The Best UVB Lights for Your Pet Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons, or beardies, are a type of reptile that are known to enjoy cuddling up with their owners. They are intelligent in that they can consistently recognize their owners and have demonstrated problem-solving skills by imitating other reptiles. Beardies are popular because they have a docile and easygoing nature, and well-socialized beardies will show their owners affection.

The setup required to keep your bearded dragon happy and healthy is more complex than for some other reptiles. Natives of sunny Australia, beardies need to bask in the sun for 10 to 12 hours a day. Naturally, inside a terrarium in your home, they aren’t going to get much sun, so you’ll need to provide the correct mix of UVA and UVB light is used instead.

The ideal blend for your bearded dragon is 10% UVB and 30% UVA. UVB light stimulates vitamin D production in your beardie’s body to keep its bones healthy and avoid metabolic disorders. 

UVA is higher radiation energy that keeps your bearded dragon’s appetite and mood strong. The wrong mix of UVA and UVB, or one without the other, is dangerous for your pet. Also, the UV output of a bulb decreases with time, so pet owners should replace bulbs about every six months or as directed by the manufacturer.

Top Picks for the Best UVB for Your Bearded Dragon: Ranked and Rated

#1 Best Overall: MyComfyPets UVB Light and UVA 2-in-1 Reptile Bulb 100W for Bearded Dragons

In our review, the overall best UVB lights for your pet bearded dragon are MyComfyPets UVB light and UVA 2-in-1 reptile bulb 100W for bearded dragons for its longevity and the value you get for the money.

This two-in-one bulb delivers both the UVA and UVB light your bearded dragon needs to thrive. The self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb emits heat, self regulates, and does not output damaging UVC radiation.

Having both types of UV light in one bulb simplifies your setup. Your bearded dragon will flock to the warmth and healthy UV rays that support his appetite, activity, attractive colors, and prevent metabolic bone disease. This bulb has a 10,000-hour lifespan.

Even if this light produces the right amount of heat for your beardie during the day, you’ll need a separate heat source to keep your pet warm at night. Beardies need darkness to sleep well. Anytime your home drops below 59 degrees Fahrenheit at night, you’ll want to use a ceramic reptile heat lamp to keep your pet comfortable during the dark hours.

Some reviewers said that their bulbs didn’t last very long, so they had to replace them ahead of schedule.

Pros and Cons of MyComfyPets UVB Light and UVA 2-in-1 Reptile Bulb 100W for Bearded Dragons

Overall Best

UVB Light and UVA 2-in-1 Reptile Bulb

• Two-in-one bulb provides the UVA and the UVB light your bearded dragon needs to thrive
• Long-lasting bulb lasts 10,000 hours
• 100W
• Healthy UV rays help your beardie develop and maintain attractive colors, prevent metabolic bone disease, and more!
• Provide a separate heat source at night when the light is out

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2. Best Quartz Bulb: Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Reptile Lamp, 26-Watt

The Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Reptile Lamp, 26-Watt is a popular choice for its quality UVB light in a compact size. Fluorescent light does not emit heat, so your Zoo Med ReptiSun reptile light will need to be paired with a separate heat source.

This fluorescent reptile lamp emits the ideal combination of full-spectrum light with 10% UVB and 30% UVA output. The quartz glass construction permits maximum UVB penetration.

The shape of this fluorescent lamp can be mounted vertically or horizontally in your clamp fixture or reptile hood. One important thing about this bulb is the quartz can be damaged by the oil in your hands, so you will want to use gloves or a cloth to handle the bulb while you install it.

Several reptile keepers said that their bulbs stopped working after a short period of time (hours to weeks).

