The Best Seedling Heat Mats of 2024 to Kick-Start Your Plants
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Starting seeds indoors gives gardeners a jump on the summer growing season. Speed up the germination process with the right seedling heat mat.
For many gardeners, browsing through plants in a garden center is a favorite spring pastime, but some folks can be put off by the high price and limited selection of bedding plants. Starting seeds indoors a few weeks before transplanting them in the garden saves money and allows gardeners to grow many varieties. The trouble is, some seeds are slow to sprout at room temperature—fortunately, that’s where seedling heat mats come in.
Heat mats are specifically designed to gently increase the temperature of the seed-starting medium—a terrific boon to home gardeners. When placed beneath seed trays, heat mats offer gentle warmth, just enough heat to mimic the warm temperature of outdoor soil on a sunny spring day. This heat encourages seeds to sprout. We chose the Vivosun Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat as the best overall model because of its easy-to-use thermometer, various sizes, and wide temperature range.
The best seedling heat mats are safe, effective, and increase the seed germination rate. Ahead, learn what to look for when shopping for a heat mat, and find out why any of the following would be a beneficial addition to an indoor gardening tool collection.
- BEST OVERALL: Vivosun Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat
Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Vivohome Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat
Jump to Review - BEST LARGE SIZE: iPower Carbon Film Seedling Heat Mat
Jump to Review - BEST STARTER KIT: Super Sprouter Premium Propagation Kit with Heat Mat
Jump to Review - BEST MAT SET: Propagate Pro Wrap Around Heating Pad Strip
Jump to Review - BEST WITH THERMOSTAT: BN-LINK Seedling Heat Mat With Digital Thermostat
Jump to Review - BEST FOR ROOTING CUTTINGS: AC Infinity Suncore Dual Waterproof Seedling Mats
Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Seedling Heat Mats
When gathering our top picks for seedling heat mats, we made sure to only include options that were made of high-quality materials to ensure they can stand up to frequent use. The products in our list of recommendations all include at least a water-resistant rating, while most are fully waterproof. All of our picks can wipe clean easily and can fold up neatly when not in use.
Many of the options on our list are also available in various sizes, so they’re able to meet most shoppers’ needs depending on their project. Options range from mats with smaller and thinner strips—ideal for wrapping around and heating up containers for rooting cuttings—to oversize mats that are suitable for large growing projects.
Lastly, depending on how specific the temperature needs to be for a given plant, shoppers have some choices. They can opt for the more affordable stand-alone mats, or they may wish to have more precise and steady temperature control with those that include thermostat controllers, which can provide more professional reliability for certain situations.
Our Top Picks
To qualify as a top pick, a seedling mat should raise and maintain the temperature in a grow tray to between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It should also be water-resistant and well sealed. The best seedling heat mats will vary depending on how large a heating surface is desired and how many grow trays the gardener wants to warm. If the mat is part of a humidity-controlled unit, the dome should come with ventilation to keep the seedlings from becoming overheated in direct sunshine. Any one of the following mats is well suited for helping encourage seed germination.
Best Overall
Vivosun Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide
- Temperature range: 68 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit
- Waterproof rating: IP67 waterproof
What We Like
- Adjustable thermometer probe is easy to use; the controller has a bright LED display
- Mat comes in various sizes to accommodate different needs
- Surface is waterproof and easy to wipe clean to help increase longevity
What We Don’t Like
- Some users report issues over time with the temperature controller display
With the ability to maintain temperatures in the optimal range of 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, the Vivosun seedling heat mat is well suited to home gardeners who want to start bedding plants indoors from seed. The flat mat features a thick external layer of supple, flexible PVC, plus a layer of infrared heating film in the center. It also comes with double insulation around the edges.
The mat measures 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide—just the right size for slipping beneath a standard growing tray. It features a controller and a thermometer probe attached to the power cord for adjusting the mat temperature while also monitoring the growing medium’s temperature. The Vivosun is IP67-waterproof rated, so it is safe to use in wet environments, and it’s simple to clean—just wipe with a damp rag.
Get the Vivosun seedling heat mat at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Walmart.
Best Bang For The Buck
Vivohome Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide
- Temperature range: 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above the ambient temperature
- Waterproof rating: IPX-4 water-resistant
What We Like
- Relatively affordable compared to similar options, without sacrificing additional features
- Rolls up and stores away easily when not in use—great if users have several mats
- Suitable for propagating most types of seeds, so a good choice for most gardeners
What We Don’t Like
- Temperature controller sold separately
- May not be suitable for specific plants
Increase seed germination without overspending. The Vivohome seedling heat mat doesn’t come with many bells and whistles, but it raises the seed-starting medium’s temperature 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above room temperature, which is usually suitable for encouraging seeds to sprout. Measuring in at 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide, the mat is just the right size for holding a standard rectangular growing tray, and it has a water resistant IPX-4 rating.
There’s no controller with this heat mat, but users need only plug it into an outlet to start the process. The mat is made from flexible, sealed PVC plastic and features an inner layer of insulated heating wires. It wipes clean with a damp rag and rolls tightly for easy storage. It’s a great way to increase seed germination at an affordable price point.
