Geckos are great pets that are increasing in popularity every year. These lizards are not hard to care for and have a relatively long lifespan of about 5 years. However, they prefer a humid environment, and you will need to replicate this environment in the terrarium where you keep them. To add moisture to the air, you will need to use a humidifier or humidity maker. However, several brands are available, and they can look quite different, so it can be hard to choose the best option for your pet.
We’ve selected five brands that are easy to find in most pet stores and online to review for you, so you can see the difference between them. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each model and tell you about our experience using them. We’ve also included a short buyers guide where we talk about how these humidity makers work so you can know what to look for as you shop.
Keep reading while we discuss size, valves, set up, maintenance, and more to help you make an educated purchase.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall
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Zoo Med Reptile Fogger Terrarium Humidifier |
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Best Value
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BETAZOOER Reptile Humidifier |
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Premium Choice
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REPTI ZOO Reptile Mister Fogger Terrariums Humidifier |
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Evergreen Reptile Humidifier |
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VIVOSUN Reptile Humidifier |
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The 5 Best Humidity Makers for Geckos
1. Zoo Med Reptile Fogger Terrarium Humidifier – Best Overall
The Zoo Med Reptile Fogger Terrarium Humidifier is our pick as the best overall humidity maker for geckos. It’s a powerful machine that’s easy to use out of the box. You only need to place the extendable hose inside the aquarium and fill it with distilled water to increase the humidity in your environment. You can adjust moisture levels precisely using an analog valve, and a no-spill valve makes it easy to add water to the system.
We found the Zoo Med Reptile Fogger to be extremely powerful, and we enjoyed using it. The only thing we could complain about was that the system isn’t automated, and you will need to turn it on and off manually. You will also need to add distilled water frequently.
2. BETAZOOER Reptile Humidifier – Best Value
The BETAZOOER Reptile Humidifier is our pick as the best humidity maker for geckos for the money. It’s extremely easy to use and set up, and you only need to fill the reservoir with water and place the hose in the tank. You set it to shoot a mist every 15 to 30 minutes to increase the humidity in your aquarium. The power light changes from green to red to signal the device is low on water and an automatic shutoff feature turns off the device before it runs out of water to prevent it from overheating. It makes almost no noise while it operates and won’t bother your pets.
While we were using the BETAZOOER, we found that it worked well, but we needed to run it at full speed to create enough humidity for our gecko, so it ran out of water quickly. It also tends to shut off with quite a bit of water left in the tank, which meant more frequent refilling and periods where it stopped creating humidity.
3. REPTI ZOO Reptile Mister Fogger Terrariums Humidifier – Premium Choice
The REPTI ZOO Reptile Mister Fogger Terrariums Humidifier is our premium choice humidity maker for geckos. This commercial quality machine will push up to 20 spray nozzles, so you can use it to add humidity to multiple habitats simultaneously, and this kit includes four pieces that you can use right away. The nozzles spread moisture in a 360-degree pattern for maximum coverage, and internal backwater technology prevents water from building up in the hoses. A built-in timer lets you schedule when the device turns on and off, and it has a large 2.6-gallon capacity. You can even connect it to a direct line, so you don’t need to worry about filling it.
The REPTI ZOO is an impressive machine that we enjoyed using. The only problem we had with it was that it is quite loud as it operates, although the company doesn’t offer decibel specifications. It may also be a little too large for someone with a single gecko.
4. Evergreen Reptile Humidifier
The Evergreen Reptile Humidifier is a powerful fogger that can increase the humidity in your habitat quickly. Its large 2-liter capacity is twice the standard size and allows for longer times between refills. It’s easy to assemble and only requires attaching the hose and putting it in your tank. We also found it to be one of the quieter machines of all the brands on this list, and the hose extends to 5 feet.
The biggest downside to the Evergreen Reptile Humidifier is that it is difficult to fill because the steam comes out the same place the water goes, so it’s hard to see through the fog, resulting in plenty of spilled water. The construction also uses a thin and flimsy plastic that does not seem very sturdy. Even though it has a large capacity, it uses up the water quickly and requires frequent refilling.
5. VIVOSUN Reptile Humidifier
The VIVOSUN Reptile Humidifier is the last humidity maker for geckos on our list of reviews, but it still has plenty of good points. It has a large 2.5-liter capacity that will allow for longer times between refills. You can adjust the mist to dispense between 100 and 300 ml per hour to create the optimal habitat for your gecko, and the 5-foot hose is long enough to accommodate any design. It also operates quietly, and you will hardly notice it running.
The downside to the VIVOSUN Reptile Humidifier is that the hose tends to collect quite a bit of condensation due to its long length, which can cause it to operate incorrectly. It also makes it easier for mold to grow inside the tube, which is challenging to clean. The construction plastic is thin and does not make the machine seem very durable.
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Humidity Maker for Geckos
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Humidity Maker for GeckosThis section will discuss a few things to look for while shopping for a humidity maker for your gecko.
How Does a Humidity Maker Work?
