The best possible environment for your reptile is one that mimics its natural environment as closely as possible. Most reptiles need a moist environment to thrive, with loads of humidity to assist with shedding and hydration. The humidity in your reptile’s cage is simply how much water vapor is present in the air, and this needs to be carefully monitored and controlled for the optimal health of your reptile.
The best way to do this is with a thermometer and hygrometer. Different reptiles need different levels of humidity, and a hygrometer can help you keep track of and control the perfect humidity levels. Too much humidity can result in a moldy enclosure or skin issues, and too little humidity can cause shedding issues, dehydration, and even the death of your reptile.
Finding the right thermometer and hygrometer for your reptile can be stressful, but don’t worry! We’ve done all the hard work and created this list of in-depth reviews to help you find the right one to suit your unique needs.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites for 2024
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Best Overall
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Fluker’s Thermo-Hygrometer Digital |
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Best Value
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Zoo Med Dual Analog Gauge |
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Premium Choice
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REPTI ZOO Reptile Thermometer Hygrometer |
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Zoo Med Digital Thermometer Humidity Gauge |
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ThermoPro Digital Hygrometer |
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The 6 Best Reptile Thermometers & Hygrometers
1. Fluker’s Thermo-Hygrometer Digital — Best Overall
This digital Thermo-Hygrometer from Fluker’s is our top choice overall and will give you an accurate reading of both temperature and humidity inside your reptile’s enclosure. It features an easy-to-read digital display that will help you maintain the perfect levels for your reptile and is safe to use in even the most humid environments. The included magic-sticker makes it simple to mount and remove. It has a useful function that will keep a record of the minimum and maximum temperatures in your tank, so you can rest assured while you are out or asleep. It also uses batteries and doesn’t require a power outlet.
While this unit is water-resistant and will work perfectly in high-humidity environments, it is not waterproof. This means if it happens to slip off its mounting and into water, it will likely stop working. Some users report that very high levels of humidity will make it work intermittently.
2. Zoo Med Dual Analog Gauge — Best Value
The Zoo Med Dual Analog Gauge is the best thermometer and hygrometer for the money, according to our tests. It features two analog, color-coded dials that are designed to be easy to read, to help you keep the humidity and temperature dialed in perfectly. Installation is a breeze, with its fuzzy-fastener backing. This makes it both easy to clean and move around the enclosure. The unit is ready to use straight out of the box, as it requires no batteries or power outlets to operate.
Several users report inaccurate readings from this unit, when directly compared with a few others, up to 15% off in some cases! While this may be fine for general use, some reptiles require absolutely accurate readings for optimal health, and this factor keeps it from the top position on this list.
3. REPTI ZOO Reptile Thermometer Hygrometer — Premium Choice
If you are looking for a premium product that is long-lasting, accurate, and durable, this thermometer and hygrometer combination from REPTI ZOO may be perfect for you. It features a digital display on an easy-to-read LCD screen and is mounted onto a strong suction cup with an adjustable mechanism for custom positioning. It comes with two batteries that can function for up to a year. It has a temperature range of 14–122 degrees Fahrenheit, a humidity range of 20–99%, and a sampling interval of five seconds, so you can get the widest spectrum of measurements you’ll ever need on a regular basis.
While this unit is water-resistant, some users report condensation getting into the screen at high humidity levels, which will make it almost impossible to read. A few users also report slightly inaccurate hygrometer readings, which along with the high price, keeps this product from the top two positions on this list.
4. Zoo Med Digital Thermometer Humidity Gauge
The TH-31 digital thermometer and hygrometer from Zoo Med features a digital LCD screen and runs off an included battery. This unit is unique in that it has two independent remote probes that can be used to measure temperature and humidity levels at different specific locations. The temperature probe is waterproof and can even be used completely submerged in water. These 36-inch-long probes make for pinpoint accurate readings and completely customizable operation around the enclosure. It has suction cups on the back for easy and quick installation.
While the temperature gauge is accurate when tested alongside others, some users report that the humidity gauge can be slightly inaccurate. This could be due to the somewhat fragile probe wires, which could potentially be damaged by bigger reptiles.
5. ThermoPro Digital Hygrometer
The TP49 from ThermoPro features an accurate thermometer and humidity sensor and a 10-second refresh for unsurpassed accuracy. The LCD is compact and has large bold numbers for easy reading. The ThermoPro has three different mounting options: tabletop stand, magnetic back, and hanging pole. It also features a unique “face icon” indicator to quickly notify you of dry, comfortable, or wet conditions, so you can adjust your reptile’s enclosure accordingly. It is battery-operated, which mitigates the need for messy power cables, and the battery life is up to 24 months.
