Best Reptile Heat Mats of 2026: Under Tank Heaters Compared
Affiliate disclosure: product links on this page go to Amazon, or to the maker's own store for brands that sell only direct. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you; a link to a maker's store earns us nothing. No retailer or brand sees our picks before they are published or has any say in them. How we choose.
The best documented heat mat is the Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank Heater: UL/cUL approved, made in four sizes from 4 to 24 watts, and sold with the most complete installation manual of any mat here. On Amazon, the BN-LINK 8 x 12 inch 16-watt pad is the value pick, and VIVOSUN sells a similar pad bundled with a thermostat for buyers who need both.
Whichever mat you buy, run it through a thermostat with the probe on the floor above the mat. BN-LINK sells its pad as giving steady heat between 104 and 122°F, and Zoo Med says its heater runs at about 95 to 100°F; a mat with nothing controlling it keeps heating whatever the enclosure temperature. Picks are based on the makers' specs and installation rules, with listing-only figures marked.
Our top picks at a glance
1. Best overall
Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank HeaterSize: 4 x 5, 6 x 8, 8 x 12 or 8 x 18 in · Watts: 4, 8, 16 or 24W · Tank size (maker): 1-5, 10-20, 30-40 gal (large not stated) · Thermostat included: No
2. Best value
BN-LINK reptile heat pad, 8 x 12 in, 16WSize: 8 x 12 in · Watts: 16W at 120V · Tank size (maker): 10 to 20 gal (BN-LINK page; the Amazon title says 30 to 40) · Thermostat included: No
3. Best kit with a thermostat
VIVOSUN heat pad 8 x 12 in with thermostatSize: 8 x 12 in · Watts: Not stated on the listing for this size · Tank size (maker): Not stated on the listing · Thermostat included: Yes, 40 to 108°F
4. Best for small tanks
Zilla Heat Mat, small, 8WSize: Small (dimensions not stated on the listing) · Watts: 8W · Tank size (maker): 20 gal (per the Amazon listing) · Thermostat included: No
| Pick | Size | Watts | Tank size (maker) | Thermostat included | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank HeaterBest overall | 4 x 5, 6 x 8, 8 x 12 or 8 x 18 in | 4, 8, 16 or 24W | 1-5, 10-20, 30-40 gal (large not stated) | No | Zoo Med |
| BN-LINK reptile heat pad, 8 x 12 in, 16WBest value | 8 x 12 in | 16W at 120V | 10 to 20 gal (BN-LINK page; the Amazon title says 30 to 40) | No | Amazon |
| VIVOSUN heat pad 8 x 12 in with thermostatBest kit with a thermostat | 8 x 12 in | Not stated on the listing for this size | Not stated on the listing | Yes, 40 to 108°F | Amazon |
| Zilla Heat Mat, small, 8WBest for small tanks | Small (dimensions not stated on the listing) | 8W | 20 gal (per the Amazon listing) | No | Amazon |
Best overall
Zoo Med ReptiTherm Under Tank Heater
A UL/cUL-approved under tank heater in four sizes, with the clearest installation and safety rules of any heat mat.
- Size
- 4 x 5, 6 x 8, 8 x 12 or 8 x 18 in
- Watts
- 4, 8, 16 or 24W
- Tank size (maker)
- 1-5, 10-20, 30-40 gal (large not stated)
- Thermostat included
- No
- Warranty
- 1 year
Pros
- UL/cUL approved with a solid-state nichrome element, per Zoo Med
- Detailed manual: mounting, substrate limits, elevation and when to discard
- Side mounting allowed, which suits tanks on furniture
Cons
- Glass terrariums only; the full-size mats are excluded from plastic, wood and acrylic cages
- Shown with a plain link to Zoo Med: the Amazon offer we found was from a third-party seller we could not verify
- Cannot be moved once stuck on without voiding the guarantee
Zoo Med makes the ReptiTherm in four sizes: Mini (4 x 5 in, 4W, 1 to 5 gallons), Small (6 x 8 in, 8W, 10 to 20 gallons), Medium (8 x 12 in, 16W, 30 to 40 gallons) and Large (8 x 18 in, 24W). Zoo Med describes them as UL/cUL approved with a solid-state nichrome element, and as a 24-hour primary or secondary heat source for tropical or temperate species. The manual says the heater runs at about 95 to 100°F and raises the enclosure's ambient temperature by 2 to 10°F (Zoo Med's FAQ says 2 to 8°F), so a cool room usually needs another heat source as well.
