BN-LINK Reptile Thermostat Temperature Controller, Digital Heat Mat Thermostat for Seed Starting, Plant Germination, Greenhouse, Incubator, Brooder, Brewing, Reptiles Tank,40-108°F, 1000W, ETL Listed

Why it's worth it

A plug-in thermostat that holds a heat mat or heat lamp at whatever temperature the animal needs, with a probe you tuck into the tank. It's the one upgrade that works no matter what species your person keeps.

A thermostat is the closest thing this hobby has to a universal gift. Bearded dragons, leopard geckos, ball pythons, crested geckos and corn snakes make up more than 70% of pet reptiles in North America, and every one of them needs controlled heat. You don't have to know which one your friend has. You don't have to know the enclosure size. You just have to know they use a heat mat or a heat lamp, and they do.

The setup is three buttons. Set a target temperature between 40 and 108°F, plug the heat source into the outlet, drop the probe where the animal sits. Owners routinely describe getting it running in a few minutes without reading much. That matters for a gift, because the worst outcome is a box that sits unopened for a month while your person waits for a free weekend.

From our review of 7 gifts for reptile keepers

What we like

• +A thermostat is the closest thing this hobby has to a universal gift
• +The setup is three buttons
• +It's ETL listed and rated to 1000 watts, which is far more than any single reptile heat mat draws
• +The other thing in its favor: it's not just for reptiles

What to know

• –This is an on/off thermostat, not a proportional one
• –Reliability isn't perfect