While its compact size is a great space-saver, it can make the screen difficult to read, especially in a tank filled with condensation. Also, this humidifier is designed for general home use and may not last long inside the humid conditions of a reptile terrarium.
6. Inkbird ITH-10 Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer
The ITH-10 thermometer and hygrometer from Inkbird is a compact and lightweight unit with an easy-to-read digital display. It is battery-powered and easy to install with the Velcro backing. It has a temperature measuring range of 23–140 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity range of 30–90%, which is ideal for a reptile enclosure.
The small battery is easy and cheap to replace but won’t last that long. While this unit won’t take up much space in your reptile’s enclosure, the small screen can be difficult to read in a humid tank. Some users report different readings—up to 5% fluctuations—coming from multiple units, which means the readings are probably not 100% accurate. The Velcro attachment is not ideal for moist tanks, and several users report it slipping off constantly.
Buyer’s Guide
Keeping accurate track of the temperature and humidity inside your reptile’s enclosure is one of the most vital components to the health and well-being of your reptilian friend. Too little humidity can result in dehydration, shedding issues, and even fatality. Too much humidity could mean respiratory problems, mold, and various other health issues for your reptile. Cold temperatures can quickly result in hypothermia.
A thermometer measures the relative temperature inside your reptile’s enclosure, with thermo referring to heat. A hygrometer measures the relative humidity inside the enclosure, with hygro referring to moisture. Note that hygrometers measure the relative humidity inside the enclosure, which is the amount of water vapor in the air, compared to the highest amount possible.
Usually, the two are combined into one convenient unit to measure both at once.
There are a few important factors to look out for when purchasing a thermometer and hygrometer for your reptile’s enclosure.
Accuracy
Accuracy is arguably the most important factor. An accurate representation of the relative moisture content and temperature will allow you to specifically adjust the settings to suit your pet’s unique needs. Some reptiles require specific conditions to survive, while others are a bit more forgiving. That said, not all measurement devices are made equal, and some are more accurate than others. However, even the most accurate units can have variability, especially concerning humidity. It is not uncommon to get deviations of readings from 2–20% from hygrometers. While this can be due to a poorly built unit, other factors can come into play. The humidity levels can vary greatly in different parts of your reptile’s enclosure, especially in large terrariums. The movement of the fog and moisture being pumped in can also result in constantly shifting readings. Simply placing the unit in different places can greatly affect the reading.
Temperature gauges are usually much less temperamental and will provide mostly accurate readings. One important factor to note is that warm air will hold more water than cold air does. This means that the relative humidity will drop as the temperature rises and will affect your readings too.
Build quality
A reptile enclosure needs to be humid, and this naturally results in loads of condensation inside the tank. Your thermometer/hygrometer needs to be able to withstand both the humidity levels and the high temperatures. Most specially-made units are water-resistant to combat the high moisture levels but are not waterproof. This means they need to be firmly attached to the tank to ensure that they don’t slip off into the water.
The screen should ideally be big and easy to read, especially a digital LCD model. A small screen will be difficult to see through the condensation-rich glass of the enclosure, and you don’t want to open up the tank every time you need to take a reading.
Power source
A battery-powered unit is convenient and compact, and you won’t have electrical wires coming into your reptile’s enclosure, which can be untidy and potentially dangerous. Most battery-powered units have simple LCD screens that don’t take much power to run, so the battery should last for months. Another benefit of these types of units is that they are compact and easy to install and remove.
Price
Of course, price is always an important consideration, but as with most other things, you get what you pay for. If you have a pet that needs close monitoring of specific levels, it’s worth spending the extra money to get the most accurate unit possible.
Conclusion
ConclusionAccording to our tests, the digital thermometer and hygrometer from Fluker’s is the top choice overall. With an easy-to-read digital display and an included magic-sticker for simple mounting and removal, it will provide accurate readings and simple ease of use.
We’ve found that the best thermometer and hygrometer for the money is the Zoo Med Dual Analog Gauge. Featuring two analogs, color-coded dials for battery and power-free use, and quick and simple installation, it will give you accurate and simple measurements without breaking the bank.
It can be confusing and even stressful to find the right thermometer/hygrometer for your reptile’s enclosure with all the varieties available. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you narrow down the options, so you can find the best unit to suit your pet’s unique needs.
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