This is our buying guide on the best dehumidifiers for reptiles in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth, hands on reviews, for each humidifier.
Afloia
Dehumidifier
- Silica bead dehumidifier
- Can cover up to 54 sq-ft
- 360-degree air absorption
- Ideal for larger reptile tanks and enclosures
- ABS flame retardant material used for the body
- The recharging dock automatically turns the heating element off after 2 hours
- Totally noiseless operation
- Can even be used in a car, in cupboards, or anywhere else
- Silica beads go from orange to dark green when saturated with water
- Beads can be seen from the top of the unit
- Fairly energy efficient
Moistenland Ventilation Fan For Reptiles
- Ideal for smaller reptile tanks and enclosures
- External sensors that can be mounted inside the tank
- Regulates humidity
- Lets you set the desired temperature and relative humidity
- Silent operation
- 2700 RPM max speed
- Does not take much time to get going
- Can lower relative humidity by as much as 5% in an hour
- Has a cooling effect on the tank
- No water tank to empty
- Doesn’t need to be cleaned as frequently as traditional dehumidifiers
Eva-dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
- Can cover upto 28 sq-ft of space
- Holds as much as 5 ounces of moisture
- No batteries or electricity required
- Simple design that is less prone to problems
- Compact styling
- Ideal for smaller reptile tanks
- Ergonomic recharging design
- Hook allows you to hang the dehumidifier in a reptile tank
Let’s jump right into my rundown of the top dehumidifiers for reptiles.
You might raise an eyebrow at the idea of dehumidifiers for reptiles, especially considering that a good chunk of reptiles and amphibians thrive in high humidity environments. But hear me out, different species have different needs.
And guess what? If you’re living somewhere with high humidity, you might actually need to get a dehumidifier for your reptile’s home to strike the perfect balance of humidity.
Take bearded dragons, for example. These popular reptilian companions need a relative humidity level around 40%.
And here’s a twist. My top pick for the best dehumidifier for a reptile tank isn’t technically a dehumidifier at all. Instead, it’s a ventilation fan that gives you the power to set the desired relative humidity level. The cherry on top? It self-regulates through built-in sensors and operates in blissful silence.
If you’re scratching your head wondering which dehumidifier will be right for your reptile’s crib, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been diving deep into the world of dehumidifiers for over a decade, and I’m here to give you well-informed purchase advice.
Stick around for more of my take on the best dehumidifiers for reptiles.
Moistenland Ventilation
Fan For Reptiles
BEST OVERALL
Here’s my experience with this little wonder from Moistenland.
This isn’t your typical dehumidifier for reptiles, it’s more of a ventilation fan. What sets this one apart from the rest, however, is its handy sensors that allow you to dial in the relative humidity level you’re aiming for.
From a design standpoint, it’s a rather neat and compact unit. The fan and control panel are housed together, with the sensors sitting separately. I loved this design choice because it lets you position the sensors within the tank without risking your reptile coming into contact with the fan.
Being a fan, though, you’d need to set it up on a mesh or a window into your reptile’s home.
As for power, the fan requires a wall socket and thankfully doesn’t run on batteries, so no worries about unexpected power failures. Plus, its self-regulating nature means you can leave it running all the time without a worry.
The unit is pretty petite, measuring roughly 80x80mm. The manufacturer doesn’t give out any official coverage ratings, but from my personal experience, it’s best suited for small to medium-sized reptile tanks. The fan is quite a bit larger than others in this category, which does help push air around more effectively.
The fan runs at a maximum speed of about 2700 RPM. This delivers some pretty fast dehumidification, especially in smaller enclosures. It instantly kicked into gear and started circulating air effectively.
This little guy is a shining star when it comes to efficiency. It doesn’t gobble up power, and you won’t see any scary surprises when your electric bill arrives.
Not being a conventional dehumidifier, it doesn’t have a water tank to worry about emptying. This also means less cleaning, though I’d recommend a regular wipe-down of the fan, particularly if your reptile’s environment contains soil or dirt.
I was all geared up for this 2700 RPM fan to be a noise nuisance. But, to my surprise, it didn’t make a peep.
But let’s get to the juicy part. This ventilation fan-cum-dehumidifier is a rare find as it lets you dial in the exact relative humidity level for your reptile’s tank, thanks to its humidity and temperature sensors that constantly monitor the tank’s interior.
The control panel lets you set your desired temperature and relative humidity, and the fan does all the heavy lifting, adjusting its speed to maintain the perfect humidity level.
What truly blew me away was the speed at which this little gadget worked. The makers claim it can drop humidity by around 5% in just an hour, and from my experience, they weren’t exaggerating.
In summary, if you’re on the hunt for an unconventional but supremely effective dehumidifier for your reptile tank, this Moistenland ventilation fan could be just what you need. It keeps humidity in check, cools down the enclosure, and does it all without making a sound.
Pros
- Ideal for smaller reptile tanks and enclosures
- External sensors that can be mounted inside the tank
- Regulates humidity
- Lets you set the desired temperature and relative humidity
- Silent operation
- 2700 RPM max speed
- Does not take much time to get going
- Can lower relative humidity by as much as 5% in an hour
- Has a cooling effect on the tank
- No water tank to empty
- Doesn’t need to be cleaned as frequently as traditional dehumidifiers
Cons
- Not the best for larger tanks and enclosures
Afloia Dehumidifier
BEST FOR LARGER REPTILE TANKS AND ENCLOSURES
Taking a look at this, if you’re dealing with a larger reptile tank, or perhaps have multiple inhabitants, the Afloia Dehumidifier deserves a second look. This unique gadget employs silica beads to wick away moisture and boasts an intriguing recharge process.