The manual is the reason it leads this list. It says to stick the mat to one side of the underside for a gradient, lift the tank on the supplied rubber feet so heat can escape, and side-mount instead on furniture or fabric; to keep sand or gravel over it to 1.5 inches or less and other substrate to 2 inches; never to put a hide, decoration, water dish or heat lamp directly over it; and to discard it if it cracks, blisters, melts or discolors. It is for glass terrariums only: Zoo Med excludes acrylic, metal, wood, plastic, foam, fiberglass and stone cages, except that the 4-watt Mini may be used on the back or side of plastic keepers.
Who should skip it: owners of PVC or wooden enclosures, who should heat from above, and anyone who wants to buy through an Amazon offer we could verify (the BN-LINK pad is the alternative).
Best value
BN-LINK reptile heat pad, 8 x 12 in, 16W
A 16-watt, 8 x 12 inch pad with a 15-month warranty for well under $20, sold by BN-LINK's own store.
- Size
- 8 x 12 in
- Watts
- 16W at 120V
- Tank size (maker)
- 10 to 20 gal (BN-LINK page; the Amazon title says 30 to 40)
- Thermostat included
- No
- Warranty
- 15 months
Pros
- 15-month warranty, longer than the others here
- Waterproof surface for cleaning
- Sold by the brand's own Amazon store
Cons
- BN-LINK says it gives steady heat between 104 and 122°F, so it must be on a thermostat
- No safety listing is stated on BN-LINK's page for the mat
- Tank-size guidance differs between BN-LINK's page and the Amazon title
BN-LINK's page gives the 8 x 12 inch pad as 16 watts at 120V, for 10 to 20 gallon terrariums, giving steady heat between 104 and 122°F, with a 15-month warranty. The Amazon listing title says 30 to 40 gallons while its own description repeats 10 to 20; we go with the maker. BN-LINK says it suits any glass terrarium and has a strong adhesive backing.
That 104 to 122°F output is the reason to pair it with a thermostat. BN-LINK's own heat mat thermostat (1,000 watts, 40 to 108°F, ETL listed) is the cheapest match; see our best reptile thermostats for others.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a published safety certification on the mat itself, or a single box with mat and thermostat (the VIVOSUN combo).
Best kit with a thermostat
VIVOSUN heat pad 8 x 12 in with thermostat
An 8 x 12 inch pad bundled with a 40 to 108°F digital thermostat, for buyers starting from nothing.
- Size
- 8 x 12 in
- Watts
- Not stated on the listing for this size
- Tank size (maker)
- Not stated on the listing
- Thermostat included
- Yes, 40 to 108°F
- Surface
- IP67 rated, per the listing
Pros
- Mat and thermostat in one box, sold by VIVOSUN's own store
- Listing says the pad meets UL certification and is IP67 water-tight
- Bottom or side mounting with 3M adhesive
Cons
- All specs come from the Amazon listing
- Wattage of the 8 x 12 inch size is not stated
- The thermostat's 108°F ceiling suits a mat, not a basking lamp
VIVOSUN's listing describes a far-infrared heating pad that "can get well about 104°F", a surface that meets UL certification and is IP67 water-tight, double insulation, and a bundled digital thermostat with a 40 to 108°F control range. It warns not to put anything on top of the pad because that raises its surface temperature, which matches Zoo Med's rule against hides or decor directly over a mat.
