What is the Best Bearded Dragon Terrarium? Top Habitats, Enclosures, Cages & Tanks for Bearded Dragons in 2020
Bearded dragons have become one of the best options when it comes to pets. There are definitely some good reasons behind this. People simply love to have a bearded dragon as their pet due to its major resemblance to a small sized dinosaur. These animals are also seen in various exciting colors. You will come across many people who have bred some of the most amusing morphs of bearded dragons.
These animals are pretty easy to maintain and are quite docile by nature. Once you understand its ways, managing a bearded dragon will seem like a piece of cake to you. These animals also have an average life span of around a decade. Thus, you can expect years and years of fund and entertainment with your pet.
Are you planning to have one or two of these bearded dragons as your pet? You must be wondering how to keep them in a makeshift home. Well, this definitely takes years of planning and some careful considerations of their basic requirements. Apart from choosing an appropriate tank for their habitat, you also need to choose a few other options such as the right décor and lighting for their home. Last but not the least, you also need to duplicate the temperature of their original habitat, which is pretty crucial for their overall well-being and health.
Top 5 Bearded Dragon Terrariums
① Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium **TOP PICK** | ![]() |
② Exo Terra Outback Terrarium | ![]() |
③ Reptizoo Reptile Glass Terrarium | ![]() |
④ Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium | ![]() |
⑤ Zilla Reptile Starter Kit 10 | ![]() |
Types of Habitats or Cages for Bearded Dragons
When it comes to choosing a suitable home for your new pet, there are different types of cages or habitats made from different materials. Choosing the right one is rather important for the two of you. Here are some of the most commonly found cages for bearded dragons.
- Glass Aquarium: When it comes to housing a bearded dragon, one of the most popular and common options is a glass aquarium. These are rather economical and are also readily available at any local pet store or online shopping sites. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of a glass aquarium is its enormous weight and improper insulation. Due to the heavy weight, moving the tank from one room to another may be a major problem. Add to that the fact that once the animal is set inside, moving the tank will be more difficult. Although improper insulation does not affect bearded dragons that much, many owners have complained that lack of proper insulation lightens the color of the reptile’s skin.
- Melamine Cage: As the name suggests, these types of habitats are made of melamine boards, which is basically a type of wood coated with a laminate finish. It is pretty simple to construct such a cage on your own or you can even get it from a local pet shop. Melamine cages duplicate the experience of going to the zoo. This means that bearded dragons can only be visible from one side of the cage. You also have the privilege of painting the inside of the boards with white color to reflect light. There are several artificial rocks surfaces that can be installed on the sides and at the back to make it look more real.
- Professional Cage: You will find many manufacturers that build good quality cages for different types of reptiles. These are normally professional graded cages and are normally made with a single piece of molded plastic. Although these types of cages come with a heavy price tag, there are many bearded dragon breeders who like to opt for such a cage since these are easily and conveniently stackable. These cages are also chemically resistant, come with a built-in heat lamp, and are easy to clean.
- PVC Cages: These types of cages are also made from a type of plastic, which makes their lightweight and pretty simple to move from one place to another. However, these are more expensive than melamine cages. There are many pet owners who find PVC cages more appealing than melamine cages.
Best Bearded Dragon Habitats List
As discussed above, there are several types of bearded dragon habitats that are available in the market made from different materials. Choosing the right one is crucial for you to ensure that your pet remains healthy and happy all the time. Some of the best options for bearded dragon habitats have been discussed below for your benefit.
① Carolina Custom Cages Bearded Dragon Terrarium
This is probably one of the best bearded dragon habitats in the market. It is pretty simple to assemble this and it comes in 18 different models of different sizes. All the models come with either a 4 inch or 6.3 inches or 7.5 inches deep waterproof base except for the Bio Deep model, which comes with a 12 inches deep waterproof base.
The models that are 24 inches in length come with hinged doors and those that are 48 inches and 72 inches in length come with sliding doors. All the models also come with key-lock security. These habitats come with extra Styrofoam and tougher cardboard.
Pros
Pros
- There are 18 different models of different sizes to choose from.
- These come with key-lock security.
- Some come with hinged doors and some come with sliding doors.
Cons
Cons
- The size of the key is quite small making it very easy to lose if not attached to the suction cup.
- Shutting the front glass door without the lock and key is not possible.
② Exo Terra Outback Bearded Dragon Enclosure
This product has been designed by European herpetologists and comes with front opening doors for easy access to feed your pet and clean the habitat. It also comes with a special lock to prevent your pet from escaping and the doors can easily be opened separately. The habitat also comes with a full screen top ventilation that also allows infrared and UVB penetration. It is also removable to help you with cleaning or decorating the inside.
At the rear side of the screen cover you will find 5 closable wires or tune inlets to install waterfalls, heat wave rocks, sensors and other things. The flooring of the habitat is raised to mount a substrate heater in order to heat a part of the flooring.
Pros
Pros
- Comes with front window ventilation.
- Has dual doors to help you with easy access.
- Stainless steel mesh cover.
Cons
Cons
- Size may seem smaller than mentioned.
- Some pet owners say it has a weird shape.

