Top 4 Best Bearded Dragon Terrariums that your Beardie will Love

Bearded Dragons are popular pet lizards from Australia. One of the reasons why they are so popular is because they are super easy to care for.

However, setting up the right bearded dragon habitat, can still be pretty challenging for newbies. But with the right information, you’re good to go! And that’s what we’re here to provide!

Before you can take a pet beardie home, the first thing you will need is the right tank, enclosure, cage, or whatever else you may call it.

A good terrarium is necessary to keep a bearded dragon healthy and happy. However, not all bearded dragon terrariums are built the same way.

At first glance, you might think that all the bearded dragon cages, terrariums, and enclosures look and work the same way. They’re just glass boxes with simple frames, right?

….Not exactly.

Bearded dragon terrariums should be roomy and secure without being ridiculously expensive. The best enclosures will also be well-ventilated, heat-resistant, and durable.

Bearded dragon tanks vary in terms of price, design, security, and reliability. Beardies kept in the wrong terrarium can suffer from increased stress, injury and even death.

In this post, we have reviewed the top 4 best bearded dragon terrariums, so that you don’t have to waste money trying out different ones yourself.

By the time you’re done reading this, you will easily be able to choose the best enclosure for your little bearded friend!

The Best Bearded Dragon Terrariums

One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a bearded dragon owner is selecting the best terrarium or enclosure for your pet.

The proper terrarium is the foundation for all of your future care efforts. It helps you effectively set up lighting, decorate and keep your pet happier than ever before!

Best Over All: Zen Habitats 4'x2'x2' Original PVC Reptile Enclosure

Zen Habitats’ 4'x2'x2' Original PVC Reptile Enclosure is the best enclosure for bearded dragons. It is a budget-friendly yet impressively designed enclosure built to accommodate a range of reptile species.

Priced at $350, the enclosure boasts a sizeable 120-gallon capacity. Built to tolerate up to 100% ambient humidity, it features bamboo-printed composite PVC panels, a lightweight aluminum frame, and removable acrylic sliding doors, among other features.

The best part? Its available on 4 interest-free installments, or from $31.60/mo, comes with free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing an added layer of assurance to buyers.

One unique aspect of this enclosure is the PVC panels, designed to mimic a bamboo aesthetic. Not only are these panels awesome looking, but they’re also resistant to high humidity levels.

It arrives securely packed with all parts in perfect condition. Each component is well-designed, labeled, and accompanied by a clear instruction guide to simplify the assembly process.

When it comes to assembly, Zen Habitats delivers on its promise of creating an ‘idiot-proof’ design. Although certain parts might require extra pressure or the use of a hammer to fit perfectly, the overall process is manageable even for those who aren’t particularly handy. A word of caution — the aluminum frame parts can create a loud, screeching sound during assembly.

Customizability and versatility are key strengths of the Zen Habitats enclosure. The acrylic humidity shield can be cut and adjusted to your preferred size to accommodate the arrangement of heat and UVB lamps. However, remember that UVB light can’t penetrate through plastic or glass, so consider mounting your lamp on the underside of the mesh for optimal exposure.

Furthermore, the design allows you to drill holes in the PVC panels for additional ventilation, if needed. This can help strike a balance between maintaining humidity levels and ensuring adequate airflow within the enclosure.

In terms of durability, the enclosure scores slightly lower due to the thin PVC walls that don’t retain much heat and are prone to scratches and dents. However, this lightweight construction also brings forth an advantage, i.e., it makes the enclosure easily movable and manageable.

The Zen Habitats 4'x2'x2' Original PVC Reptile Enclosure is a valuable investment for reptile enthusiasts on a budget. It offers a host of features such as excellent ventilation, customizable humidity control, an attractive design, and easy assembly.

All in all, this versatile enclosure is suitable for a range of reptiles — from Bearded Dragons to Uromastyx — and will make a welcoming habitat for your pet.

Best Glass Enclosure: REPTI ZOO 120 Gallon Reptile Terrarium

As an enthusiast and experienced bearded dragon pet keeper, I’ve had the opportunity to explore various terrariums, but only a few met my expectations. One such enclosure is the REPTI ZOO 120 Gallon Reptile Terrarium.

