They are completely different things it is hard to say one is better over the other they heat differently.

Bulbs heat air (convection).

UTH/RHP heat things Radiant).

One is not better than the other they are just different. If you heat AIR you raise the amount of water the air can hold the water doesn't magically disappear it is the same you just are farther from the saturation point.

It is a myth snakes need belly heat.

The new style heat mats (low entity) are unlikely to burn a snake as they are designed to not exceed 100ºF I would NOT recommend heat system that does get hotter. Kane being a great example.

UTH will not be effective through the wood bottom, the ONLY pad you can place inside safely I know of is Kane pads. they are very large and very expensive add a proportional thermostat (ON off with an interior pad are unsafe) it is all going to run on the expensive side.

Your snake is happy, feeding is a great husbandry indicator. 'If it ain't broke don't fix it'

You can spend a lot more cash and then have to re balance the ambient temps some how. and be where you are now.


The best you can expect a UTH or RHP to heat air is 2-5ºF with out doing a lot of tuning.