③ Reptizoo Reptile Glass Bearded Dragon Tank
This bearded dragon habitat is pretty durable in nature and provides a comfortable environment for your pet to lead a happy life. It comes with front opening doors that also help you maintain and clean the inside conveniently. The habitat also comes with a specially designed locking system and the doors can also be opened separately.
Infrared and UVB penetration is allowed by the full screen top ventilation, which is also completely removable for easy access. This will help you feed or decorate or even clean the habitat. The right side of the product comes with some tube inlets and wires to install a suitable heat wave rock along with sensors and waterfalls.
Pros
Pros
- Comes with a raised bottom frame to help you fit in a substrate heater.
- Front doors can open separately.
- Very simple to install.
Cons
Cons
- The glass at the bottom may form cracks within a few days.
- Some animals can easily escape by pushing through the cable lock access holes.
④ Exo Terra Short All Glass Bearded Dragon Cage
This is one of the best amphibian or reptile habitat that is designed by European herpetologists. It has front opening doors that provide convenient access for you to maintain or clean or even fed your pets. There is also a specially designed lock that prevents your pet from escaping and the best part is that the door can easily be opened separately.
This product comes with a full screen top ventilation that lets in UBV, as well as, infrared penetration. The top section is easily removable so that you can clean the inside of the tank easily. This cage also comes with 5 closable wires or tube inlets that let you install waterfalls, heat rocks, various sensors, and so on.
Pros
Pros
- The front access door can be opened separately.
- Suitable for all types of reptiles and amphibians.
- Closable wire and tube inlets.
Cons
Cons
- Gets easily damaged while shipping.
- Sometimes the access door is difficult to close.

⑤ Zilla Reptile Starter Kit 10 with Light and Heat
This reptile starter kit is one of the ideally suited habitats for bearded dragons and other reptiles. There are 2 reflective dome light fixtures in each kit along with a black incandescent bulb especially designed for nighttime heat. There is also a white spot bulb for daytime heat generation. This starter kit comes with a screen cover that will keep your pet secure and safe inside the habitat.
You will find a temperature/humidity gauge inside that will let you get easy and quick readings of the environment inside the habitat. This will let you understand whether your pet is within their required temperature and humidity zones. There is a brown terrarium liner inside that is basically an odor-fighting and low-maintenance carpet that is impossible to digest and it is also non-abrasive.
Pros
Pros
- One of the best habitats for desert dwelling animals.
- There are 2 separate 5.5 inches reflective domes.
- It also comes with a fresh air screen cover.
Cons
Cons
- You may require higher wattage light bulbs for bearded dragons.
- The thermometer also does not work all the time.

⑥ Zilla Fresh Screen Habitat for Reptiles
This natural habitat for bearded dragons is made of aluminum frame that makes it long lasting and sturdy. It is designed to make your pet feel livelier and look more natural inside the habitat. It is best suited for large sized chameleons, gargoyle geckos, crested geckos, and several other tree dwelling animals.
The habitat is designed with tough black mesh that is not possible to rip open even with the help of strong claws and jaws. The flooring is also made of PVC plastic that makes it pretty simple for you to clean it. You will find a cord port that makes wiring of power accessories rather convenient for you and the best part is that it is pretty simple to assemble.
Pros
Pros
- The black mesh screen makes it tough for animals to escape easily.
- The PVC bottom is easily cleanable and durable.
- It is very easy to assemble.
Cons
Cons
- Some people may find assembling the habitat quite challenging.
- Some people have complained of the door not closing or opening properly.

⑦ Carolina Custom Cages Bearded Dragon Terrarium
One of the best features of this bearded dragon habitat is its easy assembling. It is available in 18 different models that lets you a wide array of options when it comes to choosing the right habitat for your pet. Out of all the models, the Bio Deep model comes with a 12 inches deep waterproof base. On the other hand, the other models come with varied base thickness such as 4 inches, 6.3 inches and 75 inches.
The models that are 24 inches in length and 36 inches in length come with hinged doors. Whereas, the 48 inches and 72 inches in length models come with sliding doors. There are specially designed key-lock security to ensure that your pet does not escape out in the open that easily.
Pros
Pros
- Come with key-lock security.
- Is available in 18 differently sized models.
- Very easy to assemble.
Cons
Cons
- The ley of the locking mechanism is rather small and it can easily get lost if not kept properly.
- The clips that engage the top panels are pretty tough to clip.