Bundles save a step, but check the fit: the included controller is a heat-mat thermostat, and its 108°F maximum is too low to control a desert basking lamp.
Who should skip it: anyone who already owns a thermostat (buy the mat alone), and buyers who want maker documentation beyond a listing.
Best for small tanks
Zilla Heat Mat, small, 8W
A small 8-watt carbon-fiber mat that, per its listing, limits itself to 113°F, sold and shipped by Amazon.
- Size
- Small (dimensions not stated on the listing)
- Watts
- 8W
- Tank size (maker)
- 20 gal (per the Amazon listing)
- Thermostat included
- No
- Max temperature
- Self-limits to 113°F (per the Amazon listing)
Pros
- Self-regulating carbon fiber element with a 113°F maximum, per the listing
- Low 8-watt draw
- Also made in mini, medium and large sizes
Cons
- A built-in limit is not a set point: still use a thermostat
- Specs come from the Amazon listing
- Costs more than the BN-LINK pad for half the wattage
Zilla's listing describes a carbon fiber mat that "regulates itself to a maximum safe temperature of 113ºF," with even infrared heat and adhesive mounting, in mini, small, medium and large sizes; the small draws 8 watts and is listed for a 20-gallon tank. A self-limiting element caps how hot the mat can get, which is a useful safety layer, but 113°F is still hotter than many floor targets, so run it through a thermostat like any other mat.
Who should skip it: owners of 30-gallon and larger tanks, who need a bigger mat, and buyers comparing price per watt, where BN-LINK is cheaper.
How we chose
We compared each maker's stated size, wattage, recommended tank size, operating temperature, certification and warranty, and gave weight to installation instructions, because most heat mat problems come from how they are mounted. Zoo Med's manual sets the bar; where a mat's figures appear only on its Amazon listing we say so.
What to look for
The right size for the tank
A mat should cover part of the floor, not all of it, so the animal can move off the heat. Zoo Med says to mount its mat on the left or right side of the tank for a temperature gradient and lists using a larger mat on a smaller tank, or several mats under one tank, as improper use. Its sizing runs from a 6 x 8 inch 8-watt mat for 10 to 20 gallons to an 8 x 12 inch 16-watt mat for 30 to 40 gallons.
| Mat | Size | Watts | Tank size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoo Med ReptiTherm Mini | 4 x 5 in | 4W | 1 to 5 gal | Zoo Med |
| Zoo Med ReptiTherm Small | 6 x 8 in | 8W | 10 to 20 gal | Zoo Med |
| Zoo Med ReptiTherm Medium | 8 x 12 in | 16W | 30 to 40 gal | Zoo Med |
| Zoo Med ReptiTherm Large | 8 x 18 in | 24W | Not stated | Zoo Med |
| BN-LINK pad | 8 x 12 in | 16W | 10 to 20 gal | BN-LINK |
| Zilla Small | Not stated | 8W | 20 gal | Amazon listing |
Your enclosure material
This rules many buyers out. Zoo Med's full-size ReptiTherm mats are for standard glass aquariums only, with acrylic, metal, wood, plastic, foam, fiberglass and stone cages excluded from the warranty, and BN-LINK describes its pad for glass terrariums. If you keep a PVC enclosure, heat from above with a lamp or projector unless the enclosure maker says a mat is safe; our PVC vs glass comparison covers the trade-offs.
A thermostat, with the probe in the right place
Zoo Med says to use a thermostat or rheostat if your home reaches 80°F or warmer, and to unplug the mat in hot weather if you are not using one. We go further and say always: the mats here run at 95 to 122°F by their makers' figures. Fix the probe on the floor surface above the mat, where the animal lies, and remember Zoo Med's note that the heater takes at least six hours to give an accurate temperature reading. A pulse proportional or on/off thermostat suits a mat; see the thermostat guide.
