour heat source, with no lamp or bulb to replace. - It is listed as UL/cUL approved and usable with a thermostat, which is how any under tank heater should be run. - A pack of 2 covers two small tanks or a spare, and the 10 to 20 gallon rating fills the size gap in this guide. Cons: - It costs more than the 4 watt single pad it replaces because the price is for two heaters, so check you need both. - Heat from below only warms the floor, so it will not give an overhead basking spot or air warmth for the whole enclosure. Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B07RT33QPV ### 7. iPower 4 by 7-Inch Reptile Heating Pad Under Tank Terrarium Heater Warmer Heat Mat for Small Animals (Pack of 2) Our score: 7.0/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10) iPower 4 x 7 inch reptile heating pad in a 2 pack, listed at 4 watts for 1 to 5 gallon terrariums, with a 3M adhesive back and a 6 foot cord. Pros: - The listing describes a 3M adhesive backing for good contact with the glass, and a waterproof and moisture proof design. - Two small pads in the pack let you warm two small setups, or use one as a spare, at a low price. - The 120V plug needs no adapter, and the spec sheet describes PTC heating material and insulation for efficient heat transfer. Cons: - At 4 watts and a 4 x 7 inch footprint it only suits very small enclosures, so larger tanks need bigger pads. - The product page has no built in thermostat, so you still need a separate controller to manage the surface warmth. Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B0DPN7FMRL ### 8. iPower Reptile Heat Pad Under Tank Terrarium Warmer Heating Mat for Turtle, Lizard, Frog, Snake, Reptile, and Other Small Animals, 6X8 Inch, 8W, 2 Pack Our score: 6.8/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) iPower 6 by 8 inch, 8W reptile heat pad sold as a 2 pack, the same brand and size as the original listing, with PTC heating material and 3M adhesive. Pros: - Same brand and 6 by 8 inch size as the original, 120 volts and 8 watts with a 6 foot cord and US plug. - PTC heating material and insulation are listed, with 3M adhesive paper to hold the mat in place. - Two mats in the pack, enough for two small tanks or a spare. Cons: - Sold as a 2 pack, so it costs more than a single pad if you only need one. - The listing has no thermostat and no tank size recommendation, so you must pair it with a controller. Details: https://terrariumnest.com/product/B0BVR3P41V As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.