For reptile pets, a UVB bulb is indispensable in their captive environment. You can’t always take it outside to enjoy the natural sun, which contains UVB rays to make Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 plays a very important role in calcium metabolism in reptiles, so you need to provide them daily. Without enough calcium in the body, your pet can experience serious health problems such as metabolic bone disease, deformity or weak bones.
The best UVB bulb will ensure a daily UVB supply for your pet. From there you do not need to spend a lot of time and risk every day to let your pet enjoy the natural sunlight.
Below is a list of the best reptile UVB bulb which we objectively compiled. Hope it will help you choose the most suitable one.
Top 10 Best UVB Bulb Review 2021 [Updated]
#1 Evergreen Pet Supplies UVA UVB Mercury Vapor Bulb (Editor’s Choice)
This mercury vapor bulb from Evergreen Pet Supplies is a safe and economical choice for a pet’s living environment. This bulb is not only used to light up any terrarium, aquarium or cage, but it also provides full UVB and UVA for your pet.
UVB and UVA are two rays that are beneficial for the health of any animal. They help your pet have a strong skeleton and play an important role in stimulating natural behaviors as well as reproduction.
With this 2 in 1 bulb, your pet will be provided with a natural light filled with beneficial rays. They can lie under this light and slowly absorb UVB and UVA.
It is also considered the best UVB bulb for bearded dragon and other reptile. This UVB bulb also comes with a cheap price tag.
However, the life of this bulb is an issue, many feedbacks claim that its lifespan is not as long as 10 months as advertised by manufacturers. Maybe because it emits a bit of heat.
#2 Exo Terra Repti-Glo 5.0 Compact Fluorescent Bulb
Exo Terra is a reputable manufacturer and their UVB bulb is a product that you should add to your priority list. This UVB bulb is not only a budget choice, it’s also a quality choice.
This UVB bulb from Exo Terra has a strong light, containing UVB rays that are beneficial for your pet. It is extremely well suited to tropical reptiles because of this powerful light.
This bulb can work with many different enclosures. You also don’t need to spend a lot of effort to set it up or replace it.
It is considered the uvb bulb for leopard gecko and desert-dwelling species. This light bulb lights up and provides a bit of heat to the pet’s habitat.
The biggest plus of this UVB bulb is its longevity. It can last up to 1 year and it will save you even more when you don’t have to replace your bulb often.
#3 Mega-Ray Mercury Vapor Bulb
Mega-Ray is a well-known manufacturer of UVB or heat lamps. And this mercury vapor bulb is also a famous product of them. If you are looking for a 2 in 1 light bulb for your pet, don’t miss it.
This bulb contains both UVA and UVB rays, giving your pet the most comprehensive support in terms of health. When using this bulb, you will easily notice that your pet will improve in skin, nails and action.
This bulb also provides the temperature for your pet. It is the best uvb bulb for reptiles and is extremely suitable for the desert set ups. Your pet will surely love to lie down all day in that warm light and enjoy the benefits it offers.
This UVB bulb also has a stable lifespan compared to many other products in its segment.
However it emits strong heat so you need to set it at the right distance to avoid hurting your pet. And many customers also reflect on the silver inside the bulb that is easily scratched and melted.
#4 MyComfyPets UVB Light and UVA 2-in-1
MyComfyPets is also a reputable manufacturer in the industry and you can count on their production. This UVB bulb is easily found in many parts of the market for an affordable price point.
This 100 Watt bulb works with most enclosures made of reptiles or turtles. It contains both UVB and UVA that are beneficial for the health of animals and completely free of harmful UVC rays.
This UVB bulb is suitable for most pet habitat setups. It is perfect for desert and tropical setups.
It simulates natural sunlight and emits a temperature to warm a pet’s living area. This UVB bulb has a safety design to minimize accidents if the bulb gets too hot.
However, many customers believe that the actual life of this bulb is lower than the manufacturer’s figure of 10,000 hours.
#5 Exo Terra SolarGlo Lamp (125 W)
If you’re looking for a UVB bulb that can work well with a large enclosure, this bulb isn’t better than this bulb. This solarGlo lamp from Exo Terra is definitely worth your investment.
With 125 watts of power, this bulb provides light like natural sunlight for a large tank. It is ideal for use in tanks of reptiles, turtles or snakes larger than 40 gallons.
It also has an option of a 160 W bulb for larger tanks. This bulb both emits heat and provides UVB and UVA benefits for the health of any animal.
This UVB bulb can operate on all enclosures. The safe distance from the light bulb to your pet is 12 inches, if too close, your pet will likely touch the bulb and burn, especially in curious and active animals.
However, this bulb is priced at a higher price than comparable quality products.
