3 Best Reptile Starter Kits for Beginners (2026 Reviews)
Best reptile starter kits reviewed for bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and crested geckos. What's worth buying.
Last updated: February 9, 2026
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for details.
Our Top Picks
Zoo Med ReptiHabitat Bearded Dragon Kit (20 Gallon)
The Zoo Med ReptiHabitat is the most popular bearded dragon starter kit on the market. It includes a 20-gallon tank, screen lid, compact UVB, basking bulb, thermometer, water dish, sample food, and care guide. The kit gets new keepers started quickly, but has significant limitations: the 20-gallon tank is undersized for adults, and the compact UVB should be replaced with a T5 HO tube. Think of this as a temporary setup that gets you started while you plan the proper adult enclosure.
Pros
- +Everything in one box — fastest way to get started
- +Affordable entry point
- +Includes care guide for complete beginners
- +Zoo Med brand reliability
Cons
- -20-gallon tank is too small for adult bearded dragons
- -Compact UVB is inadequate — replace with T5 HO immediately
- -Dial thermometer is inaccurate — replace with digital
- -You'll outgrow and replace most components within a year
Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Starter Kit
The Exo Terra starter kit is a solid foundation for leopard gecko keeping. It includes a front-opening Exo Terra terrarium (which you'll keep long-term), heat mat, thermometer, substrate, hiding cave, water dish, and care booklet. The front-opening enclosure is the star here — this is genuinely a quality piece of equipment. The included accessories are basic but functional. You'll want to add a humid hide, upgrade to a digital thermometer, and consider adding a halogen basking lamp, but the core enclosure is a keeper.
Pros
- +Front-opening Exo Terra enclosure is high quality
- +Good size for a single adult leopard gecko
- +Heat mat included
- +Less to upgrade compared to beardie kits
Cons
- -Dial thermometer should be replaced with digital
- -No UVB included (beneficial but optional for leos)
- -Only one hide — need to add humid hide and cool hide
- -Basic substrate (consider upgrading)
Zoo Med Crested Gecko Kit (12x12x18)
Zoo Med's crested gecko kit provides a vertical 12x12x18 enclosure with background, UVB compact light, analog thermometer/hygrometer, vine, feeding ledge, and care guide. It's a functional starter setup, but the 12x12x18 enclosure is on the small side — most keepers recommend 18x18x24 for an adult crested gecko. The included compact UVB is adequate for cresties (unlike bearded dragons, they need minimal UVB). Best for juvenile crested geckos with a plan to upgrade the enclosure size later.
Pros
- +Includes vertical enclosure suited for arboreal species
- +Background and vine included for climbing
- +Compact UVB is actually appropriate for cresties
- +Budget-friendly entry point
Cons
- -12x12x18 is too small for adult crested geckos
- -Analog gauges are inaccurate — replace with digital
- -No misting system included (essential for cresties)
- -Will need to upgrade to 18x18x24 enclosure
The Truth About Reptile Starter Kits
Let's be honest: reptile starter kits are a compromise. No kit on the market includes everything a reptile needs at the quality level experienced keepers recommend. They exist to lower the barrier to entry — to get new keepers started quickly without having to research and source every component individually.
That said, some kits are significantly better than others, and understanding what each kit gets right (and wrong) helps you make smart upgrade decisions from day one.
If you're still deciding which species to get, check our best pet lizards for beginners guide first.
Should You Buy a Kit or Build Your Own Setup?
When a Kit Makes Sense
- You're completely new to reptiles and want to get started quickly
- You've already chosen your species and want a convenient one-box solution
- Your budget is limited and the kit price is lower than buying components separately
- You plan to upgrade individual components over time
When to Build Your Own
- You've done your research and know exactly what you want
- You want to start with adult-appropriate sizing (most kits are undersized)
- You want the best equipment from the start (proper T5 HO UVB, digital thermometers)
- You're setting up for a species not covered by common kits
Our recommendation: If you're a complete beginner, a starter kit plus a few key upgrades is the fastest path to a functional setup. If you've read care guides and know what you need, buying components individually will get you a better setup for similar money.
What Every Starter Kit Gets Wrong
Almost every reptile starter kit shares these shortcomings:
1. Analog Thermometers
Every kit includes round dial thermometers that stick to the glass. These are inaccurate by up to 10-15°F and tell you the air temperature at the glass surface, not at the basking spot where it matters.
Upgrade immediately to: A digital probe thermometer ($10-15) placed at the basking surface level, plus an infrared temperature gun ($15-20) for spot-checking.
2. Undersized Enclosures
Kits are sized for juveniles, not adults. The 20-gallon bearded dragon kit will need upgrading within 6-12 months. The 12x12x18 crested gecko kit should be upgraded to 18x18x24 when the gecko reaches adult size.
