Thermostat is something you don't want to go cheap on. Get the best and be done with it. Its the most important item. I prefer Herpstats but there is also Vivarium Electronics. Try and get one with safety relays that cut power off during a malfunction so it doesn't run full power. Herpstats also have high/low alarms which will give audible warnings and in the case of too hot, it will cut the power off on the unit. I do got one of those Hydroponic/Jump Start ones which I use as a back up but I use Herpstats as my main T-stats.