Best UVB Lights for Tortoises & Turtles in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Being a pet owner is a big responsibility. Ensuring that your pet lives a long, healthy, happy life means knowing precisely what they need to thrive. If you own a tortoise or turtle, you must make sure their habitat is set up for their specifications. Part of this includes using a UVB light, but how do you know if you have the best one or even the right one?

We did the research and found eight UVB lights that might be perfect for your pet. We hope that these reviews will lead you to the right lamp for your turtle or tortoise!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB & Heat Lighting Kit	Comes with a 5.0 Includes splashproof halogen bulb for heat and light Includes deep dome lamp fixture Includes deep dome lamp fixture	Check Price
Best Value		Zoo Med ReptiSun UVB Fluorescent Mini Lamp	Affordable Full-spectrum bulb with 5% UVB and 30% UVA outputs Made with quartz glass for easier UVB absorption	Check Price
Premium Choice		Exo Terra Solar Glo Reptile Bulb	Has the proper balance of ultraviolet light UVB, UVA, visual and infrared lights 12” UVB penetration distance	Check Price
		LUCKY HERP UVA UVB Reptile Light	Great for desert reptiles 10% UVB and 30% UVA without UVC Stable UVB with a low fading rate	Check Price
		Buddypuppy Reptile Heat Lamp UVA UVB Light	Comes with a bendable hose neck for any position Metal clamp fits up to 2” Switch controls temperature and a timer	Check Price

The 8 Best UVB Lights for Tortoises & Turtles

The best overall UVB light for tortoises and turtles is Zoo Med’s Aquatic Turtle UVB & Heat Lighting Kit. It provides both heating and lighting for your aquatic turtle. You get two bulbs: a splashproof halogen bulb that gives off heat and light for basking and another that is a UVB bulb. It comes with a fixture for both bulbs in the form of a deep dome to prevent accidental contact.

Each bulb has an on/off switch, so you can control the heat and light when you want it. The main issues are that it’s a bit pricey and that even if you don’t need a basking lamp, you’re paying for one, anyway.

Zoo Med’s ReptiSun 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Mini Lamp is the best UVB light for tortoises and turtles for the money. This is a full-spectrum bulb with 30% UVA output and 5% UVB output, and the bulb is made with quartz glass for maximum UVB absorption.

This fluorescent bulb doesn’t need a separate ballast because it can screw into your standard threaded socket. However, it is a small bulb designed for small habitats, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if your tortoise’s enclosure is large.

The Exo Terra Solar Glo All in One Reptile Bulb is our premium choice pick for a full-spectrum bulb. It has the right balance of ultraviolet light necessary for your turtle’s health. This includes UVB and UVA, infrared (heat), and visual light. It also has an increased UVB penetration distance of 12 inches and is self-ballasted. But being an all-in-one makes it quite expensive.

The LUCKY HERP UVA UVB Reptile Light 10.0 is a UVB lamp designed for desert reptiles like tortoises. It emits 10% UVB and 30% UVA light without any UVC. The fading rate of the UVB is low, and it is a high-quality glass tube made by machine. It’s also energy saving and can be used for up to 8,000 hours.

The only issue is that the bulb is actually a bit longer than other comparable bulbs, so it might not fit every fixture.

The Buddypuppy Reptile Heat Lamp UVA UVB Reptile Light includes a lamp with a bendable hose so you can place the light in almost any position. It also comes with a metal clip that can be attached to anything 2 inches or under. It has a switch that allows for temperature adjustments and setting a timer for 2, 4, or 8 hours.

It also comes with two halogen bulbs that are UVA/UVB: One is 25 watts and the other is 50 watts. The lamp is compatible with a variety of different bulbs. However, while it is quite affordable, the lamp tends to break down quickly.

TEKIZOO’s UVA UVB Light Bulb Compact Fluorescent Lamp emits 10% UVB and 30% UVA and is specifically for desert reptiles like tortoises. The bulb is designed to simulate the UVB of the environment of the desert and is made to be quite durable and long lasting.

But the light that it emits is closer to white than anything else, so it isn’t a “natural” light compared to some other available bulbs.

The Zilla Slimline Reptile Fluorescent Lighting Fixture offers fluorescent lighting ideal for tropical habitats. You get an 18-inch bulb that comes with the fixture/ballast, which is 22 x 4 x 2 inches. It provides full-spectrum lighting with 3% UVB and doesn’t flicker when initially turned on. Plus, it can last for a few years.

However, the fixture includes a plastic cover that will actually prevent the UVB light from reaching your tortoise, so you’ll need to remove it. It’s also designed to be mounted on the side rather than the top, which won’t suit many reptile owners.

Exo Terra’s Tropical UVB 100 Reptile Bulb is meant for tropical and sub-tropical reptiles for optimum UVB levels. It’s intended to mimic the kind of UVB that you would get in shady parts of a rainforest with less-direct sunlight. It’s effective for up to 12 inches.

But the issues are that the bulb is long and might stick too far out of some fixtures and that it’s inconsistent with respect to its longevity (it might only last a few weeks in some cases). Additionally, some reptile owners have had bulbs not work at all straight out of the box.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best UVB Light For Your Turtle

Now that you know your options, let’s go over other factors that you should be aware of. Here’s everything that you need to know in order to select the right UVB bulb for your turtle or tortoise.

Instructions

If the lamp or bulb is installed incorrectly, it will likely stop working quickly or not work at all. So, be sure to read the instructions, and consider posting any questions that you have in a forum with a focus on your specific species of turtle or tortoise.

Type of UVB Bulb

You should become familiar with three types of UVB bulbs: compact bulbs, tube bulbs, and mercury vapor bulbs.

Is a 5.0 or 10.0 UVB Better?

These numbers tell you how powerful the UVB light is. 5.0 means the bulb emits 5% UVB, and 10.0 is 10%. Most turtles do well with 10.0 UVB bulbs, but the right bulb also depends on how close the light is from where your turtle or tortoise will receive the exposure.

Check what will work best for your species through online forums or a vet. You should also measure the distance from where the light will sit to the substrate.

UV Meter

Investing in a UV reader that measures UVA and UVB can be helpful to ensure that your turtle or tortoise is receiving the right amount. You must be certain that the levels are correct—too much or too little can be quite dangerous for your pet.

Do your research about your specific turtle or tortoise species before purchasing a UVB bulb. For example, a forest tortoise doesn’t need as much UVB as an arid tortoise.

Conclusion

The best UVB light is Zoo Med’s Aquatic Turtle UVB & Heat Lighting Kit. If you need a basking lamp and a UVB light, this kit should work perfectly for you and your turtle.

If you’re just looking for a bulb, Zoo Med’s ReptiSun 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Mini Lamp isn’t that expensive and is a full-spectrum bulb with 30% UVA output and 5% UVB output. Plus, it can screw into a standard light socket.

The Exo Terra Solar Glo All-in-One Reptile Bulb is premium because it’s a full-spectrum bulb and has the proper balance of UV light for your turtle or tortoise’s health.

We hope that these reviews have brought you to the right UVB light for your pet. Don’t hesitate to ask a herp vet to help you make the best decision!

Featured Image Credit: Raz Bayragy, Shutterstock