The popularity of keeping pet reptiles is increasing again as more and more people look to keep their own pet reptiles be it a bearded dragon, a leopard gecko, a corn snake, a ball python or a different type of reptile.
As the majority of people don’t live in an area with adequate heating for their ambient temperature to maintain a healthy pet reptile in their home, the vast majority of people need some type of heating source for their new pet.
Although the trusty heat lamp has been the more popular option for decades now, more and more people are starting to look at a heat pad due to the more modern heat pad systems on the market being much better than the older heat pads and actually offering a viable alternative to a heat lamp.
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages over each other so we wanted to publish this article going over our own heat lamp vs heat pad comparison to try and help as many of our readers as possible better understand what option they should be looking at for their own pet reptile.
For the most part though, heat lamps are still generally the better option due to their lower price, more consistent performance, and wider availability!
Heat Lamp Vs Heat Pad – Key Features!
Here is a quick overview of the main features that we will be focusing on for this article with a detailed breakdown of each throughout the rest of the article:-
- Function
- Heat produced
- Temperature control
- Power rating
- Position
- Installation
- Set-up compatibility
- Safety of use
- Usage time
- Price range
- Life span
Function
The first thing we need to look at is the main function of each device with a heat lamp being designed to provide heat from a distance while a heat pad is designed to provide heat by direct contact.
So, a heat lamp will be used as the primary source of heat for your reptile’s enclosure with the basking area being underneath the heat lamp to help your reptile thermoregulate their body temperature.
A heat pad, on the other hand, will be placed on one side of the enclosure (usually the warm side) with your reptile using the heat pad to help thermoregulate their body temperature as they move between the warm side and the cool side of their enclosure.
The basking area for a reptile using a heat pad will still be on the warm side of their enclosure but will not be directly underneath the heat pad as this would be too hot for your reptile.
Heat Ranges
The next thing we need to look at is the heat range that each device produces with a heat lamp generally producing a wider range of heat than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will produce a range of around 100-250F degrees while a heat pad will only produce a range of around 75-125F degrees.
The reason for the difference in heat ranges is due to the fact that a heat lamp uses a light bulb to generate heat while a heat pad uses an electrical element.
As a result, a heat lamp will produce more infrared radiation than a heat pad which will allow your reptile to bask and absorb more of the beneficial infrared rays.
Temperature Control
The next thing we need to look at is temperature control with both options giving you the ability to better control the temperature in your reptile’s enclosure.
A heat lamp will generally come with a built-in thermostat which will allow you to better control the temperature in your reptile’s enclosure.
A heat pad, on the other hand, will not come with a built-in thermostat but you can purchase one separately which will then allow you to better control the temperature in your reptile’s enclosure.
Power Rating
The next thing we need to look at is the power rating with a heat lamp generally having a higher power rating than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will generally have a power rating of around 60-100 watts while a heat pad will only have a power rating of around 5-40 watts.
The reason for the difference in power ratings is due to the fact that a heat lamp uses a light bulb to generate heat while a heat pad uses an electrical element.
As a result, a heat lamp will use more power than a heat pad.
Position
The next thing we need to look at is the position with a heat lamp generally being positioned above your reptile’s enclosure while a heat pad is usually positioned on the side of your reptile’s enclosure.
A heat lamp will be positioned above your reptile’s enclosure so that the heat produced by the heat lamp can radiate down into your reptile’s enclosure.
A heat pad, on the other hand, will be positioned on the side of your reptile’s enclosure so that your reptile can move between the warm side and the cool side of their enclosure.
Installation
The next thing we need to look at is installation with a heat lamp generally being easier to install than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will generally come with a clamp or a stand which will allow you to easily attach the heat lamp to the side of your reptile’s enclosure.
A heat pad, on the other hand, will need to be attached to the side of your reptile’s enclosure using screws or tape.
Although there are some heat pads that will fit to the bottom of the vivarium, they are less common and do often come with a number of additional risks with them, especially if it is a single temperature heat pad as it will keep the vivarium roughly the same temperature without you being able to have a warm and cool side.
Safety
The next thing we need to look at is safety with a heat lamp generally being safer than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will not get as hot as a heat pad so there is less chance of your reptile getting burned.
A heat pad, on the other hand, can get very hot and if your reptile were to lay on it for an extended period of time, they could potentially get burned.
As a result, it is important that you monitor your reptile when they are using a heat pad and make sure that they do not stay on the heat pad for too long.
Price range
The next thing we need to look at is cost with a heat lamp generally being more expensive than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will usually cost around $20 while a heat pad will usually cost around $15.
The reason for the difference in cost is due to the fact that a heat lamp uses a light bulb to generate heat while a heat pad uses an electrical element.
As a result, a heat lamp will use more power than a heat pad.
Ease of use
The next thing we need to look at is ease of use with a heat lamp generally being easier to use than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will generally come with a built-in thermostat which will allow you to easily set the temperature that you want your reptile’s enclosure to be.
A heat pad, on the other hand, will not come with a built-in thermostat but you can purchase one separately which will then allow you to better control the temperature in your reptile’s enclosure.
As a result, a heat lamp is generally easier to use than a heat pad.
Life Span
The next thing we need to look at is life span with a heat lamp generally having a shorter life span than a heat pad.
A heat lamp will typically last for around 1,500 hours while a heat pad will typically last for around 5,000 hours.
The reason for the difference in life span is due to the fact that a heat lamp uses a light bulb to generate heat while a heat pad uses an electrical element.
As a result, a heat lamp will use more power than a heat pad and as a result, the light bulb will generally have to be replaced more often than the electrical element in a heat pad.
Heat Lamp Vs Heat Pad
In conclusion, there are a number of things that you need to consider when deciding whether to use a heat lamp or a heat pad for your reptile.
The most important thing that you need to consider is the safety of your reptile as both heat lamps and heat pads can be dangerous if they are not used properly.
You also need to consider the cost of the heat lamp or heat pad as well as the life span of each.
Finally, you need to consider the ease of use of each with a heat lamp generally being easier to use than a heat pad.
