Jumping Spider Hygrometer Review
- The Spider Wrangler
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Humidity is so important to sub-tropical and tropical species of jumping spiders that a hygrometer become an invaluable tool for all keepers. I will be reviewing some of the different options of hygrometers available, and testing them in three different decor set-ups:
Soil based substrate and cork bark enclosure
Planted enclosure with soil based substrate two plants and terrarium moss
Fully bioactive enclosure with 2 plants, terrarium moss, leaf little, cork bark, and driftwood.
and in four different enclosure styles to see how easy it is to install. I will be rating them on an Out of Five system looking at Design, Installation, Accuracy, Cost and the final point will be my opinion as a long time keeper and breeder of jumping spiders. Please note that I haven't been paid for these reviews, I brought all the devices myself, there are other devices available.
Exo-Terra Budget Dial Hygrometer 1.5/5 £5-6
Komodo Budget Dial Hygrometer 1/5
£5
Swell Budget Dial Hygrometer 2.5/5 £4
These are all the same hygrometer with just a different branded piece of card inside, except for Swell who didn't even spring to have it branded, it just says 'hygrometer' in comic sans. They feel
incredibly cheap, something akin to those little games you'd get in a party bag in the 90s where you had to coax a small silver ball bearing through a maze, but as this makes them small and light they earn half a point in design. They have the same sticky pad back that stuck firm which gives them a point for installation. They lost out on function because the dial is so hard too read and feels more like an approximate reading, there were very different readings from all three which is strange considering they are the same device. They were also sent screwy when placed within 10cm of
magnetic decor changing the reading. Swell get a point for being just about in the price
range I'd be happy paying for a budget dial design, but Exo-Terra and Komodo are not worth their asking price. The don't earn a final point from me, I won't be adding them to my enclosures.
Conclusion: Better than nothing
Komodo Thermo-Hygrometer Analogue Dial
2.5/5
£6
The Komodo analogue dial is well made, metal surround, glass face, and plastic back. do like the design, but unfortunately at 8cm across it makes it rather big for going inside a jumping spider enclosure. The glass face is quick to steam up making the already small hygrometer section of the dial tricky to read, so no points for design. The installation was better, earning a point, with options to hook the dial to a side, suspend it, it also came with a sticky pad on the back which stick fast. I had trouble getting it off the side in one piece, so completed the test with it hanging on the sides instead. The readings for the hygrometer section are approximate again but unlike the other dials they were close to matching the digital devices, and it wasn't sent screwy with magnets. I've used so half a point for function. The cost is really good, for a thermometer and hygrometer combo, plus the materials made so it earns a point there, and from myself even though it's not ideal for jumping spider enclosures. I will likely add it to one of my larger adult enclosures. Conclusion: I like it but not ideal for jumping spiders
Exo-Terra Combometer Digital 2/5
£24
I love the design on the combometer, the main display sits outside of the enclosure and the sensor goes inside. I like these types as it leaves room for decor and doesn't dominate the enclosure, so a point here. The install was fine, the sucker included didn't like the side of any of my enclosures and popped off, perhaps it is more suited for glass. There is a programming function for a minimum and maximum readings, it's not clear from the instructions if this is for both temperature and humidity or just one, or if it sounds an alarm if reached. Trying to set it reminded me of trying to set the time on our oven, lots of counting and holding buttons and no way to check if its's set. No points for install. The combometer does earn a point for function as the readings were very close to the other digital devices in all 3 enclosures, though I was tempted to knock it down by half a point as to the screen only displays one measurement at a time and it defaults to temp, meaning more button pressing when you wan to check your levels. The cost is absurd for what it is especially with many similar devices available being a fraction of the £24+. My guess is they are capitalising on the fact that this device fits well with their compact and dual topped enclosure range. Their certainly isn't a bonus point from me with this one, and it is the only device that am returning for a refund.
Conclusion: Too expensive for me.
It is worth noting that Exo-Terra also do a hygrometer only version of the combometer for £20, and a thermometer only version for £14, at those prices the combometer looks like a good deal.
Unbranded Digital Hygrometer and Thermometer
4/5
£7 for two on Amazon
Compact and easy to read, especially the humidity reading that is the primary display with the temperature displayed smaller but on the same screen earns this one a point. No point for install though. It does seem to be made to slot into the wall of an enclosure but I don't have enclosures like that and I couldn't see any readily available from Amazon where brought the hygrometer. The air flow vent is on the back so I was hesitant to use the stick pads that came with it so I opted to using garden wire ties to hook it through the enclosure vents. Function was reliable, often matching my own hygrometers that are similar and they are sold all over Amazon at around affordable prices, so two points there and a final one from me because I will be using these. Conclusion: Fair price and reliable, takes some ingenuity to install but something I am happy to use.
Unbranded Digital External Hygro/Thermo with Sensor
4.5/5
£4 for 1 or £7 for two
This device is very similar to the Exo-Terra digital Combometer as in the device sits outside of the enclosure and their is a sensor that goes into the enclosure. Compact size, easy to read display with the humidity featuring more prominently on the screen. The cable is long enough to accommodate all styles of enclosures I have here, so off too a great start with 1 point. Only half a point for the install as there is no sucker for the sensor, so unless you have a wire entry point in the top of your enclosure, you're going to need to tie it up somehow. The readings were consistent and so are the prices on Amazon, 2 points beating the similar Exo-Terra Combometer by a long way. I'll wrap it up by giving it a bonus point from me because it's perfect for jumping spider enclosures, and as I have more than a few enclosures I can use it to make sure existing or new hygrometers are functioning. Hypothetically you could have only one of these if you have planted enclosures and just check the each one in the evening to see if they need another mist by placing the sensor inside each enclosure one-by-one. Conclusion: This is my top pick for enclosures with sensor entry points.
Things to remember when picking a hygrometer for your jumping spider
Consider how you will set t up in your enclosures.
There are hygrometers designed for use in the home rather than enclosures so it is worth double checking when shoppiing around.
Dial devices only give approximated readings, but in many cases can still be used.
Spraying the hygrometer, resting it on substrate or decor will lead to false readings.
You don't need a hygrometer for every enclosure, you can use one with a sensor probe to take readings from each enclosure to check them.
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