4 Best Misting Systems for Reptiles & Amphibians

Misting systems are used to maintain the humidity levels in a terrarium. These automated systems range from simple to sophisticated, but the purpose remains the same; mist your terrarium automatically throughout the day. So which is the best misting system for reptile & amphibian habitats and which ones should you avoid? That’s what I’ll cover in this review.

The quality, ease of use, and price of the product are factors that will determine the best fit for your situation. Another factor is pressure. Most misting systems nowadays are labeled as “high pressure” or “low pressure”.

The low-pressure mister is less than 100 pounds per square inch while the high-pressure mister is more. When it comes to misters, the higher the pressure, the better. Low-pressure mister systems are less efficient for terrariums.

The water droplets produced by a mister also determines its suitability for your setup. Water droplets between 5 – 20 micros in size create a light to dense fog. Droplets around 100 microns are ideal because they create a nice mist of water that blankets the leaves and flat surfaces within your terrarium, causing the relative humidity levels to rise and providing opportunities for reptiles and amphibians to get a drink of water.

Listed in the table below are the four misting systems I’ll review in this buyer’s guide. Clicking the link for each product will take you to the corresponding review. From there, feel free to read the review(s) where you will find links to each reptile misting system.

Top 4 Misting Systems Reviewed

As you read through this post, keep in mind there are different versions of some of these products. I’ll point out their differences and explain what they’re for and help you determine which is right for you.

For example, a mister might have an entry-level, intermediate, and advanced option. Or perhaps a “solo” or “multi” in the case of the Exo Terra mister. These different versions revolve around the number of hose outputs the system can handle, the size of the water container, or simply a handful of small upgrades to the previous version.

MistKing Starter Misting System

This automatic misting system is arguably the best on the market. It adequately provides precipitation and humidity control for a variety of habitats. Suffice to say, a MistKing is one of the best things you can put in your terrarium.

MistKing has a long-standing positive reputation in the herptile community. Their products are top-notch and built with reptile and amphibian husbandry in mind.

The system features a timer and can work with as many as 10 nozzles. The nozzles are equipped with a check valve to reduce dripping after misting has stopped. Also, it comes with an impressive 24v DC pump that is highly reliable.

If you cherish your silence, then worry not, as it keeps the noise down to a very minimal level. The Mistking system gives you the option of customizing it to run at certain times of the day, so you can be sure that your amphibians are going to be taken care of, even when you’re out of the house.

Pros and Cons

• The Ultimate Misting System – it has all the bells and whistles.
• It’s very quiet – won’t disturb you or your reptiles/amphibians.
• Runs up to 10 nozzles – supplies multiple assemblies to mist several different enclosures.
• Highly customizable – Maximum control of timers and cycles.

• Not ideal for small or single terrarium setups.
• Does not include a water reservoir.

As mentioned earlier, some misting systems have multiple versions. MistKing is one of them. At the time of writing this post, there is a V4 and V5. Both versions are extremely good quality. MistKing V5 has minor improvements and costs a few extra dollars. The table below has links to both versions and where you purchase them, should you choose to do.

Repti Zoo Rainfall System

Repti Zoo has been around for a while but only recently becoming more and more available. Especially with online retailers carrying their equipment. All their products have two things in common. They’re innovative and built with quality in mind.

The Repti Zoo Rainfall System is an excellent, all-in-one misting system. It offers programmable functions in the form of adjustable dials, all of which are conveniently placed on top of the water reservoir.

It holds 2.6 gallons of water and refilling the reservoir is stupid easy. It has a single output hose but works with up to 20 sprayer nozzles.

While it’s not as sophisticated as a MistKing, it’s nothing to scoff at. The all-in-one design is desirable for beginners and intermediate reptile keepers because the setup is a breeze, it looks nice, upkeep is simple, and it’s more than adequate to provide rain-like humidity for your beloved pets throughout the day.

Pros & Cons

• Complete kit – comes with everything you need to get started.
• Built-in Tank – it holds 2.6 gallons of water.
• Easy Setup & Refill – installing it is quick and refilling the tank is simple.
• Great for Beginners & Intermediate – can mist single or multiple enclosures.

• Not as much control over settings
• Has only one hose output

If you’re not willing or simply don’t want to take the time to install a MistKing, this is absolutely the misting system I recommend for you.

There are two versions of the rainfall system that I know of. The one I recommend is the one described in this review. It features a 2.6-gallon water reservoir. There is another version with a 1/2 gallon reservoir. It works just as well but with a tank that small, you’ll find yourself refilling often and wishing you would have gone with the bigger system.

