Rank #1 in Best Reptile Heat Lamps 2026: 10 Ranked, and One Lumens Figure That Doesn't Add Up
Exo Terra Solar Glo Sun Simulating Lamp, 80 W
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Exo Terra Solar Glo 80 W is a mercury vapour lamp that puts UVB, UVA, visible light and warmth into a single screw-in bulb for a reptile terrarium. It takes first place in this guide on the strength of its own listing: £35.00, 4.4 out of 5 from 2,208 ratings. It is also the clearest example in the category of how the numbers on a bulb's page can disagree with each other.
The same 80 W bulb is credited with three different light outputs. 'Light Output Maximum' says 8,125 lumens. 'White Brightness' says 650 lumens. The EU energy label says 8.125 lumens per watt. At the 80 W the listing itself states, 8.125 lumens per watt works out at 650 lumens, so two of those three figures agree and the 8,125 figure looks like a misplaced decimal rather than a measurement. Everything below comes from the Amazon listing, not from any testing we have carried out.
How those 2,208 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.4 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £35.00 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 out of 5, from 2,208 ratings |
| Light Type | Mercury vapour |
| Light Output Maximum (as listed) | 8,125 lumens |
| White Brightness | 650 lumens |
| EU Energy Efficiency Label | 8.125 lumens per watt |
| Power Consumption | 80 watts |
| Incandescent Equivalent (as listed) | 80 watts |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Best thing with no need for a starter. There's no need to wait for it to cool down before turning it back on. And it's cheaper to run too.”
Verified purchase“best price I have seen these for”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Reptile Heat Lamps 2026: 10 Ranked, and One Lumens Figure That Doesn't Add Up.
Questions people ask
What does the Exo Terra Solar Glo 80 W cost?
The listing shows £35.00 for the 80 W lamp.
How is the Exo Terra Solar Glo 80 W rated?
4.4 out of 5 from 2,208 ratings, as shown on the listing.
How many lumens does the Exo Terra Solar Glo 80 W give out?
The listing gives two figures for the same bulb: 8,125 lumens under 'Light Output Maximum' and 650 lumens under 'White Brightness'. Its EU energy label of 8.125 lumens per watt at 80 W works out at 650 lumens, which matches the lower figure.
Do I need a special holder for this lamp?
Yes. The listing states that to use a lamp with such a high wattage you need a special ceramic lamp holder.
What kind of bulb is it?
A mercury vapour bulb, listed as full spectrum, with a colour temperature of 4,000 Kelvin and a 60 degree beam angle, running on 230 volts.
What mounting distance does the listing recommend?
The listing says to increase the distance between the UVB rays by +30 cm (30 cm).
Comments
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