10 Best UVB Lights for Turtles – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

UVB lighting is a non-negotiable aspect of turtle care. They require lighting to mimic their natural environment—ensuring they are getting the proper uptake of vitamin D for calcium absorption. Here, we rounded up a few UVB lights that are worth your attention, along with our reviews of these products. Hopefully, you will find a long-lasting UVB bulb that works wonders for your turtle setup.

A Quick Comparison of 2024 Top Picks

The 10 Best UVB Lights for Turtles

1. Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Lighting Kit – Best Overall

If you’re looking for a dual all-in-one lamp setup, the Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Lighting Kit will do the trick. It has a multi-light display supporting both UVA and UVB lighting. It is powerful enough for the whole enclosure, working for most turtle setups. We think it’s the best overall UVB light for turtles.

The whole concept of the design is to keep the hot bulbs deep inside the lamp to prevent burns. There is a convenient on/off switch so you can easily mimic day and night cycles for your turtle, or hook it up to a timer that can turn them on and off for you.

We love the entire design, as it thinks of safety at every turn. These splash-proof halogen bulbs can be close to tiny water pops without affecting performance or creating a fire hazard. Plus, the bulbs are tucked out of the way to keep your fingers safe, too.

We think this is a smart product for virtually any turtle owner—but if you’re just looking for a bulb and not an entire lamp set, it might not be the right choice for you.

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2. Zoo Med Turtle Lamp Combo Pack – Best Value

We really think you’ll agree—the Zoo Med Turtle Lamp Combo Pack is the best UVB light for turtles for the money! This is a duo bulb pack that contains a 50-watt and 13-Watt lamp bulb for warmth and basking.

So if you need the power of multi bulbs, this is certainly something you should consider selecting. It comes from a trusted company making high-quality products for your reptile setup.

They are well-rounded to meet the needs of both UVB and UVA lighting. This pack comes with a 5.0 UB compact light that is fluorescent, and a Repti Tuff Splashproof Halogen Lamp—one perfect for basking, the other for maintaining temperature.

We think this is quite a value at a reasonable price. However, the 5.0 light can’t be used with a dimmer.

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3. Zoo Med Avian Sun Deluxe Floor Lamp – Premium Choice

If you need a total lamp setup but would like a light that is easy to maneuver, let us introduce you to Zoo Med Avian Sun Deluxe Floor Lamp. This lamp is capable of producing full spectrum light, using both UVA and UVB lighting. The UV light naturally produces vitamin D3 for calcium synthesization to strengthen your turtle. The lamp portion has an adjustable gooseneck, so you can aim it in any direction you need to.

If you have a brand new setup or you just need something to work a little bit better for yours, this is certainly a suitable pick. It is a little more expensive, but keep in mind that you’re purchasing the lamp alongside the bulbs.

This particular design is created for avian creatures, as it is suitable for tall cages. However, it works just as well for reptiles.

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4. Zilla Light & Heat Mini Day Bulb

If you have a smaller setup with a tiny turtle, for the time being, the Zilla Light & Heat Mini Day Bulb might work best for you! This light can fit in many of the brand’s light fixtures, so make sure it’s compatible with your lamp before purchase.

You can select from a few options when purchasing this bulb: 25-watt, 50-watt, a 25-watt bundle of three, and a 50-watt bundle of three. If you want to get a few bulbs in one to keep from reordering later—you certainly have that option.

According to the maker, one 25-watt bulb is actually equivalent to 50 to 70 watts, while the 50 is between 100 and 150 watts for traditional incandescent bulbs. Each bulb has over 1,000 hours of use. This makes this brand 250% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Are you convinced?

The smaller bulbs work well for younger turtles, but they are very powerful.

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5. Zoo Med ReptiSun Reptile Lamp

The Zoo Med ReptiSun Reptile Lamp is our pick for the best overall UVB light for turtles. We feel it will work best for the widest variety of setups. It contains transmitting quartz glass to optimize maximum UVB penetration.

This particular bulb emits 5% UVB output and 30% UVA output for a full spectrum light source.

Even though the spot adequately heats an enclosure, it stays cool to the touch. This fluorescent bulb screws into a standard threaded socket, so no need for extra attachments.

This particular light is recommended for turtles, but it is also useful for other reptiles—like tortoises, bearded dragons, and geckos. Keep in mind these lights emit radiation and can be dangerous to humans—so handle them with care!

Since it’s made of quartz, never touch it with your bare hands! Your skin oils can limit the life of the bulb. Also, this is just a bulb, so if you don’t already have a light housing to put it in, you’ll need to buy one separately.

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6. Buddypuppy Reptile Heat Lamp

Buddypuppy Reptile Heat Lamp bulbs will certainly keep your turtle at top-notch temperatures. It comes with everything you need to get started. No need to buy another lamp fixture—this purchase comes with a 360-degree rotating hose and two bulbs with tons of cool features.

First, the clamp fits nicely on a cage lid, and you can easily maneuver it to fit where you need. The clamp offers two-inch tension, so it works on most setup lids.

The E27 socket on the lamp portion is compatible with incandescent, UV, ceramic heat emitters, and fluorescent lights. However, it comes with two UVA/B bulbs. Another cool feature is that you can program the lamp to a timer to match daylight/nighttime lighting.

We want to point out that with warmer lighting, the lamp surface can get very hot, so be careful if you need to move it after it’s been on.