Both versions are listed below with links where you can buy them.

Exo Terra Monsoon

The Exo terra monsoon misting system is another good choice. This misting system is programmable, easy to install, and has an “all-in-one” design. Its built-in reservoir holds the water before being sent through the mist nozzles.

It features a large, 2-gallon reservoir that is easy to refill. Exo Terra has several versions of the Monsoon; the solo, multi, and I believe a version called the RS400.

It has programmable cycles and allows you to determine how long the mister is on. All of this is conveniently placed on top of the water reservoir.

Exo Terra is an established, well-known brand in the reptile industry. Even beginning hobbyist who has built a habitat has most likely seen, purchased their products, or heard of them at very least.

In my experience, their products are generally good. I wasn’t a fan of their LED light but I love their terrariums.

Pros & Cons

• Complete kit – comes with everything you need.
• All-in-one Design – water reservoir is built in.
• Great for Beginners – great for one to two enclosures.
• Easy Setup – Easy to program and no complicated setup.

• It’s loud when the pump is running.

There are two (main) versions of the Monsoon. There is a Monsoon Solo and a Monsoon Multi. For both versions, there is an additional version (i and ii). For example, there is Monsoon Solo and a Monsoon Solo II. The 2nd one is the latest version (at the time of writing this); the newest, upgraded version.

Which one you get depends on your setup. The Monsoon Solo ii has a single nozzle and best for one terrarium. The Monsoon Multi ii has two nozzles and works for two terrariums. Listed below are links where you can buy both models (solo and multi).

Zoo Med Repti Rain

The last misting system on my list is the Zoo Med Repti Rain Automatic Terrarium Mister which is quite affordable and a great choice if you have a very limited budget. This misting system is suitable for a wide range of enclosures and can even work on 4C batteries if you do not have your AC adapter handy.

It features four distinct default programmable modes which can be set to spray at intervals of 3, 6, and 12 hours and the spray duration can last for either 15, 30, 45, or 60 seconds.

Pros and Cons

• Complete kit – everything you need to get started.
• All-in-one Design – built-in water tank.
• Easy Setup – Quick setup for a single terrarium.
• Cheap – It’s the cheapest mister on this list.

• Small reservoir (requires frequent refills)
• Loud while the pump is running.
• Frequently leaks from the nozzles.

While this system will provide adequate humidity for your frogs, it is noteworthy to mention that it’s susceptible to leaks from the nozzles. But overall, they are a great value for money.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this system is the mounting options. Not only does it come with latches, seen in the picture above, but there are suction cups on the back as well. If you wish, you can stick the whole system to the side of your glass terrarium.

Reptile Misting System Tips and Safety

Be mindful of the water you’re using. Tap water is not recommended as it tends to contain chemicals that can harm your pets. Not only that, tap water high in calcium can quickly damage the misting system by leaving calcium deposits in the sprayer nozzle.

Most frog keepers are well aware of the effects of minerals in tap water; normal levels of natural minerals aren’t a bad thing. But calcium build-up is likely the quickest way to ruin your fancy misting contraption. While distilled water shouldn’t be a frog’s main source of water, it’s perfectly safe to use it in misting or fogging systems.

Last but certainly not least; be safe. To minimize the risks of electric shock, it’s vital to connect the pump and timer to GFI outlets, avoid placing the mister near power strips or outlets, and always create a drip-loop! You should also monitor your mister regularly during use to ensure that it’s not directed towards any electrical appliance.

TLDR; Conclusion

Automated misting systems are most hobbyists’ preferred choice over spray bottles. They remove some of your work and provide a reliable means to maintaining the proper humidity levels in your reptile or amphibian habitat.

You can set up your misting system to turn on for a certain length of time at different intervals during the day. No more worrying about whether or not your previous tree frog is dehydrated! All you have to do is set it up and make sure to refill the reservoir when it gets low.

As for which misters are the best, I recommend either the MistKing V4 starter kit or the Repti Zoo Rainfall System.

• The MistKing Starter System offers maximum control over the settings. It’s a super high-quality, dependable product. You can run multiple assemblies to several different terrariums. However, it takes time to set up and doesn’t come with a dedicated water tank. This is my recommended product if you’re willing to spend a little extra time during the setup process.
• The Repti Zoo Rainfall System is my recommended product for those of you looking for a high-quality product with a built-in water reservoir. It’s quick and painless to set up.

Should you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment in the section below! I love would love to chat with you.