Pros and Cons of the Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Reptile Lamp, 26-Watt

Best Quartz Bulb

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Compact Quartz Bulb

• Quality UVB light in a compact size
• Does not emit heat, so pair it with a heat source
• Provides the ideal output of 10% UVB and 30% UVA
• Quartz glass permits maximum UVB penetration
• Can be mounted vertically or horizontally

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3. Best Bulb for a Standard Socket: Aiicioo 10.0 Desert UVB Spiral Compact Fluorescent UVB Light Bulb 26W 

The Aiicioo 10.0 Desert UVB Spiral Compact Fluorescent UVB Light Bulb 26W emits a high UVB output similar to sunlight in deserts that receive more direct sunlight. Even with a denser screen cover over the top of your terrarium, this bulb is designed to deliver sufficient UVB penetration. 

Dense screens can filter out up to half of the UVB rays, reducing the crucial benefits provided to your pet. This reptile light has the ideal UV combination for a bearded dragon with 10% UVB and 30% UVA light — similar to sunlight in deserts. There is no harmful UVC output.

This UVB bulb is constructed of special machine-made glass and can be combined with natural light from windows or skylights. You can use it in any standard bulb socket.

A sole reviewer reported that the bulb wasn’t packaged well and that it didn’t work.

Pros and Cons of the Aiicioo 10.0 Desert UVB Spiral Compact Fluorescent UVB Light Bulb 26W

Best Bulb for a Standard Socket

Aiicioo UVB Reptile Light - Desert UVB

• Emits high UVB similar to desert sunlight
• Will deliver sufficient UVB even through a dense screen cover
• Features the ideal UV combination for beardies: 10% UVB and 30% UVA
• No harmful UVC output
• Works in any standard bulb socket

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4. Best for a Compact Space: DBDPet ‘s Bundle with Zilla Slimline 18″ T8 Desert UVB Light With Fixture

DBDPet’s UVB light is designed to be mounted inside your terrarium. It will not deliver sufficient UVB output if it’s above the screen because the light is not strong enough to penetrate the screen. Its slim design fits easily in small spaces, and the manufacturer offers a buy-back guarantee if you don’t love it.

This fluorescent bulb is lightweight, comes with its own fixture, and works for compact spaces.

No negative reviews were available.

Pros and Cons of the DBDPet ‘s Bundle with Zilla Slimline 18″ T8 Desert UVB Light With Fixture

Best for a Compact Space

DBDPet 's Bundle Desert UVB Light

• Designed to be mounted inside your terrarium
• It will not provide sufficient UVB output if installed above the screen
• Slim design fits in small spaces
• The lightweight design comes with its own fixture
• Manufacturer buy-back guarantee i

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5. Best for Larger Terrariums: Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 T8-HO UVB Fluorescent Reptile Lamp

Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 T8-HO UVB Fluorescent Reptile Lamp linear fluorescent bulb emits UVB light 20 inches from the surface of the lamp. This makes it suitable for larger terrariums where more than 12% of UVB penetration is needed. The T8 ReptiSun 10.0 can be used above screen covers which filter out up to half of the UVB wavelengths.

This high-quality bulb is made in Germany and delivers the 10% UVB and 30% UVA you want for your bearded dragon to support bone health, and maintain activity levels, appetite, and reproductive behavior.

A few buyers reported that their bulbs died within a few months.

Pros and Cons of Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 T8-HO UVB Fluorescent Reptile Lamp

Best for Larger Terrariums

Zoo Med ReptiSun Fluorescent Reptile Lamp

• 10.0 T8-HO fluorescent reptile lamp emits UVB light 20 inches from the lamp's surface
• Perfect for larger terrariums where more than 12% of UVB penetration is required
• Can be used above screen covers that filter out up to half of UVB wavelengths
• Delivers 10% UVB and 30% UVA that's ideal for your bearded dragon's optimal health

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6. Best Affordable Starter Set: Zoomed Bearded Dragon Combo Lighting Value Pack

The Zoomed Bearded Dragon Combo Lighting Value Pack is designed to work for terrariums of up to 20 gallons, which would be too small for an adult bearded dragon. Adults can grow to be two feet long and need at least a 40-gallon tank to thrive, but this set may be suitable for a starter kit while your beardie is young and small.

