Exo Terra Smart Control
Exo Terra Smart Control is a terrarium-focused WiFi controller providing scheduled lighting, gradual sunrise/sunset ramps and multi-channel control tailored to reptile and amphibian needs. It holds its best-in-class position because of species-specific presets and precise ramping that general smart plugs like BN-LINK or the Kasa HS300 lack, and while it typically costs more than basic timers it reduces the need for extra relays or third-party automation through its specialized features.
App scheduling
Temp & humidity
App scheduling
Temp & humidity
Review Summary
"Users like the Exo Terra Smart Control for its reptile-focused presets and simple scheduling, but many report flaky Wi‑Fi connectivity, limited advanced programming, and occasional firmware/app bugs after extended use."
Mini zookeeper
App-based scheduling and presets for day/night lighting cycles
Mini zookeeper
App-based scheduling and presets for day/night lighting cycles
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Exo Terra Smart Control is a terrarium-focused WiFi controller providing scheduled lighting, gradual sunrise/sunset ramps and multi-channel control tailored to reptile and amphibian needs. It holds its best-in-class position because of species-specific presets and precise ramping that general smart plugs like BN-LINK or the Kasa HS300 lack, and while it typically costs more than basic timers it reduces the need for extra relays or third-party automation through its specialized features.
App scheduling
Temp & humidity
Mini zookeeper
App-based scheduling and presets for day/night lighting cycles
Multiple independent outputs to control lights, heat and auxiliary devices
App scheduling
Temp & humidity
Mini zookeeper
App-based scheduling and presets for day/night lighting cycles
Multiple independent outputs to control lights, heat and auxiliary devices
$80-120 USD
Zoo Med HygroTherm Controller
Zoo Med HygroTherm Controller is a compact, reliable humidity and temperature controller favored in herpetoculture for its affordability and straightforward, rugged sensing. Although it lacks built-in WiFi and the native app ecosystems of Inkbird or Kasa, it's a market leader for budget-conscious keepers who can pair it with smart plugs for remote control, delivering excellent financial value for accurate environmental regulation without subscription fees or complex setup.
Precision humidity
Dual-sensor ready
Precision humidity
Dual-sensor ready
Review Summary
"The Zoo Med HygroTherm Controller is regularly praised for reliable, accurate temperature and humidity control and durable build quality for terrariums, though it lacks Wi‑Fi/app integration many modern users want."
Hatchery whisperer
Integrated digital hygrometer and thermostat for precise humidity and temperature control
Hatchery whisperer
Integrated digital hygrometer and thermostat for precise humidity and temperature control
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Zoo Med HygroTherm Controller is a compact, reliable humidity and temperature controller favored in herpetoculture for its affordability and straightforward, rugged sensing. Although it lacks built-in WiFi and the native app ecosystems of Inkbird or Kasa, it's a market leader for budget-conscious keepers who can pair it with smart plugs for remote control, delivering excellent financial value for accurate environmental regulation without subscription fees or complex setup.
Precision humidity
Dual-sensor ready
Hatchery whisperer
Integrated digital hygrometer and thermostat for precise humidity and temperature control
Separate outlets for heater and humidifier/mister with straightforward setpoint programming
Precision humidity
Dual-sensor ready
Hatchery whisperer
Integrated digital hygrometer and thermostat for precise humidity and temperature control
Separate outlets for heater and humidifier/mister with straightforward setpoint programming
$70-110 USD
Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Thermostat
Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Thermostat offers precise temperature control, dual-relay outputs and cloud-enabled app control at a very competitive price, making it a strong choice for hobbyists who want dedicated thermostat functionality with remote monitoring. It is technically versatile and generally undercuts Exo Terra on cost while providing alarms and scheduling, though it may require separate high-current switching hardware for directly switching heavy lighting loads that a BN-LINK or Kasa HS300 can handle natively.
PID controller
WiFi alerts
PID controller
WiFi alerts
Review Summary
"The Inkbird ITC-306A (Wi‑enabled variants) is widely valued for affordability, accurate control and easy app scheduling; long‑term users occasionally note short probe length or basic build quality issues but overall strong value."