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7. MIXJOY Reptile Spectrum Light

We certainly want to mention the MIXJOY Reptile Spectrum Light for your turtle setup. It provides a solid balance of UVA, UVB, visual, and infrared light all in one. This powerful bulb is a great choice for novice owners and professional keepers alike.

This particular light is self-ballasted, meaning there is no external ballast required. It is compatible with a wide variety of enclosures, and it is incredibly easy to install. It has an E26 standard and heat dissipation hole, which fits most heat lamps.

The bulb is coated in magnesium oxide coating to create a soft, uniform lighting. When you turn it on, it starts out dim but gets brighter within 15 minutes for full power. Each bulb is 100 watts and lasts!

The quality compared to the price is incredibly fair. However, some users reported that their lights didn’t work when first plugged in. But the company was very responsive and sent replacements that worked just fine. So overall, we think you will be satisfied with this purchase.

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8. Repti Zoo T5 UVB Lighting Combo Kit

If you want a lamp/bulb combo that creates a low-profile design, we recommend Repti Zoo T5 UVB Lighting Combo Kit. It has a sleek, efficient design that fits best with a 24-inch enclosure—and there are more options for various sizes.

For maximum lamp performance, it has an energy-efficient T5 HO electronic ballast. It also has a plastic protector on both ends, so it creates a safer light setup. You are much less likely to get burned this way.

This particular light has a very convenient on-and-off switch with a removable power cable. When it comes time to switch the bulb, you can easily take out and install the reflector and bulb with no problem.

Depending on your overall needs, this lamp is also available in 39 watts, more suitable for enclosures measuring 36 inches.

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9. Lucky Herp UVA/UVB Reptile Light

The Lucky Herp UVA/UVB Reptile Light is an ideal choice for certain setups—it is very versatile! This affordable bulb fits in a standard E26 socket, which is, luckily, the size of most sockets. It’s a simple but efficient bulb design that will last.

This particular bulb emits 10% UVB and 30% UVA output. Luckily, there is no harmful UVC output in this bulb. This is a tubular glass design with 120 volts. It contains 5.0 UVB lighting to keep your turtle toasty.

The average lifespan of one of these bulbs is up to 8,000 hours. Since this is decently high compared to some others, we love the energy-saving properties and most products as well.

Ultimately, the bulb works well and is fairly priced. However, we want to mention that these bulbs get hot, hot, hot, and take a while to cool—so be sure to protect your skin if you touch it after it has been on.

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10. Calpalmy 4-Pack UVA+UVB Bulbs

If you want a value pack of decent bulbs so you don’t have to repurchase anytime soon—how about Calpalmy 4-Pack UVA+UVB Bulbs? There are four smaller bulbs that fit into just about any light fixture, using a versatile socket.

We reviewed the 50-watt bulbs, but you can also get them in 25 and 75 watts. This is the UVA and UVB combo, supporting all your lighting needs. And these lights aren’t just good for turtles! You can use them for birds, snakes, and other critters.

These bulbs have concentrated and controlled lighting thanks to parabolic aluminized reflectors. Depending on tank size, you can create the optimal heat environment in your setup by using one or a combination of these lights.

The only thing we will point out is that they feel slightly less durable than some of our other options. However, keep in mind that you do get 4, so you will have a replacement in the event that something goes wrong.

Buyers Guide: Picking the Best UVB Light for Turtles

Having a turtle is tremendously different from having a domestic dog or cat. After all, they require a completely different setup in the home and can’t be out roaming around like our furry friends.

When you take on the responsibility, certain life factors come into play. You must have a specific terrarium or aquarium set up with the appropriate amount of humidity, temperature, and lighting to create a suitable environment.

UVB bulbs are tremendously important for the setup. Here, we will go over exactly what these bulbs are and what they do so you can buy the appropriate option for your home setup.

What Are UVB Bulbs?

There is a broad spectrum of light that turtles need to stay healthy. In captivity, we use both UVA and UVB lighting to ensure these animals get the proper lighting necessary for nutrient absorption and heat.

The type of UVB light your turtle needs will depend on what species you have. Aquatic turtles generally need 2.5, 3, or 5% UVB lamps. These types of UVBs are also called swamp or tropical UVBs. They could need up to 10% UVB if they live in desert conditions.

Always be sure to purchase the bulb that provides the correct output—as this is the most important factor.

Features of UVB Bulbs

If you’re a novice owner or you’re looking for something different, what are the criteria when buying a UVB light?

If you’re buying the whole lamp setup, you don’t have to worry about it initially because the bulbs will be included. However, when you buy replacement bulbs, you’ll need to make sure they’re compatible as well.

Conclusion

Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Lighting Kit is our very favorite. We think it can work for most setup situations. We love that it is a whole kit, so you don’t have to purchase a light housing and bulb separately if you’re just starting out. It offers both UVB and UVA lighting also—good for just about any turtle tank.

If you are looking for an affordable but effective UVB light, try the Zoo Med Turtle Lamp Combo Pack. You get two bulbs in one! One contains UVB lighting, and the other is a splash-proof halogen—it’s quite a deal.

Zoo Med Avian Sun Deluxe Floor Lamp is technically for bird setups, but it can work very well for tanks and terrariums on a stand or desk. It might be a little more expensive, but it is movable and standalone—working well to secure the lamp in a stationary spot.

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Featured Image Credit to: GOR Photo,Shutterstock