Bearded dragons require a relative humidity of 35% to 40%. However, they can tolerate relative humidity of 30%-50%. To monitor humidity, you need to buy the best hygrometers that may be analog or digital.
Analog vs. digital terrarium hygrometers
When buying them, you need to decide if you need a digital or an analog humidity meter. Let us look at each time briefly to help enlighten you more:
1. Digital humidity meters
Digital hygrometers modern devices use a sensor to detect humidity before reporting it on a digital screen.
Pros
- They are very accurate
- Do not need recalibration
- Have additional functions such as reading temperature or memory to record humidity fluctuation.
- Are affordable
- Durable
Downside
- They may be susceptible to technological glitches
- They may not show immediate changes, i.e., they may need some time to adjust.
- They need batteries or any energy source
2. Analog hygrometers
They use a spring that becomes tighter or loose depending on the level of humidity.
Pros
- They have elegance, antiquity, style appeal
- They are not prone to technological malfunctions.
Downside
- They provide no extra information besides RH.
- They require tune-up from time to time
- They may not be as accurate as possible, especially if you don’t tune them up.
- You will have to replace them more often.
- Expensive to maintain
Choosing the best hygrometers
Besides deciding on an analog or digital hygrometer, essential things to look at when buying a good hygrometer for your bearded dragons include:
- Suitability – while there are many sleeker hygrometers, you need to ensure they will serve the intended functions. Some cannot withstand vivarium conditions.
- Display – Easy to read display. Those with big LCDs are better
- Durability – Must withstand the terrarium conditions, especially for those that don’t have a remote sensing probe. Otherwise, you will have to replace them often.
- Features– Go combined temperature and humidity gauge, one with memory, reminders, and so on. Such will make monitoring much more straightforward.
- Precision – They need to be accurate with a small marginal error. Inaccurate ones will not help you keep the right humidity.
- Cost – They must be within what you can afford without compromising on their quality, accuracy, and durability.
- Have an expansive measurement range – Go for those that measure a more extensive RH range, such as from about 10% RH to 99% RH.
5 Best terrarium hygrometers
From the discussion above, it is more than evident that the best option is the digital hygrometer, especially if you get one with a probe and a long cable. Therefore, this means that you should avoid any all-in-one bearded dragon kits if they come with analog thermometers.
Furthermore, most of the top brands will serve both as hygrometers and thermometers.
Here are the best brands to buy that will not let you down:
1. Zoo Med Labs Digital Thermometer Humidity Gauge
This Zoo Med digital hygrometer and thermometer should be your first choice when it comes to buying a hygrometer for your terraria or incubators.
Benefits
- It has two separate and independently working external probes that can sense temperature and humidity at different spots inside your tank.
- You can mount it easily, thanks to its suction cups.
- It has a big LCD readout
- Value for money
- Its probes are waterproof. You can put it underwater. However, don’t immerse the equipment.
While most users are upbeat by its easy to use, accuracy, and value for money, a few people are not so happy with its working.
2. The Zilla Terrarium Thermometer-Hygrometer
Like its Zoo Med counterpart, the Zilla Terrarium Thermometer-Hygrometer is also a combo with a humidity range of 30% to 90% and a temperature range of 3°F to 122°F (-5°C to +50°C).
Benefits
- Features two separate probes with a 57-inch long wire making it suitable for even the very big vivarium. The sensing probes have easy to mount suction caps.
- Has a reminder (clock, alarm, and calendar) to remind you in case of any condition or schedule you have.
- Has internal memory that keeps track of changes in both humidity and temperature.
- It is very accurate.
Most users are happy with its effectiveness and consistency, with a few noting that it works best in dry tanks, and its lower humidity range is high.
3. ETHMEAS Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer
While ETHMEAS may not sound like a household name in herps business, this combined temperature and humidity gauge is a great alternative to buy.
Benefits
- It can measure lower RH values, i.e., has a range of 10% – 99% RH with a precision of ±5% RH displayed on a large LCD screen.
- Its two sensors to measure temperature and humidity with each having suction cups for mounting them.
- It automatically records the maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity in its memory.
- It comes with retractable mounted spring clips, stands, or uses large magnets for mounting it wherever you find ideal.
4. Zoo Med Analog Thermometer and Humidity Gauge
If you love analog hygrometer, this combo compact Zoo Med Analog device is what you should go for to help you measure not just humidity but also your vivarium temperature.
Benefits
- Compact and small in size. It will not take much of your space.
- It features a velcro backing to enable you to quickly cleaning or moving it.
- It is one of the cheapest reptile tank hygrometers in the market.
While a majority are somewhat satisfied with this equipment, some note that it is not very accurate, and doesn’t last long.
If you are one of the unhappy people but still want an analog hygrometer, our best bet is the Zoo Med Precision Analog Thermometer and Humidity Gauge, manufactured with German precision movement.
5. Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer with Probe
While all the other types we have seen are combined hygrometers and thermometers, this one is only a digital hygrometer.
Benefits
- It uses a remote sensor (probe wire) to measure humidity. The probe has a suction cup for easy attachment.
- Easy to use and read as you will only operate it with a single button.
- The device comes with mounting fastener and hook. If you have or Exo Terra Compact Top or Exo Terra Linear Top, it has a slot where it fits.
6. Other Notable brands
Besides the above, other notable terrarium hygrometers worthwhile every penny you will spend on them include the following:
- Komodo Combined Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer (in the UK)
- Repti Zoo Reptile Terrarium Thermometer Hygrometer
- Fluker’s Hygrometer for Reptile.
Placing hygrometer correctly
Using more hygrometers will give a chance to have more placements and hence monitor your vivarium relative humidity more accurately. Avoid corners where this is poor air circulation, near water bowl, or live plants.
An ideal scenario is placing them centrally both vertically and horizontal on the cooler side, basking side, and the middle of the tank.
Conclusion
Since keeping the right humidity is very important to these pets, you need to buy a good hygrometer and continuously look at its readings. Alternatively, get one with memory to help you see if there are fluctuations.