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Pets Fish & Reptile Supplies

Best Reptile Habitat Starter Kits

Updated October 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Exo Terra Rain Forest Habitat Kit
Exo Terra
Rain Forest Habitat Kit
Most Comprehensive

A high-quality tank that includes everything you need to get started. Perfect choice for small snakes, lizards, and frogs.

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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A high-quality tank that includes everything you need to get started. Perfect choice for small snakes, lizards, and frogs.

Pros

We loved that the Exo Terra tank was spacious and well-ventilated. The dual front doors make access to the tank simple and secure. Kit comes with all the accessories you need to get started. The foam back and rope vines provide quality climbing options for small, active reptiles.

Cons

Sits at a higher price point than its competitors.

Zilla Reptile Starter Kit
Zilla
Reptile Starter Kit
Bargain Pick

A well-made tank that doesn't break the bank. A perfect choice for owners of small snakes.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

A well-made tank that doesn't break the bank. A perfect choice for owners of small snakes.

Pros

We were pleasantly surprised at the durability of the top screen. It is thick and able to support the included lamps with ease. Comes with both a daytime and nighttime lamp. Also includes a humidity and temperature gauge, which we found helpful.

Cons

The included light bulbs burn out quickly. We suggest purchasing some backups.

Thrive Vertical Hexagon Tropical Reptile Terrarium
Thrive
Vertical Hexagon Tropical Reptile Terrarium
Best for Small Pets

This is a terrific reptile habitat for smaller reptiles such as geckos, chameleons, and frogs.

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Best for Small Pets
Bottom Line

This is a terrific reptile habitat for smaller reptiles such as geckos, chameleons, and frogs.

Pros

It has a durable glass construction, and the locking screen cover circulates air and keeps your pet secure. It's designed to withstand high temperatures generated by warming bulbs, and the slots allow for easy organization of cords.

Cons

The door isn't removable.

Zilla Tropical Reptile Vertical Starter Kit
Zilla
Tropical Reptile Vertical Starter Kit
Easy to Assemble

An easy-to-assemble, well-manufactured tank. Ideal for frogs and crested geckos.

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Easy to Assemble
Bottom Line

An easy-to-assemble, well-manufactured tank. Ideal for frogs and crested geckos.

Pros

Assembly of this tank is simple and fast. The large front glass door opens wide, making cleaning the tank a breeze. Features top lighting system. The screen top latches securely to the tank so there is no fear of your little critter escaping.

Cons

The included water dish is quite small and may be too shallow.

Thrive Front Double Door Opening Reptile Terrarium Desert Essentials Kit
Thrive
Front Double Door Opening Reptile Terrarium Desert Essentials Kit
Feature-Packed

A feature-packed reptile habitat with a magnificent desert theme.

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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

A feature-packed reptile habitat with a magnificent desert theme.

Pros

It's a 40-gallon tank featuring open front doors with a screen and a feeding door. It has a 100-watt basking lightbulb and a 23-watt desert lightbulb. It also features two hygrometer/thermometer combos and integrated screen locks to prevent escaping.

Cons

The 100-watt bulb might be too weak for some reptiles and setups.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
November 12, 2021
30
Models
considered
16
Hours
researched
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Melinda Harris
Written by Melinda Harris

Updated October 2024

Ready to buy now? Shop the best: 

Keeping reptiles as pets takes a lot of supplies, and a reptile habitat starter kit is the perfect purchase for novices or anyone planning to own a new reptilian pet. In addition to a sturdy glass tank, a kit contains components such as a heat source with bulbs, thermometer, secure lid, reptile food, bowls, and terrarium decor like bottom cover and objects for for reptiles to climb. It’s important to keep in mind that each kit is different, so you will have to purchase additional items if you choose a less comprehensive option. In addition, take the size of your pet – and how large it is expected to grow – into consideration and compare the tank sizes in the kits your are considering before you choose.

Our Top Picks
Exo Terra
Best of the Best
Exo Terra
Rain Forest Habitat Kit
Bottom Line
A high-quality tank that includes everything you need to get started. Perfect choice for small snakes, lizards, and frogs.
Shop Now
Zilla
Best Bang for the Buck
Zilla
Reptile Starter Kit
Bottom Line
A well-made tank that doesn't break the bank. A perfect choice for owners of small snakes.
Shop Now
Thrive
Top Pick
Thrive
Vertical Hexagon Tropical Reptile Terrarium
Bottom Line
This is a terrific reptile habitat for smaller reptiles such as geckos, chameleons, and frogs.
Shop Now
Zilla
Top Pick
Zilla
Tropical Reptile Vertical Starter Kit
Bottom Line
An easy-to-assemble, well-manufactured tank. Ideal for frogs and crested geckos.
Shop Now
Thrive
Top Pick
Thrive
Front Double Door Opening Reptile Terrarium Desert Essentials Kit
Bottom Line
A feature-packed reptile habitat with a magnificent desert theme.
Shop Now
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