Cold-proof watchdog
WiFi app control and remote monitoring of temperature with alerts
Cold-proof watchdog
WiFi app control and remote monitoring of temperature with alerts
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Thermostat offers precise temperature control, dual-relay outputs and cloud-enabled app control at a very competitive price, making it a strong choice for hobbyists who want dedicated thermostat functionality with remote monitoring. It is technically versatile and generally undercuts Exo Terra on cost while providing alarms and scheduling, though it may require separate high-current switching hardware for directly switching heavy lighting loads that a BN-LINK or Kasa HS300 can handle natively.
PID controller
WiFi alerts
Cold-proof watchdog
WiFi app control and remote monitoring of temperature with alerts
Dual relay outputs to switch heating or cooling devices and protect against rapid cycling
PID controller
WiFi alerts
Cold-proof watchdog
WiFi app control and remote monitoring of temperature with alerts
Dual relay outputs to switch heating or cooling devices and protect against rapid cycling
$60-90 USD
BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Timer
BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Timer is an economical, easy-to-deploy WiFi timer built to switch high-wattage loads and provide simple scheduling via app, making it a very accessible option for keepers retrofitting existing fixtures. It lacks reptile-specific profiles and the per-outlet granularity of the Kasa HS300, but its low price and rugged relay make it the most budget-friendly path to add app-based lighting automation without complex wiring or extra controllers.
Heavy-duty switch
Voice control
Heavy-duty switch
Voice control
Review Summary
"BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Timer is seen as good value for remote scheduling and heavy-load switching for lighting, with generally reliable performance, though some users encounter intermittent connectivity or app quirks over time."
Tank-party ready
WiFi scheduling and app/voice control to automate reptile lighting and day/night cycles
Tank-party ready
WiFi scheduling and app/voice control to automate reptile lighting and day/night cycles
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Timer is an economical, easy-to-deploy WiFi timer built to switch high-wattage loads and provide simple scheduling via app, making it a very accessible option for keepers retrofitting existing fixtures. It lacks reptile-specific profiles and the per-outlet granularity of the Kasa HS300, but its low price and rugged relay make it the most budget-friendly path to add app-based lighting automation without complex wiring or extra controllers.
Heavy-duty switch
Voice control
Tank-party ready
WiFi scheduling and app/voice control to automate reptile lighting and day/night cycles
Heavy-duty rated outlet for aquarium/terrarium lamps and heaters with manual override
Heavy-duty switch
Voice control
Tank-party ready
WiFi scheduling and app/voice control to automate reptile lighting and day/night cycles
Heavy-duty rated outlet for aquarium/terrarium lamps and heaters with manual override
$40-70 USD
Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip HS300
Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip HS300 provides six independently controlled outlets, per-outlet scheduling and energy monitoring in a polished app with reliable cloud infrastructure, making it the market leader for multi-device terrariums. Its technical advantages—individual outlet control, surge protection and built-in energy metering—justify a higher price than BN-LINK or Inkbird and offer more flexible, centralized management than Exo Terra's niche presets for setups running multiple lights, heaters and humidifiers simultaneously.
Six controllable outlets
Energy reports
Six controllable outlets
Energy reports
Review Summary
"The Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip HS300 is a market leader: users praise per-outlet control, energy monitoring, solid app integrations and overall reliability, with only occasional reports of connectivity or firmware hiccups."
Power-savvy sidekick
Multiple individually controlled outlets with per-outlet scheduling for complex lighting setups
Power-savvy sidekick
Multiple individually controlled outlets with per-outlet scheduling for complex lighting setups
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip HS300 provides six independently controlled outlets, per-outlet scheduling and energy monitoring in a polished app with reliable cloud infrastructure, making it the market leader for multi-device terrariums. Its technical advantages—individual outlet control, surge protection and built-in energy metering—justify a higher price than BN-LINK or Inkbird and offer more flexible, centralized management than Exo Terra's niche presets for setups running multiple lights, heaters and humidifiers simultaneously.
Six controllable outlets
Energy reports
Power-savvy sidekick
Multiple individually controlled outlets with per-outlet scheduling for complex lighting setups
Per-outlet energy monitoring, surge protection and app/voice control for safety and efficiency
Six controllable outlets
Energy reports
Power-savvy sidekick
Multiple individually controlled outlets with per-outlet scheduling for complex lighting setups
Per-outlet energy monitoring, surge protection and app/voice control for safety and efficiency
$100-160 USD