Conclusion & What is the Best Bearded Dragon Terrarium Habitat
When it comes to bearded dragon cages, the options are not limited at all. You will find a wide ocean full of options out in the market. These animal cages are normally pretty large to start with. By now you probably have some idea as to what to look for when you decide to look for a bearded dragon cage. The above discussed list will also act as a guide to you while shopping for the best cage.
Out of all those mentioned above, the best of the lot was the Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It is pretty simple to assemble and the best part is that you get 18 different models. All sized differently to help you choose the right one easily. It comes with all the features that help bearded dragons feel happy and remain healthy in their habitats.
Factors to Consider While Choosing a Suitable Bearded Dragon Habitat
Choosing any bearded dragon habitat will not be sufficient. There are several other factors to keep in mind to ensure that your pet leads a happy and content life in its new habitat. Some of these factors have been discussed below.
- Lids and Covers: A bearded dragon habitat or cage without a proper lid or cover is a major risk. Your pet can easily escape out if the cage is not properly covered. There are several bearded dragons that are masters at escaping. When it comes to choosing a suitable lid, make sure to avoid those that are made of plastic and glass or any other solid material. These can easily restrict airflow. These animals are from the dry desert regions. Thus, you have to ensure that the humidity level inside the cage is low. Glass and plastic lids will simply make the humidity level inside the cage rise to unhealthy levels. Better use a screen lid, which will keep the humidity levels low and also provide adequate airflow.
- Size of the Tank: It is also important to choose a tank of the right size. A pretty small tank can often stress out your pet and can also limit their overall body growth. It is important for you to remember that a baby dragon will need a 20 gallon tank, dragons that are 10 to 16 inches will need a 40 gallon tank, those that are 16 to 20 inches will need a 50 to 75 gallons tank, and the 20+ inches dragons will need a 120 gallon tank.
- Humidity and Lighting: It is important for you to remember that the brighter the tank, the happier will the pet inside be. These animals hail from the Australian deserts. This means that they require a minimum of 12 to 14 hours of full spectrum lighting every day. When you talk about full spectrum lights, it does not mean the ordinary lights that are used at homes. Full spectrum lighting emit lights in all the UV ranges, which is considered healthy for bearded dragons. It is also important for the light to be evenly spread throughout the tank. The tank should have a way to enable the animal to come within a range of 6 to 8 inches from the light source.
- Tank Temperature: Since bearded dragons are from the desert-like environment, it is important that you maintain a heated tank for them. The interior temperature should be around 95 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest should be around 85 degree Fahrenheit. This is why it will be a good idea to have two different thermometers for the two different types of temperatures. Although it is acceptable for the temperature of the tank to fall to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, it is still recommended to maintain it between 70 degrees and 75 degrees.
- Bedding: I tis important that you ensure proper flooring inside the tank. The age of the dragon is the primary factor that determines the type of flooring you need to choose. In case of younger dragons the best options for flooring include paper towels, newspaper, reptile carpet, and butcher paper. Do not make the mistake of using lose items as flooring such as chips, sand, and wood.
- Security: When it comes to bearded dragons, security of the animal is a primary concern. As an owner of a bearded dragon, you would certainly not like the idea of it getting hunted by your cat, right? This is why it is crucial for you to opt for a habitat that provides proper security to the animal inside. There are several types of terrariums that are especially designed for reptiles. Some of the best models come with full heavy-duty metal screen cover, which is supposed to be fitted snugly on top of the enclosure. Better avid plastic screens as these have a chance of melting due to the heat from the lamps inside the habitat. It is also better to avoid glass as it can easily limit the amount of air going inside the terrarium.
- Durability: Having to buy a new terrarium at regular intervals can be a major pain. This is especially for a pet that has a normal life span of around 10 to 13 years. This is why it is always better to opt for a habitat that is durable and sturdy enough to easily last for a long time to come.
- Water Dish: Although bearded dragons originate from the Australian desert, it does not mean they do not need water that often. These reptiles also need water to quench their thirst and also to soak themselves at times. This is why it will be a good idea to keep a large sized shallow water dish where they can easily climb into whenever needed. It is a kind of bath for them which they like to take whenever they feel.
- Substrate: It is needless to say that bearded dragons are not master climbers. However, they are really good at digging. It also happens to be a good form of exercise for them and proper digging can also trim their claws. However, they normally dig to create a more comfortable basking area.
- Hide Huts: Bearded Dragons like to stay away from prying eyes at times. This is another reason behind their eagerness to dig. They like to create their own cubbyhole where they can easily stay when they wish to be alone. This is why it will be a good idea to give a couple of places inside the habitat for the dragon to relax and chill.