3. Compact UVB Bulbs
Most kits include compact/coil UVB bulbs. For bearded dragons, these are inadequate — replace with a T5 HO linear tube immediately. For leopard geckos and crested geckos, compact UVB is acceptable since these species need lower UVB levels.
For bearded dragon UVB recommendations, see our best UVB lights guide.
4. Missing Essentials
No kit includes everything. Common missing items:
- Bearded dragon kits: Missing proper UVB (T5 HO), digital thermometer, adequate hides
- Leopard gecko kits: Missing humid hide, calcium dish, digital thermometer
- Crested gecko kits: Missing misting bottle/system, feeding ledge cups, digital hygrometer
Essential Upgrades for Any Starter Kit
Regardless of which kit you buy, plan on adding these within the first week:
| Upgrade | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Digital probe thermometer | $10-15 | Accurate temperature readings |
| Digital hygrometer | $8-12 | Accurate humidity readings |
| Additional hides | $10-20 | Most kits only include one |
| Proper substrate | $10-20 | Kit substrate is often suboptimal |
| Calcium + D3 supplements | $8-12 | Not included in most kits |
For bearded dragons specifically:
| Upgrade | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| T5 HO UVB tube + fixture | $50-75 | Replace inadequate compact UVB |
| Halogen basking bulb | $5-10 | Better heat quality than kit bulb |
| Larger enclosure (eventually) | $100-300 | 20-gallon is too small for adults |
How We Evaluated
We assessed each starter kit on:
- Enclosure quality — is the tank/terrarium itself worth keeping long-term?
- Included accessories — what's actually useful vs. what needs immediate replacement?
- Value — is the kit cheaper than buying components separately?
- Upgrade path — how much will you spend upgrading to a proper setup?
- Species appropriateness — does the kit match the species' actual needs?
Building Your Own Kit: Component List
If you decide to skip the starter kit and build your own, here's what to buy for each species:
DIY Bearded Dragon Setup (~$350-500)
- 120-gallon / 4x2x2 PVC or glass enclosure
- Arcadia 12% T5 HO ProT5 kit (or Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 + fixture)
- Halogen flood basking bulb (75-150W)
- Dome lamp fixture
- 2x digital probe thermometers
- Digital hygrometer
- Topsoil/play sand substrate
- Basking platform (flat rock or branch)
- 2-3 hides
- Water dish
- Timer/smart plug
DIY Leopard Gecko Setup (~$200-300)
- Exo Terra or REPTI ZOO front-opening terrarium (36x18x18)
- Halogen basking lamp or under-tank heater + thermostat
- Arcadia ShadeDweller 7% UVB (optional but recommended)
- Digital probe thermometer
- 3 hides (warm, cool, humid)
- Shallow water dish
- Calcium dish
- Appropriate substrate
For terrarium recommendations, see our best leopard gecko terrariums guide.
DIY Crested Gecko Setup (~$200-250)
- Exo Terra 18x18x24 front-opening terrarium
- Branches, vines, and live/artificial plants
- Digital thermometer + hygrometer
- Misting bottle (or automatic misting system)
- Feeding ledge + small cups for CGD
- 1-2 hides
- Appropriate substrate (coconut fiber, bioactive mix)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are reptile starter kits worth the money?
They can be, if the included enclosure is quality and the kit price is less than buying components separately. The Exo Terra leopard gecko kit is probably the best value because the front-opening terrarium alone is worth most of the kit price. Bearded dragon kits have lower long-term value since you'll replace the undersized tank.
What's the cheapest way to set up a reptile enclosure?
The cheapest functional setup is a standard glass aquarium with screen lid, a clamp lamp for basking, and DIY hides (cardboard boxes, overturned plant pots). Budget $80-120 total. However, cutting corners on UVB and heating can cause expensive vet bills, so don't skip essentials to save money.
Can I use the starter kit enclosure permanently?
For leopard geckos, the Exo Terra kit terrarium is adequately sized for a single adult and can be used permanently. For bearded dragons, the 20-gallon kit tank must be upgraded to at least 120 gallons when the dragon reaches adult size (12-18 months). For crested geckos, upgrading from 12x12x18 to 18x18x24 is strongly recommended.
What's the most important upgrade to make first?
Replace the analog thermometer with a digital one. Temperature accuracy is the single most impactful factor in reptile health, and dial thermometers can be off by 10-15°F. A $10 digital probe thermometer is the highest-value upgrade you can make.
Final Verdict
The Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Kit offers the best value because its front-opening terrarium is genuinely high-quality and appropriately sized for the species. The Zoo Med Bearded Dragon Kit gets you started but requires the most upgrades. The Zoo Med Crested Gecko Kit is functional but undersized.
For all three kits, budget an additional $30-75 in day-one upgrades (digital thermometer, additional hides, supplements). If your total budget is under $200, a starter kit plus upgrades is the most practical path. If you can spend $300+, building a custom setup from individual components will give you a better result.