Getting a head start on your springtime planting and sowing can save you weeks of time and help you try out many different varieties of plants that you’d normally never attempt. The key to seed starting success, more often than not, is to heat your starter trays with one of the best seedling heat mats available. These trays will gently warm the soil and speed up germination for many seeds.
Here are our top choices:
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Best Seedling Heat Mat
Our Top Choice here was the Seedfactor MET certified Seedling Heat Mat. It’s a little pricier than some other choices out there, but it has features that make it much more versatile for any gardener.
Its variable temperature control and thermometer make it perfect for boosting germination of even the most stubborn seeds.
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For further information on the Seedfactor Seedling Heat Mat, see the Product Reviews section below.
Runner Up: Best Seedling Heating Pad
Our runner-up choice among seedling heat mats is the Hydrofarm MT10006 FBA_JEN-2047 Jump Start Seedling Heat Mat. The Hydrofarm mat is UL-certified, is well-made, and does a nice job for the price. It requires a bit more care in set-up than the Seedfactor mat and lacks the thermostat.
Pick up a separate thermostat, and you’ll be good to go with this one.
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For details on the Hydrofarm, see the Product Reviews section below.
Budget Choice: Seedling Heat Mat
Our budget pick is the Ohuhu Seedling Heat Mat, MET Standard IP67 Waterproof Seed Starting Plant Heating Pad. The Ohuhu unit has a generous size, a pleasing price point, and should do well for many basic seed starting applications. It’s a great starter seedling heat mat.
Grab a separate thermostat and this one will serve you well.
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For more information on the Ohuhu, see the Product Reviews section below.
Seedling Heat Mat Buyer’s Tips
Seedling heat mats will generally come in a size that fits under standard seed trays: About 10″ x 20”. Larger models are available, but for the purposes of our review, we will stick with this size. The amount of heat that they put out will vary, but the default range will hover about 10-20° above room temperature.
Here are a few factors to look for in a good quality seedling heat mat:
Waterproof
You should expect a good heating mat to be waterproof since it’s likely to be exposed to moisture and spills.
Safe Wiring Setup
It should perform safely, without overcooking your plants or shorting out circuits, and maintain an acceptable range of temperature without huge variations.
Sizing
The mat itself should fit under the tray without falling short and causing temperature drop-off around the edges.
Temperature Control
Some seedling heat mats have adjustable thermostats included in the package, while others do not. Of course, the ones that include the thermostat are more expensive but are generally worth the price unless you have other methods of controlling temperature.
All of them are compatible with separate thermostats, and we have linked to appropriate controllers in the reviews.
Flat Surface Heating
If your heat mat is not on a flat surface, you may find that it doesn’t heat evenly. Try to keep the mat level and smooth, with no awkward changes in level, and the heat mat should stay pretty even in terms of the temperature range.
Starting Seedlings
Once you’ve got your mat setup and your plants selected, you’ll want to pick up a seedling starter container like the Burpee 72-cell self-watering starter kit. This includes pretty much everything you need to get rolling — just remember to pick up some seed starter mix as well!
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Getting ready for Planting
After your plants have moved out of the seedling stage and are ready to be set in the main greenhouse for further growth, be sure to check out our Greenhouse Capillary Mat DIY Guide greenhouse capillary mat DIY guide to make watering a breeze!
Seedling Heat Mat Reviews
When you properly plan your seedling germination period, you can get a real jump start on your garden, even with late frost dates.
If you’re enjoying the logistics and challenges of starting unique varieties of plants from seed, you absolutely need to use a heating mat. It’s great to start your peppers and tomatoes early, but it’s also pretty amazing to watch your first tiny cacti poke up out of the soil of your planting tray.
In this section, we’ll start with a comparison table to cover the basics of all of the mats, and then move into individual reviews. We’ll conclude with our favorites.
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1. Seedfactor MET certified Seedling Heat Mat with 50℉~108℉ Digital Thermostat Controller
Key Points at a Glance
- Digital thermostat
- Temperature range 5° F – 30° F above ambient room temperature
- Waterproof
- Fireproof
- 5.9-foot power cord
Dimensions and Specs
- 1.35 lbs.
- 10″ x 20”
- MET safety certified；Complies with UL 499
The Details
If you’re serious about the highest germination rates possible and want to try a large variety of seeds, the Seedfactor mat will help you achieve your goals. The unit has its own thermostat wired directly into the mat (no need to plug the mat into a separate unit), an easy-to-read LED temperature layout that is located directly on the controller, and a temperature probe that gives the user accurate measurements of the actual soil temperature.