Get the Vivohome seedling heat mat at Amazon or Walmart (2-pack).
Best Large Size
iPower Carbon Film Seedling Heat Mat
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 48 inches long by 20.75 inches wide
- Temperature range: 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above the ambient temperature
- Waterproof rating: IP67 waterproof
What We Like
- Available in multiple sizes to suit a variety of spaces, from narrow windowsills to large tables
- More affordable price point compared to other brands, especially considering the larger size
- Easy to set up and use—simply plug in and germinate!—and easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- Temperature may not stay constant across the entire pad
Those aiming to start multiple trays of seedlings indoors need look no further than the iPower seedling heat mat. It measures a beefy 48 inches long by 20.75 inches wide, which will accommodate four standard grow trays placed side by side. The mat will raise the temperature of the growing medium 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above room temperature.
The mat features a supple PVC plastic outer layer with an inner layer of iPower carbon heating film. The iPower mat is IP67 waterproof but doesn’t include a controller as standard (shoppers can add a controller to the bundle if desired). Plug the mat into a household outlet to start heating and unplug it to turn it off. The large mat is also versatile—users can place it under fermenting kombucha, yogurt, or beer.
Best Starter Kit
Super Sprouter Premium Propagation Kit with Heat Mat
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 10 inches long by 20 inches wide
- Temperature range: Between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit
- Waterproof rating: Unspecified
What We Like
- This full kit comes with everything needed to start germinating seeds
- Plastic dome retains humidity to help promote plant growth
- Great as a gift for beginner growers looking to learn more about plants
What We Don’t Like
- Lack of thermostat can make it difficult to control temperatures for more sensitive seedlings
For an all-inclusive seed starting kit, consider the Super Sprouter Premium Propagation Kit, which comes with a seedling heat mat, a plastic grow tray, and a large clear dome that covers seedlings until they reach 7 inches high. The kit also includes a grow light that will provide the light seedlings need until they’re ready to be transplanted outdoors. The Super Sprouter can help sprout seeds in homes that lack a sunny window in which to place the seedlings once they sprout.
The flexible heating mat measures 10 inches long by 20 inches wide, is IXP-rated for water resistance, and it turns on by plugging the cord into an outlet—no controller is included. The plastic grow tray is also 10 inches by 20 inches, and it can hold growing medium, peat moss grow pellets, or plastic growing containers. The heating mat raises the growing medium’s temperature 10 to 20 degrees above room temperature. The dome, made of durable clear plastic, supports a T5 fluorescent light tube in its center (included); its function is to retain humidity and reduce watering needs.
Get the Super Sprouter seedling heat mat at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best Mat Set
Propagate Pro Wrap Around Heating Pad Strip
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 20 inches long by 3 inches wide
- Temperature range: 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above the ambient temperature
- Waterproof rating: Unspecified
What We Like
- Thin strips are ideal for wrapping around containers such as kombucha jars
- Can be used for fermentation projects as well as for success of seedlings
- Included thermostat is easy to read and operate, and there’s also a convenient hanging hook
What We Don’t Like
- Quite pricey compared to other options, especially considering the smaller size
At just 3 inches wide, the pair of windowsill heat mats in this set make it possible to start seeds below a window. Each mat increases the growing medium’s temperature 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and a single controller allows the user to select the desired temperature for each mat individually. The mats are 20 inches long by 3 inches wide and can also be used on a countertop or a table if desired.
Thanks to their dimensions, these strip-style mats are also suitable for wrapping around containers of fermenting kombucha or home brew to speed fermentation. Buyers will also receive a color-coded fermentation thermometer strip.
Get the Propagate Pro seedling heat strips at Amazon.
Best with Thermostat
BN-LINK Seedling Heat Mat With Digital Thermostat
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide
- Temperature range: 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Waterproof rating: IP67 waterproof
What We Like
- Waterproof construction makes it very easy to clean just with a quick wipe
- Available in multiple sizes to suit many users and can roll up for compact storage
- Adjustable temperature controls can help users grow most plants
What We Don’t Like
- May have some colder spots
While most seedling heat mats are quite similar, certain aspects can make one brand stand out from another. For users who require more temperature control—when growing more temperamental plants, for example—a thermostat is a must-have. This heating pad from BN-LINK boasts a built-in thermostat that can be set between 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal temperature range for most plants.
This pad is a generous 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide, but there are also other sizes available for shoppers looking for something either bigger or more compact. When not in use, it can be rolled up to easily store away, and the IP67-rated waterproof surface can be simply wiped clean as needed.
Get the BN-LINK seedling heat mat at Amazon.
Best for Rooting Cuttings
AC Infinity Suncore Dual Waterproof Seedling Mats
Photo: amazon.com
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 10 inches long by 20.75 inches wide
- Temperature range: 80 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit
- Waterproof rating: IP67 waterproof
What We Like
- Thermostat is very easy to use with its user-friendly dial design
- Comes with 2 mats at an affordable price
- Made using high-quality PVC layering that resists wear and tear
What We Don’t Like
- Thermostat dials don’t show any temperatures, just low, medium, or