Substrate and what sits on top
Zoo Med limits sand or gravel over the mat to 1.5 inches and other substrate to 2 inches, and says lightweight bedding needs a layer of carpet-type liner so a burrowing animal cannot push it aside and lie on bare glass over the heater. Hides, decorations and water dishes should not sit directly over it, and neither should a heat lamp.
How much heat a mat really adds
Zoo Med says its mat raises the ambient temperature of an enclosure by 2 to 10°F. In a house at 65 to 75°F, Zoo Med notes, an additional heat source is needed to keep a tropical terrarium at 80 to 88°F, so a mat is often one part of the heating, alongside the options in our best reptile heat lamps guide.
Installation checklist
- Glass tank only (check the enclosure maker's instructions for anything else).
- Mat on one side, outside the tank, never inside.
- Tank lifted on feet, or the mat side-mounted, so heat is not trapped.
- Substrate within Zoo Med's depth limits; nothing heavy directly over the mat.
- Thermostat probe on the floor above the mat; check with a separate thermometer.
- Inspect monthly and discard a mat that cracks, blisters, melts or discolors.
What to skip
- A heat mat inside the enclosure. Zoo Med says exterior only.
- A mat under a PVC, wooden or plastic enclosure unless both makers say it is safe.
- Heat rocks. The thermostat makers we cover exclude them.
- Running any mat without a thermostat. See our heating safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do heat mats need a thermostat?
Yes. BN-LINK sells its 8 x 12 inch pad as giving steady heat between 104 and 122 degrees F, and Zoo Med says its under tank heater runs at about 95 to 100 degrees F. A thermostat with its probe on the floor above the mat holds the temperature you set; Zoo Med itself says to use one, or unplug the mat, when the house reaches 80 degrees F.
What size heat mat do I need?
One that covers part of the floor on one side, sized to the tank. Zoo Med recommends its 6 x 8 inch 8-watt mat for 10 to 20 gallons and its 8 x 12 inch 16-watt mat for 30 to 40 gallons, and says a larger mat on a smaller tank, or several mats under one tank, is improper use.
Can I put a heat mat under a PVC enclosure?
Zoo Med says its full-size ReptiTherm mats are for glass aquariums only and excludes plastic, wood and acrylic cages from the warranty. Heat PVC enclosures from above unless both the mat maker and the enclosure maker say a mat is safe.
Should a heat mat go inside or outside the tank?
Outside. Zoo Med says its heater is for the exterior of the terrarium only, mounted under one side or on a lower side wall, with the tank lifted on rubber feet so heat can escape.
How hot does a reptile heat mat get?
By the makers' figures, Zoo Med's ReptiTherm runs at about 95 to 100 degrees F, BN-LINK's pad gives 104 to 122 degrees F, and Zilla's listing says its mat self-limits at 113 degrees F. The surface over the mat can be hotter if substrate is too deep or something sits on top, which is why the probe goes there.
Is a heat mat enough to heat a reptile tank?
Often not on its own. Zoo Med says its mat raises the enclosure's ambient temperature by 2 to 10 degrees F and that a house at 65 to 75 degrees F needs an additional heat source to keep a tropical terrarium at 80 to 88 degrees F. Many setups pair a mat with an overhead lamp or projector.
Sources
- ReptiTherm Under Tank Heater (U.T.H.), Zoo Med Laboratories
- ReptiTherm RH-4, 5, 6 and Mini UTH Instructions, Zoo Med Laboratories
- Pet Heating Pad Electric Indoor Waterproof for Reptiles, 8 x 12 inch, BN-LINK
- Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller 40-108°F, BN-LINK
- Herpstat 1 and 2 User Manual, Spyder Robotics
- ReptiTemp Digital Thermostat (RT-600) instructions, Zoo Med Laboratories
Cover photo: common leopard gecko, leopardgecko, pakistanischer fettschwanzgecko, spotted fat-tailed gecko by Andre Hosper, CC BY 4.0, via inaturalist. Cropped.
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