It is one of the best bearded dragon enclosure that has plenty of room in all directions for a natural setup.

Bearded dragons enjoy exploring, basking, and getting a good stretch, and the generous size of this terrarium allows them to do just that. The additional space means you can add more accessories, plants, or hides without cramping your bearded dragon’s style.

Just like its 85-gallon counterpart, the 120-gallon terrarium features low-reflectivity glass which provides an optimal view of your bearded dragon’s activities, with the bonus of being highly resistant to scratches. The robust construction and safety features, such as swivel locks on the removable top and a key lock on the sliding front doors, ensure that your pet stays secure.

This terrarium is built with beardie owners in mind. The double sliding front-open doors offer easy access for feeding your pet, changing the substrate, or rearranging decor. The doors can be opened just a few inches or all the way, reducing the risk of accidentally bumping your beardie during handling.

The terrarium’s full mesh top and added mesh panel on the side enhance ventilation, creating a healthy environment for your bearded dragon. The increased airflow ensures that any excess humidity escapes, maintaining a good heat gradient and circulating fresh air throughout the enclosure.

The handy cable portal for installing heaters, thermometers, and lights is a thoughtful addition. While it may slightly obstruct the view, the convenience it offers in setting up and managing your dragon’s environment is a worthwhile trade-off. Assembling the terrarium is a straightforward process, taking approximately 20 minutes.

If you live in a cooler climate, you may need to invest in additional heating solutions due to due to the extra mesh for ventilation, it might be harder to regulate tank temperatures in cooler rooms.

In conclusion, the REPTI ZOO 120 Gallon Reptile Terrarium is a high-quality, spacious, and well-designed home for an adult bearded dragon. Its features cater to the unique needs of these wonderful reptiles while making it easier for you, the owner, to care for them.

Use the CODE: RZ17 to take 10% off your order!

The Strongest: Essential 4 PVC & Aluminum Enclosure 2.0

The Essential 4 PVC & Aluminum Enclosure 2.0 is the stongest bearded dragon enclosure available in the market. It is made from real PVC that will last for decades.

This terrarium measures a spacious 48" L x 24" W x 24" H externally, offering about 107.63 gallons of internal space. That’s a significant amount of room for our bearded dragons to explore and frolic! Weighing in at 62 pounds, it’s a sturdy yet manageable weight for moving around if needed.

What’s particularly appealing about this terrarium is its construction. Made with real PVC, anodized aluminum, and glass, it exudes quality. The PVC panels are ideal for reptile enclosures due to their resistance to high humidity levels, and they are fire-safe.

This 2.0 version of the terrarium comes with several upgrades that make it even better for our bearded friends. One of these is the full aluminum mesh screen top, which lets through a generous 77% of UVB light — vital for the health of our bearded dragons.

It also features a customizable humidity panel, quiet PVC tracking for the sliding doors, and a 7-inch substrate lip option for bioactive setups. Plus, there’s the option to upgrade the substrate lip material and add a sustainable ACRE™ wood-alternative, which adds to its aesthetic appeal.

One of the great things about this terrarium is its user-friendly design. The sliding glass doors offer a wide viewing area and easy access for maintenance. At the same time, the 5-inch deep base allows for bioactive setups with real plants. For security, it even includes a keyed lock to prevent any accidental escapes.

Based on customer reviews, it seems that the Essential 4 PVC & Aluminum Enclosure 2.0 excels in both its build quality and customer service. Customers appreciate its sturdiness and easy assembly. Some noted slight issues with the included background and minor shipping damages, but the company was swift and generous in handling these issues.

Overall, it appears that this terrarium scores highly with its users for its quality, design, and the responsive customer service backing it.

Taking all this into account, I’d say the Essential 4 PVC & Aluminum Enclosure 2.0 makes a worthy investment for bearded dragon keepers. With its spacious dimensions, high-quality materials, and thoughtful features, it’s designed to meet and exceed the needs of our bearded buddies.

