I have to disagree with you here. Personally, I really like the Hydrofarm ones. They are great if you cannot afford the big fancy ones; they do a fine job. I have two, and have never had an issue with them whatsoever. That doesn't mean it can't happen, but it could happen with any kind of electrical equipment we buy. That, unfortunately, is a risk we take.
The reason they can be off in degrees is because they turn off/on to adjust for temperature, rather than being on all the time. For me, 2 or 3 degrees Fahrenheit is not a big deal; I don't think it would be a big issue for my pets either. It is not as if it is swinging from 80F-90F when set for 85F; it's more like 83.5F-86.5F.
However, if you have the money, then yes, I'd go for thermostats specifically designed for reptiles. But, Hydrofarm do in a pinch![]()