Humidity makers are extremely simple devices that use several mechanical methods to add humidity to your reptile tank.
Mist
The mist-style humidity creator is the simplest type and is often the least expensive. These devices are similar to a spray bottle and usually use an internal timer to determine how frequently the machine sprays water into the tank. This water is typically cold, but it quickly evaporates in the warm tank, creating humidity. We prefer to use these machines for leopard geckos that require less humidity, but you can use them in high humidity environments if you check them frequently and have an accurate hygrometer.
The biggest problem we had with misting humidity makers is that they can create wet areas in the tank from the mist falling to the ground and not evaporating before more moisture arrives. Water collects when the intervals between sprays are short because you need more humidity.
Heat
One of the most common types of humidity makers uses heat to warm the water into a vapor state. These machines are extremely similar to humidifiers humans use when they have a cold. This device delivers humidity directly to the habitat, so it doesn’t create any wet areas in the tank, and you can achieve high humidity levels.
The biggest downside to these machines is that the steam they create is hot, and you could get minor burns if you touch it as it comes out of the tube. Longer tubes will also allow the water to condense, and if there are bends in the hose, water can block the airway, reducing the machine’s effectiveness. It also uses a lot of power to heat all of the water that it uses.
Ultrasonic
The ultrasonic humidity maker is an increasingly popular modern-style humidifier. This type of machine uses a small piezoelectric device similar to a speaker to vibrate the water rapidly. As the water shakes, it creates tiny air bubbles of humidity that rise to the surface and produce a fog. A built-in fan moves the water particles through a tube and into your habitat. These machines require much less power than the type that heats the water, and the resulting mist is cool to the touch. It also doesn’t condense in the tubes as easily, so it’s unlikely to cause clogs.
The only real downside to ultrasonic humidity makers is that they tend to be more expensive than other types and are not as readily available.
How Much Humidity Do Geckos Need?
The amount of humidity you need in your habitat will depend on what type of gecko you have.
Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko is a popular house pet, and these reptiles require a habitat humidity between 30% and 40%. Most homes have humidity in this range, so you won’t need a very powerful machine to maintain it, and you will need to watch that you don’t exceed 50%.
Crested Gecko
The crested gecko will require a much higher humidity of 60% to 80% to stay healthy and happy. However, consistent humidity above 80% can cause health problems, while allowing it to get below 50% might lead to dehydration.
Day Gecko
The day gecko is similar to the crested gecko in humidity requirements and prefers you to keep the humidity between 60% and 80%.
Electric Blue Gecko
Electric blue geckos need slightly less humidity than the day gecko at 50% to 70%, but still more than the leopard gecko.
Dwarf Gecko
Dwarf geckos will need between 55% and 65% for optimal health.
Supreme Gecko
The supreme gecko will require a habitat with humidity maintained between 60% and 80%, but they are a little more tolerant to numbers outside this range than the other breeds, at least for a short time.
Live Plants and Substrate
Using live plants and the proper substrate are great ways to help maintain the proper humidity level in your tank. Any plants that can handle the high temperatures will be fine. You can try peat moss, organic potting soil with no vermiculite, or orchid bark for best results and maximum humidity retention in a substrate.
Ease of Setup
One of the first things you will want to look for when choosing a humidity maker for your habitat is the ease of setup. Most modern units are extremely simple and only require you to fill the unit with water and place a hose inside the tank. However, several brands produce complex systems that can be challenging to install. The complex systems usually run multiple habitats, and we have one on our list, but unless you have several reptiles in your home, you probably don’t need something like this. We tried to point out any models that were difficult to set up on our list.
Capacity
The next thing you will likely want to check on is the water-holding capacity of your humidity maker. Tanks that require more filling are not only more work for you, but they tend to leave your lizard with less consistent humidity levels because they are always running out. Larger capacity machines provide more consistency and a more even moisture level in the habitat. We tried to point out any devices with a large capacity on our list, and we recommend getting the largest one possible, especially if you have a gecko that requires 60% to 80% humidity.
Adjustability
You will want to make sure your humidity maker is adjustable so you can maintain the proper humidity around the clock. While most units offer some adjustment, some offer very little, only a high and a low setting. It can be challenging to set up and maintain an ideal habitat with these machines, so look for something with multiple settings.
Final Thoughts
When choosing your next humidity maker, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall for most people. The Zoo Med Reptile Fogger Terrarium Humidifier is an ultrasonic humidity maker, so it will consume less power and produce fog that is cool to the touch. The fog travels a long distance and will quickly increase the humidity in your habitat. It has a large reservoir, it’s easy to fill, and it allows precise humidity control. Another smart choice is our choice for the best value. It’s a misting-style humidity maker that is extremely quiet while operating and features a low water shutoff that prevents the machine from running out of water. You can set it to mist in intervals from 15 to 30 minutes so you can maintain your desired humidity level.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over these reviews and learned some new facts about these devices. If we have helped you create a better habitat for your pet, please share this guide on the five best humidity makers for geckos on Facebook and Twitter.
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