Why all the fuss? Well, if you’ve planted some species of plant seeds, you may be unaware of their special temperature needs – and they can be quite specific. Tropical plants, for example, normally sprout best in an environment that resembles the one they would grow in out in the wild – and can require rather high temperatures.
The wide range of settings available on this model (50-108° F) will allow you to achieve this – accurately. Other seeds can require day/night temperature swings for best results, and having a thermostat makes this possible.
Other nice features are a waterproof and fireproof PVC construction.
The Bottom Line
Users have good luck with this model, but find that adding a simple on/off switch would improve it. Currently, the only way to turn it off is to unplug it. Overall, it’s a nice package that earned our top Choice rating.
- MET safety certified；Comply with UL 499；CSA C22.2 No.64
- Seedfactor Thermostat Controller Displays Real-time Temperature Via...
- 100% PROFESSIONAL RELIABILITY: The controller maintains a stable...
- Designing with waterproof construction, our seeding heat mat is safe...
- The Seedfactor Seeding Heat Mat adopts the latest 7.5MM thickening,105...
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2. VIVOSUN Durable Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat
Key Points at a Glance
- Temperature range 10℉-20℉ above ambient room temperature
- Water-resistant
- Comes with reusable storage bag
Dimensions and Specs
- 10.4 ounces
- 10″ x 20.75”
- MET safety certified
- 1-year manufacturers warranty
The Details
VIVOSUN’s mat seems to be a little less robust than some of the others reviewed – it performs adequately, but seems to also run at a higher temperature range than some seedlings like. Users report that the mat is easy to use, but that it really requires a temperature controller for the best results. Otherwise, it tends to spike temperatures over 100 degrees.
VIVOSUN recommends that the unit is used with a humidity dome and a thermostat – which is not included. VIVOSUN sells a thermostat separately, though.
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The mat is water resistant. Per the maker, it can be scrubbed clean. The heating is supplied by Alloy Nikrothal heating wire and there are extra layers of insulating PET film in the mat, which is intended to disperse heat evenly and prevent scorching of seedlings.
However, users have also experienced problems with the mats not heating evenly – leading to poor germination in some parts of their planting trays – and general issues with durability. That said, most have found that VIVOSUN’s customer service is pretty responsive, which is always a good thing!
The Bottom Line
The VIVOSUN is a decent offering, but in our opinion, it’s best to look to other comparably-priced mats for more reliable results. It’s just not worth it to lose a tray of seeds that you’ve hovered over for days.
- Reliable Results: The VIVOSUN professional heat mat maintains optimal...
- Stable & Uniform Heat: The advanced far-infrared heating technology of...
- Built to Last: Designed with soft, flexible, and ultra-lasting...
- Multiple Uses: This 10" x 20.75" heating pad with a 5.9ft power cord...
- Innovative Heating: With the radiate far-infrared light wave, this...
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3. iPower Durable Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat
Key Points at a Glance
- Temperature range 10-20˚F over ambient temperature
- Power cord length 6.0 ft.
- Waterproof
Dimensions and Specs
- 13.6 ounces
- 20 x 10
- MET safety Certified
- 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
The Details
iPower’s mat is another basic contender in the seedling mat category. More sturdy than the Vivosun model, it is advertised by the manufacturer as suitable for reptile tanks and terrariums. It, like the others, works best with a thermostat (not supplied).
Overall, the iPower mat has good customer reviews – with one caveat. The happiest users were using it for other applications, such as warming reptile enclosures and kombucha tea crocks, where the temperature range doesn’t need to be as tightly controlled.
The construction on the iPower mats is reasonably similar to heavier and more expensive mats — always a plus! The iPower units have a 1-year warranty, and can be a great starter mat for simpler projects that don’t require terribly precise temperatures. If you already have a thermostat, even better.
iPower claims that the unit uses a “stronger” heating wire in the mats, but do not specify the grade. It’s cleanable, looks relatively durable, and will work just fine with a thermostat – which is not included.
The thermostat is pretty much a must, as an accessory.
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The Bottom Line
Assuming you’re using your heat mat for seedlings, the iPower may not be iDeal for you. Some buyers have noted issues with overheating and failure to heat at all – both deadly to young plants.
In the end, this one is not as strong a contender as some of the other models we reviewed.
- Durability: internal insulated wiring for enhanced safety. Heavy duty...
- Professional reliability: warms 10-20°F above ambient room...
- Variety of use: perfect for seeding, germination, home-brewing, and...
- Dimensions: 10"x 20". Watt: 17.5W. Length of power cord: 5.90ft
- Package include: 1 pack 10 X 20 inch seedling heat mat
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4. Hydrofarm MT10006 FBA_JEN-2047 Jump Start Seedling Heat Mat
Key Points at a Glance
- Temperature range 10-20˚F over ambient temperature
- Power cord length 6.0 ft.
