Reptile Egg Incubator Buyer's Guide

This guide covers the following topics:

  1. Selecting the Right Incubator
  2. Which Accessories Do I Need?
  3. Combo Kits: Best Value
  4. Why Buy from Incubator Warehouse?
  5. Incubation Basics

1) Selecting the Right Incubator

Many customers ask about the differences between the Little Giant 9300 and the Hova-Bator 1602N egg incubators. They both hold the same quantity of eggs and are well known as a popular choice when incubating reptile eggs. There are a few differences:

  1. First, the thermostats are very different.
    • The Hova-Bator 1602N uses a mechanical wafer-style thermostat. It works great, but you will need to install it (not very difficult, and it comes with good instructions). The Hova-Bator adjusts its temperature in a multi-turn rotation (one full rotation of the adjustment knob will provide a small temperature change).
    • The Little Giant 9300 replaces the mechanical Little Giant 9200 and uses a built-in digital electronic thermostat with temperature and humidity readout.
  2. The Hova-Bator 1602N comes with an easy-to-clean sanitary liner for the bottom of the incubator. The Little Giant 9300 does not.
  3. The Little Giant 9300 viewing windows are a little larger than the Hova-Bator 1602N's.

Our experience shows that both incubators work well and will get the job done. Comparing these two is tricky, as the Little Giant 9300 replaced the previous version, the 9200, which was the mechanical equivalent of the Hova-Bator 1602N. When asked to give an opinion, we prefer the Hova-Bator 1602N over the Little Giant 9300. It is just a matter of preference. We have sold TONS of each incubator with very happy customer experiences with either one.

Want a more modern option? The Hova-Bator Genesis 1588 has an adjustable thermostat that goes as low as 80°F and a fan you can turn off, which suits reptile eggs. You can also browse all of our reptile incubators.

2) Which Accessories Do I Need?

Based on feedback from our customers, most people find that just buying a still-air incubator is not enough to get the results they want. We have listed our most common accessories below (in order of importance). Don't forget to consider buying items together. You will save money on shipping costs and product costs by buying a kit (see next section).

  • A medium or substrate: Vermiculite and perlite are two of the most popular mediums used in reptile incubation. They retain water and keep humidity up in your incubator so your eggs do not dry out.
  • Thermometer/hygrometer (a hygrometer measures humidity): The Hova-Bator 1602N comes with a glass thermometer but nothing to measure humidity. This makes getting a thermometer/hygrometer a necessity.
  • Egg candler: This accessory is the most fun of all of them. Short of watching the eggs hatch, there is nothing quite as exciting as watching the embryo move and develop while still inside the egg.

3) Combo Kits: Best Value

Our most popular items are our combo kits, because we offer a wide range of products and accessories at great prices and reduced shipping costs. Our reptile combo kit includes everything required to get started:

4) Why Buy from Incubator Warehouse?

You get 3 great guarantees:

1) 2-Year IncuCare Warranty

Our IncuCare Warranty enhances the manufacturer's warranty. If anything goes wrong within the first two years of ownership, we will make it right. We stand behind every sale we make.

2) Low Price Guarantee

If a buyer finds a better price on the same item elsewhere, we'll beat that price. The guarantee only applies to product price (excludes shipping costs). The buyer must document the better price and submit it for review (website link, screenshot, advertisement, etc.). Submissions will be reviewed within 1-2 business days. The guarantee excludes auctions, used or refurbished items, clearance, completed listings, and past sales or advertisements.

3) Free Shipping

We offer FREE shipping on domestic orders over $39. (Excludes cabinet incubators, GQF brooders, Hawaii, Alaska, and US territories.)

5) Incubation Basics

Review our beginner's guide to hatching reptile eggs to learn the basics of reptile egg incubation.

Still Need Help? Call Us at 208-740-1EGG (1344)

We try to answer all phone calls, but if our representatives are busy, please leave a message, and they will call you back at their earliest convenience. We can usually be reached Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, and Friday, 8 am to 3 pm MST.