Soon-to-be new BP owner...

[anatess]

There's really no such thing as "best" way. There's a proven way and there's the "that makes me uncomfortable" way. Equipment type depends upon how much money you want to spend. You can get a really good set-up for a ball python using a sterilite container, an under tank heater, a thermostat, a water bowl, and paper towels.

Or you can go "Out of Africa" with a 10 gallon tank, apsen substrate, 2 hides, water bowl, under tank heater, thermostat, and tons of decorations.

Zoomed UTH's are good but so is a DIY flexwatt which is cheaper.

If you're on a budget you can go with the ReptiTemp 500R thermostat. But, if you got a little bit more money you can go with a DIY Ranco... if you got more money, then you can go with a plug-and-play Helix.

The $12 Acurite thermometer/hygrometer with probe from Walmart is also good but if you got more money a temp gun is good too.

So, really, it's all up to you and how much you want to spend on stuff. Read through the stickies on the General Husbandry or the DIY section and you'll get a good idea of what people around here do.