On first sight, you might mistake the Afloia Dehumidifier for a Bluetooth speaker – it shares that characteristic cylindrical, pill-like shape which enables 360-degree moisture absorption.
Despite its compact size, it won’t give you a hard time finding the right spot for it. Its flat base allows you to perch it anywhere in your reptile’s home, as long as it’s somewhere your pet can’t send it tumbling!
It comes with a ‘charging’ dock which revitalizes the moisture-saturated silica beads by heating the entire unit. It’s an impressive feature that works rather swiftly.
The unit itself is cordless, freeing you from the need to be tethered to an outlet.
As for its capacity, it can hold a smidge over 4 fluid ounces. This should suffice to dehumidify even the roomiest of reptile enclosures. The 4-ounce capacity means it can absorb a fair chunk of moisture before needing its ‘recharge.’
For a dehumidifier of this stature, it covers a surprisingly large area. While designed with smaller spaces like reptile tanks in mind, it’s still capable of dehumidifying an area up to 54 sq-ft.
When it comes to speed, this unit takes its time to extract moisture. It might not be as rapid as some other reptile dehumidifiers I’ve tested, but it still puts up a good fight.
Efficiency is not an issue. Though the charging base needs to be plugged in and uses a heating element to ‘charge’ the dehumidifier, it only demands a tiny amount of power to prepare for the next round!
A clarification: this being a silica gel dehumidifier, it doesn’t need ‘charging’ like a battery-powered unit. The ‘charging’ dock merely dries out the moisture-laden silica gel with a heating element. The beads, visible through a window atop the unit, transition from orange to dark green as they fill with water. When you spot the dark green, just dock them, and they’ll be good as new for another round. I found it typically takes a bit over 2 hours to renew the silica beads.
In terms of noise levels, given it lacks any moving parts, this dehumidifier for reptiles is entirely silent!
It may win the special feature category for its unique design and dehumidification process, but it has a few more tricks up its sleeve. The heating element in the dock auto shuts-off after 2 hours to avoid overheating and excessive power usage. Despite its soft, fabric-like exterior, it’s made from ABS flame-retardant material, so no need to worry about fires in your reptile’s enclosure.
Lastly, the portability of this dehumidifier opens up a plethora of possibilities, whether or not it involves your scaly friend.
In conclusion, the Afloia humidifier is a godsend for those looking to reduce moisture in larger reptile tanks. It’s a powerhouse performer, just ensure you place it out of your pet’s reach!
Pros
- Silica bead dehumidifier
- Can cover up to 54 sq-ft
- 360-degree air absorption
- Ideal for larger reptile tanks and enclosures
- ABS flame retardant material used for the body
- The recharging dock automatically turns the heating element off after 2 hours
- Totally noiseless operation
- Can even be used in a car, in cupboards, or anywhere else
- Silica beads go from orange to dark green when saturated with water
- Beads can be seen from the top of the unit
- Fairly energy efficient
Cons
- Not the fastest to remove moisture, but still works well
- Could easily get knocked over by your pet
Eva-dry Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
BEST MINI DEHUMIDIFIER
When I first laid eyes on the Eva-dry mini dehumidifier for reptiles, I immediately noticed its silica bead functionality. Perfect for tinier enclosures, but don’t let its size fool you – this compact, easy-to-handle gadget has my admiration.
If the Afloia had me recalling a Bluetooth speaker, the Eva-dry brings back memories of walkie-talkies! Even smaller with a traditional shape that nestles perfectly in my reptile’s dwelling, there’s no worrying about it tipping over.
There’s a handy hook at the back, a feature I adore, as it allows me to hang this dehumidifier inside the enclosure, keeping it safely out of my pet’s prying reach.
Like its silica-bead dehumidifier cousins, it frees you from the hassles of plugging in or changing batteries. The upfront window is a lifesaver – one glance, and I can tell if the beads are soaked. The color shifting from green when filled up to orange when rejuvenated is a clear indicator.
Talking about its capacity, it stands shoulder to shoulder with similar dehumidifiers. It can take in nearly 5 ounces before the silica beads demand a renewal. Quite the champ, even for the most humid reptile hideaways.
But coverage is where it becomes a bit of a puzzle. This reptile dehumidifier can manage around 28 sq-ft, give or take. It might not match the Afloia, but it should do a decent job covering any regular reptile tank or vivarium.
With silica bead dehumidifiers, I’ve learned to play the waiting game. They may take some time to start working on the moisture, but once they hit their stride, the effectiveness is undeniable, making the wait well worth it.
On the efficiency front, this dehumidifier doesn’t rely on electricity or batteries, the integrated prongs at the back are specifically for renewing the silica beads. So, no worries about unexpected spikes in your power bills.
Renewing the silica beads is as straightforward as plugging the unit into a wall socket. They won’t keep you on your toes for long to release the collected moisture.
Like its peers, the silica bead dehumidifier for reptiles operates in blissful silence.
Though it doesn’t come loaded with any flashy features, in my book, that’s a plus. Less complexity translates into fewer chances of things going awry!
Its durability is awe-inspiring. The manufacturer boasts over 10 years of effective operation, and if we believe independent user feedback, it indeed lives up to that claim!
In conclusion, the Eva-dry reptile dehumidifier is tailor-made for those who favor compactness for their smaller reptile enclosures. It’s straightforward, safe, and nails its job.
Pros
- Can cover upto 28 sq-ft of space
- Holds as much as 5 ounces of moisture
- No batteries or electricity required
- Simple design that is less prone to problems
- Compact styling
- Ideal for smaller reptile tanks
- Ergonomic recharging design
- Hook allows you to hang the dehumidifier in a reptile tank
Cons
- Not the fastest-acting dehumidifier for reptile tanks