The set includes two lights that can fit into mini deep dome lamp fixtures or naturalistic terrarium hoods. One light is a 75-watt basking spot lamp, and the second is a 13-watt mini fluorescent 10% UVB and 30% UVA full-spectrum bulb.

The quartz glass of the mini fluorescent bulb is crafted for maximum UVB penetration but can be damaged by the oils on your skin. Use gloves or a cloth to install.

No negative reviews were available for this product.

Pros and Cons of Zoomed Bearded Dragon Combo Lighting Value Pack

Best Affordable Starter Set

Zoomed Bearded Dragon Combo Lighting

• Designed for terrariums up to 20 gallons
• Perfect starter kit for young, small bearded dragons
• Includes two lights: a 75W basking spot lamp and a 13W mini-fluorescent
• The fluorescent provides 10% UVB and 30 UVA full-spectrum light
• Fits mini deep-dom lamp fixtures and naturalistic terrarium hoods

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When selecting the best UVB Lights for your pet bearded dragon, there are three factors you will want to consider. Specifically:

• Will this work with my set-up?
• Is it powerful enough for the size of my terrarium?
• Is it the proper percentage of UVB light for bearded dragons?

Will This Work With My Set-Up?

Not all UVB lights are strong enough to penetrate through a screen. When shopping for a UVB light for your bearded dragon, think about the space you have to mount each light fixture. Also, how high above the basking area will it be, and where will you mount it? Finally, do you have the proper hardware to install it?

Is It Powerful Enough for the Size of My Terrarium?

You could provide an excellent UVB light source for your beardie, but if it’s not powerful enough for the size of your terrarium, its health could still suffer. Make sure the power of the UVB light is sufficient for your terrarium’s size.

Is It the Right Percentage of UVB Light for Bearded Dragons?

There are many different types of lights for reptiles. Not all reptiles are desert dwellers, and many can thrive in less UVB light or a different UVB/UVA mix than your bearded dragon. Without sufficient UVB light, your beardie’s bone health will be compromised.

The Different Types of UVB Lights for Your Pet Bearded Dragon: Pros and Cons Compared

When you are shopping for UVB lights for your pet bearded dragon, there are three types. They include linear fluorescent, compact or coil fluorescent, or mercury vapor bulbs.

Here are some pros and cons of each type.

Linear Fluorescent

Compact/Coil Fluorescent

Mercury Vapor Bulb

Verified Review: User Experience

Reviewers of MyComfyPets UVB and UVA 2-in-1 reptile bulb for bearded dragons were impressed at its relative durability for a mercury-vapor lamp. Some reported that their bearded dragon seemed happier and healthier after switching to this bulb. Other owners said that many bulbs recommended for bearded dragons weren’t actually delivering enough quality UVB rays to their pet, but this one was providing the results they wanted.

Users of the Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB compact fluorescent reptile lamp are happy with the value for the money. One user said she had tested several UVB bulbs only to find they didn’t emit sufficient light to keep her beardie healthy, but the ReptiSun bulb did deliver the light her pet needs. Some people appreciate the bulb’s compact size. A few bulbs only worked for a short time, but most of the reviews are positive.

The Aiicioo 10.0 Desert UVB spiral compact fluorescent UVB light bulb doesn’t have enough reviews to gauge users’ responses accurately.

DBDPet ‘s Bundle with Zilla Slimline T8 Desert UVB light with fixture also does not have enough user feedback to assess people’s experience. Most responses were positive, but one reviewer said her light was flickering but otherwise worked well.

Reviewers of the Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 T8-HO UVB fluorescent reptile lamp report they purchase this light repeatedly because they trust the brand. A few users said the light did not work when they received it. 

The few available reviews on the Zoomed Bearded Dragon combo lighting value pack report that it works great for their bearded dragon, but more reviews would be required to really assess user experience.