The Best Reptile Heat Lamps

Heat lamps are an essential part of any reptile's setup. They keep your pet warm and cozy, which prevents early brumation, illness, and even death. You can find colored lights, ceramic heat emitters, and other options, allowing you to create a custom look and feel for your terrarium. You just have to decide which one fits your needs best.

What to Look For

As you search for the perfect heat lamp to keep your scaly noodle or lizard nice and warm, there are a few details to hone in on. The most important include the size of your enclosure, how you plan to mount or install it, and the power level requirements. For example, if you have a juvenile ball python in a 40-gallon breeder, the ceramic heat bulb and clamp light fixture set from Simple Deluxe has you covered. On the other hand, a bearded dragon needs both a heat emitter and a basking bulb to provide enough heat for both day and night, making the Repti Zoo Dual reptile light fixture the perfect choice. Read on to learn more about our top picks.

Fluker’s Repta-Clamp Lamp

Tried and true

Heavy-duty aluminum and a sturdy clamp make this fixture a reliable choice.
Best Overall

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The Fluker’s Repta-Clamp Lamp is an all-purpose fixture you can use for any bulb up to 150 watts. It uses heavy-gauge aluminum to protect the surrounding area from heat damage. The built-in clamp also allows you to hang it from a stand or clamp it to the side of an enclosure for added convenience. Overall, this is a go-to that all herp lovers should keep on hand.

Pros:

  • This lamp is super reliable. You can easily leave it on 24/7, running a ceramic heat emitter to keep your temps up.
  • It has a wide diameter, which helps distribute heat evenly.

Cons:

  • The short clamp can limit your configuration options.

Repti Zoo Dual Reptile Light Fixture

Double the power

You can keep your pet warm day and night with this two-sided lamp.
Runner Up

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If you have a reptile that requires more than one heat source, the Repti Zoo Dual reptile light fixture is for you. It contains enough space for two, so you can add a day and night bulb, UV and ceramic heat emitter, or any other combination. We also appreciate that each side has a separate switch. They make it a breeze to control the light and heat cycles.

Pros:

  • Sturdy ceramic helps this fixture hold up well through years of daily use, no matter which heat sources you install.
  • The deep-set hood allows you to fit UV bulbs that are often too large for shallow fixtures.

Cons:

  • While the dual switches are great for control, they add to the already-hectic wire situation. That’s especially an issue if you have a pet that requires a T-light and under-tank heating pad in addition to the heat lamp.

Wacool Deep Dome Dual Lamp Fixture

Compact and stylish

You can make your terrarium look great while keeping your pet warm around the clock.
Best Dual Dome

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Wacool’s compact dual fixture uses deep domes to give you all the space you need for heat emitters, UV bulbs, and any other bulb under 150 watts. It also includes heavy-duty hooks, so you can hang it from adjustable brackets or a stand. That ensures maximum control of the temperatures and basking conditions inside the enclosure.

Pros:

  • A reflective inner surface directs heat and light into the enclosure where it belongs. It also helps you separate the cool and warm sides so your pet can continuously regulate its body temperature.
  • The colors and designs add a fun touch to your set-up.

Cons:

  • Due to the narrow domes, this fixture may not provide enough heat for long custom tanks.

Simple Deluxe Heat Bulb and Clamp Fixture

Conveniently inclusive

Set and maintain the perfect temperature with this handy kit.
Best Set

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The Simple Deluxe heat bulb and clamp fixture set has everything you need to maintain your scaled friend’s ideal temperature. It includes a heavy-duty clamp-on fixture, ceramic heat-emitting bulb, and digital thermostat so that you can control everything right down to a single degree. All you have to do is set it up, and you can rest easy knowing your pet is happy and warm.

Pros:

  • This fixture has a wide-set dome that evenly spreads heat, so you can use it to heat larger enclosures. It’s excellent for tortoises, tegus, and other pets that have their own rooms.
  • Controlling the thermostat is straightforward, and it will turn the lamp on and off as needed to prevent over or underheating.

Cons:

  • The fixture is sturdy but not well insulated, so you can get burned if you touch it.

DBDPet Zoo Med Basking Spot Lamp

Focused heat

These bulbs are perfect for reptiles that need to soak up a little extra warmth.
Best for Basking

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Some reptiles need a specific spot to sit and bask in bright light and high heat. That’s where the Zoo Med basking spot lamp from DBDPet comes in handy. It has a built-in reflective surface that works with your chosen fixture to focus the heat and light onto your pet’s favorite hammock or rock. Best of all, each set includes two bulbs, providing up to 2000 hours of use.

Pros:

  • The concentrated beam helps you keep the basking spot nice and cozy without overheating the cool side of the tank.
  • You can use these bulbs in almost any fixture. They fit in narrow or wide domes, along with dual-sided versions.

Cons:

  • These bulbs don’t come with a fixture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a heat light bulb and a heat emitter?

A heat light bulb gives off heat and light, providing your pet with the perfect temperature and defined day and night cycles. Heat emitters look like light bulbs, but they only give off heat. They don’t provide any light, so you can always leave them on.

Do I need a single or dual heat lamp?

A single lamp allows you to add a heat emitter or light bulb without taking up too much space. On the other hand, a dual heat lamp fixture gives you the room you need to use a combination of bulbs. However, they also take up more space on the tank.

About the Author

Chelsia has grown up with cats all her life and now has two of her very own. As a mom of five kids, Chelsia has lots of little tricks to share about caring for and training cats to live harmoniously with everyone else in the home. She also knows the latest gadgets to make caring for cats a breeze so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time worrying about cleaning up after your furry friends.

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