Most Affordable: Reptile Enclosure by Zen Habitats

If you are tight on budget, the Zen Habitats’ 4'x2'x2' Wood Panel Reptile Enclosure is just for you. It is our favorite and one of the best terrariums for bearded dragons.

It is primarily made for bearded dragons but can also be used for other desert lizards, such as snakes, and other tiny creatures that need a dry environment.

This terrarium is constructed with 1" anodized aluminum panels, bamboo treated wood panels, front sliding/removable acrylic doors, a galvanized steel screen top, and a 6" substrate shield (to keep loose substrate in the enclosure when the door is open).

The steel screen top is equipped with screen support bars and wire grommets, allowing you to put your lighting fixtures within or outside the enclosure.

The Zen habitat reptile enclosure measures 4'x2'x2', which is equal to 120 gallons, which means ample space for your beardie to run about and exercise. Its tall and wide enough to support all your beardie’s arboreal activities.

Bearded dragons are territorial and don’t like seeing themselves in the mirror. Keeping this in mind, they have made the surfaces non-reflective, which minimizes stress.

The front-sliding doors also help reduce anxiety while approaching your pet. Many reptiles have a parietal eye that aids them in detecting flying predators. A lot of reptile tanks open from the top, which might be stressful for your pet.

Bamboo-finished wood panels retain heat more effectively than glass. Wood panels retain heat up to ten times better than glass.

If you are not able to pay the full price, Zen Habitat offers 4 interest-free installments, or from $26.73/mo plans.

Bearded Dragon Terrariums to Avoid

If you’ve recently gotten a pet bearded dragon, you’re probably looking to make things easier on yourself by buying a bearded dragon starter kit from the nearest pet store.

I mean, why wouldn’t you? They’re affordable, practical, and easy to set up, and everything you need to smoothly adapt your beardie into its brand new home….right?

But, the truth is far from it…

Even though the kit might look attractive and useful, it’s one of the worst mistakes a newbie owner can make!

So, you might be wondering why exactly these starter kits are such a bad investment? Well, here’s why.

• Most of these kits feature tanks that are only 25 to 40 gallons, meaning you will have to get a new one once your bearded dragon grows up. If your beardie is 2 months or younger, then sure, a 40 gallon terrarium is a pretty decent option. But, 40 gallons is way too small for an adult sized bearded dragon. Keep in mind that bearded dragons can grow very quickly.
• The UVB bulbs that come with the kits are often of very low quality. UVB and UAV bulbs are essential for bearded dragon digestion and bones. Without UVB, they won’t have enough calcium and they will most definitely become sick and even develop a disease, and worse, die.

Hopefully, by now you understand how starter kits can be detrimental to your pet bearded dragon, and why you should get a more appropriate bearded dragon cage! But there are a few factors that determine which terrarium is going to be the best for your bearded dragon.

Things to look for in the best bearded dragon terrariums

Bearded Dragon Cage Size

One of the biggest factors that can affect your pet’s health is the size of their enclosure. If you’re having trouble figuring out which terrarium size will work for your beardie, the first thing you need to take into consideration is their age.

There’s a specific terrarium size for each stage of a bearded dragon’s life.

Babies

If you have a baby bearded dragon that is less than 10 inches long, a 20 gallon tank will be enough for the time being. A larger tank can actually make catching their food pretty hard!

A 20 gallon tank should be fine for a baby. However, you have to remember that all baby dragons require time to develop into stealthy hunters, and as a result, your baby dragon may find it difficult to catch his food if you give it plenty of space to run away.

Babies can live in a 40 gallon (38 inches long X 18 inches wide X 18 inches deep) tank, but I wouldn’t recommend going much larger than 20–30 gallons until they grow up.

Juvenile

As your beardie grows up into a juvenile, it will go from 10 inches to around 18 inches in just a few months! So, they will obviously need more room to grow in the first year of their lives.

By the time a Bearded Dragon reaches the age of a juvenile, it should be comfortable catching live food in its tank, So, you shouldn’t be worried about keeping the cage at a moderate size for this.