- Waterproof
Dimensions and Specs
- 13.6 ounces
- 9 inches x 19.5 inches
- UL Certified
The Details
The MT10006 model from Hydrofarm has several good qualities, a couple of special needs to tend to, and an overall quality that earned it our Runner Up choice for best seedling mat. Like the other models without thermostats, it lacks temperature regulation, but it’s a UL-certified unit with waterproof construction and good reviews.
Adding a thermostat to the unit makes it a much more complete system, and is definitely recommended.
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At 7.2 watts, this model does a good job of heating without using a lot of electricity. Hydrofarm advertises this as an improved version, with thicker construction and stronger wire.
This model does have one special requirement that can be overlooked if the buyer doesn’t read the directions. The MT10006 must be placed on approximately ¾ inches of insulation to achieve the best results. Buyers report that they struggled with poor temperature regulation, especially if the mat was being used directly on top of a cool solid surface like a countertop.
Given that cushion, the unit keeps the temperature about 10-20˚F over the room temperature. It comes in several sizes, is well-made, and should provide largely trouble-free operation.
The Bottom Line
Buyers might want to note that it runs a shade smaller that the other mats we reviewed, at 9 x 19.5 inches. Check your planting tray size to make sure that you will have enough coverage – some trays can be a bit larger than this.
As long as you follow the instructions and pick up a thermostat to go with this one, the Hydrofarm Seedling Heat Mat is a good choice.
- Warms root area 10-20˚F over ambient temperature to improve...
- 6 foot power cord and waterproof construction with lighting, watering,...
- Increases success of seedlings and cuttings
- Rugged and durable with waterproof connectors - plug into our Digital...
- 50% thicker construction compared to other brands
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5. Ohuhu Plant Heating Pad, IP67 Waterproof Plant Warming Mat
Key Points at a Glance
- Temperature range 10℉ to 20℉ above the ambient air temperature
- Water resistant PVC
- Storage Bag
Dimensions and Specs
- 10” x 20.75”
- 15.2 ounces
- MET safety certified
The Details
Ohuhu is a pretty reliable supplier of gardening tools and equipment, and we find that their offerings are generally pretty good, and almost always well priced. And in that vein, with its interesting name, nice price, and serviceable design, the Ohuhu seedling mat won our Budget Pick award.
It has a 10 x 20.75 footprint, comes with a reusable storage bag to keep the rolled up mat in during the offseason and is a good entry-level mat for beginning gardeners. If you’d like better temperature control, there’s likely to be enough left in your budget to purchase a thermostat and a couple more packs of seeds.
Ohuhu doesn’t make their own thermostat, but this mat is compatible with, for example, VIVOSUN’s thermostat.
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The mat itself is sturdy waterproof PVC, can be rinsed and wiped clean, and also, per users, seems to work best when placed on an insulated surface. The size will allow you a little room for error when scooting your seedling tray around for watering, or an extra pot or two placed on it with larger seedlings in them.
Correctly used, the temperature does maintain itself at between 10-20℉ above the ambient room temperature.
The Bottom Line
Given the quality and price point of this seedling heating pad, it’s hard to say no! For those who are on a budget, or who are just starting out with heating mats, the Ohuhu is an excellent choice.
- Stable Heating System: Designed to increase the temperature of the...
- 5-Layer Structure: The outer layer of this seedling heat mat is made...
- Water-Resistant & Easy To Clean: IP67 water-resistant, proofed against...
- Ideal Size: The size of this Ohuhu seedling heat mat is 10''x 20.75''...
- Carrying Pouch: Comes with a storage bag, just need to roll up the...
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Conclusion: Seedling Heating Pads
Your first seeking mat should be adequately sized for your planting tray, have durable waterproof construction that allows for clean-ups, and should operate safely. With a default temperature that is regulated to between 10-20℉ above ambient room air temps, most mats without thermostats can handle some basic seed starting situations, but require much more precision for anything else.
Our Top Choice selection, the Seedfactor Seedling Mat, already comes with both a thermostat and soil thermometer that will allow fine tuning your settings. It’s also well-made, and both water-and-fireproof.
The Runner-Up choice, the Hydrofarm MT10006, is a well-made, UL-approved unit that is waterproof and largely trouble-free, once it is properly placed under the planting tray with insulation beneath.
And our Budget choice, the Ohuhu Seedling Heat Mat, is a combination of sturdiness and price that come together in a great entry-level product that can still be used easily with a thermostat, if desired.
All should provide good use for starting your tender plants and seedlings before spring actually arrives.
Last update on 2024-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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