#6 LUCKY HERP 10.0 UVB Fluorescent Desert Terrarium Lamp
This UVB bulb from LUCKY HERP is also a budget choice for those on a tight budget. It is a good working light bulb, but it is cheap but what it offers is sure to make you happy.
This bulb provides both beneficial UVB and UVA rays. No trace of UVC rays was found in the light from this bulb. So you can rest assured that your pet is not negatively affected.
It is ideal for use in desert habitats, for sure the reptile pets living in the desert will enjoy lying in this light. This bulb simulates natural light so it does not affect the dog’s vision.
However this bulb does not emit heat so you cannot treat it as a heat lamp. But it will be safe for your pet to not burn when they touch it.
#7 TEKIZOO UVA UVB Intensity Self-Ballasted Mercury Vapor Bulb
TEKIZOO is not a famous manufacturer like Zoo Med or Exo Terra, but this UVB bulb from them is a quality and reliable product. This mercury vapor bulb is sure to impress you.
The light of this bulb contains both UVB and UVA rays. While UVB rays help keep pets away from bone problems, UVA rays help stimulate your pet’s natural behavior and support reproduction.
This bulb can be used with snakes and turtles but it is ideal for reptiles, especially bearded dragon. The manufacturer has carefully calculated and put in what a reptile needs in the light.
However, this UVB bulb cannot function as hard as a heat lamp. It emits heat not large enough to make a basking bulb.
#8 REPTI ZOO UVA UVB Self-Ballasted Vapor Basking Spot Bulb
REPTI ZOO is also a producer you can trust. You can see them in many places trying to find something for your pet.
This UVB bulb does not include lice, UVB, it also contains UVA, which is beneficial and we probably don’t need to say any more.
This self-ballasted vapor bulb simulates the natural light of the sun and does not affect the eyesight of any animal. It will provide light for the pet’s habitat with a strong energy.
It is also considered to be an ideal basking bulb for reptiles. It will focus the temperature and light at a basking spot and your pet will have a temperature gradient in its habitat.
However, many customers commented that this bulb is quite fragile and fragile. If it stays active for too long, it can become extremely hot and affect longevity.
#9 AIICIOO Mercury Vapor Bulb Reptile Bulbs
This mercury vapor bulb from AIICIOO deserves to be on your list of priorities. It is a 100 W UVB light bulb that provides the necessary light and UVB rays for your pet.
Like other UVB bulbs, it is also capable of preventing bone problems for any animal species, especially reptiles. It provides visual and infrared light, which you can think of as temperature.
In particular, this bulb can automatically turn off when the bulb temperature is too high. This mechanism will ensure your pet does not burn or the bulb does not break when overheated.
However, this light bulb does not last too long, and you should replace it every 6 months for it to work best.
#10 Zoo Med ReptiSun T8 10.0 UVB Lamp
This UVB bulb from Zoo Med has an extremely long lifespan and it’s also an investment saving you. If you don’t want to spend too much time and effort replacing your bulbs after a short period of use, this UVB bulb is the solution for you.
This UVB bulb is very stable. It contains both UVA and UVB rays. Its full spectrum allows this bulb to work with large tanks. It is ideal for use in tanks of 40 gallons and above
However, this bulb may not suit many enclosures, especially vertical ones.
Why Should Get UVB Bulb Than UVA Bulb?
There are also a lot of UVA bulb on the market, but why don’t people choose it for pet enclosures?
Do you have the same question? Agree UVA is also a ray of health benefits for pets, especially reptiles. UVA rays stimulate natural behaviors, help with appetite and support fertility.
It is also a great help for many pets, especially those in the breeding stage. However, compared to what UVB rays bring, it is not as important.
Without UVB rays, your pet is more likely to have metabolic bone disease, deformity, or other serious problems. UVB rays are also especially important in the absorption of nutrients, without UVB, your pet will not be able to absorb Vitamin D3 converted into calcium.
Calcium is not an easily absorbed substance. Without UVB, your pet will not be able to absorb calcium through the diet no matter how much you feed them.
So you can invest in a UVB bulb without a UVA bulb. But now manufacturers are working very hard to bring both rays in one product. And you can invest in a 2-in-1 bulb that contains both UVB and UVA rays.
Also, remember to choose bulbs that do not contain UVC rays. It is an extremely harmful ray to your pet’s health.
Final Verdict
The best UVB bulb will help you solve bone, skin, and nail health related issues for your pet. Any pet should be given a daily dose of UVB so that they can metabolize and absorb calcium. And you also know how important calcium is.
Before choosing a UVB bulb for a reptile or any animal, you need to consider their habitat and needs. The most suitable product is always the best.