So, depending on the size of your juvenile Bearded Dragon, it should have a tank that is at least 50 gallons up to 75 gallons or more to allow them to grow happily.

Full Grown Bearded Dragons

By the time your bearded dragon reaches adulthood, it should be 20 inches or above. For a full-sized bearded dragon, the bigger its cage is, the better. A tank should be no less than 75 gallons and no more than 120 gallons in size for a fully grown adult beardie bred in captivity.

Adult bearded dragons can grow to be 16′′ to 20′′ long. However, sometimes they can grow up to 24 inches. Therefore, they will need a terrarium that is at least 120 gallons.

Full Metal Screen

Many tanks or terrariums specifically designed for reptiles include a heavy metal screen cover that fits snugly over the terrarium. When using a glass or acrylic cage, these are perfect.

For maximum security and safety, you can use a full metal screen cover. When using heat lamps to warm the enclosure, plastic screens can easily melt. Avoid using a glass top for your enclosure. UVB rays can be filtered out by glass, limiting exposure to important light.

Locking Lid

When purchasing a beardie terrarium, one feature to consider is the lid or top.

Bearded dragons are semi-arboreal creatures. This means they spend a lot of time basking and hunting in trees and climbing on other natural elements. They’re excellent climbers and escape artists.

Most terrariums have a single lid that sits on top, which is pretty useless. You need to either look for a tank with a lid that is locked to the tank, or replace the lid or add a locking mechanism yourself.

Even though bearded dragons can grow to be quite large in adulthood, you’d be surprised at how difficult it is to find them if they escape.

If you have small children or other pets in the house, it is a good idea to use a locking lid. You don’t want your bearded dragon’s home to be explored by small children or a cat.

Durability

Durability is related to safety in some ways, but for the purposes of this section, we’re mostly concerned with the cage’s longevity. All of the best bearded dragon terrariums are well-made, durable, and long-lasting.

Even if you can afford it, you wouldn’t want to be constantly changing enclosures if you can avoid it. When possible, keep your bearded dragon in an area where they feel safe and comfortable.

A vivarium that falls apart on you should be avoided. Obviously, you won’t know until you try them, which is why we spent the time testing them so that you don’t have to.

Types of Bearded Dragon Tanks

Aside from deciding on the appropriate size of a bearded dragon tank, you must also decide on the type of material used to build the cage. Each cage type has its own advantages and disadvantages that influence its durability, design, and price, among other factors.

Glass Bearded Dragon Terrarium

Glass enclosures are the most common type of terrarium used for bearded dragons and other reptiles. It comes with a screen cover or wire mesh to keep air circulation and ventilation needed to maintain lower humidity, ideal for bearded dragons.

These enclosures are widely available at local pet stores as well as online retailers such as Amazon.

However, glass aquariums can be quite heavy when compared to other types of enclosures. Also, glass does not hold heat very well.

Melamine cage

Melamine tanks and terrariums are made of melamine board. You can make one yourself out of melamine board, which is available at hardware stores, or buy one ready-made from a store. The melamine cage is also fire resistant.

Melamine enclosures are pretty popular with bearded dragons, but they can be expensive and heavy.

PVC cage

PVC and melamine cages are nearly identical, with the exception that PVC cages are made of plastic. Because the plastic is smooth and appealing, these terrariums look better than melamine cages.

If you need to move your cage around pretty often, then this is perfect for you because it’s really lightweight. However, PVC terrariums can be even more expensive than melamine cages.

Conclusion

There are a few things that all of the above best bearded dragon enclosures and terrariums have in common. They are good quality, safe, durable, and secure. After that, it’s all about personal preference and the ideal enclosure layout. Get a large tank if you want something more elaborate. Get one with crystal clear glass if you want the best viewing quality!

Whatever you’re looking for, we believe you’ll be satisfied with any of the enclosures on our list. We spent a lot of time researching them (and even more time using them) to ensure that our recommendations were accurate.

Disclaimer: In our articles we sometimes link to products that earn a little commission. It help us keep writing about these wonderful reptiles.