Inkbird Temperature Controller ITC-306T WiFi Heat Lamp Thermostat Reptile Temperature Controlled Outlet for Heat Mat, 1200W, 10A Review (2026)

What this controller does

The Inkbird ITC-306T is a plug-in temperature controlled outlet rather than a dimming thermostat, meaning it switches a connected heat mat, heat cable or lamp fully on or fully off based on a probe reading rather than gradually pulling back power as temperature climbs. It connects to 2.4GHz home WiFi and pairs with the Inkbird app, which lets a keeper check current enclosure temperature and adjust setpoints from a phone rather than only at the unit itself. Two outlets are built into the unit, so it can run two heating devices independently, each measured by its own probe, which suits a keeper managing more than one enclosure or a setup with both a heat mat and a supplemental heat source.

Power rating and what it can run

The controller is rated for 1200 watts and 10 amps combined across its outlets, running on 100 to 240 volt AC power, which gives real headroom above what a typical heat mat, heat cable or basking bulb draws individually. That matters for keepers who want one controller managing a heat mat on one channel and a ceramic heat emitter or basking bulb on the other, since many lower-rated thermostats cap out well below what a stronger heat source needs. The stainless steel probe included is built for accuracy in the kind of enclosure conditions a heat mat or lamp setup typically runs in, though as with any single-probe thermostat, probe placement close to the actual basking or warm zone matters more than the controller's rated accuracy.

Day and night settings and daily use

A feature that stands out on this model is its independent day and night temperature targets within a 24-hour cycle, letting a keeper program a lower nighttime setpoint for species that benefit from a natural temperature drop after dark, without manually adjusting the unit twice a day. Setup runs through the Inkbird app, connecting the controller to a 2.4GHz WiFi network, which some home routers running only 5GHz networks will need to accommodate with a dual-band setting. Once configured, day to day use is largely hands-off, with the app serving mainly as a way to glance at current temperature or get an alert if a reading drifts outside the expected range.

Trade-offs against other thermostats

The main limitation is that this is an on-off controller rather than a proportional or PID thermostat, which matters most for basking bulbs, since a bulb that is either fully on or fully off tends to cause more temperature swing than one that dims smoothly as it approaches target. In the site's thermostat guide, this model ranks third of seven, behind Inkbird's own 2-channel WiFi mat controller and a REPTIZOO dimming PID unit, both of which handle bulbs more gracefully. Reliability also depends on home WiFi holding a steady connection, since the app features are only as useful as the network behind them, though the controller still functions as a basic on-off thermostat if WiFi drops.

Who should buy it

This controller suits keepers who want remote temperature monitoring, day and night setpoints, and enough wattage headroom to run more demanding heat mats or cables from a single unit, especially across two separate outlets. It is a weaker match for anyone running a basking bulb as the primary heat source and wanting the smoothest possible temperature control, who would be better served by a dimming or PID-style thermostat instead. Keepers without a reliable 2.4GHz WiFi network should also weigh whether the app features add enough value over a simpler, non-WiFi thermostat.

Frequently asked questions